11613 research outputs found
Sort by
Improving the well-being of teen mothers through resilience-focused interventions in rural schools
No full textThe well-being and resilience of teen mothers (TM) is adversely affected after the sudden transition into motherhood, due to lack of sufficient support in their social environment, such as the family, church, and the school, leading to an increase in school "drop-outs". This study used the Social Ecology of Resilience model as its building block and theoretical framework. The interpretivist paradigm used in qualitative research was used to conduct this research in rural secondary schools in QwaQwa, where the researcher aimed to explore and articulate the feasibility of resilience-focused intervention programmes for teen mothers in rural schools as a way of improving their well-being. The researcher used the amended semi-structured interviews and the draw-and-write technique, as an arts-based method, to generate data. These data gathering methods explain the factors that could either enable or constrain resilience-focused interventions for teen mothers whose well-being needs to be improved in rural schools. The selection of the teen mothers was based on their demographics and location. Five teen mothers from five different rural schools were purposefully selected to participate in the current study. This study used thematic analysis to analyse text with conferred and demonstrated results. The main aim of this study was to investigate how enhancing the well-being of teen mothers through resilience-focused interventions in rural schools can effectively enhance their learning and personal development. The findings of the study were multi-faceted. The study proposed intervention strategies which involve a support package for teen mothers that entails unified, interconnected, and inclusive community structures, such as local health institutions, FBOs, neighbourhoods, inter alia. The draw-and-write technique, as an arts-based method of investigation, was an alternative form of communication other than words which was used by teen mothers to recreate and share their life experiences. One of the teen mothers explained that drawing pictures and sharing her story was also therapeutic. Lastly, the schools should play a critical role in implementing effective, resilience-focused interventions to support and empower teen mothers to cope with early parenthood, academic responsibilities and psycho-social demands
The overlooked victim right: according victim-survivors a right of access to restorative justice
No full textIn recent years, states have accorded victim-survivors more expansive legal rights and made it easier for them to invoke those rights. Conspicuously absent from the litany of victims’ rights enumerated in the law is the right to be afforded access to restorative justice processes. This Article challenges this systemic failure to understand and respond to the full spectrum of victim-survivors’ needs. First, the Article provides three examples of core needs of victim-survivors that are largely disregarded by criminal justice systems and profiles how restorative justice equips criminal justice systems to better meet those needs. The Article then spotlights pertinent research confirming the benefits that redound to victim-survivors who participate in restorative processes. The Article concludes with a call for the law to accord victim-survivors a new right—a right of access to restorative justice processes—the need for which criminal justice systems have overlooked for far too long.Publisher's versio
Quantifying soil fertility parameters with electromagnetic induction, infrared reflectance spectroscopy and conventional chemistry procedures for wheat and maize under irrigation in arid climate
No full textCurrent global challenges, such as food security and soil quality, cannot be solved without up-to-date, high-quality, high-resolution, spatio-temporal, and continuous soil and environmental data that characterize soil and cropping ecosystems. Therefore, accurate and precise assessments of soil and crop characteristics are critical for site-specific management, vibrant soil condition and environmental sustainability. The inability to evaluate soil and crop characteristics quickly and inexpensively remains one of the main challenges of precision agriculture. Therefore, the ultimate aim of this study was to evaluate the use of soil sensors, viz the mid-infrared (MIR) sensor and the apparent electrical conductivity (ECa) sensor, in quantifying multiple soil fertility properties and their variability under irrigation. The study also attempted to apply the sensor data fusion approach to improve the assessment of multiple soil quality indicators and the overall soil quality under irrigation using the Soil Management Assessment Framework (SMAF). The established international ECa-directed soil sampling design approach was employed at each of the seven fields of interest by measuring apparent soil electrical conductivity (ECa) with a Geonics EM38-MK2 sensor (non-invasive geophysical electromagnetic induction, EMI). A “Response Surface Sampling Design” (RSSD) sampling methodology in the “Electrical Conductivity Sampling Assessment and Prediction” (ESAP) software was used to direct soil and crop sampling based on the degree of ECa variability. This methodology reduced sampling points from each field to 12 sampling points after an initial ECa survey. Soil samples from each field were analysed in the laboratory for various soil properties that are related to soil fertility. Wheat and maize were also sampled from the ECa directed sampling points at each field at the end of the winter 2016 season and 2016/17 summer season, respectively. The MIR spectra was obtained in the laboratory from the soil and crop samples from each field using a sensor iS50 Nicolet Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) (Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., Waltham, MA) equipped with an accessory for attenuated reflectance acquisition (iS50 FTIR-ATR). The MIR sensor and EM38 sensor showed different levels of accuracy with respect to predicting soil fertility properties under irrigation. The study results demonstrated the effectiveness and usefulness of the MIR attenuated total reflectance (ATR) technique coupled with partial squares least regression (PLSR) in quantitative analysis of soil fertility properties. In contrast, the EM38 sensor modelled accurately only a few soil properties per site at a given sampling time. Comparatively, the model results from both sensors show that the MIR sensor produced better prediction models for most of the measured soil fertility properties than the EM38 sensor. For quantifying nutrient accumulation in wheat and maize, the MIR sensor technique produced more excellent predictive models for the nutrient concentrations in wheat samples than in maize. The results from the in-field spatial characterization of plant nutrient levels and crop yields at the study sites showed that although ECa readings may be useful for the spatial characterization of some soil fertility properties in non-saline and non-sodic soils in South Africa, the results showed many inconsistencies between sites and between the centre pivots.
