Perceptions of health assessment, treatment and care by community nurses

M.Cur.One of the most important qualities of the primary health care nurse is to possess the necessary psychomotor , cognitive, affective and specific managerial skills to enable her to perform her diagnostic, therapeutic and interpersonal activities. These skills enable the primary health care nurse to provide quality care through physical examination, prescribing and storing drugs and keeping the necessary written records and statistics. The White Paper on Transformation of Health Care Services recommends that . the Department of Health trains primary health care personnel according to the appropriate level of care. Primary health care nurses fall under the categories of health care providers that are regarded by the department of health as a training pnonty. This training also needs to be coordinated and, if necessary, rationalised. Particular emphasis should be placed on training personnel for rendering effective primary health care. If the curriculum for the training of primary health care nurses is to be reviewed successfully, it should reflect community needs more accurately and the teaching should place more emphasis on community-and outcome-based programmes. This research was undertaken to explore and describe the perceptions held about health assessment, treatment and care programmes by primary health care nurses ·to assist those involved in the provision of health care to render quality care. The aim of this study was to explore and describe whether primary health care nurses are equipped with the skills they require in health assessment, treatment and care. The researcher used an exploratory, descriptive and contextual, design to do this. The data was obtained through focus group interviews with community nurses in the first phase, and with patients in the second phase of data collection respectively. In the. third phase, guidelines were compiled from the data obtained in phases one and two to outline how primary health care nurses should function in health assessment, treatment and care of their patients. The results of this research show that the community nurses and patients perceive primary health care nurses to be skilful in psychomotor, cognitive and attitude aspects

Rainbow pride in the rainbow nation: the fictional representation of lesbians on the South African Broadcasting Corporation

Abstract Diversity of representation is a key principle of the role of the media within a democracy. This responsibility is of particular importance to the function of a public service broadcaster as it is required to represent the diversity and the programming interests of all citizens including minority groups. The South African Broadcasting Corporation is charged with this task as well as overcoming its past as a restrictive and bigoted state broadcaster under the apartheid regime. This negative past has forced the SABC to attempt to be inclusive of all groups that were formally marginalised within the South African society. The minority group that is of particular interest to this study are lesbians, whose representation in fictional television programmes on the SABC is critically examined for diversity. These fictional depictions are often reliant on negative stereotypes, which also encourage a limited form of lesbian visibility in the media. Through an analysis of two different programmes Hard Copy and Society on SABC 3 and SABC 1 respectively, the fictional representation of lesbians is viewed critically. We see the manner in which notions such as heteronormativity, stereotype, normalisation, and visibility inform the depiction of lesbianism in these programmes. This analysis is achieved through the application of theories of representation and the critical political economy of the media. A number of conclusions are made. Firstly, the programmes on the SABC in which lesbians are represented are heavily reliant on stereotypes although they are not always inherently negative. Secondly, diversity is limited and restricted as some of the roles are not multi-dimensional and one way in which this occurs is through the relative de-sexualisation of these characters. Finally, entertainment value outweighs the attempts made to depict diversity in the fictional representation of lesbianism within these programmes on the SABC

Morpho-Physiological Chracters Determining Yield in Tomato(lycopersion lycopersci)

Increasing yield through selection for yield per se in most Agricultural Crops has been difficult to achieve since yield is quantitatively inherited with low heritability. A field experiment was carried out in 2010/11 growing season at Sebele, Gaborone, Botswana on twelve tomato genotypes consisting of two sets; semi determinate and determinate. A randomized complete block design was used with four replicates. The objectives of the experiment were to determine yield and yield components, and the correlation among the components that explain most of the variation in tomato yield. It was also conducted to determine the direct and indirect effects of the morpho – physiological traits on yield in tomato. Data collected was yield, marketable fruit number, single fruit weight, number of truss per plant, number of fruits per truss, fruit weight per truss, plant height, total soluble solids, dry matter, days to 50percent flowering, fruit number per plant, fruit weight per plant and flower number per truss. The checks yielded higher in both sets. For semi determinate Expresso yielded significantly (p<0.05) higher with 67.04t/ha compare to other four elite lines, however it yield was not significant different from LBR – 11 which yielded 64.10t/ha. The lowest yielder was LBR – 16 with 51.58t/ha. In the determinate Sixpack yielded significantly higher from other three elite line with 62.4t/ha but it was not significantly different from the other two. In both sets the checks performed significantly better in most components. Semi determinate yield was positively and significantly correlated to number of truss per plant (r = 0.41), fruit number per plant (r = 0.54), fruit number per truss (r = 0.44), fruit weight per plant (r = 0.50), marketable fruit number (r = 0.68) and flower number per truss (r = 0.47). For determinate yield was positive and significantly correlated to marketable fruit number ( r = 0.64) and plant height ( r = 0.52). A cause and effect relationship between yield and the parameters measured was analysed using the stepwise multiple regression analysis in order to select the parameters that have a strongest influence on yield as a bridge to the direct and indirect effect analysis of the selected parameters on yield using the Path coefficient analysis. Path coefficient analysis for semi determinate showed that marketable fruit number and fruit weight per truss were the traits directly related to yield with direct effect of 0.989 and 0.592 respectively. Fruit number per truss was indirect very important for yield via fruit weight per truss 0.394 and marketable fruit number 0.445.Determinate results showed that marketable fruit number and single fruit weight were traits directly related to yield with direct effect of 0.752 and 0.446 respectively. Results from this study suggest that fruit weight per truss and single fruit weight are relevant components to use as the selection criteria for improving tomato yield. Using correlation coefficients alone would have lead to the erroneous conclusion that single fruit weight is not an important components as its correlation was not significant at (r = 0.32) in semi determinate and (r = 0.30) in the determinate types. Fruit weight per truss would have also been left out as an important components as its correlation was also not significant at (r = 0.35) and (r = 0.23) for semi determinate and determinate respectively

