21623 research outputs found
Sort by
Critical analysis of social work supervision in the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Social Development: an Afrocentric perspective.
No full textDoctoral Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.The study seeks to use an Afrocentric perspective to critically analyse social work supervision in the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Department of Social Development (DSD) to suggest possible ways to develop Afrocentric-based supervision. Threading through this study is the significance of an ongoing relationship on the one hand between supervision and social work practices and on the other the development of supervision alongside the latter. Despite the proximal relationship between social work practice and supervision, the vast scholarly contribution to Afrocentric social work, and several Afrocentric-related studies conducted in the DSD, there is a view that there is not much published expression on the conceptual and contextual understanding of supervision that embraces the Afrocentric paradigm. The Afrocentric theory and critical social theory underpinned the study. Twenty social workers and supervisors were purposively sampled from the identified districts on the KZN DSD. Three key informants were also selected for expert opinions in relation to the critical analysis of social work supervision through the Afrocentric perspective. Data was collected from the participants through in-depth semi-structured interviews and analysed through thematic data analysis. Findings reveal that participants mainly conceptualise supervision that would be Afrocentric-based as one that is culturally relevant, considers African spirituality and traditions, is people and community-centered, and is characterised by humanness and holistic. Hence, participants described the features of Afrocentric-based supervision as one that should recognise African cultures and traditions and be community-centered, holistic, and Ubuntu-centered. Participants' description of the features of the Afrocentric-based supervision is consistent with the key informant's description as they concluded that Afrocentric-based supervision should be informed by justice, truth, commitment, peacefulness, calmness, and community. Policy transformation and restructuring, stakeholder engagement and consultation, and conducting extensive research on Afrocentric-based supervision were among the possible ways that participants deemed critical towards the development of Afrocentric-based supervision. The study recommendations are threefold and relate to recommendations relating to future research, current social work practice, and policy restructuring
Investigating the role of Lactobacillus isolates from South African young women in the control of bacterial vaginosis (BV) - associated Gardnerella vaginalis and Candida.
No full textMasters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.Background: Lactobacillus (L.) strains offer a promising approach for preventing and treating viral, bacterial, and fungal infections, serving as alternatives or complements to traditional antibacterial and antifungal therapies. Current treatments for bacterial vaginosis (BV) often entail side effects such as gastrointestinal disturbances, antibiotic resistance, and high recurrence rates, while antifungal treatments may lead to skin irritation and gut health issues, particularly in pregnant women. These challenges underscore the urgent need for alternative strategies to manage vaginal infections. This study investigated the probiotic characteristics of Lactobacillus species isolated from healthy African women and assessed their effects on pathogenic microbes, specifically Gardnerella (G.) vaginalis and Candida (C.) albicans, alongside their production of antimicrobial substances, including lactic acid and H₂O₂. Methods: Thirteen strains of vaginal Lactobacillus species (L. crispatus, L. gasseri, L. jensenii, L. mucosae, and L. vaginalis) were pre-isolated from HIV-negative young women from South Africa. The cell morphology of the bacterial strains was confirmed with the Gram staining technique. The ability of Lactobacillus strains to acidify culture media was measured by monitoring the pH changes over time during incubation using a calibrated pH meter. The production of antimicrobial compounds, specifically D- and L-lactate and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), were quantified using colorimetric assay kits. The inhibitory activity of the isolated Lactobacillus strains against G. vaginalis and C. albicans was assessed using standardised in vitro assays, which typically involved co-culturing the Lactobacillus culture supernatants (LCS) with the pathogens and measuring growth inhibition by optical density (OD600nm) over time. The study compared differences in inhibitory effects, lactic acid, H₂O₂ production, and pH reduction among the Lactobacillus species and strains. The Mann-Whitney non-parametric t-test was used to analyse the data for two groups, while the Kruskal-Wallis one-way ANOVA unpaired test was used with the unadjusted Dunn’s multiple comparisons tests. Results: The growth kinetics of the Lactobacillus isolates were comparable, with their optimum growth reached at 48 to 72 hours. The pH of MRS cultures decreased over time from 6 to 3.5 by all the vaginal isolates. The isolates produced relatively low but measurable H₂O₂, D- and L-lactic acid concentrations ranging from 253 to 440 μMol/L, 1.05 to 2.9 ng/μL, and 0.09 to 0.13 mM, respectively. Lactobacillus crispatus (70.7pa and 94.79pa) showed better production of metabolites, followed by L. gasseri and L. jensenii (95.1pa). Lactobacillus gasseri and L. crispatus demonstrated vigorous antibacterial activity against G. vaginalis, decreasing its growth to about 50%. Candida albicans grew to approximately 70% in the v presence of L. crispatus (70.7pa and 94.79pa) and L. vaginalis 88.5b, showing better inhibitory activity than the other tested Lactobacillus strains. Conclusion: This study highlights the significant potential of African-derived vaginal Lactobacillus species as probiotics for preventing and treating vaginal infections, with L. gasseri and L. crispatus showing the most potent properties. These strains effectively inhibited pathogenic microbes and produced higher amounts of lactic acid and H₂O₂, essential for maintaining a healthy vaginal environment. The results indicate that probiotic efficacy is both species- and strain-dependent, underscoring the need for alternative treatments given the limitations of current therapies
Improved collection of photogenerated current using bi-metal nanoparticles.
