29 research outputs found
Examining the relationship between science teachers beliefs and the PCK in stoichiometry in final year pre-service teachers
No full textA research project submitted to the
Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand in partial fulfilment of the requirements for degree of
Master of Science (Science Education). Johannesburg. 2017.PCK is revered as the type of teacher professional knowledge required to transform subject matter into a form that is accessible by learners and when considered at a topic specific level, the knowledge is known as Topic Specific Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TSPCK). Research has ranked stoichiometry as one of the topic that is difficult to teach and learn due to its abstract nature. It has been reported that South African High School learners in particular, perform poorly in questions on this topic in the final national examination. Therefore, this may suggest that the science teachers are unable to teach stoichiometry in a manner that secures learners’ conceptual understanding, therefore poor quality of TSPCK of teaching the topic. The main purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between pre-service teacher’s TSPCK in stoichiometry and the beliefs they hold about teaching science. A mixed (MM) approach was used. The sample of pre-service teachers who were asked to participate in the research study was 24, these pre-service teachers have completed an intervention in their fourth year physical science methodology course on developing TSPCK in stoichiometry. Data comprised primarily of tools in TSPCK and science teacher beliefs completed at the end of the intervention, which happened to be the end of the course. Three key findings were made: (i) on completion of the intervention, pre-service teachers exhibited a functional good quality of TSPCK corresponding to ‘Developing’ according to the rubric used. (ii)The majority of pre-service teachers were found to hold transitional science teacher beliefs; and these were found to have an independent relationship with the quality of TSPCK as the professional teacher knowledge. The implication of this finding to the pre-service teachers is that pre-service teachers may hold teacher beliefs that are not necessarily corresponding to the quality of their professional knowledge of teaching a given topic (TSPCK). Secondly, pre-service science teacher’s science teacher beliefs are more likely to change as they were found to be in a category called transitional, which is not strong in neither teacher nor learner centered oriented beliefs. Recommendations promote the development of TSPCK in stoichiometry and other core topics in physical scienceLG201
Promotion of Community Based Cultivation of Hibiscus Sabdariffa, Moringa Oleifera, Adansonia Digitata and Aloe Vera for use as Herbal Nutritional Supplements for People living with HIV/AIDS
No full textInvestigation on laser beam machining of miniature gears
No full textAbstract: Micro‐machining has become a fast growing field in the global manufacturing sector due to increasing demand of miniature machines and devices. The trend involves the fabrication of precision miniature parts that have widespread applications in many areas such as, electronics, biomedical, aerospace, robotics, automobiles and consumer products. Miniature gears are essential components of miniaturised devices such as miniature motors and pumps, scientific instruments, medical equipment, timing devices, and robots etc. These gears are generally fine‐pitched gears running at very high speed, mainly used for transmission of motion and/or torque. Therefore, minimum running noise, accurate motion transfer and long service life are the required qualities of these gears. Considering that a laser beam is capable of cutting complex shapes with great precision and little waste, motivates its use to machine small sized parts including miniature gears. This article reports on the fabrication of stainless steel miniature gears by laser beam machining (LBM) process. A total of twenty experiments have been conducted following one factor at a time design of experiment strategy on CO2 laser machine. The fabricated gears have 9 mm pitch diameter, 10 teeth, and 4.5 mm thickness. The effects of laser machining parameters on surface roughness (mainly average roughness ‘Ra’ and mean roughness depth ‘Rz’) of gears have been analysed. The best quality miniature gear fabricated by LBM possesses 1.04 μm average roughness and 5.797 μm mean roughness depth at par with that obtained by conventional and other advanced processes of miniature gear manufacturing. Investigation reveals that LBM is capable to produce miniature gears of good surface finish and integrity ensuring their high functional performance and long service life. The outputs of this preliminary work encourage further exploration of LBM to establish it as an alternative process for fabrication of precision miniature gears
