PhD (Psychology) / Department of Psychology. / Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is the most common diagnosed neurocognitive behavioural developmental disorder among school going–age children. ADHD in most instances is found to comorbid with internalising disorders such as anxiety and depression, therefore causing impairment on behaviour, emotions, academic, social and many areas of functioning. The existence of comorbid internalising disorders complicates the presentation of ADHD symptoms than if it was pure ADHD. The aim of the study was to explore the comorbidity of internalising disorders and ADHD symptoms. The study investigated whether children with ADHD have more symptoms of anxiety and depression than children without ADHD. The study went further to investigate whether children with ADHD have low self-esteem than children without ADHD. Also, that internalising comorbidities (anxiety and depression) are more prevalent in girls than in boys who have more externalising comorbidities which are Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) and Conduct Disorder (CD) and anger issues. The null hypotheses further showed that, children with ADHD do not have more symptoms of anxiety and depression than children without ADHD. Moreover, children with ADHD have no lower self-esteem than children without ADHD. Also, internalising disorders (anxiety and depression) are not prevalent in girls than in boys who do not exhibit more externalising disorders which are Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), Conduct Disorder (CD) and anger issues. The study was conducted in Lepelle-Nkumpi Municipality in Lebowakgomo sub circuit. A total of 250 children (94 boys and 156 girls, aged 6 – 12) who were purposively selected participated in the study. A total of 125 clinically diagnosed ADHD were matched to 125 control group for age and gender. Participants were assessed on a battery consisting of Parent/Teacher Disruptive Behavioural Rating Scale (DBD), which was used to assess the presence and degree of ADHD- related symptoms (inattention and hyperactive/ impulsive); Oppositional Defiant Disorder and Conduct Disorder and Beck Youth Inventory Second Edition (BYI II), which was used to assess emotional and psychological issues that children experience. ADHD scores obtained on the DBD scale were correlated with scores obtained on BYI II scale. The study only focused on learners from primary schools in Lepelle-Nkumpi in Lebowakgomo sub circuit. In this research study, children who were reported to have a history of neurological problems such as head injurie, epilepsy, cerebral palsy or severe psychiatric disorders were excluded from the study. The results were analysed using the analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post hoc benferoni analysis to determine the significant difference within ADHD subtypes. Results of the study showed that children with ADHD had comorbid internalising disorders (anxiety and depression) when compared to their neurotypical group. Both boys and girls with a clinical diagnosis of ADHD showed symptoms of anxiety and depression. More symptoms of anxiety and depression were observed within the ADHD-HI, ADHD-PI and ADHD-C subtypes. Comorbid internalising disorders (anxiety and depression) were also associated with impairments with ADHD symptom, in particular inattention. Children with ADHD also showed more symptoms of low self-esteem when compared to their neurotypical group. Both boys and girls showed significant difference level of low self-esteem in all ADHD subtypes (ADHD-HI, ADHD-PI and ADHD-PI). The results further revealed that both boys and girls equally showed symptoms of comorbid internalising disorders (anxiety and depression), whereas girls showed significantly more symptoms of externalising comorbidities such as ODD, CD and anger issues. In conclusion, the findings suggest that the comorbidity of internalising disorders in a clinically diagnosed child with ADHD worsens or complicates the child’s expected normal functioning unlike when the child was presenting with only ADHD. The results further suggest that a child with clinical diagnosis has double impairment as a result of many impairments which are occurring at the same time. Moreover, the existence of externalising comorbidities which are salient in girls with ADHD may require proper screening and assessment. / NRF

Thesis (M.A. (Social Work)) -- University Of Lmpopo, 2022 / The study concentrated on factors that hinder the utilisation of intermediary social work support services to alleged child offenders in Mopani District. The study aimed to assess knowledge from probation officers in respect of awareness, utilisation and effectiveness of referral to intermediary services, as well as the level at which they can refer alleged child offenders to an intermediary. The study employed the qualitative research design. The Integrated Service model was employed to understand the utilisation of intermediary social work support services to alleged child offenders. Purposive sampling was used to obtain nine participants who were probation officers. Ethical clearance was obtained from the University of Limpopo and gatekeepers approval from the Department of Social Development. Participation was voluntary and no one was forced to participate. The findings of the study revealed that there are no clear guidelines or legislation for probation officers to guide them on how and when to recommend the alleged child offenders to the intermediary services. The study also revealed that section 158(2) of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977 is not effective to alleged child offenders but rather is used to child victims. Therefore, probation officers must have understanding of the role of an intermediary, process and referral when conducting assessments. As a result, the study recommends that the probation officers should come to the developmental level of the child, speak the language of the child and follow up assessment interviews as opposed to informed allegation interviews. However, training is also recommended to all probation officers about the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977 and amendments of the Child Justice Act 75 of 2008 with the inclusion of intermediary services to alleged child offenders

