M.Tech. Business Administration. Business School. / The purpose of this study is to investigate the internal behavioural barriers to the implementation of hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP). This investigation aims to assist the hospitality industry in implementing best practice in food hygiene to maximise public food safety and profitability. It also aims to investigate and possibly generate creative initiatives to control and monitor the long-term implementation of hazard analysis and critical control point principles in the sector so as to render it competitive on an international level.

Knowledge and safer practices regarding occupational exposure are crucial to all employees working in healthcare facilities, especially Tuberculosis (TB) hospitals. This study aimed to explore and describe the knowledge and practices of employees working in three specialised TB hospitals regarding occupational exposure to TB. The results of the study will be used to make recommendations to the Eastern Cape Department of Health (ECDOH) and hospital managers that could assist in reducing the prevalence of occupational TB. This quantitative, descriptive and contextual study was conducted in three specialised TB hospitals in the Nelson Mandela Bay Health District (NMBHD). Convenience sampling was used to select the research participants. The knowledge and practices of 181 employees towards occupational exposure to TB and infection control was measured through a self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire covered areas such as the knowledge of TB and infection control, the infection control policy, infrastructure as well as patient transportation. The whole population was targeted and out of a potential 253 employees, 181 were on duty during the stage of data collection and agreed to willingly participate in the study. The data was analysed descriptively using MS excel and MS word. This study revealed that 69% (n=124/181) of employees in the three specialised TB hospitals in the NMBHD have adequate knowledge of infection control. However, only 10% (n=18/181) of employees reported appropriate infection control practices, while almost half of the participants 42% (n=76) apparently practice infection control poorly. The majority (78%, n=141) of the employees in the three specialised TB hospitals in the NMBHD reported knowing about the availability of an infection control policy in their respective hospitals, however only 42 % (n=76) have reportedly read the policy. In conclusion, knowledge and practices regarding occupational exposure in specialised TB hospitals in the NMBHD is not optimal. It is however, important to note that the majority of employees have knowledge about the TB disease itself and its symptoms. Recommendations were made in order to improve infection control knowledge and practices. These include the development of a plan for purchasing of equipment to address infection control, development of a curriculum specific for non-nursing personnel and the establishment of a plan to ensure the availability of patient consultation rooms and dining halls. A further recommendation deemed important by the researcher was isolation glass as a compulsory specification when purchasing patient transportation vehicles, in order to provide protection for the drivers transporting patients to and from the hospital.

Thesis (M.A. (Clinical Psychology) -- University of Limpopo, 2017 / Substantial literature connects religiousness to physical health; however, few studies have explored the influence of religiousness on risk-taking factors among Black first-entering university students. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of religiousness on health risk behaviours among a sample of university students (N = 333) from a predominantly Black university in the Limpopo Province, South Africa. The risk behaviours of interest were alcohol consumption, risky sexual behaviours, cigarette smoking, drug use, rates of engagement in physical activity, and patterns of consuming healthy foods daily. The study used a cross-sectional design. Results indicated that intrinsic religiosity was negatively associated with alcohol consumption; risky sexual behaviours, cigarette smoking and drug use, and the effects of gender were present in both relationships. Intrinsic religiosity’s association with alcohol consumption and risky sexual behaviours had no gender effect. Nevertheless, there was no direct relationship between diet and physical engagement, although intrinsic religiosity influenced the students’ engagement in physical activity only in the context of gender. It is recommended that a three-way design may be more effective in uncovering some of the associations between intrinsic religiosity and risk behaviours such as eating a healthy diet and engaging in physical activity.

The construction industry is considered to be an extremely dangerous working environment, and therefore the health status of construction workers needs to be considered prior, during and on leaving the industry. Occupational hazards relative to the construction worker are well researched internationally; however few countries undertake routine medical surveillance to identify the health status of the construction worker relative to these hazards. Employers have a higher duty of care to identify workers who could be a risk at work from non-occupationally related conditions such as hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Work could exacerbate these conditions, leading to absenteeism, poor performance and eventually leaving the industry due to ill health. The dissertation explores, inter alia: the risks to which workers are exposed; the legal aspects; relevant literature regarding medical surveillance, and the use of a medical surveillance instrument used to determine the health status of 142 construction workers who consented to participate in the study. The methodological approach used in this study was a quantitative descriptive design, more specifically, using a randomised cross-sectional survey design. The instrument used to determine health status included a full medical, occupational and social history, as well as a physical examination undertaken by Occupational Health Nursing Practitioners (OHNs). Findings indicate that most construction workers believe they are healthy. However only a small percentage of construction workers did not require referral for further investigation and / or treatment.