No full textMasters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.The energy demand has been continuously growing owing to the shortage of sources of traditional energy (such as fossil fuels), due to the growing population of the world, and increased industrialization, which prompted the need for more energy. However renewable energy (such as photovoltaics) has attained attention due to its reliance on the infinite energy source (sun) which provides an hour long energy flow that fulfil the yearly energy of the glob. Not only that, renewable energy sources offer clean energy, that is meant to contribute to decarbonization in the future and reduce environmental changes. Solar cell materials that can effectively capture photons and conduct charges are continuously investigated for the last six decades. Contrarily to silicon based solar cells, organic solar cells are among the most promising solar cells in terms of offering cheap device fabrication, flexibility, high absorption, etc. However, these solar cells still suffer from low efficiency compared to traditional silicon solar cells due to poor absorption, low mobility, and poor stability. Numerous strategies have been employed to improve the efficiency of OSC devices, these include Ternary OScs, Tandem OSCs, and the inclusion of nanoparticles in OSC devices. Nanoparticles remain the best candidate to feature in OSC devices because Tandem OSCs require multi-absorber layers which leads to high device cost, whereas nanoparticles can be produced at a small scale and still offer good results. This study takes advantage of the features offered by the nanoparticles and uses them to investigate the effect of Nickel doped with cobalt bi-metal nanoparticles(Ni/Co BMNPs) in the PEDOT:PSS buffer layers of the P3HT: PCBM-based devices. Solar cells were successfully fabricated with four different concentrations of Ni/Co BMNPs as 0.05 %(0.5 mg), 0.15 %(1.5 mg), and 0.25 %(2.5 mg). Significant improvements were achieved for the 0:05% with the Fill factor of 58:52 %, and current density of 15.31 mA/cm2, and maximum efficiency of 5:05 % which displayed 67:8 % improvement from the undoped device. The investigation was further conducted by simulation program called SCAPS to confirm the contribution of the metal nanoparticles on the device performance. The results were reproduced in SCAPS where the energy band gap of the P3HT:PCBM and the shallow conduction density of electrons of the PEDO:PSS were simultaneously varied. All results are comparable with the experimental results and found to be similar. The device that was made to mimic the 0:05 % device produced a FF of 57:76 %, Jsc of 15.76 mA/cm2, and maximum efficiency of 5:76 % which displayed 88 % improvement from the undoped device. This study further provides factors that contributed to the high/low device performance due to the inclusion of the BMNPs in the OSC device and some of the necessary background and theory are provided to support these findings
Developing a public sector leadership framework for advancing economic development in South Africa.
No full textDoctoral Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.Abstract available in PDF
Expanding entrepreneurship education to boost students' innovation in South African universities = Ukwandisa izifundo zokuzisungulela amabhizinisi ukufukula imizamokwenza emanyuvesi aseNingizimu Afrikha.
No full textDoctoral Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.The COVID-19 pandemic caused strain on businesses, some have suffered resulting in downsizing staff or closing permanently. The South African unemployment rate currently is at 32.9%. The labour market in South Africa is struggling to create opportunities and failing to counteract unemployment with relevant skills. The pandemic resulted in more people losing jobs which then contributed to the increase in unemployment. The country should reduce poverty by developing innovative entrepreneurs at a tertiary level. These difficulties indicate that people are facing challenges in getting decent jobs due to a lack of skills. Universities have a responsibility to operate entrepreneurially since they are affected by the reduction of public funds, educational market competence, and economic and social changes. Hence, the study focus is expanding entrepreneurship education in South African universities to strengthen the economy and create job opportunities in the country. Entrepreneurship education plays a significant role in educating people about business development and reducing poverty while creating job opportunities using innovation. The aim is to expand university entrepreneurship education by adding entrepreneurship education across all qualifications to help students develop entrepreneurial intention and a positive mindset towards business start-ups. The research focuses on the University of KwaZulu-Natal and the University of Zululand, both located in KwaZulu-Natal Province. The research followed a mixed method. Qualitative data were collected using interviews with academic staff and were analysed using NVIVO thematic analysis programmes. The quantitative data were collected using questionnaires on students and were analysed using SPSS's latest version. The sample size was made up of 371 students and 4 academic staff from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, and 348 students and 4 academic staff from the University of Zululand. The researcher got a 99.3 percent response rate from students and staff from both universities. The findings obtained reveal that expanding entrepreneurship education can help stimulate an entrepreneurial mindset and innovation in students. More than 88% of students agree that adding entrepreneurship education to the curriculum will help them stimulate an entrepreneurial mindset. However, students said, “universities do not have adequate infrastructure to support innovation and entrepreneurship education”. Academic staff members believe that higher education must have an active role in introducing and promoting entrepreneurship education because they have strong guiding policies and ideas but unsatisfactory implementation strategies. The research could help develop a curriculum that will stimulate an entrepreneurial mindset in students while exposing the university to industry and other external sponsors. The entrepreneurial spirit needs to be revived amongst students by restructuring various degrees, enhancing entrepreneurial thinking, developing student entrepreneurship programmes, and supporting venture creation. The study recommends expanding entrepreneurship education to give students more career options and employment opportunities. This could give students equal business opportunities and teach students that entrepreneurship can be taken as a career.
