Title: Relationship between forced vital capacity and hand grip strength in children Objectives: One of goals of this thesis is to find out how strong is the connection between the strength of a children's handgrip and the FVC. Another aim is to ascertain what is the age limit to use a handgrip examination to estimate the children's FVC. The last goal is to determine whether a body height, weight and age of a child are crucial to evaluate the handgrip and the FVC. Methods: First part of this thesis is a research and tries to summarize basic information about an issue of dynamometry, spirometry and to characterize each of age brackets which are the main aim of this thesis. Second part of this work is a survey for which data from sport festivals for children and youth were assembled. This data were statistically processed to calculate correlation and to make graphs showing linear regression between observed variables (handgrip and FVC), finally the results were interpreted. Results: Between the handgrip and the FVC was proven a strong correlation (girls , boys ). It is possible to evaluate FVC with younger school age children from the value of handgrip's strenght. Values of strenght of a handgrip are strongly influenced by body length, weight and age of a child. Keywords: strenght of a handgrip, FVC,...

Syftet med studien är att undersöka hur två yrkesverksamma personer inom regionteater upplever hur det är att arbeta med teater för skolbarn. Den teoretiska utgångspunkten för studien är fenomenologisk då det är två personers erfarenheter och upplevelser som lyfts fram. Studien är kvalitativ och datainsamlingen gjordes genom semistrukturerade intervjuer. Resultatet visar att teater är viktigt för barns personliga utveckling och deras förståelse för omvärlden. En av de utmaningar som beskrivs av respondenterna är kopplad till den miljö där föreställningarna framförs i skolsammanhang eftersom den upplevs som okontrollerbar. Ytterligare en utmaning som framkommer är när teaterns och skolans förväntningar skiljer sig åt. Det finns även en stor variation mellan kommuner när det gäller att köpa in teaterföreställningar för skolbarn

The present study is concerned with the relation of the existent socio-economic family status to the school status of twenty-four third and fourth grade pupils in the Jermyn, Texas public school.

The purpose of the present study is to obtain an understanding of the primary school child's life world while resident at a Boys' Town. The study presents an extensive review of the literature on developmental phases of the primary school child, relationships with himself, his family and peer group while resident in an institution. The study employed the use of quantitative and qualitative measures to elicit information from the child. To enhance the findings of the study, information from a comparative group of primary school children with intact families from the wider community was utilized. The target subjects in the study included all primary school children resident at a Boy's Town in Tongaat. The results yielded useful insights in the life world of the primary school child. These insights into the life world of the primary school child formed the basis for recommendation and served the direction for future research. These insights into the life world of the primary school child formed the basis for recommendation and served the direction for future research. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Psychology of Education)

This study aims to show pre-school children's conceptions on combustion and their thoughts on the conditions the process include. The data collection method this study used is through interviews. All of the children interviewed attend pre-school. All children who participated in the study are six years old. The interviews touched on different issues of fire, such as, how to start a fire, how to maintain a fire and how to extinguish a fire. Previous research about children’s conceptions and children and fire is the basis of the survey. The survey has shown that the children's explanations cannot be compared with the scientifically accepted theories even if the children seem to have some understanding about the conditions that are needed in the chemical process of fire. The children has mentioned fuel and heat as the main conditions for fire, while many has an uncertainty against oxygen. One of the children has shown a greater understanding of the purpose of oxygen. The children's knowledge about this subject mainly comes from experiences in an environment where caregivers is present. Suggestions for what preschool teachers can work with within the occupation has been show. / Denna studie har som syfte att visa på förskolebarns föreställningar om förbränning och deras tankar om de förutsättningar processen innefattar. Datainsamlingsmetoden som studien har använt sig av är intervjuer. Alla barnen som intervjuades går i förskolan. Alla barnen som deltagit i studien är sex år gamla. Intervjuerna berörde frågor om eld, så som, hur man startar en eld, hur man upprätthåller en eld och hur man släcker en eld. Tidigare forskning om barns föreställningar och barn och eld ligger till grund för undersökningen. Undersökningen har visat att barnens förklaringar inte kan jämföras med vetenskapligt vedertagna teorier även om barnen verkar ha en viss förståelse om vilka villkor som behövs i den kemiska processen eld. Barnen har nämnt bränsle och värme som de viktigaste förutsättningarna för en eld, medan många har visat en osäkerhet kring syre. Ett av barnen har visat en större förståelse för syrets betydelse. Barnens kunskap inom detta ämne kommer främst från upplevelser i en miljö där vårdnadshavare är närvarande. Förslag för vad förskollärare kan arbeta med i verksamheten har påvisats.