Impact of COVID-19 on TB diagnostic services at primary healthcare clinics in eThekwini district, South Africa
No full textDATA AVALILABILITY : The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding
author upon reasonable request.We assessed the impact of the pandemic on TB diagnostics at primary healthcare clinics (PHCs) during
the different stages of COVID-19 in eThekwini district, South Africa. Data from the District Health
Information System (DHIS) were used to conduct an interrupted time series analysis that assessed
the changes in TB investigations and confirmed TB cases during four pandemic periods: lockdown
and the subsequent three peaks of infection compared to the two years prior (2018–2022). The initial
lockdown resulted in − 45% (95% CI − 55 to − 31) and − 40% (95% CI − 59 to − 28) immediate declines
in TB investigations and confirmed cases, respectively. Both indicators showed substantial recovery
in the months after the first wave (p < 0.05). However, while TB investigations sustained smaller
declines throughout the pandemic, they rebounded and surpassed pre-COVID-19 levels by the end of
the investigation period. On the other hand, confirmed cases experienced reductions that persisted
until the end of the investigation period. TB diagnostic services at PHCs were considerably disrupted
by COVID-19, with the confirmation of cases being the most adversely affected throughout the
pandemic. The reasons for these persistent declines in TB detection must be determined to inform the
development of sustainable diagnostic systems that are capable of withstanding future pandemics.The National Research Foundation.https://www.nature.com/srepam2024School of Health Systems and Public Health (SHSPH)Non
Rural women's preferences for cervical cancer screening via HPV self-sampling : a discrete choice experiment study in Chidamoyo, Hurungwe District, Zimbabwe
No full textDATA SHARING :
The data are available from the corresponding author upon request.BACKGROUND : Cervical cancer screening via HPV self-sampling holds great promise for increasing access to underserved and never-screened women. We aimed to understand the preferences of rural Zimbabwean women for different characteristics of an HPV self-sampling intervention for cervical cancer screening by using the discrete choice experiment (DCE) methodology.
METHODS : A DCE was administered to women in the Hurungwe Rural District. Women were asked to choose between two hypothetical screening choices defined by education, location of services, supervision of self-sampling, comfort of sampling device, results notification and care after HPV results. Data were analysed using fixed and mixed logistic regression models.
FINDINGS : Results indicated that the comfort of the sampling device had the most significant impact on women's preferences for HPV self-sampling. Women prioritised facility-based self-sampling, female-supervised self-sampling, and face-to-face education on cervical cancer and screening methods. The methods of results notification and care after HPV results did not significantly impact women's choices. The mixed effects results showed preference heterogeneity in some of the attributes. Interaction analyses suggested that preferences were largely homogenous across the following subgroups: never-screened, previously screened, young and older women. The stratified analysis also showed that preferences were consistent among the four subgroups.
INTERPRETATION : Our findings highlight the importance of face-to-face education, comfortable and user-friendly sampling devices, female health worker supervision and health facility-based self-sampling for cervical cancer screening via HPV self-sampling. These insights could guide the design of patient-centric interventions to ensure high uptake and increased screening coverage.http://www.ajog.org/hj2024School of Health Systems and Public Health (SHSPH)SDG-03:Good heatlh and well-bein
The role of Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) in the national liberation struggle in South Africa with reference to the rural far northern Transvaal, 1976-1990
No full textIncludes bibliographical references (leaves 250-275)
A cross-sectional study on hypertension medication adherence in a high-burden region in Namibia : exploring hypertension interventions and validation of the Namibia Hill-Bone Compliance Scale
No full textDATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT : The data analyzed during the current study are available from the
corresponding author on reasonable request.FILE S1: Blood pressure medication adherence questionnaire consisting of Section A: Socio-Demographic characteristics and Anthropometric measurements, Section B: Personal Medical History and Section C: Hill-bone Compliance to High Blood pressure therapy Scale.In Namibia, the prevalence of hypertension among women and men aged 35–64 years is
high, ranging from 44% to 57%. In this study, we aimed to determine adherence and predictors to
antihypertensive therapy in Khomas region, Namibia. A cross-sectional study was performed to
