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  • About
  • The Global ETD Search service is a free service for researchers to find electronic theses and dissertations. This service is provided by the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations.
    Our metadata is collected from universities around the world. If you manage a university/consortium/country archive and want to be added, details can be found on the NDLTD website.
11

Changing social landscapes of the Western Cape coast of southern Africa over the last 4500 years

Jerardino, Antonieta Mafalda Susana January 1996 (has links)
Bibliography: pages 177-205. / This thesis presents a reinterpretation of the late-Holocene hunter-gatherer archaeology of the Eland's Bay and Lambert's Bay areas of the western Cape. Marked changes in settlement, and subsistence over the last 4500 years had been previously suggested as having resulted from external factors, such as the environment and contact with incoming pastoralist groups. In contrast, this thesis presents hunter-gatherers as active role players in the transformation of their society and history. This was proposed as a result of an excavation and dating programme, palaeoenvironmental reconstructions with better resolved time sequences, and the use of an interpretative framework that emphasises possible changes in population numbers and in modes of production, as well as the consequences of these processes. Between 3500 and 2000 BP, population densities increased and residence permanence became more sedentary, both of which were easily accommodated by a productive environment. Solutions to social stress, resulting from landscape infilling, were not sought through migration, but through the formalization of ritual gatherings at Steenbokfontein Cave. During these gregarious occasions, proper codes of conducts were reinforced, inter- and intra-group conflict was mediated and peoples' identity with the local landscape was also asserted. Coinciding with the increase in population numbers after 3500 BP, subsistence was reorganized around the intensive collection of highly predictable and productive species, such as shellfish, tortoises and plants. Frequent snaring of small and territorial bovids almost completely replaced the hunting of large mobile game. A system of delayed returns was also central to coastal hunter-gatherer economy between 3000 and 2000 BP, whereby the collection, processing and storage of large quantities of shellfish meat was undertaken. The large-scale effort of this activity is attested by the massive build up of large shell middens termed "megamiddens". It seems likely that hunter- gatherers at this time obtained most of the necessary protein from marine resources. In addition to the pervasive and high levels of social stress, ecological stress became palpable as environmental conditions began to deteriorate after 2400 BP. Ritual intensification no longer provided a solution, and aggregation phases at Steenbokfontein Cave came to an end. Social networks amongst hunter-gatherer groups broke down as a consequence of their fission into smaller social units and withdrawal of some of them to the periphery of the study area. The arrival of stock-owning groups around 2000 BP triggered a series of different responses by hunter-gatherers. These varied from cooperative behaviour, assimilation, avoidance and/or conflict. It is argued that these differences were shaped to a large extent by variable socio- economic configurations amongst pre-contact hunter-gatherer groups. The diet of the newly reconfigured and diverse hunter-gatherer society became overall more mixed after 2000 BP. Shellfish gathering became less important, some hunting of large game was practiced, with most of the diet provided by plant collection, snaring of small antelopes and the capture of tortoises.
12

The role of the professional nurse in providing continuity of care for geriatric patients at Groote Schuur Hospital

Dick, Judy January 1982 (has links)
Due to the fragmented structure of the health organisation in South Africa, there is often difficulty in assuring good co-ordination between in-patient and domiciliary health facilities. This results in the discharge of patients from hospital with poor prospects for the continuity of health care in the community. At Groote Schuur Hospital, approximately 44% of the hospital beds in the white section of the Hospital are occupied by patients in the age group of sixty-five years and over. This group of patients must be regarded as particularly vulnerable with regard to the transition of the care in a hospital to their own home for some of the following reasons: - * The nature of the disease - The chronic and recurrent nature of the degenerative diseases of old age often results in varying degrees of disability. in the aged patient. Many geriatric patients suffer from several unrelated clinical conditions, and thus there is a need to coordinate the many health services required. * Social circumstances - The aged population frequently live alone or with a frail relative, often in poor economic circumstances. * Re-admission rate - The geriatric re-admission rate following discharge is high. As the first principle of geriatric care is to restore independence, and to help patients live away from the hospital environment, the provision of extended care facilities for vulnerable patients is of utmost importance. A structured interview was used to assess the need for extended care facilities of 172 white patients over the age of 60 years who were discharged from Groote Schuur Hospital during March to May of 1981. An attempt was made to evaluate how effectively these needs were being met in the community following discharge. It was found that 34% of the patients interviewed were not getting the nursing care and support in the community which they needed to facilitate rehabilitation. The most vulnerable patients as regards aftercare were: - * The aged * The chronically ill * Patients who live alone or without social support * Patients whose illness leads to temporary or permanent disability * Patients hospitalised for prolonged periods. It was found that the patients interviewed were given insufficient preparation, while still in hospital, for the problems they would be faced with on discharge. No systematic policy exists to ensure that health care staff give adequate information to the patient on discharge from hospital. The ward sister was found to play a vital role in making the preparations for a patient's transfer from hospital to home. A questionnaire was designed to assess the Groote Schuur ward sisters' attitudes towards the importance of discharge planning. An analysis of the ward sisters' response indicated that great variation existed in the attitudes towards the importance of this task. An investigation into the existing community services for geriatric patients was undertaken. An attempt was made to assess the limitations and gaps which exist in the provision of services for the aged. Finally, the role of the recently established Department of Community Liaison at Groote Schuur Hospital was investigated. It was evident that the Community Liaison nurse had proved to be an invaluable member of the health team of a large, specialist hospital such as Groote Schuur. The activities of the Community Liaison nurse led to improved continuity of care for patients needing extended care facilities in the community.
13

