Thesis (M. Tech. (Electrical Engineering )) - Central University of Technology, Free State, 2014 / Remote rural electrification via grid-extension is a challenging solution due to high connection costs and low electricity consumption rate. As a result, it is difficult to recover the initial investment costs. Therefore, electrification is made possible by means of the commonly used off-grid approaches such as solar, wind, diesel generator and conventional micro-hydro. However, owing to non-continuous availability of sunlight and wind, high cost of diesel fuel, and requirements for construction of diversion weirs, these off-grid approaches might not offer a cost-effective and reliable solution to low income rural residents. There are many rural communities throughout the world without access to grid electricity and with access to flowing water. An off-grid micro-hydrokinetic river (MHR) system is one of the promising technologies to be used in remote rural areas with flowing water. It can bring sustainable improvement to their quality of life due to its high energy density and minimal environmental impact. This technology is still in the development stage and there is a lack of application, especially in rural areas. Hence, this study investigates the current status of MHR technology in rural applications. To demonstrate the economic feasibility of an off-grid MHR system, a rural site with multiple energy sources within South Africa has been used. The economic benefit offered by this proposed system at the selected site is compared to the economic benefits offered by other commonly used standalone systems such a solar, wind and diesel generator (DG). This economic comparison has been performed by making use of a Hybrid Optimization Model for Electric Renewable (HOMER) simulation tool. Grid extension has also been used as a comparison method for obtaining an economical distance between grid lines and the remote rural site. The results highlighted the acceptable economic performance of the MHR system. Finally, most of the available modelling and simulation tools for mechanical and electrical systems are not equipped with hydrokinetic modules. Hence, an MHR system model has been developed in MATLAB/Simulink in order to study its dynamic performance as submitted to variable water resource. Its performance has then been compared to the performance of a wind system counterpart for generating the same amount of electrical power. This proved/verified that the proposed system can generate electricity markedly cheaper than a wind system even in areas with adequate wind resource within South Africa.

Thesis (M. Tech. (Electrical Engineering )) - Central University of Technology, Free State, 2014 / Remote rural electrification via grid-extension is a challenging solution due to high connection costs and low electricity consumption rate. As a result, it is difficult to recover the initial investment costs. Therefore, electrification is made possible by means of the commonly used off-grid approaches such as solar, wind, diesel generator and conventional micro-hydro. However, owing to non-continuous availability of sunlight and wind, high cost of diesel fuel, and requirements for construction of diversion weirs, these off-grid approaches might not offer a cost-effective and reliable solution to low income rural residents. There are many rural communities throughout the world without access to grid electricity and with access to flowing water. An off-grid micro-hydrokinetic river (MHR) system is one of the promising technologies to be used in remote rural areas with flowing water. It can bring sustainable improvement to their quality of life due to its high energy density and minimal environmental impact. This technology is still in the development stage and there is a lack of application, especially in rural areas. Hence, this study investigates the current status of MHR technology in rural applications. To demonstrate the economic feasibility of an off-grid MHR system, a rural site with multiple energy sources within South Africa has been used. The economic benefit offered by this proposed system at the selected site is compared to the economic benefits offered by other commonly used standalone systems such a solar, wind and diesel generator (DG). This economic comparison has been performed by making use of a Hybrid Optimization Model for Electric Renewable (HOMER) simulation tool. Grid extension has also been used as a comparison method for obtaining an economical distance between grid lines and the remote rural site. The results highlighted the acceptable economic performance of the MHR system. v Finally, most of the available modelling and simulation tools for mechanical and electrical systems are not equipped with hydrokinetic modules. Hence, an MHR system model has been developed in MATLAB/Simulink in order to study its dynamic performance as submitted to variable water resource. Its performance has then been compared to the performance of a wind system counterpart for generating the same amount of electrical power. This proved/verified that the proposed system can generate electricity markedly cheaper than a wind system even in areas with adequate wind resource within South Africa.