The limitations of quantifying soil properties and overall soil quality using a single soil sensor can be overcome by integrating data from conceptually different sensing techniques to improve model accuracy and robustness. The findings in this study demonstrated that models for most of the soil properties obtained based on step-wise multiple linear regression (SMLR) fusion of data from MIR sensor and EM38 sensor measurements were more robust as compared to models from individual sensors. The SMLR sensor fusion technique failed to improve the models of some soil properties at the selected fields as well as the overall SMAF soil quality index at the Douglas 40 ha field. A more robust fusion technique such as PLSR can be used to implement the data fusion for these properties. The sensor data fusion results demonstrate the superiority and efficiency of the sensor data fusion approach in the measurement of soil fertility properties and overall soil quality in irrigation systems of South Africa. Based on the findings of this study, for soil fertility evaluation and quantification, it is recommended to use the MIR technique coupled with PLSR and alternatively, the ECa measurements as complementary information to provide extended attribute coverage and increased capacity of the sensor data fusion
A public health ethics framework for the geriatric community: a South African perspective
No full textThesis (Ph.D. (Community Health))-University of the Free State, 2021At the end of her tenure (2007–2017) as Director-General for the World Health Organization (WHO), Margaret Chan (2017) published a report on the developments in public health during this period. She emphasised the growing role that social determinants can play to improve public health. The new thinking is that social determinants, and not physical challenges only, contribute to health. The downside of her comment is that social factors can also negatively influence quality of health and well-being of communities. Such a negative impact will increase the vulnerability of a community. Ethical challenges are often associated with vulnerability. This is particularly evident in thegeriatric community. A growing ageing and consequently an elderly or geriatric community will place more demands on the already challenged social and health services. This, in turn, will put more strain on the geriatric community. Statistics from the WHO’s World Report on Ageing and Health (2015) suggests that the world population older than 60 years will nearly double by 2050. This is a global phenomenon. The 2020 South African Mid-year Population Estimates Report approximates the people older than 60 years to be 9.1% of the population. This Report states that the population 60 years and above increased by 1.9 million people from 2002 to 2020. This growth represents an increase of 1.1% for the period 2002 to 2003, and 3.0% for the period 2019 to 2020. A review of literature relevant to the geriatric community obtained from databases such as Science Direct, Proquest, Taylor and Francis, Sabinet African Journal Collection and relevant National Department of Health policies, strategies and plans, suggest the apparent absence of a public health ethics framework for the geriatric community. The perspectives originating from the literature led to the research question for this study: What are the important ethical aspects to consider for a public health ethics framework for the geriatric community in the South African context? This study was based on a literature review as part of a qualitative method and the Qmethodology, which is qualitative in its information collection and data sampling but quantitative in terms of the method of analysis. Six geriatric institutions, two each from the Free State, Northern Cape and Northwest Provinces, participated in the data collection for the study. A questionnaire (Q-sort table) was completed, comprising 50 statements (Q-set) which were ranked (Q-sorting) by the twenty-two participants (P-set) from the six participating institutions. The collection of data derived from the ranking of statements was representative of three indexes: (a) an Index of Social Determinants (Questions 1 – 20); (b) an Index of Public Health Ethics (Questions 21 – 35); and (c) an Index of a Public Health Ethics Framework (Questions 36 – 50). The data collected from the ranking of statements was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences software. Information was produced based on the interpretation of the data against the literature review presented in Chapter 1. The research results are discussed in Chapters 2 – 4. From Chapter 2 it is evident that the lack of sufficient healthcare provision and the quality of healthcare provision are social determinants impacting negatively on the geriatric community’s health. These social determinants contribute to the ethical challenges experienced by the geriatric community. Chapter 3 addresses the question of what public health ethics implies for the geriatric community. Working with the geriatric community, the ethical principles of (a) respecting their vulnerability and fragility, (b) protecting their lives from abuse and neglect, and upholding dignity, (c) securing a safe environment to live in, and (d) providing quality access to healthcare and provision, were identified as the ethical basis of public health for the geriatric community. The chapter concludes that public health ethics is the application ofethical principles through a professional ethic resulting in care and relationship building. In