30 research outputs found
Assessment of value added to engineering projects
No full textM.Ing.The topic of this research project is 'Assessment of value added to engineering projects'. In this dissertation the aim is to introduce the reader to the methodologies, which can be used to add value to engineering projects. Engineering has to do with the application of science in solving problems, while technology is the study or use of the mechanical arts or applied sciences. The author saw it fitting to combine value engineering principles, systems engineering, business process re-engineering, technology scanning and innovation technology management principles to base this dissertation on the research of the combined principles. The intention of this research is not to replace the current project management or processes on how to manage and create value in engineering projects. The research merely identifies an issue and proposes a process as an addition to the current processes rectifying this 'lack of value' issue
Exploring the nature of support received by a learner with a specific learning disorder in a township mainstream school
No full textM.Ed.Abstract: Leaners with Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) present a challenge in township mainstream schools as they require additional support to cope with the curriculum. The specific additional support required is often unavailable in a township school. This study explored the nature of support provided for Themba, a 12 year old SeTswana speaking boy who was diagnosed with SLD in a mainstream township school. The study was conducted in a township school with limited resources, in Krugersdorp, Gauteng West. In this qualitative descriptive case study data was collected from semi-structured interviews with the learner, parent and educator. More information was collected from the educational psychologist report, referral forms, learner‟s school report, optometrist report and researcher‟s observation journal. Content analysis was used to analyse the data which developed into conceptual themes as described by the participants. From the themes that emerged it was evident that the learner required support in all systems in his environment. His poor family background and parents‟ lack of knowledge about learning difficulties delayed the early identification of his learning disorder. So, there is a demand for parental training and teaching about learning disorders. The deficiency in educator awareness also had an impact on delayed early identification. Therefore educators have to be equipped with skills and ability to identify learning difficulties within the first two year of schooling. So, the learner in this study needed a school environment that would accommodate his learning disorder by adapting the curriculum, through strategies like individual sessions, extra time and well - structured group work. The teacher also needed support from the school management and district office. In addition to the support provided in the class, this study also found that more support was required from the family, community and extra teacher support staff. This implies that a learner with SLD requires the interaction of different systems for him to be receiving adequate support..
Knowledge, attitude and practices of caregivers (KAP) on management of childhood diarrhoes amond children aged between 0-5 years attending child welfare clinic (CWC) in Mogoditshane Village, Botswana
No full textResearch report submitted to the Faculty of Health Science, The University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Master's Degree in MSc in Medicine, Child Health in the Division of Community Paediatrics, Department of Paediatrics and Child health.Background: Diarrheoa continues to plague on Botswana children, resulting in high mortality of children below five years. In 2015 childhood diarrheoa accounted for 6 percent of deaths of children in Botswana. Good knowledge, attitude and practices of caregivers is pivotal to protection, prevention and treatment of childhood diarrhoea, hence reduce mortality thereof.
Study aim: The aim of the study was to determine the level of Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) of caregivers on management of childhood diarrhoea among children between 0 to 5 years attending childwelfare clinics in Mogoditshane village, Botswana.
Methodiology: A cross-sectional survey with a convenience sampling was used to select participants. A structured questionaire was used to collect data from 84 respondants regarding demography, knowledge, attitudes and practices on management of dirrhoea in children. Data was analyzed using Epi Info software. Descriptive statistis included measures and frequency tabulations and and inferential statistics included cross-tabulations to investigate statistical associations with KAP were used for analysis. Multiple logistic regression models were used to determine factors associated with KAP.
Results: The study found inadequate KAP among caregivers that was significantly associated with gender and level of education. Gender was significantly associatedwith level of knowledge (p<0.001) and level of practice (p= 0.04) while level of caregivers education was significant with level of attitude. (p= 0.015). There was no statistical significant relationship found between KAP variables. Practice and knowledge (p-value close to 1), practice and attitude (p=0.70), attitude and knowledge (p=0.66). Mean age was 30 years (SD=8.38). 26 (32%) had good knowledge and 58 (68%) had moderate knowledge. The mean score of respondents’ attitudes was 14.33 (SD= 3,178) with 36 (43%) having good attitudes towards the prevention and treatment of diarrhoea while 48 (57%) had poor attitudes. 28(57%) of caregivers had good practices and (71%) had poor practices.
Conclusion: Existing public health programs targeting prevention of diarrhoea and dehydration should consider gender, level of education, perceptions and beliefs of caregivers when planning for interventions.XL201
Investigating Soils, Vegetation and Land Use in a Lunette Dune-Pan Environment: The Case of Sekoma Lunette Dune-Pan Complex, Botswana
No full textNon
A Comparative Study of Freedom of Information Legislation in Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe
No full textAccess to information has been a major concern all over the world, with governments drafting legislation to address it. Information is critical especially in participatory democracies where citizens need access to information to make informed decisions and governments have to be transparent. Freedom of Information legislation (FOI) has been expected to afford citizens the right to information to participate in democratic processes in their countries. FOI legislation has been enacted in some countries under the pretext that they will make information accessible. However, over the years most information access legislation and policies have come under scrutiny, for actually hindering and restricting access to information by members of the public. This study therefore compares and contrasts access to information laws of Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe, with the view to find disparities, parities and how restrictive or free they are. This study reviews literature on Information Access Laws of the three countries. Document analysis is used to analyse such legislation. This study will go a long way in showing how the three countries can learn from each other’s information access laws. It also reflects on the strengths and weaknesses of these laws, showing areas which need to be improved and possibly amended. There is an abundance of research on FOI conducted by various scholars but none was a comparative study of the three aforementioned countries.Â
Formal, informal and total care costs (2011/12 £s) overall and by demographic and clinical variables during the two six-monthly periods following discharge (N = 152).
