The purpose of this research was to investigate what traditional healing practices African immigrants are using and have ceased to use, during the process of resettlement into Canadian society. An additional purpose was to investigate the participants' reasons for using or not using their traditional healing practices. One aim of the study was to provide information about these traditional differences and the ways in which professionals in the social service sector acknowledged African immigrants and have been helpful to them. Another aim of the study was to identify whether, and in what ways, professionals have been helpful. The study is important not only for social workers and human service professionals, but also for African immigrants themselves as well as for African immigrant community groups within Victoria. The African immigrants' traditional practices and the ways in which they adapt and resettle into the new society remain unknown in the literature. Perhaps, the African immigrants common challenges and their unique traditional approach to resettlement into the Canadian society have not yet captured the full attention of social work and human service professionals. This study was grounded in structural theory, migration theory, settlement theory and adaptation theory in order to draw theoretical understanding of the relationship between immigrants resettlement process and their experiences. The research was qualitative and exploratory. It included a participatory interview design. Twenty African immigrants from five different regions of Africa participated in the study. Two distinct traditional practices were identified (i.e. material tradition and non material tradition) which are the foundation of African immigrants traditional healing practices. This research has found that the use or abstention of traditional healing practices in re-settlement depends on the participants reasons for migration. There were distinct differences in the use or non-use of traditional healing practices between those who planned (economic), and those who were forced (political) to migrate

Much has been written on the Anglo-Boer War 1899-1902. Different themes, ranging from battles to more personal experiences, have been documented. Furthermore there are many statistics regarding the war. The aim of this study is to obtain, through the existing sources, the total number of civilian deaths during the Anglo- Boer war. To compile a genealogical database regarding the civilian deaths is not an easy task. Almost all sources have conflicting figures regarding the number of civilians who actually died. Deaths were not restricted to the concentration camps. There were also those of people on their way to the camps, or those fleeing from captivity. The aim of this study is to give an account of the process used to compile the genealogical database. By putting certain criteria in place the database should be stripped of any duplication. The reasons for [him concentration camps being created, and the number of camps that came into existence, including the total of deaths with unique abstracts from the database, are described in detail. There is confusion about the terms "refugee" and concentration camps. This is clarified. A brief explanation is given of how, where and when the camps came into being. The number of camps, and their period of existence, as well as the total numbers of civilian deaths in the camps, were compiled in an effort to secure greater accuracy. With the relevant support of information from the electronic database, it was possible to compile a comprehensive picture of the numbers of deaths that occurred. There are furthermore, some observations on the spelling of surnames. It is important because the use of Afrikaans, Dutch and English has led to different forms of spelling. The core objective of this study was to find the exact number of civilian deaths during the Anglo-Boer War. The penultimate chapter is a detailed explanation of related deaths. A list containing the main causes of deaths, mainly disease, is included. The number of deaths is tabulated in terms of their causes. It is possible to see the profound impact of what really happened. Information of unique deaths, deaths in certain families, as well as statistics regarding the overall age and gender of victims is included. Another aim of the study was to compile a complete list of all the civilians who died during the Anglo Boer War, more complete and with more detail than that of P.L.A. Goldman. This was indeed an overwhelming exercise. P.L.A. Goldman had a total of 27 927 names and the database total account for 33 978 individual deaths. Included are the 759 names of black names as compiled by S.V. Kessler. Hopefully the database will succeed in bringing us closer to the civilian deaths during 1899-1902. It should be useful to genealogical researchers. / Thesis (M.A. (History))--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2007.

