11613 research outputs found
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Chronic diseases of lifestyle: A risk assessment and health promotion framework for a rural and urban primary health care setting in the Free State province, South Africa
No full text: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of global mortality. The WHO projects a rise in NCD-related deaths from 36 million in 2018 to 55 million by 2030, with developing countries being the most affected. Effective community-based primary health care (PHC) can reduce the burden of chronic diseases of lifestyle (CDLs). This study aimed to develop a risk assessment and health promotion framework to strengthen CDL prevention and control in Free State (FS) communities in South Africa.
: A convergent mixed-method design was used. Quantitative analysis identified CDL risk factors in rural and urban FS settings, while qualitative focus group discussions explored participants’ knowledge of CDLs and their experiences with program implementation.
: Key findings highlighted differences in risk profiles, CDL training needs for PHC teams, patient education gaps, and curriculum development. Step 1 of the framework development identified differences and similarities in the CDL risk profiles of the study populations. Step 2 identified CDL training needs for PHC teams, patient educational needs, and CDL curriculum development needs. Step 3 revealed three main barriers: resource constraints, patient non-compliance, and the lack of supporting healthcare services. In Step 4, the six focus areas identified (steps 1–3) were used to develop strategies for implementing a tailored, community-based, patient-centred approach.
: The results provide valuable insights for improving PHC responses in resource-limited settings.Publisher's versio
The potential influence of risks on supply chain management practices in the Maseru City Council in Lesotho
No full textDissertation (MBA (Business Administration))--University of the Free State, 2024This study investigates the potential influence of risks on supply chain management (SCM) practices at the Maseru City Council (MCC) in Lesotho. Utilizing a qualitative research approach within an interpretivist paradigm, the research identifies, evaluates, and proposes strategies to mitigate supply chain risks affecting the operational efficiency and effectiveness of the council. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with 12 key participants from a population of 32 across various departments, and thematic analysis was employed to analyse the findings. The study highlights several key risks, including supplier-related disruptions, financial constraints, regulatory challenges, and environmental threats. Mitigation strategies identified include supplier diversification, strategic partnerships, and the integration of technology for real-time supply chain monitoring. The findings underscore the critical role of risk management practices in ensuring operational resilience and service delivery at MCC. The study contributes valuable insights for policymakers and local government entities seeking to enhance supply chain performance in the public sector
Experiences in learning research methods: recommendations from undergraduate nursing students at two African universities
No full textGlobally there is increasing demand for high-quality nursing care driven by research and evidence-based practice. Engagement of undergraduate nursing students in research activities identifies experiences and strategies that bring best outcomes in nursing practice. This study sought to establish strategies that will improve research practices among undergraduate nursing students at two African universities.
The study was conducted in University of the Free State (UFS) in South Africa and Dedan Kimathi University of Technology (DeKUT) in Kenya. Nominal group technique (NGT) was used to collect data from 116 undergraduate nursing students (South Africa = 53; Kenya = 63). Participants recruitment involved complete collection sampling with 5 group discussions (South Africa = 2; Kenya = 3). Data analysis involved initial intra-group analysis step done to tally and combine scores for specific ideas. Second step identified top five ideas across groups per institution based on highest scores. Final step compared similarities and differences between the two institutions. Ethical clearance was obtained in both countries.
The nominal group results showed top five priorities for the students in Kenya were group work research, calm manner of addressing mistakes, timely feedback from supervisors, standardised assessment, face to face teaching of data analysis software and avoidance of nullification of research projects. South African university students prioritised Student support, knowing expectations, supervisor’s feedback and contact classes, interactive classrooms and breaking down research jargon.
