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Perceived stress and coping strategies among university students in South Africa: Development of guidelines for students to cope with stress
No full textPhD (Psychology)Department of PsychologyStress has become a global pandemic and has a high prevalence amongst students studying at tertiary institutions worldwide. University years are most stressful for young people as they struggle to cope with challenges encountered during this period. The study investigated perceived stress and coping strategies among students at the University of Mpumalanga (UMP) in South Africa. Additionally, it developed stress and coping guidelines for students registered at the institution of higher education. A mixed-method approach was used to explore the phenomena utilising an explanatory sequential design. The investigation was carried out in three phases, in the first phase quantitative data was collected using a cross-sectional survey. Random sampling was used (n=393). In the second phase qualitative data was collected and face-to face interviews were conducted using a semi-structured interview technique. Purposive sampling was used to select six staff members working within various student affairs support services and seven students who met the inclusion criteria for the study. The third phase of the research focused on the stress and coping guidelines for students at UMP. In quantitative research, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and the Brief COPE Inventory (BCI) were adopted as tools to gather data. Descriptive statistics were used to give a broad overview of data while the Pearson correlation coefficient (r) was used to look at the linear relationship between specific variables. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was also used to look at differences between male and female group means. The study found that 73.5% of students experienced moderate stress levels. Additionally, 16.25% had high stress levels, while 10.25% reported low stress levels. Results showed that females experienced more stress as compared to males (p = 0.001); this was a significant result. There was no difference in coping skills across the male and female groups (p=0.75). The results indicated that 69.5% of students demonstrated adequate coping mechanisms, 16.5% exhibited poor coping mechanisms, and 14% had effective coping mechanisms.
In Phase two: Thematic Analysis (TA) was used to analyse the qualitative data. Two major themes and four sub-themes that arose were: Social and lifestyle stress; Academic stress; Coping strategies used by the students; Appraisal based coping strategies; Problem focused coping strategies; Emotion focused coping strategies. The findings indicated that students experienced many stressors and used various coping strategies to deal with the stressors. Furthermore, twelve stress and coping guidelines for UMP students were developed from this research. The guidelines focused on stress screening, referral, access to support services, and student interventions. It is recommended that the student counselling centre strengthen its intervention strategies by focusing more on facilitating workshops and awareness campaigns that address stress and
coping strategies. Additionally, the centre should provide training workshops for other student support services staff on screening and referring students to relevant departments. The study concludes that higher education institutions must improve to implement comprehensive programs for managing student stress
Menu availability, food handling practices and nutrition knowledge of food handlers in the Early Childhood Development centres at Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality, Limpopo Province
No full textMSc in NutritionDepartment of NutritionBackground: Nutrition is important for children's growth and development because it provides the essential components needed for physical growth, brain function, and mental development.
Aim of the study: The aim of the study was to determine the food handlers' nutrition knowledge, food handling practices, and daily menu availability in Early Childhood Development centres at Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality, Sekhukhune District.
Methodology: A quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted at Sekhukhune District, in Elias Motsoaledi Municipality. The convenience sampling method was used to select the population, which comprised of 60 registered and funded ECD centres, and 113 food handlers. A researcher-administered questionnaire and researcher-observation checklist were used to collect data. Data collected was analysed using SPSS software version 29.
Results: The study was conducted in 60 registered and funded ECD centres at Sekhukhune District, Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality, with 113 food handlers. The majority of respondents (70.8%) had completed secondary education and 17.7% had tertiary qualifications. About 72.6% of food handlers scored 80 to 100%, indicating excellent knowledge. Almost all food handlers (96.7%) washed their hands before handling food and after using the toilet, while 86.7% washed their hands with soap before eating. The majority of food handlers wear appropriate protective clothing and cover their hair when preparing food. All ECD centres had a daily menu and (91.2%) were approved by the dieticians, while (8.8%) were not approved. Most ECD centres (76.7%) had their menu displayed on the wall, but the majority of centres (68.3%) did not adhere to their daily menu.
