Masters in Public Administration - MPA / The research explored the new health care service vehicle of South African with special reference to health service providers in Western Cape Department of health for the period 1995-2001. A study was made of the District Health System and the shift of emphasis from tertiary and secondary level of health care to the more cost effective Primary Health Care Service rendered at District level. / South Africa

Este é um estudo sobre o processo histórico de constituição e desenvolvimento da gerencia de serviços públicos estaduais, não hospitalares, no Estado de São Paulo. A partir da análise de documentos e da legislação pertinente, procura-se reconhecer as diferentes propostas de organização administrativa e gerencial, formuladas no interior do aparato público estadual, em relação as tecnologias de atenção a saúde hegemonicas nestes serviços ao longo do período histórico estudado. Discute-se a ação gerencial enquanto atividade instrumental inserida no processo de organização do trabalho em saúde. O período analisado vai do início da institucionalização das ações públicas de saúde neste estado, em 1892, a consolidação da gerência de nível local, enquanto ação de coordenação do trabalho coletivo em unidades de saúde, sob responsabilidade estadual, em 1983 / This paper traces the history of the setting up and development of management in the public non-hospital health services of the state of São Paulo. Based on the analysis of documents, publications and pertinent legislation, this thesis aims to identify teh various different proposals for administrative and management organization that have been formulated within the state\'s bureaucratic machine, with regard to predominant health care technology throughout the period unbder consideration. The action of management within the process of organization of health care organization in this state in 1892, and extends to the consolidation of management as a coordination action at the local level, with the organization of colletive work into health care units under state responsibility, in 1983.

Este é um estudo sobre o processo histórico de constituição e desenvolvimento da gerencia de serviços públicos estaduais, não hospitalares, no Estado de São Paulo. A partir da análise de documentos e da legislação pertinente, procura-se reconhecer as diferentes propostas de organização administrativa e gerencial, formuladas no interior do aparato público estadual, em relação as tecnologias de atenção a saúde hegemonicas nestes serviços ao longo do período histórico estudado. Discute-se a ação gerencial enquanto atividade instrumental inserida no processo de organização do trabalho em saúde. O período analisado vai do início da institucionalização das ações públicas de saúde neste estado, em 1892, a consolidação da gerência de nível local, enquanto ação de coordenação do trabalho coletivo em unidades de saúde, sob responsabilidade estadual, em 1983 / This paper traces the history of the setting up and development of management in the public non-hospital health services of the state of São Paulo. Based on the analysis of documents, publications and pertinent legislation, this thesis aims to identify teh various different proposals for administrative and management organization that have been formulated within the state\'s bureaucratic machine, with regard to predominant health care technology throughout the period unbder consideration. The action of management within the process of organization of health care organization in this state in 1892, and extends to the consolidation of management as a coordination action at the local level, with the organization of colletive work into health care units under state responsibility, in 1983.

M. Tech. Language practice / At the centre of the messages and information disseminated to the public, there is language. This study investigated the role played by language when health awareness campaigns are planned by the Department of Health (DoH) in South Africa. The background and rationale of the project is discussed, with special reference to the language speakers in Pretoria, since the study was undertaken in this area. Pretoria is a city occupied by residents that are representative of all South African language groups; namely, English, Afrikaans, Sotho, Nguni, Venda, and Tsonga. This coming together of all languages in one small area of the country has indirectly led to the evolution of a language that has never stopped to grow over the years. This language that has evolved in Pretoria is unofficially called Sepitori (Pretoria Sotho); it has become a language of pride, and the communities in and around Pretoria see it as a compromise between Sepedi and Setswana. Since Sotho is widely spoken in Pretoria, the communities have become so attached to this language that anyone who speaks English around them is seen as snobbish, or an elite who normally doesn't get a warm welcome by the average Pretoria township resident, and they are often labeled 'coconuts'. In the health centres of the city and surrounding townships, health information is conveyed mostly in the English language. Through observation, one may say that important information might be ignored by the people visiting public clinics and hospitals, or they might have little or no interest in reading it. This might be because of various reasons which the study will try to find out, as guided by the language policy of South Africa in the DoH. The concern in this study is the language used for the displayed information. The study attempts to assess whether consideration is given to the language(s) of the locals when health awareness campaigns are prepared.

