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  • About
  • The Global ETD Search service is a free service for researchers to find electronic theses and dissertations. This service is provided by the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations.
    Our metadata is collected from universities around the world. If you manage a university/consortium/country archive and want to be added, details can be found on the NDLTD website.
131

Knowledge of and attitudes towards kangaroo mother care in the Eastern Subdistrict, Cape Town.

Rosant, Celeste. January 2009 (has links)
<p>Kangaroo mother care (KMC) was first initiated in Colombia due to shortages of incubators and the incidence of severe hospital infections of new-born infants during hospital stay (Feldman, 2004). Currently it is identified by UNICEF as a universally available and biologically sound method of care for all new-borns, particularly for low birth weight infants (Department of Reproductive Health and Research, 2003) in both developed and developing countries. The Western Cape Provincial Government implemented a policy on KMC as part of their strategy to decrease the morbidity and mortality of premature infants in 2003 (Kangaroo Mother Care Provincial task team, 2003). Essential components of KMC are: skin-to-skin contact for 24 hours per day (or as great a part of the day as possible), exclusive breastfeeding and support to the motherinfant dyad. Successful implementation of KMC requires relevant education of nurses, education of mothers on KMC by nursing staff, monitoring of the implementation of KMC by nurses, planning for a staff mix with varying levels of skill and experience with KMC, the identification of institution specific barriers to the implementation of KMC, and the implementation of institution specific strategies to overcome these barriers (Wallin,et al., 2005 / Bergman &amp / Jurisco, 1994 / Cattaneo, et al., 1998). This study aims to determine the knowledge of and attitude towards kangaroo mother care, of nursing staff and kangaroo mothers in the Eastern sub-district of Cape Town.</p>
132

Knowledge of and attitudes towards kangaroo mother care in the Eastern Subdistrict, Cape Town.

Rosant, Celeste. January 2009 (has links)
<p>Kangaroo mother care (KMC) was first initiated in Colombia due to shortages of incubators and the incidence of severe hospital infections of new-born infants during hospital stay (Feldman, 2004). Currently it is identified by UNICEF as a universally available and biologically sound method of care for all new-borns, particularly for low birth weight infants (Department of Reproductive Health and Research, 2003) in both developed and developing countries. The Western Cape Provincial Government implemented a policy on KMC as part of their strategy to decrease the morbidity and mortality of premature infants in 2003 (Kangaroo Mother Care Provincial task team, 2003). Essential components of KMC are: skin-to-skin contact for 24 hours per day (or as great a part of the day as possible), exclusive breastfeeding and support to the motherinfant dyad. Successful implementation of KMC requires relevant education of nurses, education of mothers on KMC by nursing staff, monitoring of the implementation of KMC by nurses, planning for a staff mix with varying levels of skill and experience with KMC, the identification of institution specific barriers to the implementation of KMC, and the implementation of institution specific strategies to overcome these barriers (Wallin,et al., 2005 / Bergman &amp / Jurisco, 1994 / Cattaneo, et al., 1998). This study aims to determine the knowledge of and attitude towards kangaroo mother care, of nursing staff and kangaroo mothers in the Eastern sub-district of Cape Town.</p>
133

Towards sustainable tourism in outback Australia: the behaviour and impact of nature-based tourists on vegetation and selected wildlife species

Wolf, Isabelle Diana Felicitas Gudula, Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, UNSW January 2009 (has links)
Nature-based tourism offers significant socio-economic incentives to successfully replace more intrusive land uses but also causes negative environmental impacts. Currently, knowledge is needed about the effectiveness of specific management actions such as the provision of different access modes and tour experiences at minimizing these impacts while maximizing visitor satisfaction. Nature-based tourism activities were studied in the species-rich gorges of the Flinders Ranges in Outback Australia. This study developed a conceptual framework of visitor-environment relationships, constructed a regional visitor profile, assessed visitor monitoring methods to quantify usage intensity in relation to the access mode (roads vs. hiking trails), examined changes in vegetation and bird communities in relation to usage intensity and access mode, tested effects of approach behaviour among driving vs. hiking tourists on kangaroo behaviour, and designed a framework for a night-time wildlife tour. The usage intensity of gorge sections was best determined from visitor numbers stratified by their behaviour, as the access mode fundamentally changed visitor behaviour in gorges. High compared to low usage recreational tracks altered species community composition, decreased total plant cover, increased non-native species cover, increased or decreased plant diversity depending on the track distance, increased soil compaction, and decreased bird numbers and species richness. Vegetation changes had secondary aversive effects on the bird community. The magnitude and spatial extent of these community impacts were greater along roads than trails. Visitor approach towards kangaroos varied with the access mode and necessitated individual recommendations for low-impact behaviour. The optimal night-time observation tour employed night-vision devices and bat detectors and coupled visitor satisfaction with low impact on wildlife. A range of factors (e.g., weather conditions) moderated the susceptibility of the wildlife to tourism disturbance. To protect wildlife and habitat along recreational tracks in arid-lands gorges, it is recommended to (1) monitor usage intensity and the identified impact indicators within their effect zone, (2) curtail gorge usage by restricting vehicle access to sections and regulating high impact activities (e.g., wild camping), (3) base environmental education upon scientifically tested low-impact visitor behaviour, and (4) engage with tourism operators in the design of low-impact, yet satisfying tours based on scientific principles.
134