Iqoqa.
Izinga labangasebenzi eNingizimu-Afrika onyakeni wezi-2024 liku-32.wamaphesenti. Imakethe yezabasebenzi idonsa kanzima ukudala amathuba okulwa nokuntuleka kwemisebenzi. Abantu emuva kobhubhane lokhuvethe kubonakala basadonsa kanzima ukuthola imisebenzi, nokho izwe kufanele liqhamuke namasu okunciphisa ububha nokuntuleka kwemisebenzi. Amanyuvesi anesibopho sokusebenza kwezamabhizinisi njengoba ethintwa ukuncishiswa kwezimali zomphakathi, ikhono lemakethe yezemfundo, kanye nezinguquko emphakathini. Imfundo yezamabhizinisi idlala indima enkulu ekufundiseni abantu ngokuthuthukiswa kwebhizinisi nokudala amathuba emisebenzi kusetshenziswa amasu amasha. Inhloso ukukhulisa imfundo yezamabhizinisi kuzona zonke iziqu ukuze kusizwe abafundi bathuthukise inhloso yezamabhizinisi kanye nengqondo eyakhayo mayelana nokuqala amabhizinisi. Ucwaningo lugxile eNyuvesi yaKwaZulu-Natali kanye naseNyuvesi yaKwaZulu. Ucwaningo lulandele indlela exubile. Imiphumela yocwaningo oluyikhwalithethivu yakhiqizwa kusetshenziswa izingxoxo futhi yahlaziywa kusetshenziswa izinhlelo ze-NVIVO kulandelwa indlela yokuhlaziya ngokwezindikimba. Imininingo yobuningi ikhiqizwe kusetshenziswa uhlu lwemibuzo futhi yahlaziywa kusetshenziswa indlela yakamuva ye-SPSS. Isampula yakhiwe ngabafundi abangama-371 kanye nabasebenzi bezemfundo abane baseNyuvesi yaKwaZulu-Natali, abafundi abangama-348 kanye nabasebenzi bezemfundo abane baseNyuvesi yaKwaZulu. Umcwaningi uthole izinga lokuphendula elingamaphesenti angama-99.3 kuzona zombili izingxenye zabafundi nabasebenzi.
Imiphumela etholakele iveza ukuthi ukukhulisa imfundo yezamabhizinisi kungasiza ukuvuselela ulwazi lwezamabhizinisi kanye nokusungula izinto ezintsha kubafundi. Abafundi abangaphezu kwamaphesenti angama-88 bayavuma ukuthi ukufaka imfundo yezamabhizinisi ohlelweni lwezifundo kuzobasiza babe nolwazi ngezamabhizinisi. Kodwa-ke, abafundi bathe amanyuvesi awanayo ingqalasizinda eyanele yokweseka amasu amasha kanye nemfundo yezamabhizinisi. Abasebenzi bezemfundo bakholelwa ukuthi imfundo ephakeme kufanele ibe neqhaza elikhulu ekwethuleni nasekukhuthazeni imfundo yezamabhizinisi ngoba banemigomo nemibono eqinile eyisiqondiso kodwa amasu okusebenza awagculisi. Lolu cwaningo lungasiza ekusunguleni uhlelo lwezifundo oluzovuselela ulwazi ngamabhizinisi futhi lusize amanyuvesi, abezimboni nabanye abaxhasi bangaphandle. Umoya wezamabhizinisi udinga ukuvuselelwa kubafundi ngokuhlela kabusha iziqu ezahlukene, ukuthuthukisa ukucabanga kwezamabhizinisi, ukuthuthukisa izinhlelo zezamabhizinisi zabafundi, kanye nokweseka ukusungulwa kwebhizinisi. Ucwaningo luncoma ukuthi kwandiswe imfundo yezamabhizinisi ukuze kunikezwe abafundi amathuba emisebenzi eyongeziwe kanye namathuba omsebenzi. Lokhu kunganikeza abafundi amathuba alinganayo ebhizinisi futhi kufundise abafundi ukuthi ukuhweba kungathathwa njengomsebenzi
Assessment of fleshy-fruited invasive alien plants in eastern South African grasslands using community perceptions, seed germination and dispersal, and repeat photography.
