Introduction An estimated 11.4% of South Africans are infected with HIV. As of 2007, 1.7 million people required antiretroviral therapy (ART) and only 460 000 were reported to be on ART. ART can improve the quality of life and socio-economic status for HIV positive patients. This study aimed at evaluating the role played by the different factors in influencing treatment adherence among HIV patients on ART. Methods The study was conducted on patients receiving out-patient ART in two district hospitals (one urban and the other rural) of Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. The study project was approved by the Research and Ethics Committee of the University of Pretoria as well as by the Mpumalanga Provincial Department of Health. This was an analytical, cross-sectional study. The sample size for the study was 490 (245 per site). Facility-based patient appointment registers for the period June-August 2008 were used as the sampling frame. The respondents were selected through systematic random sampling. An interviewer directed standardised questionnaire was administered to the respondents after securing voluntary informed consent. Data were also extracted from the attendance registers in the two facilities. Adherence was measured using the Patient Medication Treatment Adherence Questionnaire. The Pearson chi-square test of association and binary logistic regression analysis were used for identifying significant predictors of non-adherence variables. Results Four hundred and twenty nine questionnaires of the 488 returned questionnaires were analysed. Sixty one questionnaires were disqualified due to incompleteness of data. The response rate was 99.7% in both study areas and participants reported adherence was 92.54%. The median age of the respondents was 36 (IQR, 13), gender distribution was 21.13% males and 78.87% females. The median duration of treatment (in months) with ART was 15 months (IQR, 18). Treatment adherence was higher in the urban than in the rural hospital. The variables that were significantly associated with non-adherence were ‘urban residence’ (OR 0.39 [0.2-0.8]); ‘lack of social support’ (OR 2.74 [1.3-5.7]); Discussion There were also some qualitative variables that had a bearing on quality of healthcare services that could explain differences between the rural and urban sites. Social support and urban residence demonstrated association with treatment adherence. Copyright / Dissertation (MMed)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / School of Health Systems and Public Health (SHSPH) / Unrestricted

Master of Public Health - MPH / The World Health Organisation recommendations for breastfeeding in the general population, including mothers living with HIV, emphasise breastfeeding within one hour of birth, exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) during the first six months of life, and continued breastfeeding for up to two years or beyond. However, only 34.8% of infants worldwide are exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life, and as a result, about 1.4 million infants lose their lives due to undernutrition. In South Africa, only 31.6% of infants are exclusively breastfed for the first six months. Despite the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding, many mothers living with HIV do not initiate breastfeeding or discontinue breastfeeding prematurely. It is, therefore, crucial to determine the barriers inhibiting the uptake of EBF and factors promoting mothers living with HIV to adopt exclusive breastfeeding.

Thesis (M.Ed.) -- University of Limpopo, 2006 / The aim of this study is to investigate whether Total Quality Management strategy can address the problem of school development within the previously disadvantaged schools at Sabie Circuit, Mpumalanga Province. In order to realize this aim, sixty-four respondents from eight schools, were given questionnaires as the data collection techniques. To ensure validity of the questionnaires, a pilot study was conducted in one of the primary schools. Findings of the study were used to make recommendations to principals, educators and parents who are members of school governing bodies. The researcher identified insufficient time as a limitation of the study because the researcher is a part time student.