Image-based modelling of pattern dynamics in a semiarid grassland of the Pilbara, Australia

Sadler, Rohan January 2007 (has links)
[Truncated abstract] Ecologists are increasingly interested in quantifying local interacting processes and their impacts on spatial vegetation patterns. In arid and semiarid ecosystems, theoretical models (often spatially explicit) of dynamical system behaviour have been used to provide insight into changes in vegetation patterning and productivity triggered by ecological events, such as fire and episodic rainfall. The incorporation of aerial imagery of vegetation patterning into current theoretical model remains a challenge, as few theoretical models may be inferred directly from ecological data, let alone imagery. However, if conclusions drawn from theoretical models were well supported by image data then these models could serve as a basis for improved prediction of complex ecosystem behaviour. The objective of this thesis is therefore to innovate methods for inferring theoretical models of vegetation dynamics from imagery. ... These results demonstrate how an ad hoc inference procedure returns biologically meaningful parameter estimates for a germ-grain model of T. triandra vegetation patterning, with VLSA photography as data. Various aspects of the modelling and inference procedures are discussed in the concluding chapter, including possible future extensions and alternative applications for germ-grain models. I conclude that the state-and-transition model provides an effective exploration of an ecosystem?s dynamics, and complements spatially explicit models designed to test specific ecological mechanisms. Significantly, both types of models may now be inferred from image data through the methodologies I have developed, and can provide an empirical basis to theoretical models of complex vegetation dynamics used in understanding and managing arid (and other) ecological systems.
135

Ontwerp van 'n ouerleidingsprogram vir moeders in 'n kangaroemoedersorg-program : 'n opvoedkundig sielkundige benadering

Snyman, Amelia 06 1900 (has links)
Die doel van hierdie studie is die ontwikkeling van 'n ouerleidingsprogram vir moeders wat hul premature babas in 'n kangaroemoedersorgprogram versorg. Die program het ten doel om die moeders in die onmiddelikke versorging, sowel as die toekomstige begeleiding van hut kinders, toe te rus. 'n Literatuuroorsig word gegee van prematuriteit as fenomeen en van kangaroemoedersorg (KMS) as versorgingswyse, met spesifieke verwysing na die toepassing daarvan in Kalafonghospitaal. Die grondslae van ouerteiding word uit die literatuur opgesom en riglyne word ook gestef vir die samestelling van 'n ouerfeidingprogram. Die kwalitatiewe navorsingsmetode word gebruik om die inhoud van die ouerfeidingsprogram te bepaal en om ondersoek in te stel na die mees geskikte aanbiedingswyses. Die verslag word afgesluit met riglyne vir die samestelling van 'n prakties-toepasbare ouerleidingsprogram waarin inhoudsmoontlikhede, idees vir aanbieding en wyses vir die bepaling van gestelde uitkomste uiteengesit word. / The aim of this study is the development of parental guidance for mothers who take care of their premature babies in a programme of Kangaroo Mother Care. The programme aims to equip mothers for immediate and future care of their children. A literature review of prematurity as phenomenon and of kangaroo mother care as care method is presented with specifK: reference to the way it is applied in Kalafong-hospital. The basics of parental care are summated from literature and guidelines are set to design a parental guidance programme. The qualitative research method is put into operation to determine the content of the parental guidance programme and to investigate the most appropriate method of presentation. The report is concluded with guidelines for setting up a practical and applicable parental guidance programme in which subject possibilities, ideas for presentation and means for determining set outcomes are explained. / Educational Studies / M.Ed.(Spesialisering in voorligting)
136

