Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) are increasing in prevalence worldwide, including in developing countries like South Africa. If the assumption that ASDs manifests similarly across all cultures, then the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS), the western gold standard for diagnosing ASDs, will be able to accurately discriminate those children that have ASDs from those that do not. The ADOS was designed to increase the likelihood of children displaying ASD type behaviours to facilitate a diagnosis, but this may negatively impact on scores obtained by African children which are socialised to be respectful as opposed to spontaneous. This research study formed part of the larger KwaZulu-Natal-ASD1 (K-ASD) study, and aimed to explore the diagnostic ability of the ADOS in special needs schools in the greater eThekwini area. The study design used a matched blinded sample comprising of an atypically developing ASD and non-ASD group from Black, White and Indian ethnicities. The sample came from special needs schools. The experimental group thus comprised people with ASD and the control group was a learning disabled group that did not have ASD. This study compared Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) algorithm scores of a sample of 26 children (6-11 years of age) who were administered modules 1-3 of the ADOS with the clinical diagnoses for each of these children. Using McNemar’s Westlake Schuirmann Test of equivalence it was found that the clinician diagnoses and the ADOS coding algorithm results were statistically equivalent. Thus, no significant difference existed between the two methods of diagnosis. The ADOS showed greater sensitivity in identifying symptoms associated with ASD than did the clinician diagnoses. An ANOVA revealed significant differences in the communication and the reciprocal social interaction algorithm’s. This indicates a cultural variation in behaviours, since Black participants behaved in various gestural ways that were significantly different to the manner in which Whites behaved to the ADOS testing. / Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2012.

This study focuses on globalisation and its impact on the governance of local authorities, with particular reference to the eThekwini Municipality. The research is topical and relevant to the times. Currently, local government and administration in South Africa is undergoing restructuring and transformation in accordance with key national policies and recent legislative mandates. The restructuring of local government has been driven by the process of democratization and re-distribution. This drive has changed local government boundaries, introduced new structures and systems and re-orientated planning and the general environment. This phase in the transformation represents a fresh and final opportunity for local government to transform itself in a manner that will achieve sustainable and a developmental local government that will improve the quality of life of all South Africans economically, politically, socially, culturally and technologically. New conceptual frameworks, and new ways of dealing with problems and challenges have been introduced and the process of giving effect to the changes is bound to continue for some time into the foreseeable future. As South Africa confronts critical domestic challenges of economic growth and job creation, meeting basic needs, alleviating poverty, developing its people and ensuring a safe and secure environment, it continues to deliberate in international forums such as Southern African Development Community (SADC) and New Partnership on Africa's Development (NEPAD), and perform other global responsibilities. Globalisation is commonly portrayed as a multi-faceted phenomenon with trends in trade, technology, international capital movements and multi-national organizations all moving towards the creation of a new autonomous and homogenous global economic realm. In simple terms it demands that trends being developed by Local xvm Government keep abreast of what is happening in other countries throughout the World. Globalisation has brought into sharp focus the rapidly evolving functions of "regionalisation" in the World. The ease with which goods, services and finances are sourced has impacted on how the world operates. On a negative level, it has resulted in growing inequalities and polarization between more localities and regions that are able to engage and compete within the global economy and those who are unable to. Within the current political framework in South Africa's core principles, basic systems, and procedures are designed to encourage and facilitate community participation and strengthen local governance, management and development. This would allow for progressive steps towards social and economic upliftment of communities as envisaged in the White Paper on Local Government. Good governance and democracy are essential to ensure maximum participation and ownership of the decision making process at the local level. Moreover, key pillars of the strategy at the eThekwini Municipality are meeting basic needs, strengthening the economy and building skills and improving technology. In local government the emergence of a uniquely South African organization and leadership culture that recognizes the values and skills inherent in our cultural diversity is fundamental in sustaining the trends of globalisation. This holistic differences in approach should be viewed as a unique competitive advantage that improves the quality of decisionmaking. This study recognizes that South Africa needs to participate positively within the global community as a key player while addressing a multitude of domestic challenges. The study was conceptualized within a framework of globalisation and its fit into the paradigm of local governance. It also focuses on the traditional, innovative and global xix approaches to public administration and focuses on the impact and relevance to globalisation. The positive and negative implications of globalisation are highlighted and recommendations are made on the basis that South Africa and more particularly the eThekwini Municipality cannot ignore globalisation. Globalisation is here to stay and South Africa must plat its role within the global context. The study attempts to bridge the gap between theory and practice of globalisation. As South Africa deliberates within the African Union and embarks on the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) while confronting domestic challenges, it also has to perform global responsibilities. The research instruments and techniques used in this study consisted of theoretical search, empirical survey and data interpretation. The empirical survey captures the understanding of globalisation, responses within the core themes of each hypotheses, overall objectives and relationship between core themes. Descriptive and inferential statistical techniques were used. The study proposes and makes valuable recommendations for globalisation and its impact on the governance of local authorities. For the eThekwini Municipality to conform to these domestic and global trends the following recommendations should be considered: • Embrace globalisation as a fact and view it as a challenge for Africa. • Develop effective public-private partnerships, which will sustain the impact of local governance. • Enhance information technology, knowledge, skills and competencies. • Develop regional agreements for local and global cities. • Provide training to improve capacities to contribute towards organizational effectiveness. • To make the global economy more sustainable and inclusive in the developing countries. xx • Develop local leadership to meet the globalisation challenge. • Institute structural and institutional adjustment for developmental local government. • The eThekwini Municipality must emulate best practices of global cities. • Establish globalisation committee to keep abreast of the globalisation issues. • Use cultural diversity to improve the quality of decision-making. • Although the eThekwini has a generally well-developed infrastructural system, it is largely concentrated within the urban core and its principal development corridors. This system needs to be extended, maintained and upgraded if the core and periphery areas of eThekwini are to become integrated, support internationally competitive partners and attract new alliances. • Twinning of cities is an important measure to monitor global trends and alliances. • Further research and studies into the trends and influences of globalisation as applied with local authorities needs to be undertaken. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2004.

