PURPOSE: The main aim of this study was to develop guidelines for prevention of hypertension among adults in Hawassa City, Ethiopia. METHOD: The study used mixed methods approach. In Phase 1, a quantitative community-based comparative cross-sectional survey was used to establish the burden of hypertension and its determinant factors in the urban and peri-urban areas. The survey was meant to describe adult’s knowledge and attitudes regarding hypertension risky behaviour and its prevention. Secondly, in the qualitative phase, focus group discussion (FGD) among health care providers of selected sub-cities of the first phase of the study was conducted to explore their perspectives towards efforts exerted for the prevention of hypertension. Thirdly, based on the findings of the two phases of the study, review of literatures, the researcher’s insights and exploring expertise opinion using a Delphi technique, a guideline for hypertension prevention among adults was developed. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of hypertension was 21.2%, higher in the urban setting (24.5%) than the peri-urban (14.7%) (x2=7.81 and p-value 0.003). Fifty-five (55) of the hypertensive participants were newly screened. In the urban setting age, wealth, use of top added salt on plate, mode of transport, family history of hypertension, ever-told have diabetes and body mass index were significantly association with hypertension. In the peri-urban setting age, sex, vegetable eating habit, performing physical fitness activities and family history of hypertension showed significantly association with hypertension. Regarding knowledge of hypertension risky behaviour and prevention, 46.1% (n=282) of the respondents were with “low”, 37.6% (n=230) with “medium” and 16.3% (n=100) with “high” level of knowledge on hypertension risky behaviour and prevention. The majority of respondents demonstrated positive attitude toward perceived susceptibility and perceived severity whereas the minority had poor attitude toward their perceived benefit of applying hypertension prevention. In the qualitative study, four themes and 12 sub-themes emerged, which explored health care providers’ perspectives regarding efforts exerted for the prevention of hypertension In conclusion prevalence of hypertension is high and has become a public health problem but activities done on the prevention are minimal. Guidelines developed from this research, if utilised, will assist in lessening the burden of hypertension in Ethiopia among adults. / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)

The study aimed to examine the extent of indigenous play or teret-teret, as a psychotherapeutic technique to assist young adolescents in their adjustment from socio-emotional and behavioural difficulties. Following a mixed-methods, the study was conducted in three phases. The qual then QUANT in the main study followed by QUANT - QUANT and finally qual was employed. Two hundred ninety-nine participants, with 13 in Phase 1; 221 in Phase 2, and 65 in Phase 3, were involved in the study. Thirteen participants were purposively selected based on their experiences and merits for Phase 1, while 221 were selected through multilevel probability sampling techniques for Phase 2. Among the 65 participants for Phase 3, five were selected randomly whereas 60 were selected purposely. Three data-gathering instruments, comprising in-depth interviews, archive analysis, and questionnaires were employed. This design explored the quality of 62 manifestations of indigenous teret-teret for use in psychotherapy. The qualitative phenomenological study confirmed teret-teret as a relevant psychotherapeutic technique, practised in Ethiopia for the adjustment of young adolescents who experience socio-emotional and behavioural difficulties. The intervention study revealed statistically significant differences between the participants who received teret-teret psychotherapy and those who did not receive teret-teret psychotherapy. It was found that teret-teret psychotherapy advanced the socio-emotional and behavioural competencies of the participants. The cross-sectional survey study verified a 43% prevalence rate of composite SEBD, with 50% being anxiety/depression, 45% somatic complaints, 44% attention problems, 43% delinquency, and 42% aggression, respectively. Implications were discussed about applying indigenous child-friendly stories, teret-teret, as psychotherapeutic techniques to help young adolescents who display socio-emotional and behavioural difficulties at schools and in community settings. / Inhloso yocwaningo kwabe kukuhlola izinga lomdlalo weshashalazi kumbe i-teret-teret, njengendlela yokusoconga ingqondo (psychotherapeutic technique)ukunceda abantu abasha abasesigabeni sobujongosi (adolescents) nokulawula isimo sabo ukusukela kwizinkinga zenhlalakahle yabantu ngokwemizwanangendlela yokuziphatha. Uma kulandelwa uhlelo lwezindlela ezivangene (mixed-methods design), ucwaningo lwenziwe ngokwehlukaniswa izigaba ezintathu: Isigaba soku-1: Uhlelo lwengxoxo (Qualitative)–idizayini yefenomenoloji (phenomenological design), Isigaba sesi-2: Uhlelo lwamanani (Quantitative) – idizayini yesaveyi (survey design) kanyeneSigaba sesi-3: Uhlelo lwamanani (Quantitative) – idizayini engenelelayo. Abadlalindima abangamakhulu amabili namashumi ayisishiyagalolunye, ngesigaba se 13 eSigabeni soku-1; 221 kuSigaba sesi-2 naku 65 eSigabeni sesi-3,zonke