3. Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETDs) - All submissions
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Item Citizen participation in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature: a theoretical and case study.(2014-03-18) de Bruyn, Graeme HowardThis study investigated the extent and scope of citizen voice in public decision-making in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL) from two theoretical perspectives. It is structured around three components; an in-depth exposition of the literature on citizen participation, application of two theoretical frameworks applied to the scope of citizen voice in the GPL and an applied case study approach. This study found that the literature ascribes multiple meanings to citizen participation and that there are incongruities in the manner in which the literature conceptualises, describes the mechanisms, and outlines the intentions, and outcomes of citizen participation. Citizen voice in the GPL is deemed to be contextual to and influenced by the interplay of the socio-political environment, multiple interests, values and sub-systems. The case study approach allows for an expanded analysis of the implicit power dynamics in the GPL and the institutional political processes on the nature and extent of citizen voice. In this study citizen voice is regarded as an opportunity for direct, representational and/or institutional expression of citizen interests in public decisions consolidating democracy, citizenship and legitimate government.The GPL’s policy documents point to a stated intent of democratic public participation conceived and pursued as citizen control, empowerment and partnership. However the conclusion is that this participation vacillates between information sharing and consultations, but not decisionmaking control. The study asserts that the theory on citizen voice in public decision-making is under-developed and there is a disconnection between the literature and citizen experiences.Item The role of the oral hygienist in the public sector in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng Province(2010-02-24T07:24:41Z) Govender, UrvashneeIntroduction: There are high levels of dental caries, gingival and periodontal diseases and a lack of oral health awareness in the wider South African population. Thus every district’s oral health strategy must include disease prevention and health promotion approach. Oral hygienists are the main drivers of these services in the public sector. Aim: To determine the activities of oral hygienists in the public sector in Gauteng and KwaZulu – Natal provinces. Objectives: 1) To obtain the demographic profile of oral hygienists employed in Gauteng and KwaZulu -Natal provinces. 2) To determine their current duties, tasks and responsibilities. 3) To identify factors that may hinder the provision of services. Methods: This was a cross sectional descriptive study and data was collected by means of a self administered questionnaire that was hand delivered to all oral hygienists employed in Gauteng and in KwaZulu - Natal provinces in 2005. Results: Thirty two oral hygienists (78%) responded to the questionnaire, 94% of whom were female with an average age of 37 years. Twenty three (72%) were Black, 6 (19%) White, 2 (6%) Indian and 1 (3%) Coloured, with an average iv working experience of 10 years. Almost half (47%) were employed as chief, 16% as senior and 37% as junior oral hygienist. Almost all (94%) complained of poor salaries and 78% said that there were no opportunities for promotion. Oral hygienists performed both clinic-based and community-based services. The majority (95%) of the community-based services was preventive; the most common preventive services being rendered to the community was oral health education (84%), brushing programs (75%) and examination, charting and screening (69%). Seventy seven percent (77%) of clinic-based services included preventive procedures the most common being scaling and polishing or root planing (88%), examination and charting (84%) and oral hygiene instructions (75%). The majority of oral hygienists (94%) worked in the public sector to provide a service to the community. Seventy six percent (76%) had experiences that hindered the provision of services. Almost all (97%) wanted to study further, the main area of interest being the dental field. Conclusion: It is evident that the duties, tasks and responsibilities of oral hygienists in both KZN and GP include activities associated predominantly with the prevention and control of oral diseases and oral health promotion. In South Africa, a decline in oral diseases (dental caries and periodontal diseases) can be achieved by enhancing the use of oral hygienists in the public sector.Item Surgical registrars knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding hospital disaster preparedness across 3 tertiary hospital in Gauteng(2009-05-08T09:58:25Z) Sahdeo, JoanneThis study seeks to serve as a baseline survey of the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of surgical registrars concerning hospital disaster preparedness across 3 tertiary hospitals in Gauteng. This is owing to the fact that a perusal of the relevant literature reveals that while considerable research exists for the assessment of hospital disaster preparedness within an international context, there was a