No abstract available. / Thesis (M.T.R.P)-University of Natal, Durban, 2002.

No abstract available. / Thesis (M.Dev.Studies)-University of Natal, Durban, 2003.

The spatial and temporal variations in water quality of selected rivers in the Durban Metropolitan Area were investigated using a Geographical Information System. Dissolved oxygen (DO), turbidity, pH, phosphorus and Escherichia coli (E.coli) were selected as water quality parameters for the study. The study reflects a pattern of water quality deterioration due to the numerous land use practices that have had an adverse impact on the receiving waters. In addition, the communities that use this water for various purposes have been impacted on. Spatially, an impoverishment of water quality conditions were observed by the increase of phosphorus, turbidity, DO and E.coli. The parameter of E.coli represented the worst water quality status in all the catchments of the study area. These were attributable to land use factors such as informal settlements and urban formal settlements. For the parameter of pH, no adverse water quality was present. Temporal evaluation of the data indicated that although there were no distinct trends that could be directly related to rainfall, some of the parameters showed some influence by rainfall, through runoff. Selected rivers of the Durban Metropolitan Area reflect poor water quality. There is an urgent need for the implementation of a strategy for improvement. The evaluation of water quality forms the basis for integrated catchment management (ICM), which has been advocated as the only holistic way to manage water resources. Due cognisance must be taken of the various land use practices, which have a great impact on water quality. There should be concerted efforts to reduce the input of pollutants that may have adverse effects on water quality, e.g., by provisions of sanitation facilities in informal settlements. It is hence recommended that for any improvement of water quality to occur, there needs to be an implementation of ICM for all the catchments. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2002.

During the last decade, Mexico City's air quality has deteriorated dramatically. Air pollution management has become a major issue, and a number of policies and campaigns aimed at reducing the volume of harmful emissions released into the atmosphere by vehicles and large-scale industries, have been implemented. / Lighting, office equipment, cooking, refrigeration, space heating, space cooling, ventilation, and water heating are the ultimate commercial uses of energy. The goal of this study is to determine if there is a potential market for solar water heaters that could provide hot water for a number of activities in the city, reducing the amount of fossil fuels burned for this purpose, thus contributing to decrease the amount of air pollutants to the atmosphere. / The results of this research show how a number of industries, public services and commercial activities need to be provided with both water and energy in large quantities, and are therefore potential users of solar thermal technologies.

Purpose: To explore the knowledge, attitudes and practices of the Health Care Workers (HCWs) regarding the use of the child growth and development monitoring tool which is commonly known as the road to health card (RTHC)for the under- fives. Methodology: Based on the positivist paradigm, a descriptive approach was undertaken to explore the HCWs knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding the use of the child growth and development monitoring tool also known as the road to health card (RTHC) for growth monitoring and promotion in EThekwini metropolitan area. Sampling was prepared in two stages; probability random sampling to obtain seventeen clinics and non-probability purposive sampling technique was followed to obtain the study‟s participants. Fifty-one self-developed, structured questionnaires were distributed of which forty were completed and returned. This was followed by conducting one hundred and seventy observations in the clinical areas, which means ten observations per clinic. Data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 18) software. Findings: The average score for the respondents‟ knowledge regarding the use of the RTHC for GMP was 62%, and that score was classified as unacceptable according to this study. The participants‟ responses regarding their attitudes about GMP tended to favour statements that indicated good practices for the use of the RTHC. However, when GMP practices/activities were observed in the clinical areas, it became apparent that the answers provided in the instrument to rate the HCWs attitudes, were not a true reflection. Some of the practices observed were good, but the average score for the observations was69%, which was also classified as unacceptable. Conclusions: HCWs knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding the use of the RTHC for GMP activities were found to be unacceptable. / Thesis (M.N.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2011.

