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Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2015 / ENGLISH ABSTRACT : This research study presents a community assessment to explore and construct an overview of the scope and nature of support organisations currently active in the marginalised community of Kayamandi, Stellenbosch. Support organisations play a pivotal role in the global attempt to eradicate poverty by assisting and empowering people to achieve sustained independence and dignified prosperity. In order for support efforts to be properly utilised, people have to be aware that these efforts exist. Residents need to know what services are available and where to find the services. In addition, support organisations providing the services need to be aware of other organisations that could complement their efforts to ensure optimal service delivery. To date, no reliable informative summary of support organisations involved in Kayamandi exists. Therefore the research objective for this study was two-fold: to ascertain which support organisations are currently available in the suburb of Kayamandi and to construct a typology of these organisations in terms of types of services rendered and recipients targeted. A combination of Bronfenbrenner‟s bioecological theory (Bronfenbrenner, 2005) and organisational theory (Jones, 2010) provided the framework within which support organisations could be qualitatively investigated, contextualised and analysed. To collect rich and relevant data, 19 semi-structured interviews were conducted with key informants representing 19 support organisations in Kayamandi. The data were analysed by means of a thematic content analysis, using the ATLAS.ti computer software package. Findings revealed various aspects regarding support organisations, the services they deliver, the recipients they serve, the staff and volunteers delivering the services, the funding support as well as the links of cooperation that exist. The themes that emerged during the interviews include insights regarding self-evaluation, sustainability, benefits, constraints, the role of religion as well as values pertaining to service. The findings provide comprehensive and valuable insights which can inform existing as well as new support organisations alike. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING : Hierdie navorsing behels ‟n gemeenskapsassesering wat uitgevoer is om ‟n oorsig op te stel aangaande die omvang en aard van ondersteuningsorganisasies wat tans in Kayamandi, Stellenbosch werksaam is. Ondersteuningsorganisasies speel ‟n belangrike rol in die wereldwye poging om armoede uit te wis en om mense te bemagtig ten opsigte van onafhanklike en volhoubare voorspoed. Om voldoende gebruik te kan maak van ondersteuningsdienste moet mense van die dienste bewus wees. Inwoners moet weet watter dienste beskibaar is en waar om hulle te vind. Daarbenewens moet ondersteuningsorganisasies wat die dienste lewer ook bewus wees van ander organisasies wat hulle dienste kan aanvul om sodoende optimale dienslewering aan die lede van die gemeenskap te bied. Tans bestaan daar geen samevatting oor die ondersteuningsorganisasies in Kayamandi nie. Die navorsingsvraag in hierdie ondersoek was tweeledig: om vas te stel watter ondersteuningsorganisasies tans beskikbaar is in Kayamandi en om ‟n tipologie op te stel van die tipe dienste wat hulle lewer en die ontvangers van die dienste. Die navorsing is in ‟n kombinasie van die bio-ekologiese teorie van Bronfenbrenner (Bronfenbrenner, 2005) en ‟n organisasieteorie (Jones, 2010) veranker, om sodoende die organisasies in die konteks van hulle omgewing te kan ondersoek en ontleed. Altesaam 19 semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude is gevoer met sleutelinformante wat 19 ondersteuningsorganisasies in Kayamandi verteenwoordig het om sodoende relevante data in te samel. Die data is deur middel van ‟n tematiese inhoudsontleding ontleed met behulp van die Atlas.ti-rekenaarprogram. Die bevindinge het verskillende aspekte in verband met ondersteuningsorganisasies uitgelig, naamlik die dienste wat hulle lewer, die ontvangers van die dienste, die personeel en vrywilligers wat die dienste lewer, die befondsing en die mate van samewerking tussen organisasies. Die temas wat geïdentifiseer is sluit self-evaluasie, volhoubaarheid, die voordele en beperkinge, die rol van godsdiens sowel as die waardes wat aan dienslewering geheg word in. Die bevindinge voorsien omvattende insigte wat bestaande en nuwe ondersteuningsdienste, kan toelig.