No full textDoctoral Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.Invasive fleshy-fruited trees and shrubs have been an increasing problem in many grassland systems over the past few decades because they change vegetation structure and threaten native plant diversity. However, forest ecosystems have received more attention than grasslands because fleshy-fruited plants are relatively dominant in the forest. This study aimed to address gaps in knowledge of fleshy-fruited invasive alien plants in montane grassland ecosystems of South Africa by studying socio-economic and environmental impacts, community perceptions, potential animal seed dispersal and population dynamics over time of dominant fleshy-fruited invasive alien plants. In the grassland biome of South Africa, the dominant fleshy-fruited invasive species come from the Rosaceae family and include Cotoneaster pannosus, Pyracantha angustifolia, and Rosa rubiginosa, which were the focus species for this study. These are widespread and damaging invasive plants within the grassland biome of many other countries, so understanding how each spread may assist in managing the species regionally and internationally. In Chapter 2, I reviewed the research efforts on fleshy-fruited invasive alien plants in grassland ecosystems and mosaics. The systematic review showed seed dispersal was the most studied concept of fleshy-fruited invasive alien plants in grasslands. In Chapter 3, this multifaceted study collated data from communities living within areas invaded by the species on their perceptions of these species through in-person, online and telephonic questionnaires to understand the socio-economic context of invasions and how people contribute to both spread and control. Questionnaire surveys showed that the general public does not regard P. angustifolia as a problem, while landowners and conservationists regard the species as a problem. The community has attempted to use herbicides, fire, and mechanical control, but the population of these invasives is still increasing, and the community has requested clearing assistance from the government. In Chapter 4, the rate of spread was assessed by comparing recent photographs with historical ones. Repeat photography showed that fleshy-fruited invasive alien plants have increased in the grasslands over the past 12 years. In Chapter 5, I also assessed bird potential preference using choice trials. Fruit selection trials revealed significant differences among plant species by various frugivorous birds. In Chapter 6, the collection of excreta and subsequent seedling emergence from mammalian faecal samples assessed the involvement of mammals in the seed dispersal of fleshy-fruited invasive alien plants. Mammalian faeces collection showed medium to large-sized mammals to be effective seed dispersal agents of these invasive plants. The study introduced a novel approach using Google Street View archives to assess vegetation population changes and provide a cost-effective means to study vegetation dynamics and ecosystem responses to environmental change. By identifying factors influencing fruit selection by frugivorous birds and locally occurring terrestrial mammalian species as effective seed dispersers, the research offers insights into the ecological mechanisms driving the spread of these invasive plants. Understanding these dynamics informs targeted intervention strategies for managing invasive plants more effectively, contributing to conservation efforts and biodiversity preservation. This study also highlights the need for further collaborative research to address the multifaceted challenges posed by invasive plant species.
Iqoqa.
Izihlahla ezizimilelayo ezikhiqiza izithelo ezidlekayo kanye namahlamvu sekube inkinga eqhubekayo ezindaweni eziningi ezingamadlelo eminyakeni yamashumi eyedlule ngoba kushintsha uhlelo lokumilayo futhi kuyingozi ekwehlukeni kwezitshalo zemvelo. Yize noma kunjalo, impilandawonye yehlathi isithole ukunakwa okukhulu ngaphezu kwamadlelo ngoba izitshalo ezikhiqiza izithelo ezidlekayo sezidlondlobele kakhulu ehlathini. Lolu cwaningo luhlose ukubuka amagebe olwazi lwezitshalo ezizimilelayo ezikhiqikiza izithelo ezidlekayo emadlelweni empilandawonye aseNingizimu Afrika ngokucwaninga imithelela yempilo yezomnotho kanye neyemvelo, ukuqonda komphakathi, ukuhlwanyela kwembewu izilwane okungaba umthelela kanye nokwehlukahluka kwezinhlobo