Thesis (MScPhysio (Physiotherapy))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / Objective The objective of this study was to establish the reliability and validity of a Portable Posture Analysis Method (PPAM). Design The design for the reliability section was a repeated measures observational study and the design for the validity section was a correlation study. Background The prevalence of spinal pain among high school learners is high (Murphy et al, 2002). It is also notable that the prevalence of back pain increases across the teenage years (Grimmer & Williams 2000, Burton et al 1996). In South Africa, the preliminary findings of a study conducted by a Physiotherapy masters candidate (Ms L Smith: ethics nr. N05/09/164) indicates that about 74% of high school learners in Cape Town complained of musculoskeletal pain. Posture has been identified by some researchers to be a primary predictor of the development of spinal, particularly upper quadrant pain among computer users (NIOSH 1997, Vieira et al 2004). Measurement of posture poses a real challenge to researchers wanting to accurately evaluate posture in research projects. Considering the practical implications in measuring posture, the validity and reliability of posture measurement are often reported to be poor. Many of these methods of indirect assessment of working posture have been reported on in the literature. These measures include; the goniometer, inclinometer, flexible electrogoniometer, flexicurve and photography (Harrison et al 2005, Christensen 1999, Nitschke et al 1999, Chen & Lee 1997). ...

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to investigate the psychometric properties of a screening test of cognitive ability, the Paper and Pencil Games Level 2 (PPG Level 2), for Tigrignaspeaking schoolchildren in Eritrea. This study represents one of the first attempts to measure cognitive ability in Eritrea. The PPG was developed in South Africa (Claassen, 1996) as a group test of general cognitive ability for children in Grade 2 and 3 (PPG Level 2), and Grade 4 and 5 (PPG Level 3). The PPG provides Total, Verbal and Nonverbal ability scores. The Verbal Scale consists of two subtests, namely (a) Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning and (b) Comprehension. The Non-verbal Scale consists of three subtests, namely (a) Figure Classification, (b) Figure Series, and (c) Pattern Completion. Although the PPG has the appearance of a standardized intelligence test, Claassen emphasized that it is best used as a screen for academic difficulties or failures. Participants were 577 Tigrigria-speaking Grade 3 children. The children were selected from schools in the capital, Asmara, from small towns, and villages. Eleven schools participated. The participants can be considered representative of the Grade 3 Tigrignaspeaking population in Eritrea. The PPG Level 2 was completed under supervision of the researcher. Classical and Rasch item analyses were conducted on the Verbal and Non-verbal Scales, respectively. The internal consistency of the Non-verbal scale can be considered satisfactory for a screening instrument (Cronbach's a = .85). Furthermore, the non-verbal items showed satisfactory fit to the Rasch model (INFIT values and OUTFIT values < 1.3 for all items), suggesting that they measure a unidimensional construct. In addition, the item difficulty estimates corresponded well with the serial order of the items, with easy items being presented earlier than more difficult items. The internal consistency of the Verbal scale was lower (Cronbach's a = .72), which can probably be attributed to the relative easiness of the items for the particular group of participants. The verbal items also showed satisfactory fit to the Rasch model. The Rasch analysis, which expresses person ability and item difficulty on the same scale, clearly showed that the Verbal items were too easy for the majority of the children. However, it should be kept in mind that the PPG is intended to discriminate among children with low ability. Hence, the observed mismatch between the abilities and item difficulties was not unexpected. It should also be noted that the serial order of the items did not correspond well with item difficulty, with some difficult items being presented early and some easy items presented late in the scale. The five subtests of the PPG were subjected to a confirmatory factor analysis. Two models were specified and compared. Model 1 specified a single general factor; this provided a more parsimonious description of the data and showed a satisfactory fit with the data, though a bit weaker than