Conclusion: ECD centres should collaborate with nutrition experts during menu planning to ensure that they incorporate accessible and affordable nutritious foods into their daily meals. To enhance children's intake of essential vitamins and minerals, centres are encouraged to establish gardens where they can grow vegetables. This initiative can also help save money for other necessities
Assessment of the Effectiveness of Agricultural Extension Services in Enhancing Food Security among Smallholder Maize Farmers in Makhado Local Municipality, Limpopo Province, South Africa
No full textMSCAGRIC in Agricultural EconomicsDepartment of Agricultural Economics and AgribusinessFood security is a pressing concern not only in South Africa, but globally. According to the National Food Security indicators, South Africa is food secure nationally, but the same cannot be said at the household level. Meanwhile, agricultural extension services (AES) play a crucial role in supporting smallholder farmers through the provision of usable information, which can enhance food production and ultimately improve food security. The services rendered by extension workers provide farmers with the knowledge, skills, and resources necessary to improve their agricultural practices and increase productivity. The study was conducted in the Makhado Local Municipality, of Limpopo province, South Africa. It involved collecting data from a random sample of 250 smallholder maize farmers which was subsequently analyzed using descriptive statistics, Freer Greer Thorbecke (FGT) index of poverty measures, and Probit model. The results show that most respondents were male (53.6%) and aged above 60 (60.0%). A sizeable number of the respondents were educated, with 50.8% having secondary education. The study highlights the significant role of AES in improving food security, with 74.8% of respondents indicating enhancement of AES as a measure to improve food security. In achieving sustainable food security, structural barriers such as inadequate land access, water scarcity, and limited training opportunities were also identified as critical constraints. Probit model results indicate that, with a coefficient of age and access to credit, it was statistically significant at the 5% significant level, and they had a negative relationship with food security status. Moreover, the study also uncovered that effective extension services and access to the market had a negative relationship with food security status, and they were significant at a 1% level. The income level and land size were statistically significant at 5% but positively related to food security status. The study, therefore, recommends strengthening AES, improving market access, and increasing access to credit for smallholder farmers. Thus, tackling food insecurity requires a comprehensive strategy that considers the interplay of demographic, economic, and institutional factors
The effect of COVID-19 lockdown regulations on art initiation among people living with HIV in Johannesburg, Gauteng Province, South Africa
No full textMPHDepartment of Public HealthBackground: The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted healthcare delivery globally, disrupting services critical to managing chronic conditions like HIV. In South Africa, the burden of HIV, combined with the pandemic's restrictions, presented unique challenges for People Living with HIV (PLHIV). Lockdown regulations, designed to curb the virus's spread, inadvertently hindered access to healthcare services, including Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) initiation. ART is vital for reducing HIV-related morbidity and mortality and achieving global goals like the UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets. This study investigates the effects of lockdown regulations on ART initiation rates in Johannesburg, highlighting the pandemic's implications for HIV management in a resource-limited setting.
Objectives: The study aimed to:
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Assess ART initiation rates before, during, and after COVID-19 lockdown regulations in Johannesburg's Region D, Soweto.
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Examine the barriers that hindered ART initiation during the lockdown period.
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Provide recommendations for healthcare policy and planning to address service disruptions during pandemics or similar crises.
Methods: This quantitative study utilized a retrospective chart review design to evaluate ART initiation trends across eight healthcare facilities in Region D, Soweto. Facilities were selected using simple random sampling to ensure representativeness. Data spanning 2019 (pre-lockdown), 2020–2021 (lockdown period), and 2022 (post-lockdown) were extracted from the Department of Health’s databases (DHIS and Tier.net). A self-designed checklist captured key metrics, including demographic data and ART initiation rates. Data analysis involved descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS Version 29, with visual presentations in charts and tables. Ethical approvals were secured from the University of Venda and relevant health authorities.