Research report submitted to the School of Economic and Business Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Commerce (Information Systems) by coursework and research, 2 November 2017 / Mobile health applications are fast becoming an influential source of information for pregnant women. Studies have shown that pregnant women download 3 such apps on average on their cellphones. These mobile technologies have been shown to help women monitor their progress during their pregnancy and personalise healthcare to suit their needs. To date, llimited research has been directed towards understanding usage behaviours with these apps. Various authors have argued that there is a need to expand the scope of research from simple usage behaviour to deeper levels as technology becomes more sophisticated and easily available. M-health technologies are increasingly becoming more varied and sophisticated and as such this study aims to explore post-adoption usage specifically of mobile health pregnancy applications in the South African context. This study specifically looked at post adoption usage behaviours and used Hsieh and Zmud’s (2006) framework as a basis of understanding these behaviours. The potential influences on these behaviours were sourced from various studies done on pregnant women usage of ICT in general. These influences were then investigated to see whether they were relevant in the context of m-health pregnancy support applications. The primary method of data collection was open ended semi structured interviews with twelve pregnant women. Data analysis was done using the iterative model for qualitative data analysis proposed by Miles and Huberman (1994). The findings revealed that pregnant women displayed post adoption usage behaviours of routine use and IS continuance. With regards to the infusion stage, the study found that pregnant women engaged in the first set of post adoption usage behaviours i.e. extended usage and deep usage. They did not engage in second stage behaviours namely emergent use, feature extension or intention to explore behaviours. The influences identified in the literature were found to be relevant in the context of m-health applications and additional influences such as cost of seeing gynaecologist, number of features on the app and social structures were found to have an influence on usage of the apps. This study provides unique insights into the views of pregnant women’s experiences with m-health apps. Specifically, by using interpretive research it uncovers the subjective meanings around post adoption usage behaviours, understanding how pregnant women engage in these behaviours and subsequently how these behaviours are sustained during their pregnancy. The study recognises m-health pregnancy support apps as important tools in the pregnancy journey. It highlights how pregnant women value these apps and view them as huge information sources, reassurance and comfort during their pregnancy. It is argued that medical professionals cannot distance themselves away from these apps and need to work in conjunction with them to provide robust maternity care to their patients. 5 Theoretically, this study adds to our understanding of post adoption usage behaviours specifically in the context of m-health pregnancy apps. Limited studies have been done in this field specifically in the South African context and the study provides a foundation for further research. Further research can be done to understand how these apps are changing the relationship between pregnant women and medical professionals and furthermore, whether the information received from these apps is reliable and credible. / GR2018

The thesis examines the relationship between public health and questions of housing and poverty, in Melbourne, 1888- 1918. It is concerned with the way that with certain groups of people - local council workers, tenants of houses referred to as ‘slums’, and the owners of those houses - represented their experiences. And it seeks to place those representations in the context of the late nineteenth and early twentieth-century concern about the ‘housing problems’. It compares the public rhetoric of the housing reformers and politicians with letters written to the Melbourne City Council by landlords and tenants, and in doing so seeks to show that there were a whole range of housing ‘problems’ not addressed by the public discourse. (For complete abstract open document)

The thesis examines the relationship between public health and questions of housing and poverty, in Melbourne, 1888- 1918. It is concerned with the way that with certain groups of people - local council workers, tenants of houses referred to as ‘slums’, and the owners of those houses - represented their experiences. And it seeks to place those representations in the context of the late nineteenth and early twentieth-century concern about the ‘housing problems’. It compares the public rhetoric of the housing reformers and politicians with letters written to the Melbourne City Council by landlords and tenants, and in doing so seeks to show that there were a whole range of housing ‘problems’ not addressed by the public discourse. (For complete abstract open document)

