*Electronic Theses and Dissertations (Masters)
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Item Blindsided, othered, losing, coping: Experiences of syndemics among Nigerian-born migrant women in Johannesburg, South Africa(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023-07) Oyenubi, Adetola; de Gruchy, Thea; Vearey, JoBackground and rationale - Migrants in South Africa frequently face complex challenges that negatively affect their mental and physical health. Current literature has mostly focused on identifying these health conditions with little attention paid to the socioeconomic factors that exacerbate the overall well-being of these migrants. To fill this gap, this study explores the health experiences of migrant women in Johannesburg through the lenses of social determinants of health, othering, and coping strategies. Method - The syndemic framework serves as the foundation for this qualitative study, which examines migrant women's lived experiences and how they interpret their health in the context of the stressors they experience in the city. Data from twenty-one Nigerian-born migrant women were analysed using thematic analysis. Findings - Participants' lived experiences represent syndemic suffering, which Mendenhall describes as experiences of poor health that are due to non-biological factors. These complexities include being blindsided by high expectations of a better life in Johannesburg versus sentiments of disappointment with reality, as well as the pressures of being othered in a new society. All of this has resulted in participants losing their health owing to an array of mental health issues and chronic diseases they suffer from. In the midst of their hardships, these women have discovered ways to cope through social support, religion, mobile technology, and self-care. Conclusion - This study contributes to the literature and praxis on social determinants of migrant health, othering, and the syndemic frameworks by providing insight through the findings of this study. By identifying and exploring syndemics among migrant communities in urban Johannesburg, we can explore how syndemic suffering for migrant women shares commonalities with, but also diverges from, that experienced by South African women.Item The association between Learner Education Disruption (LED) and Mental Health Outcomes of Primary Caregivers (15 Years and Older) During COVID-19 in South Africa(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023-07) Andrady, Mabel Judith; De Wet-Billings, NicoleBackground Mental illness affects around one-third of South Africans (Herman et al., 2009). With schools shut down during COVID-19, learners have either had to adapt to online/remote learning or have entirely dropped out of school. Many parents of these learners have had to deal with unemployment, no income, shortage of food, and possible bills to pay, including medical, with less or no access to government grants. This has further led to adverse mental health outcomes for students and parents/caregivers. Hence, further study is necessary to ascertain the impact of factors, such as pre-existing negative mental health, socioeconomic status, and their children's academic performance, on the overall mental well-being of individuals during the pandemic. Objective To examine the association between learner education disruption (LED) of adults 15 years and older, specifically primary caregivers, during COVID-19 in South Africa. Methodology The study used the National Income Dynamics Study – Coronavirus Rapid Mobile (NIDS-CRAM) Wave 5 Survey, and it focused on South African adults (15 years and older) who were primary caregivers and may have experienced LED. An unweighted total of 3019 primary caregivers responded to if they had any learners in their households who had not returned to school in the past year. The study's dependent variable is the mental health outcome that results from the absence of learner education. From this, a total of 350 participants responded “yes.” The outcome variable for this study is mental health. The outcome was measured by coding participants' responses to questions ga19 and ga20 as "1" for "yes" responses indicating little interest in doing things and feeling down, depressed, or hopeless and "0" for "no" responses. A new variable, mental_health_out, was then calculated by tabulating the "yes" responses from both questions. Demographic, socioeconomic, and COVID-19-related characteristics are the independent variables. The demographic variables include age, race, sex, and residency. The socioeconomic variables include education, access to school meals, and government grants received. The COVID-19-related variables are changes in income, mental health symptoms, and COVID-19 relief grants received. The rate of LED was calculated, and a chi-square test was run, followed by the adjusted binary logistic regression model performed. Results More women (69.55%) than males (30.44%) responded that having had poor mental health outcomes expressed having mental health outcomes. Furthermore, 34.91% of primary caregivers experienced LED with poor mental health outcomes from iT. Meanwhile, 63.14% who did not experience LED also suffered from poor mental outcomes. The adjusted logistic regression model for LED revealed that the odds of respondents having mental health outcomes decreased (OR= 0.91; CI: 0.72- 1.15), indicating that it is less likely that the event of poor mental health outcomes will occur. Conclusions The results of this study draw light to the importance of addressing the mental health outcomes of primary caregivers during education disruptions in South Africa; several program and policy