Down memory lane : a mixed method investigation of the reminiscence bump in the dynamics of autobiographical memory

Venter, Anelien 01 1900 (has links)
Research into the reminiscence bump aims to improve our understanding of how the memories formed during our adolescence and early adulthood subsequently influence our autobiographical recollections later in life. The purpose of this study was to investigate the temporal dynamics of autobiographical memory in a sample involving two different age groups of adult South African participants. The main objective of the research was to explore the participants’ memories for salient events and to determine whether these memories exhibit the typical reminiscence bump that has been found in autobiographical memory research. This sample consisted of two sets of cohorts, totalling 48 research participants. The first group comprised participants ranging between the ages of 40 and 59 years, and the second group involved participants ranging between the ages of 60 to 79 years. A convergent parallel mixed method approach was adopted in this study. Both quantitative and qualitative data, on the distribution, valence and life domain importance of the reminiscence bump, were collected through the lifeline interview method. The results confirmed that reminiscence bumps are reflected in the memories of both age groups between the ages of 10 and 30 years. Most life events recalled were of positive affect thus confirming the positivity bias in older adults. The family and home life domains were indicated as the most important life domains in the autobiographical memories of both groups. The main conclusion drawn from the study was that there was not a significant difference in the dynamics of the autobiographical memories between the two groups, as reflected in the temporal characteristics of their reminiscence bumps. Future research could further explore the patterns of memories, and researchers could in particular investigate the semantic and affective aspects of these autobiographical memories in more depth. / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology)
14

Exploring FLOW in retirement

Nortjé, Aletia 02 1900 (has links)
This explorative study originated from the researcher’s personal encounters with “disappointment, regret and purposelessness” in retirement. The aim of this research study is thus exploring what the opposite of these negative sentiments, namely “successful” aging or "successful" adaptation to retirement could constitute and, most importantly, the role of FLOW therein. Initial indications are that FLOW could play a key role in “successful” retirement. Another focus has been to explore whether and how retirees with post-matric qualifications or training could redeploy their accumulated expertise in the post-retirement years. Various models of social entrepreneurship, ranging from voluntary work to paid work, were found to enhance successful adaptation to retirement, addressing society’s needs at the same time. In this qualitative research study, I have followed a case study approach, interviewing nine participants, whose results were analysed individually and then integrated in a comparative fashion to answer the research questions. / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology)
15

Exploring FLOW in retirement

Nortjé, Aletia 02 1900 (has links)
This explorative study originated from the researcher’s personal encounters with “disappointment, regret and purposelessness” in retirement. The aim of this research study is thus exploring what the opposite of these negative sentiments, namely “successful” aging or "successful" adaptation to retirement could constitute and, most importantly, the role of FLOW therein. Initial indications are that FLOW could play a key role in “successful” retirement. Another focus has been to explore whether and how retirees with post-matric qualifications or training could redeploy their accumulated expertise in the post-retirement years. Various models of social entrepreneurship, ranging from voluntary work to paid work, were found to enhance successful adaptation to retirement, addressing society’s needs at the same time. In this qualitative research study, I have followed a case study approach, interviewing nine participants, whose results were analysed individually and then integrated in a comparative fashion to answer the research questions. / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology)
16

Analysis of the nutritional status and dietary intake data of a group of elderly at a day and frail care centre in Verulam

