Educational Foundations / M. Ed. (Socio Education)

Substance abuse is a pervasive problem across the world. The most commonly abused substanc-es include tobacco, alcohol and dagga. In teenagers, research has found out that substance abuse is often linked to multiple factors such as scholastic problems, mental and health problems, risky sexual behaviour, accidents, crime and violence. The present study aimed to explore the level of knowledge and attitudes of teenagers towards substance abuse in an informal settlement. The target population were teenage girls and boys between the ages of 13 and 19. A mixed method approach was employed in this study. A self-administered questionnaire was designed and used to collect data. This questionnaire contained both closed and open ended questions. The Statis-tical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyse the data. Findings show that teen-agers have adequate knowledge and appropriate attitudes towards substance abuse. However, the results also indicate that the provision of information on substance abuse remains important in shaping attitudes of young people. Interventions such as awareness campaigns, focus group discussions, education and developmental programmes that contribute to knowledge on the impact of and ways to control substance abuse are recommended / Psychology / M. A. (Psychology)

A research report presented to the school of Human and Community Development Faculty of Humanities University of Witwatersrand in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Masters of Arts in Social Work November 2016. / Globally, the HIV/AIDS epidemic is number six in the top ten disease burdens. This epidemic was viewed as an obstacle to the achievement of Millennium Development Goal (MDG) Number 1 which deals with poverty eradication. The HIV/AIDS epidemic undermines economic development and exacerbates poverty (World Health Organisation [WHO], 2012). The Republic of South Africa has adopted the implementation of the Home and Community Based Care (HCBC) and Support Programme, as a strategy to address this epidemic. This qualitative research study sought to explore the psychosocial circumstances of community caregivers working in Tshwane Region. Individual interviews were conducted with 14 community care workers using a semi-structured interview schedule. The participants were sampled by using purposive sampling and they represented three different communities, namely urban, rural and from informal settlements. Thematic content analysis was used to analyse data collected. Six themes summarised the findings of the research. Both negative and positive effects of the psychosocial circumstances that affect work performance, home and personal lives of community caregivers working in Tshwane Region were discovered through the research. For most caregivers the circumstances are so dire that they have compromised their marriages, family relationships as well as their health conditions. However, a few caregivers are benefiting much better from the services. These are those that were trained and accredited as Child and Youth Care Workers. They earn a living wage and have learned better skills to deal with work situations. However, poor communication and withholding information from staff have led to other caregivers being disillusioned and jealous of those that have progressed, as they feel unfairly treated and discriminated against either due to their age or level of education. Low stipends contribute to more dissatisfaction, as the caregivers cannot afford their living expenses while they are also vulnerable to the same conditions as their beneficiaries. This goes together with lack of support and supervision and being left to fend for themselves in service rendering and acquiring resources. The available care for the carer’s programme seems ineffective and least appreciated. It is hoped that this study will contribute to the knowledge base on the psychosocial circumstances of community caregivers in Tshwane and provide useful information to influence and improve the existing Framework for Home and Community Based Care and Support Programmes in Tshwane. / GR2017

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study examines the level of HIV and AIDS knowledge, attitudes, as well as practices amongst caregivers of HIV infected children in Pretoria, using Kalafong hospital as a case study. The study uses a questionnaire as survey instrument. A total of 30 respondents participated in the study, which took place in October of 2013. The respondents were selected via simple random sampling and the results were analyzed. The results showed a remarkably high level of HIV and AIDS knowledge amongst the respondents, from which it was evident, that: A significant number of caregivers were aware of and able to take care of existing medical conditions arising from HIV in children. Most of the home-based care of children living with HIV was carried out by women in a very disproportionate ratio to men. In this regard, the study offers a range of suggestions and recommendations as well as existing best practices, such as the UNAIDS booklet on caregiving within the context of HIV and AIDS. The study was undertaken with the realization that generalizations cannot be made through extrapolation to the larger society because of limitations, such as the sample size of this study. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING:Hierdie studie ondersoek die vlak van MIV/VIGS kennis, houdings teenoor dieselfde, sowel as praktyke onder versorgers van MIV-besmette kinders in Pretoria, met behulp van Kalafonghospitaal as 'n gevallestudie. Die studie maak gebruik van 'n vraelys as opname instrument. 'n Totaal van 30 respondente het deelgeneem aan die studie, wat in Oktober 2013 plaasgevind het. Die respondente is gekies deur 'n eenvoudige ewekansige steekproefneming en die resultate is ontleed. Die resultate toon 'n merkwaardig hoë vlak van MIV en VIGS kennis onder die respondente. Hierdie kennis, houdings en praktyke opgedoen was voldoende om daarop te let: • 'n beduidende aantal van die versorgers is bewus van en in staat om bestaande toestande in MIV-sorg in kinders te versorg. • Die meeste van die tuisversorging van kinders wat met MIV leef is uitgevoer deur vroue in 'n baie oneweredige verhouding met mans. In hierdie verband bied die studie 'n verskeidenheid van voorstelle en aanbevelings sowel as die bestaande beste praktyke soos die UNAIDS boekie oor versorging binne die konteks van MIV en VIGS. Die studie is gedoen onder die besef dat veralgemenings nie gemaak kan word deur ekstrapolasie na die groter samelewing nie, as gevolg van beperkings soos die monster grootte van hierdie studie