Morpho – Physiological Characteristics Determining Yield in Semi Determinate Tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum) Germplasm.

Increasing yield through selection for yield per seis slow and sometimes difficult to achieve, since yield is a quantitatively inherited trait with low heritability. Yield can be indirectly increased by selecting for yield components that are highly correlated with yield but possess higher heritability. Semi determinate tomato comprised five genotypes and a check variety were evaluated at Sebele Horticultural Research Station during 2010/11 growing season to determine yield and yield components, and the correlation among the components that explain most of the variation in tomato yield. It was also done to determine the direct and indirect effects of the morpho – physiological traits on the yield in tomato. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with four replications. Data collected was yield, marketable fruit number, plant height, fruit number per truss, number of trusses per plant, weight of fruits per truss, fruit number per plant, weight of fruits per plant, single fruit weight, flower numbers per truss, days to 50 percent flowering, fruit dry mater and total soluble solids. Four statistical tools used to analyse the collected data was ANOVA, correlation, stepwise multiple regression and path coefficient analysis. The analysis of variance for yield and its components revealed significant difference

Measles outbreak investigation, Greater Francistown District, Botswana, 2023

Introduction: Measles causes significant childhood morbidity and mortality worldwide. Botswana has targeted measles for elimination. On January 7 2023, the Greater Francistown district health management team was informed of a suspected measles outbreak. We investigated the outbreak to verify the diagnosis, describe the epidemiological characteristics of cases and institute control measures. Methods: We adapted the World Health Organization case definition for measles. We conducted active case search, interviewed caregivers, patients, community members and reviewed medical records. We collected patient’s demographic, clinical, and exposure history. Blood samples obtained from community cases were sent to the National Health Laboratory, Gaborone. We summarized data using summary statistics, frequencies and proportions. Results: From week 52, 2022 to week 36, 2023, we identified 25 cases (CFR: 0%): 21 confirmed and 4 probable cases. All 25 (100%) cases presented with a maculopapular rash and fever; one (4%) case was hospitalized. Median age was 7 years (range: 1 – 24 years). Persons aged <10 years accounted for 72% (18/25) cases, 64% (16/25) were males, 72% (18/25) Bazezurus and 52% (13/25) lived in Chadibe. Eight percent (2/25) reported travel to a country with a confirmed measles outbreak. Sixty-four percent (16/25) had not received Measles Containing Vaccine (MCV) dose, 89% (16/18) of these were Bazezurus. The measles vaccination coverage was 98% in Chadibe, and MCV1 coverage amongst Bazezurus was 42%. Conclusion: The measles outbreak in Greater Francistown may have resulted from vaccine refusal by a vaccine-hesitant religious group leading to pockets of measles susceptible children

Quantitative trait locus mapping associated with earliness and fruit weight in tomato

ABSTRACT The flowering time is regarded as an important factor that affects yield in various crops. In order to understand how the molecular basis controlling main components of earliness in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), and to deduce whether the correlation between fruit weight, days to flowering and seed weight, is caused by pleiotropic effects or genetic linkage, a QTLs analysis was carried out using an F2 interspecific population derived from the cross of S. lycopersicum and S. pimpinellifolium. The analysis revealed that most of the components related to earliness were independent due to the absence of phenotypic correlation and lack of co-localization of their QTLs. QTLs affecting the flowering time showed considerable variation over time in values of explained phenotypic variation and average effects, which suggested dominance becomes more evident over time. The path analysis showed that traits such as days to flowering, seed weight, and length of the first leaf had a significant effect on the expression of fruit weight, confirming that their correlations were due to linkage. This result was also confirmed in two genomic regions located on chromosomes 1 and 4, where despite showing high co-localization of QTLs associated to days to flowering, seed weight and fruit weight, the presence and absence of epistasis in dfft1.1 × dftt4.1 and fw1.1 × fw4.1, suggested that the linkage was the main cause of the co-localization