consecutively sample 400 patients from urban and peri-urban settings in Namibia. Results were
validated using the Hill-Bone Compliance to High Blood Pressure Therapy Scale. Crude associations
between predictors of adherence and compliance were tested using the Pearson chi-square test. A
multivariable logistic regression analysis was then performed on adherence variables found to be
significant to adjust for confounders, and the results are presented as adjusted odds ratios (aOR)
with 95% confidence intervals. A total of 400 patients participated in this study. The participants’
mean age and standard deviation were Mean SD = 48.9 12.5. In this study, 351 (87.7%) patients
were estimated to have good adherence. Education, employment, and the presence of other chronic
diseases were associated with adherence. Following multivariate adjustment, the following factors
were significantly associated and are therefore predictors of adherence (95%CI, p < 0.005): receiving
enough medication at last check-up until next one (OR = 5.44, CI 1.76–16.85), lack of encouragement
from family and friends (OR = 0.11 (0.03–0.42)), and attendance of follow-ups on schedule (OR = 8.49,
CI = 3.82–18.85). The success of hypertension therapy is dependent on the healthcare systems and
healthcare professionals in supplying enough medication, support of friends/family, and maintaining
scheduled follow-ups. A combination of interventions using low-cost mobile technology led by
healthcare professionals could be endorsed. To fully practice universal access to medication, public
and private hospitals in Namibia should collaborate.https://www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerpham2023School of Health Systems and Public Health (SHSPH
Evidence on the reasons and factors influencing contraceptive non-utilization among women of childbearing age in Sub-Saharan Africa
No full textObjective
This project aims to systematically explore and synthesize evidence on the reasons and factors contributing to the non-utilization of modern contraceptives among women of childbearing age in SSA. The goal is to identify and explore the various reasons and factors that prevent the uptake of contraceptive methods, despite their availability.
Significance
Understanding the reasons behind the non-utilization of contraceptives among women in SSA is crucial for tackling the high incidence of unintended pregnancies and enhancing reproductive health outcomes. This scoping review aims to provide critical insights that will inform policymakers, healthcare providers, and researchers. By elucidating these underlying factors, the review will support the development of targeted interventions and the improvement of family planning services within the region.
2. METHODOLOGY
This scoping review will be conducted as part of a multi-phased study aimed at developing a framework that optimally guides the development of a guideline for implementing a community-based approach to enhance family planning utilization among women of childbearing age in a suburban setting in Tshwane, South Africa. The objective of this project is to conduct a comprehensive scoping review of the reasons and factors behind the low adoption of modern contraceptives among women of childbearing age in sub-Saharan Africa.
2.1 Systematic scoping review
A scoping review will be conducted to systematically map evidence on the reasons and factors for the non-utilization of modern contraceptives among women of childbearing age in SSA. The scoping review research protocol will be registered with Open Source Frameworks (OSF) as it provides a transparent platform for documenting and sharing all the aspects of the systematic review process.34 This transparency will enable other researchers to verify and replicate the findings, which is crucial for maintaining the integrity of scientific research.34 The scoping review protocol titled: Evidence on the reasons and factors influencing contraceptive non-utilization among women of childbearing age in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic scoping review protocol can be accessed at osf.io/z6937 and is made accessible for public commentary on the OSF.
The scoping review seeks to collect literature on identifying reasons and factors contributing to the underutilization of modern contraceptives among women of childbearing age in Sub-Saharan Africa, drawing from published peer-reviewed studies and (unpublished) grey literature.
The scoping review will employ the Arskey and O'Malley framework35 as a guide, which comprises the following stages:
• Stage 1: Involves identifying the research question.
• Stage 2: Entails identifying relevant studies.
• Stage 3: Focuses on study selection.
• Stage 4: Involves charting the data.
• Stage 5 Includes collating, summarizing, and reporting the results.
2.2 Identifying the research question
What are the primary factors and underlying reasons contributing to the low utilization of modern contraceptives among women of reproductive age in SSA?