Método canguru: (des) atenção ao binômio mãe-bebê na estratégia saúde da família

Batista, Tarsila Nery Lima 18 April 2017 (has links)
Submitted by Fernando Souza (fernandoafsou@gmail.com) on 2017-09-08T14:42:01Z No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 3017374 bytes, checksum: 992b3bd4f1ee14178ecc46c753714ca0 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-09-08T14:42:01Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 3017374 bytes, checksum: 992b3bd4f1ee14178ecc46c753714ca0 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-04-18 / Introduction: In recent years, the Ministry of Health has been carrying out actions to contain the fragmentation of care provided to pregnant women and newborn babies and reduce the neonatal morbidity and mortality in Brazil. The Kangaroo Mother Method was incorporated as a health policy for improving care to the newborn premature, with active participation of Primary Health Care. Objective: To analyze the maternal care with the newborn in the third step of the Kangaroo Mother Method and the assistance given by professionals of the Family Health Strategy to the mother-baby kangaroo. Method: This is a qualitative research, descriptive-exploratory, submitted to the Research Ethics Committee at the Lauro Wanderley University Hospital, getting opinion 1,515,237 CAAE 54391316.7.0000.5183.The participants were 10 mothers of newborn infants whose parturition was performed in one of the maternities entered the study. The data were collected by means of interviews, in the months of May and June of 2016, analyzed from the content analysis technique proposed by Bardin. Had as its backdrop the obstetrical clinic of a university hospital and a public maternity hospital that meet the preterm and/or low birth weight babies, in addition to Family Health Units in the city of João Pessoa, PB. Results: The reports of mothers-kangaroo show feelings like fear, insecurity and tiredness, to take care of the child in the household; experienced lack of family support and professionals for continuity of method, resulting in weakness of the assistance to the mother-baby at this stage of the kangaroo mother method. Conclusion: To continue to provide care to the mother-baby kangaroo, it is necessary to train professionals in the Family Health Strategy in relation to the method, strengthen the bond of family healthcare team with the community, establish a home visit to this dual, in the routine of teams, and propitiate the comprehensiveness of care. / Introducción: En los últimos años, el Ministerio de Salud ha venido llevando a cabo acciones para contener la fragmentación de la atención prestada a las mujeres embarazadas y los niños recién nacidos y reducir la morbilidad y mortalidad neonatal en Brasil. El Método Madre Canguro fue incorporado como una política de salud para mejorar la atención al recién nacido prematuro, con la activa participación de la Atención Primaria de la Salud. Objetivo: Analizar la atención materna con el recién nacido en el tercer paso del método madre canguro y la ayuda prestada por profesionales de la Estrategia Salud de la Familia a la madre-bebé canguro. Método: Se trata de una investigación cualitativa, descriptiva-exploratoria, presentada a la Comisión de Ética en Investigación del Hospital Universitario Lauro Wanderley, obtención de opinión 1,515,237 CAAE 54391316.7.0000.5183. Los participantes fueron 10 madres de recién nacidos, cuyo parto se realiza en una de las maternidades que entraron en el estudio. Los datos fueron recolectados por medio de entrevistas, en los meses de mayo y junio de 2016, analizó a partir de la técnica de análisis de contenido propuesto por Bardin. Tuvo como telón de fondo la clínica obstétrica de un hospital universitario y un hospital público de maternidad que cumplen los recién nacidos prematuros o de bajo peso al nacer, además de unidades de salud familiar en la ciudad de João Pessoa, Paraíba. Resultados: Los informes de las madres-canguro muestran sentimientos como el miedo, la inseguridad y el cansancio, a cuidar al niño en el hogar; el experimentado falta de apoyo familiar y profesionales para la continuidad del método, resultando en debilidad de la atención a la madre-bebé en esta etapa del método madre canguro. Conclusión: En seguir prestando atención a la madre-bebé canguro, es necesario capacitar a los profesionales de la Estrategia Salud de la Familia en relación con el método, fortalecer el vínculo de la familia con el equipo de salud de la comunidad, establecer una visita a la casa a este doble, en la rutina de los equipos, y propiciar la integralidad de la atención. / Introdução: Nos últimos anos, o Ministério da Saúde vem realizando ações para conter a fragmentação da assistência prestada às gestantes e aos recém-nascidos e reduzir a morbimortalidade neonatal no Brasil. O Método Canguru foi incorporado como política de saúde para melhorar a assistência ao recém-nascido prematuro, com participação ativa da Atenção Primária à Saúde. Objetivo: Analisar o cuidado materno com o recém-nascido na terceira etapa do Método Canguru e a assistência dada pelos profissionais da Estratégia Saúde da Família ao binômio mãe-bebê canguru. Método: Trata-se de uma pesquisa qualitativa, descritivo-exploratória, submetida ao Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa do Hospital Universitário Lauro Wanderley, obtendo parecer 1.515.237 CAAE 54391316.7.0000.5183. Participaram da pesquisa dez mães de recém-nascidos, cujo parto foi realizado em uma das maternidades inseridas no estudo. Os dados foram coletados por meio de entrevista semiestruturada, nos meses de maio e junho de 2016, analisados a partir da técnica de análise de conteúdo proposta por Bardin. Teve como cenário a Clínica Obstétrica de um Hospital Universitário e uma maternidade pública que atendem a recém-nascidos pré-termo e/ou de baixo peso, além de Unidades de Saúde da Família do município de João Pessoa-PB. Resultados: Os relatos das mães-canguru evidenciam sentimentos como medo, insegurança e cansaço, ao assumir os cuidados com o filho no domicílio; vivenciaram falta de apoio familiar e de profissionais para continuidade do método, resultando em fragilidade da assistência ao binômio mãe-bebê nessa etapa do método canguru. Conclusão: Para continuar a prestar cuidados ao binômio mãe-bebê canguru, é necessário capacitar os profissionais da Estratégia Saúde da Família em relação ao método, fortalecer o vínculo da equipe de saúde da família com a comunidade, instituir visita domiciliar para essa dupla, na rotina das equipes, e propiciar a integralidade da assistência.
137

