Introduction: In Africa, it is estimated that cardiovascular disease (CVD) will affect approximately 1.3 million people per annum over the following 20 years. C-reactive protein (CRP) is a predictor of CVD risk and certain CRP gene polymorphisms can result in altered CRP concentrations. The distribution of CRP gene polymorphisms is ethnic-specific and extrapolating information from other populations to the black South African population, reported to harbour considerable genetic variation, should be avoided. This highlights the fact that genetic research among black South Africans is necessary. Objectives: The main aim of this dissertation was to determine the association between various polymorphisms (reported and novel [single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)] within the CRP gene with CRP concentrations [measured as high sensitivity (hs)-CRP concentrations] in a black South African population undergoing an epidemiological transition. Interactions between specific CRP polymorphisms and certain environmental factors on hs-CRP concentrations were also investigated. Methods: This cross-sectional study (n=1,588) was nested within the Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiological (PURE) study. Genotyping was performed using Illumina VeraCode technology on the BeadXpress® platform. Hs-CRP concentrations were measured by the use of a sequential multiple analyser computer (SMAC) through a particle-enhanced immunoturbidometric assay. Results: All the SNPs adhered to the assumptions of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, although the distribution of several SNPs differed from that reported in other population groups. Three SNPs (rs3093058, rs3093062 and rs3093068) were associated with a significant (p ≤ 0.05) increase in CRP concentrations. Five SNPs (rs1205, rs1341665, rs2794520, rs7553007 and rs2027471) were associated with a significant (p ≤ 0.05) decrease in CRP concentrations. This difference in effect was most probably due to changes in gene function brought about by the localisation of these SNPs in the CRP gene. Men and urban individuals were more likely to present with significant associations between the SNPs investigated and CRP concentrations. The difference in the prevalence of the alleles associated with higher CRP concentrations in this population compared to non-African populations could possibly explain the increased CRP concentrations that are observed in the black South African population. Gene-gender (rs1205, rs1341665 and rs2027474) as well as gene-environmental (rs3093068) interactions were also observed. Conclusions: CRP concentrations are in themselves a complex trait and there are many factors at play that influence their expression. Numerous factors (both genetic and environmental) are involved and no single factor acting alone is likely to have enough of an influence to be used as a clinical diagnostic test of CRP concentrations. These results provide valuable information on the regulation of CRP in a black South African population as well as contribute to the literature of CRP on a global level. / Thesis (MSc (Nutrition))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

Child sexual abuse (CSA) is found to occur in alarming proportions worldwide. In South Africa, children represent almost half of the victims of known sexual abuse, and this is becoming a great concern, even being described as a silent epidemic. This alarming fact as well as the researcher’s experiences as a social worker in this field, resulted in her reviewing literature, in order to gain further insight into the current situation in South Africa. It was discovered that the number of successful CSA court cases reported to the Childline Western Cape centres, was significantly low, and that numerous complaints were being received by her colleagues at Childline from caregivers, regarding their dissatisfaction with the judicial system after reporting CSA. This dissertation therefore serves as a qualitative exploration of caregivers’ experiences of the South African judicial system after CSA has been reported. For the purpose of this study, the researcher used a descriptive qualitative research design so as to thoroughly describe the caregivers’ experiences. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight participants to gain rich descriptions of their experiences in this area. Three main themes that emerged through the content analysis were: the experiences with officials from the SAPS as part of the judicial system; the experiences with regard to social service delivery; and the experiences with the court and personnel as part of the judicial system. Several conclusions were drawn. The first was that there were both positive and negative experiences with officials from SAPS. A further conclusion was that the lack of knowledge about procedures needing to be followed in cases of CSA, as well as the uncertainty shown by some SAPS officials with regard to how to go about dealing with child victims of sexual abuse, gave some participants the impression that SAPS officials lack adequate training in this regard The researcher concluded from the empirical findings and the literature that there is a general sense that CSA investigations are poorly conducted. Another conclusion was that literature on statutory social