Thesis (MEdPsych))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / Bibliography / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: School violence is a reality in South African township schools contaminating the school environment and jeopardizing the educational process. The aim of this study is to explore adolescent learners' experience of school violence in township high schools in order to develop and recommend a school prevention intervention programme/strategy. The study is explained in the theoretical framework of the bio-ecosystemic theory where violence is discussed as a reaction and as an action that occurs through reciprocal interaction between systems and the social environment. Through this interaction, adolescent learners are exposed to individual, family, school and community risk factors which place them at risk. Literature shows that schools in the township are sites of widespread violence; and these impacts on learners‟ emotional well-being. School violence also reflects the relationship that exists between what occurs in schools and what happens in learners' homes and communities. The specific design selected for this study is a case study and is qualitative and explorative in nature. Unstructured interviews were conducted with individual learners and focus groups to gather information regarding adolescents' experiences of school violence. The data was analysed with three main themes emerging during the participants' interviews. The findings revealed that a significant number of adolescent learners in the township school have experienced some form of gender-related violence at school, and that boys are more often the perpetrators of this school violence. The findings further showed that lack of safety and class management is another cause of violence and the violent activities within the school are a symptom of the social ills of the community within which the school is situated. Conclusions drawn from the study are that school violence is a multifaceted phenomenon and, based on these findings, it is recommended that a 'whole school' and an integrated approach be taken when dealing with violence in schools. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Toenemende geweld in skole in Suid-Afrikaanse townships bederf die skoolomgewing en belemmer die opvoedkundige proses. Die doel van hierdie studie is om leerders se ervarings van geweld in hoërskole in townships te verken, ten einde 'n voorkomingsprogram/-strategie vir skole te ontwikkel en aan te beveel. Die studie gebruik die teoretiese raamwerk van die bio-ekosistemiese teorie waarbinne geweld bespreek word as 'n aksie en 'n reaksie wat plaasvind deur wedersydse interaksie tussen die sisteme en die sosiale omgewing. Hierdie interaksie kan adolessente leerders aan individuele, gesinsverwante, skool- en gemeenskapsrisikofaktore blootstel. Die studie wys dat skole in townships die ligging is van wydverspreide geweld wat 'n uitwerking het op leerders se akademiese prestasie. Dit wys ook dat geweld in skole 'n weerspieëling is van die verhouding wat bestaan tussen gebeure in die skool en gebeure in die leerders se huise en gemeenskappe. Die navorsingsontwerp vir hierdie studie is dié van 'n gevallestudie. Dit is kwalitatief en verkennend van aard. Ongestruktureerde onderhoude is met leerders en fokusgroepe gevoer om inligting rakende hulle ervarings van geweld in skole in te win. Die data is ontleed na aanleiding van drie temas wat tydens die onderhoude na vore gekom het. Die bevindinge het gewys dat 'n noemenswaardige aantal adolessente leerders in townshipskole een of ander vorm van geweld ervaar het, en dat seuns gewoonlik die aanrigters van die geweld is. Die studie het voorts gevind dat akademiese prestasie ernstig beïnvloed word deur geweld wat binne en buite die skoolgronde plaasvind, en ook dat geweld binne die skole 'n simptoom is van die sosiale euwels van die gemeenskap waarbinne die skole geleë is. Die studie se gevolgtrekking is dat geweld in skole 'n veelvlakkige fenomeen is. Die aanbeveling wat op hierdie gevolgtrekking berus is dat 'n "heel skool" geïntegreerde benadering gevolg moet word wanneer daar met geweld in skole gewerk word.