Efeito do método canguru na redução do estresse crônico em gestantes, mães e bebês pré-termo através da análise do cortisol e desidroepiandrosterona em unhas / Effect of the kangaroo mother care on the reduction of chronic stress in pregnant women, mothers and preterm infants through the analysis of cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone in fingernails

Sandra Regina de Souza 26 January 2017 (has links)
INTRODUÇÃO: O estresse tem sido foco de interesse em diferentes áreas de estudo devido às consequências no processo saúde-doença. Destaca-se a inexistência de estudos sobre o estresse crônico no período pré e pós-natal em unhas de mulheres que tiveram parto prematuro e sua relação o método canguru (MC). OBJETIVOS: Avaliar o efeito do Método Canguru na redução do estresse psicológico materno através de escalas psicométricas e o estresse biológico crônico através dos níveis de cortisol e desidroepiandrosterona (DHEA) em unhas de mães e bebês pré-termo (PT). MÉTODO: Trata-se de estudo comparativo prospectivo. A amostra contou com 59 mães e 63 bebês, coletada num hospital com o MC implantado e em dois hospitais controle, sem o MC. Foram incluídos PT (?37 semanas), sem malformações, internados em UN; mães alfabetizadas, que tiveram contato prévio com o filho, não usuárias de drogas ou hormônios. O estresse crônico materno e do PT foi avaliado pelo Cortisol e DHEA das unhas. A primeira amostra de unhas maternas foi coletada na terceira semana de vida do PT. A segunda amostra das mães e a amostra das unhas dos PT foram coletadas três meses após parto. Para análise do cortisol e DHEA das unhas das mães foi utilizada a técnica de enzima imunoensaio e dos bebês a cromatografia líquida de alto desempenho com espectrometria de massa. As unhas foram analisadas em laboratórios especializados no Canadá. O estresse psicológico da mães foi analisado com uso das PSS-10 e PSS:NICU que foram respondidas pelas mães na semana da admissão e alta do PT. RESULTADOS: Os níveis de Cortisol e DHEA nas unhas das mães referente a gestação e puerpério não diferiu significativamente entre os grupos canguru e controle, porém, diferiu entre os tempos, sendo que, os níveis dos esteroides na gestação foi maior do que no puerpério em ambos os grupos. O estresse percebido (PSS-10) pelas mães referente a gestação (p=0,846) e puerpério (p=0,465) também não diferiu significativamente entre os dois grupos. O estresse indicado pela PSS:NICU na admissão foi moderado nos dois grupos. O maior escore foi observado na subescala alteração no papel de pais. Na alta o escore foi significativamente menor (p=0,00) no canguru do que no controle. Não houve qualquer relação entre o estresse crônico (cortisol, DHEA e razão Cort:DHEA) e o psicológico (PSS-10 na gestação e PSS:NICU no puerpério) e nem entre as duas medidas de estresse psicológico (PSS-10 e PSS:NICU na alta). O nível de cortisol foi menor nos PT submetidos ao canguru, porém, sem diferença significante (p=0,08). Diferiram significativamente a DHEA - menor no controle e a razão Cort:DHEA - menor nos PT do grupo canguru. Da análise da relação entre estresse crônico constataram-se: associação positiva entre Cort:DHEA da mãe e PT (?= 0,51canguru; ?