service delivery in South Africa and the evaluation thereof seemed sparse. However, from the empirical findings regarding the participants’ descriptions, their experiences, particularly with statutory social workers, were negative. Finally, the researcher concluded that though literature indicated that several changes had been made in the judicial system so as to better deal with child victims of sexual abuse, the experiences of the participants indicated that challenges are still being experienced. The empirical findings indicated that caregivers of child victims of sexual abuse and their children had experienced great frustration when dealing with the judicial system after CSA had been reported. These frustrations were due to the investigation of CSA cases, the court process, and the lack of communication from prosecutors and other professionals in the judicial system. / Thesis (MSW)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

Introduction: In Africa, it is estimated that cardiovascular disease (CVD) will affect approximately 1.3 million people per annum over the following 20 years. C-reactive protein (CRP) is a predictor of CVD risk and certain CRP gene polymorphisms can result in altered CRP concentrations. The distribution of CRP gene polymorphisms is ethnic-specific and extrapolating information from other populations to the black South African population, reported to harbour considerable genetic variation, should be avoided. This highlights the fact that genetic research among black South Africans is necessary. Objectives: The main aim of this dissertation was to determine the association between various polymorphisms (reported and novel [single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)] within the CRP gene with CRP concentrations [measured as high sensitivity (hs)-CRP concentrations] in a black South African population undergoing an epidemiological transition. Interactions between specific CRP polymorphisms and certain environmental factors on hs-CRP concentrations were also investigated. Methods: This cross-sectional study (n=1,588) was nested within the Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiological (PURE) study. Genotyping was performed using Illumina VeraCode technology on the BeadXpress® platform. Hs-CRP concentrations were measured by the use of a sequential multiple analyser computer (SMAC) through a particle-enhanced immunoturbidometric assay. Results: All the SNPs adhered to the assumptions of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, although the distribution of several SNPs differed from that reported in other population groups. Three SNPs (rs3093058, rs3093062 and rs3093068) were associated with a significant (p ≤ 0.05) increase in CRP concentrations. Five SNPs (rs1205, rs1341665, rs2794520, rs7553007 and rs2027471) were associated with a significant (p ≤ 0.05) decrease in CRP concentrations. This difference in effect was most probably due to changes in gene function brought about by the localisation of these SNPs in the CRP gene. Men and urban individuals were more likely to present with significant associations between the SNPs investigated and CRP concentrations. The difference in the prevalence of the alleles associated with higher CRP concentrations in this population compared to non-African populations could possibly explain the increased CRP concentrations that are observed in the black South African population. Gene-gender (rs1205, rs1341665 and rs2027474) as well as gene-environmental (rs3093068) interactions were also observed. Conclusions: CRP concentrations are in themselves a complex trait and there are many factors at play that influence their expression. Numerous factors (both genetic and environmental) are involved and no single factor acting alone is likely to have enough of an influence to be used as a clinical diagnostic test of CRP concentrations. These results provide valuable information on the regulation of CRP in a black South African population as well as contribute to the literature of CRP on a global level. / Thesis (MSc (Nutrition))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

South Africa is a very diverse country. There are eleven spoken official languages, different cultures, beliefs, backgrounds, educational levels, races as well as differences in socioeconomic status. Psychometric measuring instruments used in South Africa are mostly imported from Europe or America and are often not standardised for the South African context. The translation of such imported measuring instruments usually results in bias, in contravention of the Employment Equity Act (1998) which stipulates that all psychometric assessments should be bias–free, equivalent, and fair. It is of tremendous importance to take a country's political, economic and social history into account before developing a psychometric instrument, to ensure that the instrument will adhere to all legal requirements. A quantitative research design was used in this study. The sample consisted of students from tertiary institutions in North–West and Gauteng Provinces (SH–1: n = 473; SH–2: n = 476). Convenience sampling was used since the aim of the study was to test the reliability and validity of a newly developed instrument. Questionnaires were distributed amongst the participants from the tertiary