Phytoremediation systems for petroleum hydrocarbons rely on a synergistic relationship between plants and their root-associated microbial communities. Plants exude organic compounds through their roots, which increase the density, diversity and activity of plant-associated microorganisms, which in turn degrade hydrocarbons. Understanding the mechanisms driving this relationship poses one of the more intriguing challenges in phytoremediation research. This study was designed to address that challenge. Plant-microbe interactions in a weathered-hydrocarbon contaminated soil were examined under controlled growth chamber, and field conditions. In both environments single-species grass treatments initially facilitated greater total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) degradation than <i> Medicago sativa </i> (alfalfa), mixed species, or control treatments. In growth chamber studies increased degradation was linked to increased aliphatic-hydrocarbon degrader populations within the rhizosphere. Under field conditions, specific recruitment of endophytic aliphatic-hydrocarbon degraders in response to high TPH levels may have facilitated increased degradation by the grass <i> Elymus angustus</i>(Altai wild rye, AWR). AWR stably maintained these communities during times of local drought, enabling them to act as subsequent source populations for rhizosphere communities. The broad phylogenetic diversity of AWR endophytes, compared to the <i> Pseudomonas</i>-dominated communities of other plants, contributed to the observed stability. The relative composition of exudates released by plants also impacted both degradation activity and potential. Alfalfa released higher concentrations of malonate, which hindered degradation by decreasing metabolic activity and concomitantly inhibiting catabolic plasmid transfer. In contrast, AWR exudates contained high levels of succinate, which was linked to increased catabolic gene expression and plasmid transfer. A reciprocal relationship between exudation patterns and endophytic community structure likely exists, and both parameters have a specific influence on rhizosphere degradation capacity. In this study, grasses were more successful in maintaining the specific balance of all parameters required for the transfer, preservation, and stimulation of hydrocarbon catabolic competency.

Phytoremediation systems for petroleum hydrocarbons rely on a synergistic relationship between plants and their root-associated microbial communities. Plants exude organic compounds through their roots, which increase the density, diversity and activity of plant-associated microorganisms, which in turn degrade hydrocarbons. Understanding the mechanisms driving this relationship poses one of the more intriguing challenges in phytoremediation research. This study was designed to address that challenge. Plant-microbe interactions in a weathered-hydrocarbon contaminated soil were examined under controlled growth chamber, and field conditions. In both environments single-species grass treatments initially facilitated greater total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) degradation than <i> Medicago sativa </i> (alfalfa), mixed species, or control treatments. In growth chamber studies increased degradation was linked to increased aliphatic-hydrocarbon degrader populations within the rhizosphere. Under field conditions, specific recruitment of endophytic aliphatic-hydrocarbon degraders in response to high TPH levels may have facilitated increased degradation by the grass <i> Elymus angustus</i>(Altai wild rye, AWR). AWR stably maintained these communities during times of local drought, enabling them to act as subsequent source populations for rhizosphere communities. The broad phylogenetic diversity of AWR endophytes, compared to the <i> Pseudomonas</i>-dominated communities of other plants, contributed to the observed stability. The relative composition of exudates released by plants also impacted both degradation activity and potential. Alfalfa released higher concentrations of malonate, which hindered degradation by decreasing metabolic activity and concomitantly inhibiting catabolic plasmid transfer. In contrast, AWR exudates contained high levels of succinate, which was linked to increased catabolic gene expression and plasmid transfer. A reciprocal relationship between exudation patterns and endophytic community structure likely exists, and both parameters have a specific influence on rhizosphere degradation capacity. In this study, grasses were more successful in maintaining the specific balance of all parameters required for the transfer, preservation, and stimulation of hydrocarbon catabolic competency.

Purpose/Aims: The aim of this study was to understand the health issues of a rural Southeastern Arizona border community. More specifically, this study used community assessment with ethnographic principles to: 1) Conduct a community assessment centered on definitions of health, access to care, quality of care, and health needs in a rural Southeastern Arizona border community; and 2) Compared the findings of this study to previous studies, models, and theories of rural nursing and rural health.Background: It is important to understand that each community has a unique set of health priorities that are dictated by these factors; making every rural community different. Much of the work that has been done in rural America has been performed in the Midwest, Southeast, or Northern states. There is limited information regarding Arizona or even Southern US border communities and whether previous work can be generalized to areas that have not been studied.Sample and Methodology: This study utilized community assessment with ethnographic underpinnings through the use of focus groups, key informant interviews, participant observation, and secondary data analysis of existing community data. Sampling for the focus groups and key informants was purposive. Focus groups included: 1) participants who use local health services and 2) participants who do not.Analysis: Lincoln and Guba's (1985) guidelines for rigor in qualitative studies was utilized. Thematic analysis and thick description were used to analyze data. Theoretical triangulation was performed between individual, group, and community level data with theoretical linkages made to community capacity theory and rural nursing key concepts.Implications and Conclusions: The location of this project, rural Arizona community, near the US-Mexico border, posed an interesting contrast to the proposed concepts widely being used today. From this study, healthcare leaders in this community are better equipped to provide relevant, high-quality, and safe services; but an informed community emerged that has an interest in promoting the health and well-being of the community as a whole.