= 0,43 controle). CONCLUSÃO: O estudo mostrou que é possível medir cortisol e DHEA em unhas de mães e de bebês PT de forma restrospectiva. Os dados sugerem que o MC pode contribuir com a regulação e redução do estresse crônico do PT e do estresse psicológico materno / INTRODUCTION: Stress has been a focus of interest in different areas of study due to the consequences in the health-disease process. We highlight the lack of studies on chronic stress in pre and postnatal period using fingernails of women who had preterm birth and its relation to the kangaroo mother care (KMC) to reduce chronic and psychological stress. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate maternal psychological stress using psicometrics tools and avaluate chronic stress of mothers and Preterm infant (PT) using the analysis of cortisol and DHEA in fingernails and analyse the implication of the kangaroo care (KMC) in reduce chronic stress. METHOD: This is a prospective comparative study. The sample were 59 mothers and 63 babies collected in a KMC\'s hospital and two controls (without the KMC). Were included PT babies (? 37 weeks), who were admitted to the NICU, those with no malformations. With regard to mothers were included that one who had saw the PT at least once and excluded those using drugs or taking hormones. Maternal and PT chronic\' stress were evaluated by fingernails\' cortisol and DHEA. The first maternal sample was collected in the third week post-delivery and the second sample in the third month after baby\'s birth. The baby\'s fingernail sample was collected in the third month of life. The enzyme immunoassay was used for analysis of mothers\' fingernails (cortisol and DHEA) and for babies\' were used high performance liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry. Fingernail\'s analysis was done in Canada. The PSS-10 and PSS: mothers filled up NICU tools on first week in NICU and at discharge of the baby from this unit. RESULTS: The cortisol and DHEA\'s level in mothers\' fingernails showed no significant difference between groups. Steroids levels in pregnancy time were higher than in puerperium in both groups (KMC and control) however, showed significant difference between times, steroids levels were higher during gestation time than the puerperium in both groups. The same occurred with the PSS-10 score (KMC\'s score referring to pregnancy (p=0,846) and puerperium (p=0,465), also had no difference was between groups. The PSS: NICU\'s stress level at admission in both groups was moderate. The highest score was showed in the subscale Parental Role. At discharge the score was significantly lower (p=0,00) in the kangaroo than in the control. There was no relationship between chronic stress (cortisol, DHEA and Cort:DHEA) and psychological stress (PSS-10 in pregnancy and PSS: NICU in the puerperium) or between the two psychological measures of stress (PSS-10 and PSS: NICU on discharge). The cortisol level was lower in PT submitted to kangaroo, however, without significant difference (p = 0.08). They differed significantly in DHEA - lower in the control and the ratio Cort:DHEA - lower in the kangaroo group. From the analysis of the relationship between chronic stress, there was a positive association between Cort: DHEA of the mother and PT (? = 0.51 kangaroo; ? = 0.43 control). CONCLUSION: The study showed that it is possible to measure cortisol and DHEA in preterm infant and mothers\' fingernails retrospectively. The data suggests that KMC can contribute to regulate and to reduce chronic stress in preterm infant and to reduce psychological mother\'s stress
138

Knowledge of and attitudes towards kangaroo mother care in the Eastern Subdistrict, Cape Town

