Thesis (MTech. degree in Agriculture.)--Tshwane University of Technology, 2011. / Using the Participatory Extension Approach adopted by the Limpopo Department of Agriculture, this study documented the development, implementation and impact of a community-based rodent control strategy at Regae in Limpopo Province. The results of a homestead survey and the trapping of rodents in dwellings, home gardens and fields confirmed the severity of the rodent problem in the village, which was caused by Rattus rattus, Mus musculus, Mus minutoides, Mastomys coucha and Rhabdomys pumilio.

MPH / Department of Public Health / Background: Climate change is a universal public health problem that affects developed and developing countries including South Africa. This environmental hazard causes damage of properties, injuries and death. In most cases, survivors experience psychosocial problems such as depression, anger and isolation after flood because of climate change. Purpose: The purpose of the study was to determine health effects of climate change at Ga- Mashamothane village, Fetakgomo Tubatse Municipality, South Africa. Methodology: A quantitative approach using cross-sectional descriptive design was used in this study. A sample of 352 households has been selected from the target population by means of simple random sampling. Self-administered questionnaires with closed-ended questions were administered to respondents between the age of 18 years and above who met the inclusion criteria. Permission to conduct the study was obtained from the Ethics Committee of the University of Venda. Data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS version 25) and presented in the form of tables, charts and graphs. Chi-square was used to test significant relationship between heavy rainfall and injuries, and between drought and malnutrition. Results: Three hundred and fifty-two (352) questionnaires were distributed to respondents and 258 questionnaires were satisfactorily completed and returned. The findings of the study showed that 177 (68.6%) of the respondents were male and 81 (31.4%) of the respondents were females. The results indicated that heavy rainfall and injuries statistically are significantly correlated (P-value =0.000). There was positive relationship between heavy rainfall and injuries, as majority of the respondents 242 (93.8%) sustained injuries after experiencing heavy rainfall. The results of the study indicated that drought and malnutrition statistically are significantly correlated (P-value =0.000). There was positive relationship between drought and malnutrition, as majority of respondents 225 (87.2%) suffered from malnutrition during drought. Conclusions: The study found that there is association between heavy rainfall and injuries and there is association between drought and malnutrition. Recommendations: There is a need of collaboration of several stakeholders such as local municipality, Department of Health, Department of Agriculture, Department of Labour and department of Basic Education to come up with strategies to protect people’s lives. / HWSETA

A case study design was used to evaluate the National Adolescent-Friendly Clinic Initiative (NAFCI) programme in Greater Tzaneen Sub-District of the Limpopo Province, South Africa. An interview guide was used to collect data from adolescents who visited the health centre at Nkowankowa in Limpopo Province and from professional nurses who provided the services at the health centre. Records were also reviewed to check clinic attendance of adolescents for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), voluntary counselling and testing (VCT), teenage pregnancy and contraceptive services. According to the study, even though most adolescents made use of the NAFCI services especially those providing for contraception, pregnancy and STIs, the numbers of adolescents falling pregnant and contracting STIs did not decrease. Findings also indicated that VCT services were still not adequately used as indicated by the numbers in the registers. It is recommended that VCT, STI and pregnancy services be monitored and evaluated on a quarterly basis. / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)

The purpose of the study was to investigate the lived experiences of young people living with mental healthcare users (MHCUs) in order to gain insight into their needs and how their daily coping can be maximised. A qualitative, descriptive phenomenology study was undertaken, with face-to-face, audiorecorded individual in-depth interviews conducted with 10 participants aged between 19 and 23 years, at their homes. Participants were recruited from one of the local health clinics in Dikgale area, Limpopo province, where the MHCUs collect medication and attend follow-up medical reviews. Non-probability purposive sampling technique was used to select the sample size. The following were the objectives of the study:  To explore and describe the lived experiences of young people living with MHCUs.  To determine the coping strategies of young people living with MHCUs. Five themes and 12 sub-themes emerged from the study. The findings of the study revealed that young people were faced with psychological effects, caring demands and responsibilities, effects on their schooling performance, and lack of coping and support. The study results informed recommendations to the psychiatric nursing services on the needs and support to be provided to these young people in order to ensure maximum coping in their life situation. / Health Studies / M.A. (Nursing Science)

A case study design was used to evaluate the National Adolescent-Friendly Clinic Initiative (NAFCI) programme in Greater Tzaneen Sub-District of the Limpopo Province, South Africa. An interview guide was used to collect data from adolescents who visited the health centre at Nkowankowa in Limpopo Province and from professional nurses who provided the services at the health centre. Records were also reviewed to check clinic attendance of adolescents for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), voluntary counselling and testing (VCT), teenage pregnancy and contraceptive services. According to the study, even though most adolescents made use of the NAFCI services especially those providing for contraception, pregnancy and STIs, the numbers of adolescents falling pregnant and contracting STIs did not decrease. Findings also indicated that VCT services were still not adequately used as indicated by the numbers in the registers. It is recommended that VCT, STI and pregnancy services be monitored and evaluated on a quarterly basis. / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)