2.3 Eligibility of research question
Screening questions will be formulated based on the Population, Concept, and Context (PCC) framework36, as depicted in Table 1 of the PCC Framework, to ascertain the eligibility of the research question.
Criteria
Determinant
Population
Women of childbearing age (15- 49 years)
Concept
Utilization of modern contraceptives
Context Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)
Table 1: PCC Framework for determining the eligibility of the research question36
2.4 Identifying relevant studies
The project will conduct a scoping review to map out the existing literature on this topic. Using a comprehensive search strategy, we will identify studies exploring various contraceptive non-utilization dimensions. The review will incorporate evidence from primary studies and grey literature, employing quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-method approaches published in peer-reviewed journals.
• Quantitative Studies: will assist in examining statistical data on contraceptive use and non-use, demographic factors, and the correlation with various socio-economic and cultural factors.
• Qualitative Studies: will assist in gathering in-depth insights into personal, cultural, and community perspectives and experiences regarding contraceptive use.
• Mixed-Method Studies: will provide a more holistic understanding by combining quantitative data with qualitative insights.
The following databases will be utilized for article searches: PubMed/MEDLINE, American Doctoral Dissertations through EBSCO Host, theses accessible through Google Scholar, and South African e-Publications including SABINET Online and World Cat Dissertations. Additionally, publications from the Medical Research Council (MRC) and the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) will be examined. Websites such as the World Health Organization (WHO), governmental websites, and statistical institutions like Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) will be consulted for relevant policies and guidelines on FP utilization.
During the search, articles published between January 2014 and January 2024 will be considered. The following keywords will guide the search: family planning, contraceptives, birth prevention, birth control, utilization, use, women, females, and Sub-Saharan Africa. Boolean operators such as "AND" and "OR" will be applied in advanced searches to combine or refine keywords, aiding in the exclusion of irrelevant articles and focusing results on the research area of interest.1 Additionally, Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms will be employed for controlled indexing and description of article records.1
2.5 Study selection
The researcher developed a set of inclusion and exclusion criteria for research articles focusing on the non-utilization of family planning among women aged 15-49 years. These criteria are designed to address the research question aimed at gathering literature to identify reasons and factors contributing to the low usage of modern contraceptives among women of childbearing age in SSA.
2.6 Inclusion criteria
The researcher will include studies that meet the following criteria:
• Studies presenting evidence published between January 2014 and January 2024.
• Studies presenting evidence from Sub-Saharan Africa or other regions of Africa.
• Studies providing evidence related to women aged 15–49 years.
• Studies focusing on the use of modern contraceptives.
2.7 Exclusion criteria
The researcher will exclude studies with the following characteristics:
• Studies published before 2014
• Studies with no evidence on contraceptive use including those studies that focus on pregnancy, abstinence, age of sexual debut, number of sexual partners, and HIV/STI prevention
• Women below 15 or above 50 years of age will not be included in the study selection.
2.8 Screening of articles
Before initiating the search, screening questions will be developed to aid in the selection of relevant articles. Articles will undergo screening using the PCC framework.36 The Rayyan software will serve as the tool for study selection, while EndNote 21 will be utilized as the reference manager to export articles for full-text retrieval. An EndNote 21 library will be established specifically for this scoping review.
All articles identified during title screening that meet the inclusion criteria will be exported to the EndNote 21 library. Before screening, all studies will undergo a check for duplications, with duplicates removed. Two independent reviewers will assess the selected articles for retrieval using the Rayyan software with blinding to mitigate bias. In cases of insufficient agreement between the independent reviewers, a third experienced reviewer will be consulted to make the final decision.
Articles will undergo three stages: pre-screening, title and abstract screening, and full-text screening.36, 37
• Pre-screening involves documenting the initial number of results from each database or source before formal screening begins.
• Title and abstract screening: Each reviewer independently assesses titles and abstracts to determine their relevance to the review criteria. Reviewers will compare screening results until a consensus is reached.
