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Item Open Access Factors leading mental health care users to use modern and traditional medicine in rural areas of Makhado Municipality in the Vhembe District of Limpopo Province in South Africa(207-09-18) Gomba, Thomani; Netshandama, V. O.; Mudau, M. J.Traditional medicine still plays a bigger role in people dealing with health and disease. Research shows that in some Asian and African countries, traditional medicine forms the primary mode of health care for 80% of the population. This is actively promoted in South Africa and is used by at least 70% of the country’s population. This study investigated the contributory factors leading mental health care users to use a combination of traditional and modern medicine in rural areas. The study was conducted using qualitative research methods. The population of this study were MHCUs, Mental health practitioners and traditional healers. Purposive sampling was used to select participants. Data was analyzed through a computer programme called Atlas TI. The results revealed the following as contributory factors leading mental health care users to use modern and traditional medicine in rural areas : cultural factor , belief in witch craft , influence by significant others (family members and friends), poor PHC intervention and treatment method. Recommendations to the health care practitioners and policy makers around the use of traditional and modern medicine was made based on the findings.Item Open Access The perception of Grade One teachers towards the use of educational technology in implementation Curriculum 2005: a case in the Northern Province (Region 3)(2000-05-16) Rambani, Tanganani Esther; Bayona, E. L. M.The research study was initiated to investigate the challenges faced by secondary school educators with regard to the management of teenage mothers who receive child support-grant in Sibasa Circuit of the Vhembe District of Limpopo Province of South Africa. The study focused at critical issues that are experienced by educators in managing these teenage mothers in schools. The assumption was that educators' and learners performance is affected the lack of effective and efficient management of learners. In addition, it is assumed that effective and efficient management of these learners may improve their performance as well as that of educators with respect to obtaining satisfactory pass rate. These critical issues include amongst others; capacity of educators in managing teenage mothers who receive child support grant; understanding of roles and responsibilities of educators in the management these learners; causes and effect of absenteeism by teenage mothers; poor performance by teenage mothers; dropouts and performance of learners. Triangulation of quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection was employed to collect both qualitative and quantitative. Ten (10) Schools within the target area namely, Sibasa Circuit in the Vhembe District were sampled and data was collected using a structured questionnaire comprised of both open-ended and closed-ended questions. Key findings of the research study were that educators did not receive proper training regarding the management of teenage mothers at their schools; educators are not familiar with the policies guiding the management of teenage mothers and those lacks of management of learners have impact to the performance of learners that leads to their drop out of school. Some recommendations are that: • Educators should be trained about the management of teenage mothers, receive ongoing training, outline and communicate roles and responsibilities with respect to management of these learners, as well as the ensuring that the accountability of success and failure of the management is made clear to both educators and learners.Item Open Access Willingness to pay for water in South African rural areas: a case of Nsikas Village of Mpumalanga Province(2003-05-01) Mahlale, Rirhandzu Cornelius; Gyekye, A. B.The scope and focus of this study was narrowed to the rural households in Mpumalanga Province - Nsikazi villages. Therefore the study was titled: The willingness to pay for water in South African Rural areas: A case study of Nsikazi Villages of Mpumalanga Province. The principal objectives of the study are as follows: determining the level of the relationship between the households' willingness to pay and the household's socio-economic and water sources characteristics; determining the amount of money that rural households are willing to pay for an improved water service, and the level of service that they would prefer to use, and lastly, determining the payment system that households prefer in their rural areas. This study was limited only to those households, staying in those villages in which the RDP water service was already put in place by the government. A Contingent valuation questionnaire was used to collect data from households and the questionnaire comprised three parts, namely, water sources; household willingness to pay for three levels of water services, and questions about the socio-economic and demographic characteristics of the respondents. A Contingent valuation method was used in order to determine whether the