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A framework for integrating adaptive assistive technologies in inclusive education: A case study of the Disability Unit of the University of Venda
No full textPh. D. (Business Information Systems)Integrating Assistive Technologies in inclusive education can enable the academic engagement of students living with disabilities and be transformative from a psychological perspective. However, the success of this endeavour in disadvantaged rural South African universities remains a surmountable challenge due to factors militating against this noble idea. The aim of the study was to conceptualise a framework for integrating assistive technologies in inclusive education at a South African rural university where many students are living with disabilities. The study employed Technology-Task Fit, a variance theory, and DeLone Maclean Information Systems Theory, a process theory as a theoretical underpinning. This study adopts a pragmatism perspective and used an explanatory sequential mixed method design in which quantitative data was collected using an online questionnaire from a convenience sample of seventy-one participants, and the qualitative data was collected from a purposive sample of five participants using face-to-face interviews. Quantitative data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) Version 29, and results were presented as descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and chi-square test. Qualitative data were analysed thematically using Atlas ti23. The study found that several factors influenced the integration of assistive devices, but the lack of a proper framework, policies, or guidelines was the most influential. Five requirements for developing the framework were moderating factors, procurement strategies, training strategies, funding strategies, and ATs integration strategies. There was a strong and significant positive association between the requirements at p < 0.010 and other demographic characteristics and factors mitigating the integration of assistive devices in inclusive education. From the study, a Framework for Integrating Assistive Technology in Inclusive Education (IAATIE) was developed based on the requirements and best practices documented in journal literature. IAATIE was validated as relevance and acceptance using content (requirements), relevance, and acceptance by most of the reviewers and validators. The academic contribution of the study was the framework for Integrating Assistive Technologies in inclusive education at the university, which encouraged coordinated efforts from various key players, including students who have been previously ignored. The study recommends the implementation of a IAATIE framework for inclusive education.National Research Foundation (NRF
Guidelines to promote proper use of African traditional medicine in people living with HIV in selected districts of Limpopo Province
No full textD.PsyDepartment of PsychologyAfrican Traditional Medicine is the sum total of skills and practices based on beliefs and experiences of traditional to African cultures that are used to prevent, diagnose, improve or treat physical and mental illnesses. Traditional medicine used to be the dominant medical system available to millions of people in Africa in both rural and urban communities. Indeed, it was the only source of medical care for a greater proportion of the population (Romero-Daza, 2002). There are strong indications that traditional health care systems are still in use by the majority of people not only in Africa, but across the world. In African traditional communities, traditional healers are well known for treating patients holistically. In many of these communities, traditional healers often act, in part, as an intermediary between the visible and invisible worlds, between the living and the dead or ancestors, sometimes to determine which spirits are at work and how to bring the sick person back into harmony with the ancestors.
The study consisted of two phases, namely, the empirical phase and the development of guidelines phase. In Phase 1, which was the empirical phase, a qualitative approach was employed. The study utilised phenomenological and explorative designs. The study population comprised of male and female traditional healers as well as people living with HIV (PLWH) in selected districts of Limpopo. Ten traditional healers were purposively selected and three PLWH were interviewed. Data were collected from participants using semi-structured interviews. Field notes as well as observations were also used as methods of data collection. Data analysis was done using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Several ethical principles were adhered to in order to maintain the anonymity of the traditional healers and PLWH. All participants voluntarily participated in the study. Furthermore, informed consent was sought from participants prior to the commencement of the study. The study further maintained the aspects of confidentiality and privacy since it was dealing with human subjects and sensitive issues. Trustworthiness, credibility, dependability, transferability and confirmability were insured. The findings of the study showed that many PLWH have poor or no insight into their illness and they are not aware of the symptoms and consequences of their illness and this lack of illness insight was associated with adulteration of ATM. Traditional healers rated poor illness insight as the most important contributing factor. Another finding revealed that PLWH who dealt with stress of their
illness by ignoring their illness, try to move from one healer to the next in order to get a third or fourth opinion about the illness. PLWH would find that the medicine that are given to them require them to frequently need food, they go to another healer thinking that the medicine would be different only to find out that the medicines are the same and they give them appetite to eat more food.