The aim of this study was to determine the role of the nurse educator in supporting pupil nurses. A quantitative, descriptive survey design was used with a questionnaire as data collection instrument. The sample included pupil nurses following the two year programme for enrolment as a nurse at one of the sub-campuses in Kwa-Zulu Natal. The results revealed that support was offered in the classroom and in the clinical field, though some of the pupil nurses were not happy with the clinical allocations. It was revealed that they were sometimes used as part of the workforce. There was a significant difference between means for the four aspects of support (classroom teaching, clinical teaching, assessment and motivation). The mean ranking for classroom and clinical teaching, were significantly higher than for assessment and motivation. Recommendations with reference to nursing education and further research regarding specific aspects of pupil nurse support were made. / Health Studies / M.A. (Health studies)

The Department of Education is promoting HIV/AIDS education programmes in the public schools of South Africa, particularly through the subject Life Orientation. Therefore, this study investigates the role of Life Orientation in addressing HIV/AIDS in KwaZulu-Natal secondary schools. Different role-players were evaluated to ascertain their attitudes and beliefs about Life Orientation and HIV/AIDS. The examination of different role-players was undertaken to establish the significance of their attitudes and beliefs on the success or failure of the Life Orientation based sex and HIV education programmes in the schools. An attempt was also made to find a relevant definition of the subject Life Orientation that contains the meaning and the purpose of the subject. Teachers were found to be uncertain about an appropriate definition that carries the meaning of Life Orientation; hence they tend to define it by its components such as Life skills, physical education, decision-making, HIV education and others. The study also sought to establish the impact of sex education embedded in Life Orientation on the fight against HIV/AIDS. Sex education was examined to determine whether it encourages or reduces youth sexual activities. In order for teachers to be able to use Life Orientation content to drive sex and HIV education programmes, it had to be ascertained if they were informed or not about HIV/AIDS. The questionnaire carried out an extensive assessment of teachers’ knowledge, attitudes and their personal stance on HIV/AIDS. This study established that training of teachers in both Life Orientation and HIV/AIDS provides them with knowledge which enables them to positively handle sex and HIV education programmes in the classroom. It was for this reason that the study made recommendations with regard to training and support programmes to ensure that teachers are adequately equipped for effective implementation of the subject Life Orientation in the National Curriculum Statement. / Educational Studies / D. Ed. (Curriculum Studies)

The purpose of this study is to explore and describe the challenges experienced by non-governmental organisations with regards to the roll-out of ART, with an aim to facilitate strategy development to overcome the challenges and enhance the success of ART rollout by the NGOs. A qualitative, exploratory and descriptive study was conducted. Data collection was done using in-depth semi-structured interviews. Three groups of respondents participated in the study; programme coordinators who directed and supervised ART programmes; doctors who were responsible for prescribing, monitoring and dealing with ART complications; and registered nurses who were responsible for monitoring, referring and providing nursing care to patients on ART. The findings revealed five broad areas of challenges namely; challenges related to sustainability, challenges related to adherence, challenges related to health systems, challenges related to stigma and challenges related to behavior. Of interest were the surge of whoonga and the infiltration of ART roll-out by crime and violence. / Health Studies / MA (Public Health)

The aim of the study was to explore and describe participants` understandings of sexual abuse involving teenage learners with intellectual disability in order to suggest the best approach for caring and supporting intellectually challenged teenage learners with a history of sexual abuse in a rural area of KwaZulu-Natal. This was a qualitative study using Bronfenbrenner`s ecological approach. This approach enables me to describe understandings about the phenomenon studied and how factors interact with each other and individuals in forming such understandings. Data was obtained by means of in-depth interviews which were conducted one on one with teachers of the special schools and SGB member, Social Worker, Psychologist and Crisis Centre Coordinator, local church person, parent of intellectual disabled child as well as traditional healer. The study revealed that sexual abuse of teenage learners with intellectual disability is riddled with myths and misconceptions that rendered them vulnerable to various forms of sexuality in the community. Recommendations based on the findings were made: promoting a better understanding of intellectual disability, sexuality education, and promoting the right attitude. / Inclusive Education / M. Ed. (Inclusive Education)