Thesis (M.Med.(Community Health))--University of Pretoria, 2004. / Summary in English and Afrikaans. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 66-73). Also available online.

Thesis (M.A.(Kultuurgeskiedenis))--Universiteit van Pretoria, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (MArch(Prof)) -- University of Pretoria, 2009. / Abstract in English. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (D.Phil. Linguistics(Unit for Academic Literacy))-University of Pretoria, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references. Available on the Internet via the World Wide Web.

In this section of research, a new crime prevention model for residential neighbourhoods, namely the HONC - against crime model was developed. This model is based on the Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design principles (CPTED). The first three elements of this model are intended to better the function of CPTED in neighbourhoods. The elements are as follows: H = Healthy lifestyle O = Online (Information technology) N = Nature C = CPTED The effectiveness of the elements in the prevention of crime was tested in two gated communities and one open neighbourhood, namely Woodlands Lifestyle Estate, Prairie Estate and Glossa Estate. All these neighbourhoods are situated in Garsfontein, a suburb of Pretoria, South Africa. Woodlands Lifestyle Estate was designed in accordance with these principles. This neighbourhood is situated next to a nature reserve called Moreletaspruit. The fence facing this reserve is a steel palisade to provide a view of the scenery. The other three fences are solid brick. This Estate has two entrances with formal access control. Woodlands has a specifically designed lifestyle centre which contains a gym, squash courts, swimming pool, tennis courts and an entertainment area. Pedestrian routs run from this centralised centre throughout the neighbourhood with water features and adequate lighting. Prairie Estate is also a gated community, fenced off with a brick wall and reachable through one entrance with formal access control. The architectural design of dwellings within this neighbourhood was left to the discretion of different developers. The only area for recreational activity within this neighbourhood is the fenced off club house and swimming pool. Glossa Estate is situated diagonally across Woodlands Lifestyle Estate, and is an open neighbourhood. It has three entrances with one guard patrolling the interior neighbourhood. This neighbourhood was designed with a park as a recreational area. The park was not in use and became overgrown, which created a crime problem, and it was therefore fenced off and the gate locked. Only the element of a healthy lifestyle could be proven as influential in the incidence of crime. The last three elements only served as guidelines and need to be tested in further research. / Criminology and Security Science / D.Litt. et Phil. (Criminology)

The study examines the impact of communication on customer satisfaction at the Transvaal Museum. Customer satisfaction refers to customer's overall satisfaction or dissatisfaction with the organisation based on all encounters and experience with that particular organisation. Communication has an impact on both customer satisfaction and future behavioural actions of consumers. There are four sources of brand messages namely, planned, unplanned, product and service messages. In the quest for increased customer satisfaction, companies are moving away from the traditional 4Ps (product, price, place and promotion) of the marketing mix to the 8Ps. The other four Ps include physical assets, procedures, personnel and personalisation. Integration of all marketing communications to customers is seen as a key activity in companies' attempts to build long term-relationships. On the whole, the study has indicated that customers of the museum are satisfied with its products, services and messages. However, the research has also shown that customers are not happy with the way the museum handles its planned communication activities. / Communication Science / M.A. (Organisational Communication Research Practice)