Recommended guidelines were developed to promote proper use of ATM in PLWH in selected districts of Limpopo Province, using the WHO (PICOS and GRADE) model. The researcher recommends that traditional healers should provide treatment to all patients, irrespective of the length of their illness.NR
Urban decay and regeneration strategies in small towns: a case study of Thohoyandou, South Africa
No full textMURPDepartment of Urban and Regional PlanningEvidence of urban decay in small South African towns has been increasingly discernible over the years. Undoubtedly, other small rural towns face a myriad of challenges attributable to historic apartheid planning. They are distressed and underperforming despite having urban regeneration strategies in place. Small towns are faced with high poverty, unemployment, and a lack of economic vitality and diversification, creating a high degree of stagnation and urban decay. This complexity has been exacerbated by the vulnerability to Covid-19 pandemic stress, adding new challenges affecting their liveability and vitality. This resulted in renewed interest in small towns’ regeneration by the South African government to foster the developmental role of small towns. This dissertation contributes to the debate on how to improve current regeneration strategies in small towns focusing on Thohoyandou Town Central Business District (CBD). This study's objectives were threefold: firstly, to characterise urban decay through mapping, secondly, to investigate the causes and thirdly, to recommend a framework for sustainable small town urban regeneration. This study adopted a case study research design, augmented by the mixed method research approach. The SW Maps mobile application was used to gather geospatial data on urban decay in Thohoyandou Town CBD. This was complemented by questionnaire data collected from 202 participants and 3 key informants’ interviews. The spatial data were analysed through ArcMap geospatial analysis tools to produce maps reflecting the spatial extent and intensity of urban decay in Thohoyandou Town CBD. The data attained from study participants were analysed through ATLAS. ti, Microsoft Excel, and Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) using thematic analysis and descriptive statistics. The study findings are that empirically Thohoyandou Town CBD is grappling with urban decay. This is caused by several key blockages, including poor urban management and planning, poor service delivery, the Covid-19 pandemic, implementation challenges caused by political interference, lack of monitoring and evaluation system, lack of policy alignment, and poor governance and inadequate institutional capacity linked to staff shortages with appropriate expertise. The implications of these findings are that current strategies are limited and outdated. The current urban regeneration strategy needs to be revised to enhance policy alignment, considering other funding modalities and establishment of special public entities to implement the strategies. More importantly, successful regeneration of small towns requires resources, patience, and commitment. Therefore, a stronger political will, effective governance, public-private cooperation, and institutional capacity are required to enable small rural towns to remain viable and transform into viable, vibrant and liveable cities.NR
An assessment of green practices in the Mpumalanga Panorama Route Tourism Amenities
No full textPhD (Tourism Management)Department of Tourism ManagementIn the face of pressing global challenges, such as climate change, economic recession, inflation, environmental degradation, and crises in fuel, food and water resources, the adoption of green practices has become increasingly important. The objective of this study is to investigate the extent to which green practices are adopted in tourism businesses along the Mpumalanga Panorama Route and how they align with Sustainable Development Goals 8 (Decent work and economic growth), 12 (Responsible consumption and production), and 14 (Life below water). This study aims to shed light on how different stakeholders perceive and respond to the adoption, awareness and implementation of green practices to answer the key research questions: How do stakeholders perceive green tourism practices on the Mpumalanga Panorama Route? What specific green practices have tourism organisations implemented on this route? What are the roles of tourism stakeholders in