MSc, Development Planning, Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of the Witwatersrand, 2000

ABSTRACT HIV has been linked to many risk factors such as sexual behaviour, gender, gender based violence, poverty, migration, conflicts, sexually transmitted diseases and circumcision. In this project, the role played by migration was particularly underscored. The aim of the study was to estimate and to compare the prevalence of HIV infection among migrants and non-migrants and to investigate whether migration leads to increased high risk sexual behaviour among migrant workers aged between 14 and 35 years from Limpopo Province. This study was based on a secondary data analysis from a large community intervention study. A random sample of 2860 participants were selected in a cross sectional study after pair matching a community of villages set for an intervention. Data were collected using a questionnaire in English with a version in Sotho. HIV test was performed on oral fluid using Vironostika HIV Uniform oral fluid. The study was approved by Wits University and Informed consent was previously obtained by the original study. Stata was used for the statistical analyses of the data. This study found that the HIV prevalence among migrants was not statistically different from the prevalence among non-migrants (10.04% versus 10.97%; p = 0.662), that the slight association between migration and HIV infection was not significant (Adjusted OR = 1.19; 95% CI: 0.7 – 2.01) (p = 0.520). There was no association between migration and sexual behaviour such as sexual experience, age at first sexual relationship, have ever had sexual relationship and used a condom. However the study showed an association between migration and the number of sexual partners. These striking findings suggest that migration does not always lead to an increased risk of HIV infection even though it can lead to an increase of number of sexual partners. The study concludes that migration did not prove to be a risk factor for HIV infection. However, other underlying structural factors need to be examined for a better understanding of the conditions that lead to HIV infection. It recommends interventions that cover information (Knowledge, attitude and belief), risk perception and change of sexual behaviour.

MSc (Med), Population-Based Field Epidemiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, 2009 / Background: Cluster detection analysis could be an appropriate approach to identify critical AIDS mortality locations for public health intervention. Methods: GIS and Kulldorff’s spatial scan statistic was used to investigate statistically significant AIDS mortality clusters (p 0.05). SaTScan was used to perform the spatial analysis scanning while MapInfo was used as a visualizing tool. Mortality data between 2000- 2006 were analyzed. Results: AIDS exhibit strong spatial clustering tendencies as measured by the Kulldorff’s spatial scan statistic method. Conclusion: Further work is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms responsible for the spatial clustering.

This research study addresses the problem of whether local government can afford free basic water in rural areas. To achieve this objective a comprehensive literature study was performed, which included: · Lessons in water sector approaches from international experience and how these experiences compare with the South African situation. 1.The current basic water supply legislation in South Africa and how this legislation affects the subsidy arrangements and the financing of free basic water. 2.The operation and maintenance cost and the benefits of effective operation and maintenance of water supply schemes. A model was developed that could estimate the cost of rural water supply per household per month from the operation and maintenance data that was collected over a period of twenty-two months from a water supply scheme. As part of the provision of free basic water, a nine-step flow chart was developed to determine rural water operation and maintenance subsidy and a free basic water policy to help local government make informed decisions. The model was tested on different water supply schemes to verify the accuracy of the models estimation of the cost of rural water supply per household per month. The information obtained from the literature and from the test of the model resulted in various recommendations and conclusions.

Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Magister Technologiae: Civil Engineering and Survey, M.L Sultan Technikon, 2002. / The new South African Government that came into power in 1994 faced a daunting task of undoing the political injustices of the past. The government immediately introduced a Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) to address these injustices / M

No description available.