Much has been written on the Anglo-Boer War 1899-1902. Different themes, ranging from battles to more personal experiences, have been documented. Furthermore there are many statistics regarding the war. The aim of this study is to obtain, through the existing sources, the total number of civilian deaths during the Anglo- Boer war. To compile a genealogical database regarding the civilian deaths is not an easy task. Almost all sources have conflicting figures regarding the number of civilians who actually died. Deaths were not restricted to the concentration camps. There were also those of people on their way to the camps, or those fleeing from captivity. The aim of this study is to give an account of the process used to compile the genealogical database. By putting certain criteria in place the database should be stripped of any duplication. The reasons for [him concentration camps being created, and the number of camps that came into existence, including the total of deaths with unique abstracts from the database, are described in detail. There is confusion about the terms "refugee" and concentration camps. This is clarified. A brief explanation is given of how, where and when the camps came into being. The number of camps, and their period of existence, as well as the total numbers of civilian deaths in the camps, were compiled in an effort to secure greater accuracy. With the relevant support of information from the electronic database, it was possible to compile a comprehensive picture of the numbers of deaths that occurred. There are furthermore, some observations on the spelling of surnames. It is important because the use of Afrikaans, Dutch and English has led to different forms of spelling. The core objective of this study was to find the exact number of civilian deaths during the Anglo-Boer War. The penultimate chapter is a detailed explanation of related deaths. A list containing the main causes of deaths, mainly disease, is included. The number of deaths is tabulated in terms of their causes. It is possible to see the profound impact of what really happened. Information of unique deaths, deaths in certain families, as well as statistics regarding the overall age and gender of victims is included. Another aim of the study was to compile a complete list of all the civilians who died during the Anglo Boer War, more complete and with more detail than that of P.L.A. Goldman. This was indeed an overwhelming exercise. P.L.A. Goldman had a total of 27 927 names and the database total account for 33 978 individual deaths. Included are the 759 names of black names as compiled by S.V. Kessler. Hopefully the database will succeed in bringing us closer to the civilian deaths during 1899-1902. It should be useful to genealogical researchers. / Thesis (M.A. (History))--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2007.

The purpose of this research was to investigate what traditional healing practices African immigrants are using and have ceased to use, during the process of resettlement into Canadian society. An additional purpose was to investigate the participants' reasons for using or not using their traditional healing practices. One aim of the study was to provide information about these traditional differences and the ways in which professionals in the social service sector acknowledged African immigrants and have been helpful to them. Another aim of the study was to identify whether, and in what ways, professionals have been helpful. The study is important not only for social workers and human service professionals, but also for African immigrants themselves as well as for African immigrant community groups within Victoria. The African immigrants' traditional practices and the ways in which they adapt and resettle into the new society remain unknown in the literature. Perhaps, the African immigrants common challenges and their unique traditional approach to resettlement into the Canadian society have not yet captured the full attention of social work and human service professionals. This study was grounded in structural theory, migration theory, settlement theory and adaptation theory in order to draw theoretical understanding of the relationship between immigrants resettlement process and their experiences. The research was qualitative and exploratory. It included a participatory interview design. Twenty African immigrants from five different regions of Africa participated in the study. Two distinct traditional practices were identified (i.e. material tradition and non material tradition) which are the foundation of African immigrants traditional healing practices. This research has found that the use or abstention of traditional healing practices in re-settlement depends on the participants reasons for migration. There were distinct differences in the use or non-use of traditional healing practices between those who planned (economic), and those who were forced (political) to migrate / Arts, Faculty of / Social Work, School of / Graduate

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Georgetown University, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references.

This study investigates the role that African traditional beliefs and practices play in defining psychological problems, determines how these beliefs and practices manifest in a counselling relationship and explores how Western based forms of counselling manage these manifestations in counselling. This investigation is in the context of the on-going debate on the relevance of Western Psychological counselling in South Africa and the rest of Africa, including my experience during my internship to register as a Counsellor. It explores the impact of conducting counselling with clients whose worldviews are different from those of the counsellor and focuses on the impact of the client’s worldviews on psychological well-being, psychological ill health and the resolution of psychological problems. Psychological well-being, ill health and counselling were discussed from a Western perspective. The study found that the client participants defined their psychological problems in terms of their African traditional beliefs and practices. They communicated their presenting psychological problems in ways that created possibility of miscommunication between themselves and their counsellors, for example by using figurative language. There was also a clear distinction between how psychological problems are managed from an African traditional perspective (ritualistic) and a Western perspective (talking therapy). The study recommended the creation of specific departments in Universities to embark on research aimed at establishing foundational structures on which to build an African Indigenous Psychology as an alternative to Western Psychology. More comprehensive research on African people’s attitudes is, suggested, on what traditional Africans think of psychological counselling. Another recommendation accruing from the limitation on sampling in this study is that future studies should be conducted with larger and more diverse samples; moreover, data should be gathered on a wider variety of demographics and cultural belief systems and practices. To counter prejudice and ignorance, the counsellor ‘to be’ should study African culture and customs during their BA Honours studies. On-going training and workshops on cross-cultural issues from various cultures should be part of the counselling profession. More emphasis should be placed on prevention and therefore more mental health clinics in the rural areas need to be opened and general education on psychological issues and cultural integration be initiated. / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology)

The conclusions extracted from this research project show that little research has been done on social issues presented by the African immigrant to America. Those charged with public welfare research and intervention must develop tools and strategies necessary to assess the needs of African immigrants, to facilitate their improved adjustment to their environment. African immigrants in the United States can benefit from similar research designs and resources accorded to the Latino and Asian populations.

The burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is high in South Africa. Behavioural conducts and lifestyle factors, unhealthy diets and physical inactivity are the major contributors to the development of NCDs among South Africans. Physical activity (PA) is a modifiable risk factor that is also low in cost for preventing and managing NCDs. PA for health outcomes remains low among black South Africans. Regular engagement in PA is influenced by the knowledge and perception that a person has about the influence of PA as a healthy lifestyle. No studies that investigate perceptions and knowledge of NCDs and PA among black South Africans could be found in literature. The main purpose of this study was to explore and determine the knowledge and perceptions of NCDs and PA among black South Africans. A total of 93 black South Africans from the Northern Cape and North West provinces voluntarily participated in the study. The participants consisted of groups of employed and unemployed men and women residing in an urban community, men working in unskilled labour conditions residing in rural areas and unemployed women residing in a deep rural area. The recruitment procedures included flyers, local radio announcements, participants recruited from previous researchers, mass communication, and word of mouth. A mixed method approach was performed that consisted of quantitative and qualitative methods. Quantitative methods were employed to determine the point prevalence of NCD risk factors among 93 participants. Of these participants, 54 participated in a survey to determine knowledge of NCDs and PA. Participants from deep rural areas were excluded from the survey owing to a high incidence of illiteracy. A qualitative exploration of perceptions of NCDs and PA was performed. The quantitative procedures included a survey for heart disease knowledge and PA knowledge questionnaires. This was followed by NCD risk factor profile measurements; weight, height, waist and hip circumference, resting blood pressure, peripheral blood measurements for glucose and total cholesterol and objective PA measurements using combined accelerometry and heart rate (Actiheart®) for seven consecutive days. Qualitatively, focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted to explore perceptions of the PA and NCDs using an open-ended semi-structured questionnaire. SPSS version 22 was used in all quantitative statistical analyses. Descriptive statistics reporting means and standard deviations and frequencies were performed to determine knowledge of NCD risk factors and PA, and to determine the point prevalence of NCD risk factors. Partial correlation analyses were performed to determine the relationship between knowledge of heart disease, knowledge of PA and current PA and risk factors of heart disease. Statistical significance was set at p <0.05. Qualitative data was analysed. FGDs were audio recorded and transcribed for analysis. The Noticing, Thinking and Coding approach was used to analyse data using Atlas. ti7. Black South Africans have high risk profiles for NCDs. The highest prevalence was for systolic blood pressure (71%), physical inactivity (68%) and markers of overweight and obesity with 67%. NCD knowledge was 59 ± 8 % and the total sample mean for PA was 84 ± 16%. The results of this study found a significant relationship between NCD knowledge and activity levels among males (r = 0.38; p =0.03). Among women PA knowledge positively associated with PA, though not statistically significant (r = 0.29; p = 0.42). The knowledge of NCDs and NCD risk factors results from the qualitative exploration of this study showed that black South Africans have limited knowledge about NCDs and negative perceptions about NCDs. They have an undistinguished knowledge of PA and are unable to apply the PA knowledge for disease prevention or management. It is therefore concluded that among black South Africans there is limited knowledge and misconception about PA. Black South Africans also lack knowledge on NCDs and have negative perceptions about NCD. An improved understanding of the perceptions of the population about physical activity and disease outcomes should be assessed in future studies in order to ensure the adoption of physical activity for the management of risk factors for NCDs. / MSc (Biokinetics), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Motivation The prevalence of cardiovascular disease is on the increase in sub-Saharan Africa largely owing to lifestyle changes associated with urbanisation. Traditional diets are being replaced with diets high in saturated fat and sugar. In addition to the nutritional transition, urbanisation in developing African countries also contributes to a more sedentary lifestyle. Together these trends contribute to a higher prevalence of obesity and hypertension that are major risk factors for the development of cardiovascular disease. Adipose tissue is now