No full text<p>* A fall in costs between 0–6 and 7–12 months is emphasised in bold while a rise is emphasised in bold italics. Costs that varied by 10% or less are not emphasized.</p><p>Formal, informal and total care costs (2011/12 £s) overall and by demographic and clinical variables during the two six-monthly periods following discharge (N = 152).</p
Formal and informal service use and costs (2011/12 £s) during the two six-monthly periods following discharge for users of each service and the full sample (N = 152).
No full text<p>* A fall in costs between 0–6 and 7–12 months is emphasised in bold while a rise is emphasised in bold italics. Costs that varied by 10% or less are not emphasised.</p>#<p> Contacts by users comprised days in rehabilitation settings and out-patient or home visits from therapists so could not be totalled.</p><p>Formal and informal service use and costs (2011/12 £s) during the two six-monthly periods following discharge for users of each service and the full sample (N = 152).</p
Bootstrapped regression models to identify predictors of formal care costs for the two six-monthly periods following discharge (2011/12 £s).
No full text<p>*significant at <0.05,</p><p>**significant at <0.01,</p><p>***significant at <0.001.</p>1<p>Compared to females,</p>2<p>mild impairments</p>#<p>NPDS scores at discharge were used in the 0–6 month model and at six months in the 7–12 month model.</p><p>β is the value for predicting the dependent variable from the independent variable.</p><p>R<sup>2</sup> is the proportion of variance in the dependent variable which can be explained by the independent variables and is adjusted to allow for extraneous predictors to the model.</p><p>Bootstrapped regression models to identify predictors of formal care costs for the two six-monthly periods following discharge (2011/12 £s).</p
A survey on population, distribution, management and utilisation of indigenous Tswana pigs in Southern Botswana
No full textSummaryIndigenous Tswana pigs are mostly found in Southern Botswana. There is concern that the breed may become extinct due to the low usage of the breed and the lack of implementation of a comprehensive conservation strategy. The objectives of this study were to identify places where indigenous Tswana pigs are kept in Gaborone Agricultural Region and document the numbers, distribution, management and utilisation of these pigs. A formal questionnaire was administered to all indigenous pig farmers who could be identified. The data was analysed using procedure frequency in Statistical System Analysis. A total of 51 indigenous pig farmers were interviewed, of these 71%, 16% and 14% were in Southeast, Kgatleng and Kweneng districts respectively. Only one farmer kept crossbreeds with the majority keeping pure indigenous Tswana. A total of 124 sows, 23 boars, 32 castrates and 211 piglets were counted in this region. All the pigs were kept under the communal system. None of the farmers surveyed kept records and they exhibited limited knowledge of pig farming and improved management. Pigs were kept for home consumption with very few sold, given out as gifts or loaned out. Pig fat was used as a by-product to make soap and a lubricant in traditional leather rope making. The farmers’ perception of indigenous pigs is good; they claim that the pigs posses traits of economic importance such as high heat and drought tolerance, which are of great significance in the harsh climatic conditions of Botswana. There is a need to undertake conservation efforts for this breed given that it survives and reproduces under harsh climatic conditions and sub-standard management. More research and further action is required to increase the production of this breed.</jats:p
Distress improves after mindfulness training for progressive MS: a pilot randomised trial
No full textBackground. Mindfulness-based interventions have been shown to effectively reduce anxiety, depression and pain in patients with chronic physical illnesses.
Objectives. We assessed the potential effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a specially adapted Skype distant-delivered mindfulness intervention, designed to reduce distress for people affected by primary and secondary progressive MS.
Methods. Forty participants were randomly assigned to the 8-week intervention (n=19) or a waiting-list control group (n=21). Participants completed standardised questionnaires to measure mood, impact of MS and symptom severity, quality of life and service costs at baseline, post-intervention and 3-month follow-up.
Results. Distress scores were lower in the intervention group compared with the control group at post-intervention and follow-up (p<0.05), effect size -.64 post-intervention and -.94 at follow-up. Mean scores for pain, fatigue, anxiety, depression, impact of MS were reduced for the mindfulness group compared with control group at post-therapy and follow-up; effect sizes ranging from -.27 to -.99 post-intervention and -.29 to -1.12 at follow-up. There were no differences in quality-adjusted life years, but an 87.4% probability that the intervention saves on service costs and improves outcome.
Conclusions: A mindfulness intervention delivered through Skype video conferences appears accessible, feasible and potentially effective and cost-effective for people with progressive MS