Chapter 4 eight building blocks are identified that were used in the development of a framework for public health ethics. These building blocks are: Promote the core value of public health; • Identify the principles for public health ethics; • Recognise ethical challenges for agent and recipient of service; • Advance ethics leadership; • Introduce ethics education; • Promote social justice; • Develop ethical expertise; and • Practise care ethics. In Chapter 5 an integrated public health ethics framework for the geriatric community is presented. The perspectives presented in the literature review (cf. Chapter 1), the perspectives developed on social determinants having an impact on the geriatric community (cf. Chapters 1 & 2), and the ranking of statements (cf. Chapters 2 – 4) contributed to the development of a public health ethics framework. Based on the ranking of statements, building blocks were identified that contributed to the public health ethics framework for the geriatric community (cf. Chapter 5). These building blocks contributed to a public health ethics framework, and were grounded in normative and applied ethics and linked to virtue ethics, deontology and consequentialism. Four questions associated with ethics were posed to explain the application of the framework. These questions also assisted with the alignment of the building blocks to the basic purpose of public health, namely the organised strategies, interventions, and services to improve the health and well-being of the community or population. The questions are: (a) Are we doing things right? (b) Are we doing the right thing? (c) How can the common good be promoted? (d) What benefit is there
Impulsive risk behaviours, self-harm, and demographic factors as predictors of coping amongst university students
No full textUniversity students face significant levels of psychological distress due to the transitional period that they find themselves in, known as emerging adulthood, which, for young adults, is between the ages of 18 to 29 years. During this period, university students find it increasingly difficult as they encounter numerous stressors, have the tendency to lack the necessary coping mechanisms, have poor social support, experience rapid changes in social and psychological development, and have high academic expectations, while having to develop social roles and preparing for adult roles. Furthermore, university students tend to struggle with psychological challenges such as depression, anxiety, suicidality, a history of psychiatric hospitalisation, self-injury incidents, sexual assault concerns on campus, and alcohol-related issues. Consequently, due to the increase in the stressors and the psychological severity of problems during this transitional period, university students find it challenging to cope. This study aimed to investigate which variables or combination of variables (Impulsive Risk Behaviours, Self-Harm, Age, Gender, and Academic Level) explained a significant percentage of variance in Coping among university students. To determine the correlations between variables, a correlational design was necessary for this non-experimental, quantitative study. A non-probability sampling technique known as convenience sampling was used in this study. The sample comprised 471 university students from the University of the Free State from all ethnic groups and genders, aged between 18 and 29 years, enrolled for any major and on either undergraduate or postgraduate educational level from various departments within the Faculty of the Humanities. The students were from disciplines that included, but were not limited to, Psychology, Criminology, Anthropology, Communication Science, Sociology, and Political Science. The measuring instruments included a self-developed biographical questionnaire, the Impulsive Behaviour Scale (IBS), the Self-Harm Information Form (SHIF), and the Coping Orientation to Problem Experience (COPE) Inventory. Correlation analyses were conducted, followed by hierarchical regression analyses, which were used to analyse the data. The research findings highlighted that Impulsive Risk Behaviour demonstrated statistically significant positive correlations with (1) Behavioural Disengagement and (2) Substance Use Coping. Furthermore, a statistically significant positive correlation was found between Self-Harm and Substance Use Coping. Lastly, Impulsive Risk Behaviour statistically and practically significantly predicted Substance Use Coping among university students, which corresponded with previous research that stipulated a positive relationship between impulsive risk behaviours and substance use coping. However, the current study was not able to demonstrate a combination of predictor variables that predicted Coping among university students. Consequently, numerous variables yielded statistically significant results, although practical significance was not obtained and hence was not discussed in the study. The study’s findings demonstrate a relationship between Impulsive Risk Behaviour, Self-Harm, Disengagement Coping, and Substance Use Coping, which all are of concern among university students. These results indicate that students tend to utilise maladaptive behaviours and coping strategies to deal with their stressors. However, further research should be conducted on the predictors of coping among university students in South Africa to build on the knowledge created by this study
Political Trust and Protest Behaviour in Local Government in the Free State
