Magister Administrationis - MAdmin / Ethiopia is exercising decentralisation of the health system and thus this study assesses lessons learned about the experiences of the decentralization of institutions in heoretical terms. The problem investigated in this study concerns the lack of institutional capacity to effectively provide services, lack of transparency, responsibility and accountability. Decision making is also very remote from the people with regard to resource allocation and public health service delivery. The scope of this study covers the Southern Nations, Nationalities and People’s Regional State of Ethiopia and its relationship with the Cheha District in the area of health service decentralization. The objective of this study was to identify fundamental elements of decentralization of health institutions and the impact on the performance of the health system at local government level in the Cheha District in Ethiopia. / South Africa

Magister Artium - MA / This research endeavours to identify existing participatory structures and explore the role of local government officials, community representatives and other role players in the housing delivery process in Joe Slovo; indicate opportunities for the participation of beneficiaries in the housing process as well as the extent and nature of community engagement; highlight existing barriers to effective community participation and other problems related to housing delivery in Joe Slovo; draw general conclusions within the framework of the government’s housing policy; and provide recommendations to policy makers, urban planners and other stakeholders. Consequently, this research employs qualitative methodological tools as they are most appropriate in the collection of this type of data. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with local officials, and observations were used to gather critical information. In addition, secondary data, with a special focus on newspaper articles, were used. / South Africa

Magister Administrationis - MAdmin / The study introduces and puts forward Sector Policing as a model to expand Community Policing and to broaden the scope of crime prevention. It also demonstrates how Sector Policing can be utilised to decentralise policing and deepen community participation.

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / The epidemiological interconnectedness of tuberculosis (TB) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemics is well documented. Although international agencies such as the World Health Organisation (WHO) have been advocating for the implementation of collaborative TB/HIV activities at all levels in order to mitigate the impact of the dual epidemic on communities, health care delivery and programme management, its implementation has been very slow, particularly in countries highly burdened with TB/HIV infection, such as South Africa. Provision of integrated TB/HIV services has been partial and sub-optimal at community level. This requires innovative interventions that go beyond health facility boundaries such as engaging community care workers (CCWs). This thesis presents ways of engaging community members such as CCWs in collaborative TB/HIV activities including prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT). Methods: Both action research and health systems strengthening research were used as theoretical frameworks. The study was conducted in three phases which consisted of: a situational analysis; design and implementation of the intervention; and evaluation of the intervention. Mixed method research using both quantitative and qualitative research methods in one study was conducted, and various research designs were used depending on the research questions and the study phases. Results: The findings of Phase I of this study highlight partial integration of TB/HIV/PMTCT services at facility and community levels, and sub-optimal provision of integrated services, particularly at community level where only 10% of TB and HIV patients needing care at community level were supported by CCWs. Most TB-HIV co-infected patients were managed at the primary health care (PHC) clinic level of care, compared to other levels (p<0.05), and less than 50% of PHC clinic staff were trained in TB and HIV management. This phase also indicates poor linkage between facility and CCWs through the nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) managing CCWs. In addition, it identifies various health systems barriers that impede the implementation of collaborative TB/HIV/PMTCT activities and involvement of CCWs in the mainstream of the primary health care system. The findings of Phase II and III show that integrating different CCW cadres into one cadre and expanding their scope of practice to provide a comprehensive package of care for TB/HIV/PMTCT is a feasible and an effective intervention to accelerate the implementation of collaborative TB/HIV activities, including PMTCT, at community level. In addition, the findings suggest that up-skilled CCWs contribute significantly to bridging the current service delivery gaps in vertical TB, HIV and PMTCT services by increasing coverage for case finding of TB (38%) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) (40%), PMTCT services (infant feeding, referral for PCR and AZT adherence support) (30%), and TB and antiretroviral treatment (ART) adherence (30%, 28%). The increase in uptake of TB/HIV/PMTCT services was statistically significant (p<0.05). Provision of home-based HIV counseling and testing by CCWs proved to be acceptable and feasible. Of 684 people offered home based HCT, 634 (82%) accepted to be tested and 45 (7%) tested HIV positive. However, other PHC care services such as integrated management of childhood illnesses (IMCI) and referrals to social welfare were poorly provided. Conclusion and Recommendations: The findings indicated that up-skilling CCWs resulted in improvement of CCW's performance in provision of integrated TB/HIV/PMTCT services, particularly for TB and STI symptom screening, HCT, infant feeding counselling and AZT treatment support for PMTCT, and treatment adherence support for TB and ART. However, this study emphasised the need for addressing contextual and health systems issues such as structural, organisational and managerial constraints. There is a need to reorganise the PHC system to ensure that CCWs are integrated as part of the PHC system. Systematic skills building and consistent CCW supervision, with reliable referral and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) systems are required for efficiency and sustainability of any community based intervention. It is also necessary to ensure that other PHC activities, such as referral for social welfare and IMCI, are not compromised when additional activities are added to the CCW care package. / This research was made financially possible by the, African Doctoral Dissertation Research Fellowship (ADDRF) of the African Population and Health Research Centre, in partnership with the International Development Research Centre and Ford Foundation. South African Tuberculosis AIDS Training (SATBAT): a South African/US research training collaboration funded by Fogarty International Center Grant 1U2RTW007370-01A1).

