MCur / Department of Advanced Nursing Science

MPH / Department of Public Health / See the attached abstract below

No description available.

Actuellement, l'usage d'un système d'aide à la navigation est devenu de plus en plus indispensable dans la vie quotidienne. Cependant, les systèmes existants ne sont pas adaptés à la navigation des personnes à mobilité réduite (PMR) utilisatrices d'un fauteuil roulant. De nombreux projets ont été créés, comme Wegoto en France ou Route4U en Hongrie. Au Canada, le projet multidisciplinaire MobiliSIG a été lancé en 2013. Ce projet vise à concevoir et développer des technologies géospatiales de navigation selon les principes de la conception cognitive pour assister les PMR dans leurs déplacements quotidiens et leur accès à l'environnement. L'objectif global du présent projet est la conception d'un système mobile de planification de trajet et de guidage pendant la navigation, multimodal et adapté aux différents profils de personnes à mobilité réduite utilisatrices de fauteuil roulant. Pour commencer, nous avons passé en revue la littérature relative aux concepts liés à notre problématique. Ensuite, nous avons proposé une approche d'aide à la navigation qui combine des éléments de guidage pas à pas avec des informations sur des repères ainsi que de différents éléments pertinents (points d'intérêts, obstacles/facilitateurs, ...) pour la description d'un trajet personnalisé et adapté au profil des PMR. Finalement, en nous appuyant sur les principes de la conception modulaire et sur le concept des applications mobiles riches (AMR), nous avons conçu et développé une solution mobile composée de trois modules : un module profil pour gérer le profil et les préférences de l'utilisateur, un module de planification qui gère la planification adaptée des itinéraires et un module de navigation pour fournir un guidage multimodal (visuel, vocal et haptique) pendant la navigation en tenant compte de profil de l'utilisateur. / Currently, the use of a navigation aid system has become more and more essential in daily life. However, the existing systems are not adapted to the navigation of people with reduced mobility (PRM) using a wheelchair. Many projects have been created, such as Wegoto in France or Route4U in Hungary. In Canada, the multidisciplinary project MobiliSIG was launched in 2013. This project aims to design and develop geospatial navigation technologies according to the principles of cognitive design to assist PRMs in their daily travel and access to the environment. The overall objective of this project is the design of a mobile route planning and guidance system during navigation, multimodal and adapted to the different profiles of wheelchair users with reduced mobility. To begin, we reviewed the literature related to the concepts of our problem. Then, we proposed a navigation aid approach that combines step-by-step guidance elements with information on landmarks and different relevant elements (points of interest, obstacles/facilitators, ...) for the description of a personalized path adapted to the profile of PRM. Finally, based on the principles of modular design and the concept of rich mobile applications (RMAs), we designed and developed a mobile solution composed of three modules: a profile module to manage the user's profile and preferences; a planning module to manage the adapted route planning; and a navigation module to provide multimodal guidance (visual, voice and haptic) during navigation taking into account the user's profile.

The nursing home industry has been saturated for decades with culture change initiatives in an effort to improve resident quality of care. The direct care worker (DCW) is considered a critical position to achieving nursing facility quality improvements. Understanding what leads to job satisfaction for DCWs could result in improved resident care. The relationship DCWs have with their direct supervisor or upper-level manager can impact employee satisfaction. The purpose of this research is to identify factors that are associated with DCWs satisfaction with supervisor and management support. Data was obtained from 307 DCWs who were employed at 11 North Texas nursing homes. It was expected that factors affecting satisfaction with direct supervision and upper-level management would differ. In fact, the study found that the antecedents for employee satisfaction with supervisor support were participative decision-making/empowerment, age, information exchange and feedback. Furthermore, participative decision-making/empowerment, perceived competence, staffing, information exchange and feedback were found to affect direct care workers' satisfaction with manager support. In conclusion, this research provides a starting point towards a more holistic view of employee satisfaction with supervisor support by considering the preceding factors and its subsequent effects.