zazibandakanyekile ocwaningweni. Abadlalindima abayishumi nantathu babekhethwe ngenhloso ngenxa yolwazi lwabo kanye nomsebenzi wabo oncomekayo eSigabeni soku-1, kanti aba-221 babekhethwe ngokusebenzisa indlela yesampuli ebizwa nge-multilevel probability sampling techniques kwiSigaba sesi- 2.Hlangana nabadlalindima abangama 65 beSigaba sesi-3, abahlanu bakhethwe kuyo yinoma kuphi kanti aba60 bakhethwe ngenhloso. Amathuluzi amathathu okuqoqa idatha, aqukethe izinhlolovo ezijulile, ukuhlaziywa kwama-akhayivu, kanye nemibhalo equkethe imibuzo yizinto ezisetshenzisiwe. Le dizayini beyihlola izinga lemisebenzi engama 62 eveziwe yendabuko teret-teretngokusetshenziswa kuhlelo lokusocongwa kwengqondo. Ucwaningo olugxile kwifenomenoloji yengxoxo iqinisekise umdlalo we teret-teret njengendlela efanele yokusocongwa kwengqondo, okuyingqubo elandelwa ezweni lase-Ethiopia ngenhloso yokushintsha isimo sabantu abasha abasesigabeni sobujongosi abahlangabezana nobunzima kwinhlalakahle yabantu ngokwemizwa kanye nezinkinga ezimayelana nokuziphatha. Ucwaningo olungenelelayo luveze ngokwamanani imehluko egqamile phakathi kwabadlalindima abafumene ukusocongwa ngokomqondo ngomdlalo we teret-teret kanye nalabo abangakaze bathole ukusocongwa ngokomqondo ngeteret-teret. Kutholakele ukuthi ukusocongwa komqondo ngeteret-teret kuthuthukise inhlalakahle yabantu nangezimpawu ezikhombisa ukuziphatha kahle kwabadlalindima. Ucwaningo olubizwa nge-cross-sectional survey lufqinisekise 43% yezinga lokutholakala kwezinkinga zenhlalakahle yabantu ngokwemizwa nangokuziphatha (SEBD),okuyi-50% yezinga lentukuthelo/ingcindezi yengqondo, i-45% yezikhalo, i-44% yezinkinga ezidinga ukuxazululwa, i-43% yezinga lokuphambana nomthetho kanye ne-42% yokuba nolunya,kanjalo nje. Okuchazwayo lapha kuxoxiwe mayelana nokusebenzisa izindatshana zendabuko ezijabulisa izingane, teret-teret, zisebenza njengamasu okusoconga ingqondo ukunceda abantu abasha abasesigabeni sobujongosi abakhombisa izinkinga ezimayelana nenhlalakahle yabantu ngokwemizwa nangokuziphatha ezikoleni kanye nasezindaweni zemiphakathia. / Die doel van die studie was om ondersoek in te stel na die mate waarin inheemse spel of teret-teret, as ʼn psigoterapeutiese tegniek ingespan word om jong adolessente by te staan in hul aanpassing van sosio-emosionele en gedragsprobleme af. ʼn Gemengde-metodes-ontwerp is gebruik en die studie is in drie fases uitgevoer: Fase 1: Kwalitatief–fenomenologiese ontwerp, Fase 2: Kwantitatief – opname-ontwerp enFase 3: Kwantitatief – ʼn intervensie-ontwerp. Twee-honderd-nege-en-negentig deelnemers, met 13 in Fase 1; 221 in Fase 2 en 65 in Fase 3,is by die navorsing betrek. Dertien deelnemers is doelgerig gekies op grond van hul ervarings en meriete vir Fase 1, terwyl 221 deur meervlakkige waarskynlikheidsteek proefnemingstegniekegekies is vir Fase 2. Uit die 65 deelnemers vir Fase 3, is vyf ewekansig gekies, terwyl 60 doelbewus gekies is. Drie instrumente is ingespan vir data-insameling, naamlik diepte-onderhoude, argiefontleding, en vraelyste. Hierdie ontwerp het die gehalte van 62 manifestasies van inheemse teret-teret vir gebruik in psigoterapie ondersoek. Die kwalitatiewe fenomenologiese studie het bevestig dat teret-teretʼn relevante psigoterapeutiese tegniek is wat in Etiopië beoefen word vir die aanpassing van jong adolessente metsosio-emosionele en gedragsprobleme. Die intervensiestudie het statisties beduidende verskille getoon tussen die deelnemers wat teret-teret-psigoterapie ontvang het en dié wat nie teret-teret-psigoterapie ontvang het nie. Daar is bevind dat teret-teret-psigoterapie die sosio-emosionele en gedragsvaardighede van die deelnemers verbeter het. Die deursnee-opname het ʼn 43%-voorkomskoers van saamgestelde sosio-emosionele en gedragsprobleme (SEBD) getoon,met 50% daarvan angs/depressie, 45% somatieseklagtes, 44% aandagprobleme, 43% oortredings, en 42% aggressie,onderskeidelik. Implikasies is bespreek met betrekking tot die toepassing van inheemse, kinderviendelike stories, teret-teret, as psigoterapeutiese tegnieke om jong adolessente te help wat sosio-emosionele en gedrags probleme by skole en in gemeenskapsituasies toon. / Psychology of Education / Ph. D. (Psychology of Education)

Reading is a complex cognitive process of decoding symbols to derive meaning. It is a means of language acquisition, of communication, of sharing information and ideas. It is a complex interaction between the text and the reader and shaped by the reader’s prior knowledge, experiences, attitude, and language of the community. This literacy skill is very important to be successful in academic work. However, it may challenge early grade learners from Grade 1 up to 4. For instance, Ethiopia has been witnessing an escalation in early grade reading difficulties in primary schools. However, mastering reading by the end of Grade 3 is very important. Therefore, the main purpose of this study was to investigate “The effect of Cognitive Foundation of Learning to Read (CFLR) on the reading skill of Grade 3 learners at 10 selected primary schools in Hawassa and Dilla towns in Ethiopia.” In order to address the research questions, the researcher employed a mixed-method approach, consisting of a quasi-experimental and qualitative research design. Quantitative data were collected by administering a reading achievement test. Questionnaires were also administered to determine the demographics of learners and teachers. Qualitative