Livestock production is the primary financial resource for most farmers in Mpumalanga province. Although commercial farmers require necessary equipment and technology to maximise their production and profit, but emerging small-scale farmers in the province face many challenges which have hindered their efforts to improve their livelihood, besides intervening in the procedure of commercialisation. Therefore, this study investigates the socioeconomic characteristics of the livestock farmers in the province, the determinants of market access and those influencing marketing inefficiency, with a view to developing policy recommendations. Structured questionnaire was administered to 300 farmers in order to capture information on market access and factors that could influence marketing inefficiency. Descriptive statistics was utilised regarding basic characteristics of the households. A logit regression model was used to analyse market access (sale of livestock through formal markets) using STATA. Marketing inefficiency was computed as the reciprocal of marketing efficiency which was calculated using Shepherd formula, while the two stage Least Square regression was applied for factors influencing marketing inefficiency after identifying market access endogenous variable. The study’s extrapolations indicated that 7 variables were consequential at 1% and 5% significance level with market access, namely transport ownership, transport cost, market price information, advertisement, farmers’ perception, marketing channel used and municipality. In addition, the results of the two stage least square model indicated that only 3 variables had remarkable significance with regard to marketing inefficiency. These are market access, livestock composition and infrastructure. The findings of the study evidenced that to reduce marketing inefficiency, then it is paramount to enable the easy dissemination of information and improving infrastructure so as to give small-scale farmers easy access to the markets. Consequently, addressing marketing constraints will provide an insight that will allow development of strategies to deal with those problems correctly and more efficiently. The study recommended that focus should be centred on addressing the constraints existing in livestock marketing system to enhance access to markets by encouraging youth participation in agricultural activities and providing training programmes and easy access for marketing related information. Also, infrastructure deserves to be given more attention by renovating the marketing facilities especially road networks in rural areas. In addition, extension officers and veterinary services are to provide help and support in preventing infections and diseases in order to minimise the losses. / Agriculture, Animal Health and Human Ecology / M. Sc. (Agriculture)

Please read the abstract in the section 00front of this document / Dissertation (MA (Development Communication))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Information Science / unrestricted

Thesis (MPH.) -- University of Limpopo, 2021 / Background: Achieving high vaccination coverage is crucial in the control, prevention and elimination of childhood vaccine preventable diseases. The Expanded Program of Immunization (EPI) aims for 95% coverage for each antigen and complete vaccination schedules for 90% of children under 12 months of age. All the vaccines included in the national vaccination schedule (Bacille Calmette Guerin (BCG), Oral Polio Vaccine, Diphtheria-Pertussis-Tetanus (DPT) vaccine, Measles and Hepatitis B vaccine are provided free of charge in the primary health services in South African public health care facilities. Although the coverage of all vaccines in South Africa has increased especially in recent years, the EPI targets has not been achieved yet in some parts of the coutnry and there are still differences within provinces. Therefore, the primary objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence and determinants of childhood immunization coverage at Primary Healthcare facilities, Bushbuckridge, sub district of the Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. The mean age of the children was 1.4±2.5 years (ranged: 1 months to 12 years. Slightly more than half (56%) of the children were less than 6-months. Nearly two-thirds (63%) of the children were females and only 37% were males. Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among selected Primary Healthcare facilities in Ehlanzeni District, Bushbuckridge Sub- district, Mpumalanga Province. Simple random sampling was used to get a minimum sample size of 426 mothers and/or caregivers paired with their children required for the study. The researcher administered a validated or tested self-designed questionnaires to the participants. Data analysis was done using the STATA statistical software version 12 for Windows (STATA Corporation, College Station, Texas). Results: The mean age of the participants was 34.1±9.2 years ranged from 15 to 57 years. Almost one-third (28.6%) of the mothers and/or caregivers were 40 years and older and the majority (70%) were unmarried. Majority of the participants had secondary ix education with 65.5% and 23.4% had primary education. Nearly eighty per cent (79.2%) of the maternal and/or caregivers were unemployed. The prevalence rate of fully immunized children was 88% and a significant higher proportion of children in the age group 12 years at 57% were likely not to be fully immunized (p<0.05), followed by age group 6 -11 years, 18 months – 5 years, 6-8 months and 9-11 months at 48%, 26%, 17% 13% respectively. No statistical significant relationship was found between maternal and/or caregiver age, marital status, level of education, employment status and immunization coverage of the child. However, participants aged 40 years and older, less educated and unemployed were likely to have missed immunization of their children. Mother and/or caregivers with a tertiary education were 3.46 times more likely to get their children immunized than those with none/primary education [OR = 3.46, (95% CI:0.75;15.9), p<0.2)]. The employed mother and/or caregivers were 2.01 times more likely to get their children immunized than the unemployed mother and/or caregivers [OR = 2.01, (95% CI: 0.82; 4.89), p<0.20]. In the multivariate model, level of education and employment status were found not to be significantly associated with immunization of the child. Conclusion: The overall immunization coverage in the present study was relatively high and significantly decreased with age. At 6 weeks, all age groups between 0-6 weeks were immunized, while at 10 weeks, with exception of children in the age group 10 -13 weeks and 18 months – 5 years. At 6 months, the young children (age 9-11 months) were likely to default or missed measles vaccination. At 6 and 12 years, the Td vaccination coverage was relatively low. Mothers and/ or caregivers who missed child immunization were likely to experience shortage of vaccines at health facility and said it takes the whole day to immunize a child but the result were not significant. Mother and/or caregivers with a tertiary education and employed were more likely to immunize their children than mothers and/or caregivers with primary, secondary education and the unemployed.