• Full-text screening: Multiple reviewers individually examine the full text of included articles to finalize the selection of articles contributing to the review.
The researcher will collaborate closely with the University of Pretoria library services for database searching and article retrieval. For studies not accessible via databases, efforts will be made to obtain them through direct communication with the authors.1
The project will follow the (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews) PRISMA-ScR guidelines to ensure a systematic and transparent review process. The PRISMA) flow diagram (Figure 1) will serve as a graphical depiction of the citation flow reviewed during the scoping review.36, 38 This diagram will record the number of search results from each database at every screening stage.36, 38
Figure 1. Prisma flow chart demonstrating literature search and selection of studies.38, 39
2.9 Data extraction
The included articles were selected after being reviewed and approved by two independent reviewers.37 An Excel spreadsheet will be used to record detailed information from these articles. This will include the author and publication year, study title, objectives, country or region, age group, study population, sample size, study design, study setting, geographic context (rural/urban/semi-urban), factors from multivariate analysis, types of contraceptives, reasons for not using family planning, key findings/results, and conclusions. The spreadsheet will be continuously updated to incorporate the latest data, with key aspects highlighted. The design and format of this spreadsheet will be tested through a pilot process.
2.10 Data management
Synthesis is a crucial stage in the scoping review process where the data extracted from individual studies are integrated to form a comprehensive body of evidence for evaluation.37, 40 This synthesis will ultimately determine the outcomes and conclusions of the review.37, 40
The Cresswell framework41 for thematic analysis will be employed to analyze data from the interviews. This method involves identifying, analyzing, and reporting patterns or themes that emerge from the in-depth interviews.41, 42 To aid in the data synthesis, the researcher will create a template incorporating tables and charts. This template will help contextualize and summarize the content, population, geographical location, and research methods of the studies included in the review.
The template will feature a table summarizing the basic characteristics of all the selected studies, with sections for reviewers to comment on the following aspects: interventions, sample sizes, participants, research methods, evidence of effectiveness, economic aspects, and research gaps.35 This structured approach will enable the researcher to compare different types of interventions, identify conflicting evidence about specific interventions, and pinpoint areas where further research is needed.35
2.11 Quality appraisal
Levac et al.43 recommend that scoping reviews should include a quality appraisal of all the articles considered. In this project, two independent reviewers will assess the quality of the selected articles. The 2018 version of the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) will be used for this purpose. The MMAT44 is designed specifically for evaluating the quality of studies in systematic mixed methods reviews, covering qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods research, all of which are included in this scoping review.
For grey literature, the Authority, Accuracy, Coverage, Objectivity, Date, and Significance (AACODS) checklist will be used to appraise the quality.45
Ethical consideration
This study does not involve any animal or human participants. Consequently, the requirement for ethics approval and participant consent is not applicable.
Results
This scoping review will compile a detailed report on the key reasons for contraceptive non-use in Sub-Saharan Africa, identifying patterns and gaps in the existing literature. The insights will aid policymakers, health professionals, and community leaders in designing culturally sensitive strategies to boost contraceptive uptake and guide future research directions in reproductive health. The findings of this scoping review will be disseminated electronically, in print, and through peer presentations, conferences, and congresses
Nurses’ perspectives on user-friendly self-sampling interventions for diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections among young women in eThekwini district municipality : a nominal group technique
No full textAVAILABILITY OF DATA AND MATERIALS : All data generated or analysed during this study are available in the manuscript. However, additional datasets used are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request if required.BACKGROUND : Syndromic management in the main non-laboratory-based management approach for sexually transmitted infections (STI) in most low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) but it has limitations. Self-sampling has been proven as a suitable alternative approach to help improve management STIs by improving access to diagnosis among vulnerable populations. We sought to determine health workers’ perspectives on user-friendly self-sampling interventions for STIs among young women in eThekwini District Municipality.