institutions, to be completed within a set time and collected immediately after completion. The first objective of the study was to develop a valid and reliable measuring instrument that scientifically assesses the Hostility, Gratefulness and Active Support subclusters of the Soft–heartedness cluster of a new personality measure being developed for the South African context, namely the South African Personality Inventory (SAPI). Items were derived from person–descriptive terms gathered through a qualitative research design. The aim of this qualitative research design was to gather as many person–descriptive terms as possible and integrating these terms into a personality instrument. A principal component analysis was conducted to determine the item correlations, and items that did not function as expected were removed. Internal consistency coefficients were calculated to determine the item reliabilities. The second aim of this study was to determine the factor structure for the three subclusters of the Soft–heartedness cluster included in this study (pertaining to these three subclusters). A factor analysis was performed. A higher–order factor was present and a second–order analysis was performed, using the factor correlation matrix as input on the results. From the three subclusters assessed in this study, only two subclusters were extracted, and were labelled Hostility and Congenial Behaviour. This could be an indication that the positive and the negative items are clustering together in two separate groups, one indicating positive behaviour and the other negative behaviour. Finally, the construct equivalence across different race groups was evaluated by considering Tucker's phi coefficient and comparing the factor pattern matrices of the two factors obtained to compare the factor solutions between the white and African race groups respectively. The results indicated that each of the facets had similar loadings on their posited factors for both groups and that the two factors were represented by the same facets irrespective of the race groups. Recommendations were made for future research. / Thesis (M.Com. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

AIM Poor iron status and under–nutrition among children are of concern not only in South Africa but worldwide. Both independent and combined associations between poor iron status, under–nutrition and cognitive development and function have been investigated. This mini–dissertation investigated possible associations between iron status indicators, anthropometric nutritional status and cognitive performance in the Beverage Fortified with Micronutrients (BeForMi) study population (black South African children aged 6–11 years in the North–West province of South Africa). METHODS The study was cross–sectional and based on the BeForMi study baseline data. Primary school children (n = 414) with the highest serum transferrin receptor (STR) and zinc protoporphyrin (ZnPP) levels were included. Anthropometric z–scores - BMI–for–age (BAZ), height–for–age (HAZ), and weight–for–age (WAZ) - and iron status indicators - haemoglobin (Hb), serum ferritin (SF), STR and ZnPP - were determined. The Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children, Second edition (KABC–II) was used to generate cognitive scores. RESULTS Fourteen percent of children were underweight (WAZ <= 2 SDs), 12.8% stunted (HAZ <= 2 SDs) and 8.4% wasted (BAZ <= 2 SDs). Of the children, 7.1% were anaemic (Hb < 11.5 g/dL), 13% iron depleted (Hb < 11.5 g/dL and SF < 12 ug/L) and 2.7% had iron deficiency anaemia (Hb < 11.5 g/dL and SF < 12 ug/L). Low iron stores (SF < 12 ug/L) were observed in 15.7% of the children. Positive correlations were found between SF and WAZ (r = 0.1, p = 0.047), Hb and HAZ (r = 0.13, p = 0.007) and WAZ (r = 0.13, p = 0.009). Positive correlations with small effect sizes were observed between some cognitive scores and z–scores (p < 0.05, r–value range 0.10 – 0.24). Negative correlations with small effect sizes were observed for the subtests Triangles and Rover (both subtests on simultaneous processing) with Hb (p = 0.008, r = –0.13) and SF (p = 0.04, r = –0.1) respectively. Higher HAZ, WAZ and education level of the head of household were all significantly associated with the likelihood that a child would fall within the upper quartile of Hb values in our study group (p = 0.036, p = 0.032 and p = 0.036 respectively). CONCLUSION The results suggested that under–nutrition was positively associated with poor iron status and lower cognitive scores in this study population. Further research, investigating specific effects of poor iron status at different stages of growth and the relationship with cognitive function later in life may help explain the negative correlations observed between current iron status indicators and cognitive scores. / Thesis (M.Sc (Dietetics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