The participants reported need for creating supportive learning experiences with peer/teacher mentorship. Timely feedback, structured supervision, and student-centred approach to learning new information in research enrich learners’ positive experience.Publisher's versio
Examining the role of community media in promoting Accountability and good governance in local government: a case study of Chris Hani District Municipality
No full textDissertation(M.A.(Governance and Political Transformation))--University of the Free State, 2024This study focused on the role of community media in promoting accountability in local government with specific reference to Chris Hani District Municipality. The lack of accountability and good governance in municipalities is a major contributing factor in the deterioration of governance. Local citizens especially the poor are the most affected, as they rely on government services. An effective accountability and citizen participation ecosystem is an essential factor that give local communities assurance that local governance and resources are used efficiently and not abused.
This study investigated whether Chris Hani District Municipality is promoting accountability and good governance using community media outlets. The study utilised a desktop approach data collection method in which existing pre-published
information from secondary sources, such as municipal reports, local government legislations, community media legislations, relevant books, academic reports, news articles and statutory reports. The findings of the study revealed that Chris Hani District Municipality is utilising community media to communicate and engage local communities on municipal programmes and activities. The findings also revealed that Chris Hani District Municipality’s Communication and Public Participation Strategy was not effective in achieving its objective of fostering a culture of transparency and accountability and to promote effective access to information.
The findings further revealed that the strategy lacks coherence as most of the municipal communication activities were reactive and centred around municipal leadership. The findings have shown that Chris Hani District Municipality’s public
participation and communications programmes are not effective as local community citizens regularly embark on service protests to air their frustration on the mismanagement of the municipality. Lastly the study investigated challenges faced by community media in Chris Hani District Municipality in their quest to promote accountability and good governance.
It is evident from the literature review that an effective community media can make a meaningful contribution in fostering a culture of good governance to curb corruption and maladministration. However, the study found that Vukani Community Radio Station and The Rep community Newspaper are facing several challenges that hampered their ability to perform their watchdog mandate.
The study concluded that community media outlets are a vital tool that can contribute to increase transparency and accountability in decision-making processes and to communicate the principles of good governance in local government.
Lastly, several recommendations have been made regarding the enhancement of the role of community media in promoting good governance in local government. They range from reviewing local government legislation, community media capacity building mechanisms and revenue generative methods
Regulation of proline accumulation and protein secretion in sorghum under combined osmotic and heat stress
No full textPlants reprogramme their proteome to alter cellular metabolism for effective stress adaptation. Intracellular proteomic responses have been extensively studied, and the extracellular matrix stands as a key hub where peptide signals are generated/processed to trigger critical adaptive signal transduction cascades inaugurated at the cell surface. Therefore, it is important to study the plant extracellular proteome to understand its role in plant development and stress response. This study examined changes in the soluble extracellular sub-proteome of sorghum cell cultures exposed to a combination of sorbitol-induced osmotic stress and heat at 40 °C. The combined stress significantly reduced metabolic activity and altered protein secretion. While cells treated with osmotic stress alone had elevated proline content, the osmoprotectant in the combined treatment remained unchanged, confirming that sorghum cells exposed to combined stress utilise adaptive processes distinct from those invoked by the single stresses applied separately. Reactive oxygen species (ROS)-metabolising proteins and proteases dominated differentially expressed proteins identified in cells subjected to combined stress. ROS-generating peroxidases were suppressed, while ROS-degrading proteins were upregulated for protection from oxidative damage. Overall, our study provides protein candidates that could be used to develop crops better suited for an increasingly hot and dry climate.Publisher's versio
Bi doped LaOCl and LaOF thin films grown by pulsed laser deposition
No full textThin films of Bi³⁺ doped LaOCl and LaOF phosphors prepared via the pulsed laser deposition (PLD) technique in vacuum and different argon (Ar) pressures were compared in order to assess their luminescence properties. All peaks of the X-ray diffraction patterns of the films were consistent with the tetragonal structure of the LaOCl and LaOF, but in the case of LaOF the signal was weaker and not all peaks were present, suggesting some preferred orientation. Photoluminescence measurements revealed that the films exhibited emission around 344 nm for LaOCl:Bi and 518 nm for LaOF:Bi under excitations of 266 nm and 263 nm, respectively. The luminescence from the LaOF:Bi sample was less intense compared to the LaOCl:Bi sample prepared under the same conditions, which was also the case for the powder samples. The amount of ablated material present on the substrate was much less for LaOF:Bi compared to LaOCl:Bi, which is attributed to the greater bandgap and hence weaker absorption of the laser pulses for LaOF:Bi. Therefore phosphors based on LaOCl as the host material were found to be preferable over LaOF under the PLD conditions used in this study.Publisher's versio
Developing the profession and practice of academic advising for South African universities
No full textDissertation (M.Ed.(Higher Education Studies))--University of the Free State, 2024Internationally, academic advising plays a critical role in supporting student success, promoting retention and contributing to positive graduation rates, while facilitating a positive and fulfilling experience. It has become the cornerstone for higher education institutions in how they guide and support students and connect students to the institution and resources. In the South African context, similar developments have been observed. In recent years,
academic advising in South African higher education has shown significant increases in the advancement of it as a practice and profession. It has helped facilitate how students are supported, how students access and navigate higher education successfully. With the intentional efforts to advance the professionalisation of academic advising through the Academic Advising Professional Development (AAPD) short course, this study has the dual purpose of reflecting on whether the AAPD meets the needs of both practitioners and students in the South African higher education context.