data were collected through classroom observations and semi-structured interviews. The quantitative data were analysed by One-way Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) and t-test. SPSS version-20 was used to analyse the data. Qualitative data were analysed by thematic analysis. Transcribed interviews and coded observation were classified according to similar themes; and grouped under sub-headings that had relation to the main research questions. Following this activity, interpretation of data was done. The findings of the study indicated that Grade 3 learners who attended reading instruction through CFLR in the experimental group show good performance than control groups. Based on the findings of the study, it was concluded that the CFLR is better than the Conventional Teaching Method (CTM). Finally, it was suggested that the results of the study are important to improve Grade 3 English reading instruction. It was also recommended that teachers should use a socially, culturally and linguistically responsive, inclusive instructional approach in teaching reading. / Psychology of Education / D. Ed. (Psychology of Education)

The purpose of the study was to investigate the effective implementation of instructional supervision practices in secondary schools of Hawassa City Administration in Ethiopia. The study focuses particularly on the practices and roles of supervisors in the implementation of instructional supervision, and the factors affecting its implementation in secondary schools. Basic questions related to the availability of instructional supervision strategies and their implementation, the roles of instructional leaders, perceptions of instructional supervision, and challenges for proper implementation of instructional supervision were raised. In addition, strategies for strengthening the effective implementation of instructional supervision were also addressed. The study was framed within the Theory of Change in Teachers’ viewpoints on instructional practices. In fact, there is a strong link with the instructional leadership strategies and the role of supervisors for the effective implementation of instructional supervision practices. The Instructional Supervision Model was used as it integrates the activities of instructional supervision in the schools. Moreover,this study reviewed global perspectives on educational supervision and provided an overview of the study context with an emphasis on improvement of instructional supervision. Philosophically, this study followed the pragmatist research paradigm, employing mixed research approaches; it also employed an explanatory sequential design in which both quantitative and qualitative data were collected simultaneously, interpreted separately and combined at the time of discussion for better understanding of the problem. Data were gathered from 160 supervision teams (vice-principals, senior teachers, unit leaders and department heads), 185 teachers. In addition, 14 principals and supervisors took part in interviews. One focus group discussion was also conducted with the city educational experts. Data were gathered through survey questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, FGD question guides and document reviews. Quantitative data was analysed through the descriptive approaches such as percentage, mean, grand mean and inferential statistics, known as standard division and t-test. Qualitative data collected through interviews and FGDs was summarised through thematic and narrative techniques, and finally triangulated. The results indicated that the quantitative and qualitative data supported one another. It was found that school supervision in line with strategies was inadequate. In addition, school supervision corresponding to the expected standards was not effectively done. The extent to which instructional supervisors design various intervention strategies so as to assist teacher’s professional improvement was insufficient. Evidence showed that instructional supervisors’ role in building effective relationship in schools was weak. Supportive, directive, conflict management and monitoring and supervising roles in the implementation of instructional supervision were also found to be inadequate. The teachers did not have enough support from supervisors in order to improve their instructional skills, and there was a negative perception of teachers about the implementation of instructional supervision. On the other hand, effective implementation of instructional supervision was hampered by a lack of qualified instructional supervisors, management skills, professional manuals, cooperation, and motivation for work and a lack of training and funding. Inadequate facilities and assignment of small number of supervisors hindered proper implementation of instructional supervision. Moreover, lack of commitment on the part of teachers and school leaders, lack of effective stakeholder support, lack of respect among stakeholders, lack of participatory supervisory approach and lack of adequate guidance between instructional leaders hampered instructional supervision. Based on the findings, instructional leaders, teachers, supervisors, school instructional supervision team and school communities need to be well equipped with basic knowledge and skills on the implementation of school instructional supervision, through pre-service and in-service training, experience-sharing programmes, seminars, workshops and discussion forums about the different approaches of supervision in order to enhance the professional growth of teachers and improve their instructional practices. This could help in fostering critical thinking and the problem-solving capacity of the supervisors. Moreover, the instructional leaders in schools need to plan for continuous training and orientation on the nature, practice and significance of instructional supervision. Suggestions were made to solve the factors that hinder proper implementation of instructional supervision. / Educational Management and Leadership / Ph. D. (Education Management)

