M.Tech. / The recent increase in demand for radiotherapy services has led to significant delays in commencement of radical radiation treatment in most centres. Radiobiological principles suggest that a delay in starting radiotherapy may have a negative impact on tumour local control. To cope with the growing demand for radiotherapy, modern improvement models need to be accepted and adapted in radiotherapy departments. The PLAN DO STUDY ACT (PDSA) model is an example of such an improvement model which explores new possibilities of improvement through experimentation. This study aimed to determine the causes of radiotherapy delays, and to develop and implement improvements for reducing radiotherapy delays from patients’ referral to a radiotherapy department to the start of radiotherapy at Gaborone Oncology in Botswana. The objectives were to determine the causes of radiotherapy delays, develop and implement improvements of reducing radiotherapy delays using the PDSA model for improvement, and evaluate the effectiveness of the model. Patients who had received radical radiotherapy for head and neck, breast and cervix tumours were analysed as they are the commonly treated cancers at Gaborone Oncology. A retrospective survey was conducted for one year to establish the causes of radiotherapy delays from patient referral to the department to the start of radiation treatment. The PDSA model for improvement was then implemented and monitored for evidence of improvement from May to December 2008. The PDSA model showed significant reduction in radiotherapy delays at Gaborone Oncology. The results showed a decrease in radiotherapy delays in head and neck, breast and cervix cancers from an average delay time of 18.5 days in May 2008 to 8.6 days by December 2008.

The concept of youth activity centre (YAC) has not yet been evaluated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the YAC in Botswana. Accordingly, the researcher explored and described the lived experience of young people utilising the YAC as well as the perceptions of service providers at the Mochudi Centre in the Kgatleng District, in Botswana. Furthermore, the objective was to develop and describe guidelines for the facilitation of youth-friendly services (YFS) at YAC. A phenomenological, qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual research design was used to extract young people’s experiences and perceptions of service providers. Thirty-two young people and 27 service providers (peer educators and service delivery officers [SDOs]) were purposefully selected. Methods of data collection used were unstructured individual in-depth interviews, focus group discussions and observations in the forms of field notes. The data, mainly tape-recorded interviews and field notes were transcribed verbatim for data analysis. Tesch’s eight-step data analysis model (Creswell 1994:155) was used. One major theme, youth friendliness emerged with three categories, namely: physical, administrative, and psychological aspects of youth-friendly services. All the respondents indicated that they benefited and affirmed they were empowered and better people after using the facility. However, limited access to the facility by the target group due to location, cost of reaching the facility, and attitudes of service providers as well as failure to implement planned activities due to financial and staff shortage were obstacles to youth friendliness of the YAC. Based on the findings and literature review, the researcher developed guidelines to facilitate YFS and improved access to the YAC. Recommendations made are for practise in the YAC, education of SDOs and for further research. / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)

Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Advanced Nursing Science)

The concept of youth activity centre (YAC) has not yet been evaluated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the YAC in Botswana. Accordingly, the researcher explored and described the lived experience of young people utilising the YAC as well as the perceptions of service providers at the Mochudi Centre in the Kgatleng District, in Botswana. Furthermore, the objective was to develop and describe guidelines for the facilitation of youth-friendly services (YFS) at YAC. A phenomenological, qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual research design was used to extract young people’s experiences and perceptions of service providers. Thirty-two young people and 27 service providers (peer educators and service delivery officers [SDOs]) were purposefully selected. Methods of data collection used were unstructured individual in-depth interviews, focus group discussions and observations in the forms of field notes. The data, mainly tape-recorded interviews and field notes were transcribed verbatim for data analysis. Tesch’s eight-step data analysis model (Creswell 1994:155) was used. One major theme, youth friendliness emerged with three categories, namely: physical, administrative, and psychological aspects of youth-friendly services. All the respondents indicated that they benefited and affirmed they were empowered and better people after using the facility. However, limited access to the facility by the target group due to location, cost of reaching the facility, and attitudes of service providers as well as failure to implement planned activities due to financial and staff shortage were obstacles to youth friendliness of the YAC. Based on the findings and literature review, the researcher developed guidelines to facilitate YFS and improved access to the YAC. Recommendations made are for practise in the YAC, education of SDOs and for further research. / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)

Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Advanced Nursing Science)