This thesis sets out to examine the notion that social context throughout the life course plays an important role in the development of social capital. It explores this using the British Household Panel Survey (BHPS), a longitudinal data set, using data from England and Wales. It argues that social capital can be thought of as being composed of different dimensions which develop differentially over time. It frames the research within the context of the local community and examines three distinct dimensions of social capital: participation in local groups, neighbourhood attachment, and interpersonal trust. Frameworks are developed within which each is hypothesised to develop at different times and within different contexts. Different expectations are outlined which suggest how they should develop within a view of social capital based on Putnam (2000) and his predictions concerning social participation and trust. These are contrasted with theories and findings form the literature on political socialisation and Uslaner’s (2002) conception of trust as a deep rooted moral trait. It is shown that participation in local groups, neighbourhood attachment and interpersonal trust, do develop at different stages and in different contexts. Moreover, it is shown that growing up in a highly trusting environment may predict participation and engagement later in life.

Masters in Public Administration - MPA / Community participation and awareness in disaster risk management is widely recognized as a cornerstone for disaster risk reduction and effective response and recovery strategies. This goes parallel with the world paradigm shift form relief and response to prevention and mitigation. There is gradually increase of fire and floods in informal settlements and Khayelitsha TR- Section in particular. “From 1995-2005 more than 8554 informal dwelling fire incidents occurred in Cape Town alone, affecting 40 558 households and around 160 000 peoples" (DiMP, 2008). And in 2007 alone floods affected 8,000 households and 38 residents in the Cape Town informal settlement of Khayelitsha; Bongani TR-Section and Phillippi; Phola park (Bouchard et al, 2007). This study analyzed community participation and awareness mechanisms in disaster risk management, its implementation, practice and effectiveness, following the promulgation of the Disaster Management Act No 57 of 2002, taking Khayelitsha TR- Section as a case study. In order to achieve the stated objectives, the researcher employed a combination of both qualitative and quantitative research paradigms. In qualitative context semi-structured interviews were conducted with the key informants disaster management officials and Khayelitsha TR-Section ward structure officials. Quantitative method, 100 structured questionnaires were distributed to Khayelitsha TR-Section residents. Using Khayelitsha TR- Section as a case study the thesis argues that despite the enabling policy and resource allocation for community participation and awareness its implementation proved to be a failure. Most of the mechanisms directed by the act are not implemented and those implemented its practice is not effective to achieve its stated objectives of risk reduction and effective response and recovery to disaster incidents. The study reviewed literature and theories of community participation and awareness in disaster risk management. It reviewed and outlined a policy framework and institutional arrangement for community participation and awareness in disaster risk management in accordance with the Disaster Management Act (No 57 of 2002). It further determined the level of community participation and awareness mechanism implementation. Records the level of community awareness and understanding, it determines the effectiveness of community participation and awareness mechanisms and finally based on the empirical results, literature reviews and theories, the study provides a number of recommendations to enhance and improved of community participation and awareness to disaster risk management officials and policy makers.

abstract: The purpose of this study was to understand how community members within a segregated school district approached racial inequities. I conducted a ¬nineteen-month-long ethnography using a critical Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach to explore how members in a community activist group called Eliminate Racism interacted and worked with school district officials. My goal was to identify and examine how community members addressed racially inequitable policies and practices in the Midwestern city of Pinecreek (pseudonym) in the context of a school district that had undergone two school desegregation lawsuits. I conducted 32 interviews with 24 individuals, including teachers and school leaders, parents, and community members. This study answers three research questions: (1) What strategies did the community activist group use to influence local education policy for addressing racism in the schools? (2) How did community participation influence local education policy? (3) What were the motivating factors for individuals’ involvement in issues of local school segregation? To answer these questions, I used concepts from Critical Race Theory and Social Capital Theory. I employ Putnam’s and Putnam and Campbell’s social capital, Warren’s civic participation, Bonilla-Silva’s color-blind racism, Yosso’s community cultural wealth and religio-civics. My analysis shows that the community group used the social capital and community cultural wealth of its members to create partnerships with district officials. Although Eliminate Racism did not meet its goals, it established itself as a legitimate organization within the community, successfully drawing together residents throughout the city to bring attention to racism in the schools. The study’s results encourage school and district leaders to constantly bring race to the forefront of their decision-making processes and to question how policy implementation affects minoritized students. This research also suggests that strategies from this community group can be adopted or avoided by other antiracist groups undertaking similar work. Finally, it provides an example of how to employ critical PAR methods into ethnography, as it notes the ways that researcher positionality and status can be leveraged by community groups to support the legitimacy of their mission and work. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Educational Policy and Evaluation 2020