The World Health Organisation Commission for the Social Determinants of Health (CSDH, 2008) report calls upon the need to consider the social determinants of health, including migration in health planning. Unfortunately, the introduction of Pre Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) in South Africa is being framed as a stand-alone intervention without incorporating the social determinants of health i.e. migration and structural drivers of HIV, despite numerous evidence of failure of one-dimensional HIV approaches. The study aimed to explore the attitudes and knowledge (s) of HIV prevention amongst young, internal migrant, Black self-identifying gay men and its implications for PrEP. This study used an interpretive qualitative approach by conducting 12 in-depth interviews with both men who have sex with men (MSM) who self-identify as gay individuals and experts working in the field of HIV. Social determinants of health like migration and homophobic attitudes both within the health care system and beyond could impact the uptake of PrEP and continuity access for PrEP among MSM who self-identity as gay within the context of circular migration. Likewise, the study highlights structural drivers of HIV that if left unaddressed could also have a bearing on PrEP as an HIV intervention vis-à-vis PrEP uptake and continuity to PrEP access within a context of circular migration. Using Weiss (1979) interactive model, the study points out the need for all actors involved in policy making to take into account evidence, such as empirical data, best practices, insights from various stakeholders as a basis upon which South Africa’s PrEP policy/programme can be based on. / A research report submitted to the Faculty of Humanities, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts (Development Studies), November 2017 / GR2018

Thesis (M. A. (Social Work)) --University of Limpopo, 2018 / Cancer of the cervix is second type of cancer among women in developing countries, and a common problem among women of low socio-economic status in rural communities. The spiral increase of the problem is aggravated by some socio-economic, structural, cultural and political factors. Understanding the risk factors associated with the disease is a step forward towards effective prevention and treatment. Numerous studies have been conducted on knowledge and perceptions of cervical cancer however the information on cervical cancer is still not reaching the majority of women. The study explored the perceptions and attitudes of rural women of Matebeleng village towards cervical cancer, the risk factors, screening tests and the HPV vaccines. A qualitative exploratory case study was conducted. Self-reported data was collected from 22 women. Two focus groups of 7 and 9 and 6 face-face individual interviews were conducted using a semi-structured interview guide. Data was analysed thematically. The research findings revealed that the majority of women in the rural area where the study was conducted never heard of cervical cancer and only few received inadequate information. Few highlighted some of the risk factors but some information was incorrect. Very few participants had only once been screened and the majority have never been tested for cervical cancer. Some became aware of the vaccine through the consent forms from school even though they did not exactly understand the content. The sources of information were the radio, health clinic and random women. The concerns of those who were screened were lack of feedback from the clinic nursing staff after the test, lack of adequate preparation and information before been screened to allay fear and doubt of the unknown and lack of reach out programmes to rural communities. The methods of disseminating information to rural women in their distinct contexts should be examined. Conventional traditional ways of reaching out to rural women could perhaps produce improved results through the integrated approach involving multi-disciplinary teams in educating communities. Key Words: Perceptions, attitudes, rural-based women, cervical cancer, risk factors, screening tests, HPV vaccine

Thesis (Ph. D. (Social Work)) -- University of Limpopo, 2018 / Teenage pregnancy is a social problem that affects and destroys the future of teenage girls, especially teenage learners. Its impact is not only felt by the teenage girls, but also by their families, schools, and the country in general. This study sought to develop an educational social group work model on teenage pregnancy for learners in schools in the North West province. To this effect, this study was anchored on five objectives, namely: to establish the extent of teenage pregnancy amongst learners in schools in the North West province; to assess factors that predispose learners to indulge in sexual activities despite the risk of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases; to describe the roles of parents in the prevention of teenage pregnancy amongst learners; to identify prevention measures used by the schools to prevent teenage pregnancy; and to develop, implement, and evaluate an educational social group work model on teenage pregnancy for learners. The study adopted a mixed methods approach by combining the qualitative and quantitative paradigms. The population of the study consisted of learners, while school principals, deputy principals, Life Orientation teachers, and parents/guardians were the key informants. The findings of this study confirm that teenage pregnancy is a serious problem that continues to affect schools. All grades from the secondary schools that participated in this study reported cases of learner pregnancies. The grades with high reported cases include Grades 10, 11, and 12, while Grades 8 and 9 appeared to be the least affected. Furthermore, the findings indicate that male learners are most likely to father children with female learners. The development of an educational social group work model on teenage pregnancy for learners was achieved via a literature review and the empirical findings from learners and the key informants. Group work as a method of the social work profession was chosen in this study because it is intensive in nature, and the follow-up sessions provided a platform for the evaluation of social worker interventions and the performance of individual members and the entire group. The developed model was implemented and evaluated. Different topics were discussed during a marathon of eight