Thesis (M.Ed. (Curriculum Studies)) -- University of Limpopo, 2022 / This study investigated the poor performance of learners in mathematics in a rural secondary schools in Bohlabela District in Mpumalanga province. Mathematics is one of the most critical subjects globally and in Mpumalanga Province of South Africa, specifically. The purpose of this study was to explore the possible causes of poor performance of learners in mathematics in schools. In this study, non-probability sampling was used whereby a purposive sampling strategy was adopted. The participants in this study were secondary school teachers and learners. Twenty mathematics (20) learners participated in this research. These learners were sampled from a pool of 54 Grade 12 learners in one school. Learners were then grouped according to their level of understanding to the subject. The focus was on Grade 12 because it is the exit point of FET. In this study, a case study approach was adopted whereby interviews, documents and observation were used to collect data. The choice of the research design was guided by the following research question: What are the causes of poor performance of Grade 12 learners in mathematics in rural secondary schools? The sub–questions were: What strategies do teachers use to address poor performance of learners in mathematics in Grade 12 in rural secondary schools? What is the role of the department of education in addressing poor performance of learners in mathematics in rural secondary schools? The data analysis involved the generating of themes related to the data collected. In this way, different parts of the narratives were grouped under identified categories. The study found that lack of resources, poor teaching methods, anxiety and attitude towards mathematics contribute to learners’ poor performance in mathematics in Grade 12 in rural secondary schools. The research concludes that teachers should engage learners in more writing activities in order for them to learn effectively and to perform better in mathematics. The study also recommends that teachers should use a variety of teaching methods to teach mathematics and the schools should be well-resourced and teachers should address learners’ anxiety in mathematics to develop the love for mathematics and also enhance positive attitude towards mathematics

Thesis (MPAM.) -- University of Limpopo, 2021 / The study examined the role of the Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC) towards effective financial management in a case study of City of Mbombela Municipality in the Mpumalanga Province. The MPAC is established in terms of sections 33 and 79 of the Municipal Systems Act, 2000 (Act 32 of 2000), to provide an oversight role and functions on behalf of council. Literature attest to the role of MPAC as to scrutinize the spending of the municipal budget at the end of the financial year, which mirrors the work done by the finance committee before the beginning of the financial year. The qualitative research method using semi-structured interviews was conducted with specific role-players as part of the identified population who were the most important participants and have contributed to the research outcome. The respondents were selected in a purposive manner by targeting MPAC members and Senior Managers of the municipality, on account of their positions and experience, have more information than ordinary potential respondents. The study found that members of the MPAC do possess the required skills, knowledge and experience to perform their roles. Therefore, the study also reveals that most members of the MPAC do have financial management and accounting capacity hence they are capable in doing the oversight role in the municipality. Therefore, it is recommended that the municipality should develop and adopt a comprehensive MPAC policy. The adopted comprehensive policy should be used as a strategic tool to inform council on the effective performance of the MPAC or lack thereof. The study concludes by recommended that further researches should be undertaken on the oversight role of the MPAC with comparative approach to other municipalities within the province could give more depth and the municipalities can learn from each other.