Results: The findings revealed a significant decline in ART initiation rates during the COVID-19 lockdown period. Community Health Centres (CHCs) reported a 40% decrease in ART initiation compared to a 20% reduction in primary healthcare clinics. Patient retention rates during the lockdown also varied, with CHCs achieving only 55% retention compared to 75% in clinics. Key barriers identified included restricted mobility due to stringent lockdown measures, fear of exposure to COVID-19, and the reallocation of healthcare resources to pandemic management. Despite these challenges, post-lockdown recovery efforts gradually improved ART initiation and retention.
Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted ART initiation and highlighted systemic vulnerabilities in HIV service delivery. While necessary to contain the pandemic, lockdown regulations underscored the need for resilient healthcare systems capable of maintaining essential services during crises. This study recommends leveraging technology-based solutions such as telemedicine, scaling up community-based testing, and improving healthcare resource allocation to mitigate the impact of similar disruptions in the future. Ensuring accessibility and continuity of HIV care during pandemics is critical to maintaining progress toward global HIV eradication goals.
Significance of the Study: The study provides critical insights into how lockdown regulations affected ART initiation in a high-HIV-burden setting. By addressing gaps in HIV service delivery during emergencies, the findings can inform public health strategies, strengthen resilience in healthcare systems, and safeguard the health of vulnerable populations during future pandemics.
Recommendations: To enhance the response to healthcare crises, it is essential to strengthen policies that prioritize vital services, ensuring that the initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and overall HIV care experience minimal disruption during emergencies. In this context, expanding telemedicine services can play a crucial role by facilitating remote consultations and effective management of ART. By incorporating telehealth, healthcare providers can continue supporting patients without requiring physical visits, which is particularly important during restrictive mobility. Additionally, increasing community-based testing and treatment outreach programs will help address the challenges of lockdowns and social distancing measures. These initiatives can ensure that individuals can still access essential services without travelling long distances. It is also vital to allocate adequate resources for HIV services during emergencies. This strategic planning will prevent interruptions in care that could jeopardize the health of those living with HIV. Finally, targeted public awareness campaigns should be implemented to reduce fear and stigma surrounding HIV, promoting a proactive approach to healthcare-seeking behaviour even during pandemics. By educating communities about their options and the importance of continued care, we can foster a supportive environment that encourages individuals to seek the help they need
Lucwaningo Ngetakhiwo Letimbili Sangekhatsi Nesangaphandle Etinkondlweni Letikhetsiwe TeSiswati
No full textMA in SiSwatiDepartment of African LanguagesLapha kulolucwaningo lutsintsa sakhiwo sangekhatsi nesakhiwo sangaphandle etinkondlweni teSiswati. Inkinga leyente kutsi ngibhale lulocwaningo kuvala sikhala lesikhona etinkondlweni teSiswati lapho bosonkondlo bangaveti kahle indlela lekumele ilandzelwe uma kuhlutwa nome kuhlatiywa tinkondlo ngalokuphelele. Tinongo tenkhulumo letikhetselwe lolucwaningo nguleti letilandzelako: sifaniso, sifanisongco, sihabiso, simuntfutiso, siphukuto, isathaya,sihlaneketelo nembiti noma khulumangco. Sakhiwo sangaphandle sigcamisa imvumelwano, luchumano, titandza, nemphindvwa. Emakhono lasekele lolucwaningo kube ngulawa latsintsa umbhali, umbhalo nemfundzi. Lolucwaningo lusisekelo nesilinganiso sekutfutfuka kwelizinga letinkondlo teSiswati nemakhono lasetjentiswako ekuveteni tingcikitsi nenhlelembiso. Ngisebentise indlela lecoca idatha ngekufundza emabhuku etinkondlo letehlukene naleminye imibhalo yeSiswati leyetsitsa kakhulu tinkondlo kanye netakhiwo tenkondlo. Lolucwaningo lutawuba Lusito kakhulu kubothishela, bafundzi nebabhali beSiswati lebanesifiso sekubhala tinkondlo letitfutfukisa lulwimi lweSiswati
Reconfiguration of accountability in developmental local government: A case of City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality
No full textD. Admin.Department of Public and Development AdministrationAccountability denotes answers to be provided for actions taken by those in power. It is crucial to ensure that decisions taken are lawful and best represent the community at large. The failure to effectively implement accountability has negatively impacted developmental local government. The reports by oversight bodies have demonstrated the lack of accountability within developmental local government, which has cemented a way to increase mismanagement. This study focuses on the redesigning of accountability in developmental local government in the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality, Gauteng Province. A pragmatic research approach was followed where mixed method research was adopted, as it permitted to cover issues in greater depth. The study was descriptive in nature. The sample methods were purposively drawn from the identified population. Interviews and questionnaires were utilised as instruments for collecting data. Collected data was analysed utilising both statistical and thematic techniques. The Principal-Agent Theory was selected as the theory that underpins the study.