Cervical cancer remains the main source of mortality among women around the world. It is a burden in developing countries and generally recognized through the complications of the advanced stages. The aim of this study was to investigate the utilisation of cervical cancer screening services among women living with HIV in Hawassa in order to develop a strategy to enhance cervical cancer screening service utilisation among this population in Ethiopia. A quantitative approach with a cross-sectional study design was used in this study. The data were collected using a standard structured questionnaire from 309 women living with HIV attending health care facilities in Hawassa city Administration. Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 25 software was used to analyse data. The results are presented based on the Health belief Model’s construct. The result revealed a low utilisation of cervical cancer screening services. Knowledge and perception of cervical cancer and cervical cancer screening service were also low. The main reason for being not screened was feeling healthy, lack of awareness, and embarrassment. Knowledge of cervical cancer was affected by factors such as knowing someone with cervical cancer, educational status, and monthly income. The finding indicated that utilisation of screenings could be determined by composite knowledge, perceived susceptibility to cervical cancer, duration on Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Treatment and willingness to be screened. The findings of this study, findings from the literature review and relevant legislation guided the researcher to develop a strategy to enhance cervical cancer screening service utilisation among women living with HIV Ethiopia. Relevant recommendations were put forward to promote utilisation of strategy and also for future research. The utilisation of the developed strategy may improve the uptake of screening for cervical cancer, improve early diagnosis and treatment of cervical malignant growth, and decrease mortality among women living with HIV in Hawassa city organization. / Health Studies / Ph. D. (Public Health)

In the 21st century, an interactive student-centred teaching and learning approach is a dominant approach in schools. As the interactive learning approach took dominance over the traditional teacher-centred teaching approach, reflective practice became a popular teaching and learning strategy in teacher education programmes globally. With the intention of improving the quality of education particularly educating practice-oriented teachers and students, many countries revised their teacher education programmes, with reflective practice taking centre stage. It initiated teachers’ creativity, critical thinking, teacher-student collaboration, and research in gathering data for changing classroom tradition. The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate how successfully teacher educators implemented reflective practice in educating reflective English Language Teacher (ELT) trainees in the Post Graduate Diploma in Teaching (PGDT) programme. Critical thinking, reflective practice, transformative learning, teacher’s efficacy and social constructivism theories underpinned this study. The participants were purposively selected from two types of institutes, the university and two secondary schools. Five ELT trainee teachers, three teacher educators were sampled from the university and two academic vice-principals were sampled from two secondary schools respectively. The research, framed in a qualitative case study, collected data using semi-structured interviews, observations and document analysis. To critically analyse the differences and similarities among the data collected via different instruments from different participants, inter-case analysis was utilised. In analysing the teaching and learning practices, critical discourse analysis (CDA) contributed to answering the research questions which were informed by the main research question. CDA also enabled the researcher to examine the spoken and written words of the reports in detail according to the emerging themes, sub-themes and text content. The concept reflective practice in educating reflective trainee teachers is well endorsed in the curriculum. However, the practice at the university during the teaching of courses and during school-based practicum was compromised due to a number of factors linked to all stakeholders. However, in accordance with constructivist theory, the researcher was able to create new knowledge with the development of a proposed conceptual framework for reflective English Language Teacher (ELT) education in the PGDT programme. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / D. Phil. (Education (Curriculum Studies))