MPH / Department of Public Health

MSCPNT / Department of Nutrition / Introduction: In the year 2012, South Africa had a prevalence rate of stunting in children aged 1- 3, 4 - 6 and 7 – 9 years at 26.5%, 11.9% and 9.4%, respectively (Shisana et al. (2013). The Greater Sekhukhune District Municipality (GSDM) also showed a high rate of stunting (36%) in children aged 13 to 215 months of age (FIVIMS, 2006). The GSDM had a high unemployment rate of 69% to 82.4% (Statistics SA, 2006; Department of Social Development, 2008).). South Africa has adequate food supplies to feed the entire population at the national level (Labadarios et al., 2011; du Toit et al., 2011); however, there is evidence of under-nutrition caused by lack of purchasing power, and not a shortage of food (Rose and Charlton, 2001). Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between the employment status of the mother, household hunger and the nutritional status of children aged one to twelve years (1-12 years) in households of Sekhukhune District in Limpopo Province. Objectives : The objectives of the study were to determine the socio-economic status of the household; to assess the nutritional status of children using anthropometric measurements; to assess dietary patterns of children in households; to determine household food security using food inventories; to determine the prevalence of household hunger using the standardized hunger scale; to determine the coping strategies to food deprivation used in each household and to determine the association between employment status of the mother, nutritional status of children and household hunger. Methodology: The study design was a cross sectional, exploratory and correlational study. The study used both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection. A simple random sampling method was used to select nine villages from Makhuduthamaga local municipality and twenty households per village were selected using the systematic random sampling. Data was collected in households and a sample size of 180 children was selected based on the availability of a child within the selected age group. If there were more than one child within the 1-12 years, each child was then allocated a number and the one with the least number was selected. Biological mothers were the preferred participants, however if the mother was unavailable, the primary caregiver was selected and180 mothers or caregivers Results: The majority (92.2%) of mothers were unemployed and 91% of them had an income of less than R500.00 per month, whereas 33.9% of households had total income of less than R1000.00 About 64.4% and 28.4% borrowed food from neighbours/family/friends and bought food on credit from the local shop. The anthropometric status of children indicated a high prevalence of stunting, a medium prevalence of underweight and a low prevalence of wasting. Most caregivers were overweight or obese. About 66% of children ate three meals per day. Almost 44% of households were food insecure, whereas 33.9% were at risk of hunger and only 21.7% were food secure. There was no association between employment status of the mother, household hunger and anthropometric status indicators. Conclusion: Greater Sekhukhune District Municipality has a high rate of unemployment, poor household income and purchasing power and high level of food insecurity. The employment status of the mother was not associated with the level of wasting, stunting and underweight. Furthermore, employment status was also not associated with the level of hunger. Caregivers employed various strategies to cope with periods of food deprivation

MSc (Microbiology) / Department of Microbiology / See the attached abstract below

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

MCur / Department of Advanced Nursing Science / Survival of children with HIV/AIDS has increased considerably with the use of effective antiretroviral therapy. However, the benefits of this therapy are limited by the difficulty of adherence to the treatment. This study sought to explore the role of professional nurses on anti-retroviral therapy adherence among children in Lejweleputswa district: Free State, South Africa. An exploratory descriptive qualitative research design was used to identify and describe role of professional nurses toward anti-retroviral therapy adherence among children. Population for this study included seventeen (17) professional nurses working in four purposively sampled Primary Health Care clinics invited to participate in the study. Four focus group discussions were conducted in which each group had 6 participants. The transcribed data was analysed using the framework approach of data analysis. Professional nurses in Lejweleputswa district report poor knowledge of parents/caregivers of children, perceived poverty, stigma and discrimination, inappropriate care approaches, and parental dynamics as factors influencing poor ART adherence. Recommendations for enhancing children ART adherence levels in Lejweleputswa district included: mainstreaming adherence counselling in children ART and adopting a comprehensive family centered care approach were identified as measures for improving children ART adherence. Other measures included integration of ART services into Primary Health Care (PHC) services, parental empowerment, development of a programme to reduce stigma and discrimination in the community.

PhD (Health Sciences) / Department of Advanced Nursing Science / Background: Family-centred approaches to Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) interventions present an important direction for sustainability and prevention of pediatric infections while improving overall family health. Despite numerous opportunities to sustain and expand the existing PMTCT interventions, Mother-to-Child Transmission (MTCT) still occurs. This is evidenced by the number of under-five children who are admitted in hospital being infected by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) between the ages of 6 weeks to 18 months, whereas the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) results was non-reactive at six weeks. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop a strategy to enhance family-centered interventions for PMTCT sustainability in the selected districts of Limpopo Province, South Africa. Phase 1: The study was conducted in phases. In Phase 1, which was empirical, the following objectives: to explore the risks that contribute to MTCT between the ages of 6 weeks and 18 months; to explore the perceptions of family members regarding family support in PMTCT interventions; and to explore the factors that affect the provision of family support in PMTCT interventions. Phase 2: was development of the strategy and validation of the strategy. Methods: The exploratory sequential mixed method was used to conduct the study, where qualitative data were collected and analyzed first; followed by collecting, analyzing and interpreting the quantitative data. The population comprised the following groups: mothers of babies between 6 weeks and 18 months who are living with HIV/AIDS, family members were represented by male partners, grandmothers or mother’s in_-law and health care professionals working at the PHC Heath Centers v or clinics rendering PMTCT services. In the qualitative design, participants were selected by non-probability purposive sampling and data were collected through one-to-one interview and focus group discussions. Data were analyzed utilizing the open-coding method. In the quantitative design, participants were selected by using simple random sampling and data were collected by means of self-administered survey questionnaires with structured close-and open-ended questions. The population were midwives from Capricorn, Mopani and Vhembe districts PHC clinic. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), Version 22 and descriptive statistics. In Phase 2, findings from the data were used to develop an intervention strategy. The strategy was developed through the use of Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) analysis. The developed strategy was validated by using a quantitative design. / NRF