Govender, Theloshni January 2011 (has links)
Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements of the Degree of Master of Technology: Food and Nutrition Consumer Science, Durban University of Technology, 2011. / Background: South Africa, a richly diverse developing country has been faced by the consequences of transition attributed to urbanisation and acculturation. A Westernised lifestyle has, therefore, resulted in increasing disease patterns that are characterized by a combination of poverty-related diseases together with the emerging chronic diseases. The shift to a Westernised lifestyle has resulted to a shift in the composition of dietary staples leading to dietary factors related to an increase in lifestyle diseases. These include a high fat, low fibre diet, as well as an inadequate intake of fruits and vegetables. However, this in turn has led to higher energy intakes with insufficient and imbalanced micronutrient intake. Research conducted amongst the elderly in South Africa has clearly indicated that the elderly live within a limited financial budget leading to extreme levels of food insecurity and the social burden of being the head of the household, in addition to being the caregiver to grandchildren and sick children. Due to the current living status the elderly encounter reduced food intake in addition to a reduced variety in their diet, therefore, micronutrient deficiencies are common amongst this age group. Therefore, a consumption of energy-dense foods, particularly staple foods, to stretch the food budget which are more affordable and thus allow for an increased consumption is evident. Aim: To determine the socio-demographic profile, health and nutritional status in relation to the dietary intake patterns to reflect malnutrition among free living elderly (60yrs+) in Verulam. Methodology: Fifty nine randomly selected men and 191 women aged 60+ participated on a voluntary basis in this study. A descriptive survey method was used for this cross sectional study. Trained fieldworkers assisted with the administration of all questionnaires and a registered nurse measured blood pressure. Socio-demographic questionnaires were administered to determine the socio-economic characteristics of the elderly within this community. Anthropometric measurements determined the Body Mass Index according to the World Health Organisation and Asian cut-off points to indentify the risk factors. The Health questionnaire identified the health status correlated to the respondent’s profundity of disease and deficiencies associated to dietary patterns. Blood pressure measurements were taken to determine the hypertension prevalence related to the dietary intake. Two 24-Hour Recall questionnaires were completed by the 250 respondents to identify actual vii food intake and measured against the Dietary Recommended Intake (DRIs). A food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) determined the respondent’s food variety score over a period of one week. The socio-demographic questionnaire, health questionnaire, food frequency questionnaire and anthropometric measurements were captured on an Excel® spread sheet by the researcher and analyzed for descriptive statistics using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 17.0 with the assistance of a statistician. The 24-Hour Recall data were captured and analyzed by a nutrition professional using the MRC Food Finder® version 3.0 software, based on the South African Food Composition tables. Results: The majority of the respondent’s role in the family was mothers (70.8%) and lived in an urban area (68.8%). In addition, 73.2 percent (n=183) of the respondents shared the house with one to five people, and lived in a brick house (74.4%, n=186) with more than 3 rooms (74.0%, n=185). The elderly in this sample were pensioners and, therefore, 76.0 percent (n=190) received state grants of which the total household income ranged between R1001-R1500 (35.2%, n=88). Food insecurity is prevalent as reported by 28.4 percent. Primary school was the highest level of education completed by 52.4 percent (n=131) and English is the most spoken language amongst this group (74.0%, n=185). Women had higher BMI values particularly in the overweight (18.32%, n=35) and obese I and II (58.6%, n=112) categories when compared with men. Blood pressure measurements indicated that 60.0 percent (n=150) of the respondents suffered from hypertension. The use of chronic medication was reported by 84.4 percent (n=212). The total range of individual food items consumed by an individual during the seven-day data collection period measured by the (FFQ) was between 4-66 foods. However, the highest consumption was four food items by 23.2 percent (n=58) of the respondents. The summary of the food variety within food groups indicated a high dietary diversity, of which the other vegetable group reported the highest individual mean FVS (±SD) of 10.86 (±5.82), followed by other fruit, cereal, flesh and Vitamin A rich groups with 5.73 (±4.41), 5.03 (±1.85), 4.08 (±2.23) and 2.43 (±1.09) respectively. The nutrient analysis indicated a deficient intake by both men and women of all the nutrients, except for the mean (±SD) total protein in the women 45.10 (±12.55) and carbohydrate 212.83 (±36.97) in the men. The energy contribution indicated 98.3 percent (n=58) men and 85.72 percent (n=158) women consumed <100 percent of the EER for viii energy. However, the findings from the Top 20 food items measured by the 24-Hour Recall indicated that this community’s diet is largely carbohydrate-based, containing primarily starchy staple foods, sufficient intake of animal products, and insufficient intakes of dairy foods, fruit and vegetables, possibly resulting in the micronutrient deficiencies. The energy distribution of the macronutrients from the average of both 24-Hour Recalls indicates that both men and women are in range of 15-30 percent total fat intake, 10-15 percent protein and 55-75 percent carbohydrate. Conclusion: The results of the study reflect that the elderly in this community are faced with poverty, food insecurity as well as social factors thus contributing to a compromised nutritional status. The progression of malnutrition in particular overnutrition is experienced by the majority of the respondents in this study, however, an increased BMI and the prevalence of hypertension is a risk marker for noncommunicable diseases. However, the high prevalence of inadequate food and nutrient intake amongst elderly discloses the need for nutrition interventions and should be aimed at modifying the elderly food choices when purchasing food, healthier food preparation methods, increasing fruit and vegetable portions and improving daily physical activity to attain a better quality of life. / DUT Postgraduate Development and Support Directorate (PGD)
17