METHODS : Healthcare workers providing STI healthcare services in the study location participated in a nominal group technique (NGT) workshop. The NGT workshop was aimed enabling collaboration with key health providers in identifying user-friendly self-sampling interventions for diagnosis of STIs among young women. Data collection was conducted in two phases: phase 1 determined barrier that hinder young women from accessing current STI healthcare services and phase 2 focused on determining the key strategies for self-sampling interventions to diagnose STIs in young women. Thematic analysis and percentage form analysis were used to examine qualitative and quantitative data respectively.
RESULTS : The following barriers were identified: negligence; myths about STIs; fear of judgement; denial; operating hours; lack of knowledge of STI symptoms and safe sex practices; and stigma associated with STIs. The following strategies were suggested: hand out self-sampling kits at popular restaurants; collect self-sampling kits from security guard at primary healthcare clinics (PHCs); receive STI diagnostic results via SMS or email or the clinic for treatment; improve youth friendly services at PHCs; educate the public on proper use of the kits. Education about STIs and handing out self-sampling kits at clinics, universities, schools, pharmacies or via outreach teams were ranked high priority strategies.
CONCLUSIONS : The findings highlight the need to address stigma and fear of judgment and provide comprehensive education to improve healthcare-seeking behaviour in young women. Additionally, the study also indicates that using eHealth solutions could significantly enhance the accessibility and efficiency of STI healthcare services in LMICs.The Department of Higher Education funding for the Next Generation of Academics Programme for employees, South Africa.https://bmchealthservres.biomedcentral.comhj2024School of Health Systems and Public Health (SHSPH)SDG-03:Good heatlh and well-bein
Global, regional, and national burden of motor neuron diseases 1990–2016: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016
No full textBackground Understanding how prevalence, incidence, and mortality of motor neuron diseases change over time and by location is crucial for understanding the causes of these disorders and for health-care planning. Our aim was to produce estimates of incidence, prevalence, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) for motor neuron diseases for 195 countries and territories from 1990 to 2016 as part of the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2016.Methods The motor neuron diseases included in this study were amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, spinal muscular atrophy, hereditary spastic paraplegia, primary lateral sclerosis, progressive muscular atrophy, and pseudobulbar palsy. Incidence, prevalence, and DALYs were estimated using a Bayesian meta-regression model. We analysed 14 165 site-years of vital registration cause of death data using the GBD 2016 cause of death ensemble model. The 84 risk factors quantified in GBD 2016 were tested for an association with incidence or death from motor neuron diseases. We also explored the relationship between Socio-demographic Index (SDI; a compound measure of income per capita, education, and fertility) and age-standardised DALYs of motor neuron diseases.Findings In 2016, globally, 330 918 (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 299 522-367 254) individuals had a motor neuron disease. Motor neuron diseases have caused 926 090 (881566-961758) DALYs and 34325 (33 051-35 364) deaths in 2016. The worldwide all-age prevalence was 4.5 (4.1-5.0) per 100 000 people, with an increase in age-standardised prevalence of 4.5% (3.4-5.7) over the study period. The all-age incidence was 0.78 (95% UI 0.71-0.86) per 100 000 person-years. No risk factor analysed in GBD showed an association with motor neuron disease incidence. The largest age-standardised prevalence was in high SDI regions: high-income North America (16.8, 95% UI 15- 8-16. 9), Australasia (14.7, 13.5-16.1), and western Europe (12.9, 11.7-14.1). However, the prevalence and incidence were lower than expected based on SDI in high-income Asia Pacific.Interpretation Motor neuron diseases have low prevalence and incidence, but cause severe disability with a high fatality rate. Incidence of motor neuron diseases has geographical heterogeneity, which is not explained by any risk factors quantified in GBD, suggesting other unmeasured risk factors might have a role. Between 1990 and 2016, the burden of motor neuron diseases has increased substantially. The estimates presented here, as well as future estimates based on data from a greater number of countries, will be important in the planning of services for people with motor neuron diseases worldwide. Copyright (C) 2018 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd
