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Knowledge, attitudes and practices of primary caregivers of foundation phase learners in Bloemfontein regarding breakfast and lunchboxes
No full textHealthy breakfasts and school lunchboxes contribute to optimal nutrition during the school day and also influences the development of healthy eating habits in children over the long term. Caregivers are the most important role players in the food intake of their child, as they decide what the children in their care eat through food procurement and the meals they prepare. Children are also dependent on their caregiver to learn about healthy food practices from them. It is therefore important to determine whether caregivers are informed about healthy eating and practices and whether they have a positive or negative attitude towards providing healthy food to the children in their care. The aim of this study was to examine caregivers’ knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding healthy breakfasts and school lunchboxes and to determine whether the attitudes of the caregivers reflected in their practices regarding the provision of breakfast and lunchbox foods. The knowledge, attitudes and practices of the caregivers were also compared to socio-demographic variables to determine aspects that may affect the practices of caregivers.
A cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted, using in a sample of 1286 caregivers of foundation phase learners (aged 6 – 12 years) attending independent and public Quintile 5 primary schools in Bloemfontein, South Africa. Data on knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding breakfast and lunchbox provision were collected through printed questionnaires and caregivers had to be willing to complete the questionnaire in English.
The median breakfast knowledge score of caregivers was 55.6% and median lunchbox knowledge score 73.1%. Breakfast and lunchbox food knowledge were higher for caregivers older than 35 years (median=55.6, P=0.0479 and median=76.9, P<0.0001 respectively) and those who possessed a tertiary qualification (median=55.6, P=0.0009 and median=76.9, P<0.0001 respectively), than for caregivers younger than 35 years and those without a tertiary qualification.
The attitudes of caregivers were generally positive towards providing healthy breakfast and lunchbox foods to the children in their care (median=71.4% and 82.5% respectively), except for caregivers with an income of less than R20 000/month that had a lower attitude score towards providing lunchboxes (P=0.0086).
Caregivers with a higher income provided a daily breakfast more often (P=0.0014) than caregivers with a lower income. Higher income caregivers however ate breakfast together with children less often (P=0.0296). Caregivers with a higher qualification also provided children more often with a daily breakfast (P=0.0011) than those with lower qualifications; and provided children with fruit (P<0.0001) and vegetables (P=0.0027) in the lunchbox more often than those with a secondary qualification. In contrast, caregivers with a lower income provided tuck shop money (P<0.0001) and fast foods (P=0.0006) more often than those with a higher income and were less positive towards healthy eating habits (P=0.0089).
Caregivers with a higher income and those living with a life partner perceived healthy food to be more expensive than less healthy food (P=0.0003 and P=0.0045 respectively) and that lunchbox preparation results in an extra workload (P=0.0027 and P=0.003 respectively).
Caregivers’ primary objective when providing a lunchbox was health considerations (54.2%, n=658) followed by to be filling (22.8%, n=277). The average practices score for the provision of healthy breakfast foods was 26.7% and for lunchbox foods 35.6%. Even though the practice scores were low, healthier breakfast (P=0.0013) and lunchbox foods (P=0.0001) were provided to children with caregivers that had a tertiary qualification.
Overall, caregivers had a positive attitude towards providing children in their care with healthy breakfast and lunchbox foods. Unfortunately, differences still exist between the nutritional knowledge of caregivers older than 35 years and those with a tertiary qualification and younger caregivers and those with a lower qualification and the food they provide to their children. Caregivers with a higher level of nutritional knowledge tended to provide the children in their care with healthier breakfast and lunchbox foods. Therefore, the focus should be on the improvement of the nutritional knowledge of primary caregivers
Communication through musical symbols: a comparative study of selected piano pieces by Frédéric Chopin
No full textDissertation (M.A.(Communication Science))--University of the Free State, 2019Communication is omnipresent and semiotic in nature. Within communication, a message is typically sent through a channel by means of a system of symbols, which is verbal and/or nonverbal in nature. Music is a communication channel, which can, unlike spoken language, communicate across language barriers. During the communicating of the message, the musical symbols within the music score function as a unit. For various reasons, publishers make modifications to music scores. This study aimed to investigate the impact that modifications have on the communicated message. Additionally, a more holistic understanding of communication phenomena within the context of music was obtained and the importance of selecting the appropriate edition demonstrated. This is achieved by analysing four nocturnes by the Romantic composer Frédéric Chopin to investigate meaning modifications within different editions of the same piano compositions. To achieve this, quantitative analyses were conducted to identify any modifications within the sample. This was followed by a qualitative semiotic analysis of each composition.
There is shown in this study that the most frequent modifications are made to phrase markings, dynamic symbols, articulation symbols, and pedal markings. In addition, it was found that changes were made to some of the notes and/or rests used within certain compositions. These changes have an impact on the communicated message of each composition in the sense of changing the emotion and atmosphere, and hence the communicated message. The findings of this study highlight the importance of considering the implications of making changes to an original score and choosing the most appropriate edition for a performance.
___________________________________________________________________Kommunikasie is alomteenwoordig en semioties van aard. Binne kommunikasie word ’n boodskap tipies deur ’n kanaal gestuur deur middel van ’n simboolsisteem wat verbaal of nieverbaal van aard is. Musiek is ’n kommunikasiekanaal wat, anders as gesproke taal, oor taalgrense heen kan kommunikeer. Gedurende die kommunikering van die boodskap, funksioneer die musieksimbole as ’n eenheid binne die bladmusiek. Redakteurs maak veranderinge aan bladmusiek vir verskeie redes. Hierdie studie het beoog om die impak wat veranderinge op die gekommunikeerde boodskap het, te ondersoek. Voorts is ’n meer holistiese begrip van kommunikasiefenomene binne die konteks van musiek verkry en die belangrikheid daarvan om die mees geskikte uitgawe te kies, gedemonstreer. Dit is bereik deur vier nokturnes deur die Romantiese komponis Frédéric Chopin te ontleed vir betekenisverskille binne verskillende weergawes van dieselfde komposisie. Om dit te bereik is kwantitatiewe ontledings onderneem om veranderings te identifiseer. Dit is gevolg deur kwalitatiewe semiotiese ontledings van elke komposisie.
Daar is aangedui in hierdie studie dat die meeste veranderings gemaak is aan fraseringsboë, dinamiese aanduidings, artikulasie-aanduidings, en pedaal- aanduidings. Verder is daar bevind dat daar veranderings aan die note- of rustekens binne sekere komposisies gemaak is. Alle veranderings het ’n invloed op die gekommunikeerde boodskap van ’n komposisie, deurdat dit die emosie en atmosfeer beïnvloed. Die resultate van hierdie studie beklemtoon die belangrikheid daarvan om die implikasies van veranderings maak aan die oorspronklike bladmusiek te oorweeg en die mees geskikte uitgawe te kies vir ’n uitvoering.
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Queer spiritualities: experiences of black lesbian women in Bloemfontein
No full textResearch on lesbian women and their sexuality has increased since the adoption of a democratic constitution in South Africa. A large part of the research has focused on the prevalence of corrective rape committed on black lesbians in South African townships. Research has also been conducted on the lived experiences of homosexuals who identify as Christian, however this research focuses predominantly on Christian’s attitudes toward homosexuals. The primary objective of this study is to gain a deeper understanding of how black lesbian women construct meaning and define their lived experiences with reference to their sexual orientation and spirituality. This exploration involves an examination of how research participants manage to integrate their spiritual/religious identities with their homosexual identity. Semi- structured interviews are conducted with six participants who have previously or currently identify as Christian, and who self-identify as lesbian. Results from the interviews are analysed using a thematic, Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) approach
Innate immune signalling induced by Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus proteins in vitro
No full textCrimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever orthonairovirus (CCHFV) is a tick-borne viral zoonosis associated with haemorrhagic fever in humans. The World Health Organisation identified CCHFV as a priority pathogen for research. The disease is widespread globally with regions of endemicity in Africa, Asia and eastern Europe; however, the emergence and re-emergence of disease in endemic and non-endemic regions is a cause for concern. Additionally, the lack of rapid point-of-care assays, a vaccine or therapeutic interventions approved for use in humans complicates the control and management of disease, which requires an improved understanding of the virus-host interactions.
Viruses have co-evolved with their host/s. Dysregulation of the immune response is a common strategy utilised to evade immune detection and clearance. The innate immune response is a robust non-specific response to infection with the aim of limiting virus replication and spread while activating the adaptive immune response that mediates virus clearance and protection. In this study, innate immune modulation by selected non-structural CCHFV proteins, including the NSM protein and ovarian-tumour like (OTU) protease, and Hazara orthonairovirus (HAZV), a possible model for CCHFV, was investigated.
The CCHFV NSM protein, encoded on the M-segment, was expressed in vitro to evaluate the ability of the protein to modulate innate immune signalling. In South Africa, isolates containing an M-segment that are genetically related to other South African isolates (non-reassortant) and isolates containing an M-segment that are genetically similar to Asian isolates (reassortant) have been identified. The CCHFV NSM proteins from both reassortant and non-reassortant CCHFV isolates were evaluated. Despite 92,88% amino acid sequence similarity between the reassortant and non-reassortant NSM protein, the non-reassortant NSM protein downregulated key innate immune markers, including DDX58 (RIG-1), IFNB1, IFNAR1 and STAT1, whereas the reassortant NSM protein upregulated DDX58 (RIG-I) and IFNB1 expression. The results indicate that the reassortant NSM protein induces innate immune signalling, whereas the non-reassortant NSM protein significantly downregulates innate immune signalling. The non-reassortant NSM protein may therefore potentially compromise virus recognition and the induction of an antiviral state.
The CCHFV OTU protease, encoded on the L-segment, has deubiquitinating and deISGylating activity that interferes with the regulation of cellular processes, including innate immune signalling. Modulation of innate immune signalling at transcriptional level by the CCHFV OTU protease was determined by gene expression analysis. Expression of the CCHFV OTU protease resulted in downregulation of IFNB1, IFNAR1 and STAT1 expression. The results suggest that, in addition to interfering with innate immune signalling by deubiquitination and deISGylation, the CCHFV OTU protease also downregulates innate immune signalling at transcriptional level. The CCHFV OTU protease may therefore significantly compromise the host's innate immune response to infection and represents a potential target for the development of therapeutic interventions.
HAZV, a closely related virus to CCHFV, has been proposed as a clinical surrogate for disease in type I IFN-receptor deficient mice. Innate immune signalling induced by HAZV and HAZV RNA was evaluated to determine whether HAZV modulates innate immune signalling. A significant downregulation in IFNB1 expression during infection was observed and a lack of upregulation of several key innate immune markers. The results suggest that HAZV has the ability to downregulate innate immune signalling without completely abolishing innate immune activation. Further investigation to determine the mechanism utilised by HAZV may provide insights into whether HAZV would be suitable as a surrogate for the screening of therapeutic interventions to overcome innate immune signalling modulation post-infection. HAZV provides a safer alternative to CCHFV since HAZV can be cultured and handled in a biosafety level (BSL)-2 facility.
This study has identified targets for the development of therapeutic interventions and potential inclusion in vaccines. In vivo studies are required to determine the significance of the findings during infection.Poliomyelitis Research Foundation (PRF)National Research Foundation (NRF)University of the Free Stat
The use of mine water balances to optimise water management in opencast and underground collieries in the Witbank coalfields of South Africa
No full textMine water management continues to become ever more important with the continual
increase and expansion of coal mining operations within already water stressed and
contaminated catchment areas in South Africa. Mine water balances are one of the most
effective methods to assist in optimising the management of water reticulation and storage in
opencast and underground collieries. Before developing a water balance, it is crucially
important to have a clear understanding of the parameters that play a role in the recharge
and water make into the mining operations. Different methods of data gathering may be
employed in order to develop the conceptual model for a mine water balance. A literature
review is done in order to obtain generic values relevant to the entirety of the Witbank Coal
Field and a case study is done in order to obtain site specific parameters. The case study is
done for a typical mine which included both opencast and underground sections in the premining,
operational and post closure phases of mining Both generic and site specific
parameters is used in order to create three mine water balance scenarios. The water
balance scenarios investigated indicate the sensitivity and importance of collecting accurate
and representative data when developing a mine water balance. The mine water balance
calculations together with the associated storage capacity assessments for each of the mine
workings is used to assess and highlight the sensitivity of the input data used as well as to
indicate the importance of ensuring that accurate and representative data is used when
undertaking water balances as a water management tool
A phylogenetic analysis of the tent tortoise Psammobates tentorius (Bell, 1828) species complex, using molecular and morphological markers
No full textThe rapid development of advanced DNA analytical programs, algorithms and techniques have greatly strengthened molecular systematics in the discovery and clarification of biodiversity, as well as the accuracy of taxonomies and reconstructing the relationships among taxa or operational taxonomic units (OTUs). Furthermore, these sophisticated analytical approaches enhanced traditional systematic biology in terms of temporal and spatial dimensions, thereby bridging the gap between the past, present and future. Phylogeographical analyses allow proper interpretation of how the distribution of organisms correlates with their cladogenesis, while biogeographical analyses enable the determination of how changes in geographic features and systematics are correlated. Lastly, utilizing molecular markers in calibration dating with sophisticated current analytical models enable the tracing of radiation histories, while diversification rate analyses allow the predicting of likely future cladogenic scenarios, which are crucial for conservation management. Modern molecular systematics also makes possible the testing of alternative phylogenetic reconstruction scenarios via computational simulations. All these methodological advances overcome the limitations of traditional phylogenetic analysis in developing evolutionary and cladogenic scenarios, and strengthen our ability to predict and prepare for likely future biodiversity patterns. Chapter 1 provides the general introduction to the study, which focused on the highly polymorphic and taxonomically confusing tent tortoise (Psammobates tentorius) (Testudines: Testudinidae) species complex from southern Africa and had six broad objectives. First, to identify its clades and infer phylogenetic relationships among them, using mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequence data, as well as microsatellite DNA data. Second, to use the phylogenetic assumptions to delineate the clades into a proper OTUs scheme, which will be crucial for the taxonomic revision of the complex. Third, to elucidate the radiation history of the complex against temporal and spatial parameters, using phylogeographic and biogeographic analyses. And then to use diversification rate analyses to elucidate cladogenic rates and predict future radiation trends, which could benefit conservation management efforts. Fourth, using DNA markers to determine genetic structure and diversity between and within clades, which should also benefit the conservation of the complex. Fifth, to use computational simulations to determine alternative systematics scenarios, which could potentially explain the radiation history from a more explicit evolutionary viewpoint. Sixth, to use morphometric measurements and morphological character analyses to find diagnostic characters for the different candidate species needed for reviewing the taxonomy of the species complex. Chapter 2 reports on the investigation of genetic structure, phylogenetic relationships and genetic diversities within the P. tentorius complex, which resulted in the discovery of seven clades (C1-C7). The mtDNA and nDNA datasets generated conflicting tree topologies. The mtDNA dataset retrieved seven clades, each associated with a distinct geographic region. The nDNA dataset advocated three lineages generally corresponding with the three currently recognized subspecies, although potential hybridization was found between C1 and C2, and between C2 and C4. The