Walter Sisulu University
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Assessing South African Medical Interns’ Experience and Confidence in Managing Obstetric Emergencies
Get PDFBackground: Medical doctors in South Africa are required to complete a two-year internship at training hospitals, including a four-month rotation in obstetrics and gynaecology. Following this, doctors are allocated to community service posts; many of which are at district and primary level facilities where supervision is limited. The latest triennial Saving Mothers Report identified district hospitals as the second leading site for maternal deaths of all causes. District hospital were also the leading site for maternal deaths secondary to obstetric haemorrhage and the most likely site for the lack of a skilled doctor to be identified as a factor in deaths associated with caesarean delivery. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study aimed to describe the self-perceived readiness of medical interns completing their training to independently manage obstetric emergencies, based on the ESMOE modules in the HPCSA internship logbook. The research assessed medical interns in the last three months of their training, using a self-administered online questionnaire, with data collection between October and December 2019. Cluster sampling of interns at training facilities throughout the country resulted in a total of 182 respondents from 17 hospitals in seven provinces in the country, with an overall response rate of 34.1%. Results: Most interns had experience with, and confidence in, the management of miscarriage and hypertension in pregnancy. However, gaps in labour ward management, pregnancy related sepsis and surgical skills were identified. Only 42.3% of respondents were confident in their ability to diagnose obstructed labour, 26.3% had performed an assisted delivery, 39.0% were confident in their knowledge of the indications and contraindications of assisted deliveries and 35.7% had been involved in the delivery of a baby with shoulder dystocia. Regarding pregnancy related sepsis, 54.4% had experience with managing a wound abscess and 29.7% were confident managing puerperal endometritis. While 78.0% felt confident to perform a caesarean section, only 28.6% had performed uterine compression sutures for uterine atony at caesarean section. Additionally, there was a statistically significant variation in scores between training hospitals. Conclusion: A gap exists between the shortcomings in district hospital obstetric services, the prioritisation of placement of community service doctors at primary care and district hospitals, and the self-perceived readiness of medical interns completing their training to safely manage obstetric emergencies. This highlights the importance of clinical support for junior doctors at district hospitals and standardisation of intern training at accredited facilities across the country.Thesis (Masters) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 202
Perceptions of Cultural and Heritage Tourism Entrepreneurship among Students at a Higher Educational Institution in Cape Town
Get PDFThis study was inspired by the need to increase entrepreneurial opportunities in South Africa. It analysed the opportunity presented by tourism as a possible entrepreneurial field for you entrepreneurs from Universities. The study was based on the position that despite the attacks on colonial heritage sites, they can present possible entrepreneurial opportunities. The study adopted the quantitative approach to collect and analyse the perceptions of entrepreneurship students at a Higher Education Institution. Evidence was found that there were many benefits of heritage entrepreneurship which included creating financial viability, creation of employment and improving the environment and infrastructure in communities. It was also found that most of the students held a positive impression of the role of tourist and tourism entrepreneurship in the communities. They held a good image of the tourist and felt that they did not offer any threat to locals. Youth are recommended to adopt heritage tourism entrepreneurship as employment opportunity
Covid-19 as a catalyst for digital transformation in higher education: insights for rural-based universities in South Africa
Get PDFThe Covid-19 pandemic and the associated lockdown regulations suddenly elevated the importance of blended learning in South Africa and worldwide. This has prompted various international and national institutions into action, providing various support services to enhance fast digital adoption in higher education and facilitate out of classroom learning. In this regard, this paper views the pandemic as a necessary evil that can catalyse the adoption of digital learning, particularly, in rural-based universities of South Africa that have been lagging in the digital education front. The paper reviews recent literature and document opportunities that are emerging from the Covid-19 pandemic. These opportunities can assist rural-based universities to sustainably adopt blended learning, catch up with the elite universities, and bridge the digital divide that is still apparent in South Africa. The paper is based on a review of articles, educational policy documents, and government gazettes. The Atlasti version 8 software was utilised to synthesise the literature. It was concluded that various opportunities exist for rural-based universities. To enhance effective digital transformation in rural-based universities, there is a need for alignment of national policy with realities in different institutions, improve human digital apprehension capacity, and increase collaborations between education technologists and education institutions as well as behavioural change among higher education managers. These changes can enable rural-based universities to build on the opportunities presented by the pandemic and digitalise their education programs to align with the inevitable demands of the 4th industrial revolution
Re-engineering imperatives to enhance the effectiveness of municipal public accounts committees in South African municipalities
Get PDFBackground: After 26 years into democracy and 20 years of the new local government operations, the state of the majority of municipalities in South Africa still leaves much to be desired, as they are plagued with maleficence. What is concerning is that these negative tendencies that are troubling local government occur even under the watchful eye of the municipal public accounts committees (MPACs). Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the composition and the role of MPACs, which have experienced a number of challenges since they were introduced in response to the widely held perception of the culture of lack of accountability in South African municipalities. Methods: This article is theoretical in nature, and it draws its arguments from secondary data in order to understand the composition and the role of MPACs, including its challenges. Results: This study regards the composition of the MPAC as lacking the necessary vigour to be efficient and effective in executing its duties, particularly when considering the challenges and political influences that it tends to face in its operations. Conclusion: The study concludes that there is a need for re-engineering of the composition and the role of the MPAC in order to ensure that it executes its functions efficiently and effectively. Consequently, the study recommends three cardinal pillars that must be given attention in re-engineering the MPAC: policy, authority and power. Keywords: Internal accountability; maleficence; municipalities; municipal public accounts committees; re-engineerin
