The purpose of this research was to highlight the benefits of a Memory Box Programme on the social and emotional developmental functioning of orphaned children. The study focused on the memory box approach used by Sinomlando Centre with orphaned children. The Sinomlando Memory Box Programme has been in existence since 2000. The overall objective of this Memory Box Programme is to enhance resilience in vulnerable children and orphans affected by HIV and AIDS through the methodology of memory boxes In contributing to the discourse on memory work, an interpretive method of data collection and analysis in the form of a focus group discussion and thematic analysis was utilized in this study. Three focus groups were conducted with 26 orphaned children between the ages of 12 years to 15 years. Sampling of the children was based on a purposive sample, targeting children orphaned by AIDS who attended a 5-day camp conducted through a local NGO. The results of the study indicate that children who attended the Sinomlando Memory Box Programme had benefited from their involvement in the programme in diverse ways. They felt that being involved in a Memory Box Programme equipped them with better coping mechanisms and skills. These included the appropriate expression of feelings, the ability to talk about their parent’s death, and overcoming their sense of alienation so they could better cope with their difficult circumstances. / Thesis (M.A.) - University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2009.

The aim of this study is to analyse and compare the delivery of oral health care services based on the prevailing curative paradigm and WHO-treatment norms for the school-going community of Mitchells Palin district in relation to selected alternative methods of dental care delivery. The optimal use of auxiliary personnel, purchasing care from private dental practitioners and intriducing water fluoridation was examined.

Aim: The aim of the study is to gain deeper understanding into the lived experiences of parents at a stimulation centre in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, and the coping strategies they employ in caring for their children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Significance: As literature has focused on international studies this study has provided deeper understanding of the lived experiences and coping strategies of parents of children with ASD in a local setting within South Africa. Experiences across the age spectrum of children, gendered differences in coping and the meaning behind having a child with ASD provides a unique outlook on ASD as opposed to literature that focuses on other areas. Methods: Eleven parents participated in semi-structured interviews. These interviews were triad, dyad or one-on-one interviews. Interviews were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim once completed. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data and extract themes. Findings: The lived experiences of parents included stressful and devastating experiences as well as positive meaning. Daily challenges were navigated by positive and negative coping strategies with gendered differences in coping being evident. Parents expressed mixed feelings about the benefits of support groups and provided a road map of advice for other parents of children with ASD. Conclusion: Parents of children with ASD undergo enormous stress and emotional upheaval in caring for their children. However in addition to negative experiences, they gain some positive meaning and see it as character building. Their experiences provide useful information for other parents undergoing the same journey. / Thesis (M.O.T.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2013.

This thesis argued that Physical Education is marginalised in the South African primary school education sector. Through this marginalisation, Physical Education has been reduced from having full subject status, to being only one of the components of one of the primary school learning areas, namely, Life Orientation. Simultaneously, Physical Education finds itself in a situation in which it is generally being taught by a class teacher and no longer by a specialist Physical Education teacher. Possible reasons for this marginalisation are expressed, however, the argument that Physical Education is an imperative in the holistic development of the child, is also espoused. This thesis critically examined the route that South African primary school education is taking and focused on the issues of holistic education and development, Outcomes-based Education and Life Orientation.

The aim of this study is to analyse and compare the delivery of oral health care services based on the prevailing curative paradigm and WHO-treatment norms for the school-going community of Mitchells Palin district in relation to selected alternative methods of dental care delivery. The optimal use of auxiliary personnel, purchasing care from private dental practitioners and intriducing water fluoridation was examined.