Thesis (M. Sc. (Geography)) -- University of Limpopo, 2021 / Disposal of disposable infant diapers has emerged as one of the major challenges in solid waste management. The use of disposable infant diapers is an unmanageable challenge in many rural areas due to a lack of disposal equipment and proper disposal methods. Incorrect disposal of used disposable infant diapers causes immediate and long-term negative health, environmental, social and economic impacts on communities. Consequently, this study sought to establish the practices and effects of used diaper disposal in the community of Mashashane Village, Limpopo. Using snowball sampling, households with infants determined participants for this study. The data collection methods were observations and questionnaires. The results showed that most mothers used disposable infant diapers. All respondents indicated that they did not have proper places for disposal and as a result, they disposed of used disposable infant diapers at any convenient place such as near streams, in wetlands and open places. The study, therefore, concluded that disposal of used disposable infant diapers was not appropriately practised in Mashashane Village and that led to environmental, social and economic challenges that require immediate intervention by the municipality. The study recommended that the municipality should encourage proper disposal of used disposable infant diapers through provision of skip bins and waste collection trucks. / Risk and Vulnerability Unit University of Limpopo

PhD (Health Studies) / Department of Public Health / Introduction: Quality healthcare provision is a fundamental need in the life of a person since it helps develop a positive self-image. Healthcare has always been an important issue for society, both economically and culturally. Contrary, dissatisfactions and litigations laid by clients/patients and relatives against the government due to poor service provision become unmanageable. The purpose of the study was the development of strategies to facilitate provision of quality healthcare services in public healthcare facilities in Limpopo province, South Africa. Methods: Qualitative and quantitative methods were adopted for the study. Population for the qualitative study was constituted by professional nurses, and stakeholders (Hospital boards and Clinic health Committees) who were, purposively selected from the randomly sampled hospitals and clinics. Focus Group discussion and questionnaires were conducted to collect data. Analysis. The qualitative data was analysed qualitatively. Population for quantitative study consisted of Clients as stakeholders and professional nurses from randomly sampled hospitals and clinics. The qualitative results were used in the development of questions for questionnaire used in the quantitative approach. For the quantitative approach a self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from the respondents. Data collection was carried out by means of two instruments for clients and professional nurses. Analysis was done using SPSS 25 version with the assistance of a Professional Statistician. The researcher used the Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats analysis to develop strategies for enhancing quality healthcare service provision in the Department of health. The interaction between Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats was analysed and used to develop strategies to facilitate provision of quality health care services in public health care facilities in Limpopo Province. Conclusion Findings of this study is expected to inform nursing education and nursing practice to review curricular on what to emphasize when training the nursing students. The findings will also inform senior management when planning for improvement of health care provision improvement. / NRF

The Republic of South Africa emerged as 'a product of a historical moment' and also as a reaction against imperialism, colonialism, racial discrimination and domination over the majority of black South Africans by the white minority. The democratic dispensation came into being also for the first time in its life in memorial for a long turbulent history followed by the general democratic elections held on 27th April 1994. The 1994 first general election liberated South Africa from the apartheid system and its subsequent primary objective was “… to transform South Africa into a non-racial and democratic society”. The new democratic government now looks politically different from the racist regime because the current government since 1994 has been, and to date still is, a truly and broadly representative of the South African citizens and also a transparent one, whereas the defunct apartheid government was characterized primarily by, among other things, the violation of human rights, denying black South Africans of any rights of basic services, no rights of owning property or land, no freedom of association and speeches and firmly practised discrimination which was detrimental to the majority of the black population groups in this country. According to the then President Nelson Mandela whilst addressing the ANC masses that were commemorating the eighty-third (83rd) anniversary of the African National Congress on the 8th January 1995, democracy entails “… a thorough-going process of transformation, of overcoming the political, social and economic legacy of apartheid colonialism, of racism, sexism and class oppression.” The government is still grappling with the challenge of ensuringa better life for all the citizens of this country (http://www.anc.org.za/show.php?doc=ancdocs/history/jan8-95html:1).

Thesis (MPH.) -- University of Limpopo, 2016 / Introduction The aim of the study was to determine the knowledge and practices of health care workers on medical waste disposal at George Masebe Hospital, Waterberg District, Limpopo Province, South Africa. Method A cross sectional study was conducted and simple random sampling was used to select participants. Data was collected using self-administered questionnaire which where total of 141 participants were sampled using the Slovin formula. Data were analyzed using the IBM SPSS Version 22 and both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to answer the study objectives. Results The study shows that 43% of the respondents had good knowledge on medical waste disposal, 13% were not sure and 44% had insufficient knowledge. Forty nine percent (49%) of the respondents practiced safe medical waste disposal, 4, 3% were moderate in practice and 46, 1% had insufficient practice in place. There was no statistical significant relationship between knowledge and practice of medical waste disposal control measures of health care workers. Conclusion The study concluded that knowledge of the respondents on medical waste disposal was insufficient, there were satisfactory medical waste practices and there was no relationship between knowledge and practice.

MA ( Psychology) / Department of Psychology