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Maldistribution of healthcare professionals persists in remote and rural communities throughout the world. Adoption of a Community Paramedic (CP) program could improve access to quality healthcare for rural communities. The conceptual framework defined rural communities by their distinct characteristics — community efficacy, weaknesses, attitudes, assets, deficits, local culture, and the driving and restraining forces — and not defined by their small populations or distances to cities. The theoretical foundation was a synthesis of theories of Bandura, Rogers, and Lewin. This study assessed community characteristics that may influence the likelihood of success, sustainability, or program failure of the Australian CP model in a single remote Texas border community. In this qualitative formative bounded case study, 3 bounded groups were examined; data collection was by in-person interviews. Group members were purposively selected: 5 residents and 3 EMS members. The 3rd group consisted of 4 randomly self-selected resident interviews, field observations, news articles, and local social media. Data transcripts were coded using theoretical coding based on the conceptual framework and theoretical foundation. Strong individual and group efficacy, efficacy resilience, adaptability, strong communications, overlapping groups, and a strong sense of community program ownership were evident in this study. The probability of establishing an effective CP program based on the Australian model is high based on study findings. Improved access to quality healthcare in remote and rural communities could result in improved health of community members and significant social change.

The system of care for persons suffering from schizophrenia is in a state of upheaval and the community in general is visibly frightened of an illness it knows little about except for the information acquired often from media reporting. Considering persons suffering from schizophrenia as holistic beings, this study explored and assessed the needs of these persons residing in the Mogoto Village, Zebediela District in the Northern Province. The primary purpose of the study was to explore and describe the holistic needs of persons suffering from schizophrenia thus facilitating the planning of care and care facilities for these individuals to enable them to function optimally in the community. To accomplish this purpose, specific objectives were formulated. A quantitative, exploratory and descriptive study based on the Nursing Theory for the Whole Person was carried out. Through purposive sampling 60 respondents were selected. A questionnaire was administered to the respondents. Data from questionnaires revealed that despite the diagnosis of schizophrenia, the respondents were still regarded as valuable members of the community by those who cared for them. There was also an indication that the needs of persons suffering from schizophrenia in the Mogoto Village did not differ from the needs of other persons in the rest of the world. Like any unique person they have specific needs. There was also an indication that mental illness is still rated low in the prioritisation of health problems, hence the lack of resources and support needed for the rehabilitation of persons suffering from schizophrenia, especially in the rural areas. / Advanced Nursing Sciences / M.A.(Nursing Science)

The system of care for persons suffering from schizophrenia is in a state of upheaval and the community in general is visibly frightened of an illness it knows little about except for the information acquired often from media reporting. Considering persons suffering from schizophrenia as holistic beings, this study explored and assessed the needs of these persons residing in the Mogoto Village, Zebediela District in the Northern Province. The primary purpose of the study was to explore and describe the holistic needs of persons suffering from schizophrenia thus facilitating the planning of care and care facilities for these individuals to enable them to function optimally in the community. To accomplish this purpose, specific objectives were formulated. A quantitative, exploratory and descriptive study based on the Nursing Theory for the Whole Person was carried out. Through purposive sampling 60 respondents were selected. A questionnaire was administered to the respondents. Data from questionnaires revealed that despite the diagnosis of schizophrenia, the respondents were still regarded as valuable members of the community by those who cared for them. There was also an indication that the needs of persons suffering from schizophrenia in the Mogoto Village did not differ from the needs of other persons in the rest of the world. Like any unique person they have specific needs. There was also an indication that mental illness is still rated low in the prioritisation of health problems, hence the lack of resources and support needed for the rehabilitation of persons suffering from schizophrenia, especially in the rural areas. / Advanced Nursing Sciences / M.A.(Nursing Science)