Thesis (MPhil (General Linguistics))—University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / The aim of the present study is to identify the functions of codeswitching in intercultural communication occurring in multilingual high school classrooms. The definition of “codeswitching” adopted here is that of Myers-Scotton (1993: 1), who states that the term is used to refer to alternations of linguistic varieties within the same conversation. The present study considers the use of codeswitching between Afrikaans and English by learners and teachers in the classroom. The study was conducted in a multicultural and multilingual high school in the Western Cape in five classrooms of three different subjects. The nature of the multilingual context of the classrooms is diverse and includes learners form various sociolinguistic backgrounds. Being a predominantly English school meant that most learners have English as an L1 and Afrikaans and/or isiXhosa as an L2. The data for the study were collected by the researcher by means of observations and audio recordings of the lessons and by a questionnaire completed by learners and teachers. The data collection was carried out over a period of three weeks and data were analyzed within the framework of Myers-Scotton (1993) Markedness model for codeswitching. According to Myers-Scotton’s (1998: 4) Markedness Model, markedness relates to the choice of one linguistic variety over other possible varieties. Myer-Scotton (1993) classifies codeswitching into four different types namely marked, unmarked, sequential, and exploratory codeswitching. Within these types a number of functions of codeswitching in the classrooms were identified, for example clarification, expansion, and translation. These functions are discussed in relation to the data from the questionnaire.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / Introduction Under-5 year mortality in South Africa is increasing and effectiveness of primary care is a key factor. Adherence to IMCI guidelines by primary care nurses is critical. The IMCI guidelines provide a standardized integrated approach to delivering quality care. Nurses in South Africa are currently using a paper-based guideline. The automated guideline in the format of a convertible personalised computer tablet aimed to improve training in IMCI and the quality of clinical decision making. The automated guideline was designed to systematically guide the nurse through the algorithms thus reducing errors and making care more effective. This study evaluated the use of automated guidelines in improving the training of nurses. Methods A sample size of thirty Professional Registered Nurses (PNs) was selected from the one year Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Nursing Science at Stellenbosch University. Observational study design compared 15 PNs who used and 15 who did not use the automated guidelines during training. Nurses were compared in terms of their knowledge of IMCI after classroom based teaching and adherence to IMCI in clinical training practices. Results Both groups improved their knowledge of IMCI, but were not significantly different at the end of the classroom teaching. Nurses in the automated group showed significant improvement in their clinical practice (p<0.05): gathering information on HIV risk (50% vs. 93%) or immunisations (68% vs. 93%); making a complete assessment of the patient (61% vs. 100%), prescribing correct medication (50% vs. 85%), correct dose (42% vs. 85%) and safety netting (78% vs. 96%). Conclusion The use of automated guidelines showed potential for improving adherence to IMCI in the Western Cape. Further research is needed to determine if the widespread use of the automated version by PNs translates into better quality of care and improved health outcomes.