implementing green practices? This study used a descriptive case study approach and collected data using a mixed-methods approach that combined qualitative and quantitative insights into stakeholder perceptions and green tourism practices. The Sustainability Competency and Opportunity Rating & Evaluation Framework (S-CORE) served as a tool to assess the sustainability efforts of tourism institutions and stakeholders. The results show that stakeholders along the Mpumalanga Panorama Route, including tourism operators, tourists, and government officials, generally have a positive attitude towards environmentally friendly practices. However, this positive perception is not consistently reflected in the implementation of green practices at tourism facilities in the region. Where green practices were observed, they were often inadequate, as indicated by the S-CORE rating. Although this level of performance is a step beyond the complete absence of green practices, there is room for improvement in these facilities. Despite significant gaps in the implementation of green practices along the Mpumalanga Panorama Route, the perceptions of tourists and government officials suggest a shared awareness of their role in improving sustainability. Consequently, this study offers recommendations aimed at promoting the implementation of green
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practices along this route, with wider implications for the South African tourism and hospitality industry.NR
Screen-based sedentary behaviour of school-ages children in the Thulamela Municipality of Vhembe District Limpopo Province
No full textM.A. (Psychology)Department of PsychologyBackground: Screen-based sedentary behaviour is an integral part of everyday life in the current information age. Engagements such as watching television, being online with smartphones, tablets and computers; including all types of interactive media consume most of the children’s time. Excessive screen time is already a global pandemic with negative implications for children’s health. Unquestionably, this Screen-based sedentary behaviour activity may have escalated during the COVID-19 pandemic, as people were required to be in lockdown and quarantine. Purpose: The purpose of the study was to assess the screen-based sedentary behaviour of school-aged children in the Thulamela Municipality of Vhembe District Limpopo Province. Methodology: A quantitative approach with descriptive cross-sectional designs was used. The questionnaire was used to collect data for the study. Simple random sampling was used to select 104 respondents from Grades 6 and Grade 7 from Thulamela Municipality, Vhembe District in the Limpopo province. The Statistical Package for the Social Science version 29 was used to analyse data descriptively. Results: The findings revealed that 100% accounting for every household reported to have a TV and more than 1 smartphone. The exposure and accessibility of technological devices has increased the prevalence of excessive screen time in children. 74% of the households had 3 to 10 gadgets available. 42.3% of the children own their own phone and 59.6% of those who reported that they do not own one borrow from others. At the top is parents at 58.7%, borrowing children their phones. Screen-based sedentary behaviour specifically on social media has become the prominent reason for excessive screen time. This consequently has accelerated the prevalence of screen-based sedentary behaviour. Alarming 30.8% of the children watched television normally whereas 62.5% of the children reported excessive use as they spent more than the average screen time. The findings also showed normal use of 26,9% of children watching movies using a laptop/computer and 19.2% reported excessive use. The three most used social media platforms were YouTube, WhatsApp and TikTok. About 54.8% of children reported excessive use of YouTube, 49% of WhatsApp and 58.7% of TikTok. The trajectory of screen based sedentary behaviour is indicative of awareness campaigns to alert parents and psychoeducation about the average normal time in order to eliminate excessive screen time among children which has negative impact. Monitoring and regulating screen time among children by parents and guardians is critical to reduce the time that children spend on the screen from various gadgets.NR
An investigation of hygiene practices in butcheries and the prevalence of antibiotic resistant Listeria monocytogenes in Limpopo, South Africa