PhDRDV / Institute for Rural Development / Many countries provide food to school children through school feeding programmes (SFPs). This is designed to alleviate short-term hunger and encourage learners to attend school. Many children in South Africa attend school hungry and lack general knowledge of nutrition, which negatively affects their learning abilities. Not much research attention has been paid to the potential of SFPs to improve learners‟ knowledge of nutrition. Nor has there been significant effort to stimulate local production of food involving community members, which might contribute to the development of rural areas. In the current study, the degree to which SFPs have alleviated hunger, promoted nutrition education, and enhanced the development of rural communities in Blouberg Local Municipality (BLM) was investigated. Data were collected from 11 primary schools in BLM where the South African Department of Basic Education implemented SFPs. At each school, quantitative data were collected from learners aged from 10 to 15 years using a structured, pre-tested and validated questionnaire. Qualitative data were collected through individual in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with learners, teaching staff, community members and government officials involved in the implementation of SFPs. Document analysis, direct observation, and taking notes, photographs, Venn and seasonal -diagraming were used to collect data. Descriptive statistics, crosstabulation and binary logistic regression were used to analyse quantitative data. Qualitative data obtained in the form of interview transcripts and field notes were analysed using thematic content analysis. An inductive approach was followed. This entails coding the data and observing emerging patterns, culminating in organising the results into common themes. A composite index was used as a measure of the quality of SFPs. Perceived benefits of SFPs were assessed based on a validated and standardised 5-point ordinal scale. It was observed that 80 % school children who participated in the study were satisfied with the quality of the SFPs provided to them. The results confirmed those obtained through focus group discussions and individual interviews. Overall satisfaction with the quality of the SFP in BLM significantly and positively depended on the following knowledge, in descending order of importance: fewer sugary foods should be consumed; fewer fatty foods should be consumed and eating various foods helps in proper growth and development. Four predictor variables significantly influenced satisfaction with SFPs. These were: knowledge that a variety of food types is helpful for growth and development [OR = 3.72; P < 0.001; 95% C.I. = 1.77, 7.83]; knowledge that eating too much fatty food is harmful [OR = 2.93; P < 0.001; 95% C.I. = 1.83, 4.68]; knowledge that eating too much sugary food is harmful [OR = 2.18; P < 0.001; 95% C.I. = 1.45, 3.29]; and knowledge that eating too much sweet food is harmful because it can make people fat [OR = 1.58; P < 0.05; 95% C.I. = 1.01, 2.50]. All participants agreed that SFPs alleviated hunger and benefited the learners and their families. Although the participants cited numerous other benefits accrued through SFPs, there were challenges that should be addressed. The involvement of community members in the SFPs was reported to be minimal such as cooking and serving food and working in the school gardens. This could be maximised because SFPs presented an opportunity for local food production and rural community development. Non-delivery of food by suppliers and the negative impact it had on learners was the major challenge. This observation implied that the SFPs constituted a readily available market, which the rural communities could exploit to improve their income, create jobs and enhance the rural economy. Therefore, SFPs and school gardens should be integrated with nutrition education to improve the learners‟ level of nutrition knowledge and reinforce the consumption of healthy foods. Although initially, the SFP had a community development component, this seemed to be overlooked. A framework that underscores strong partnerships among government departments, NGOs and the private sector in implementing community and/or rural development initiatives was developed. The framework is based on strong partnerships between key stakeholders, policy support, investments in resources and infrastructure for rural development and capacity building. / NRF

Rebelliousness is the act of defying lawful authority or a resistant way of relating to authority. It is seen by many as a normal way of development. The development of rebellious behavior actually starts in childhood and progresses through to adulthood. The study focuses on the manner in which the family and school handle the rebellious child and the negative effects that these have on the child's development. These problems may manifest in truancy, delinquency, negativism, runaway, antisocial behavior, alcohol and substance abuse and gang involvement. The results of the study prove that the environment in which the adolescent lives, contribute greatly to the development and the maintenance of rebellious behavior. Guidelines were written for parents, teachers and psychologists regarding the handling of the rebellious child. / Psychology of Education / M.Ed. (Guidance and Counselling)