Along with increasing awareness of the realities of environmental degradation and climate change, governments around the world are now implementing strategies aimed at mitigating and adapting to these changes. While a significant effort is being made to negotiate environmental and climate politics at the international level, the importance of local environmental and climate governance has received more attention recently, as it is acknowledged that both the causes and the impacts of climate change and environmental degradation inevitably originate and happen locally. This dissertation aims to contribute to the research on climate change mitigation and adaptation in the African context through the analysis of local environmental and climate governance and governmentality in eThekwini municipality in South Africa. The aim of the study was to explore environmental governmentality in eThekwini municipality, by reflecting on the processes and outcomes of the COP17/CMP7 Responsible Accommodation Campaign, a part of the Greening COP17/CMP7 programme in Durban in 2011. Within this there were five main objectives: 1) to describe the current state of environmental and climate governance in eThekwini municipality, 2) to identify and explore the factors driving the COP17/CMP7 Responsible Accommodation Campaign, 3) to describe and evaluate the outcomes of the COP17/CMP7 Responsible Accommodation Campaign, 4) to reflect on the opportunities and challenges of the COP17/CMP7 Responsible Accommodation Campaign, and 5) to reflect on how the COP17/CMP7 Responsible Accommodation Campaign reveals the form of governmentality present in eThekwini municipality. The research consisted of three parts; observation of the planning processes of the Campaign, qualitative interviews with key stakeholders in the Campaign, and a questionnaire for a sample of the participants of the Campaign. Through an analysis based on the Focaultian governmentality theory, and Bulkeley and Kern’s (2006) local climate governing framework, the study shows that Durban’s environmental governance is mainly in the form of self-governing and governing through enabling, motivated by the ‘rationalities’ of greening the economy and creating a green event destination brand for the city. While these policies are welcomed by a portion of the private sector, this study has found that a broader aspect of governing modes and ‘technologies’ of rule is needed if the policies are to affect the broader population, in this case the hospitality sector. This requires the city government to continue to take responsibility as a leader of environmental and climate governance, and move towards a mode of governing that also involves the provision of incentives and services that enable more responsible business and individual practices in the city. The findings of this study provide useful insights into the needs of the hospitality sector specifically, as well as the form of governmentality in the city in general, that can inform future climate policy making in Durban. / Thesis (M.Dev.Studies)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2012.