Thesis (MNutr)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Background: Omega-3 fatty acids and supplementation is very topical, attracting both public and interest from the industry. Findings from various research studies led a number of authorities to encourage the general population to consume more omega-3. This is the first study of its kind to be conducted in this population. Objective: To determine the current knowledge and trends of omega-3 (n-3) supplementation in parents of children at public primary schools in the City of Cape Town. Design: An observational and analytical and descriptive and cross-sectional study was performed. Methods: Purposive sampling was used to select a minimum of 150 parents from the six (6) randomly selected public primary schools. The schools were then divided into three different living standard measure (LSM) groups. The research questionnaire was made available at the Parent Teachers meetings where all parents had the option to complete the questionnaire anonymously at the meeting. Results: Six hundred and fifty seven (n=657) parents, mostly mothers, with a mean age of 37 years, completed and returned the questionnaires. The mean monthly income (p=0.00, SD=2.63) and the education level (p=0.00, SD=1.37) differed significantly between each of the three LSM groups. Prior to the study, 80.1% of parents (n=526) had heard of omega-3 supplements and overall knowledge of omega-3 was significantly better in this group (p=0.00) when compared to the group that had not heard of omega-3 previously. The overall mean omega-3 knowledge score for the three LSM groups (n=657) was 71%. The high and low LSM groups differed significantly in terms of omega-3 knowledge (p=0.02), but not statistically significantly once adjusted for income and education level (p=0.75). The main sources of information, where all parents (n=526) indicated having heard of omega-3 supplements, was from television (n = 230, 35%), books (n= 220, 33.5%) and the health worker (n=199, 30.3%). A total of 38.5% (n=253) of parents indicated that they gave their children omega-3 supplements. The overall omega-3 knowledge was significantly better (p=0.00) in parents who gave their children omega-3 supplements than the group that did not give supplements to their children. Income and the education level differed between all three LSM groups for those giving their children omega-3 supplements, but these variables did not influence the choice to give omega-3 supplements. Doctors (n=58, 22.9%) and the parents’ own decision (n=60, 23.7%) to supplement were the most favoured sources of recommendation indicated overall. Most parents indicated that the omega-3 supplement they administered was from a marine source (n=105, 41.5%). Only 35.2% (n=89) of parents giving omega-3 supplements indicated they knew the dose they were administering. Most of the children (n=90) were taking 500 mg omega-3 supplements daily. Conclusions and Recommendations: Statistically significant differences existed between the three LSM groups regarding various aspects of omega-3 knowledge and the sources from which parents had been informed and those who gave their children omega-3 supplements. Recommendations include education and public health programs supplying information to parents on omega-3 supplementation, as well as on omega-3 in the children’s diets. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Agtergrond: Omega-3 vetsure en supplementasie is ‘n baie aktuele onderwerp, wat beide die belangstelling van die publiek en industrie betrek. Bevindinge van verskeie navorsingstudies het daartoe gelei dat verskeie instansies die algemene publiek aanmoedig om meer omega-3 in te neem. Dit is die eerste studie van sy soort wat in dié populasie groep gedoen is. Doelwit: Om die huidige kennis en tendensies/neigings in omega-3(n-3) supplementasie in ouers van kinders by publieke laerskole in die stad Kaapstad te bepaal. Ontwerp:’n Waarnemende- en en analitiese en beskrywende- dwarsdeursnitstudie is gedoen. Metode: Daar is gebruik gemaak van ‘n doelgerigte steekproefneming om ‘n minimum van 150 ouers uit ses (6) ewekansig geseleteerde publieke laerskole van uit te kies. Die skole is in drie verskillende lewenstandaardgroepe (LSM) verdeel. Die navorsingsvraelys is by ‘n Ouer-Onderwyservergadering beskikbaar gestel en alle ouers het ‘n geleentheid gehad om die vraelys anoniem by die vergadering te voltooi. Resultate: Seshonderd sewe-en-vyftig (n=657) ouers, meestel moeders, met ‘n gemiddelde ouderdom van 37 jaar, het die vraelyste voltooi en teruggegee. Die gemiddelde maandlikse inkomste (p=0.00, SD=2.63) en vlak van opvoeding (p=0.00, SD=1.37) het noemensvaardig tussen elk van die drie LSM groepe verskil. Voor die studie het 80.1% van die ouers (n=526) al van omega-3 supplemente gehoor en die algehele kennis van die groep was beduidend beter (p=0.00) as die groep wat voorheen nie van omega-3 gehoor het nie. Die gemiddelde algehele omega-3 kennistelling vir die drie LSM groepe was 71%. Die hoë en lae LSM groepe het beduidend ten opsigte van omega-3 kennis (p=0.02) verskil, maar nie statisties- beduidend wanneer dit vir inkomste en opvoedingsvlak (p=0.75) aangepas is nie. Die hoofbronne van inligting waar al die ouers (n=526) wat aangedui het dat hulle van omega-3 supplementasie gehoor het, was deur televisie (n=230, 35%), boeke (n=220, 33.5%) en die gesondheidswerker (n=199, 30.3%). ‘n Totaal van 38.5% (n=253) ouers het aangedui dat hulle hul kinders omega-3 supplemente gee. Die algehele omega-3 kennis van ouers wie hulle kinders omega-3 supplemente gee was statisties beduidend beter (p=0.00) in vergelyking met die groep wat nie supplemente vir hulle kinders gee nie. Die inkomste en opvoedingsvlak het verskil tussen all drie LSM groepe wat hulle kinders omega-3 supplementasie gegee het, maar hierdie veranderlikes het nie die keuse om omega-3 supplemente te gee beïnvloed nie. Mediese dokters (n=58, 22.9%) en die ouer se eie besluit (n=60 23.7%) om te supplementeer, was die gunsteling bronne van aanbeveling in die algemeen. Die meeste ouers het aangedui dat die omega-3 supplement wat hulle gegee het van ‘n visbron afkomstig (n=105, 41.5%) is. Net 35.2% (n=89) van die ouers wat omega-3 supplemente gee het aangedui dat hulle die dosis kenwat hulle gee. Meeste van die kinders (n=90) het 500mg omega-3 supplemente daagliks gekry. Gevolgtrekking en aanbevelings: Statistiese beduidende verskille is tussen die drie LSM groepe ten opsigte van verskeie aspekte van omega-3 kennis en bronne waaruit ouers ingelig is, sowel as die ouers wie hulle kinders omega-3 supplemente gegee het, gevind. Aanbevelings sluit opvoeding en publieke gesondheidsprogramme in, wat inligting aan ouers sal verskaf oor omega-3 supplementasie sowel as omega-3 in die kinders se diëte.

