MEd (Curriclum Studies) / Department of Curriculum Studies / See the attached abstract below

Thesis (MPH.) -- University of Limpopo, 2020 / Background: Overweight and obesity are abnormal excessive fat accumulations in adipose tissue to the extent that it may have adverse effects on the health and well-being of the individual. Overweight and obesity are important modifiable risk factors for many chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type2 diabetes. Food consumed away from home, fast food and sugary food leads to adolescents overweight and obesity. Overweight and obese adolescents tend to buy junk foods because they are cheap. The aim of this study was to investigate factors associated to overweight and obesity among adolescents at the Dendron High School, Limpopo Province, South Africa. Methods: A quantitative study was conducted among 340 adolescents learners at the Dendron High School. A close ended questionnaire was used to collect data from the 340 adolescents. A stratified random sampling method was used to select learners to participate in the study. This type of sampling was used because learners were in different classes and different grades. The researcher obtained a complete list of all Grade 8 to Grade 12 learners attending the Dendron High School. The researcher took a register in each grade, given every name a code, put their names in a pot and randomly selected the participants. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated from the height and the weight of the participants. Data was analysed using SPSS version 23.0, which is a statistical software programme. Results: the study results revealed that the majority of adolescents, at 12 9(37.9%), were overweight, while 171 (50.3%) were obese. The results further revealed that adolescents over consumed sugary food, at 185 (54.4%), starchy food, at 283 (83.2%), fizzy drinks, at 219 (64.4%), and fast food, at 155 (90.0%). In Conclusion: There is a need for nutrition education campaigns targeted at adolescents and educators to reduce overweight and obesity. Nutrition education should be a continuous effort. Efficient and effective school policies must be implemented for provision of quality food.

Thesis (M. A. (Clinical Psychology)) -- University of Limpopo, 2019 / A study investigating third year psychology students’ attitudes towards the use of marijuana at the University of Limpopo was undertaken. The study was quantitative in nature and used a cross sectional survey design. A random sample of 165 third year psychology students was used. The Health Belief-Model was used as a theoretical framework, which guided the study and the reporting of the research results. The self-report questions were made up of several standardised questionnaires. Quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistics namely, frequency tables and figures as they gave a clear overall picture of the data. The Pearson correlation coefficient was used to determine if there were any significant differences between male and female participants in terms of knowledge and attitudes. The results of the study found that overall respondents had negative attitudes toward marijuana use. The study also indicated that there were no gender differences in attitudes toward marijuana use. In terms of the Pearson correlation coefficient a weak positive relationship was found between self-efficacy and attitudes toward marijuana use amongst third year psychology students. The study recommended that workshops are organised to share knowledge about marijuana and its effects.

Department of Advanced Nursing Science / MCur

Department of Curriculum Studies and Education Management / MEd

MA (Psychology) / Department of Psychology / See the attached abstract below

MPH / Department of Public Health / Globally, substance use is a significant public health problem around the world. Many schools encounter the challenge of learners using substances in and outside of the school premises. This problem affects the education system because learners who use substances display behaviours that negatively affect the quality of learning and teaching. The study aimed to determine the educators’ knowledge of the factors contributing to substance use among secondary school learners in Greater Giyani Municipality, Limpopo Province. A descriptive research design was employed, and the participants were selected using purposive sampling. Data was collected utilising a structured questionnaire and analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25 programme. The study findings show substance use as a significant public health problem in schools. Some of the factors identified that contributed to substance use among learners by most educators were low-self-esteem, poor self-control, depression, meagre finances, academic environment, background, peer pressure, accessibility and availability of substances. Based on the findings a number of recommendations were made such as capacitating parents on parenting skills and also on strategies to assist teachers to fight against substance use by students. Instead of the media only displaying lucrative advertisements of alcohol, it must also provide education and awareness about substance use/abuse and its consequences. Further research is necessary to investigate learners’ and parents’ knowledge of the factors contributing to substance use. / NRF