The degree to which the SABC as public broadcaster gives shape to its language policy and language mandate, against the background of an investigation of language rights, establishes the central problem statement of this research. It is widely acknowledged that it is difficult to define the concept of language rights. 14khough the language-sociological literature associates this concept with minority and cultural rights, it can also be seen as individual rights. According to the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa,1996,it is clear that language rights should be seen as individual rights that can be exercised within a particular community. Although this dissertation provides an extensive juridical and language sociological explanation of the concept of language rights, the description by Judge Able Sachs will be used as a working definition for this research. His division between the following four fundamental language rights, viz.: (i) the right to use your language; (ii) the right to develop your language; (iii) the right to be understood and to understand other languages as well as (iv) the right not to be discriminated against because of your language, provides a useful investigation instrument with which the degree to which the SABC-TV acknowledges and protects language rights can be measured. It is found that despite the policy documents on national and corporate level that has equal consideration and treatment of the diverse South African languages in mind, it still happens that the SABC-TV fails to give form to the language rights of individuals that belong to indigenous minority language groups in South Africa. Due to this, the research suggests that the extensive implementation of subtitles, as a form of screen translation that differs from lip synchronised dubbing, can make a significant contribution to the acknowledgement and protection of language rights by the SABC-TV. In addition to a discussion on what subtitles entail, the technical nature and specific parameters thereof, a feasibility study is included within which the affordability of this project for the SABC-TV is indicated. It is found that this form of screen translation is ideal for the South African situation because it is cheaper than both lip synchronised dubbing and the creation of new television programmes, but also because it can effectively be employed in regional broadcasts. Furthermore, the use of bilingual subtitles and pivot subtitles are also alternatives that may be considered. It is essential though that subtitles can indeed contribute to the way in which the SABC, as a public broadcaster, acknowledges and protects the fundamental language rights of the multitude of South Africans that belong to different language communities in South Africa. / Thesis (M.A. (Afrikaans))--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2004.

The degree to which the SABC as public broadcaster gives shape to its language policy and language mandate, against the background of an investigation of language rights, establishes the central problem statement of this research. It is widely acknowledged that it is difficult to define the concept of language rights. 14khough the language-sociological literature associates this concept with minority and cultural rights, it can also be seen as individual rights. According to the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa,1996,it is clear that language rights should be seen as individual rights that can be exercised within a particular community. Although this dissertation provides an extensive juridical and language sociological explanation of the concept of language rights, the description by Judge Able Sachs will be used as a working definition for this research. His division between the following four fundamental language rights, viz.: (i) the right to use your language; (ii) the right to develop your language; (iii) the right to be understood and to understand other languages as well as (iv) the right not to be discriminated against because of your language, provides a useful investigation instrument with which the degree to which the SABC-TV acknowledges and protects language rights can be measured. It is found that despite the policy documents on national and corporate level that has equal consideration and treatment of the diverse South African languages in mind, it still happens that the SABC-TV fails to give form to the language rights of individuals that belong to indigenous minority language groups in South Africa. Due to this, the research suggests that the extensive implementation of subtitles, as a form of screen translation that differs from lip synchronised dubbing, can make a significant contribution to the acknowledgement and protection of language rights by the SABC-TV. In addition to a discussion on what subtitles entail, the technical nature and specific parameters thereof, a feasibility study is included within which the affordability of this project for the SABC-TV is indicated. It is found that this form of screen translation is ideal for the South African situation because it is cheaper than both lip synchronised dubbing and the creation of new television programmes, but also because it can effectively be employed in regional broadcasts. Furthermore, the use of bilingual subtitles and pivot subtitles are also alternatives that may be considered. It is essential though that subtitles can indeed contribute to the way in which the SABC, as a public broadcaster, acknowledges and protects the fundamental language rights of the multitude of South Africans that belong to different language communities in South Africa. / Thesis (M.A. (Afrikaans))--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2004.