Background HIV infection continues to be a challenge in South Africa with new infections reported at alarming rates. Health Care Workers (HCWs) who are nurses consequently have frequent contact with HIV positive and TB co-infected patients. During this contact their counselling behaviour is influenced by their knowledge, beliefs and attitudes about HIV and AIDS, STIs and TB (HAST) and may influence provision as well as the quality of HAST counselling behaviour. Aim The aim of the study was to assess eThekwini Municipality Health Care Workers’ knowledge, beliefs and attitudes regarding counselling behaviour for HAST and to make recommendations based on the findings of this study. Methods A descriptive cross sectional study design was used in which data about HAST counselling behaviour were collected using self administered questionnaires. The study population was all the nurses working at eThekwini Municipality Health clinics that were on duty at the time of the study and excluded those nurses who were absent or on leave during the period of data collection. Informed consent was signed by each respondent. Data were captured using SPSS version 14 and univariate, bivariate and multivariate analysis was undertaken. The level of significance was P<0, 05. Results The HCWs were well informed regarding counselling behaviour for HAST. HCWs with university education scored higher than those with college level of education but there were no statistically significant differences between the HCWs with the university education and those with college education. However some HCWs’ attitudes and beliefs about poverty were negative and may not be helpful in improving a patient’s health. Results showed that some HCWs’ negative attitudes about HAST counselling resulted from fear of HIV and or TB infection. Age and the level of education showed statistically significant association with beliefs. Older, better educated HCWs with a university education scored higher for knowledge for HAST counselling behaviour. There was no statistical significant difference found between HCWs who see less than 100 patients per day and those who see more than 100 patients per day. Conclusion The findings of the study show that HCWs were well informed regarding counselling behaviour for HAST, even though some HCWs have negative attitudes which are not supportive which need to be addressed. Recommendations It is recommended that HCWs receive continuous training in order to address the negative attitudes about counselling behaviour for HAST. / Thesis (M.Med.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2012

Due to the spread of urbanisation and increased environmental awareness, odour has become a major problem in communities surrounding landfills. The aim of this research was to investigate odour emissions from landfills and develop a management tool that operators could use to assist in minimising the impacts of odour. The management tool would be in the form of real-time predictions of odour concentrations in the vicinity of a source. The Bisasar Road landfill in Springfield, Durban was a case study site for the research. The methodologies used in this project can be divided into three broad categories. Firstly, flow visualisation experiments were conducted on the case study site to investigate the effects of complex terrain and the results compared to predictions from a dispersion model. Secondly, source characterisation was done on-site. Sources of odour were identified using a portable odour monitor (Electronic nose). Sources of odour were then sampled using sorbent tubes and analysis done using Gas Chromatography - Mass Spectrometry. Thirdly, numerical dispersion modelling was done. Five available dispersion models were assessed and compared against one another in order to select the most suitable model for this application. A software management tool or 'Odour Management System' (OMS), was designed and implemented on a computer at the Bisasar Road landfill. Qualitative results of the flow visualisation experiments show that terrain does have an effect on a dispersing plume path for short-range predictions. Comparisons between the flow experiments and model predictions are qualitatively consistent. Quantitative results were not obtained for the emission flow rate and emission concentration of landfill gas. The chemical composition of the fresh waste gas was determined. ADMSTM(Advanced Dispersion Modelling System) was found to be the most suitable dispersion model for this application. The OMS has been installed on-site to produce odour concentration graphics every ten minutes. A fence line odour control misting system has been installed along approximately 600 metres of the landfill border based on work done as part of this project. Weather conditions and information provided by the OMS, assist in running the odour control system economically. / Thesis (M.Sc.Eng.)-University of Natal,Durban, 2002.

