Magister Public Health - MPH / World Health Organisation and UNICEF recommend exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for the first six months and continuation of breastfeeding for two years and beyond. Despite this recommendation, EBF rates have not been optimal globally, with coverage ranging from 1% - 23% in Europe to 0.3% - 73% in sub Saharan Africa. In Zambia, despite recording an increase in EBF during the first six months of life from 61% (2007) to 73% (2014), there is a rapid decline in EBF as infants get older during the first six months, from 94% among infants aged less two (02) months to 45% among infants aged 4 to 5 months. This study explored mothers’ experiences, perceptions and attitudes towards existing Behavioural Change Communication (BCC) interventions and the possible influence thereof on the adoption of exclusive breastfeeding among mothers of infants under six months in Tazara and Chilonga areas of Mpika district.

The purpose of this study was to determine if the use of the Equals mathematics curriculum had any statistically significant impact on the 2012 Florida Alternate Assessment mathematics scores of students with disabilities in six Florida school districts when comparing the scores of those who received mathematics instruction via the curriculum to the scores of students with disabilities in six other Florida school districts who did not receive mathematics instruction via the curriculum. This study further examined the perceptions of and attitudes about the Equals mathematics curriculum that exist among Exceptional Student Education (ESE) teachers who teach mathematics to students with disabilities participating in the Florida Alternate Assessment (FAA). The study utilized a mixed methods approach to research that included both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. The quantitative portion of the study was conducted using archival data obtained from the 2012 Florida Alternate Assessment Data Book. A Mann-Whitney U Test was conducted through SPSS at a significance level of α = .05 to test for relative differences in performance between the treatment (Equals) and control (non-Equals) groups. Based on the results, the Equals mathematics curriculum did not have any statistically significant impact on the 2012 FAA mathematics scores for students with disabilities in the treatment school districts at any of the tested grade groupings (elementary, middle, high, and overall). The qualitative method of data collection utilized an online teacher survey. The results were analyzed using the researcher-coded results and assisted through summary iv tables provided by Survey-Monkey. Differences and similarities among the survey question responses were explored. Common terms and themes were noted and compared. Data triangulation was used by surveying teachers from five of the six treatment counties. This promoted generalizability for study replication since the treatment counties train teachers and utilize the curriculum in different manners. The results of the qualitative analysis indicated that many teachers were not satisfied with the training they received and felt overwhelmed by the curriculum itself, specifically in the areas of lesson planning and delivery. Based on the quantitative and qualitative results, it was concluded that further research needs to be completed to determine the effectiveness of the Equals mathematics curriculum when used with true fidelity.

No description available.

In this research consumers attitudes towards general food safety and their perceptions of the safety of beef in Japan and Canada are examined. Risk perceptions, the willingness to pay for beef traceability from farm to final consumer and the willingness to pay for animal testing for bovine spongifrom encephalopothy (BSE) are measured through a stated preference exercise, provided as part of national surveys in each country. Japanese respondents continue to have higher risk attitudes and perceptions about beef than Canadian respondents in 2009 as compared to 2006. In each country survey respondents strongly prefer domestic beef over imports from any other country. However, interest in beef from other countries increases as full traceability, or one hundred % animal testing for BSE or both attributes are incorporated into the markets. The willingness to pay increases at a diminishing rate, from either traceability or BSE animal testing to both attributes. In latent class models the Japanese data suggest that there are three distinct classes of survey respondents, where class 1 respondents are characterized as being more trusting and willing to pay for beef from different countries, class 2 respondents strongly prefer domestic beef and their willingness to pay for imported beef does not increase with traceability or animal testing and class 3 respondents would only be willing to pay for traceable and a combination of traceable and animal tested domestic beef. Similarly, Canadian survey respondents can be segregated into two classes. Class 1 consumers are more trusting and will be willing to pay for both domestic and imported beef. Class 2 consumers are more cautious. / Agricultural and Resource Economics

attitudes amongst the members of different races towards the implementation of affirmative action in the Correctional Services Department of South Africa. A literature study on affirmative action was completed and thereafter a questionnaire was developed. An emperical study was done by questionnaire on the determination of perceptions and attitudes of members of the South African Correctional Services Department towards the application of Affirmative Action policies. serious problems if not correctly managed. It was established that the success in any affirmative action strategy rests on the understanding and acceptance of cultural diversity as manifested in perceptions and attitudes. Management information systems needs to be effective and efficient at all times. Changing perceptions and attitudes increased passion and job satisfaction. Recommendations are made for further research on aspects highlighted by the findings. / Penology / M.A. (Penology)

attitudes amongst the members of different races towards the implementation of affirmative action in the Correctional Services Department of South Africa. A literature study on affirmative action was completed and thereafter a questionnaire was developed. An emperical study was done by questionnaire on the determination of perceptions and attitudes of members of the South African Correctional Services Department towards the application of Affirmative Action policies. serious problems if not correctly managed. It was established that the success in any affirmative action strategy rests on the understanding and acceptance of cultural diversity as manifested in perceptions and attitudes. Management information systems needs to be effective and efficient at all times. Changing perceptions and attitudes increased passion and job satisfaction. Recommendations are made for further research on aspects highlighted by the findings. / Penology / M.A. (Penology)