No description available.

The current research study was a qualitative investigation to explore and describe how students, registered for the Education 364 module, experienced the HIV/AIDS teacher education pilot programme (TEPP), implemented at the University of Pretoria. The availability of in-depth interview transcriptions, as raw data, permitted analysis of existing data from a different perspective. Transcriptions of a focus group interview and two individual interviews with Afrikaans students were purposefully selected and inductively analysed. Two main themes emerged following the thematic analysis of interview transcriptions. Findings indicate that the content of the HIV/AIDS TEPP provided students with a solid HIV/AIDS-related theoretical basis. Findings furthermore suggest that the HIV/AIDS TEPP could be adapted for different levels of knowledge and teaching phases. Appropriate and sufficient resource materials, in accordance with the explicit needs of each teaching phase, could be developed. Practical examples and clear guidelines may be incorporated into HIV/AIDS programmes to equip teachers to deal with difficult situations. In addition, sufficient time allocation to and early implementation of HIV/AIDS programmes seem necessary. The value of a range of teaching and learning methodologies and the role of HIV/AIDS programme presenters were emphasised. Since existing teacher training may not adequately prepare teachers to address HIV/AIDS challenges, the need for continuous development, lifelong learning as well as support for teachers were also highlighted. Finally, findings indicate that engagement in affective and identity-construction domains may reduce HIV/AIDS fatigue and encourage students to take on active roles to address HIV/AIDS-related challenges. / Dissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Educational Psychology / unrestricted

Through the use of multiple methodologies and analytical approaches, this dissertation combines (1) sales control; (2) call center service; and (3) motivational theory to extend sales control literature beyond its current state, to consider the conflicting motivational perspectives an inside sales agent has to experience. To achieve this unification, this dissertation consists of three essays intended to: (1) identify the influence of autonomous and controlled motivation on operational sales outcome controls and performance; (2) explore the influence these motivators have on sales controls and sales performance; and, (3) understand the impact of autonomous and controlled motivation on sales agent tenure.

Background: Highly Active Antiretroviral Treatment (HAART) has reduced the frequency of weight loss/wasting associated with HIV infection. However, weight loss remains a problem, even in the HAART era. Objectives: This study was carried out to assess weight change in a cohort of HIV-infected women on HAART in Rwanda, from 2005 to 2008, and to identify factors that predict weight loss in this cohort. Methods: Data from a cohort of 449 HIV-positive women on HAART enrolled in the Rwanda Women’s Inter-association Study and Assessment (RWISA), starting in May 2005, and followed at six monthly intervals until December 2008, were analysed. The outcome assessed in this study was change in weight, measured in kilograms at 6, 12 and 24 months after HAART initiation. Nutritional status was recorded and laboratory measurements (weight, height and CD4 cell count) were taken prior and after HAART initiation. All covariates were time dependent, except for the history of weight loss which was recorded at baseline only. Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) using the linear link (Gaussian [normal]), exchangeable covariance structure and robust standard error was used to assess the factors associated with changes in weight (weight loss or weight gain) and to control for potential confounders. Results: Prior to HAART initiation, the mean weight of the study participants was 53.1 kg (SD 9.5). The mean BMI was 21.3 kg/m2 (SD 3.6) and the mean CD4 cell count was 222.9 cells/μL (SD 120.6) [47.6% had CD4 cell counts <200 cells/μL, 52.2% had CD4 cell counts ≥200 cells/μL]. Overall, the participants gained weight from baseline to 12 months after HAART initiation. The mean weight change was 1.9 kg (SD 7.8) (p<0.001) 6 months after HAART initiation, 2.9 kg (SD 5.9) (p <0.001) 12 months after HAART initiation, and 2.4 kg (SD 6.5) (p <0.001) 24 months after HAART initiation. Six months after HAART initiation, 48.3% of participants had gained weight, and 21.0% had lost weight. Twelve months after HAART initiation, 56.9% had gained weight, and 18.3% had lost weight, Twenty-four months after HAART initiation, 56.6% had gained weight, and 22.6% had lost weight. Participants with CD4 cell counts ≤ 200 cells/μL at baseline gained more weight than those with CD4 cell counts > 200 cells/μL at 6, 12 and 24 months after HAART initiation. Participants who were underweight (BMI <18.5 kg/m2) at baseline gained more weight than other participants three months after HAART initiation. Time-dependent diarrhoea for more than two weeks and a CD4 cell count of 200 - 350 cells/μL were significantly associated with weight loss (p≤ 0.05). Others factors, such as time-dependent education level (completion of secondary school), marital status (married legally and status other than married legally or widowed), and increases in CD4 cell counts, were associated with weight gain (p≤ 0.05). Conclusion: Although the majority of participants gained weight during the first 12 months of being on HAART, a significant proportion of participants lost weight while on HAART. The findings on the predictors of weight change in HIV-positive women on HAART can be used to promote weight gain in women who start HAART. Clinicians who take care of HIV-infected patients on HAART should pay attention to those who lose weight, and those who present with diarrhoea or with CD4 cell counts of <350 cells/μL at follow-up visits, since these factors are associated with weight loss in the HAART era.