households were willing to pay for the running costs of an improved water system. Based on the willingness to pay estimates, households in Mpumalanga rural areas were willing to pay R6.1 million towards the cost of providing a yard tap water service. The revenue maximizing tariff per household in Mpumalanga Province for yard tap water was found to be R12.50 per household per month. An important finding of the analysis in this villages was that the overwhelming majority of households preferred a yard tap as they view it as a convenient water service option, and almost all the respondents expressed dissatisfaction with the street taps water supply system.Item Open Access An investigation into the implementation of the National Policy on District Support Services for effective teaching and learning at school level(2005) Masipa, Mokgadi Maggie; Bayona, E. L. M.This study examines the extent to which education districts in the Limpopo Province support effective teaching and learning at school level, with general applicability to similar education districts in South Africa and elsewhere. The literature reveals that education districts in most developing countries, do not support the participation of principals and educators, and that changes are required to effect higher levels of involvement. The study focuses on how this might be attained. The study makes recommendations on District Support Services which will ensure the involvement of district personnel, principals and educators in transforming schools into effective teaching and learning organisations. The theoretical base is derived from literature review on district support services in South Africa and elsewhere. This review is used to establish common conceptions for the study, and illustrates the extent to which the involvement of all relevant stakeholders is considered desirable and feasible. The analysis also reveals how the policy on district support services in South Africa falls short of complying with the country's local diversity and also with its policy of Outcomes - Based Eduaction which focuses on producing citizens who are equipped with values, knowledge and skills that will enable them to play a productive role in society. The implication of Outcomes - Based Eduaction is that individuals acquire these qualities through active involvement in the learning process. It seeks to create a lifelong learner who is confident and independent, literate and multi-skilled, compassionate, with respect for the environment and the ability to participate in society as a critical and active citizen. The field work was carried out in education institutions falling under Sekgosese Education District in Region Three of Limpopo Province and involved a sample of three hundred and thirty-two education practictioners, divided into five target groups:educators (200), principals (100), circuit managers (4), curriculum advisers (16), and administrators (12). The analysis of the data is composed of three parts. The first concerns the calibre of people who are implementing the policy. The majority of participants still lacked the relevant qualifications required while the need for staff development was identified by many as a major concern. In the second part respondents overwhelmingly indicated the need for clarification on the nature, the role and functions of the education district. In the third part the report shows thata general agreement also exists amongst the respondents for the need to address the constraints experienced at all levels in the implementation of district support services. The study concludes that in a globally competitive environment like the one we have today, it is no longer sufficient to make excellent strategic and operational plans. It is rather crucial for organisations to have systems that will ensure that this plans are effectively achieved. The rationale for this view is based on the argument that this may provide opportunities for learners to extend and develop their personal education competence, critical awareness and shared insight of the role which they and schools are expected to fulfil in their rapidly changing communities. The following key concepts were used throughout the study: • Education District • Curriculum 2005-08-24 Education Policy Reserve Fund Programme (EPRFP) • The School Governing Body (SGB) • National Policy • District Support Services • Effective Teaching and LearningItem Open Access Rural Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises And Role of Local Economic Development Agencies in the Vhembe District, Limpopo Province(2006-09-16) Matloga, Selokela Reginald; Musyoki, A.Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMME) are vital factors in the economy of less developed countries. It has been a major source of employment, motive force for local economic development and poverty alleviation in developing countries including South Africa. It is agreed world wide that strong SMMEs give a country strong economic growth. In South Africa, SMMEs are not strong especially in rural areas, which comprise mainly of emerging SMMEs owned by Africans. There are hosts of institutions in South Africa which are active in the development of rural SMMEs. Local Economic Development Agencies (LEDAs) in the study areas are engaged in helping rural SMMEs to flourish. However, rural SMMEs are still facing many problems and are unable to flourish. This research is aimed at evaluating Local Economic Development (LED) support on local rural SMMEs in the study area in order to advance feasible strategies for support to enhance rural SMME's growth from the survival stage. Social survey methods involving interview schedules were used, providing descriptive and analytic data. The qualitative and quantitative data was analysed using an SPSS programme. The research findings indicate that LED support in the study area is failing to enhance rural SMME growth. The support does not cover the entire business requirement necessary for rural SMME growth. The study therefore advances strategies for LED support, which would be effective enough to enhance rural SMME growth and sustainability.Item Open Access The domestic violence experiences of women in the Vhembe District of Limpopo Province in South Africa(2007-05-14) Madzimbalale, Fikile Crescent; Khoza, L. B.The purpose of this study was to explore and describe the domestic violence experiences of women in the Vhembe district. The research design was qualitative, descriptive and exploratory. The study population included all women who experienced domestic violence in the Vhembe district of Limpopo Province, South Africa. Purposive sampling was used to obtain a sample of 12 women who were abused by their husbands and admitted to unit A in a particular hospital. Participation in this study was voluntary. Anonymity and confidentiality were maintained by using code numbers on participants' responses. Participants' responses were tape-recorded and then transcribed verbatim. The research question used read as follows: Share with me your lived experience of domestic violence. In-depth individual interviews were used to collect data from the participants. Data analysis was carried out using an open-coding method consisting of eight steps provided by Tesch. The findings of the study revealed that the following categories appeared to be most frequently experienced by participants: • physical violence such as battering, being scarred, burning, suffering fractures and stab wounds; • psychological/emotional violence including being sworn at, yelled at, mocked, and called names; • economic violence revealed by money being withheld; • social violence including isolation, not being allowed to visit or be visited; • sexual violence such as rape and unprotected sex. Community information and education programmes regarding the nature and unacceptability of domestic violence should be developed. Such programmes should address cultural aspects of behaviour that uphold male aggression, beating and abuse of women as acceptable. Women need to be empowered through education, employment opportunities, legal literacy, and right to inheritance. In conclusion, the findings of the study provided valuable information on the domestic violence experiences of women in the Vhembe district.Item Open Access The role and task of the teacher in school management with reference to the Dzondo Circuit(2007-09-14) Mashamba, Tshilidzi Meshack; Ravhudzulo, M. A.This study focused on the role of the teacher in School Management in Dzondo Circuit of region three. This study dealt with the important factors like; the planning role of the teacher, the organization role of the teacher, as well as discipline in schools. The empirical findings revealed that principals do not receive extensive insert training about managerial skills, the role of teachers in the formulation of the school policy is not clearly defined. The findings further revealed that teachers do not attend in-service training regularly. The study recommends that the role of teachers should be clearly define in the school - policy and that teachers should be involved in the formulation of the school policy. In the study questionnaires were used to gather information from educators, parents, principals and from the learners in the Dzondo Circuit. Prior to the distribution of questionnaires, a pilot study was done at one of the selected schools in Dzondo Circuit. The questionnaires focused on teachers age, gender, qualifications, experience and the important of the school policy in secondary schools. Findings of the study were gathered from ten percent of schools selected randomly by the researcher. Limitations of the study was characterised by the prolonged time spent doing researchers and the limited resources from the department of education.Item Open Access The principals' management satyles and educators performance: impact on secondary school learner performance in Vhuronga II Circuit(2008) Makhaga, Mpho Harriet; Kutame, A. P.; Mutshaeni, H. N.A principal's management style determines the performance of learners in a school and thus the effectiveness of the school. The main aim of this study was to investigate how management styles of principals affect learners' performance in secondary schools within the Vhuronga 11 Circuit. This could be of great assistance for principals to improve the way in which they manage their schools and could establish the need for further training on management styles through in-service training. The research is quantitative in nature; questionnaires were used to collect data. The population of the research comprised of principals and educators from all secondary schools within the Vhuronga II Circuit. The main findings of the study are presented according to the analytical categories that guided both the collection and analysis of data. Results show that the principals' management styles have an impact on learner performance. The principal's management styles determine the performance of learners in schools and thus the effectiveness of the school. A crucial implication for school managers is that the performance of learners and the effectiveness of the school are determined by the relationship between principals, teachers (educators), learners and parents. The effectiveness of the school, in particular, depends on how principals relate to their teachers.Item Open Access The role of the principals in managing conflict in primary schools in Dzindi Circuit in Vhembe Region in the Limpopo Province(2008-05-10) Rathanya, Tuwani Agnes; Ravhudzulo, M. A.This study is centred on the role of the principals in managing conflict in primary schools in the Dzindi circuit. Qualitative methods which involved the use of in-depth individual and focus group interviews were used in this study. The study revealed that the main causes of conflict in primary schools arc overcrowding in classroom, management style, misunderstanding. and fear of unknown, monitoring system, lack of school policy and lack of proper channels of communication. The study also revealed that principals have crucial role in managing conflict. They become the mediators and the negotiator in managing conflict and reconcile the parties in the conflict. The principals also emphasised that they prevent conflict by forming syndicates in their schools, encouraging teamwork, avoiding gossip and by being a good Iistener.Item Open Access Conflict management styles by school management teams in secondary schools(2009-01) Nemaguvhuni, Adziambei; Ravhudzulo, M. A.See the attached abstract belowItem Open Access Microbiological and physico-chemical quality of surface and groundwater sources and its socio-economic impact in the Mpheni - Elim Village, Limpopo Province, South Africa(2009-02) Maluleke, H. L.; Potgieter, N.; Odiyo, J. O.See the attached abstract belowItem Metadata only In-vitro bioactivity of fractions from a local medicinal plant on HIV-1 replication, and selected fungal and bacterial pathogens(2009-03) Mutshembele, Awelani Mirinda; Bessong, Pascal O.; Eloff, Jacobus N.; Obi, LarryItem Open Access Drug Resistance Mutations in Naive HIV-1 South African Patients, and Construction of Molecular Clones to Phenotype Putative Resistance Mutations(2009-03) Mavhandu, Lufuno Grace; Bessong, P. O.; Rekosh, David; Hammarskjold, Marie-LouiseIn countries such as South Africa where access to therapy is progressing data is required on patterns of resistance and evolution of resistance. Thirty protease (PR) and 31 reverse transcriptase (RT) amino acid sequences of HIV primary isolates from drug naNe patients from rural settings in South Africa were examined for resistance mutations. Samples were collected between May and August 2007. Phylogenetic analysis showed that all the sequences were HIV-1 subtype C in both the protease and reverse transcriptase genes. The mean genetic distances among the sequences were 0.0170-0.0786 for the protease, and 0.0045-0.0890 for the reverse transcriptase. However, it was noted that 3 pairs of samples 07VGNF5ZA and 07VGNF6ZA, 07VGNF7ZA and 07VGNF8ZA, 07VGNF10ZA and 07VGNF13ZA did not show any genetic variability among their protease sequences. No major resistance mutation was observed among the protease sequences. However, the following minor resistance mutations were noted: L101N (3/30), A71T (1/30), and T74S (2/30). Examination of the reverse transcriptase gene for resistance mutations reveal the presence of V118I (1/30), V179D (1/30), K103N (2/30). Most of the RT sequences were wild-type, although V118I (3.3%) and k103N (6.7%) associated with resistance to lamivudine and nevirapine, respectively, were observed. In summary, this study has shown that most of the viruses in Limpopo Province, representing the northeastern part of South Africa are HIV-1 subtype C, and that the prevalence of resistant mutations among the drug na"fve patients is still low. Although combination antiretroviral therapy has resulted in a considerable improvement in the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection, the emergence of resistant virus is a significant obstacle to the effective management of HIV infection and AIDS. Systems to be used in the testing of phenotypic drug resistance and susceptibility are being developed. These may intimately be used in guiding therapy to improve long term suppression of HIV replication. Two proviral chimeric clones making use of pMJ4 and pNL4-3, and two vector plasmids which deletions of sequences encoding HIV-1 protease or reverse transcriptase were constructed for cloning of HIV-1 PCR products. Growth of constructs was monitored by p24 antigen production. Susceptibility to protease and reverse transcriptase inhibitors was measured by using resistance test vectors that contain a Luciferase