In an effort to protect key environmental assets in the Outer West Region of the eThekwini Municipal area, the Environmental Management Department has embarked on a process to better align environmental concerns into the Consolidated Outer West Town Planning Scheme. The intention is to create sustainable living environments by recognising the importance and value of the environment and its open spaces. Ultimately the research is attempting to understand the difficulties in implementing sustainable development. Sustainable development has been acknowledged at a policy level in the eThekwini Municipality’s Integrated Development Plan; however the translation of sustainable development into implementation is more difficult. Part of the complexity relates to different sectors within the Municipality such as the Environmental Sector and the Economic Sector viewing sustainable development differently. The research focuses on the rapid densification in the Outer West adjacent to environmental resources by private land owners which highlights the lack of understanding by the public on the importance of the environment. Further, the conflicts between the need for economic development and environmental conservation in the context of the Giba Gorge area, show that historical zoning ‘rights’ operate against the protection of bio-diversity. This reinforces the need for better alignment between the environmental protection and land use management. / Thesis (M.T.R.P.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2008.

In South Africa there is an abundance of research studies available for policy development but few of the results have contributed to policy development, despite a seemingly-receptive new political environment. This highlights the need for a health research framework at local level, in order to guide the link between research and policies or programmes. Although a number of studies have been undertaken, the eThekwini Municipality does not seem to have a framework to facilitate a link between research studies, the policy - development process and implementation (service delivery). This results in policies or health programmes that are not informed by research, and as such, are often a waste of the resources of the above municipality. There is no evidence to indicate that research results have influenced the health policy, implementation or intervention process. The absence of an explicit health research agenda at eThekwini Municipality has meant that health research has not addressed health priorities or needs, nor have the available resources been channelled towards them. The study comes at an ideal time as the municipality is currently reviewing its approach to service delivery as well as finalising the planning process through integrated development planning (IDP), a legislative requirement in terms of the Municipal Systems Act. This study will help to create awareness in stakeholders regarding the lack of a link between research and policy processes. The arguments made in the study are that at the local sphere of government (the unit of analysis being eThekwini Municipality) there is no Health Research Policy Framework. This lack of a framework leads to ad hoc health research and the research results not being used. In addition, the health policies and programmes are not being informed by local research. The main argument is that there is an urgent need for the local sphere of government within the health sector to now develop and adopt a Health Research Policy Framework for linking research policy and implementation. The purpose of the study is to develop a Research Policy Framework for linking research, policy and implementation for the eThekwini Municipality. The objectives of the study are to analyse the existing health research policy framework, identify stakeholders in the health research policy processes, determine their role in the health research policy process, determine the conditions necessary for facilitating the linking of research to policy and to propose a research policy framework for the eThekwini Municipality. In order to attain the above-mentioned objectives of the study, a literature review, document review, a consultative workshop and semi-structured interviews were undertaken. After the data analysis was completed the following conclusions were drawn: there is a need for a health research policy framework, the knowledge base of some stakeholders is lacking, there is a lack of participation by key stakeholders in the health research policy processes, there is a lack of communication among key stakeholders and there is also a lack of use of health research results. A proposed health research policy framework is provided as part of the recommendations, as well as the processes to be followed in implementing the proposed framework. / Thesis (PhD.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2006.