The concept of sustainability has become imperative for any organisation in order to survive and prosper in the long term. As such, the management of fraud risk has become an important component for organisations in order to achieve this objective. The purpose of this study was to explore the management of fraud risk within the South African private hospital sector. The study endeavoured to ascertain how private hospitals in South Africa manage fraud risk. In this regard, problem areas in the management of fraud risk were identified, and recommendations are provided in order to improve the management of fraud risk in the South African private hospital sector. Primary data was collected by means of survey research, which involved management staff at head office level and at hospital level, as these two groups were identified to have the required expertise and experience with regard to risk management procedures and practices within South African private hospitals. The findings suggested that South African private hospitals could improve their current risk management practices, in particular with regard to fraud risk. By implementing the recommendations provided by the study, private hospitals will be able to manage fraud risk more effectively. These recommendations will not only be beneficial to private hospitals, but will also have a positive effect on numerous external stakeholders, because the effective management of fraud risk could lead to considerable cost savings. The public hospital sector of South Africa would equally find the research findings and recommendations of value because it could also be applied to their fraud risk management practices. / Business Management / M. Com. (Business Management)

M. Tech. Graphic Design / Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is a congenital syndrome cased by excessive consumption of alcohol by the mother during pregnancy, characterized by retardation of mental development and of physical growth. Lack of public information and intervention is one of the reasons why the syndrome persists in townships and rural areas. This study was undertaken in response to the lack of public knowledge within high-risk communities concerning Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. The study hypothesized that embedding persuasive techniques within health communication material would create effective health communication campaigns that would be well received by target audiences.

As the second decade of AIDS draws to a close, researchers and others involved in the AIDS effort have come to appreciate that complex interactions between social, cultural, biological and economic forces are involved in shaping the epidemiological course of the disease. Nevertheless, the process by which these variables interact and affect each other remains poorly understood, with many of the shaping forces yet to be fully explored. In South Africa, the sociocultural matrix in which the AIDS epidemic is embedded and its role in shaping the interpretation and experience of AIDS have not been fully analyzed. This thesis represents an attempt to elucidate the finer nuances of some commonly-held local beliefs, perceptions, symbolic representations, ethnomedical explanatory models and mythologies associated with AIDS. These associations are viewed as directly informing the way in which Zulu-speaking people are experiencing and responding to HIV/AIDS in KwaZulu Natal, currently home to 1/3 of the country's estimated 3 million HIV infected people. In particular, the focus is on the gender patterning of AIDS, with ethnographic data drawn from extensive field experience at St Wendolin's Mission, a peri-urban settlement in the Marianhill district of Durban. The shared perception of women as naturally 'dirty', as sexually 'out of control' and suspected of using witchcraft in new ways, are identified and discussed as key conceptual strands contributing to the sociocultural construction of HIV/AIDS in that community. It is argued that these notions are metaphorically joining and combining in ways that 'gender' the AIDS epidemic and simultaneously 'demonize' women. The central tenet of this thesis is that HIV/AIDS is fundamentally associated with women as a female caused and transmitted disease that can and does affect men. The author argues that the gendered construction of AIDS in St Wendolin's is a reflection of patriarchal resistance to women's changing roles and expectations that represent an overstepping of culturally defined moral boundaries. Deeply embedded ways of thinking associated with notions of gender are viewed as germane to the disempowerment of women that ultimately impedes the fight against HIV/AIDS. The thesis concludes with a discussion on the opportunity which the current AIDS epidemic presents for wider sociocultural transformation, and how this might be achieved through an AIDS 'education for liberation' based on the philosophies of Paulo Freire. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1999.