As a national key priority programme, land reform acts as a driving force for rural development and building the economy of the country. In order for land reform to contribute to sustainable livelihoods for land reform beneficiaries, it must be supported by diversified programmes of pre- and post-settlement support of agrarian reform in a non-centralised and non-bureaucratic manner. Post-settlement support in the context of South African land reform refers to post-transfer support or settlement support given to land reform beneficiaries after they have received land. Support services, or complementary development support, as specified in the White Paper of the South African Land Policy of 1996, include assistance with productive and sustainable land use, agricultural extension services support, infrastructural support, access to markets and credit facilities, and agricultural production inputs. Government’s mandate is, however, not only restricted to the redistribution of land or making land more accessible. It is also responsible for empowering beneficiaries and for creating an effective support foundation to ensure that sustainable development takes place, specifically in the rural areas of the country. In practice, sustainable development entails that, for land reform to be successful, the quality of life of beneficiaries must improve substantially and the acquired land must be utilised to its full commercial potential, after resettlement on claimed land has occurred. Therefore, an effective post-settlement support strategy and model must be set in place. The Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR) and the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Land Administration (DARDLA) are the key departments that have been mandated to implement the Land Reform Programme (LRP). DRDLR is responsible for facilitation of the land acquisition (pre-settlement support) and DARDLA for post-settlement support, ensuring that the land or farms that have been delivered or acquired by land beneficiaries are economically viable. Without post-settlement support, land reform will not yield to sustainable development and nor improve the quality of life of rural people. There is, however, little or no evidence to suggest that land reform has led to improved efficiency, improvement of livelihoods, job creation or economic growth. Against this background, the study investigated and unlocked the key challenges related to the post-settlement support of the LRP, with emphasis on the agricultural support programmes rendered by the DARDLA in Mpumalanga Province to land reform beneficiaries. It further examined how such support impacts on the sustainability of the LRP, and made recommendations to the management of the Department on what could be done to further improve post-settlement support to land reform projects towards achieving the objective of sustainable development. / M Public Administration, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

As a national key priority programme, land reform acts as a driving force for rural development and building the economy of the country. In order for land reform to contribute to sustainable livelihoods for land reform beneficiaries, it must be supported by diversified programmes of pre- and post-settlement support of agrarian reform in a non-centralised and non-bureaucratic manner. Post-settlement support in the context of South African land reform refers to post-transfer support or settlement support given to land reform beneficiaries after they have received land. Support services, or complementary development support, as specified in the White Paper of the South African Land Policy of 1996, include assistance with productive and sustainable land use, agricultural extension services support, infrastructural support, access to markets and credit facilities, and agricultural production inputs. Government’s mandate is, however, not only restricted to the redistribution of land or making land more accessible. It is also responsible for empowering beneficiaries and for creating an effective support foundation to ensure that sustainable development takes place, specifically in the rural areas of the country. In practice, sustainable development entails that, for land reform to be successful, the quality of life of beneficiaries must improve substantially and the acquired land must be utilised to its full commercial potential, after resettlement on claimed land has occurred. Therefore, an effective post-settlement support strategy and model must be set in place. The Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR) and the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Land Administration (DARDLA) are the key departments that have been mandated to implement the Land Reform Programme (LRP). DRDLR is responsible for facilitation of the land acquisition (pre-settlement support) and DARDLA for post-settlement support, ensuring that the land or farms that have been delivered or acquired by land beneficiaries are economically viable. Without post-settlement support, land reform will not yield to sustainable development and nor improve the quality of life of rural people. There is, however, little or no evidence to suggest that land reform has led to improved efficiency, improvement of livelihoods, job creation or economic growth. Against this background, the study investigated and unlocked the key challenges related to the post-settlement support of the LRP, with emphasis on the agricultural support programmes rendered by the DARDLA in Mpumalanga Province to land reform beneficiaries. It further examined how such support impacts on the sustainability of the LRP, and made recommendations to the management of the Department on what could be done to further improve post-settlement support to land reform projects towards achieving the objective of sustainable development. / M Public Administration, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014