The recent experience with the 2009 H1N1 pandemic has drawn attention to the need to better understand the public’s response to emergently released vaccines (ERV). This study applied a mixed methods approach to examine the causal pathways underlying the vaccination behaviour during a public health emergency. The integrated evidence from empirical and theoretical-based findings highlights a number of factors to consider in interventions to improve vaccination rates with an ERV. These factors include: 1) providing clear risk messages around the disease and the ERV, 2) improving accessibility to the vaccine, 3) encouraging primary healthcare providers to provide recommendations for vaccination, 4) implementing strategies to increase seasonal influenza vaccination prior to the next public health emergency, 5) developing strategies to target sub-populations more reluctant to accept an ERV. Developing theory-based interventions that are behaviour-specific may be more likely to result in behaviour change within the public in future emergency vaccination campaigns.

The aim of this study was to examine how care workers at retirement homes reason on elderly who abuse alcohol with emphasis on following aspects: approach regarding elderly alcohol abusers, personal treatment in interaction with care recipients, discovering of alcohol abuse, courses of action, practical arrangements and the type of care given. The data has been analyzed on the basis of gender theory and social constructivism. Method that was implemented combined focus group interviews with vignettes. The results indicate that approach regarding elderly alcohol abusers, encounters between care workers and care recipients, discovering of alcohol abuse, courses of action, practical arrangements, the type of care given and attitudes and personal values regarding elderly who abuse alcohol are all influenced by gender. In addition, patterns that indicate that caretakers’ sympathetic attitudes towards seniors alcohol abuse are impacted by gender norms were detected. / Syftet med denna studie var att undersöka hur omsorgspersonal som är verksamma inom äldreboende, resonerar kring äldre som missbrukar alkohol utifrån aspekter som synsätt, bemötande, upptäckande av alkoholmissbruk, tillvägagångssätt, praktiska åtgärder samt vård. Studiens resultat analyserades utifrån genus- och socialkonstruktivistiskt perspektiv. Metoden som implementerats är en kombination av fokusgruppsintervjuer med vinjetteknik. Resultatet tyder på att synsätt, bemötande, upptäckande, praktiska åtgärder samt vård attityder och värderingar angående äldre som missbrukar påverkas av genus. Utöver detta finns det mönster i materialet som tyder på att även förståelse för äldres missbruk påverkas av genusrelaterade normer.

The perpetration of theft by employees in a nursing home is the subject of this study. The investigation focuses mainly on the theft of clients’/residents’ possessions by those people who are supposed to care for them. Previous research indicated a relationship between ethical climate and the behavioural outputs of employees in an organization. This research, which is mainly qualitative in nature, endeavours to study the assumed relation between ethical climate and theft by employees in a specific location, namely at Vergenoeg vir Seniors, an old age home in Pretoria. With the aid of a standardized questionnaire the nature of the ethical climate in the home is clarified. Thereafter the results are evaluated and investigated by utilizing (i) a focus group interview and (ii) six in- depth individual interviews. Certain substantial and formal tendencies which present themselves, are discussed fully. For example, it is detected that “rules and regulations” play a paramount role as regards ethical climate, whereas “friendship and team work” rate very low. Ethical climate however does affect employee theft. Therefore it is recommended that this aspect should be managed with care and should also enhance the climate type of “social responsibility”. Other recommendations involve the need for team building and proper job descriptions, as well as dealing with the perception of most older people that theft practices differ according to race. Finally, some suggestions for further study are made. / Dissertation (MCom (Human Resources Management))--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Human Resource Management / unrestricted