Reflecting on literature and international best practice, work by Yarbrough (2002), as well as Troxel et al. (2021), has demonstrated that it is the engagements between advisor and advisee that are amongst the most impactful encounters that influence a student’s sense of self-efficacy towards completing their degree requirements. Adopting a meta-approach, this study evaluates whether the use of the AAPD and its foundational theoretical approaches support the development of academic advising in South Africa by aligning conceptual and practical needs of students. The first paper uses a constructivist paradigm to explore how AAPD participants between 2018 and 2021 acquired knowledge and learned. Building on
this, the second paper focuses on the practice, reflecting on whether the students who went for academic advising had their needs met by the AAPD using a pragmatic paradigm.
The significance of this study is that core to academic advising, the informational, conceptual as well as relational components are at the core of what students need support with and what should form the base of the AAPD short learning programme. Some advisors still find it challenging to distinguish conceptual and informational components, which is usually caused by the reality that when students do seek advising support, they are confronted by a combination of needs. When considering how advisors are trained, the AAPD forms an introductory basis to the profession and practice. There are, however, gaps for advisors with regard to leading and coordinating the work. There is a need for ongoing communities of practice that afford for advisors to reflect and continue realigning their practice, especially within the conceptual and relational components
Factors influencing rural women’s adoption of climate change adaptation strategies: evidence from the Chivi District of Zimbabwe
No full textThe socio-cultural leadership system in rural communities of developing countries is generally gender-biased, thus rendering female-headed households (FHHs) vulnerable to climate change risk. This study explored the factors influencing FHHs’ adoption of a climate change adaptation strategy (CCAS) in Chivi District, Zimbabwe. We used a multistage sampling technique and logistic regression to evaluate 107 women household heads’ livelihood and their decision to adopt the CCAS in Ward 25 of the Chivi District. The results show that the age of the female head significantly influenced the CCAS decision (² = −0.073), along with marital status (² = 0.110), agricultural training (² = 0.133), club membership (² = 0.084), and farm size (² = 0.014). Access to formal agricultural training plays a prominent role. At the same time, the institutional framework showed variations and laxity on the part of the local government, as access to extension services varies significantly. In addition, education level was reported to have an insignificant ( = 0.098) influence on CCAS adoption. Overall, multiple institutional and socio-economic factors are essential in influencing CCAS decisions. Hence, central and local governments are encouraged to improve outreach strategies on deploying supporting tools, extension agents, and vital stakeholders for strategic information dissemination to sensitize rural dwellers and community leaders on women’s and FHHs’ crucial role in food security and their resilience to climate change risk. Moreover, the educational syllabus can be enhanced at all rural education levels to reshape the norms of future generations against the customary impact of old age on farming approaches and to encourage women’s participation in decision making and interventions, particularly those sensitive to their societal contributions.Publisher's versio
The role of thickness on the structural and luminescence properties of Y₂O₃:Ho³⁺, Yb³⁺ upconversion films