The key findings of the study are the ineffectiveness of current mechanisms for accountability, the cadre deployment policy being identified as one of the hindering elements of accountability, the lack of consequence management and the inadequate protection of whistle-blowers. The study recommends revising the current mechanisms for accountability, especially those for performance assessment, which plays a critical role in promoting performance accountability. The study also recommends that the cadre deployment policy be adjusted to ensure that the deployment only speaks to members who have formal qualifications relevant to the deployed portfolio. There is a need for a consultative approach with the private sector to determine how and why accountability in that environment is effective. The study further developed a framework as a means to reconfigure accountability, wherein various role players who enforce accountability should display strong stewardship
The role of health determinants in shaping youths’ health: a case study of Vhembe district, Limpopo Province
No full textMaster of Public HealthDepartment of Public HealthThe health of youth is shaped by a variety of factors, known as health determinants. The determinants of health are the various factors that influence a person’s overall health status. These determinants can be divided into four categories: individual, social, economic, and environmental determinants. The purpose of this study was to determine the role of health determinants in shaping the health of youth in the Vhembe district of Limpopo Province. The study adopted a cross-sectional descriptive design embedded within the quantitative research approach. The study population was Itsani village, which comprised youth aged 15-34. The letter of permission to conduct the study was self-delivered to the Royal Council and the local Chief of the study village. An ethical clearance certificate was obtained from the Ethics Committee of the University of Venda, and the code of ethics was followed to protect the rights of the participants. Informed consent, voluntary participation, confidentiality, and protection from harm were applied. The researcher gained entrance by setting an appointment with the chief right-hand man, youth were mobilised during community gatherings, civic meetings, and at the sports field. The sample size was 372 and 10% of the sample size was used for pre-testing. The pre-testing was conducted using a questionnaire. 37 youth were sampled using a simple random sampling method from the same village to evaluate the feasibility of the instrument and determine if questions needed to be amended. Reliability was tested using the test-retest method and validity was observed. Recommendations and conclusions were based on the anticipated findings of the study. Findings showed that youth are knowledgeable about health determinants. However, some are not sufficiently knowledgeable about them. Most of the youth have a positive attitude and recognise the value of health determinants. The majority of the youth agreed that they drink alcohol and agreed that economic factors affect their physical and mental well-being. (33.4%) of the respondents agreed with the statement “Behaviour and lifestyle choices, the study found that things such as diet, exercise, and substance abuse, play a role in determining the health of youths.
The study concluded that amongst the youth, there are factors that influence youth health that were assessed, such as health access, socio-environmental factors and financial status. The Department of Basic Education must address the immediate impacts of the pandemic and build resilience. Social development emphasises the importance of inclusive, sustainable practices that align with the Sustainable Development Goals, ensuring no one is left behind. Parents and teachers must create a supportive and nurturing environment both at home and in school to foster resilience in young people. Engaging in open communication, providing access to resources for physical and mental health, and encouraging healthy lifestyle choices are key strategies.
Additionally, educators can integrate social determinants of health into the curriculum, helping students understand the broader societal influences on their well-being. Youth must engage in educational programs that increase awareness of these factors and how health determinants impact their health. They must advocate for policies that address income inequality, access to quality education, and fair employment practices. They must participate in community-based programs that focus on improving social and economic conditions.