The implementation of the Creative and Performing Arts (CPA) syllabus at lower primary school level in Botswana has been carried out without paying due regard to all that should be in place. As a result, the implementation exercise has been hampered by some administrative and logistical problems. The content for Creative and Performing Arts as a curriculum subject draws from Western culture, primarily due to the proliferation of literary sources for such content. It has therefore been a matter of urgent concern to establish the extent to which local culture, in the form of indigenous musical arts, have been integrated into the syllabus. The methods employed in this study are qualitative. They include data collection by means of semi - structured interviews in focus group discussions, and content analysis of the syllabus document. The results of this research suggest that the indigenous musical arts in the Creative and Performing Arts syllabus content are generally representative of the culture of the Batswana. But the indigenous musical arts content in the Creative and Performing Arts syllabus could be representative of the indigenous culture of the Batswana to a much greater extent, especially as it al lows for the use of local resources and contains objectives that explicitly refer to the inclusion of the musical culture of a local community. Current limitations are mainly caused by the teachers ’ short comings in terms of appropriate teaching approaches and their vague under standing of the main concept that they should master, namely ‘integration’. The results of the study further indicate that teachers cover most of the indigenous musical arts in their lessons. The results also indicate that teachers are usually able to relate music with physical education, but are unable to integrate content as much as it is practicable due to lack of knowledge and skill on their part. On syllabus implementation, the results reveal that school administrators feel that they have not been duly recognized as key players in the implementation exercise. They suggest that specialization in the teaching of the various components of the Creative and Performing Arts be encouraged. They also suggest a review of the syllabus that would allow primary school teachers more input. As far as the teachers are concerned, the results reveal that, the implementation workshops they have attended have not been adequate in equipping them with the necessary skills to teach the subject. They, like the school heads, suggest specialization by teachers. They also suggest the following: a review of the syllabus and teaching and learning materials; provision of in-service training; close monitoring by the implementing authority, and the provision of resources. The conclusion reached is that the syllabus allows the teacher the freedom to draw as much as possible from the community, thus making learning more relevant to the learner. With regard to syllabus implementation, the implementation exercise is hampered by the absence of appropriate resources and facilities as well as the necessary support in the form of needs - oriented in-service training. Owing to lack of resources and in-service training that addresses specific needs, the teachers are not very effective in syllabus delivery. / Thesis (DMus)--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Music / unrestricted

Bakgrund: I palliativ vård kan aspekter av sexualitet aktualiseras. Riktlinjer för palliativ vård säger att sexualitet bör beaktas i arbetet. Tidigare forskning visar att inkludering av sexualitet i vården är bristfällig och det finns en kunskapslucka om hur det ser ut inom palliativ vård. Syfte: Syftet med studien var att undersöka sjuksköterskors erfarenheter av och uppfattningar om arbete med sexualitet inom palliativ vård. Metod: Studien har en kvalitativ design med induktiv ansats. Det empiriska materialet inhämtades genom tre fokusgruppsintervjuer med elva sjuksköterskor som arbetar inom palliativ vård i södra Sverige. Intervjuerna analyserades med en kvalitativ innehållsanalys. Resultatet diskuterades analytiskt genom teoretiska begreppet sexuella skript. Resultat: Resultatet visar att arbete med sexualitet inom palliativ vård omgärdas av en ambivalens om relevans och betydelse vilket visar sexualitetens oklara plats. Behov av stödjande insatser för patient och närstående identifierades och beskriver en sexualitet i förändring. Arbete kopplat till sexualitet görs till viss del men bristen av det är mer framträdande. Metoder, ansvar och hinder för att inkludera sexualitet framkommer och drivs av en vilja att göra rätt. Slutsats: Ökad kunskap och synliggörande av sexualitet behövs för att motverka att det är föreställningar om sexualitet i livets slutskede och inte kunskap som blir vägledande till om och hur sexualitet inkluderas i arbetet inom palliativ vård.Nyckelord: fokusgruppsintervjuer, helhetssyn, palliativ vård, sexualitet, sexuella script, sjuksköterskor. / Background: In palliative care, aspects of sexuality can be raised. Guidelines for palliative care say that sexuality should be heeded in the work. Previous research shows that inclusion of sexuality in healthcare is deficient and there is a knowledge gap on how it appears in palliative care. Aim: The aim of the study was to investigate nurses’ experiences and perceptions of work with sexuality in palliative care. Method: The study has a qualitative design with an inductive approach. The empirical material was obtained through three focus group interviews with eleven nurses working in palliative care in southern Sweden. The interviews were analyzed with a qualitative content analysis. The result was discussed analytically through the theoretical concept sexual script. Result: The result shows that work with sexuality in palliative care is surrounded by an ambivalence of relevance and meaning that shows the unclear place of sexuality. The need for supportive efforts for patients and related persons was identified and describes a sexuality in change. Work associated to sexuality is done to some extent, but the lack of it is more prominent. Methods, responsibilities and barriers to include sexuality appear and are driven by a desire to do the right thing. Conclusion: Increased knowledge and visibility of sexuality is needed to counteract that there are notions of sexuality in the final stages of life and not knowledge that will guide if and how sexuality is included in work of palliative care. Keywords: focus group interviews, holistic-view, nurses, palliative care, sexuality, sexual script.