The post-1994 era saw a deluge of housing legislation designed to shake the foundations of repressive Apartheid housing policy. Regrettably, the social housing sector began operating without the support of relevant legislation to guide social housing delivery. Institutional arrangements for social housing only came into effect in the late 2000s. This study sought to evaluate the institutional arrangements for social housing to assess why they have failed to deliver adequate social housing output to satisfy the latent demand on the market. Therefore, the study sought to assess whether the limited delivery of social housing was a result of institutional inertia in the planning, provision and management of social housing in eThekwini Municipality post-1994. Qualitative information on institutional arrangements for social housing was sourced through semi-structured interviews conducted with key informants involved in social housing development in eThekwini Municipality. The information gathered from the interviews was analysed using thematic analysis. After analysing the information, it was discovered that disjointed institutions have contributed to inadequate social housing whose shortage should be viewed not as primarily an issue relating to limited supply and excessive demand, but as reflective of the underlying institutional power struggles arising from the ad hoc and silo process of implementing social, land and economic policies. Therefore, the research concluded that the social housing sector would continue to deliver inadequate social housing output unless a supra-institution that integrates social, economic and land policies is enacted. To maximise the allocation and use of land and financial resources needed for social housing delivery, the intent of the legislations within the institutional arrangements for social housing must be synchronised to have clear strategies and procedures to deliver social housing at scale in inner city areas. / Thesis (M.Housing)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2011.

The reduction of the maternal mortality rate is part of the priority agenda of governments in Africa, including South Africa. Research shows that a large portion of maternal deaths are preventable because they are largely due to lack of inappropriately prepared staff. In South Africa, outcome studies on the quality of comprehensive prepared nursing graduates reflect some concerns regarding their levels of competence. These studies, however, are general; they did not directly target the competence of these graduates in their midwifery practice, therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore and describe the perceived level of competence of newly qualified-midwives functioning in midwifery units. Based on the positivist paradigm, an exploratory descriptive design, using a quantitative approach, was adopted in this study. Two structured questionnaires were used to collect data: one for the newly-qualified midwives and one for the supervisors. A total of 48 newly-qualified midwives and 26 supervisors from five hospitals at eThekwini District participated in this study. Ethics principles and other considerations were observed throughout the study. Data were analyzed statistically using a computer Software Package (SPSS, version 15.0) and a variety of statistical tests were carried out. . From the findings there was a positive congruence between graduates and their supervisors' ratings of the newly-qualified midwives clinical competencies. There were, however, significant differences in a few skills with graduates tending to rate themselves higher than did their supervisors. On the whole though one can conclude that although VI the findings in this study are not conclusive, compared to the previous studies in this area, there is an improvement in the level of competence of newly-qualified midwives. The improvement was noted in their level of competence in midwifery clinical practice, clinical teaching, management and research. The findine;s, however, revealed some areas that need special attention in the theory and clinical preparation of midwives. Recommendations included reviewing the curriculum and strengthening the research component. In midwifery clinical practice there needs to be more attention paid to neonatal care skills, problem solving and record keeping. Further research is also recommended. / Thesis (M.N.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2011.

Background: The health care systems across are characterised by the gross shortage of nurses. A number of initiatives have been reported which seek to address this challenge. Literature shows that males remain an inadequately tapped source, They remain a minority in nursing compared to their female counterparts. Literature also shows that gender-based barriers for male nurses exist. The purpose of this study was to explore gender-related constructs that influence the recruitment and retention of men in nursing as experienced by male nurses in three selected hospitals in the eThekwini district. Research Methodology: A qualitative, explorative and descriptive design was used in this study to illuminate the views of male nurses regarding their recruitment and retention in nursing .. Purposive sampling was used to select male nurses from three hospitals for interviews and a total of 37 participants participated in this study. The participants were drawn from private and public hospitals. Data was collected through individual and focus group interviews and was analyzed qualitatively. Research Findings: Four major themes emerged from data. These included the journey to nursing, experiences of males in the nursing profession, retention of male nurses and strategies to recruit and retain males in nursing. Findings from the groups and categories of males in nursing in different hospitals showed similarities which reflected that the barriers faced by men in the nursing profession were still pervasive, consistent and had undergone few changes over time. Recommendations: Recommendations were categorised into community, general education, nursing education, nursing practice and nursing research. / Thesis (M.N.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2011.