No full textDissertation (MGT (Governance and Political Transformation))--University of the Free State, 2021Political trust is understood as an attitude that reflects citizens’ basic evaluative orientations of the political system, its institutions and incumbent authorities. This attitude of political trust is also found to have a significant bearing on how citizens relate with and behave towards their local political institutions and incumbent authorities. This research report pays specific attention to how low and/or declined levels of political trust foments protest action at a municipal level. To be precise, the relationship between political trust and protest action will be examined in the context of municipalities in the Free State Province, South Africa. The theoretical proposition of this report is that citizens in the Free State demonstrate low and/or declined levels of political trust and as a consequence, local communities respond by means of endless protest action across local municipalities. The accuracy of this proposition may signify a more profound challenge of a poor, ineffective and inefficient local government system in the province. Nonetheless, it is important to note that these observations are not unique to the Free State, but seem to characterise most municipalities across the country. If left unabated, low levels of trust and rising protest action may pose a serious risk to the stability and legitimacy of the entire local government system
Retrospective audit of paediatric intracranial tumours treated in Universitas Hospital from 2000-2020
No full textThe research involved a retrospective review of the number and types of paediatric tumours managed at Universitas Hospital, Bloemfontein, over 20 years. Universitas is the only referral hospital serving the Free State province and the surrounding areas, including the Northern Cape and Lesotho, in relation to paediatric tumours. The total population of the Free State, Northern Cape, and Lesotho numbers at least 6 million, and the area has only one hospital to manage paediatric tumours. Paediatric tumours are treated in cooperation by the neurosurgery and the paediatric oncology departments of Universitas Hospital. This collaboration is due to the multidisciplinary approach needed to treat this pathology adequately. The objective of this research was to review the different types of tumours encountered and managed by the hospital. An investigation was done into the demographics of patients presenting at the hospital from 2000 to June 2020. The data that was collected clarified the patient gender and age distribution, and also the outcomes achieved during the given period. A review of the management of the patients was done, and a comparison made of reviewed data and literature reporting on international statistics. The research was undertaken with the aim of optimising the management of pediatric oncology patients, and to streamline data collection. As Universitas is a teaching institution, achieving these aims may help upcoming registrars in both neurosurgery and paediatric oncology to have a better understanding of a disease that affects this fragile population. The research conducted is a retrospective review of paediatric intracranial tumours admitted to Universitas hospital during the period ranging from 2000 to 2020 (June). It looks at the different types of tumours admitted and the management thereof by the departments involved; neurosurgery and paediatric oncology. During this period 274 patients were managed with 60% of the patients dying after receiving surgery and or adjuvant treatment. Of the 274 patients, most tumours were glial in origin with medulloblastomas and ependymomas being second and third most, respectively. Patients received radiotherapy and oncotherapy according to paediatric protocols; after a biopsy or resection by neurosurgery. Patients would also get cerebrospinal fluid diversion if required. This diversion was seen as prophylactic management in patients that could not receive a complete resection of the tumour. This research revealed a need for better notekeeping and storage of patient data when it comes to tumours, ensuring that future research will be of greater quality. Research also revealed that a more thorough examination of tumours in teenagers will need to be conducted. This research will help in compiling a better template in admission of all tumours in Universitas and thereby facilitate an extensive tumour registry for the neurosurgery department
Role and value of simulation in plastic surgery education and training: recommendations for implementation
No full textThe aim of the study was to elucidate the role and value of simulation in postgraduate plastic surgery training. The research questions were: What are the role and value of simulation in postgraduate plastic surgery training? Is simulation useful in addressing the lack of opportunities for clinical exposure and practice? What are points of departure to consider for the use of simulation in training? Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with national and international experts in simulation and postgraduate education, and by a Delphi process collecting expert opinions of plastic surgeons. We discuss the role and value of simulation and matters to consider when contemplating the implementation of simulation. We also describe factors that influence and drive the implementation of simulation. The research outcomes resulted recommendations regarding the successful implementation of simulation in postgraduate plastic surgery training, thus indicating how simulation might be used to enhance learning and to improve students' knowledge, clinical competence, clinical skills, and professional conduct.Publisher's versio