This exploratory qualitative study investigates possible barriers to HIV preventive behavior amongst Zulu-speaking, black adolescent males, aged 15-23, in township secondary schools in Durban, South Africa. Perceptions, attitudes, beliefs, and practices concerning HIV prevention and transmission are elicited using semi-structured focus groups and mixed open-ended and closed-ended questionnaires. Thematic analysis of the data is used to identify possible barriers to protection. Issues specifically investigated are condom use and multiple sexual partners. Belief in the ability to choose uninfected girlfriends, a distrust of and misperceptions about condoms, the importance of trust to a sexual relationship, false optimism engendered by fast-spreading myths about cures, and skewed risk perception engendered by conspiracy theory narratives and overestimation of the severity of the epidemic were found to be possible barriers to protection amongst males and controlling the spread of HIV. A discussion of these barriers ensues the results. / Thesis (M.Dev.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2001.

AIDS is a syndrome that affects millions of South Africans. Adolescents have been regarded as a potential high-risk group with regard to HIV infection due to their increased sexual activity. Changing behaviour, even that of adolescents, who are just beginning to experience and experiment with their sexuality is perhaps the biggest challenge facing HIV / AIDS prevention in South Africa. There is an urgent need for more knowledge and information on adolescent sexuality, and their knowledge of and attitudes towards HIV / AIDS that can impact intervention programmes. The aim of this research was to examine knowledge, attitudes and behaviours regarding HIV / AIDS among adolescents at a rural Junior Secondary School in the Eastern Cape. The study used both qualitative and quantitative methodology. The participants were grade 7 to 9 learners at the school; 46 males, and 74 females (n=120). The research instrument used was an anonymous self-report questionnaire. Data on behavior was gathered through 9 open-ended questions. Findings revealed that adolescents had higher-level knowledge about AIDS although there were also misconceptions. Their attitudes were both negative and positive. Data on reported behaviours revealed that most learners have changed their behaviours, 90% reported that they would use a condom to prevent the spread of the disease and, they indicated that a person should have one partner. It is recommended that a programme be developed to educate adolescents about sexuality in an objective and factual manner. Outsiders, not necessarily teachers should be used to implement such programmes, and the programmes should be adaptable to any circumstances, as not all schools have the facilities to their disposal like videos and films. / Thesis (M.Ed.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2004.

Pre-schools, as the entry point to formal education are increasingly expected to play an invaluable role in the promotion of peace. As such, this study sets out to investigate the nature and extent to which one pre-school, namely Khulqnathi Educare Gentre in Pietermaritzburg (KEG), adheres to the 'peaceful schools' model with respect to its organization, curriculum, learning methods and the handling of conflict. The research approach taken in this study was qualitative and exploratory, relying on self-administered questionnaires, reviewing literature and documentary analysis. The researcher also spent some time at the school to observe day-to-day activities. Parents and teachers constituted the study's respondents. The study reveals an innovative approach to teaching at KEG in which peace education is treated as an integral part of the entire learning and teaching processes. This innovation gets impetus from the school's constitution, which endorses peace education. Peace values are promoted through the curriculum in general, and in particular, the teaching and learning methods and in the school's approaches to handling conflict. Peace education does not stand out as an explicit goal. Rather, it is an integral compc;ment of the four cornerstones of the KEG's learning and teaching processes. Approaches to resolving conflict through dialogue at the school further demonstrate the school's adherence to the peaceful school model. A close working relationship between the school staff and parents ensures that children are exposed to peace values both at home and at school. In summary, the questionnaires, observations and the school documents lead to the conclusion that KEG is closely conforms to the peaceful school model. The study also offers some general insights on peace education in pre-schools and some recommendations specifically meant for Khulanthi Educare's situation. / Thesis (M.Com.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2003.