No full textMSCFSTDepartment of Food Science and TechnologyListeria monocytogenes is a foodborne bacterial pathogen associated with serious public health and food safety problems. It is an intracellular microbe that causes Listeriosis, a life-threatening disease that yields to bacteremia, meningitis, and spontaneous miscarriage. This study aimed to conduct the survey and investigate the prevalence and antibiotic susceptibility of L. monocytogenes from butcheries (village & commercial) and supermarkets beef plate meat in the Vhembe district. Evaluation of meat safety practices and hygiene among different butcheries and supermarkets was conducted using a questionnaire. The prevalence of L. monocytogenes in retail beef plate meat was determined on chromogenic agar and the antibiotics susceptibility was examined from L. monocytogenes isolates using the well diffusion method. The results of this study revealed that (i) some supermarkets followed the meat safety practices and hygiene, whereas there was a combination of good and unhygienic meat handling practices identified at commercial and village butcheries (ii) L. monocytogenes were identified in high numbers however some other species of Listeria such as L. ivanovii and L. innocua were found in beef plate meat (iii) The Listeria isolates were resistant to a wide range of antibiotics used to treat human listeriosis such as ampicillin, tetracycline and nalidixic acid in large numbers while a few of the isolates were susceptible to sulphamethoxazole and intermediary responsive to oxytetracycline and chlortetracycline. The findings from this study concluded that some supermarkets follow the safety procedures while commercial and village butcheries do not follow the procedures and regulations, furthermore, the prevalence of the pathogenic L. monocytogenes may harm the communities around Vhembe district. Moreover, treatment in case of an outbreak may become burdensome as the pathogen may be resistant to antimicrobial treatment. It is recommended that intervention through training on food safety to improve the hygienic practices of meat handling along the beef supply chain, more especially within commercial and village butcheries be conducted, also L. monocytogenes control measures from relevant authorities need to be put in place, meat must be prepared adequately, and antibiotics must be utilized appropriately. In addition, conducting molecular research on Listeria species to determine the virulence genes present in L. monocytogenes isolated from retail beef, to keep track of the type of strains of Listeria that may be circulating in the Vhembe district is recommended.National Research Foundation (NRF
Thodisiso ya khakho dza kunwalele na kupeletele kwa Tshivenda kha maanea nga vhagudi vha Greidi 12, Tshitirikini kha Vhembe, Limpopo
No full textPhD (Tshivenda)Department of African LanguagesNaho Tshivenḓa tshi tshi wela kha dziṅwe nyambo dza fumimbili dza tshiofisi Afrika Tshipembe, tsho khethea kha dziṅwe nyambo, nga maanḓa ho sedzwa nḓila ya kuṅwalele na kupeleṱele kwatsho. U sa dzhielwa nzhele ha nḓila dza kupeleṱele na kuṅwalele kwa Tshivenḓa, zwi sia zwo ḓisa vhukhakhi vhuhulu nga maanḓa ha u peleṱa na u ṅwala. Ndi ngazwo ṱhoḓisiso iyi i tshi ḓo vha yo ḓisendeka kha u sedzulusa khakho idzo uri dzi kone u dzhielwa nṱha kha kushumisele kwa Tshivenḓa. Ṱhoḓisiso iyi i ḓo ṱoḓisisa nga khakho dza kupeleṱele na kuṅwalele kha Tshivenḓa, ya konaha u ḓa na dziṅwe nḓila dzine dza nga thusa u fhungudza vhukhakhi uho. Kha ṱhoḓisiso iyi hu ḓo shuma Ngona ya Khwaḽithethivi na Ngona ya Khwanthithethivi. Tshigwada tsha vhathu vhane ha ḓo itwa ṱhoḓisiso khavho ndi tsha vhagudi vha Tshivenḓa vha Greidi 12 u bva kha zwikolo zwiraru zwo tiwaho, tshikolo A, B na C vhuponi ha Ṱhohoyanḓou kha Tshiṱiriki tsha Vhembe, kha Vundu ḽa Limpopo. Ṱhumbulo i ḓo kwama vhagudi vha fumimalo (18) u bva kha zwikolo izwo zwiraru hune vha ḓo lingwa ho shumiswa ṱhoho nthihi ya maṅwalwa a vhusiki. Izwi zwi amba uri hu ḓo vha hu na vhagudi vha rathi u bva kha tshikolo tshiṅwe na tshiṅwe kha izwo zwiraru zwo tiwaho. Zwipikwa zwa ṱhoḓisiso iyi zwi katela tsedzuluso ya khakho dza kupeleṱele na kuṅwalele zwine zwa itwa nga vhagudi vha Tshivenḓa vha Greidi 12 musi vha tshi ṅwala maṅwalwa a vhusiki. Zwivhangi zwa khakho idzo dza kupeleṱele na kuṅwalele kha maṅwalwa a vhusiki zwi ḓo sedzuluswa na u sedza nḓila dza khwiṋe dza u fhungudza vhukhakhi ha u peleṱa na u