multiple species delimitation analyses and the traditional p-distance method generally supported 6 to 7 putative species corresponding to the seven clades, although most of the analyses suggested six putative species. It was found that the currently recognized Psammobates tentorius verroxii was not a monophyletic group, but consisted of two candidate species, so its current taxonomic status should be revised. The uniformly brown coloured “Psammobates bergeri” mentioned in the literature should not be considered a valid taxon, since it has been found in three clades. The “Psammobates tentorius trimeni”- like population found in the Kamiesberg, Hantam Karoo and Roggeveldberge region is genetically the close relative of C1, but distant relative of the real P. t. trimeni occurring on the west coast of South Africa. The findings in Chapter 3 suggest that divergence in the P. tentorius complex is deep, with most of the cladogenic events occurring in the Miocene, while radiation within the species is linked to the Pliocene and Pleistocene. The results of the biogeographic, diversification rate and character dependency analyses suggest that the cladogenic radiation of the P. tentorius complex was shaped by climatic and topographic changes since the Miocene. The calibration dating results revealed that the cladogenic divergences in the P. tentorius complex were comparable to that found in many other genera. This implies that some of the clades may deserve to be elevated to species level. Chapter 4 reports on the comparison of the phylogenetic topologies generated from the nDNA, mtDNA, mtDNA+nDNA and microsatellite DNA datasets. The results showed that the tree topologies did not differ greatly between the sequence and microsatellite datasets, despite the incongruence between the mtDNA and nDNA datasets as indicated in Chapter 2. The Bayesian computational simulation results advocated an alternative systematic scenario, different from the best scenario retrieved with the traditional phylogenetic analyses. It was found that this scenario more plausibly explained the cladogenic prosesses of the P. tentorius complex. The microsatellite based multivariate analyses and clustering analyses generally suggested 4-6 putative species for the complex, with the difference between C1 and C4 not clear. The findings are generally congruent with the phylogenetic and species delimitation results reported for the sequence datasets in Chapter 1. Chapter 5 reports on the use of selection analysis, based on codon and dN/dS ratios in the protein coding genes Cyt-b, ND4 and PRLR. The results suggested a unique selection pattern for group C2+C3, which is believed to have been driven by intensification of aridity during the development of the Benguela Current, 8-10 Mya. However, the dN/dS-based assumption should only be regarded as a reasonable assumption or hypothesis, as further long-term ecological experiments or simulations based on historical climate datasets are needed to investigate the real scenario. No new putative species were detected by the phylogenetic inference using codon and amino acid datasets. Nonetheless, codon-based phylogeny, transition and transversion rate-based topologies and phylogenetic reconstruction using amino acid sequences provided additional support for confirming the validity and stability of the seven clades. Chapter 6 should be considered as preliminary, as sufficient samples of C5, C6 and C7 could not be obtained to allow reliable morphometric and phenotypic analyses. Despite the inadequate and uneven samples, the results still showed clear sexual dimorphism, and also suggested that morphological characters could be used to distinguish among the clades. The discrete (phenotypic) and continuous (morphometric) character datasets both showed clear separation between the two major branches “C1+C4+C5+C7” and “C2+C6”. Four clusters were distinguishable: C2, C3, C6 and (C1+C4+C5+C7). These results showed a good match with the microsatellite DNA results of Chapter 4. Chapter 7 is the concluding chapter which summarizes the findings of the study along with recommendations.National Research Foundation (NRF)University of the Western Cape (SNS Grants)University of the Free State (UFS Research Grant
Bone health in Graves’ disease: a comparison of black and white South African women
No full textObjectives: The negative effects of thyrotoxicosis on bone health in white populations have been widely studied. In non-South African black populations, it has been showed that the skeleton is protected against the negative effects of other endocrinopathies, for e.g.: hyperparathyroidism. The aim of the study was to determine whether black South African women are also protected against the detrimental effects of Graves’ disease (GD)? Background and motivation: The detrimental effects of thyrotoxicosis on bone health has been known for more than a century. In white females, thyrotoxicosis has been shown to increase the rate of bone resorption along with bone formation. However, the rate of bone formation is inadequate to compensate for bone resorbed, leading to a net loss of bone volume. This negatively impacts on the structural integrity of bone with an increased fracture risk. Little is known about the effect of thyrotoxicosis on bone health in black African-, and especially black South African women. Ethnic differences in bone metabolism and fat distribution do exist between black and white South African women. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) studies have shown that the bone mineral density at the lumbar spine of healthy premenopausal black South African women, is equal or lower than that of their white counterparts. The bone mineral density of postmenopausal black- and white women at the lumbar spine is comparable. Vertebral fracture risk of the lumbar spine is equal for black- and white South African women. Significant differences in femoral bone density do exist when black and white South African women are compared. Black South African women have a greater bone mineral density at the femur neck site. Histomorphometric and radiometric differences between these two ethnic groups may explain the lower incidence of femoral fragility fractures in the black population. Black South African women, when compared to their white counterparts, have thicker and less porous cortices as well as thicker trabeculae. These micro architectural differences could explain the decreased number of fractures seen in black females when compared to white females. There are also ethnic differences in the abdominal adipose tissue depot distribution. White men and women have increased abdominal visceral adipose tissue and decreased subcutaneous adipose tissue when compared to black men and women. Thyrotoxicosis has detrimental effects on bone metabolism and bone structure in white women. These effects can lead to an increased risk of fracture that persists even after normalization of the bone mineral density. Study design: This was a prospective exploratory and comparative study. Methods: A convenience sample of 40 consecutive and consenting black female patients (age ≥ 25 and ≤ 65 years) and 20 consecutive and consenting white female patients (age ≥ 25 and ≤ 65 years) with confirmed GD referred to the Endocrine service at Universitas Hospital were recruited for the study. Patients were matched with 40 black and 20 white healthy control females according to age (± 5 years), body mass index (BMI) and seasonality. Black- and white South African women suffering from GD were compared with each other at baseline, 6- and 12 months according to pre-determined objectives. Women suffering from GD were also compared with healthy controls from the same ethnic group. This comparison was performed to rule out effects of ethnicity versus effects of GD on bone health. The main objectives included differences in biochemical markers, bone mineral density and body composition. Histomorphometric data on the effect of GD on bone in white ethnic groups has been published before. Therefore, bone histomorphometry was only performed in black women suffering from GD to ascertain whether ethnic differences do exist. Results: In this prospective study, 39 black women and 20 white women with newly diagnosed GD were included. The median parathyroid hormone (PTH) level of black women suffering from GD was suppressed and significantly lower when compared to white patients (p = 0.04). The suppressed PTH in black patients were accompanied by increased serum calcium levels. The markers of bone formation as well as bone resorption were increased in both patient groups. The median urine deoxypyridinoline (DPD) to creatinine ratio (Urine DPD), a marker of bone resorption, was significantly higher in black women suffering from GD compared to white patients (p = 0.026). Although the median 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) level of black patients with GD was lower compared to their white counterparts and suppressed below the lower limit of the laboratory threshold, it did not differ significantly. The median 1,25dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)2D) levels of black- and white patients were normal and not different. A marker of inflammation, tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), was significantly higher in black patients compared to white patients (p = 0.022) while the other markers included, interleukin 6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP), did not differ. The median insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) levels of both patient groups were lower compared to healthy controls. The median IGF-1 of black patients was significantly lower compared to that of healthy black controls (p = 0.001). The same was observed in white patients and – controls with white patients having a significantly lower median IGF-1 level (p = 0.05). There was no difference between the two patient groups. The actual bone mineral density (BMD) of white patients at the left femoral neck was significantly lower compared to black patients at baseline (p = 0.033). This difference was not observed between white patients and –controls. The BMD at the left forearm distal 3rd was lower in black patients compared to white patients (p = 0.049). Although the same pattern was observed when comparing the median Z-scores at baseline, it did not reach significance. The median Z-score at the left total hip of white patients were significantly lower when compared to white controls (p = 0.039). A greater proportion of black patients had a median Z-score of the lumbar spine ≤ -2.0 compared to white patients (p = 0.028). The difference observed of actual BMD at the left femoral neck between black- and white patients at baseline was maintained at 6- and 12 months after therapy. The difference at the left forearm distal 3rd disappeared at months 6 and 12. The actual BMD of white patients at the right femoral neck was significantly lower at 12 months compared to black patients (p = 0.030). The body composition of both black- and white patients were comparable at baseline. However, the percentage change in body mass index (BMI) did differ significantly from 0-6 and 0-12 months between the two patient groups. Black patients had a significantly higher percentage increase in BMI at 0-6 months (p = 0.042) and 0-12 months (p = 0.01) compared to white patients. The body composition of