Summary in Afrikaans and English / Although the rights of children in South Africa are being regulated by legislation, statistics prove that statutory services on behalf of children annually increase. Scientific accountable information regarding the child can be obtained by the assessment of the child. The purpose of this investigation was to identify the gaps in the existing assessment guidelines, as well as the needs of social workers regarding assessments. The sequential exploratory strategy was utilized, as quantitative data supported qualitative findings. The investigation showed that minimal assessment literature is available in South Africa and internationally, although assessment is the basis evidence of the social worker. The biggest gap in assessment guidelines is that assessment does not carry weight in the court. There is a need for social workers to be trained in relevant assessment skills based on a specific frame of reference. Gestalt therapy can provide a suitable theoretical frame of reference for assessment, and can serve as scientific foundation for social workers during the statutory process. A framework for an assessment guideline was thus proposed. / Ten spyte daarvan dat die regte van kinders in Suid-Afrika deur wette gereguleer word, bewys statistiek dat statutere dienste aan kinders jaarliks toeneem. Wetenskaplik verantwoordbare inligting ten opsigte van die kind kan bekom word deur die kind te assesseer. Die doel van hierdie ondersoek was om leemtes wat in bestaande assesseringsriglyne is vas te stel, asook die behoeftes wat by maatskaplike werkers ten opsigte van assessering bestaan. Die opeenvolgende verkennende strategie is tydens hierdie ondersoek gevolg, aangesien kwantitatiewe data gebruik is om die kwalitatiewe bevindings te ondersteun. Die ondersoek het getoon dat min literatuur ten opsigte van assessering in Suid-Afrika en internasionaal beskikbaar is, ten spyte daarvan dat assessering die basis van die getuienis van die maatskaplike werker vorm. Die grootste leemte wat in assesseringsriglyne ge'identifiseer is, is die feit dat assessering nie gewig in die hof dra nie. 'n Behoefte ten opsigte van opleiding in toepaslike assesseringsvaardighede vanuit 'n spesifieke teoretiese verwysingsraamwerk bestaan. Gestaltterapie kan 'n teoretiese verwysingsraamwerk vir assessering bied en kan dien as wetenskaplike fundering vir optrede van maatskaplike werkers tydens die statutere proses. 'n Raamwerk vir 'n assesseringsriglyn is voorgestel. / Social Work / M. Diac. (Play Therapy)

In the light of the child's self-esteem that is affected by traumatic events, the goal of the research was to explore and describe the self-esteem of children orphaned by HIV/AIDS. The researcher made use of a quantitative research method. 30 (N=30) respondents, both male (n=16) and female (n=14), between the ages of 11 to 15, were randomly sampled for inclusion in the study. Each participant completed a self-report measure of self-esteem, The Culture-free Self-esteem Inventory for Children, which yielded a score of Global Self-esteem, as well as in four sub-domains including: General, Social, Academic and Parent-related Self-esteem. The results of this study demonstrated that the participants experienced a lowered self-esteem. These findings were explored in light of a literature review, after which conclusions and recommendations were provided. / Social Work / M. Diac. (Play Therapy)