Thesis (M.P.H.), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, 2009 / Background: The rural South African population is characterised by high and stable levels of male temporary migration and rapidly rising levels of female temporary migration, with approximately 60% of men and 20% of women between the ages of 20 and 60 years absent from the home for more than 6 months of the year. Despite the magnitude of this social phenomenon, limited research exists analysing its effect on child care and children’s residence patterns. Objectives: The purpose of this study is to examine temporary labour migration patterns as a household coping strategy in rural northeast South Africa in 2002 and 2007, describe characteristics of the children left behind, and to assess the effect of temporary migration on child care patterns, specifically analysing household variation in child care and residence by sex and refugee status of the migrant. Methods: An analytic cross-sectional study was conducted on approximately 83,000 individuals in 14,000 households in 25 villages of the Agincourt sub-district of the Bushbuckridge region of Limpopo Province. Data was collected in a special module on temporary migration incorporated into the annual Agincourt Health and Demographic Surveillance System census update in 2002 and 2007. Secondary analysis of the data utilised descriptive statistics and Pearson Chi2 tests of association. Results: The proportion of temporary migrants in the population rose between 2002 and 2007 and now constitutes nearly one-fifth of the population. Nearly three-quarters – 13% of the total population – are labour migrants. A slight increase in the proportion of female and Mozambican descent migrants is observed. Today, three-quarters of temporary labour migrants are male and one-quarter female, three-quarters are South African descent and more than one-quarter are Mozambican descent. Temporary labour migrants with children constitute nearly 6% of the total population. Temporary labour migrants overwhelmingly rely on a single care strategy. Complex care arrangements are far less common, constituting the response of only 5% of migrants. Highly complex care arrangements are rare, but do exist. Child care strategies are becoming increasingly complex over time for all migrants. Female migrants and migrants of South African descent are more likely than male and Mozambican descent migrants to rely on complex care arrangements. The overwhelming majority of migrants keep all children in the same household, maintaining relative stability in care and residence, 10% move children with them, 2% move children elsewhere for care and less than 1% move a childcarer into the household while they are away for work. Less stable child care arrangements are increasingly utilised over time. If the migrant is male, children are more likely to remain in the same household; if the migrant is female, children are more likely to move with the migrant. Approximately one-fifth of children in the population are effectively left behind by temporary labour migrants today, a decline from nearly one-third in 2002. There is significant variation in child care, residence and decision-making authority among relatives: mothers and stepmothers provide the majority of care in the absence of a migrant, with grandmothers a secondary and female siblings and aunts a tertiary source of child care.

No abstract or preliminary pages submitted on disk

Thesis (M.Dev.) --University of Limpopo, 2011 / Water shortage is a global problem. While other people in some parts of the world maybe enjoying enough supply of water others are faced with water shortage. South Africa is not an exception in this regard because some do not have access to water but rely on distance conveyance. Government is under constitutional obligation to supply this basic social and economic service. This study, therefore, aimed at investigating the causes of water shortage and the impact thereof on the household of Ga-Kgapane Township in Limpopo Province. This township falls under Greater Letaba Municipality in Modjadjiskloof. The data collected from four sections/localities of this Township showed that the area has a serious problem of water shortage. The lack of water according to the findings negatively affects the livelihoods and development of the people of Ga-Kgapane Township.

Thesis (M.Dev.) --University of Limpopo, 2008 / Rural sanitation researchers, particularly in the Limpopo Province, have not offered theories in relation to the patterns of the development of rural sanitation. Several researchers have concerned themselves with the need for the solution of water supply but not sanitation services. The present study seeks to enhance the understanding of the dynamics of the patterns of the development of rural sanitation in the Capricorn District Municipality, in particular at the Eisleben Village. This research paper applied an evaluative methodology to assess the impact of VIP sanitation technology at Eisleben Village at Ramokgopa under Capricorn District Municipality in Limpopo Province in comparison to dry sanitation. Supportive cases studies on sanitation delivery in South Africa have also been cited to where both technologies have been applied to assess their impact to the health and dignity of the communities, the environmental impacts. Examples of such case studies included examples of the Mosvold Hospital Sanitation Programme, the Northern Cape Household Sanitation Programme, the eThekwini Water and Sanitation Programme and the Dry sanitation in an urban environment at Weiler’s Farm in Johannesburg. The following five major findings emerged from the study: 1. Sanitation development should be community driven in terms of information, knowledge and decision making. 2. There is need for the vision of health, hygiene and education strategy for water and sanitation. Efficient and effective hygiene education is urgently needed. 3. There is resounding evidence from previous sanitation projects done in various places in South Africa that dry or waterless sanitation has been found to be an adequate sanitation technology that best suits urban, peri-urban and rural areas. 4. There is need to replace VIP with a better technology such as dry sanitation as a matter of urgency to avoid unhygienic and unhealthy conditions due to inadequate VIP sanitation technology. 5. Sanitation solution and technology should comply with the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF) policies of adequate sustainable water and adequate sustainable sanitation solution, Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the German Helmhotz Association HFG’s “concept of integrated sustainable development”. In the main, the study suggests possible strategies and mechanisms to overcome the challenges that are identified in the research, with the idea in mind of contributing in improving sanitation, not only in the Eisleben Village, but rather to all rural communities in the Limpopo Province, South Africa.