Bakgrund: Operationssjuksköterskan arbetar i en komplex arbetsmiljö med ansvarför bland annat patientens säkerhet, patientens positionering och att upprätthålla enaseptisk miljö. Av hygieniska skäl samt för att reducera infektionsrisk bör onödigtspring i operationssalen undvikas, vilket kan innebära att operationssjuksköterskanarbetar långa pass utan avlösning. Operationsavdelningar ligger oftast avskilda, därdet kan saknas möjligheter till dagsljus på operationssalen. Dagsljus reglerarkroppens cirkadiska rytm och vid bristande exponering för dagsljus har negativaeffekter som humörsvängningar samt sömnrubbningar setts. Goda dagsljusförhållanden har däremot påvisats generera ökat välbefinnande samt förbättradprestationsförmåga. Syfte: Syftet med studien var att belysa operationssjuksköterskors upplevelser avbegränsad tillgång till dagsljus på arbetsplatsen. Metod:  Kvalitativ design med semistrukturerade fokusgruppsintervjuer med totalt15 operationssjuksköterskor. En innehållsanalys genomfördes med induktiv ansats. Resultat: Studien genererade två huvudkategorier, skillnad på ljus samt kontaktmed omvärlden. Operationssjuksköterskor upplevde att dagsljus påverkade demannorlunda än ljuset från lampor, varvid dagsljus ansågs vara viktigt för att upplevavälbefinnande. Den begränsade tillgången till dagsljus ledde till en inre stress sompåverkade operationssjuksköterskorna även efter arbetet. Att ha möjligheter att se utvar viktigt för att uppleva kontakt med omvärlden och bilda sig en tidsuppfattning. Slutsats: Se ut genom fönster kan minska känslan av instängdhet i den slutnakontext som operationsverksamheten innebär. Det kan även leda till ökatvälbefinnande och trivsel på arbetsplatsen. Då det råder brist påoperationssjuksköterskor anser vi att dagsljus är en viktig komponent i den fysiskaarbetsmiljön som bör tas i beaktande såväl vid vidare forskning såsom vidnybyggnation av operationsavdelningar.

This paper uses a comparative focus group method to explore the conditions for risk communication after a hypothetical nuclear accident requiring decontamination. This is achieved by examining and comparing how older men and younger women express their deeper thoughts and ideas about risk and risk communication, and possible dilemmas they might face in the event of such an accident. Four focus groups were conducted with 18 residents of Örebro (eight younger women and ten older men). The discussions were recorded, transcribed and analyzed thematically. The results showed clear differences between the groups in terms of frames of reference and ideas about their own actions. Similarities were found in how the view of risks related to radiation was dominated by fear, uneasiness and worry, and especially in how the need for information was expressed. The conclusions show that more research is needed to better understand the conditions for risk communication about such complex and stigmatizing issues in a Swedish context. / Denna uppsats använder en komparativ fokusgruppmetod för att undersöka förutsättningarna för riskkommunikation efter en hypotetisk kärnteknisk olycka som kräver sanering. Mer specifikt görs detta genom att undersöka och jämföra hur äldre män och unga kvinnor uttrycker sina djupare föreställningar om risk och riskkommunikation, samt möjliga dilemman de kan ställas inför vid en dylik olycka . Fyra fokusgrupper genomfördes med 18 personer bosatta i Örebro (åtta yngre kvinnor och tio äldre män). Diskussionerna spelades in, transkriberades och analyserades tematiskt. Resultaten visade på tydliga skillnader mellan grupperna vad gäller referensramar och föreställningar om det egna agerandet. Likheter framkom i hur synen på risker med strålning dominerades av rädsla, obehag och oro, och framförallt vilket informationsbehov respondenterna uttryckte sig ha. Slutsatserna pekar på att vidare forskning behövs för att bättre förstå förutsättningarna för riskkommunikation om sådana komplexa och stigmatiserade frågor i en svensk kontext.