lack of information pertaining to the South African setting. A stratified random sampling process was applied to 30 surgical registrars who were asked to complete a self-administered questionnaire. Thus the study design was a cross sectional descriptive study of the surgical registrars working across 3 tertiary hospitals in Gauteng. A response rate of 83% was achieved. The study concluded that while 80% of surgical registrars surveyed had an excellent level of knowledge about hospital disaster preparedness, only 52% of the respondents have positive attitudes towards hospital disaster preparedness. An overwhelming majority of the surgical registrars (84%) reported poor practices concerning hospital disaster preparedness. The findings of this study has lead to the following key recommendations being made: a) the need for a dedicated national hospital disaster preparedness fund, b) the provision of regular in-service training on hospital disaster preparedness with special attention being given to registrars with greater than 11 years of clinical experience c) need for hospital disaster preparedness training to adhere to some form of quality control d) setting up of a task team to conduct regular audits on the practices of hospitals in terms of disaster preparedness.Item The activities of a midwife at a level 3 public sector labour ward in eastern Gauteng(2009-01-16T08:28:26Z) Mukwevho, Moshibudi FlorenceItem Derailing Gautengs HIV/AIDS train: An evaluation of the provincial governments implementation of a life skills education programme in primary and secondary schools(2007-03-01T12:58:57Z) Nirav, PatelThe aim of this study it to evaluate the Gauteng Government’s attempt to implement a life skills education programme in all primary and secondary schools. A chosen strategy of the National HIV/AIDS/STD Strategic Plan for South Africa: 2000-2005, a universal programme of life skills and HIV/AIDS education in primary and secondary schools was identified as a vital means to contain South Africa’s HIV/AIDS epidemic. Broadly, the life skills and HIV/AIDS education programme is intended to “promote improved health seeking behaviour and [the] adoption of safe sex practices” (DOH, 2000) amongst school going youth. Responsibility for the implementation of this programme in all primary and secondary schools is decentralised to the provincial level. Accordingly, this study seeks to analyse and evaluate the Gauteng Provincial Government’s (GPG) progress in the implementation of the life skills programme. A case study design centered upon documentary analysis and key informant interviews was employed in order to capture the necessary and predominantly qualitative data. These data are analyzed using the conceptual framework developed through the work of Hildebrand and Grindle (1994 in Brijal and Gilson, 1997), and Brijal and Gilson (1997). This study found that numerous implementation deficits arising at the organisational, task network, public sector institutional and external environmental levels combined to hamper implementation of the life skills programme according to the time frames set out within the National Integrated Plan for Children Infected and Affected by HIV/AIDS. Nevertheless, this study also found that political stability in Gauten gprovince was a significant factor promoting steady and progressive programme implementation and expansion. To conclude, this study indicates that policy implementation requires numerous complimentary factors (for instance, a strong level of local service delivery capacity) to be in place in order for public HIV/AIDS policy implementation to be achieved in an efficient and sustainable manner.Item Breast cancer prevention: The knowledge and skills of final-year undergraduate nursing students(2006-11-20T09:57:33Z) Mayet, ZakeeyaA quantitative research study in the form of a descriptive survey was undertaken with the aim of determining the level of knowledge and skills of final-year undergraduate nursing students relating to breast cancer prevention. The research objectives were as follows: to determine the awareness of, and orientation toward breast cancer preventative measures of final-year undergraduate nursing students; to determine the level of knowledge regarding breast cancer prevention of final-year undergraduate nursing students; to assess their psychomotor skills in performing a clinical breast examination; and to identify critical knowledge and skill deficits, with regard to breast cancer prevention. Data were collected from a sample of final-year undergraduate nursing students (n=62) from three universities in Gauteng. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data relating to theoretical knowledge. Direct, structured observation, using a self-compiled checklist, enabled the collection of data relating to psychomotor skills in clinical breast examinations. Data analysis was done with the aid of two computer software packages, namely MoonStats and Microsoft Excel. The findings of the research revealed that, although the students were positively orientated to the issue of breast cancer prevention, their theoretical knowledge regarding it was not largely below the level that would deem them competent. The mean score for theoretical knowledge regarding breast cancer prevention was 56%. In addition, the scores for their psychomotor skills in carrying out a clinical breast examination were generally poor. The mean score in this component of the study was 45%. Major theoretical and skill deficits were identified from the findings of the study. Recommendations proposed comprehensive educational coverage of breast cancer prevention in nursing curricula. It was suggested that nursing students become more actively involved in the promotion of breast cancer prevention in underserved communities. Furthermore it is suggested that nurses and nursing students become more involved in ongoing research in the field of breast cancer prevention.Item Mobile clinic users' opinions on health care service provision in the Muldersdrift area,Gauteng province(2006-11-17T13:15:09Z) Tshabalala, Amme MardulateThe use of the mobile clinics for rendering health care services in South Africa is part of the services rendered according to the Primary Health Care Service Package that was officially published in 2001. Mobile clinics have been found to be instrumental in rendering of health care especially in the rural and semi- rural areas. In the majority of these areas, the mobile clinic is the only source of health care provision at community level. Lack of well developed infrastructure and poor roads contribute to inaccessibility of health care services in rural and semi-rural areas. Health programmes are often of poor quality or offer incomplete services. Factors such as lack of knowledge of available health care services, satisfaction with the quality and range of services provided, and unavailability of the mobile clinic service when there is a health need, can result in the mobile health care clinic being less utilized. The purpose of the study was to address the following question: What are mobile clinic users’ opinions on health care service provision in the Muldersdrift area Gauteng Province? To answer the question three research objectives were formulated. These were to: describe the mobile clinic users’ level of service utilization, to assess their level of knowledge of available health care services and to determine their level of satisfaction with the services provided. To achieve the study objectives, an exploratory, descriptive survey was used as the research design. Three sampling techniques were used in this study. Cluster sampling was used for developing sampling framework for the 35 mobile points. Stratified sampling used to stratification of the mobile points. A non- probability convenience sampling was then used for final selection of the nine mobile clinic points and for selection of a sample size of 94 mobile clinic users’ to be included in the study. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package 7.0. The results show that the mobile clinic service was optimally utilized, 59% had used the service more than thrice within a period of six months. The majority of participants (89.3%) had knowledge of all the services being offered on the mobile clinic. Very few respondents (19.5%) were aware of the availability of HIV and AIDS counseling and testing on the mobile clinic. All most all the respondents (98.9%) were satisfied the range of services offered on the mobile clinic. Almost half (48.9%) were not satisfied with the service being offered once a month, (4.4%) with the attitude of the staff, (5.3%) with treatment of common ailments and (2%) said the mobile clinic service was bad.Item Sun protection of children-maternal attitudes,knowledge and behaviour(2006-11-17T13:00:48Z) Handelsman, Susan MerleChildhood protection from the sun affords lifetime protection from skin cancer. This cross sectional descriptive study was conducted on 184 mothers in 4 medical waiting rooms in Gauteng. The purpose of the study was to determine mothers’ knowledge, attitude and behaviour towards sun protection of their children. Data was collected by means of an anonymous, confidential, self-administered questionnaire. There was a significant correlation between personal behaviour of the mother and behaviour of the use of sun protection on their children. The majority of mothers purchase a sunscreen of SPF factor > 15. Knowledge often does not transfer into behaviour, with many parents still believing that a suntan is healthy. Mothers’ attitudes towards sun protection was positive. Knowing someone with skin cancer does not increase the usage of sun protection. Mothers attain their knowledge of sun protection from magazines and television. Mothers felt they would benefit from more information. Sun avoidance methods need to be taught and the perception of a suntan being healthy needs to be changed in the public media.Item Understanding political corruption in post-apartheid South Africa: The Gauteng Experience 1994-2004(2006-11-16T10:11:55Z) Gaston, KalomboThe objective of this study was to unveil the effectiveness of current strategies put in place to thwart the root causes of corruption and its damaging effects on economic growth and political development in the Gauteng Provincial Government. To achieve this purpose, this thesis looked at the incidence of political corruption in South Africa in general and Gauteng in particular, in an attempt to ascertain the implication of the political and historical legacy of corruption on democratic governance. This work is an attempt to raise awareness and understanding of the problem of corruption, more a step toward transparency and