South Africa is a very diverse country. There are eleven spoken official languages, different cultures, beliefs, backgrounds, educational levels, races as well as differences in socioeconomic status. Psychometric measuring instruments used in South Africa are mostly imported from Europe or America and are often not standardised for the South African context. The translation of such imported measuring instruments usually results in bias, in contravention of the Employment Equity Act (1998) which stipulates that all psychometric assessments should be bias–free, equivalent, and fair. It is of tremendous importance to take a country's political, economic and social history into account before developing a psychometric instrument, to ensure that the instrument will adhere to all legal requirements. A quantitative research design was used in this study. The sample consisted of students from tertiary institutions in North–West and Gauteng Provinces (SH–1: n = 473; SH–2: n = 476). Convenience sampling was used since the aim of the study was to test the reliability and validity of a newly developed instrument. Questionnaires were distributed amongst the participants from the tertiary institutions, to be completed within a set time and collected immediately after completion. The first objective of the study was to develop a valid and reliable measuring instrument that scientifically assesses the Hostility, Gratefulness and Active Support subclusters of the Soft–heartedness cluster of a new personality measure being developed for the South African context, namely the South African Personality Inventory (SAPI). Items were derived from person–descriptive terms gathered through a qualitative research design. The aim of this qualitative research design was to gather as many person–descriptive terms as possible and integrating these terms into a personality instrument. A principal component analysis was conducted to determine the item correlations, and items that did not function as expected were removed. Internal consistency coefficients were calculated to determine the item reliabilities. The second aim of this study was to determine the factor structure for the three subclusters of the Soft–heartedness cluster included in this study (pertaining to these three subclusters). A factor analysis was performed. A higher–order factor was present and a second–order analysis was performed, using the factor correlation matrix as input on the results. From the three subclusters assessed in this study, only two subclusters were extracted, and were labelled Hostility and Congenial Behaviour. This could be an indication that the positive and the negative items are clustering together in two separate groups, one indicating positive behaviour and the other negative behaviour. Finally, the construct equivalence across different race groups was evaluated by considering Tucker's phi coefficient and comparing the factor pattern matrices of the two factors obtained to compare the factor solutions between the white and African race groups respectively. The results indicated that each of the facets had similar loadings on their posited factors for both groups and that the two factors were represented by the same facets irrespective of the race groups. Recommendations were made for future research. / Thesis (M.Com. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

AIM Poor iron status and under–nutrition among children are of concern not only in South Africa but worldwide. Both independent and combined associations between poor iron status, under–nutrition and cognitive development and function have been investigated. This mini–dissertation investigated possible associations between iron status indicators, anthropometric nutritional status and cognitive performance in the Beverage Fortified with Micronutrients (BeForMi) study population (black South African children aged 6–11 years in the North–West province of South Africa). METHODS The study was cross–sectional and based on the BeForMi study baseline data. Primary school children (n = 414) with the highest serum transferrin receptor (STR) and zinc protoporphyrin (ZnPP) levels were included. Anthropometric z–scores - BMI–for–age (BAZ), height–for–age (HAZ), and weight–for–age (WAZ) - and iron status indicators - haemoglobin (Hb), serum ferritin (SF), STR and ZnPP - were determined. The Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children, Second edition (KABC–II) was used to generate cognitive scores. RESULTS Fourteen percent of children were underweight (WAZ <= 2 SDs), 12.8% stunted (HAZ <= 2 SDs) and 8.4% wasted (BAZ <= 2 SDs). Of the children, 7.1% were anaemic (Hb < 11.5 g/dL), 13% iron depleted (Hb < 11.5 g/dL and SF < 12 ug/L) and 2.7% had iron deficiency anaemia (Hb < 11.5 g/dL and SF < 12 ug/L). Low iron stores (SF < 12 ug/L) were observed in 15.7% of the children. Positive correlations were found between SF and WAZ (r = 0.1, p = 0.047), Hb and HAZ (r = 0.13, p = 0.007) and WAZ (r = 0.13, p = 0.009). Positive correlations with small effect sizes were observed between some cognitive scores and