By gathering information from a volunteer sample of men who sleep with men (MSM) in the Johannesburg inner city, the study aimed to discover those decisions and behaviour that influence their health decision-making and health-seeking behaviour, particularly as far as HIV and their sexual health was concerned. Eleven in-depth interviews were conducted by three interviewers using a semistructured interview guide which asked questions on demographics, health-seeking behaviour, sexual orientations and behaviour, knowledge of HIV/AIDS and community support. During analysis, collected data was classified into the themes of access to health care, personal and general MSM HIV risk perceptions, sexual behaviour, alcohol and unprotected sex, prostitution, religion and stigma, violence and discrimination. This study was the first qualitative study researching MSM in the Johannesburg inner city and provides useful baseline information for further qualitative MSM studies in the geographical area and for the development of MSM aligned interventions. / Sociology / M.A. Sociology

Thesis (MScSportSc)--University of Stellenbosch, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Numerous studies have shown that coronary artery disease (CAD) has its origin in childhood. Several risk factors that increase a person's risk for the development of CAD are prevalent amongst children. South African statistics concerning the prevalence of these risk factors are limited. Research has shown that early intervention to eliminate risk factors can decrease the risk for the development of CAD. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of certain coronary risk factors amongst children aged 11 to 13 years in certain Western Cape schools. Certain selected factors were tested. These included obesity, lack of physical activity, hypertension, low physical fitness (V02max), a family history associated with an increased risk, exposure to cigarette smoke, prevalence of diabetes mellitus and an unhealthy diet. The sample consisted out of 288 children and was made up by 154 boys and 134 girls. Certain anthropometrical measurements (stature, weight, skinfoids, waist and hip circumferences) were taken. Activity levels, family history, exposure to cigarette smoke, prevalence of diabetes mellitus and diet, were measured by means of questionnaires. Physical fitness (V02max) was tested with a three-minute step-test. A sphygmomanometer was used to measure blood pressure. Depending on the circumference of the child's arm, a paediatric or adult size cuff was used. The results of the study showed that 22.01% of the boys and 59.7% of the girls had a percentage body fat so high that it was considered a coronary risk factor. Physical fitness levels were considered risk factors in 2.6% of the boys and 9% of the girls. A very high percentage of the children tested had a family history associated with an increased risk for the development of CAD (73.38% of the boys and 78.36% of the girls). Systolic hypertension was prevalent among 22.01% of the boys and 23.13% of the girls. Diastolic hypertension was only prevalent among 5.19% of the boys and 5.97% of the girls. Low activity levels were considered a risk factor in 31.17% of the boys and 39.55% of the girls. Out of all the subjects, 32.47% of the boys and 37.31% of the girls were exposed to cigarette smoke on a daily basis. The results of this study shows that certain coronary risk factors are quite common amongst children. Prevention programmes that focuses on elimination of coronary risk factors, such as hypertension, inactivity and obesity, is essential for the prevention of subsequent coronary artery disease in adults. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Verskeie studies het al bewys dat koronêre hartvatsiekte (KHS) reeds sy ontstaan het in kinders van baie jong ouderdomme. Verskeie risikofaktore wat tot die latere ontstaan van KHS lei kom ook onder jong kinders voor. Statistiek ten opsigte van die voorkoms van hierdie risikofaktore onder kinders in Suid-Afrika is egter baie beperk. Verskeie navorsing toon dat vroeë intervensie kan lei tot "n verlaging in risiko vir die ontwikkeling van KHS op "n latere stadium. Die doel van die studie was om die voorkoms van sekere koronêre risikofaktore in kinders in Suid-Afrika te ondersoek. Sekere risikofaktore is ondersoek, dit het ingesluit, obesiteit, lae fisieke aktiwitietsvlakke, hipertensie, lae fisieke fiksheid (V02maks), 'n familie geskiedenis wat geassosieer word met "n verhoogte risiko, blootstelling aan sigaret rook, die voorkoms van diabetes mellitus en "n swak dieet. Die steekproef het bestaan uit 288 kinders waarvan 134 meisies en 154 seuns was. Verskeie antropometriese meetings (lengte, massa, velvoue, middel- en heup omtrekmates) is geneem. Aktiwiteitsvlakke, familiegeskiedenis, blootstelling aan sigarette rook, voorkoms van diabetes mellitus en dieet is deur middel van vraelyste vasgestel. Fisieke fiksheid (V02maks) is deur middel van "n drie-minuut-opstaptoets vasgestel. Bloeddruk is met "n sfigmomanometer gemeet. Afhangend van die omtrek van die kind se arm is "n pediatries- of volwasse-grootte drukband gebruik. Persentasie liggaamsvet was by 22.01% van die seuns en 59.7% van die meisies so hoog dat dit as "n risikofaktor beskou kan word. Fisieke fiksheidsvlakke kan by 2.6% van die seuns en 9% van die meisies as "n risikofaktor beskou word. "n Baie hoë persentasie van die kinders het "n familiegeskiedenis gehad wat geassosieer word met "n verhoogde risiko vir die ontwikkeling van KHS (73.38% van die seuns en 78.36% van die meisies). Sistoliese hipertensie het onder 22.01% van die seuns en 23.13% van die meisies voorgekom. Diastoliese hipertensie het baie minder voorgekom as sistoliese hipertensie (5.19% van die seuns en 5.97% van die meisies). Lae aktiwiteitsvlakke het onder 31.17% van die seuns en 39.55% van die meisies voorgekom. 'n Redelike hoë persentasie van die kinders word daagliks aan sigaretrook van hulouers of oppassers blootgestel (32.47% van die seuns en 37.31% van die meisies.) Die resultate van die studie dui aan dat daar 'n redelike hoë voorkoms van sekere koronêre risikofaktore onder kinders is. Ondersoek moet ingestel word na moontlike, goed gestruktureerde intervensieprogramme.

By gathering information from a volunteer sample of men who sleep with men (MSM) in the Johannesburg inner city, the study aimed to discover those decisions and behaviour that influence their health decision-making and health-seeking behaviour, particularly as far as HIV and their sexual health was concerned. Eleven in-depth interviews were conducted by three interviewers using a semistructured interview guide which asked questions on demographics, health-seeking behaviour, sexual orientations and behaviour, knowledge of HIV/AIDS and community support. During analysis, collected data was classified into the themes of access to health care, personal and general MSM HIV risk perceptions, sexual behaviour, alcohol and unprotected sex, prostitution, religion and stigma, violence and discrimination. This study was the first qualitative study researching MSM in the Johannesburg inner city and provides useful baseline information for further qualitative MSM studies in the geographical area and for the development of MSM aligned interventions. / Sociology / M.A. Sociology

This study was concerned with establishing the extent to which various components of the environment were exposed to the three toxic minerals, arsenic, mercury and lead. The concentration of these three elements were determined in groundwater and surface water, soil, plants, animals such as goats, and humans in potentially contaminated areas in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. The focus of the study was to assess the possible exposure to infants through ingestion to arsenic, mercury and lead. Comparison of the mineral content of water at the study sites with international and national drinking water standards, indicated water from Rooiberg, Leeupoort and Gravelotte are not fit for human consumption due to high arsenic and lead concentrations. Water at Gravelotte also has unacceptably high levels of mercury. The soil, plants, goat’s milk and mother’s milk at Rooiberg have higher levels of arsenic and lead than have been recorded for many other countries. Mother’s milk and goat’s milk are the main sources of arsenic, lead and mercury contamination at Rooiberg. It is therefore newborns and toddlers who are most at risk from exposure to arsenic and lead. This is a cause for environmental and health concerns, but as this research is only a base-line study, it is imperative that more comprehensive surveys of potentially toxic mineral contamination be conducted in the province. / Environmental Sciences / (M.Sc. (Environmental Science))