Discussions about the significance of the social license phenomenon have been increasing over the last two decades, yet the trend has been to approach it from a company perspective. Over the same period, there have been increasing challenges in mine-community relations, and company interventions have not led to the desired outcomes. A credible process for achieving a social licence within a complex and historically sensitive context is currently not in place, which has perpetuated the feelings of dissatisfaction and has led to serious conflict between mining communities and companies. The literature revealed a lack of clarity on the role of the community in the process, necessitating an interrogation of the phenomenon from a community perspective. Legitimacy theory was used as the basis of the study. The multi-dimensional and dynamic nature of the study necessitated the use of qualitative methods and an inductive approach, based upon a case study within two South African mining communities. The results of the study demonstrated that communities are limited in influencing the social licence, and this highlighted the need to incorporate community specific legitimacy, which more closely reflects the reality within communities (their diversity, informality, broad representation, and dynamic nature). The lack of agreement (emanating from communities, government and industry) on legitimate community leadership significantly also impacts on the social licence process. Communities are unable to articulate their expectations to mining companies, and the requirements for a social licence are not being satisfied. The study also highlighted the deep and complex nature of discourse transition, and that mining companies must concentrate on understanding context and produce context-specific interventions. This research contributes by extending the theorisation of legitimacy, as it relates to the social licence, by adding the concept of community legitimacy and proposes a community leadership framework, to incorporate this aspect. A conceptual model, which integrates the context-specific nuances, is therefore proposed for sectors which are dependent upon achieving accord with stakeholders via a social contract, and are experiencing increasing complexity and social tensions relating to their operations. Such a framework would facilitate engagement through representative structures and result in a more robust social licence outcome. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2018. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / PhD / Unrestricted

Background and Purpose: People living with SCI (PLWSCI) have to cope with various challenges when they return home after institutionalized rehabilitation, especially with integrating back into and participating in their communities. To date no study has been conducted in South Africa to empirically measure community integration or to evaluate factors affecting the community integration of PLWSCI. The purpose of the study was to investigate factors influencing the community participation of PLWSCI after rehabilitation. Methodology: A cross-sectional, analytical research design employing both qualitative and quantitative approaches was used. Data collection: Phase one: Participants were identified from the databases of two rehabilitation centers, and the snow balling technique. Data were collected by implementing: the socio-demographic and injury profile (SDIP), the Return to Normal Living Index (RNLI), the Spinal Cord Injury Measure – version II (SCIM II) and the Craig Hospital Inventory of Environmental Factors – short form (CHIEF-SF). Phase two: In-depth face to face interviews were conducted with a purposely selected sample group from participants of phase one of the study to determine how participants perceive their community participation. Data Analysis: Phase one: Data were analyzed using version 17 of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS 17). Descriptive statistics, T- tests, Pearson productmoment correlation coefficients and one way analysis of variance (ANOVA), with Bonferroni adjustments for multiple comparisons, was done to examine demographic characteristics and participants’ community participation. Data from Phase 2 was subjected to data-reducing procedures using qualitative techniques. Results – Phase One One hundred and sixty PLWSCI (134 males and 26 females) from the Tshwane metropolitan area participated in this phase of the study. The participants were predominantly young, male, unemployed and single and their major cause of SCI was road traffic accidents, which accounted for 71% of the injuries. The participants’ satisfaction with their community participation was generally low, only 20% expressed satisfaction with their community participation. Satisfaction with community participation was significantly associated with the participants’ race, level of education, employment, educational qualifications, years of living with SCI, level of SCI, health complications, perceived health status, functional ability and perceived environmental factors such as physical (structural and geographic) barriers and lack of transport. Results – Phase 2 Fifteen PLWSCI participated in interviews. Two themes influencing participation were identified from the interview transcripts: Personal factors (coping skills, rehabilitation experience, future aspirations, personal needs, psycho-emotional issues and meaningful use of time) and Environmental factors (attitudes of others, social support and accessibility issues). Conclusion The results of the two phases revealed that community participation of PLWSCI was mainly related to three major categories of factors: personal factors, disability-related factors and environmental factors. Satisfaction with community participation was greater in participants who had been living with SCI for longer periods, had more years of basic education, were not black Africans, lived in suburbs, and were employed. A positive outlook on life and engagement in creative activities during free time enhanced community participation. Disability-related factors included level of SCI, functional ability and perceived general health influenced satisfaction with community participation. Community participation was greater in participants who experienced fewer environmental barriers. “Attitudes of members of society”, “accessibility of the environment” and “social support” influenced the participants’ satisfaction with community participation. A framework for facilitating community participation of PLWSCI was developed. Strategies to be implemented by various multi-sectoral stakeholders to enhance community participation are proposed.p> / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2011. / Physiotherapy / Unrestricted

MAdmin / Department of Public and Development Administration