recommendations are proposed in line with the South African Mental Health Framework.Item The effect of digital transformation on the business models of solutions providers: A perspective on South African firms(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023-08) Moodley, Andrew Jaycee; Abrahams, LucienneIn this interdisciplinary study, we examine the global shift of commercial models from ownership to as-a-service in technology, which forms the foundation for the solutions provider product and service capabilities. The democratisation of digital technology access paves the way for new players and diverse competitors in their landscape. Investigating deeper, we uncover four dimensions—servitisation, entrepreneurship, sustainability, and open innovation—that exert significant influence on the business models of South African the solutions provider. The research problem gains meaning through the lens of the dynamic capabilities framework. Rooted in social constructivism, the researcher explores interactions and connections that foster the creation of knowledge and meaning. To understand the solutions provider category comprehensively, the researcher conducted one-on-one interviews with various industry experts, including vendors, systems integrators, telecommunications operators, resellers, independent software vendors, and enterprise customers. This process unveils that a pivotal element in achieving successful digital transformation lies in adopting an alternative business model that facilitates continuous adaptability. This study showcases how organisational ambidexterity lenses equip these companies with the ability to create, deliver, and capture value. Internally, servitisation and entrepreneurship empower the solutions provider to redefine their intellectual property and leadership strategies. Externally, sustainability and open innovation emerge as levers they employ to ground responsible transformation and elevate value propositions. The research emphasises that these providers must focus on developing intellectual property as their core offering. This involves leadership cultivating the adaptive skills necessary to facilitate effective collaboration. Furthermore, giving precedence to digital sustainability emerges as an enabler in shaping the persona of the solutions provider as an innovative company. Ultimately, this study establishes the fundamental role of the solutions provider as a catalyst for enterprise digital transformation, enriching our theoretical understanding of this category.Item The Socio-Demographic Factors Associated with Condom Consensus among Adolescents in South Africa(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2022-07) Guambe, Malesedi Pokello; Frade, SashaBackground: Evidence highlights that heterosexual condomless sex among adolescents aged 15 to 24 years is argued by the literature to be a contributor to the high HIV prevalence, STIs, and adolescent pregnancies. As South Africa seeks to reduce new HIV infections by approximately 80%, condom use is of paramount importance. This is due to the fact that condoms are a preventative method that can protect against HIV transmission, STIs and unwanted pregnancies. Previous studies have shown that mutual agreement about using a condom improves consistent condom use among sexual partners. This study therefore investigates the socio-demographic factors associated with condom consensus among adolescents in South Africa. Methodology: This is a cross-sectional study, conducted using secondary data from the South African National HIV Prevalence, HIV Incidence, Behavior and Communication Survey (SABSSM) collected from January to December 2017. The study sampled 2 995 adolescents aged 15 to 24 years in South Africa. The software STATA 14 has been used to manage and analyze data. Descriptive statistics were computed to describe the characteristics of the study population. Cross-tabulation and Pearson Chi2 test were computed to test for association between socio-demographic factors and condom consensus. In order to examine the relationship between socio-demographic factors and condom consensus, binary logistic regression was used. Key Results: The study found condom accessibility and frequency of condom use to be significantly associated with condom consensus. Findings show that condom consensus was 0.457 less likely for adolescents who reported that condoms were not easily accessible, compared to adolescent with easier access. Statistical significance for condom accessibility is p=0.031. Furthermore, the likelihood of condom consensus for frequency of condom use was more likely (AOR,1.931; CI, 1.185-3.145) for adolescents who reported using condoms almost every-time and less likely (AOR, 0.563, CI, 0.379-0.798) for adolescents who used condoms sometimes. Main conclusion: This study found association for condom accessibility and condom consensus, as well as for frequency of condom use and condom consensus. For other socio-demographic factors there was no statistical significance with condom consensus. This study suggests that exposure of Social and Behavioral Change Communication programs needs to be increased among adolescents in South Africa. Central to reducing HIV infections, STIs, and adolescent pregnancy are programs that will influence behavior change among adolescents. At the core of such programs, there is a need for counselling on condom consensus and encouragement about not consuming alcohol before sexual intercourse. Additionally, these programs should make condom accessibility adolescent friendly, so as to encourage using condoms all the time as this is central to reducing new HIV infections, STIs, and adolescent pregnancy.