ṅwala. Muṱoḓisisi u ḓo bvisela khagala mihumbulo i bvaho kha vhaṅwe vhaṅwali malugana na khakho dza kupeleṱele na kuṅwalele kwa Tshivenḓa. Kha tshipiḓa tsha reshinaḽe muṱoḓisisi u ḓo sumbedza uri naho hu na ṱhoḓisiso dziṅwe dzo no itwaho kha dziṅwe nyambo dzi ṱutshelanaho nayo, iyi i khou sedza nga maanḓa kha vhagudi vha Tshivenḓa vha gireidi 12. Ndivho ya ṱhoḓisiso iyi ndi u fhaṱusa vhagudi kha u dzhiela nzhele khakho dza kupeleṱele na kuṅwalele. Ṱhoḓisiso iyi i ḓo shumisa thyiori ya “Lexeme-morpheme morphology” ine u ya nga ha Tshikota (2016: 14) ya ṱalutshedzwa sa: “Theory of morphology that distinguishes lexemes from morphemes”. Kha magumo a ngudo iyi hu ḓo bviselwa khagala zwiteṅwa zwoṱhe zwi re kha ṱhoḓisiso iyi.NR
Assessing the effects of sampling time on the accuracy of extracting water quality indicators through geospatial techniques: A case study of Rietvlei Dam
No full textMENVSCDepartment of Geography and Environmental SciencesFreshwater is scarce, and the Earth’s ability to supply it is equally limited. Anthropogenic activities, urbanisation, and the effects of climate change degrade freshwater quality at a rapid rate. To design an effective water quality monitoring strategy that can respond to the rapid changes in surface water, regular sampling and analyses are essential. In developing countries, traditional methods of water sampling and laboratory analyses are adopted to generate water quality information. There is, however, a growing global adoption of optical remote satellite sensing for monitoring water quality, in conjunction with field surveys. One of the main challenges of optical remote sensing is sensitivity to cloud cover, which makes it difficult to synchronise with field surveys. This research addressed the question: “What is the effect of sampling time on the accuracy of extracting water quality indicators through remote sensing and geospatial techniques?”, using a case study of Rietvlei Dam, South Africa. The research established the correlation between laboratory-analysed water quality and the Sentinel-2 (S2) data extracted from the months before, during and after the given field sampling date. This covered four sampling periods i.e., mid-winter, late winter, early spring, and mid-spring. Through multiple regression and accuracy analyses, the study determined the efficacy of the S2 remote sensing models for the chlorophyll-a, turbidity, coloured dissolved organic matter (CDOM) and total suspended solids (TSS) water quality indicators from the different field and satellite sampling periods. The S2 remote sensing models predicted the spatial distribution of the water quality indicators and high concentration area coverage of the dam in hectares (ha). S2 models were found to be best for early spring. Chlorophyll-a was extracted five days after field sampling at R2= 0.79; for late winter CDOM was derived 44 days before the field sampling period at R2 = 0.64; for late winter turbidity was optimally extracted 36 days after field sampling season at R2= 0.54; and mid-winter TSS was extracted seven days before field sampling season at R2=0.62. The turbidity and chlorophyll-a S2 models’ spatial prediction of highly concentrated areas covered 36.14 and 28.92ha, respectively. In conclusion, the accuracies of mapping water quality indicators with remote sensing data and field observations differ based on an indicator measured and the time sampling difference between them. In general, the mapping accuracies decrease outside a seven-day sampling difference, whether before or after satellite image acquisition. This study contributes to the scientific understanding of remote sensing applications to the management of water quality in a given area, especially inland water quality.National Research Foundation (NRF
The impact of unemployment on the health of tertiary graduates in a rural villages of Collins Chabane Municipality, South Africa
No full textMPHDepartment of Public Healt
Breastfeeding practices, anthroponetric and iron status of mothers with infants aged 3 to 9 months in Thulamela Municipality, South Africa
No full textMSCPNTDepartment of NutritionBackground
The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for up six months. However, studies have shown that exclusive breastfeeding for more than six months may put infants at risk of iron deficiency anaemia. Several studies revealed that majority of mothers fed their infants diluted maize meal soft porridge which is low in iron.