Este trabalho é um estudo ecológico descritivo sobre a leishmaniose tegumentar americana (LTA) na região do Vale do Ribeira paulista (composto por 23 municípios), que teve como objetivo correlacionar a incidência da doença com fatores determinantes ambientais e sociais. O trabalho se refere ao período de 1998 a 2006 o qual foi divido em três triênios, o primeiro de 1998 a 2000, o segundo de 2001 a 2003 e o terceiro de 2004 a 2006. Os coeficientes de incidência da LTA foram calculados para estes períodos (Coefmtr1, Coefmtr2 e Coefmtr3) segundo Szklo. Essa divisão de triênios se deu de acordo com as características gráficas dos coeficientes de incidência da LTA no período, que demonstraram haver num primeiro período uma fase endêmica da doença, no segundo período (2001 a 2003) a análise mostra picos de incidência que caracteriza um período epidêmico acentuado. No terceiro período alguns municípios mostram picos de incidência de proporções menores que os observados no período anterior, contudo ainda característicos de fase epidêmica. Os coeficientes de incidência são as variáveis dependentes dos três modelos de regressão realizados. As variáveis independentes foram obtidas de fontes de dados secundários e são de natureza sócio-demográfica, relacionadas as condições climáticas, de natureza político-geográficas e físico-biológicas. Essas variáveis foram separadas em qualitativas e quantitativas e analisadas respectivamente por testes não paramétricos de Mann Whitney e Spearman e selecionou-se para o processo de modelagem múltipla, as variáveis com p<0,20. Houve a necessidade de três modelos diferentes para verificar se os fatores determinantes que levaram as séries a se comportar de maneira diferenciada, seriam os mesmos ou não. O que se percebe é que há uma mudança no padrão do primeiro para os dois outros períodos. O trabalho aponta para fatores sócio-demográficos como determinantes na incidência de LTA, bem como a presença do vetor / This work is an ecological descriptive study on the American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) in the Ribeira Valley region of Sao Paulo (composed of 23 municipalities), which aimed to correlate the incidence of the disease with environmental and social factors. The paper refers to the period 1998 to 2006 which was divided into three years, the first from 1998 to 2000, the second from 2001 to 2003 and the third from 2004 to 2006. The rates of incidence of ACL were calculated for these periods (Coefmtr1, Coefmtr2 and Coefmtr3) Szklo seconds. This division was made in accordance with the graphics characteristics of the coefficients of incidence of ACL in the period, which has shown a period in a first stage of the disease endemic in the second period (2001 to 2003) the peak incidence analysis shows that characterizes a epidemic period strong. In the second period some municipalities show peaks of incidence of proportions lower than those observed in the previous period, yet still features the epidemic stage. The rates of incidence are dependent variables of the three regression models performed. The independent variables were obtained from sources in secondary databases, and are: in nature and socio-demographic, related climatic conditions, a political-geographical and physical and biological. These variables were separated in quality and quantity respectively and analyzed by non-parametric tests for Spearman and Mann Whitney and selected for the process of regress multiple model, the variables with p <0.20. There was a need for three different models to see if the determining factors that led to the series to behave in a different way, would be the same or not. What we understand is that there is a change in the pattern of the first to the other two periods. The study points to socio-demographic factors as determinants in the incidence of ACL and the presence of vector

The purpose of the study was to explore the leadership actions and activities that contributed to the implementation of a schoolwide family engagement initiative in a school. A qualitative content analysis of secondary data design was used to investigate the intentional actions and activities of a school leadership team during the implementation of a family engagement initiative within an elementary school. The Coherence Framework (Fullan & Quinn, 2016) provided a lens for which to investigate schoolwide change across drivers and sub-drivers. The findings of this study describe intentional leadership actions and activities when communicating with families, conducting formal assessments, and facilitating professional development. Patterns from the analysis indicate school leaders engage in intentional leadership actions and activities across all drivers and sub-drivers within the Coherence Framework (Fullan & Quinn, 2016). Family engagement practices are driven by core beliefs and consideration of the establishment of collective efficacy within the Coherence Framework may better support implementation of school change within family engagement implementation.