The South African Health Care environment is in state of reform. Government strategy and change in legislation have been the catalyst for the development of new business models in South Africa. This report deals with the feasibility of a proposed model which is to be implemented by the Eastern Cape Department of Health at the Provincial Hospital in Uitenhage. The fundamental challenge in South Africa is the shortage of resources to support the health care industry from a public perspective. The point of departure for this research was to understand the complexity of this industry and investigate models that have evolved in South Africa and internationally. The literature research covers funding mechanisms from both a public and private perspective and takes into account the role the government plays in providing equitable health care for all. The literature provided the foundation to develop the model which is to be piloted at the hospital in Uitenhage. In terms of the research objective, a single case study methodology approach was conducted. Triangulation technique was used to gain insight from different perspectives and to test the model for validity. The core of this research focuses on the viability of the proposed model and the integration of this into the government health reform plan. The research revealed that in comparison to the existing PPP models in South Africa, this model is feasible. As a result of the analysis and the development of the proposed model, the research is concluded by offering suggestions for further research.

Albinism is an inherited condition affecting at least 1 in 4000 people in Africa. It is thought to be more common among black Africans although it affects the entire human populations. In most African societies, albinism is regarded to be a disability and the social attitudes against albinos are characterised by lack of understanding, fear, and also of prejudice based on the appearance of albinism. There are various myths surrounding albinos such as that they are born as a punishment, that it is a curse to give birth to albinos and that albinos are immortal and that they are in fact spirits. This causes them to be seen as outcasts in society. Albinism is an inherited, congenital condition resulting in reduced synthesis of melanin pigment in the hair, skin and eyes. It leads to a host of lifelong physical health problems, in particular visual impairment and ultraviolet induced skin damage. In Africa such problems are exacerbated by exposure to harsh sunlight and reduced access to adequate health care, especially in rural areas. / Thesis (LLM (Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa)) -- University of Pretoria, 2011. / http://www.chr.up.ac.za/ / nf2012 / Centre for Human Rights / LLM

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, Wits School of Governance, 2016 / CEOs of public hospitals in South Africa are often held responsible when their institutions fail to deliver good quality care and are associated with poor health outcomes. Negative perceptions prevail and particularly in the National Department of Health it is held that the CEOs are generally not adequately qualified, inexperienced, incompetent and often inappropriately appointed. This study attempts to articulate the CEOs views (their side of the story) and in particular how they perceive the challenges that they face and what solutions they proffer in improving the running of their institutions. This research is viewed through the lens of the New Public Management paradigm (NPM), in terms of Public Sector Reform and in particular Health Sector Reform in South Africa. Thirty CEOs of public hospitals in South Africa responded to a survey of their opinions. The majority (86%) of them felt they were unable to manage their institutions effectively. A subsequent qualitative study of CEOs and experts in public management using in depth interviews and further focus group discussions with CEOs and senior hospital managers revealed that the major challenges that the CEOs faced were financial, human resources and operational management issues. Procurement and information challenges were linked to financial and human resources deficiencies, lack of accountability mechanisms and the presence of corruption. The Performance Management System currently in place did not work appropriately and was driven by perverse incentives. Political interference was also a pervasive problem. Their recommendations were that they needed clear and unambiguous delegations and the appropriate resources so that they can take full responsibility of their institutions. Clear accountability structures were paramount in achieving better health service management and care according to the advice of experts in public management as well as that of senior hospital managers. This requires the creation of enabling legislation and an appropriate accountability framework. The blanket application of NPM principles is also questioned. Selective application of the tools of NPM should be tested and consideration be given to the dimension of added public value in the South African public hospital context. / GR2018