Methodology
A cross-sectional study was conducted among 255 mother-infants in Thulamela municipality. Mothers who volunteered to be part of the study were TshiVenda speaking and were required to provide informed consent after a full oral and written explanation was given of the aims, objectives and study procedures. Only mothers who did not provide consent and with who were taking medications such as antacids, proton pump inhibitors (to treat acid reflux) and calcium supplementation. Mothers and infants with known vitamin A, folate deficiencies and infections like malaria and immune suppression conditions were excluded from the study. Mothers had the right to withdraw from the study at any time. The anonymity of the participants was ensured by using codes instead of names.
A questionnaire was developed in English, in consultation with an educational expert and translated into TshiVenda. The development of the questionnaire was guided by the Infant and young child feeding (IYCF). Comments pertaining to the content validity of the questionnaire were requested from those within the Nutrition Department at the University of Venda with the most expertise. Face validity was tested during a pilot study involving 11 participants in the Sterkstroom clinic. The questionnaire included sections on socio demographic data, breastfeeding practices and a section to record anthropometric measurements such as weight, length, height, head circumference and mid-upper arm circumference. The questionnaire was completed during a structured interview to ensure that illiterate participants were not excluded. The investigators standardised the explanations given, and interviews conducted using the questionnaire. The interviews were conducted in Xitsonga and were held in a private room at the clinics. A phlebotomist collected blood samples for the determination of haemoglobin (Hb), ferritin, soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR), retinol binding protein (RBP-4), thyroglobulin (Tg), c- reactive protein (CRP) and alpha-1- acid glycoprotein (AGP). The blood samples were analysed at a specialised human laboratory at Northwest University (NWU). Data were analysed using SPSS version 26.0 (IBM Corp., USA).
Data were checked for normality using Q-Q plots and the Shapiro-Wilk test. Normally distributed data were presented as means with standard deviation (SD). Non-normally distributed data were presented as median values with interquartile ranges (IQRs). Categorical data were expressed as frequencies. Pearson’s correlations were performed to determine associations between variables. A p-value of <0.05 was considered significant.
Results
More than half (50.7%) of mothers had the knowledge of breastfeeding and they mentioned health workers as their source of information. More than three quarters (76.4%) of mothers-initiated breastfeeding immediately after delivery. More than half (50.7%) of the mothers introduced their infants to solid foods at age 4-6 months. More than a quarter (30.7%) of mothers cited “infant is crying a lot” as a reason for introducing solid foods and fluids. More than a quarter (38.2%) of the mothers fed breast milk and maize meal soft porridge to their infants. The majority of infants (96.4%) had sufficient vitamin A. Majority (70.2%) of infants had the normal head circumference, 24.9% had macrocephaly while only 4.9% had microcephaly. Head circumference negatively correlated with ferritin (r=-0.367; p40 μg/L which indicates insufficient iodine. Tg correlated with ferritin (r=0.234; p<0.01).
Conclusion
The results of the study show that mothers have breastfeeding knowledge however complementary feeding knowledge appears to be lacking. The growth status of infants is generally good however, stunting (16.7%) and wasting (5.1%) was observed. The education level of mothers may have contributed to the low prevalences of stunting and wasting. It is concluded that infants in Thulamela have anaemia (84.4% combined). There is good reason for concern about the risks of anaemia. Iron deficiency (ID) as indicated by ferritin and soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) show that Iron deficiency (ID) exists in infants of Thulamela. Combined Iron deficiency and anaemia (IDA = 3.1%) also exists in infants of Thulamela municipality. The Tg results show that half of the infants had insufficient iodine and this is a concern given consequences of iodine deficiencyNR