Chemical (gaseous) emissions from wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) are perceived as odour and can generate undesirable health reactions. These could affect the quality of life to those regularly albeit intermittently exposed, although regular exposure may result in tolerance and loss of recognition of the odour. Consequently, research is necessary to establish the role of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in ensuring that facilities such as WWTP do not pose a threat to local communities, particularly in relation to housing developments for poor communities. The aim of this study was to investigate if the EIA regulations were effectively implemented before building of the Residential Development Proiect (RDP) houses at KwaMathukuza, in Newcastle South Africa. Furthermore, the study intended to determine the impact the (WWTP) has on the health of people who reside close to the site and to establish if the families staying close to the WWTP have any common ailments such as handicapped babies, early deaths within families. Findings would also indicate if RDP houses should be built in close proximity to such sites. Data was collected through a survey of 85 residents living within five kilometers and ten residing beyond five kilometers from the WWTP. The participants were selected randomly. Municipality employees who worked with the WWTP were also sampled together with healthcare givers. Data included information about health of the community, their perception of the gases released from the WWTP as well as EIA meetings and processes related to the construction of the RDP houses. The outcome of this study revealed that EIA regulations were not adequately implemented and that this residential site was unsuitable for the construction of RDP houses. It emerged that the residence regularly experience unpleasant odours released from the WWTP. These could be associated with ill-health of the residents as well as v degradation the environment in general. The study also found that the effect of the WWTP affects even those communities who reside beyond five kilometers from the WWTP. The researcher argues for more stringent mechanisms to ensure that EIA regulations are properly implemented to prevent adverse effects on the communities. / Environmental Sciences / M. Sc. (Environmental Management)

Thesis (PhD (Sport Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / The continued integration of our global society has caused a shift in human social interaction and redefined the contexts of adolescents’ lives. Adolescents are inundated with a variety of choices at a stage of their lives where they are trying to create their own identity. This critical period of development is highlighted by an increased desire to experiment with adult life. Thus is experimentation not uncommon. The study examines the prevalence of a range of health risk behaviours amongst adolescent girls. It focuses on the identification of behaviours such as violence, smoking, alcohol and drug use and abuse, sexual behaviours, dietary behaviours and physical inactivity that place adolescents at increased risk for premature morbidity and mortality. An intervention programme was launched at the schools concerned in an effort to address these behaviour patterns and to inform learners regarding the dangers of these health risk factors. The sample population was selected from three previously disadvantaged high schools in the Worcester region. Due to restrictive circumstances at the schools, the sample could not be randomly selected and therefore the study is based on a quasi-experimental research approach. A sample of 1805 adolescent girls in Grades 8 to 10 completed a questionnaire, which assessed a range of health risk behaviours. This questionnaire was based on the Youth Risk Behaviour Survey (YRBS) and completed by all the respondents during the pre-test. A control and experimental group was selected from the Grades concerned, at the different schools. The experimental group was subjected to a six-months long intervention programme. At the end of the intervention programme a post-test was conducted on both the control and experimental groups. Four months after the post-test the respondents were subjected to the same test, which is now known as the follow-up test. The girls who dropped out of the study as it progressed are referred to as the drop-out group. Information regarding the socio-economic background of the girls, as well as permission to take part in the study, was obtained from the parents by means of a questionnaire. A self-designed questionnaire was used to obtain information regarding the state and status of Physical Education (PE) and movement programmes within Life Orientation at the schools. Teachers who were responsible for Grades 8, 9 and 10, completed the questionnaire. To keep track of body size and growth, mass and length were determined and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Blood pressure was measured to determine to what extend these girls suffer from hypertension. Skinfold measures were taken to determine the fat percentage. The 20m shuttle run (Bleep test) was used to indirectly determine the physical activity levels of the respondents. The main results are discussed next. The results indicate that more respondents in the post-test (64%) reported that learners carry weapons on school grounds than in the pre-test. According to the results 64% of the respondents indicated in the post-test that learners carry weapons on school grounds compared to 29% of the respondents in the follow-up test (p<0.01). The pre-tests results indicate that 11% of the respondents smoke cigarettes in comparison to 14% in the post-test (p<0.01). Approximately 9% of the respondents in the pre-test indicated that they drank at least one alcoholic drink in the week before the study was undertaken in comparison to the 22% of the post-test (p<0.01). Regarding the smoking of dagga 2% of the respondents indicated in the pre-test that they smoked dagga whereas 9% in the post-test indicated that they did. More sexual active respondents during the follow-up test (57%) indicated that they used condoms during their last sexual experience than in the post-test (46%). The results of the pre-test indicate that approximately 49% of the respondents did something to loose weight or to prevent weight-gain in comparison to the 25% of the post-test and the 31% of the follow-up test. According the results, 35% of the respondents purported to have PE at their school in comparison to 30% during the post-test and 54% during the follow-up test. Although there were some exceptions, in most cases a tendency existed that indicated an increase in the variables measured between the pre-test and post-test. In most cases the results remained constant between the post-test and the follow-up test. This study can therefore be a starting point for further research into the process to combat health risk behaviours amongst adolescent girls. This can be done with educational programmes in cooperation with several role-players in the community.