widely recognised as an endocrine organ that secretes numerous inflammatory mediators as well as adipocytokines such as leptin. The primary role of leptin is to induce satiety after a meal and to suppress appetite. However, in recent years the role of leptin in the development of obesity-related cardiovascular disease has gained increasing attention and interest. Furthermore, leptin levels not only differ with regard to gender but also ethnicity. Africans have higher leptin levels than Caucasians due to higher subcutaneous fat in Africans. Furthermore, the prevalence of hypertension and stroke are also greater in the African population. Taken together, it is important to investigate mechanisms by which elevated leptin may contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease, especially in cardiovascular disease-prone Africans. Aim The general aim of this study is to increase our understanding of the role of leptin in cardiovascular disease development by investigating associations of leptin with markers of sympathetic activity, endothelial dysfunction, and cardiovascular reactivity and recovery in Africans and Caucasians. Methodology Data from the SABPA (Sympathetic activity and Ambulatory Blood Pressure in Africans) study was used and presented in the original research articles described in Chapter 2, 3 and 4. This study included 409 African and Caucasian schoolteachers working in the Potchefstroom district in the North West Province of South Africa. Groups were stratified by ethnicity, gender and ethnicity or obesity in order to demonstrate potential differences. We performed cardiovascular measurements and determined levels of leptin, renin, cortisol, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), von Willebrand factor (vWF) and urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR). Independent t-tests were done to compare means between groups and Chi-square tests to compare proportions. Pearson’s correlations were determined to investigate associations as well as partial correlations after minimal adjustment for potential confounders. Multiple regression analyses were performed to investigate independent associations of leptin with cardiovascular and biochemical markers according to the specific focus of each research manuscript. Results and conclusions of the individual manuscripts  Leptin may contribute to obesity-related hypertension through its sympatho-activating effects. In the first research article (Chapter 2), we compared mean leptin levels and markers of autonomic activity between Africans and Caucasians. We also investigated associations between markers of autonomic activity and leptin. Africans had higher leptin, body mass index, blood pressure and heart rate compared to Caucasians. Furthermore, Africans also demonstrated reduced heart rate variability that is indicative of autonomic imbalance. Markers of autonomic activity that collectively reflected sympathetic overactivity associated with leptin in both Africans and Caucasians, independent of significant covariates and confounders including body mass index. These findings suggest that leptin may contribute to the development of hypertension by inducing autonomic dysfunction.  Leptin exerts direct vascular effects and may thereby contribute to increased cardiovascular disease risk in the obese. We therefore investigated associations between circulating markers of endothelial dysfunction (PAI-1, vWF and ACR) and leptin in lean and obese groups, irrespective of ethnicity (Chapter 3). As expected, leptin and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 antigen levels were higher in the obese group. We found no differences for von Willebrand factor antigen and urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio. In the obese group, all markers of endothelial dysfunction were positively associated with leptin in univariate analysis. However, after full adjustment in multiple regression analyses, only the association with plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 remained significant. Higher leptin levels in the obese may possibly induce endothelial dysfunction through mechanisms related to thrombotic vascular disease.  Greater cardiovascular reactivity to stress and prolonged recovery thereafter associates with increased cardiovascular disease risk. In the final research article (Chapter 4), we therefore investigated the relationship between cardiovascular reactivity and recovery to acute stress, induced by the cold pressor test, and leptin in Africans and Caucasians. Africans demonstrated greater cardiovascular reactivity compared to Caucasians. Associations of blood pressure, stroke volume, cardiac output, total peripheral resistance and arterial compliance reactivity with leptin were investigated during the stressor application and 1, 3 and 5 minutes post-stressor. There were no independent associations between cardiovascular reactivity and leptin during the stressor, and a few correlations at 1 and 3 minutes post-stressor. Associations were mostly evident at 5 minutes post-stressor and in Africans. We argue that higher leptin levels relate to impaired post-stress recovery and thereby could contribute to hypertension development in Africans. General conclusion Elevated leptin relates to sympathetic overactivity, vascular damage and delayed post-stress recovery, and thereby could contribute to increased cardiovascular disease risk. / PhD (Physiology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

The burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is high in South Africa. Behavioural conducts and lifestyle factors, unhealthy diets and physical inactivity are the major contributors to the development of NCDs among South Africans. Physical activity (PA) is a modifiable risk factor that is also low in cost for preventing and managing NCDs. PA for health outcomes remains low among black South Africans. Regular engagement in PA is influenced by the knowledge and perception that a person has about the influence of PA as a healthy lifestyle. No studies that investigate perceptions and knowledge of NCDs and PA among black South Africans could be found in literature. The main purpose of this study was to explore and determine the knowledge and perceptions of NCDs and PA among black South Africans. A total of 93 black South Africans from the Northern Cape and North West provinces voluntarily participated in the study. The participants consisted of groups of employed and unemployed men and women residing in an urban community, men working in unskilled labour conditions residing in rural areas and unemployed women residing in a deep rural area. The recruitment procedures included flyers, local radio announcements, participants recruited from previous researchers, mass communication, and word of mouth. A mixed method approach was performed that consisted of quantitative and qualitative methods. Quantitative methods were employed to determine the point prevalence of NCD risk factors among 93 participants. Of these participants, 54 participated in a survey to determine knowledge of NCDs and PA. Participants from deep rural areas were excluded from the survey owing to a high incidence of illiteracy. A qualitative exploration of perceptions of NCDs and PA was performed. The quantitative procedures included a survey for heart disease knowledge and PA knowledge questionnaires. This was followed by NCD risk factor profile measurements; weight, height, waist and hip circumference, resting blood pressure, peripheral blood measurements for glucose and total cholesterol and objective PA measurements using combined accelerometry and heart rate (Actiheart®) for seven consecutive days. Qualitatively, focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted to explore perceptions of the PA and NCDs using an open-ended semi-structured questionnaire. SPSS version 22 was used in all quantitative statistical analyses. Descriptive statistics reporting means and standard deviations and frequencies were performed to determine knowledge of NCD risk factors and PA, and to determine the point prevalence of NCD risk factors. Partial correlation analyses were performed to determine the relationship between knowledge of heart disease, knowledge of PA and current PA and risk factors of heart disease. Statistical significance was set at p <0.05. Qualitative data was analysed. FGDs were audio recorded and transcribed for analysis. The Noticing, Thinking and Coding approach was used to analyse data using Atlas. ti7. Black South Africans have high risk profiles for NCDs. The highest prevalence was for systolic blood pressure (71%), physical inactivity (68%) and markers of overweight and obesity with 67%. NCD knowledge was 59 ± 8 % and the total sample mean for PA was 84 ± 16%. The results of this study found a significant relationship between NCD knowledge and activity levels among males (r = 0.38; p =0.03). Among women PA knowledge positively associated with PA, though not statistically significant (r = 0.29; p = 0.42). The knowledge of NCDs and NCD risk factors results from the qualitative exploration of this study showed that black South Africans have limited knowledge about NCDs and negative perceptions about NCDs. They have an undistinguished knowledge of PA and are unable to apply the PA knowledge for disease prevention or management. It is therefore concluded that among black South Africans there is limited knowledge and misconception about PA. Black South Africans also lack knowledge on NCDs and have negative perceptions about NCD. An improved understanding of the perceptions of the population about physical activity and disease outcomes should be assessed in future studies in order to ensure the adoption of physical activity for the management of risk factors for NCDs. / MSc (Biokinetics), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015