indicator gene. Cells were co-transfected with packaging plasmids, pluc, and pEnv, resulting in the production of virus particles that were used to infect target cells. Luciferase activity was measured following a single round of replication. The chimeric constructs MJ4 carrying the NL4-3 Apal-Hpal cassette (MJ4/NL4-3) and NL4-3 carrying the MJ4 Apal-Hpal cassette (NL4-3/MJ4) were successfully developed as shown by restriction digestion analysis. Considering growth of the constructed chimeras NL4-3/MJ4 was better than MJ4/NL4-3 although not robustly. Good p24 production was obtained from all four gap-pol plasmids. MJ4/NL4-3 worked better in delivering luciferase to the target cells while NL4-3/ML4 appeared totally devoid of any infectivity. The vectors pCMVGagPol(MJ4)-RREr and pCMVGagPol(NL4.3)-RREr were created and both expressed the viral gag-pol protein. Viral inhibition test showed that the vectors can be inhibited by NRTI, NNRTI and Pl. Inhibition was seen in all drugs in different concentrations indicating that the system works. The results showed that vector systems constructed can be used to evaluate putative drug resistant mutations, coding for resistance to protease and reverse transcriptase inhibitors, detecte� in patient viruses. In addition, the system can also be used to evaluate candidate drugs and assist in the development of new drugs that are active against resistant HIV-1 virus.Item Open Access The challenges facing local government in the delivery of housing: a case of Thulamela Local Municipality(2009-05-14) Ramulongo, Mbulaheni Julian; Khwashaba, M. P.Aims of the study - The aim of this study was to investigate the challenges confronting local government in the provision of social housing for its citizens with specific focus to a local municipality. Findings of the study - The following are the findings for this study: lack of capacity building workshops, lack of inclusive structures covering an array of stakeholders, lack of decentralized funding system for housing, lack of capacity building programmes and financial support for contractors, prevalent corruption between officials of the department of local government and housing, and contractors; and lack of proper formal institutional arrangement to involve community members in the allocation of housing. Research Methodology and procedures - This research used a combination of qualitative and quantitative research methodology. The two approaches had significant influence on the selection of sampling, data collection tool, and data analysis method. Recommendations - This study identified some challenges existent in the entire social housing process, and had made the following recommendations: ✓ A need for broad and inclusive workshop to enhance capacity of participants in the housing process to play a meaningful role in the housing process as well as broadening participatory structures to be as inclusive as possible, ✓ Ensuring that structures in place are realigned to involve members of the community in the process of allocating houses to the needy are representative and inclusive ✓ Establishing a decentralized housing funding process to capacitate local municipalities to implement housing, in order to avoid this centralized process from derailing progress in the housing fraternity, develop and implement capacity building programmes to curb incapacity on contractors ✓ Putting in place the necessary financial support system for contractors, to supplement contractors efforts to raise capital for project implementation ✓ Putting mechanisms in place to curb corruption between officials of the department of Local Government and Housing, and contractors ✓ Putting mechanisms in place to provide for formal inclusion of community members to participate in the housing allocation process Conclusion - This study is not conclusive in nature, and thus marks a contribution in knowledge management and preservation. While this study makes recommendations drawn from the findings, it is required that further in-depth studies be done on areas identified in the findings to help in giving impetus to a holistic approach aimed at improving and capacitating government's capability to deliver social housing.Item Open Access Teacher preparation for the implementation of the National Curriculum Statement(2009-08) Tshiguvho, Muvhango Esther; Mulaudzi, M. P.See the attached abstract belowItem Open Access q- Enumeration of permutations avoiding adjacent patterns(2009-09) Takalani, Ntendeni Annah; Tshifhumulo, T. A.Item Open Access The prevalence of work related respiratory signs and symptoms among maintenance and transport section employees at Mapulaneng Hospital(2009-09) Radebe, Philemon Lovers Ngowakhe; Pengpid, SupaItem Open Access Economic impact of HIV/AIDS on smallholder agriculture in Mopani District of Limpopo Province(2009-09) Maponya, Matlhabjane Maria; Oni, S. A.See the attached abstract belowItem Open Access An appraisal of the efficacy of selected macrotourism policies of South Africa(2009-09-08) Zembani, Pamela Edna; Steyn, P. E.Item Open Access An operating strategy of run-of-river abstractions for typical rural water supply schemes using Siloam Village as a case study(2009-10) Makungo, Rachel; Odiyo, J. O.; Mwaka, B.; Ndiritu, J. G.