Consequently, I recommend that future researchers define clear objectives and employ robust methodologies, thereby contributing to the body of knowledge and informing practice. They should examine the phenomenon from a qualitative standpoint to add to the knowledge base in depth. I recommend that they focus on infectious disease prevention and control, climate change and environmental health, mental health and well-being, global health policy and implementation science. These recommendations collectively aim to support the interconnected domains of health, education, social development, parenting, teaching, and research, ultimately contributing to the well-being and advancement of society
Exploring the Components of a Community-Driven - Potable Water Supply System in a Drought - Prone Area of Musina Local Municipality
No full textAGMARDInstitute for Rural DevelopmentCommunity-driven potable water supply systems are a common source of water supply in drought-prone and water-scarce rural villages. Yet, there remains a significant gap in our understanding about their design and the challenges faced by communities when developing or using these water supply systems. Thus, the purpose of this study was to explore the components of a community-driven potable water supply system in a drought-prone area of Musina Local Municipality. A convergent parallel mixed methods design was used. A purposive sampling technique was used to select 76 respondents who participated in this study. Twenty-six participants participated in the qualitative phase while 50 participated in the quantitative phase. Qualitative data were collected through key informant interviews and focus group discussions. Quantitative data were collected through closed-ended questions. Literature was used to identify key components of water supply systems. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected simultaneously but analysed independently. Descriptive statistics for the quantitative data were computed using the IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 29.0. Thematic content analysis was used to analyse qualitative data using ATLAS.ti version 8.4. Out of the identified key components of water supply systems, only water source (communal borehole), distribution mechanism (hand pump), and households were available in the study area. The majority of households (64%) travelled more than 200 m to collect water from the source. Eighty percent of them were dissatisfied with the quality of borehole water. Moreover, the respondents were reluctant to boil water before use due to lack of knowledge. Thus, the consumption of untreated water was a major challenge. Other challenges included poor maintenance of the borehole and financial constraints. Identified strategies that could be used to enhance the development of community-driven water supply systems included increased stakeholder involvement in decision-making processes, capacity-building initiatives, and enhanced maintenance protocols. These results can be used to improve the planning and governance of a community-driven water supply system. Addressing the issue of lack of treatment facilities in rural areas can improve the health of rural communities while capacity-building initiatives can enhance rural livelihoods and uplift their human capital. Lastly, the involvement of relevant stakeholders may promote sustainable development goal number six, which speaks about community participation in Water Sanitation and Hygiene services
Development of Strategies for Implementation of Preconception Care: A Tool to Improve Perinatal Outcomes in Selected Districts of Limpopo Province
No full textDoctor of NursingDepartment of Advanced Nursing SciencePreconception care (PCC) is the provision of biomedical, behavioural, and social health interventions to women and couples before they fall pregnant. The purpose of PCC is to lessen factors leading to maternal conditions; thus, reducing maternal and perinatal mortality rates. PCC focuses on the following elements: nutrition, vaccines for preventable diseases, treatment of chronic and infectious diseases, genetic counselling, prevention of too early or unwanted and rapid successive pregnancies, infertility, mental health, human immunodeficiency syndrome, and prevention of tobacco and psychoactive substance use. There is evidence that provision of PCC can improve maternal health and perinatal outcomes. The implementation of PCC can assist in promoting positive perinatal outcomes; thus, a reduction in maternal and perinatal mortality. PCC have been successfully implemented in high income countries like China and Netherlands, while countries like UK are still struggling to get it established, though they have PCC policies and guidelines. The purpose of the study was to develop strategies for implementing PCC recommendations to improve perinatal outcomes in selected districts of the Limpopo Province.
An exploratory sequential mixed method approach was utilized, wherein the researcher employed the qualitative and quantitative research techniques, methods, approaches, and concepts in a single study. Participants for the qualitative study were professional nurses who have worked at the clinics and community health centers (CHCs) in the selected districts of the Limpopo Province for a period of three years or more, and women of childbearing age (WCBA) aged 19-35 years visiting clinics and CHCs. Both groups of participants were purposively sampled. The study was conceptualized within Pender’s Health Promotion Model (HPM) and was conducted in three phases.
In phase one, qualitative data were collected from 29 professional nurses working at clinics and CHCs through in-depth interviews and 51 WCBA through eight focus group discussions. Data were analyzed using Tesch’s eight steps of data analysis. The qualitative results guided the development of an instrument to collect data quantitatively in phase two. Participants in phase three were 180 professional nurses
selected through simple random sampling, and a questionnaire was used to collect the quantitative data. SPSS version 25 was employed to analyze quantitative data. The inclusion criteria for professional nurses required that they had worked at a clinic or CHC for three or more years and for the WCBA to be 19-35 years old and utilizing those clinics or CHCs. Ethical research principles and measures of trustworthiness were adhered to. Reliability and validity were also ensured.
Findings: The qualitative findings revealed the partial implementation of PCC, knowledge gap, task shifting among professional nurses, lack of awareness about preconception, good perception of preconception, lack of support from spouse, fear of knowing about HIV status, and cultural practices surrounding pregnancy and childbirth. The quantitative results revealed that professional nurses knew some PCC aspects, though inadequate, had a good perception of the role of PCC in improving maternal health, and had a positive attitude towards PCC. This study followed the Chartered Management Institute steps of strategy development modified from Hunt’s strategy development model during the development of the strategy in Phase 3 stage 2. The following are some of the strategies that were developed: Increase the number of professional nurses in clinics and CHCs so that they can be able to cope with the workload. Capacity building of professional nurses working at the clinics and CHCs regarding PCC recommendations, empowering of the lower categories of nurses with PCC-related information in order to help professional nurses with health education, training of Mother mentors should also be empowered with PCC-related information Managers to monitor the implementation of PCC recommendations, community awareness regarding PCC and addressing cultural issues with respect and sensitivity. The developed strategies were validated using the Delphi technique.
Conclusion: There is a partial implementation of the preconception recommendations in the districts selected related to the knowledge gap and lack of awareness by WCBA. Both professional nurses and WCBA perceived preconception as a valuable service in improving maternal health before conception, hence, positive pregnancy outcomes.
Recommendations: The study has proposed the following recommendations: Empowering professional nurses with PCC recommendations to enhance implementation and raising awareness of PCC among WCBA and the community at large to enhance the implementation of the PCC recommendations.University of Venda Research and Publication Committee and the South African Medical Research Council through its Research Capacity Development Initiative (RCDI
Exploring Factors That Can Contribute to Youth Participation in Indigenous Crop Farming at Tshipise Sagole Village
No full textM.A. (African Studies)Department of Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Heritage StudiesAgriculture is one of the main pillars of South African economy, for youth to be actively participating in South African economy it means that they should also consider to be engaged within agricultural sector of South Africa. Stats SA (2021) continued stating that “percentage of unemployed youth between the age of 15 and 34 years was 46,3% in quarter 1 of the year 2021. The aim of the study is to explore factors that can contribute to youth participation in indigenous crop farming at Tshipise Sagole village. The problem that the study investigated is lack of participation of youth in indigenous crop farming. Youth are category of people which are expected to be energetic in all aspects of their lives however the energy is not sufficiently visible in indigenous agriculture. Statistics of youth participation in agriculture show that there are 139 youth agricultural projects across Limpopo Province. Conceptual framework of this study was composed of the African Renaissance theory and Capability approach. The study adopted critical paradigm, and participatory action research (PAR) as type of qualitative research design. Data was generated from 24 research team members, consisting of 19 youth and 5 indigenous farmers of Tshipise Sagole village, using co-design workshops and focus group discussions. Data that was generated was analysed using Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA). The study answered, “what are the strategies that youth may be encouraged to participate in indigenous agriculture?”. The study has revealed that establishing youth-led collaborative projects is one of the strategies to support youth participation in indigenous crop farmin