This study is the first of its kind undertaken at Groote Schuur Hospital. It is an attempt to provide a holistic profile of their elderly patients with a view to encouraging further, more specific research, and to provide information for use in the planning of efficient health care for the aged. The study was based on three premises: (i) there is an interrelationship between the ageing process and disease; (ii) a non-disease-specific approach which focusses on the functional status of elderly patients can be used as a predictor of health services consumption; and (iii) any study which promotes understanding of the dynamics of health care of the elderly must also take into account the ageing process and its effect on a particular population within a specific social context. The research spanned 52 weeks (1 March 1989 - 27 February 1990). A sample of nine patients per week was selected from the total population of patients aged 65 and over admitted to the Emergency Unit of Groote Schuur Hospital. Two adult female researchers, using structured questionnaires, constructed in English and comprising subtests, utilising indexes and scales, interviewed respondents and/or household members in their own homes. Data was also obtained from the hospital files. Although essentially descriptive by nature, use was made of groups in regard to variables such as "first admission" (admission to the Emergency Unit), and "readmission" (a previous overnight admission in the preceding year). Statistical analysis, where indicated, was by means of non-parametric tests.

Thesis (M.Dev.) --University of Limpopo, 2007 / Micro-lending has long been a controversial issue. Although old-age pensioners are excited about the opportunity of accessing credit from micro-lenders, some are exploited. The aim of the study was to investigate how old-age pensioners fall prey for micro-lenders, who charge them high interest on small short-term loans. The exploratory design was used for this investigation because it would provide the researcher with an in-depth understanding of old-age pensioners’ experiences when dealing with micro-lenders. The study is based on a case study of the three villages, Mphagani, Zava, and Khashane (MZK), in the rural areas of Greater Giyani Municipality, Limpopo province. Most old persons are reliant on social grants to support themselves and their extended families. Sometimes they need to supplement their income because of the responsibilities that they have in their families. Micro-finance institutions are targeting women because they are likely to be more reliable as borrowers and increased income is more likely to accrue to the family and especially children. The results of the study show that majority of old-age pensioners take loans from micro-lenders. The reasons for borrowing micro loans are categorized into four major needs for money: purchase of food, payment for health-care services, funerals, and education. These micro-lenders are not compliant with the rules and procedures of the National Credit Act.

MPH / Department of Public Health / See the attached abstract below

Thesis (Ph. D. (Medical Sciences)) -- University of Limpopo, 2016. / The burden of visual impairment is a major health problem worldwide, especially in the rural and remote areas of developing countries. Visual impairment does not only affect the productivity of the individuals affected, but may also result in a loss of income for those caring for them, which is time consuming. Globally, the majority of instances of visual impairment can be avoided or treated, if detected early. Therefore, it was considered important to evaluate the burden and determinants of blindness and visual impairment in order to institute measures to prevent avoidable blindness. AIM OF THE STUDY The aim of this study was to investigate the burden and determinants of blindness and visual impairment among the elderly in the Dikgale Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS), Capricorn District, Limpopo Province, South Africa. METHODOLOGY A cross-sectional analytic and descriptive study design was used. The participants included males and females, 50 years and above, who were permanent residents in the Dikgale HDSS. Optometric procedures were performed and a questionnaire was administered to the people selected as study participants to collect data about the knowledge, need, utilisation of eyecare services and barriers to the use of eye-care services in the area. Optometric procedures performed included case history, presenting visual acuity, pin-hole visual acuity if the presenting visual acuity was less than 6/18, auto and subjective refraction, visual fields using a Novissphere and Amsler’s grid, tonometry, direct ophthalmoscopy through a dilated pupil, and light perception for cases of blindness. Prevalence rates of blindness and visual impairment were determined by the results obtained from the oculo-visual examinations, such as visual acuity xvii measurements. Data analysis was done using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 23. Overall prevalence was calculated, as well as prevalence within subgroups defined by gender. To determine the predictive values for the determinants of visual impairment, the Pearson’s Chi square (with a 0.05 significant level) was used in order to eliminate the possibility that the observed results happened by chance. The odds ratios were calculated and interpreted at a 95% confidence interval to determine the strength of association between visual impairment and risk factors. Binary and multinomial logistic regression analyses were used to describe the relationship between visual impairment and demographics, socioeconomic factors, ocular risk factors and chronic diseases. All reported p-values which were two-sided and p-values <0.05 were considered significant. Results are presented in narrative and tabular forms and as figures. The study used descriptive analytical methods to describe the outcome of the research. RESULTS Of the 1000 selected subjects for the study, a total of 704 participated (i.e. completed the questionnaire and had the clinical tests performed on them), in other words, a response rate of 70.4%. The participants included 508 females and 196 males. All participants were Black South Africans and their ages ranged from 50 to 105 years, with a mean age of 65.6±10.3. The prevalence of bilateral visual impairment meeting the criteria in the better eye was 26.4% (186) of the 704 observed respondents. The majority of the participants had moderate visual impairment, with a similar prevalence in males and females. Many participants used tobacco products (278 or 39.4%). Cataracts (46.2%) and refractive error (40.3%) continue to be the leading causes of visual impairment, followed by corneal disorders (4.9%) and glaucoma (4.3%). The prevalence of low vision increased with age (p<0.001), but there was no significant difference between females (62.0) and males (58.5). The odds ratio of having visual impairment increased significantly with age ranging from OR 1.2 (95% CI, 0.6-2.3) in the age group 60-69 to OR 3.8 xviii (95%CI, 1.6-9.0) in the age group 80+. The likelihood of having visual impairment increased with tobacco use OR 1.9 (95%CI, 1.1-3.3). Not using available eye-care services increased the risk of having visual impairment OR 1.3 (95%CI, 0.8-2.2). Refractive error and pathological disorders were significantly associated with all the different degrees of visual impairment. Tobacco use was only significantly associated with moderate visual impairment and not significantly associated with severe visual impairment. Unemployment and lack of education are likely to increase the burden of visual impairment among the participants when looking at p-values for trends. CONCLUSION There is a high prevalence of presenting visual impairment in the 50+ age group in the Dikgale HDSS. Most of the leading causes of visual impairment are preventable and/or treatable, which can be achieved by appropriate screening strategies. Therefore, there is a need to embark on eye care promotion and awareness campaigns; and to provide low-cost, quality spectacles and cataract surgeries. Better education about prevention of blindness and visual impairment will help to minimise this burden.

This paper describes a participatory action research project involving a group of the aged from the Makgoba community. The focus of this study was the establishment ofa service centre by the rural aged. In the course of this project, the researcher discovered how the rural aged were empowered through the participatory action research process. This process enabled the aged to accomplish their goals, and so to grow and develop. In particular, they improved their lives, and enhanced their self esteem and dignity. / Social Work / M.A. (Social Science : Mental Health)

This paper describes a participatory action research project involving a group of the aged from the Makgoba community. The focus of this study was the establishment ofa service centre by the rural aged. In the course of this project, the researcher discovered how the rural aged were empowered through the participatory action research process. This process enabled the aged to accomplish their goals, and so to grow and develop. In particular, they improved their lives, and enhanced their self esteem and dignity. / Social Work / M.A. (Social Science : Mental Health)