z–scores (p < 0.05, r–value range 0.10 – 0.24). Negative correlations with small effect sizes were observed for the subtests Triangles and Rover (both subtests on simultaneous processing) with Hb (p = 0.008, r = –0.13) and SF (p = 0.04, r = –0.1) respectively. Higher HAZ, WAZ and education level of the head of household were all significantly associated with the likelihood that a child would fall within the upper quartile of Hb values in our study group (p = 0.036, p = 0.032 and p = 0.036 respectively). CONCLUSION The results suggested that under–nutrition was positively associated with poor iron status and lower cognitive scores in this study population. Further research, investigating specific effects of poor iron status at different stages of growth and the relationship with cognitive function later in life may help explain the negative correlations observed between current iron status indicators and cognitive scores. / Thesis (M.Sc (Dietetics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

This dissertation attempts to understand the causes and levels of work stress and burnout in a department of the South African Public Service, by using three quantitative questionnaires, namely the ‘Work Experience Life Questionnaire’, ‘Maslach Burnout's Questionnaire’, and a ‘Biographical Questionnaire’. A qualitative questionnaire was administered to illicit in-depth responses in relation to the quantitative aspects of the study. The sample constituted of 341 senior officials whose positions ranged from Assistant Director to the Director-General. 231 quantitative questionnaires were completed, pointing to an acceptable response rate of 67.7%, which accounts for more than two thirds of the total study population. Qualitative questionnaires were emailed to 20 individuals, resulting in a returned response rate of 50%. A cross-sectional approach was adopted. The literature review was followed by an empirical investigation. The quantitativequalitative research approach, with a focus on Creswell's dominant-less-dominant model was used, where the quantitative phases were the dominant approach. A non-experimental approach was followed in the form of a cross-sectional study to examine the relationship between job stress and burnout in a specific time of study, by using the experience of Work and Life Circumstances Questionnaire (WLQ) and Maslach's Burnout (MBI-General Survey). In order to address the gaps with regards to the above-mentioned two questionnaires, a qualitative investigation was also conducted, where semi-structured questionnaires were sent to a number of officials. The qualitative survey was carried out to give an in-depth meaning to the quantitative data. It also extensively addressed the issues of organizational politics. / Hierdie verhandeling se hoof fokus is om die vlakke en oorsake van bestuurder stres en –uitbranding in ʼn departement van die Suid-Afrikaanse staatsdiens te ondersoek, deur gebruik te maak van 3 kwantitatiewe vraelyste (Ervaring van Werk en Lewens vraelys, Maslach se Uitbrandings vraelys, en ʼn biografiese vraelys), sowel as ʼn kwalitatiewe navorsings gedeelte. Vanuit ʼn populasie van 341 senior amptenare in poste vanaf assistentdirekteur tot Direkteur-generaal het 231 die vraelyste voltooi (67.7%). ʼn Kruis-seksionele benadering is toegepas. Hierdie studie voorsien ʼn in-diepte, en uitgebreide teoretiese perspektief en bespreking oor stres, werk stres, en werk uitbranding in die staatsdiens. In hoofstuk drie is ʼn in-diepte uiteensetting gegee oor die rol wat organisasie politiek in die werk organisasie speel. Meer spesifiek dui die literatuur oorsig aan dat daar ʼn sterk verhouding tussen organisasie politiek, werk stres en –uitbranding bestaan. ʼn Belangrike tekortkoming in hierdie oorsig is dat daar nie baie literatuur oor die onderwerp beskikbaar is nie en dat van die bronne ook baie verouderd is. Die literatuur studies, internasionaal en plaaslik, in hoofstuk vier, dui aan dat hoë vlakke van stres lei tot gesondheidsprobleme, wat dan ook kan lei tot hoë vlakke van personeelomset en –uitbranding in vroulike en manlike werknemers. Die literatuurstudie is opgevolg deur ʼn empiriese ondersoek. Die kwantitatiefkwalitatiewe navorsing benaderings, met ʼn fokus op Creswell se dominant-less-dominant model, waar die kwantitatiewe fases as oorheersende benadering gebruik is. ʼn Nieeksperimentele benadering is gevolg in die vorm van ʼn kruis-seksionele studie om die verhouding tussen werk stres en -uitbranding op een spesifieke tyd te bestudeer deur gebruik te maak van die ervaring van Werk- en Lewensomstandighede vraelys (WLV) en Maslach se Uitbrandings vraelys (MBI- Algemene Opname). Om die behoeftes van die twee vraelyste aan te spreek is ʼn kwalitatiewe ondersoek uitgevoer waar semi-gestruktureerde vraelyste aan ʼn aantal amptenare gestuur is. Die kwalitatiewe opname is uitgevoer om ʼn in-diepte betekenis aan die kwantitatiewe data te gee. Verder het dit ook die kwessies van organisasie politiek breedvoerig aangespreek. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / gm2014 / Psychology / Unrestricted