Research report submitted to the School of Economic and Business Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Commerce (Information Systems) by coursework and research, 2 November 2017 / Mobile health applications are fast becoming an influential source of information for pregnant women. Studies have shown that pregnant women download 3 such apps on average on their cellphones. These mobile technologies have been shown to help women monitor their progress during their pregnancy and personalise healthcare to suit their needs. To date, llimited research has been directed towards understanding usage behaviours with these apps. Various authors have argued that there is a need to expand the scope of research from simple usage behaviour to deeper levels as technology becomes more sophisticated and easily available. M-health technologies are increasingly becoming more varied and sophisticated and as such this study aims to explore post-adoption usage specifically of mobile health pregnancy applications in the South African context. This study specifically looked at post adoption usage behaviours and used Hsieh and Zmud’s (2006) framework as a basis of understanding these behaviours. The potential influences on these behaviours were sourced from various studies done on pregnant women usage of ICT in general. These influences were then investigated to see whether they were relevant in the context of m-health pregnancy support applications. The primary method of data collection was open ended semi structured interviews with twelve pregnant women. Data analysis was done using the iterative model for qualitative data analysis proposed by Miles and Huberman (1994). The findings revealed that pregnant women displayed post adoption usage behaviours of routine use and IS continuance. With regards to the infusion stage, the study found that pregnant women engaged in the first set of post adoption usage behaviours i.e. extended usage and deep usage. They did not engage in second stage behaviours namely emergent use, feature extension or intention to explore behaviours. The influences identified in the literature were found to be relevant in the context of m-health applications and additional influences such as cost of seeing gynaecologist, number of features on the app and social structures were found to have an influence on usage of the apps. This study provides unique insights into the views of pregnant women’s experiences with m-health apps. Specifically, by using interpretive research it uncovers the subjective meanings around post adoption usage behaviours, understanding how pregnant women engage in these behaviours and subsequently how these behaviours are sustained during their pregnancy. The study recognises m-health pregnancy support apps as important tools in the pregnancy journey. It highlights how pregnant women value these apps and view them as huge information sources, reassurance and comfort during their pregnancy. It is argued that medical professionals cannot distance themselves away from these apps and need to work in conjunction with them to provide robust maternity care to their patients. 5 Theoretically, this study adds to our understanding of post adoption usage behaviours specifically in the context of m-health pregnancy apps. Limited studies have been done in this field specifically in the South African context and the study provides a foundation for further research. Further research can be done to understand how these apps are changing the relationship between pregnant women and medical professionals and furthermore, whether the information received from these apps is reliable and credible. / GR2018

M. Tech. Business Administration / Review of literature shows that traditional commercial banks in South Africa do not serve low-income earners, micro-entrepreneurs and the poor (collectively referred to as the unbanked population), mostly due to the high cost involved in rendering such services to the poor. South Africa's unbanked population is estimated to be more than 13-million people who have no access to either banking or insurance products. But it appears as if the big four banks have been slow to tap into this potential, preferring to battle for market share among existing customers, competing for a larger slice of an existing cake. At the same time, Capitec Bank is trying its best to fill the gap left open by the big four South African banks. The objective of this research is to explore the innovative banking services and products that have been developed by Capitec Bank with a view to be of service to the unbanked population of South Africa.

This research study aimed to explore the impact on individuals of becoming physically disabled through being victims of crimes of violence. The study begins with a literature review related to issues of disability and to victims of crime. The main focus of the research, however, was to gather information regarding the experiences and needs of persons disabled through being victims of crime and to establish the rehabilitation and trauma counselling services that they have had access to. An exploratory, descriptive, research design guided the study. A purposive sampling procedure was used to identify twenty persons known to the Durban branch of the Association for the Physically Challenged, which provides services to physically disabled persons. Individual, face-to-face interviews were held with the respondents, using a semi-structured interview schedule. Interviewer observations were also undertaken in the process. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used in analysing the results, from which conclusions and recommendations were drawn. The study findings indicate that the majority of persons had become severely disabled through being victims of crimes of violence. The majority of respondents were young when they became disabled, and were mostly single persons who experienced a high degree of dependence on others for various types of assistance, particularly their families and friends. The respondents also experienced a variety of unmet needs as both disabled persons and as victims of crimes of violence, through a lack of and/or inaccessibility to services. Disability, as seen within the context of the "social model", emphasises the role of a disabling environment in contributing to the meaning of disability. Resulting from the findings, it is proposed that social workers are ideally placed to foster empowerment initiatives of disabled persons and victims of crime through facilitating their active involvement in directing services that are both accessible and relevant to their needs. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2002.

All Deaf people in South Africa belong to the Deaf Community of South Africa. Within this Deaf Community there is a separate, minority language and cultural group which accepts Sign language, as its first and natural language. The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa calls for the acknowledgement of and respect for all minority cultural groups, and recognises the language of the Deaf, that is, Sign language as an official language. This research has attempted to investigate the views of this cultural group and how they want to be perceived by the hearing people, how they want to conduct their lives within the realm of an overarching hearing society and more importantly, the implications of this acquired identity for the education of Deaf learners in South Africa. To document the data on Deaf Culture and the implications for education, the researcher engaged in qualitative research using the questionnaire approach. This instrument was administered to 18 profoundly Deaf adults from various provinces throughout South Africa and representative of the demographic population profile of the Deaf Community of South Africa. The study confirmed an emerging Deaf Culture and concluded that there needs to be redress and change with regard to the curriculum, the educators, the issue of mainstreaming, the status of Sign language and the provision of tertiary education in order for Deaf learners to be educated in the most enabling environment. / Thesis (M.Ed) - University of Natal, Durban, 1998.

