3. Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETDs) - All submissions
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Item Design of a triple-layer double-disk tablet configuration for phase-controlled drug delivery(2010-03-18T06:27:59Z) Sewlall, SeshniItem Design and evaluation of a gastroretentive device for drugs with a narrow absorption window(2009-11-03T10:03:04Z) Moonisami, SarashneeItem Factors associated with drug shortages in PHC facilities in the Mopani district of the Limpopo province(2006-11-10T11:58:10Z) Matse, Patrick MuziMost leading causes of death and disability in developing countries can be prevented, treated, or at least alleviated with cost effective essential drugs. However, hundreds of millions of people do not have regular access to essential drugs despite the fact that essential drugs can prevent many deaths. The aim of this study was to determine factors associated with essential drugs shortages in Primary Health Care (PHC) facilities (i.e. clinics and community health centres) in Mopani District in the Limpopo Province. Forty-five facilities were selected by means of stratified (by sub-district) random sampling. Forty-five professional nurses, who were in charge of the facility on the day of the interviews, were interviewed. A structured questionnaire was used for the data collection. Six pharmacists, from the six hospitals that supply drugs to the PHC facilities, were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. A one-on-one informal interview was held with 2 Hospital Superintendents and the Acting Provincial Chief Pharmaceutical Director. The study was both a retrospective and prospective observational study based on review of historical data, interviews with key players and direct observation of current practice. The tools used to collect and analyse the data were based on those developed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Health Systems Trust (HST) with some adjustments and adaptation. The District STI Quality of Care (DISCA) Tool was used in the other thirty-six facilities, at which the structured questionnaire was not administered, to test prescribing indicators in relation to diagnosis, the correctness of and dosage of drugs dispensed and also drugs availability.Item The prevalence of alcohol and other drug use amongst school learners in Alexandra Township.(2006-03-13) Langa, MaloseThe aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of alcohol and other drug use amongst school learners in Alexandra Township. The participants in this study were 118 school learners in Alexandra Township. Of these 44 (40%) were in grade 9, 37 (32.2%) in grade 10 and 32 (27.8%) in grade 11; 55 (46.6%) were males and 63 (53.4%) were females; 50.4% were aged between 14—16, while 49.5% were aged between 17-20 years. Data was collected by means of a questionnaire, mostly requiring ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answers to determine use of various substances, the age of first use and the frequency use of these substances. This questionnaire has been used in other local studies and translated from English into Sesotho to maximize the validity of responses. The findings of this study indicate that in the past month the prevalence of 54.5% of males and 38.4% of females smoked cigarettes; 49.1% of males and 39.1% of females drank alcohol; and 36% of males and 12.6% of females smoked dagga. The everyday use of cigarettes was 41.7% for females and 47.2% for males; 7.2% of males and 3.6% females for alcohol; and 29.9% of males and 6.3 % for dagga. The results showed that there were no significant age and gender differences regarding the use of these drugs, except for dagga (X²=.005), with more males than females reported the use. It seems that the everyday use of alcohol, tobacco and dagga is very common than the use of other illicit drugs. Mental health workers should take note of the above findings while planning preventative strategies for the reduction of everyday dagga use, daily cigarette smoking and drinking of alcohol. The results are also important for those involved in treatment programmes to assist these school learners before they progress into more other serious drugs such as ecstasy, LSD, Crack cocaine and heroin.