Causative factors and some consequences of dystocia were examined in 3923 parturitions among Hereford and Angus x Hereford crossbred two-year-old heifers. Fifty percent of the parturitions required some assistance. Minor assistance was required in 34.5% of the parturitions and major assistance involving use of a calf puller, in 15.1%. Caesarean section and foetotomy were rendered in 0.3% and .05% of the cases, respectively. Abnormal presentation at birth, which included leg back, head back, backwards, hiplock and breech, was observed in only 2.9% of the births and therefore is a minor contributor to dystocia. The major causes of dystocia were not specifically identified in this study. Sex of calf had a definite influence upon the degree of calving difficulty with male calves requiring more assistance in both minor and major assistance categories. Crossbred heifers had a higher percentage of unassisted births (62.4% vs 36.7%) than Hereford heifers. Ninety and eight-tenths percent of all calves born were alive at 30 days postpartum. Of the 9.2% that died, 6.2% died at birth or within 24 hours after birth. Losses were particularly heavy in this early period among those to whom major assistance had been given, with 71.5% of all deaths in this group being in this early period. Death loss rate was higher in this group throughout the 30 day postpartum interval with a total death loss of 38.6% as compared to a loss of 3.8% and 3.4% for the minor assisted and the unassisted groups, respectively. Among the kinds of abnormal presentations, death loss was greatest among breech presentations with a 66.7% loss. Backward presentation ranked next followed, in order, by head back, hiplock and leg back. Loss from leg back, 21% was relatively low. Increases in degree of severity of dystocia was accompanied by increases in time required to complete the birth process. Labor duration and sex of calf were correlated with male calves requiring a longer parturition than female calves, 104 minutes vs 88 minutes, respectively.

Adolescent suicide and attempted suicide is an unhealthy practice that involves mental illness which led the suicidal behavior to be an important public health problem globally and in Africa. Suicide prevalence rates in young people in South Africa and in all major ethnic groups are a significant cause for concern. The adolescent mental illness causes sleepless nights on the education system. Though much research has been done on this problem it still remains one of the leading causes of death amongst adolescent learners locally and globally. As a parent and an educator reading news articles, attending memorial services and funerals of adolescent learners who took their own lives, gave me enough reason for actions to be taken in order to find out what is causing adolescents to commit suicide. During this emotional experience as the researcher, I have discovered that the adolescent stage is a very fragile stage. I also discovered that when life stresses strike, coping as an adolescent becomes difficult. This study focuses on an in-depth study of the causative factors of suicide and attempted suicide amongst the adolescent learners of Tshwane North (D3) area. The topic was investigated by means of a literature study and an empirical investigation using a qualitative approach. Data was collected by means of focus group discussion and one to one interview using a tape recorder and taking notes. Participant's answers were analysed individually and compared with all others. Findings shows that adolescent suicide and attempted suicide is a mental disorder that need to be addressed by including physicians and psychologists, upon realizing the warning signs of suicide in order to minimalize the practice. It is also clear that adolescence is a fragile stage of growth and adolescents struggle to cope with life challenges such as peer pressure, parent separations, socialization, pregnancy, chronic illness and academic pressure. It is recommended that NGOs in collaboration with the Health and Education Departments need to take action by organizing workshops to address causative factors of suicide and how to find help when realizing a suicidal adolescent learner. The department of education needs to ensure that adolescent suicide and attempted suicide preventative strategies should be taught from primary school level and be added to life skills subject in all grades. Life Orientation educator's to be trained about adolescent suicide to be well equipped to teach learners on how to recognize warning signs in their peers and friends. / Inclusive Education / M. Ed. (Inclusive Education)

Adolescent suicide and attempted suicide is an unhealthy practice that involves mental illness which led the suicidal behavior to be an important public health problem globally and in Africa. Suicide prevalence rates in young people in South Africa and in all major ethnic groups are a significant cause for concern. The adolescent mental illness causes sleepless nights on the education system. Though much research has been done on this problem it still remains one of the leading causes of death amongst adolescent learners locally and globally. As a parent and an educator reading news articles, attending memorial services and funerals of adolescent learners who took their own lives, gave me enough reason for actions to be taken in order to find out what is causing adolescents to commit suicide. During this emotional experience as the researcher, I have discovered that the adolescent stage is a very fragile stage. I also discovered that when life stresses strike, coping as an adolescent becomes difficult. This study focuses on an in-depth study of the causative factors of suicide and attempted suicide amongst the adolescent learners of Tshwane North (D3) area. The topic was investigated by means of a literature study and an empirical investigation using a qualitative approach. Data was collected by means of focus group discussion and one to one interview using a tape recorder and taking notes. Participant's answers were analysed individually and compared with all others. Findings shows that adolescent suicide and attempted suicide is a mental disorder that need to be addressed by including physicians and psychologists, upon realizing the warning signs of suicide in order to minimalize the practice. It is also clear that adolescence is a fragile stage of growth and adolescents struggle to cope with life challenges such as peer pressure, parent separations, socialization, pregnancy, chronic illness and academic pressure. It is recommended that NGOs in collaboration with the Health and Education Departments need to take action by organizing workshops to address causative factors of suicide and how to find help when realizing a suicidal adolescent learner. The department of education needs to ensure that adolescent suicide and attempted suicide preventative strategies should be taught from primary school level and be added to life skills subject in all grades. Life Orientation educator's to be trained about adolescent suicide to be well equipped to teach learners on how to recognize warning signs in their peers and friends. / Inclusive Education / M. Ed. (Inclusive Education)

Behaviour problems are a problem in many secondary schools in Zimbabwe. This study attempts to investigate the causes and manifestations of behaviour problems of adolescent learners and to develop guidelines for teachers on how to assist learners with behaviour problems in the classroom. This is a qualitative study using focus group and semi-structured interviews. The main findings contributing to the causes of behaviour problems among adolescent learners are environmental factors, such as the family and the school and peer pressure. Behaviour problems are manifested by adolescents as disruptive behaviour, aggressive and antisocial behaviour, telling lies and theft. The findings highlight important guidelines, which teachers can use to assist and understand learners with behaviour problems in the classroom. The guidelines present an endeavour to solve problem behaviour in the classroom. / Educational Studies / M.Ed. (Special Needs Education)

Behaviour problems are a problem in many secondary schools in Zimbabwe. This study attempts to investigate the causes and manifestations of behaviour problems of adolescent learners and to develop guidelines for teachers on how to assist learners with behaviour problems in the classroom. This is a qualitative study using focus group and semi-structured interviews. The main findings contributing to the causes of behaviour problems among adolescent learners are environmental factors, such as the family and the school and peer pressure. Behaviour problems are manifested by adolescents as disruptive behaviour, aggressive and antisocial behaviour, telling lies and theft. The findings highlight important guidelines, which teachers can use to assist and understand learners with behaviour problems in the classroom. The guidelines present an endeavour to solve problem behaviour in the classroom. / Educational Studies / M.Ed. (Special Needs Education)