MCur / Department of Advanced Nursing Science / Nursing students’ absenteeism has become a very serious concern in every higher educational institution in the whole world especially those of nursing. This study was conducted to investigate factors leading to student nurses’ absenteeism in Limpopo College of Nursing during Psychiatric Nursing Science clinical placement. A quantitative approach using descriptive design was used. Purposive sampling method was used to get a sample of two hundred and six (206) of students who have absented themselves before. Data was collected through a self-report scale in the form of questionnaires of structured questions, entered and analysed using SPSS version 24. Ethical considerations were adhered to throughout. The correlation between clinical factors and absenteeism was determined. The main reported factors for absenteeism were: student nurses being treated as a workforce in the clinical areas; shortage of staff in the clinical areas; study for tests and examinations; inadequate supervision of student nurses by professional nurses; and being inconsiderate of student nurses request for days off in the clinical area. This study recommends that the college should make a provision of one week of study for student nurses between the period of clinical placement and tests or final examinations as most of the respondents indicated that they absent themselves due to study for tests and examinations. The Department of Health should find a way of not overworking students due to shortage of staff in the wards but consider them for experiential learning. A research study should be conducted to develop a model to reduce student nurses absenteeism. / NRF

Thesis (M.A. (Criminology)) -- University of Limpopo, 2020 / Campus safety is an important part of a student’s overall university experience. However, safety and security are an issue that institutions of higher learning have to deal with and address within their campuses. The focus of this study was to explore students’ safety at the Universities of Limpopo (UL) and Venda (UNIVEN). This study adopted an exploratory triangulation approach. A triangulation design was implemented to allow the researcher the opportunity to collect qualitative and quantitative data and thereafter, integrate the results in the interpretation stage. For triangulation purposes, data was collected using interviews and a self-administered questionnaire. For the qualitative phase of the research (phase I), twenty face to face interviews were conducted and for the quantitative phase (phase II), eight hundred and nineteen respondents responded to the questionnaire. This study employed Routine Activities Theory (RAT) to discuss the findings. Some of the findings were that the majority of female students who reside off-campus were fearful of being victimised. More female students than males were more concerned of sexual harassment and rape. These criminal incidents were statistically significant. The study further reveals that a lack of sufficient lighting, alcohol and illicit drugs, campus camera surveillance, crime reporting, and the visibility of emergency phones are some of the contributing factors associated with students victimisations. There are no visible police patrolling around the campuses of UL and UNIVEN. The majority of the students do not report their victimisation to the police or campus authorities. Furthermore, this study reveals that there is no relationship between gender and the perception of safety. However, age and level of study have a relationship to the perception of safety and were statistically significant. Based on these findings, crime awareness campaigns, visibility of police patrolling around the campus, and the police should work closely with the University authority.

Thesis (MPH.) -- University of Limpopo, 2019 / Background: Worldwide, childhood obesity has increased over the past few decades. It has become a public health concern in South Africa and in many developing countries. The aim of the study was to determine the knowledge and perceptions of grade 10 and 11 learners towards obesity within Seshego Circuit of Capricorn District in Limpopo Province. Methods: A quantitative descriptive cross-sectional study design and stratified random sampling method was used in the selection of 194 learners from three (3) high schools. Data were analysed using SPSS v24.0 and both frequencies and inferential statistics were analysed. Results: Results from the study showed that 53% of learners were females and 47% were males. The mean score for knowledge was 4.2 ± 1.08 ranges from 1 to 6 and 92% (179/194) of learners were considered to be knowledgeable. There was no statistical significant association between knowledge and socio- demographic profiles of learners (p>0.05). Shared perception of obesity among learners include lack of self-control (90%); losing weight naturally (40%); being less attractive than other children (74%). Conclusion: The findings from the study revealed varied perceptions on obesity with most learners significantly knowledgeable. Programmes focusing on prevention of obesity among learners should be strengthened.