The impact of fiscal and monetary policy on economic growth in Southern African Custom Union (SACU) member economies between 1980 and 2017: a panel ARDL approach

MCom (Economics), North-West University, Mafikeng CampusThis study seeks to investigate the impact of fiscal and monetary policy on economic growth in Southern African Custom Union (SACU) member economies between 1980 and 2017. Government expenditure and revenue were used as the proxy variables for the fiscal policy whereas real interest rate, inflation, official exchange rate and M2 money supply were used as the proxy variables for monetary policy. Using Lin, Levin and Chu (LLC), and Im, Peresan and Shin (IPS) unit root tests, it was found that all variables were stationary at level except for M2 money supply which was found to be stationary after first difference. Due to this, Panel Auto Regression Distributed Lags (PARDL) estimation technique was utilized in this study. Pooled Mean Group (PMG) PARDL model estimator was used in this study. The results indicate that fiscal and monetary policy influence economic growth significantly in the long run. However, fiscal policy is only significant if government expenditure is used as the functional policy instrument rather than government revenue. In the short run, the effects of these two macroeconomic policies on economic growth are mixed. Granger causality results indicate that the direction government expenditure, real interest rate, inflation and official exchange rate Granger cause economic growth. These causality links are uni-directional in nature. Lastly, the results also indicate that private investment is crowded out in the long run because of significant high levels of government expenditure in the long run across SACU member economies. In the short run, private investment is crowded out because of significant high level of government expenditure only in Swaziland. As some of the recommendations of this study, SACU member governments should redirect their public expenditures into investing more in human capital. Investing in human capital, among other factors can include empowering the active unemployed population with relevant skills that meet labor markets for easy employment. In that case, the tax revenues would increase which could play an important role in reducing government budget deficits. Furthermore, SACU member economies' central banks can make monetary policy more effective by using monetary accommodation. Hence, when the governments apply expansionary fiscal policy, the central banks can increase money supply to avoid interest rates from increasing (monetizing budget deficit).Master

The influence of regulatory approach on competition in the South African pay-TV market

Thesis (M.M. (ICT Policy and Regulation))--University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, Graduate School of Public and Development Management, 2013.In the year 2004, before the advent of competition in the South African subscription television broadcasting market the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) identified various potential barriers to enter this market. Then, in January 2006 ICASA issued an invitation to apply for commercial satellite and cable subscription television broadcasting licenses. Eighteen applications were received and five were licensed during November 2007. The purpose of this qualitative study is to assess how effective the regulatory approach has been in addressing the identified entry barriers and in promoting competition and convergence in this market. The findings from the research study indicate that there is lack of effective and sustainable competition and convergence in the market, and that the applicable light-touch regulatory approach is preferred for this market but needs to be intensified. This may seem contradictory, but it is not if the regulator is regarded as absconding from its responsibilities. A significant finding is that ICASA is viewed as a weak regulator that is absconding from its regulatory obligations in this market. Some of the important negative findings include: there are extensive barriers to entry which have created an uneven playing field that favours the dominant operator; ICASA and the Department of Communications have been captured by the dominant operator; there is monopoly in the ownership of content rights which stems from abuse of content exclusive rights and lack of relevant regulations; and the regulatory framework and licensing regime should be modified in the context of the migration to the Digital Terrestrial Television transmission, the urgent need to promote competition in this market and the creation of a converged communications industry in the country

An investigation into the impact of road traffic collission in Mafikeng

Thesis (MBA) North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, 2010This was an investigation into the impact of road traffic collisions in Mafikeng. The study revealed that community members in Mafikeng were aware of the fact that road traffic collisions had a number of impacts on the lives of the public in Mafikeng. These included loss of human life, damage to vehicles, medical costs, travel delays, insurance costs and effects on dependants. Various types of vehicles were involved in these collisions. The respondent community members had the view that the quality of the road in the Mafikeng Local Municipality was the main contributor to road traffic collisions. This was attributed to pot holes on the roads. They were all in favour of introducing Road safety Programmes in the municipality. The study recommends the following: • Accident Report forms should be printed with serial codes in order to create a database of all traffic collision accidents in the local municipality. Currently there are no accurate data. • The use of ICT techniques and facilities should be increased in order to improve efficiency and effectiveness of data capturing and preservation. • There must be uniformity in the soft ware used to capture and preserve data collected. • Road Safety awareness should be introduced in the school system at all levels to build a culture of road safety among the public. • The government programme of Arrive Alive Campaign should not be promoted only during festive season. It must be a campaign conducted throughout the year.Master