ngokuhamba kwesikhathi kokudlondlobala kwezitshalo ezizimilelayo ezikhiqiza izithelo ezidlekayo. Kwibhayomi yamadlelo aseNingizimu Afrika, izinhlobo zezitshalo ezizimilelayo ezikhiqiza izithelo ezidlekayo ezidlondlobele emndenini weRosaceae futhi kufaka neCotoneaster pannosus, iPyracantha angustifolia, kanye neRosa rubiginosa, okwakuyizinhlobo lolu cwaningo olugxile kuzo. Lezi zitshalo ezizimilelayo ezisabelele futhi ezilimazayo phakathi kwibhayomi yamadlelo amazwe amaningi, manje ukuqonda ukuthi kusabalala kanjani ngakunye kungalekelela ukwengamela izinhlobo ngokwezifunda kanye nasemhlabeni wonke jikelele. Ngibuyekeze imizamo yocwaningo ezitshalweni ezizimilelayo ezikhiqiza izithelo ezidlekayo kwimpilonhlaliswano yamadlelo kanye nemihlobiso yazo ukukhomba amagebe ocwaningo. Amasaveyi ohlamibuzo akhombisa ukuthi umphakathi awuboni i-P. angustifolia njengenkinga, ngesikhathi abanikazi bomhlaba kanye nabongi bomhlaba bebuka lezi zinhlobo njengenkinga. Isithwebuli esiphindiwe sakhombisa ukuthi izitshalo ezizimilelayo ezikhiqiza izithelo ezidlekayo sezenyukile emadlelweni esikhathini esingaphezu kweminyaka eyi-12 eyedlule. Ukuhlola izithelo ezikhethekile kwaveza umehluko omkhulu phakathi kwezinhlobo zezitshalo ngezinyoni ezahlukene ezidla izithelo. Indle yezilwane ezincelisayo eyaqoqwa yakhombisa ukuthi kusuka ezilwaneni eziphakathi nendawo ezincelisayo kuya kwezinkulu zinomthelela ezintweni ezisabalalisa imbewu yalezi zitshalo ezizimilelayo. Ucwaningo lungenise indlela ende lusebenzisa izinqolobane zeGoogle Street View ukuhlola izinguquko zemiphakathi yokumilayo futhi lunikela izindlela ezingabizi ukucwaninga ukwehlukahluka kokumilayo kanye nokuphendula kwempilandawonye enguqukweni yezemvelo. Ngokukhomba izimo ezinomthelela ekukhetheni izithelo yizinyoni ezidla izithelo kanye nezinhlobo zezilwane ezincelisayo ezikhona emhlabeni njengazo ezinomthelela ukusabalalisa imbewu, ucwaningo lunikeza isiboniso ekusebenzeni kwesayensi yenhlaliswanobudlelwano eqhuba ukusabalala kwalezi zitshalo ezizimilelayo. Ukuqonda lokhu kwehlukahluka kufundisa ngamasu okungenelela ahlosiwe ukwengamela izitshalo ezizimilelayo, anomthelela emizamweni yokugcinwa komhlaba kanye nokulondolozeka kwezinhlobonhlobo zezinto eziphilayo
Exploring the implementation and impact of developmental local government projects on socio-economic well-being of Sweetwaters Community uMsunduzi Local Municipality.
No full textMasters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.In South Africa, since 1994, when the democratic government came into power, the development issue has been raised as one of the government's priorities. The government promised to transform the citizens' livelihoods through development and provide quality, effective and efficient services. Rural development was identified as one of the government's priorities to ensure community well-being. As a result, local governments were mandated to ensure rural development and provide quality service delivery to improve communities' living conditions and inclusion. However, rural communities still face challenges of exclusion and non-implementation of development programmes in South Africa. Therefore, this study explored the impact of local government developmental programmes or initiatives on the socio-economic and well-being of the Sweetwaters community in the uMsunduzi local municipality. The research methodology adopted in this study was a qualitative approach. Therefore, fifteen (N=15) participants, including community leaders and senior community members, participated using in-depth semi-structured interviews. In addition, NVIVO computer software was used for data analyses. The study's findings revealed a high level of exclusion when developmental projects are implemented. Further, the issue of corruption from the community leaders also came up. The result also suggested that the local government does not contact communities to understand which project should be prioritized. Further, local governments implement what they feel is right and exclude the community in decision-making, resulting in no improvement or resentment from the community
Medication adherence classification for non-communicable disease patients through machine learning approaches = Ukuhambisana nendlela yokuthatha imithi ngokwezigaba zeziguli ezinezifo ezingathelelani ngokuthobela kwazo imithetho yemithi kusetshenziswa izindlela zokufunda zomshini.
No full textDoctoral Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.Medication non-adherence is a significant public health issue that results in poor treatment outcomes, unnecessary hospitalisations, increased healthcare expenses, and increased risks of morbidity, disability, and mortality. According to the World Health Organisation, only 50% of people with chronic diseases adhere to treatment recommendations, despite receiving guidance on the need for medication adherence (MA). Notwithstanding considerable endeavours to tackle this concern, traditional methods have demonstrated low efficacy in predicting and intervening in non-adherent behaviours. In recent years, the advent of Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) has brought about promising solutions to MA problems. This study developed seven ML models (SVM, KNN, DT, Naïve Bayes, DNN, LR, and RF) to classify MA in a dataset of diabetes and hypertension patients in Zimbabwe, a developing country. The thesis's full structure includes numerous studies chronologically arrayed as follows: (1) an expansive systematic literature review on ML approaches to MA analytics among NCD (NCD) patients; (2) feature selection and the importance of predictors of NCDs MA from ML research perspectives; (3) the generation of a novel stateof-the-art dataset entitled "Data Wrangling and Generation for ML Models in MA Analytics: A Practical Standpoint Using Patient-Level and Medical Claims Data"; (4) development and validation of seven ML models, and (5) development of twinned machine learning algorithms for MA analytics in patients with diabetes and hypertension. The relevant data for diabetics and hypertensives were filtered from the initial raw dataset based on the International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision Code (ICD-10). Since adherence metrics measure the percentage of patients covered by medication refill claims for the same medication in the same therapeutic class, the created dataset only included medication refill data and patient-level data for 2022, from January 1 to December 31, 2022. Non-adherence was defined as medication refills that accounted for less than 75% of the projected 12-month claims, whereas adherence required at least 75% of the refills. This study acknowledges the absence of a universally accepted compendium of data wrangling (DW) steps while developing the novel dataset. However, it accepts certain building blocks and functionalities with significant overlaps as typical DW elements. In light of this, the study employs a pragmatic approach to dataset generation, encompassing nine essential DW building blocks and tasks that are employed iteratively and incrementally, comparable to an agile approach to dataset generation. An ML model was then developed using the generated dataset to evaluate the novel dataset's soundness, and its 81% accuracy demonstrated a generally good level of performance. During the ML model development process, the study used an RF feature importance mechanism to identify the important variables needed for building MA prediction models. The study also produced Shapley Additive Explanations (SHAP) beeswarm plots to aid in the interpretation of the model outputs and evaluate the contribution of the features to the prediction process. These factors included the annual quantity of medical supplies, the annual claim amount, the patient's age, their membership in a wellness programme, the medical aid cover, their contribution to the cover, comorbidity, diagnosis, the type of hospital cover, the occurrence of complications, gender, and the type of medical aid scheme. The total number of medical supplies dispensed annually was revealed as the most important predictor of MA. The ML classifiers had a classification accuracy of 84.7% to 87.6%, with AUC values ranging from 0.857 to 0.934. The most robust classifier was the RF, an ensemble learning technique with 87.6% accuracy, an AUC of 0.9351, and superior precision, recall, and F1-score. The hybridization of classical SVM with tree-based ML algorithms (RF and DT) demonstrated improved results, with the newly developed TWINNED-SVM-RF and TWINNED-SVMDT classifiers outperforming the standard SVM. Among these, the TWINNED-SVM-RF model showed superior performance. Additionally, the application of LIME (Local Interpretable Model-Agnostic Explanations) enhanced the explainability of the models, providing valuable insights into their decision-making processes. The ensemble learner (RF) and the TWINNED-SVM-RF show promise as prognostic tools for improving MA and determining patient adherence levels. These findings contribute to reducing discrepancies in medication refills and adherence rates among NCD patients. The ML model serves as a foundation for the creation of intelligent MA and intervention apps to promote patient MA among chronic disease patients. The outcomes, techniques, and insights proffered in novel dataset generation inform future researchers, data scientists, and analysts on how to conduct data mining, dataset enrichment, and DW. The dataset generated can spark additional research in areas such as evaluating MA and performing ML tasks such as classifying, predicting, and clustering MA behaviours.
Iqoqa.
Ukungathobeli imithetho yemithi kuyinkinga enkulu yempilo yomphakathi eholela emiphumeleni yokwelashwa engemihle, ukulaliswa esibhedlela okungenasidingo, ukwanda kwezindleko zokunakekelwa kwempilo, kanye nezingozi zokugula, ukukhubazeka, nokufa. Ngokwabakwa-World Health Organisation, bangama-50% kuphela abantu abanezifo ezingamahlalakhona abathobela okunconyiwe kokwelashwa, naphezu kokuyalwa mayelana nesidingo sokudla imithi (i-MA). Naphezu kwemizamo emikhulu yokubhekana nale nkinga, izindlela zendabuko ziye zabonisa ukusebenza ngezinga eliphansi ekuqageleni nasekungeneleni ekuziphatheni okungahambisani nalokhu. Eminyakeni yamuva nje, ukufika kobuchwepheshe boGuquko Lwesine Lwezimboni (i-4IR), njengobuhlakani bokweziwa (i-AI) nokufunda ngomshini (i-ML) kuze nezixazululo ezithembisayo ezinkingeni ze-MA. Lolu cwaningo lwakha amamodeli ayisi-7 e-ML (i-SVM, i-KNN, i-DT, i-Naïve Bayes, i-DNN, i-LR, ne-RF) ukuze luhlukanise i-MA emaqoqweni emininingo esifo sikashukela neziguli ezinomfutho wegazi ophakeme eZimbabwe, izwe elisathuthuka. Isakhiwo esigcwele sombhalo wocwaningo sihlanganisa izifundo eziningi ngokulandelana kwezikhathi ezihlelwe kanje: (1) ukubukezwa okubanzi kwezincwadi ezihlelekile mayelana nezindlela ze-ML zokuhlaziya i-MA ezigulini ze-NCD (NCD); (2) ukukhethwa kwesici nokubaluleka kwababikezeli be-NCDs, i-MA emibonweni yocwaningo lwe-ML; (3) isizukulwane seqoqo lwemininingo elisha elisezingeni eliphakeme elinesihloko esithi "Data Wrangling and Generation for ML Models in MA Analytics: A Practical Standpoint"
Ukusebenzisa Imininingo Yezinga Lesiguli Neyemibono Yezokwelapha; (4) ukusungulwa nokuqinisekiswa kwamamodeli ayisikhombisa e-ML, kanye (5) nokusungulwa kwemithetho ezolandelwa ekufundeni komshini we-MA wokuhlaziya iziguli ezinesifo sikashukela nomfutho wegazi ophakeme. Imininingo efanele yabanesifo sikashukela nomfutho wegazi ophezulu yahlungwa eqoqweni lemininingo yokuqala eyayingakenziwa lutho esekelwe ku-International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision Code (ICD-10). Njengoba izilinganiso zokubambelela zibala ngephesenti leziguli ezibuyayo zizolanda imithi efanayo ekilasini elifanayo lokwelashwa, iqoqo lemininingo elakhiwa lufaka kuphela imininingo yokugcwaliswa kwemithi nemininingo esezingeni lesiguli kwango-2022, kusukela ngoMasingana kuya kuZibandlela. Ukunganamatheli ohlelweni lwemithi kwakubonakala ngokugcwaliswa kwemithi okwakungaphansi kwama-75% kunalokho okwakulindelekile, bese ukunamathela kona kwakusho ukubonakala kokulandwa kwemithi okungaphezu kwama-75%. Lolu cwaningo luvuma ukungabi khona kwemibhalo eyamukelekile ezingeni lomhlaba wonke okuqoqela ndawonye imininingo (i-DW) kube kusungulwa iqoqo lemibuzo elisha. Nokho, lwamukela izinto ezithile zokwakha nezinto ezisebenzayo ezinokugqagqana okuphawuleka njengezinto ezivamile ze-DW. Ngenxa yalokhu, ucwaningo lusebenzisa indlela eqondile yokukhiqizwa kwemininingo, ehlanganisa izinto eziyisishiyagalolunye ezibalulekile zokwakha ze-DW nemisebenzi esetshenziswa ngokuphindaphindiwe nangokwengeziwe, efana nendlela esheshayo yokukhiqizwa kwemininingo. Imodeli ye-ML yabe isisungulwa kusetshenziswa iqoqo lemininingo elikhiqizwayo ukuze kuhlolwe umsindo weqoqo lwemininingo elisha, futhi ukunemba kwayo okungama-81% kubonise izinga elihle lokusebenza. Ngenkathi kuthuthukiswa imodeli ye-ML, ucwaningo lusebenzise indlela yokubaluleka kwesici se-RF ukuze kutholakale izinto eziguquguqukayo ezibalulekile ezidingekayo ekwakheni amamodeli okubikezela e-MA. Ucwaningo luphinde lwakhiqiza i-Shapley Additive Definanations (i-SHAP) beeswarm plots ukuze kusize ekuchazeni imiphumela yemodeli futhi kuhlolwe negalelo lezici enqubweni yokuqagela. Lezi zici kufakwa kuzo inani lonyaka lezinto zokwelapha, inani lokusetshenzisiwe lonyaka, iminyaka yesiguli, ukuba yilungu kohlelo lwempilo enhle, ikhava yosizo lwezempilo, igalelo labo kukhava, izifo ezihlezi emzimbeni ngesikhathi esisodwa, ukuhlonzwa kwesifo, uhlobo lwekhava yesibhedlela, ukuba khona kwezinkinga, ubulili, nohlobo lohlelo losizo lwezempilo. Ingqikithi yenani lezinto zokwelapha ezikhishwa minyaka yonke kwembulwe njengokuyikona okubikezela ngokubaluleke kakhulu kwe-MA. Izigaba ze-ML zazinokunemba kokuhlukaniswa okungama-84.7% kuya kuma-87.6%, okunamanani e-AUC asukela kuma-0.857 kuya kuma-0.934. Isigaba esinamandla kunazo zonke kwakuyi-RF, indlela yokufunda ehlanganisiwe enokunemba okungama-87.6%, i-AUC engama-0.9351, nokunemba okuphezulu, ukukhumbula, kanye ne-F1-score. Ukuhlanganiswa kwe-SVM yakudala enemithetho ye-ML asekelwe ngomumo wesihlahla (i-RF ne-DT) kwaveza imiphumela ethuthukile, ngezigaba ezintsha zemithetho ye-TWINNED-SVM-RF ne-TWINNED-SVM-DT ezidlula i-SVM ejwayelekile. Phakathi kwalokhu, imodeli ye-TWINNED-SVM-RF yabonisa ukusebenza kwezinga eliphezulu. Ngaphezu kwalokho, ukusebenzisa I-LIME (Local Interpretable Model-Agnostic Definanations) kuthuthukise ukuchazwa kwamamodeli, kwanikeza ulwazi olubalulekile enqubweni yokuthathwa kwezinqumo. Iqoqo lokufunda (i-RF) kanye ne-TWINNED-SVMRF kubonisa isithembiso njengamathuluzi okubikezela okuthuthukisa i-MA nokunquma amazinga okuthobela imithetho yemithi kweziguli. Lokhu okutholakele kunomthelela ekunciphiseni ukungafani ekugcwaliseni kabusha imithi kanye namanani okunamathela emithini kweziguli ze-NCD. Imodeli ye-ML isebenza njengesisekelo sokusungulwa kwe-MA ehlakaniphile nezinhlelo zama-ephu ukugqugquzela i-MA yesiguli phakathi kweziguli ezinezifo ezingamahlalakhona. Imiphumela, amasu, nemibono eboniswe ekukhiqizweni kwemininingo emisha yazisa abacwaningi besikhathi esizayo, ososayensi bemininingo, nabahlaziyi ngendlela yokuqoqa imininingo, ukucebisa iqoqo lemininingo, kanye ne-DW. Iqoqo lemininingo eqoqiwe lingavusa ucwaningo olwengeziwe ezindaweni ezinjengokuhlola i-MA nokwenza imisebenzi ye-ML enjengokuhlukanisa ngokwezigaba, ukuqagela, nokubeka ngononina ngokuhambisanayo nokuziphatha ngokwe-MA
A discursive analysis of the construction of Afrophobia in TimesLive, News24 and Independent Online in South Africa, 2019 - 2022.
No full textDoctoral Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.Immigration has become a global phenomenon where nearly half of the world‘s populations are refugees, migrants or asylum seekers. However, the representation of black African migrants has not been fair and balanced leading to studies outlining the negative representation of migrants in the media. Previous scholarship has explored how such reporting could be deemed xenophobic. This study is specifically interested in the phenomenon of Afrophobia, defined as fear of black people or systematic discrimination against people with African ancestry (Dube, 2019). This study explores the representation of black African migrants in Timeslive, News24 and IOL news sites and how the reporting language may be used in the construction of Afrophobic sentiments. The study utilises content analysis to gather data. A total of 66 news articles were purposively selected from the three news sites. The data is grouped according to emerging themes: illegality, undocumented migrants, job takers, criminals and drug dealers.
Critical discourse analysis is used to analyse the discursive portrayal of black African migrants. The focus of the analysis is on how Afrophobia is problematised and transformed into a discursive crisis through the construction of anti-immigrant themes. Representation theory and post-colonial theory conceptually guide this study. Although the findings of this study generally support earlier studies which argue that the media representation of black Africans is negative, the critical discourse analysis also revealed sympathetic representations available in the news. The study‘s unique contributions are that it explores the Afrophobic sentiments manifested as prejudices and stereotypes, and systemic discrimination faced by foreign nationals in South Africa, through the online news as they are depicted as criminals, drug dealers and illegal or undocumented people, blamed for social ills in South Africa. It also reveals positive reporting where black African migrants are portrayed as entrepreneurs, employing the local population and adding value to the economy. However, the negative homogenous reporting of black African migrants is still prevalent
Promoting psychosocial support for the wellbeing of learners in a rural school context.
No full textMasters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.This research study aimed to promote psychosocial support for the wellbeing of learners in a rural school context. The literature review covered the conceptualisation of psychosocial challenges; psychosocial support; rural school contexts and wellbeing; the psychosocial needs of learners in a rural school context; and, lastly, parental engagement in rural school contexts. The Positive Emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning and Accomplishment (PERMA) Theory of Wellbeing was adopted as the theoretical framework, with a qualitative approach employed to conduct the study at a purposively selected primary school in the rural context of Ugu District in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). The sample consisted of a Head of Department, Life Skills teacher, Life Orientation teacher and a member of the school governing body, as well as three parents. Data were gathered by means of a one-on-one semi-structured interview with the Head of Department and two focus group discussions, one with the Life Skills and Life Orientation teachers, and the other with the three parents and the school governing body member. The themes that emerged included: teachers and parents’ understanding of psychosocial support and learner wellbeing; teachers and parents’ role in the provision of psychosocial support for learners’ wellbeing; teachers and parents’ understanding of educational policies or frameworks that promote psychosocial support; and lastly, the Department of Basic Education and the school’s role in promoting learners’ wellbeing. All ethical requirements were adhered to. The data analysis revealed that promotion of psychosocial support in rural primary schools is not only important to learners, but also to teachers and parents as it promotes good behaviour, improved academic performance and positive self-esteem among learners and, surprisingly, among parents and teachers. The findings also highlighted the need for teachers and parents to collaborate to promote psychosocial support for the wellbeing of learners as well as to formulate strategies to assist learners confronting psychosocial challenges