An illustration of the self-actualising tendency (S.A.T.) in an elderly diabetic group in Meadowlands-Soweto

Phele, Johanna Kedibone 28 February 2004 (has links)
Social Work / MA(SS)(MENTAL HEALTH)
18

New excavations at Canteen Kopje, Northern Cape province, South Africa: a techno-typological comparison of three earlier Acheulean assemblages with new interpretations on the Victoria West phenomenon

Leader, George Michael 02 July 2014 (has links)
A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Johannesburg, 2014. / The site of Canteen Kopje in Barkly West, South Africa, has provided the archaeological record with an invaluable collection of Earlier Stone Age artefacts. An alluvial deposit approximately 1km from the modern Vaal River, the site contains an abundance of artefacts. A 2007 – 2009 excavation in Pit 6 has provided an assemblage of over 15,000 artefacts that has been dated by cosmogenic nuclide burial method. Three distinct assemblages show technological changes through time of the earlier Acheulean industrial complex. The youngest industry, the Prepared Core Technology Assemblage, is dated to 1.2 ± .07 Ma and contains Victoria West prepared core technology. Beneath it is the Organised Core Assemblage which is void of Victoria West prepared core technology but contains cores that demonstrate more organised knapping techniques in the form of asymmetrical control. This assemblage is dated to 1.51 ±0.8 Ma. Finally, the underlying Basal Early Acheulean Assembage lacks both prepared cores and organised cores and is >1.51 Ma in age. The abundance of large angular clasts of andesite in the area made multiple knapping strategies effective for the manufacture of large flakes. A technological sequence in the knapping strategies has emerged in this excavation, from simple cores to organised cores and finally prepared cores. The older technologies clearly display the roots of prepared core technology in the asymmetrical control of the organised knapping methods. The overall success of the knapping strategies prior to the appearance of the Victoria West industry in the Canteen Kopje archaeological record creates questions as to why more complex strategies might have been implemented over time. Analysis of the assemblages from the Pit 6 excavation fails to provide a clear technological explanation within the empirical data as to why this change occurs. This research therefore argues that the Victoria West prepared core knapping strategy is a localized stone age culturally motivated knapping tradition.
19

The Southward spread of Johannesburg and its impact on precolonial stone walled structures

Naidu, Saireeni Latisha January 2018 (has links)
Thesis (M.Sc.)--University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Science, School of Geography, Archaeology and Environmental Studies, 2018. / There are thousands of Stone Walled Structures (SWS) located in the southern half of the Gauteng Province. In the absence of relevant historical documents, these SWS are all the information we have about how pre-colonial societies were organized in this area. Unfortunately, they are threatened by rapid urbanization and development. This research attempts to estimate how many Iron Age SWS have been lost to urban development in Johannesburg South during the last 80 years. I mapped and quantified the SWS and urbanization in four chronological snapshots using remote sensing techniques. Aerial photographs from 1937 and 1961 were used as well as Google Earth satellite images from 2005 and 2015. The data was analyzed on the ESRI software ArcGIS 10.3. The four snapshots show the trend in urban sprawl and destruction of SWS and this information is valuable for mitigation strategies. Fortunately, there are legislations and procedures in place to ensure that not all these sites are lost forever. / EM2018
20

An illustration of the self-actualising tendency (S.A.T.) in an elderly diabetic group in Meadowlands-Soweto

Phele, Johanna Kedibone 28 February 2004 (has links)
Social Work / MA(SS)(MENTAL HEALTH)

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