The goal of this research was to explore and describe child and youth care workers lived experiences of life space therapeutic care in a residential setting. Life space refers to the daily living environment, context and situation of children.

<p>Despite the unpleasant living conditions in prison, recidivism seems to be an uncontrollable phenomenon. It is evident that prison life is harsh with inmates having to sleep on the floors due to overpopulation, frequently subjected to physical and sexual abuse, and overpopulation leading to numerous communicable diseases, such as tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections. Prison should therefore, be the least favourable ecosystem in which to be incorporated. However, research indicates that thousands of youth return to prison habitually. This study aimed to explore juvenile inmates perceptions of their return to prison. Although recidivism is often measured in terms of the success of rehabilitation programmes, this study focused on eliciting socio-economic factors influencing recidivism.</p>

The purpose of this study is to conduct an assessment of the role of civil society organizations with regards to poverty alleviation. The study is conducted in Amathole District, Eastern Cape Province. The sample for the study is constituted by 3 civic society organizations (CSO), which are located in 3 local municipalities; namely, Amahlathi (Ikhwezi Women Support Center), Mbhashe (Nyhwara Home Base), and Mnquma (We Care Ministries) Local Municipalities. In terms of the data collection, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 officers from these civic society organizations. Concerning the research design, a combination of a qualitative and quantitative research approach was used. Concerning the findings of the study, the following points were noted: the different forms of interventions by civic society organizations, poverty eradication strategies, challenges that were experienced by civic society organizations, and the logical framework versus unexpected changes. It is probably safe to make mention that CSOs in the Eastern Cape portray a positive attitude and willingness to learn to manage the organizations better. The continuing support from the Department of Social Development will go a long way to assist the CSOs to become sustainable, in the context of management and efficient running of these organizations. The study thus concluded that specific benefactor-beneficiary dynamics are crucial for the success of any anti-poverty intervention. A greater need for the robust pro-poor social policy, availability of resources with which to translate it into action, and local entrepreneurial potential do not in themselves bring about success; they must operate in a certain way and be supported by certain principles and commitment for them to become powerful proper vehicle for alleviating poverty.

M.Ed. (Educational Psychology) / The changing structures of family and the increase in number of orphans are progressively becoming noticeable both nationally and internationally. A growing number of South African children are left without parents who can provide them with basic needs and emotional care and support. The influence of the HIV/AIDS pandemic has had a detrimental effect on the lives of children and adolescents who have lost one or both parents because of it. Orphans living in child-headed households within underprivileged communities are amongst the most vulnerable children and there is a need to stimulate broad-based discussion, and heighten awareness of and sensitivity to their plight, special needs and rights. This study aims to explore and describe the lived psycho-educational experiences of Grade 7 child-headed orphans in a primary school in Soweto and the support programmes available. It also aims to stimulate interest amongst other role players within government, agencies and communities to assist in addressing the situation of these learners through effective intervention strategies. The researcher has made use of a qualitative, phenomenological case study research design. Data was gathered through individual interviews, focus group interviews and the written life essays/stories, analysed according to Tesch’s method of open coding. The findings of this research revealed that the Grade 7 child-headed orphans’ psychological experiences included anger, sadness, lack of trust and need for love, while their educational experiences included performance in class and transition to high school. They also indicated how they experienced support by School Based Support Team (SBST), teachers, peers, community and Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs). The results of the study led to the formulation of recommendations which are intended to heighten awareness via the Department of Education (DoE) and stimulate interest amongst role players, such as school counsellors, educational psychologists and social workers, who are assisting these vulnerable children.

This research study has been conducted to explore and describe the perceptions and experiences of out-of-school youth regarding their access to the youth services available to them. A qualitative approach is followed and an exploratory, descriptive and contextual research design is utilized. The sample of the study was procured by means of purposive sampling. Data were collected by means of focus group discussions which were conducted using a questioning guide. Data were analysed according to the steps for qualitative data analysis provided by Tesch in Creswell (1994). To ensure the trustworthiness of the research findings, Guba’s model in Krefting (1991) was employed. The research findings were verified against the existing body of knowledge in order to compare and contrast the themes and sub-themes that emerged from the process of data analysis. The main themes that emerged from the study are lack of knowledge regarding available services, Needs or desires of out-of-school youth, hindrances or obstacles to access available youth services, suggestions for services relevant to needs of out-of-school youth and suggestions to make out-of-school youth aware of available services.

Millions of people in the world and especially in Africa are yet to be delivered from the scourge of poverty. „Over three billion people in the world live on less than $2.50 per day and more than 80% of the world‟s population are living in countries where income differentials are widening. About 1.1 billion people in developing countries lack access to clean water, one out of every three urban dwellers in the cities of developing countries are living in slum conditions and about 790 million people in the world are chronically undernourished‟. These statistics reveal the extent to which millions of people cannot access the very basic services needed for survival due to poverty. / Thesis (LLM (Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa))--University of Pretoria, 2011. / http://www.chr.up.ac.za/ / nf2012 / Centre for Human Rights / LLM