A curriculum framework for environmental education in the South African Further Education and Training band
No full textEnvironmental crises have attracted those working in the education sector in an attempt to change the attitudes of society towards the environment. The prevailing climatic conditions and other environmental problems, as well as my observation that the transformation of the curriculum in South Africa does not adequately address these problems, have persuaded me to join those researchers with an environmental concern, and with the belief that Environmental Education (EE) is an indispensable instrument to teach learners about environmental protection. Hence, the aim of the study was an attempt to examine what curriculum framework for EE in the Further Education and Training (FET) band can be proposed for promotion of the optimal implementation of EE. To achieve that, qualitative research approach underpinned by interpretive paradigm was employed. The choice was based on the fact that both the paradigm and approach are subjective in nature, allowing the participants freedom to put forward their views without any fear or favour. This study was directed by phenomenological and constructivist research strategies. Phenomenological strategy assisted the researcher to understand and experience the phenomenon under investigation from the view and experiences of the selected participants. Constructivist strategy enabled the researcher and the participants to put together new ideas by interpreting new experiences in light of prior knowledge so that the new ideas come to make sense. The site of the study was Mamusa Circuit. Four secondary schools, including three township schools and one town school. Purposeful selection of participants was done. For focus group interview, teachers of Life Sciences, Physical Science, Life Orientation and Geography, which are most closely related to EE in the FET band, were targeted. Two groups of six participants in each, though two members did not turn up due to urgent private matters. For face-to face interviews, participants included four principals, seven deputy principals, five departmental heads, and nine-teen teachers whose subjects contain EE content to certain extend or may be used to teach EE. Data were generated from the literature review, unstructured focus group interviews using open-ended questions, and semistructured individual interviews (which will be referred to as face-to-face interviews in this study). Document analysis was also employed to enhance triangulation. CAPS documents analysed were for Life Sciences, Physical Science, Life Orientation and Geography. The study revealed: In terms of literature, there are continuing debates regarding the definition of EE, with Stapp’s frequently referred to. Teachers experience conceptual difficulty regarding the concept of EE. As is the case in many other countries, India, United States of America, Zimbabwe and South Africa do not have a separate EE curriculum framework in the FET band. Environmental Education topics are infused in other subjects like Sciences, Social Studies/Geography, and Life Orientation. Challenges facing EE globally include limited research on EE as a separate elective subject. Others are physical and human resources. The study recommends the following: EE as an independent elective subject; and regarding the provision of physical resources and the school curriculum, EE must be given equal treatment as the recently introduced subjects in the FET band. Further recommendations: Further research is necessary to examine the curriculum framework for optimal implementation of EE in the FET band of secondary schools. More research is required on the topic, ‘a Curriculum Framework for EE in the FET band: an elective subject’. Moreover, this research can serve as a future pilot project for implementation of the curriculum framework for EE as an elective subject in the FET band. In conclusion, there is need for EE as an elective subject in the FET band in order to address the environmental crises
Fusarium casha sp. nov. and F. curculicola sp. nov. in the Fusarium fujikuroi species complex isolated from Amaranthus cruentus and three weevil species in South Africa
No full textTrials are currently being conducted in South Africa to establish Amaranthus cruentus as a
new pseudocereal crop. During recent surveys, Fusarium species were associated with weevil damage
in A. cruentus fields. Preliminary studies showed that some of these Fusarium species grouped into
two distinct clades within the F. fujikuroi species complex. The aim of this study was to characterize
these isolates based on the morphology and phylogeny of the translation elongation factor 1 (TEF1 )
gene region, ß-tubulin 2 (ßT) gene region and RNA polymerase II subunit (RPB2), and to determine
if these isolates are pathogenic to A. cruentus. Phylogenetic and morphological studies showed
that these two clades represent two novel species described here as F. casha and F. curculicola. Both
species were shown to have the potential to be pathogenic to A. cruentus during routine greenhouse
inoculation tests. While isolations indicate a possible association between these two species and
weevils, further research is needed to understand this association and the role of weevils in disease
development involving F. casha and F. curculicola in A. cruentus.Publisher's versio