A framework to test South Africa’s readiness for the fourth industrial revolution
Get PDFBackground: The fourth industrial revolution (4IR) is being touted as having the capacity to lift South Africa out of the challenges of poverty, unemployment and inequitable distribution of wealth. However, the state of the country’s readiness for the enabling technologies of the 4IR is in question. Objective: This article sought to investigate South Africa’s state of readiness for the technologies that enable the 4IR. The article proposed a framework which can be used to measure the country’s level of preparedness and implement the necessary processes to move the country into the 4IR era. Method: A detailed analysis of literature was carried out on the current and futuristic technologies employed by developed countries as they moved towards the 4IR. The fit – viability and the task – technology theories were employed to propose a framework to government for measuring its state of readiness for the 4IR in South Africa. Results: Based on findings from the literature study, the article proposed the 4IR readiness framework for government to measure and subsequently plans its response to the advent of 4IR technologies in the country. Conclusion: The framework revealed that South Africa has low technological capability, plummeting economic complexity and a fall in digital technological readiness. There is also a dearth of skilled workforce and technological infrastructure. It was recommended that government should focus on building and strengthening the resilience of both public and private institutions, investment in relevant 4IR education, infrastructural improvement, and promulgation and enforcement of legal framework to ensure security and privacy of data. Keywords: 4IR; task – technology; fit – viability; digital technology readiness; economic complexit
Mildly elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone is associated with endothelial dysfunction and severe preeclampsia among pregnant women with insufficient iodine intake in Eastern Cape province, South Africa
Get PDFBackground Preeclampsia and hypothyroidism are associated with endothelial dysfunction. Iodine deficiency is a risk factor for subclinical hypothyroidism in pregnancy. However, there is a paucity of data on the relationship between iodine nutrition state in pregnancy, the degree of endothelial dysfunction, and the risk of preeclampsia. Methods Ninety-five normotensive pregnant women, 50 women with preeclampsia with no severe features, and 50 women with severe preeclampsia were enrolled into the current study from the maternity units of Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital and Mthatha Regional Hospitals in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Urinary iodine concentration (UIC), serum markers of thyroid function, aortic augmentation index, and pulse wave velocity (PWV) were compared. Results Median UIC was 167.5, 127.7, and 88.5 µg/L, respectively for normotensive pregnant women, those with preeclampsia and severe preeclampsia (p = .150). Participants with severe preeclampsia had significantly higher median thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and oxidized LDL than normotensive and preeclamptic women without severe features (respectively 3.0, 2.3, and 2.3 IU/L; 1.2, 1.0, and 1.0 IU/L, p less .05). The median Aortic augmentation index was 7.5, 19.0, and 21.0 (p less .001), and the pulse wave velocity 5.1, 5.7, and 6.3, respectively for normotensive, preeclampsia, and severe preeclampsia participants (both p less .001). In linear regressions, TSH, age, and hypertensive disease were independent predictors of elevated PWV. Conclusion Upper normal-range TSH levels in women with severe preeclampsia were associated with markers of endothelial dysfunction. The low UIC and trend towards the elevation of thyroglobulin suggest that inadequate iodine intake may have increased TSH levels and indirectly caused endothelial dysfunction. Keywords: Preeclampsia, Iodine deficiency, Elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone, Pulse wave velocity, Endothelial dysfunctio
Investigating the key performance factors in circumventing the effects of sanctions imposed by the gulf cooperation council (gcc). A case study of qatar airways (2016-2020)
Get PDFThe study aimed to investigate the key performance factors in circumventing the effects of sanctions imposed by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on Qatar. A case study of Qatar Airways (2016-2020) in the form of desktop analysis/document review coupled with observation was carried out. Effects of sanctions identified included the closure of air corridors, increased operational costs, and in-access to services from certain insurance companies and travel agencies. From the results, management was observed to have implemented the following measures to caution the airlines from the effects of sanctions: close monitoring of flights, integration of all operations activities, network expansion, effective marketing, continued engagement with the sanction imposers, consistency in terms of management action and the messages communicated and fighting sanctions legally through the courts. Key Success Factors (KSFs) were extracted from these management initiatives credited with the continued success of Qatar Airways which included marketing, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), service quality, marketing, security, resources availability, technology, synergies, diversification, and government support. From the management initiatives, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) were also extracted which acted as barometers to indicate the progress being made by implementation of these management initiatives in the fight against sanctions. These included accolades, passengers/cargo, fleet size, revenue, employees, and crisis indicators. These findings from the study can be used by other airlines that may find themselves under sanctions.Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Commerce and Administration, 202
Mthatha Research and Innovation Day: programme
No full textMthatha Research and Innovation Day. Topic The Impact of the pandemic in Higher Education and Research: Challenges and possibilities