Rosant, Celeste January 2009 (has links)
Magister Public Health - MPH / Kangaroo mother care (KMC) was first initiated in Colombia due to shortages of incubators and the incidence of severe hospital infections of new-born infants during hospital stay (Feldman, 2004). Currently it is identified by UNICEF as a universally available and biologically sound method of care for all new-borns, particularly for low birth weight infants (Department of Reproductive Health and Research, 2003) in both developed and developing countries. The Western Cape Provincial Government implemented a policy on KMC as part of their strategy to decrease the morbidity and mortality of premature infants in 2003 (Kangaroo Mother Care Provincial task team, 2003). Essential components of KMC are: skin-to-skin contact for 24 hours per day (or as great a part of the day as possible), exclusive breastfeeding and support to the motherinfant dyad. Successful implementation of KMC requires relevant education of nurses, education of mothers on KMC by nursing staff, monitoring of the implementation of KMC by nurses, planning for a staff mix with varying levels of skill and experience with KMC, the identification of institution specific barriers to the implementation of KMC, and the implementation of institution specific strategies to overcome these barriers (Wallin,et al., 2005; Bergman & Jurisco, 1994; Cattaneo, et al., 1998). This study aims to determine the knowledge of and attitude towards kangaroo mother care, of nursing staff and kangaroo mothers in the Eastern sub-district of Cape Town. / South Africa
139

Lived experiences of mothers when providing Kangaroo mother care at the hospitals in Vhembe District of Limpopo Province, South Africa

Mulaudzi, Thivhavhudzi Mavis 21 September 2018 (has links)
MCur / Department of Advanced Nursing Science / Each year, an estimated 3.6 million infants die worldwide in the first four weeks of life due to complications of premature birth. One-third of Low Birth Weight (LBW) babies die within the first 12 hours after delivery. The main reasons premature babies are at greater risk of illness and death is that they lack the ability to control their body temperature meaning that they get cold or hypothermic very quickly. Kangaroo Mother Care reduces mortality and if widely applied it could reduce deaths in premature newborn babies. The purpose of this study is to explore and describe the lived experiences of mothers when providing Kangaroo Mother Care at the hospitals in Vhembe District of Limpopo province. Qualitative approach with explorative descriptive, contextual and phenomenological designs were employed to explore the experiences of mothers when providing Kangaroo Mother Care. The study population consisted of all mothers who were providing Kangaroo Mother Care. A non-probability convenience sampling method was used to determine the sample of the study. The size of the sample was determined by data saturation. In-depth individual interviews were conducted using a central question. The Tesch’s eight steps of open-coding model guided the process to analyse data. Trustworthiness was ensured throughout by employing the principles of credibility, dependability, conformability, and transferability. Ethical considerations were followed to protect the participants. Recommendations were made based on the research findings. The findings of the study revealed that mothers who provide Kangaroo Mother Care experience challenges. They received inconsistent information about the practice of Kangaroo Mother Care from nurses. The relationship between mothers and nurses was good. Recomendations were made based on the findings and relevant structures in order to ensure that mothers challenges are addressed. The study revealed ineffective support provided to mothers by nurses and family members. / NRF
140

Population demographics of New Zealand fur seals (Arctocephalus forsteri)

McKenzie, Jane, janemckenzie@malpage.com January 2006 (has links)
Assessment of trophic interactions between increasing populations of New Zealand fur seals (Arctocephalus forsteri) and fisheries in southern Australia is limited due to a lack of species specific demographic data and an understanding of the factors influencing population growth. To establish species specific demographic parameters a cross-sectional sample of New Zealand fur seal females (330) and males (100) were caught and individually-marked on Kangaroo Island, South Australia between 2000 and 2003. The seals were aged through examination of a postcanine tooth, which was removed from each animal to investigate age-specific life-history parameters. Annual formation of cementum layers was confirmed and accuracy in age estimation was determined by examination of teeth removed from individuals of known-age. Indirect methods of assessing reproductive maturity based on mammary teat characteristics indicated that females first gave birth between 4-8 years of age, with an average age at reproductive maturity of 5 years. Among reproductively mature females, age-specific reproductive rates increased rapidly between 4-7 years of age, reaching maximum rates of 70-81% between 8-13 years, and gradually decreased in older females. No females older than 22 years were recorded to pup. Age of first territory tenure in males ranged from 8-10 years. The oldest female and male were 25 and 19 years old, respectively. Post-weaning growth in females was monophasic, characterised by high growth rates in length and mass during the juvenile growth stage, followed by a gradual decline in growth rates after reproductive maturity. In contrast, growth in males was biphasic and displayed a secondary growth spurt in both length and mass, which coincided with sexual and social maturation, followed by a rapid decline in growth rates. Age-specific survival rates were high (0.823-0.953) among prime-age females (8-13 yrs of age) and declined in older females. Relative change in annual pup production was strongly correlated with reproductive rates of prime-age females and adult female survival between breeding seasons.

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