white patients and –controls did not differ significantly at baseline, 6- and 12 months. Although the body composition of black patients and –controls were comparable at baseline, black patients had a significant increase of especially fat tissue after treatment. This is confirmed by a significantly higher fat mass index (FMI) found in black patients at 12 months compared to controls (p = 0.011). The bone histomorphometry revealed a state of accelerated bone turnover, predominant stimulation of bone resorption and histological evidence of demineralization as evidenced by abundant osteoid on histology. Conclusions: Ethnic differences between black- and white South African women suffering with GD were shown. Black South African women are not protected against detrimental skeletal effects of GD. It is hoped that this study will contribute to a better understanding of bone health in the South African population in general, but especially those patients with GD. It is also envisioned that this may lead to improved management of patients once thought to be protected against the skeletal complications of GD. Further South African research is warranted.University of the Free State, Research Developmen
Recovering life through architecture
No full textThis dissertation explores how architecture can inform the healing process by not only creating spaces for it, but becoming an integral element where healing takes place. The inner connection we as humans have with our environment takes place on a physical, mental, emotional and spiritual level. This connection creates the atmosphere in which people can thrive in every aspect. The project questions whether architecture can create spaces which enhance the healing environment and act as a vehicle for personal re-orientation. Exploring the concept of therapeutic architecture and how spaces and structures can be manipulated through environmental factors and promote the healing process. Understanding that addiction is an ever-present reality which is associated with fear. Questioning how essential spatial connections in and around rehabilitation centres are in order to address these negative connotations associated with addiction. Focuses on personal coping mechanisms within the community rather than, separating the addict completely, which can lead to disconnect that might trigger relapses. While many studies have illustrated the impact of therapies and different elements on those suffering from mental illnesses, few have linked architectural elements and the perception of the built environment with an enhanced healing process. Therefore an understanding of the duality of addiction and to ensure a realistic and functional approach to the design. Ultimately, the research will focus on discovering a new direction and opportunities in the built environment of Heidedal, which addresses and responds to negative perception of addiction and rehabilitation centres. This can create a useful approach for this typology
Lived experiences of motherhood in correctional facilities
No full textA comprehensive literature review indicated that there is a dearth of knowledge focusing on the experiences of female incarceration in South African correctional facilities. Even less is known about the lived experiences of maternal incarceration, especially those who reside in correctional facilities with their infants.
Therefore, due to the dearth of research on maternal incarceration an exploratory analysis was conducted with the aim of gaining an in-depth understanding on the individualised everyday lived experiences of incarcerated mothers. Feminist theory served to guide this research. Through purposive sampling six incarcerated mothers who were residing with their infants in two correctional facilities in South Africa were included in the study as participants. Based on the literature, an interview schedule was developed that explored the multiple experiences of maternal incarceration. Each participant was viewed as an individual case study. The empirical findings of the study confirmed that separation from children and family is one of the most traumatic aspects of maternal incarceration. Intrusive thoughts about family became prominent therefore coping with negative thoughts and emotions were part of the everyday lived experience of incarceration. Mothers used their infants as a coping mechanism during incarceration. The overall conditions of the correctional facilities were found to be of an acceptable standard according to the experiences of mothers. Their incarceration experiences were related directly to overcrowding, hygiene, and the needs of mother and infant. Inmates experienced their diet as unsatisfactory while the diet of infants were of an acceptable standard according to the mothers. The participants experienced the correctional environment as not conducive to the developmental needs of the infant, and infants lacked the appropriate developmental stimuli such as age appropriate toys. The study found that while overall conditions of Mother-and-Child Care Units were up to standard according to the White Paper on Corrections (2005) the experience was still unpleasant. Therefore the findings of this study indicate the need to further critically evaluate the appropriateness of the incarceration of mothers with their infants, as this population is particularly vulnerable due to their unique situation. Recommendations for further research were formulated focusing on the plight of the incarcerated mother. More longitudinal research focusing on policy and practice is emphasised as the long-term impact of maternal incarceration on infant and mother are unknown.Health Sector Education and Training Authority (HWSETA