Aim To explore Mental Health Care Practitioners and a Mental Health Care Directors perceptions of mental health care nurses obtaining prescription authority in eThekwini District KwaZulu-Natal. Methodology A qualitative design was used to gather data through individual interviews and a focus group interview. Purposive sampling was used to select the study setting (five (5) Out Patient Departments, two (2) Community Health Centres, one (1) tertiary educational institution, and one district office), potential participants were not sampled. Participants included; twenty six mental health care nurses (n=26), one (1) psychiatrist (n=1), four (4) medical officers (n=4) and one (n=1) mental health care director. Thematic analysis using the steps outlined by Braun and Clark (2006) was used to analyse the data. Results The majority of participants were not aware of policies or legislation allowing nurses to prescribe medication. Participating mental health care nurses from an education setting were more knowledgeable than other participants about current legislation and policy. Study findings indicate that nurses’ obtaining prescriptive authority is not on the provincial department of health agenda. In addition, participating ppsychiatrists and medical officers expressed reservations about nurses obtaining prescriptive authority, specifically independent prescriptive authority. Participating mental health nurses displayed ambivalence related to the pursuit of prescriptive authority. Conclusion and Recommendations The challenge for mental health nurses is suggested to be the achievement of a collaborative working relationship within the discipline of nursing, and between the discipline of nursing and medicine / psychiatry. It is suggested mental health care directors, and the SANC, be proactive, look to the future in advising the health minister about access and barriers to mental health care treatment. In addition, the SANC champion the nurse, specifically the mental health care nurse in obtaining prescriptive authority for schedule 5-6 psychotropic medications. Further research is required to generate more in-depth data, specifically research that explores mental health care nurses’ reluctance to pursue prescriptive authority. / Thesis (M.N.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2014.

This research sought to examines how Integrated Development Planning has been used as an approach for improving infrastructure service delivery in historically disadvantaged communities. It examines the extent to which integrated development planning has been used to facilitate infrastructure provision in KwaNyuswa. It identifies key development challenges that are currently faced by the eThekwini Municipality in its attempts to accelerate infrastructure service delivery in KwaNyuswa. Both secondary and primary sources of data were used to source information. Key experts and community members were interviewed to supplement data from secondary sources. It was found that KwaNyuswa has a large proportion of Durban Metro Open Space, riverines and steep divided topography which constraint infrastructure provision in the area. Nevertheless, EThekwini Municipality has to a large extent managed to provide affordable services such as water and electricity in KwaNyuswa. Despite this success, roads and transportation networks have not been upgraded especially in sub-settlements called “Izigodi” and no Reconstruction and Development Programme Houses have been constructed since 1994. The study has identified a rural planning scheme, the affordable service delivery strategy, human capital development programme and nodal development strategies as solutions to enhance infrastructure provision in KwaNyuswa. Lessons learnt were identified jointly with recommendations to make Integrated Development Planning work in KwaNyuswa. / M.T.R.P. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 2013.

This study examines stress and distress experienced by working age individuals in the urban environment. The goals of this research are twofold: (1) to test for a social gradient in stress and distress; and (2) to test for environmental effects on the reporting of stress and distress, specifically focussing on variations in stress and distress across neighbourhoods in Montreal. Montreal was selected as the focus of this study because it is a large metropolitan region with some of the highest income disparities in Canada. Individual-level logistic regression models and multilevel analyses of the 2000/01 Canadian Community Health Survey were applied to identify the determinants of stress and distress and to determine the degree of variation in stress (n = 1944) and distress (n = 1836) captured at the neighbourhood level. Results showed that a social gradient exists with distress in Montreal, but not stress, and that neighbourhoods have an effect on distress above and beyond individual characteristics.

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of peer, community and religious influences on alcohol and tobacco use among high school adolescents from three different dominant groups of South Africa i.e. African, coloured and white adolescents. The investigations were based on two perceived major factors such as their familiy structure and their family's socio-economic status, which may either increase or decrease the likelihood of adolescent substance use.

Thesis (M. S.)--Economics, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2008. / Committee Chair: Thomas Boston; Committee Member: Maurizio Iacopetta; Committee Member: Patrick McCarthy.