that of Model 2. Model 2 specified two correlated factors, namely a Verbal and a Non-verbal factor. Model 2 also fitted the data well, but a high correlation between the factors was observed (r = .77; r2 = .59), suggesting the presence of a general factor. The results provide support for two levels of interpretation, namely on the Total score level and the Verbal and Non-verbal level. The validity of the PPG Level 2 was further investigated by examining the correlations between the PPG scores and teacher ratings of academic achievement. Because different schools had different raters, the correlations within each of the schools were pooled to obtain an estimate of the correlations between the PPG scales and academic achievement for the total group. The pooled correlation for the PPG Total score with academic achievement was .56, for the Non-Verbal score .53, and for the Verbal score .41. The correlations for the Total and Non-verbal scores are similar to those typically reported in the educational psychology literature and provide support for the validity of these scales as a screen for academic difficulties. The results show that the PPG, which was developed in South Africa, may be fruitfully exported to Eritrea. It is recommended, however, that before the PPG Level 2 is routinely used for screening purposes with Tigrigna-speaking children, the functioning of the Verbal Scale should be re-examined and possibly some of the Verbal items should be rewritten. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van die onderhawige studie was om die psigometriese eienskappe van 'n siftingstoets van kognitiewe vermoë, naamlik die Paper and Pencil Games Level 2 (PPG Level 2), vir Tigrigna-sprekende kinders in Ertirea te bestudeer. Hierdie studie verteenwoordig een van die eerste pogings om kognitiewe vermoë in Eritrea te meet. Die PPG is in Suid-Afrika ontwikkel (Claassen, 1996) as 'n groeptoets van kognitiewe vermoë vir kinders in Grade 2 en 3 (PPG Level 2), en Grade 4 en 5 (PPG Level 3). Die PPG lewer tellings van kognitiewe vermoë op drie vlakke, naamlik Totaal, Verbaal en Nie-Verbaal. Die Verbale skaal bestaan uit twee subskale: (a) Verbale en Kwantitatiewe redenering en (b) Begrip. Die Nie-Verbale skaal bestaan uit drie subskale, naamlik (a) Figuur Klassifisering, (b) Figuurreekse en (c) Patroonvoltooiing. Alhoewel die PPG op die oog af soos 'n konvensionele intelligensietoets lyk, beklemtoon Claassen dat dit te beste geskik is as 'n siftingsinstrument vir akademiese probleme of mislukkings. Die deelnemers was 577 Tigrigna-sprekende kinders in Graad 3. Die kinders is uit skole van die hoofstad, Asmara, klein dorpe en geselekteer. Elf skole het aan die studie deelgeneem. Daar kan aanvaar word dat die deelnemers verteenwoordigend is van die Graad 3 Tigrigna-sprekende populasie in Eritrea. Die PPG Level 2 is onder supervisie van die navorser voltooi. Klassieke en Rasch item-ontledings is op die Verbale en Nie- Verbale skale, onderskeidelik, uitgevoer. Die interne konsekwentheid van die Nie- Verbale skaal kan as bevredigend vir 'n siftingsinstrument beskou word (Cronbach se a = .85). Hierbenewens het die Nie-Verbale items 'n bevredigende passing met die Rasch model getoon (INFIT gemiddelde kwadrate en OUTFIT gemiddelde kwadrate < 1.3 vir alle items), wat daarop dui dat die items 'n essensiëel eendimensionele konstruk meet. Die moeilikheidswaardes van die Nie- Verbale items het ook sterk ooreengestem met die volgorde waarin die items in die skaal aangebied word - die maklike items is eerste aangebied en daarna die moeilike items. Die interne konsekwentheid van die Verbale skaal was laer (Cronbach se a = .72). Die laer koëffisiënt kan waarskynlik aan die relatiewe lae moeilikheidsgraad van die Verbale items toegeskryf word. Die Verbale items het egter ook 'n bevredigende passing met die Rasch model getoon. Die Rasch ontleding, wat vermoë en item moeilikheid op dieselfde skaal uitdruk, het duidelik getoon dat die Verbale items te maklik vir die meeste kinders was. Daar dien egter op gelet te word dat die PPG ontwerp is om te diskrimineer tussen kinders met relatiewe lae vermoëns. In hierdie lig gesien is die swak passing tussen vermoë en item moeilikhede nie te onverwags nie. Die volgorde waarin die items in die skaal aangebied word het ook nie goed ooreengestem met die item moeilikheidswaardes nie - sommige moeilike items is vroeg in die skaal aangebied en sommige maklike items laat in die skaal. Die vyf subtoetse van die PPG is aan 'n bevestigende faktorontleding onderwerp. Twee modelle is gespesifiseer en vergelyk. Model 1 het 'n enkele algemene faktor gespesifisieer.