Abstract Title: Comparative Study Between Private and State-owned Banks: Technology and Management Perspectives Author: Khan, Enamul Haque Supervisor: Catherine Lions   Background: Bangladesh is a lower developing country with limited resources and income. In Bangladesh, both private and state-owned banks operate side by side but under dissimilar conditions. State-owned banks are obviously overstaffed but secured by the government guarantee while private banks need to be competitive and profitable to survive. Two major competitive factors are technology innovation and good governance system. Private banks in Bangladesh are providing complete online solutions and function with a decentralized management while state-owned banks behave opposite due to government’s traditional attitude. Therefore it is relevant to explore what the state-owned bank can learn from the private bank so that the former can be more effective and profitable like private banks. Purpose: The purpose is to explore what the state-owned bank can learn from its private competitor. My first purpose is to analyze the functioning of technological improvements that, due to generation change, are vital for banks in developing countries. Secondly, since good governance is necessary for the organization to be efficient, I want to identify the main differences between state-owned and private banks that influence the performance. Finally, how to adapt these issues by state-owned banks to improve the performance is other purpose of this study. Method: Unstructured interviews with qualitative approach were carried by interviewing a private bank and a state-owned bank expertise. Primary data collected through telephone interviews helps to identify the practice in the different ownership systems and how growth factors work. Secondary data works as accelerator of the primary data. Conclusion: I have found that state-owned banks have three major problems are: Poor IT infrastructure, clumsy managerial governance working on regulatory bindings and political influence. To overcome these problems, state-owned banks should try to move towards decentralization of managerial activities and meet the technology standard requirements. Key words: Information Technology (IT), Private Bank, State-owned Bank, Developing Countries, Management, Ownership, Government, Regulation, Politics, Interview, Primary and Secondary Data.

Family-centered care (FCC) focuses on considering the family in planning/implementing care and is associated with increased patient satisfaction. Little is known about factors that influence FCC. Using linear mixed modeling and Generalized Estimating Equations to analyze data from a cross-sectional survey of primary care practices in Ontario, this study sought to determine whether models of primary care service delivery differ in their provision of FCC and to identify characteristics of primary care practices associated with FCC. Patient-reported scores of FCC were high, but did not differ significantly among primary care models. After accounting for patient characteristics, practice characteristics were not significantly associated with patient-reported FCC. Provider-reported scores of FCC were significantly higher in Community Health Centres than in Family Health Networks. Higher numbers of nurse practitioners and clinical services on site were associated with higher FCC scores but scores decreased as the number of family physicians at a site increased.

BACKGROUND Rehabilitation therapies are effective for older persons in home-based settings, and have the potential to save money for the health system, while also improving the quality of life for older adults who may otherwise be hospitalized or institutionalized. Although there is evidence that home-based rehabilitation can improve functional outcomes in older adults, research has shown that many older home care clients do not receive the rehabilitation services they need. Despite the home care sector’s increasing importance within Ontario’s health care system, we have a limited understanding of the population that currently utilizes these services and how these services are allocated in the province. This dissertation project aims to enhance the understanding of this domain using a large provincial data repository of home care client information (RAI-HC information system). METHODS Using the Andersen-Newman Framework to guide this research from a conceptual standpoint, and combining it with the CRoss Industry Standard Process for Data Mining (CRISP-DM) as an organizational framework, this dissertation focuses on examining data collected on older long-stay home care clients. Prior to the data mining modeling procedures, knowledge of the rehabilitation services in home care was developed through a series of semi-structured interviews with key informants. The results of this qualitative study were then used to inform quantitative analyses that included creating rehabilitation service user profiles using the K-means clustering algorithm, and the development of predictive models of rehabilitation service provision using a Random forest algorithm and multilevel models. RESULTS Older home care clients who receive occupational therapy and physiotherapy in the Ontario Home Care System form a complex and heterogeneous client population. These services are often provided to clients following an acute event, yet many older adults who could benefit from therapy services for functional improvement and maintenance are not provided services due to limited resources. K-means clustering analyses resulted in the creation of seven profiles of rehab service users illustrating the multidimensional diversity of the service user population. Predictive models were able to identify client characteristics that are commonly associated with service provision. These models confirmed the large amount of regional variation found across the province and highlighted the differences between factors that lead to occupational therapy and physiotherapy service provision. CONCLUSIONS Using multiple methods to systematically examine rehabilitation services for long-stay clients, new insights into the current user population and the client characteristics related to service provision were obtained. Future research activities should focus on ways to use the regularly collected standardized data to identify older long-stay home care clients who would benefit most from the rehabilitation therapy services provided by the provincial home care system.

Family-centered care (FCC) focuses on considering the family in planning/implementing care and is associated with increased patient satisfaction. Little is known about factors that influence FCC. Using linear mixed modeling and Generalized Estimating Equations to analyze data from a cross-sectional survey of primary care practices in Ontario, this study sought to determine whether models of primary care service delivery differ in their provision of FCC and to identify characteristics of primary care practices associated with FCC. Patient-reported scores of FCC were high, but did not differ significantly among primary care models. After accounting for patient characteristics, practice characteristics were not significantly associated with patient-reported FCC. Provider-reported scores of FCC were significantly higher in Community Health Centres than in Family Health Networks. Higher numbers of nurse practitioners and clinical services on site were associated with higher FCC scores but scores decreased as the number of family physicians at a site increased.