Static speed limits are the norm across the world’s roadway networks. However, advances in technology and increased applications in intelligent transportation systems (ITS) provide a mechanism for upgrading traditional speed limits into an active traffic management system. More specifically, variable speed limits (VSLs) can be used in high crash severity locations and in real-time congestion and weather events to increase traffic safety and operations. Much of the available literature on VSLs focuses upon crash prediction algorithms for VSLs, simulations, and effectiveness of real-world VSL implementations. One noticeable gap in the existing literature is related to driver compliance under varied configurations of alerting drivers of the variable speeds. An additional gap in literature is related to existence of a conceptual framework for identifying optimal corridors for potential VSL implementation. Within this thesis drivers’ willingness to comply with VSLs was investigated via focus groups and static surveys during the experimental process. Connections are made between driver speed choice and type of speed limit condition including uniform speed vi limit (USL) versus VSL, overhead mount versus side mount, presence of an explanatory message, and the numerical speed limit value. An analysis of the survey results was completed to isolate critical factors in VSL compliance. Opinions and perspectives on VSLs are derived through the focus group sessions Lastly, a case study approach is presented in which a region is chosen, and implementation metrics are analyzed on the major roadway networks using a GIS platform to create a composite ranking system for potential optimal VSL corridors. The study aims to be used as a foundation to justify use of certain types of VSLs in addition to creating a conceptual framework for VSL implementation zone identification.

Doctor Educationis / This study examined the prevalence and the nature of truancy among early adolescent learners attending secondary schools in the Education Management and Development Centre (EMDC) in the eastern metropole of the Western Cape. The main purpose of the study was to answer the following question: How can secondary school educators, in loco parentis, be equipped with the required skills and resources in order to deal with the issue of truant behaviour among early adolescent learners? A comprehensive literature review was conducted to explore the character and extent of truancy. Thereafter, various theories of child development were highlighted, followed by a synopsis comprising different dimensions of the development of the early adolescent learner. The empirical investigation was carried out through quantitative as well as qualitative research methodology. A focus group interview was conducted with six learners, offering them an opportunity to express their perceptions and experiences as truants. Interviews were conducted with principals to obtain their impressions regarding truant behaviour. Thereafter, a questionnaire, which investigated truancy related aspects such as interaction with peers, parents and caregivers' involvement in learners' school activities, educators' influence on learners' school work and learners' self-esteem regarding their schooling, was administered to three hundred learners. The quantitative investigation revealed significant aspects about truant behaviour, indicating that predominantly more male than female learners (173 male and 26 as in the case of the present study) display this type of behaviour, truants generally originate from single parent families, and that they experience their educators and learning environments as extremely negative. Finally, two in-depth case studies were conducted on two learners, one identified as a truant and the other as a non-truant respectively. The purpose of the in-depth studies was to explore possible differences in their experiential worlds. Although the qualitative data is not generalisable, the findings of the case studies have revealed significant differences in the life worlds of the two learners. Comparatively speaking, it appears that non-truant learners are significantly better adjusted on all their functioning levels than truant learners. The results of the empirical investigation were compared with relevant findings which emerged from the literature study. Based on the present investigation, the study was concluded by offering a range of recommendations to secondary school educators, in loco parentis, empowering them in addressing the phenomenon of truancy among early adolescent learners in the Western Cape with its distinctive problems.

With nineteen years of democracy behind us, South Africa has experienced uncountable changes within its borders and on various playing fields. One of the most memorable changes, in my opinion, was in education. This motivated me to embark on a study about the responses of Heads of Departments (HoDs) to curriculum changes. I especially wanted to focus on the management of those changes. The focus on HoDs arose from the devolution of responsibility from the principal to the HoD with regard to curriculum change. This uninterrupted cycle of curriculum change that South Africa is experiencing occupies the HoDs to a large extent. They have to ensure that the changes take place as smoothly as possible with as little resistance as possible. In order to accomplish this, one would think that the HoD would be trained in managing a department and curriculum changes. This is unfortunately not the case, and they are following their own guidelines that they have constructed through trial and error. This study was conducted through a narrative design within a qualitative framework, allowing me to give a voice to those who have none. It required me to have focus group interviews, which laid the foundation for my semi-structured interview. The use of documents assisted with the crystallisation of the data. This research was conducted in the Lady Frere district of the Eastern Cape. There were two sets of HoDs from different schools, and one participant willing to participate in a semi-structured interview. The purpose of this study was to find out what guidelines HoDs had constructed by looking at HoDs’ responses to, and management of curriculum changes since 2005. It became very clear that there is some confusion about what is expected of the HoD during the change process and the HoDs in this study felt it better to follow traditional methods of teaching, as this was all they knew. However, the focus on producing quality education was very important to them. / Dissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / gm2014 / Education Management and Policy Studies / unrestricted