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Aim: To assess the effects of initial nutritional status on the responses to a school feeding programme (SFP) among school children in the Millennium Villages Project (MVP), Siaya District, Kenya. Objectives: To establish baseline data on the dietary intake, prevalence of undernutrition, body composition, prevalence of anaemia, body iron stores and vitamin A status in order to assess the impact of the SFP over a 30-month period on the same outcomes. Further, the study assessed the effect of initial nutritional status on the responses to the SFP on growth, the prevalence of anaemia, body iron stores and vitamin A status. Methods: In the MVP, a school meal additional to the children’s usual daily food intake was provided consisting of locally available foods (containing whole fish omena and beef). The meals contributed approximately 25% of the Estimated Energy Requirement (EER), 70% of the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) for protein, and 18% of EAR for fat. A school meal, additional to the children’s usual daily food intake, was introduced to the control group 6 months into the study as a project scale up initiative. The meal provided 15% EER, 49 % EAR for protein and 10% EAR for fat. A total of 235 children participated in the study and were followed up for 30 months, with 118 in the MVP and 117 in the control group. Statistical analysis included descriptive, Pearson’s chi-square test, repeated measures ANOVA and multivariate logistic regression models. Results: The mean subject age was 7.9 years (2.0 SD) at baseline, and half (51.4%) were boys. More than half of the children (66%) had energy intakes less than the EER. At baseline, the prevalence of stunting, wasting and underweight was 16.9%, 6.0% and 3.6% respectively. Prevalence of linear growth deficit based on height-for-age z-score ≤-1 standard deviation was 48%. Anaemia was higher in the MVP group (82.2%; P < 0.0001) compared to controls (58.1%) while depleted body iron stores was observed in 10.7% of the children. Half of the children in the control group and 30% in the MVP group had an inadequate vitamin A status while 11% of the children had infection/inflammation. At six months after initiation of the intervention, anaemia prevalence was reduced to 41.2% among the controls and 9.3% in the intervention group (P < 0.001). Among the MVP group, children with initial inadequate nutritional status based on weight-for-age z-score WAZ ≤ -1 SD had a higher (P < 0.01) height velocity (2.3 cm/six months) by the 24th month study interval compared to those who had an initial adequate nutritional status based on weight-for-age z-score WAZ > -1 SD. Conclusion: SPF menus were associated with potential for improved growth, gain in lean body mass and reduced anaemia prevalence when inadequate nutritional status was present at baseline. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Doel: Om die verband tussen skoolkinders se aanvanklike voedingstatus en die respons op ’n skoolvoedingsprogram (SVP) in die Millennium Villages Project (MVP), Siaya-distrik, Kenia, te bepaal. Doelwitte: Om basislyn data te versamel ten opsigte van dieetinname, prevalensie van ondervoeding, liggaamssamestelling, prevalensie van anemie, ysterstore en vitamine A status ten einde die impak van die SVP oor ‘n 30-maande periode op genoemde uitkomste te bepaal. Verder het die studie ook die effek van aanvanklike voedingstatus op die respons tot die SVP bepaal ten opsigte van groei, die prevalensie van anemie, ysterstore en vitamine A status. Metode: In die MVP is ‘n skoolmaaltyd addisioneel tot die kinders in beide studiegroepe se daaglikse voedselinname voorsien. Die SVP se spyskaarte het bestaan uit plaaslik beskikbare voedsel (bevattende die vissoort omena en beesvleis) en het ongeveer 25% van die kinders se geraamde energievereistes (EER), 70% van hul proteïenvereistes (EAR) en 18% van hul vetvereistes (EAR) voorsien. ‘n Skoolmaaltyd is addisioneel tot die kinders in die kontrolegroep se gewoontelike daaglikse voedselinname ingesluit 6 maande na aanvang van die studie as deel van die MVP se uitbreidingsinisiatief. Dié maaltyd het in 15% van die kinders se energievereistes (EER), 49% van hul proteïenvereistes (EAR) en 10% van hul vetvereistes (EAR) voorsien. Altesaam 235 kinders is by die studiegroep ingesluit – 118 in die MVP en 117 in kontrolegroepe – en is vir 30 maande bestudeer. Statistiese ontleding het beskrywende ontleding, Pearson se chi-kwadraattoets, ANOVA met herhaalde metings, en multivariansie logistiese regressiemodelle ingesluit. Resultate: Die gemiddelde ouderdom van die kinders by basislyn was 7.9 jaar (2.0 SD) en die helfte (51.4%) van die respondente was seuns. Meer as die helfte van die kinders (66%) het ‘n energieinname minder as die EER getoon. By basislyn was die prevalensie van belemmerde groei, uittering en ondergewig onderskeidelik 16.9%, 6.0% en 3.6%. Die voorkoms van onvoldoende lengtegroei gebaseer op lengte-vir-ouderdom z-telling < -1SD was 48%. Anemie was hoër in die MVP groep (82.2%; p<0.0001) vergeleke met die kontroles (58.1%), terwyl 10.7% uitgeputte ysterstore getoon het. Onvoldoende vitamine A status het voorgekom in die helfte van die kinders in die kontrolegroep en 30% van die MVP groep, en infeksie / inflammasie was teenwoordig in 11% van die kinders. Die voorkoms van anemie op ses maande na aanvang van intervensie het verbeter tot 41.2% in die kontrolegroep en 9.3% in die intervensiegroep (P < 0.001). Op 24 maande het kinders met aanvanklike onvoldoende voedingstatus (WAZ < -1SD) in die MVP-groep groter lengtetoename (2.3 cm/6 maande) getoon as hul groepgenote met aanvanklike voldoende voedingstatus gebaseer op WAZ > -1 SD (P < 0.01). Gevolgtrekking: Die skoolvoedingsprogram spyskaarte het die potensiaal getoon tot ‘n verbetering in groei, toename in maer liggaamsmassa en ‘n verlaagde voorkoms van anemie onder kinders wie se basislynvoedingstatus onvoldoende was.

published_or_final_version / abstract / toc / Educational Psychology / Master / Master of Social Sciences

published_or_final_version / Dentistry / Master / Master of Dental Surgery