No full textThe structural, surface, and upconversion (UC) luminescence properties of Y₂O₃:Ho³⁺,Yb³⁺ films grown by pulsed laser deposition, for different numbers of laser pulses, were studied. The crystallinity, surface, and UC luminescence properties of the thin films were found to be highly dependent on the number of laser pulses. The X-ray powder diffraction analysis revealed that Y₂O₃:Ho³⁺,Yb³⁺ films were formed in a cubic structure phase with an Ia ̅3 space group. The thicknesses of the films were estimated by using cross-sectional scanning electron microscopy, depth profiles using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and the Swanepoel method. The high-resolution XPS was used to determine the chemical composition and oxidation states of the prepared films. The UC emissions were observed at 538, 550, 666, and 756 nm, assigned to the ⁵F₄ → ⁵I₈, ⁵S₂ → ⁵I₈, ⁵F₅ → ⁵I₈, and ⁵S₂ → ⁵I₇ transitions of the Ho³⁺ ions. The power dependence measurements confirmed the involvement of a two-photon process in the UC process. The color purity estimated from the Commission International de I’Eclairage coordinates confirmed strong green UC emission. The results suggested that the Y₂O₃:Ho³⁺,Yb³⁺ UC transparent films are good candidates for various applications, including solar cell applications.Publisher's versio
Iron status, anemia, and birth outcomes among pregnant women in urban Bloemfontein, South Africa: the NuEMI study
No full textDespite routine iron supplementation for pregnant women in South Africa, anaemia and iron deficiency (ID) in pregnancy remain a public health concern.
To determine the associations between iron status and birth outcomes of pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at a regional hospital in Bloemfontein.
In this cross-sectional study of 427 pregnant women, blood was taken to analyze biomarkers of anaemia (haemoglobin), iron status (ferritin and soluble transferrin receptor) and inflammation (C-reactive protein and α-1-acid glycoprotein). A questionnaire was used to collect information about birth outcomes (birth weight and gestational age at birth), HIV exposure, sociodemographics, iron supplement intake, and maternal dietary iron intake using a validated quantified food frequency questionnaire.
The median (Q₁, Q₃) weeks of gestation of participants was 32 (26, 36) at enrolment. Anaemia, iron deficiency (ID), ID anaemia (IDA) and ID erythropoiesis (IDE) were present in 42%, 31%, 19% and 9.8% of participants, respectively. Median (Q₁, Q₃) dietary and supplemental iron intake during pregnancy was 16.8 (12.7, 20.5) mg/d and 65 (65, 65) mg/d, respectively. The median (max-min) total iron intake (diet and supplements) was 81 (8.8-101.8) mg/d, with 88% of participants having a daily intake above the tolerable upper intake level of 45 mg/d. No significant associations of anaemia and iron status with low birth weight and prematurity were observed. However, infants born to participants in the third hemoglobin (Hb) quartile (Hb > 11.3–12.2 g/dL) had a shorter gestation by 1 week than those in the fourth Hb quartile (Hb > 12.2 g/dL) ( = 0.009). Compared to pregnant women without HIV, women with HIV had increased odds of being anaemic (OR:2.14, 95%CI: 1.41, 3.247), having ID (OR:2.19, 95%CI: 1.42, 3.37), IDA (OR:2.23, 95%CI: 1.36, 3.67), IDE (OR:2.22, 95%CI: 1.16, 4.22) and delivering prematurely (OR:2.39, 95%CI: 1.01, 5.64).
In conclusion, anaemia, ID, and IDA were prevalent in this sample of pregnant women, despite the reported intake of prescribed iron supplements, with HIV-infected participants more likely to be iron deficient and anaemic. Research focusing on the best formulation and dosage of iron supplementation to enhance iron absorption and status, and compliance to supplementation is recommended, especially for those living with HIV infection.Publisher's versio