Ce projet de recherche porte sur la décision de se relocaliser des personnes âgées locataires. Au Québec, il est estimé que le nombre de personnes âgées de 85 ans et plus triplera d'ici 2056 (MFA, 2012). Il s'agit de la tranche d'âge utilisant le plus de soins à domicile ; 60 % sont locataires (MFA, 2012 ; Turcotte, 2014). Bien que la majorité des aînés désirent vieillir dans leur domicile, un déménagement est parfois souhaitable, voire incontournable. En effet, un état de santé se détériorant au fil des ans peut faire en sorte que les activités quotidiennes deviennent difficiles et ne puissent être menées de manière autonome sans apporter des modifications au logis. Si adapter un logis n'est pas une mince tâche, cela est encore plus compliqué dans un immeuble locatif. En effet, nombreux sont les locataires dont le bail ne permet pas de telles modifications. Déménager est souvent la seule option pour les aînés locataires en perte d'autonomie fonctionnelle. Quels facteurs influencent non seulement la décision de se reloger, mais aussi le choix d'une coopérative d'habitation ou d'un OBNL d'habitation, soit deux options d'habitat communautaire abordable, mais aussi plus marginal au Québec? Comment l'expérience du déménagement est-elle vécue et quels facteurs contribuent à reconstruire le sentiment d'être chez-soi? Autant de questions auxquelles ce mémoire tente de répondre par le biais d'une recension des écrits et d'une enquête qualitative. Les objectifs de la recherche sont ainsi de comprendre cette expérience à travers le temps, en lien avec le parcours résidentiel antérieur et la reconstruction de la relation affective au logis. Deux volets ont été menés parallèlement pour compléter cette recherche. D'une part, une recension systématique des écrits sur le thème du relogement des aînés en perte d'autonomie ; d'autre part, 14 entretiens semi-dirigés auprès de personnes âgées s'étant relocalisées dans un habitat coopératif ou en OBNL. La synthèse des connaissances suggère que quitter un domicile connu est une décision complexe, voire difficile, impliquant plusieurs facteurs, dont le parcours de vie, la famille, les routines quotidiennes et la relation affective au domicile actuel. L'analyse thématique des entretiens, à partir des multiples facteurs identifiés dans la recension scientifique, a permis de cerner les plus invoqués par les aînés rencontrés pour justifier leur choix résidentiel, soit : la création ou le maintien de liens sociaux, le sentiment accru d'indépendance et de contrôle, ainsi que la présence d'entraide et de services au sein de l'immeuble. D'autres dimensions matérielles et économiques sont invoquées, mais indirectement à travers ces dimensions psychologiques ou sociales. Diverses composantes physiques du domicile et du quartier (les vues vers l'extérieur à partir du logement, l'espace de visite, les lieux communs, la gestion et l'administration de l'immeuble) semblent aussi influencer la relation affective au logis et la capacité de reconstruire le sentiment d'être chez soi. Les résultats de cette recherche suggèrent de consolider l'offre de logements communautaires abordables pour les personnes âgées en perte d'autonomie, ceux-ci leur permettant d'avoir accès aux services requis par leur situation, tout en conservant leur indépendance et leurs cercles sociaux.

No description available.

The purpose of this study was to identify the need for a training programme and to develop the training programme to meet the needs of traditional birth attendants in the management of pregnancy, labour and puerperium. The study was conducted in the Flagstaff district which is one of the districts of the north eastern region (region E) of the Eastern Cape. The target group consisted of all the traditional birth attendants who availed themselves at the residential clinics of Flagstaff district and the number is not known as not all traditional birth attendants who presented themselves are recognized by their communities as traditional birth attendants. The study was a quantitative descriptive design and the data was collected by means of structured interviews using a questionnaire that was designed by the researcher. According to the findings the traditional birth attendants are functioning without being formally trained before. They lack knowledge and skill in the management of pregnancy, labour and puerperium. Some of their practices are reason for concern, for example cephalic versions and not using protective devices. There is a need for the development of the training programme in the Flagstaff district. This programme was developed from the information obtained from the data-analysis and is given as annexure F / Health Sciences / M.A. (Advanced Nursing Sciences)

In contemporary multicultural societies, health is emerging as a fundamental right alongside education and welfare: a frame of reference endorsed by the Government of National Unity in South Africa. Health workers are confronting issues far beyond the more traditional modes of health education. The initial thrust of this research was to investigate the most relevant social, health and education knowledge bases and issues relative to health education in cross cultural encounters in order to formulate universal guidelines applicable to the national situation. Differences inherent in allopathic and traditional health systems are explored in historical time, in conjunction with concepts of social change, communality in diversity and the co-existence of multiple realities. An understanding of common denominators across all human and group experience emerges and, with it, insight into problems that occur when universalistic conceptions of human behaviour are linked to communicocentric hegemony. The parameters within which cross cultural health education are viewed are extended through an analytical, empirical evaluation of the andragogic consequences of a broader conceptualisation of culture and the patterned relationships existing between elements within society. The ontic fact that similar variables may have widely different meanings and be differently construed by people whose life experiences differ is affirmed. Culture shock becomes a potential personal reality for all engaged in cross cultural encounters. Radical reflection on human nature and the eidos of man constitutes the foundation upon which the aims and various theories of health education are systematically and progressively evaluated. Evidence surfaces that the original intent of the research was rooted in the Western medical tendency towards standardisation, specialisation and the creation of scientifically validated routines for professional practice and that gaps exist between the theory and practice of health education and the everyday experiences of people. On the basis of scientifically based insights, guidelines have been formulated to narrow the divide between the factual, linearly based procedural aspects of health education and the human experience of learning. The guidelines embody the notion that the health educator's role in cross cultural encounters is one of facilitating meaningful, appropriate and informed choices on the part of adult learners. / Educational Studies / D.Ed. (Philosophy of Education)

The problems concerning the future management of state-aided (Model C) schools fall into two main categories, namely problems intrinsic to the Model C schools and the problem of giving substance to the stated vision of the ANC. Model C schools were seen as a South African model of school self-management. A study of the literature relating to school self-management in general, and how it is practised in various countries, was made and the management of state-aided (Model C) schools was analyzed. A impirical investigation was conducted to ascertain the perceptions of various role-players in school management about their duties and responsibilities in this regard. A model for the self-management of state-aided schools, based on the Caldwell and Spinks' s model, and conforming to various criteria, is proposed. The proposed model is, in the opinion of the researcher, applicable not only to State-aided schools, but to all schools in South Africa as it allows individual schools to accept as much or as little self-management as is consistent with the capacity of their communities to provide effective and efficient service. It also allows schools to accept increases in self-management as their communities gain in management skills and expertise. / Educational Studies / D.Ed. (Educational Management)