accountability. The research project is positioned within the qualitative paradigm at the preliminary stage to establish a historical background of political corruption. And within the quantitative research at the second stage that required establishing from the preliminary research a sizeable sample of (approximately 100) key individuals and people in the field of corruption to which detailed questionnaires were distributed. The main findings as shown from the Gauteng experience were that in Gauteng, cases of corruption were widespread in almost all departments where public servants exploited state structures and used them to extract benefits for their own gains. However, the departments the most vulnerable to corrupt practices were those of Housing, Safety and Security, Transport and Public Works, Education, Welfare, Local Government and Health. As discovered, areas such as affirmative action, tendering or the expanded provision of benefits (e.g. in Housing, Welfare or Education) are areas that are vulnerable to corruption and are all associated with transformation/democratization projects. However, the incidence of corruption in the province can be explained by Gauteng’s lack of a “traditional” culture base that may make leaders especially susceptible to acquisitive and individualistic forms of behaviour. As a result corruption impacts negatively on the political process by undermining the legitimacy of the state and economically by impeding developmental strategies, as “corruption leads to loss of much needed revenue and human talent for development, distorts priorities for public policy, and shifts scarce resources away from the public interest … Political instability, corruption, and underdevelopment are mutually reinforcing” (Elliot: 2001:926). vi In terms of anti-corruption measures, the study has found that Gauteng is on the right path, as anti-corruption measures applied in the province suit those applied at the national level, that in turn are in the same line with international practices. The study argues that while Gauteng anti-corruption measures have succeeded in reducing corruption levels, they have not stopped it, as new cases surface almost every week in the local press. Thus there is still room for improvement if the Gauteng government aims to succeed. The researcher has recommended that there is a need for common guidelines and coordination strategies amongst internal departmental anti-corruption units that have been established and the initiation in each department of its own monitoring and evaluation capacity. This means the build-up and the improvement of internal audits and controls by higher authority applicable to both officialdom and the business sector. Finally the study assumes that many other examples of strategies to fight corruption could be provided, however, the ones provided are sufficient to argue the point that in many cases the fight against corruption cannot proceed independently from the reform of the state. In many ways it is the same fight. The study’s major conclusions concern those general assumptions about the relationship between democracy and good governance, which characterize certain theories concerning the causation of corruption, need to be revised. Even the most authoritarian systems, as was apartheid, were able to control the levels of corruption and keep it at an economically viable level. To this end, other mechanisms such as accounting standards and audits and direct accountability of leadership in government need to be strengthened alongside with the protection of whistleblowers. But the end result is that several factors associated with these mechanisms have highlighted the fact that transparency and the resulting exposure have increased opportunities for graft. In more democratic and open societies, besides greater civic engagement, the chance of closer monitoring and exposure of corrupt officials and politicians is higher than in no democratic society. Freedom of the press and of association leads public interest groups to expose abuses of power. While democracy seems to decrease corruption, both variables interact strongly with the level of transition. Hence the needs for more research on the actual effect of democratization in government departments that will serve the cause of anti-corruption campaign better.Item Beliefs and Practices regarding HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention among service providers for adults with Intellectual Disability in Gauteng(2006-11-02T12:54:34Z) Levin, TamarThe aim of the study was to determine the beliefs and practices regarding HIV/Aids awareness and prevention among service providers working in the field of intellectual disability. In order to investigate this aim, a cross-sectional survey research design was employed which incorporated a purposive sampel that consisted of 28 participants representing 21 organizations catering for adults with intellectual disability in Gauteng. These participants were interviewed using a structured interview schedule and the data were analysed using both descriptive statistics and content analysis. The results indicated that the majority of participants perceived that their organization had a role to play in raising awareness and preventing the spread of HIV/Aids and considered adults with intellectual disability to be a risk for contracting HIV.