Department of Curriculum Studies and Education Management. / MEd

MA (Sociology) / Department of Sociology / This study focused on the effects of the school feeding programmes in addressing food insecurity in Mutale Municipality of Vhembe District, Limpopo Province. The study placed school feeding programmes within the wider context of social assistance and a component for securing food for the wellbeing of Mutale rural inhabitants. The major problem identified in this study was the inadequacy of governmental interventions, specifically the social assistance component, to eliminate food insecurity in rural areas. This failure motivated the researcher to venture into an investigation of the school feeding programme and its impact, as a social intervention, in addressing food insecurity among rural citizenry. The study openly delineated various factors contributing to the ruthless chronic food insecurity which has ravaged many families in rural areas. On the theoretical framework, the research incorporated the Capability Theory and the Entitlement approach as the foundational basis of the study. The qualitative approach was used to ensure an in-depth understanding of the contribution of school feeding programmes as a right based in-kind social safety net implemented by the government in addressing the discourse of food insecurity on a rural setting. Respondents of the study included the supervisor at circuit level, the school principal, educators, food handlers, smallholder farmers, learners and their parents. The researcher utilised Quota sampling in the selection of respondents. The researcher gathered data through the use of interviews, non-participant observation and document analysis. The findings of this study were analysed by organizing the data and presenting it in a descriptive manner. Literature revealed that the provision of feeding schemes at schools have the capability to stimulate an enabling environment which can empower rural families with adequate resources essential for eliminating food insecurity. However, this study found out that the feeding scheme marginally created employment, reduced poverty and hunger and increased health and nutrition education among the community members. The programme achieved minimal results as it confronted implementation constraints which ruined its capacity to exterminate rural food insecurity.

MPH / Department of Public Health / Multiple sexual partners, unprotected sex and transactional sex are considered risky sexual behaviour worldwide and continue to pose risks of sexual transmitted infections, unwanted pregnancy as well as increased termination of pregnancy amongst young people. The reported study was aimed at describing factors associated with risky sexual behaviour amongst students at Vhembe Technical Vocational Education and Training College. Within the quantitative paradigm, the study adopted a descriptive, cross-sectional survey design to describe factors associated with risky sexual behaviour amongst students. The targeted population were all the registered students at Vhembe Technical Vocational Education and Training College, Mashamba Campus. Self-administered questionnaires with close ended questions were administered to 307 students whom were sampled using a simple random technique. Out of 307 students, 217(70.3%) were females and 90 (29.3%) were males. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 23.0 was used to manage and analyse data. The study results revealed that demographic factors such as gender, age and sexual orientation contributed to students in engaging in risky sexual behaviour. A majority of the male students 64 (61.2%) were found to be having multiple sexual partners as compared to 107(54.2%) female students. Students aged 21-24 years 98(31.9%) were having multiple sexual partners. The study further revealed that sexual orientation contributes to students engaging in risky sexual behaviour. The students who reported that they were bisexual, gay or lesbian 33 (84.6%) were not using condoms. Environmental factors such as staying alone in a rental place contributed to students engaging in risky sexual behaviour. A majority 97(51.2%) of college students who were staying at a rental place were engaging in unprotected sex. In this study, socio-economic factors such as depending on National Financial Aid Scheme have been identified as the main driver of transactional sex. About 131(49%) students who depend on National Financial Aid Scheme reported were found to be prone to engaging in transactional sex. The study recommends that the Department of Health and Department of Education initiate strategies such as having a clinic inside the Technical Vocational Educational and Training College and peer educators to expand knowledge of students on risky sexual behaviour and on lesbian, gay, bisexual transgender and intersex.

MPH / Department of Public Health / Background: Globally, more than one billion people, or approximately 15% of the world’s population are living with some form of disability and 80% of them are found in developing countries. There are different types of disability; these include sensory, neurological, physical, intellectual, cognitive and psychiatric disabilities. Persons with disabilities may require specialized care, resources and commitment which place a very high demand of time and responsibilities on the one caring for them. Therefore, Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) was promoted by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a strategy to respond to the needs of persons with disabilities, through the provision of basic services at community level, particularly in developing countries with limited resources. Methodology: The purpose of this study was to explore and describe the challenges faced by Community-Based Rehabilitation caregivers for persons with disabilities in Vhembe District, South Africa. A qualitative phenomenological design was used to explore and develop an in-depth understanding of the CBR caregiver’s challenges. The study was conducted in three Community-Based Rehabilitation centres located within Vhembe District with a sample size of six caregivers who were purposively selected. An interview guide was developed as an instrument for data collection. Data was collected through in-depth individual interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Six main themes emerged from the data which shed light on the CBR caregiver’s challenges, namely; Poor relationships between caregivers, government v department and families, unavailability of material and human resources, poor funding system, caregivers’ well-being, education and training and the coping strategies of CBR caregivers Conclusion: This study pointed out that there is a need for intervention from different stakeholders such as government departments, family members of persons with disability, and the community members as well for CBR caregiver’s challenges to be resolved or minimized.

MCur / Department of Advanced Nursing Science / Background: Adolescent sexual health is fundamental to the physical and emotional health, and well-being of individuals, couples, and families, as well as the social and economic development of communities and countries. The purpose and the aim of this study was to explore and describe the community’s perceptions of adolescent sexual health in Mutale Municipality, Vhembe District of Limpopo Province. Methodology: The research design of this study was qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual in nature. The population comprised of every adult community member or resident of Tshiungani Village. Both genders were included in the sample. Parents and guardians of adolescents made up the sample. Data were collected by means of in-depth face-to-face interviews. Data were analysed qualitatively using Teschs’ qualitative analysis. Findings: The study involved six themes, six categories and nineteen sub-themes. The community expressed concerns related to degradation of cultural norms and values, change in family structure, effects of media, politics, religion and poverty as affecting adolescent sexual health. Conclusion: The study explored and described the perceptions of community members regarding adolescent sexual health although the findings could not be generalized as it represents only part of the population. Recommendations: The study recommended intense sexual health education and promotion at early primary phase, career guidance to enhance and promote selfesteem, parental and community involvement in assisting and engaging adolescents with life skills within communities.

PhD (Economics) / Department of Economics / See the attached abstract below

MSc (Microbiology) / Department of Microbiology / See the attached abstract below

MA (Psychology) / Department of Psychology / See the attached abstract below

MA (Political Science) / Department of Development Studies / See the attached abstract below

MSCAGR ( Soil Science) / Department of Soil Science / See the attached abstract below