Dyslexia is one of the most common learning disabilities and learners affected by it are found in both mainstream and specialist schools. The aim of this study was to explore and describe the school experiences of learners who had been diagnosed with dyslexia and attended a long-term remedial school. A phenomenological research design was followed. Six learners in grades 6 to 9, who were attending a long term remedial school, were the participants. Semi-structured individual face-to-face interviews were held to collect data, posing questions that focused on the learners’ experiences with their educators, peers, written and verbal school work, as well as homework. From the data collected themes were formed. The findings showed that participants believed most of their teachers were aware of and knowledgeable about suitable methods to use when teaching dyslexic learners. The results also indicated that the school understood the challenges faced by the dyslexic learners and it was doing well in attempting to provide them with an educational environment suitable for their academic and personal needs. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Psychology of Education)

The aim of this study was to investigate sexual activity as well as contraceptive knowledge and use among termination of pregnancy (TOP) clients at Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital’s TOP clinic in the province of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). This was a non-experimental quantitative study in the form of a cross sectional study. Self-administered questionnaires were used for collecting data from 61 respondents selected non-randomly. The majority of the respondents were single young women between 18 and 27 years of age. Sexual intercourse frequency was mostly once a month (91.8%). Most were unemployed and dependent on government grants and had heard of both contraception in general and emergency contraception. Only 44 (78.6%) had used contraceptives before and the most frequently used method of contraception was the injection (36.6%). Despite the respondents having heard of contraception, the median score of the knowledge of contraception was only 16%. The distribution of knowledge was very wide, but on the whole the level of knowledge of contraception was very low / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)

Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree in Masters of Technology in Nursing, Durban University of Technology, 2013. / South Africa is one of 12 countries where the under-five child mortality rate has increased. In response to this challenge, the WHO and UNICEF in the 1990s developed Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI), a strategy to reduce child mortality and morbidity. IMCI training was launched in South Africa in 1998. Health care workers trained in IMCI face many challenges when applying the new integrated case management approach. Training settings tend to differ from the actual work environment. Simulation is practiced in an enclosed environment and certain assessments are not possible for example chest in drawing, level of consciousness, oedema amongst others. In South Africa, there has been limited research on IMCI in-service and pre-service training and no research has been conducted regarding the training of student nurses on IMCI and follow up of these learners in the clinical field. Purpose of the study The purpose of this study was to evaluate the IMCI training of learners in the use of IMCI Guidelines in the KwaZulu-Natal College of Nursing (KZNCN). Methodology This study followed a descriptive quantitative approach and evaluates the training of the learners and the facilitation and training of lecturers with regards to IMCI in the KZNCN campuses. Data was collected using questionnaires for facilitators and learners on the three campuses. Results The findings of this study revealed that teaching and learning approaches used to facilitate IMCI were adequate except for clinical practice and theory which was reported to be insufficient.

Submitted in fulfilment of requirements for the Degree of Masters in Technology: Nursing, Durban University of Technology, 2013. / Introduction : Empirical research pertaining to spirituality has grown in the Western context, with a myriad studies, that have documented the salience of spirituality to health and wellbeing in relation to a range of issues such as HIV/AIDS, cancer and heart disease (Koenig et al. 2001:1189). It is against this backdrop that nursing scholars have begun to research the role of spirituality and spiritual care in nursing practice, in the Euro-American context. In South Africa research in this field is sparse, hence prompting the need for the current study. Problem statement : There is a huge gap in the South African nursing literature on spirituality and spiritual care, grounding the need for research in this area. Internationally however studies have grown focussing on the views of practitioners and faculty with regard to spirituality and spiritual care in nursing practice. Objectives : To explore the views of nurses at public hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal regarding the role of spirituality and spiritual care in nursing practice. To investigate nursing practitioners’ views on the salience of spirituality to patients. To investigate whether nurses utilize spiritually based activities in nursing. To investigate whether current nursing education and training has prepared nurses for spiritual care. Methodology : The study utilized a descriptive survey utilizing a cross-sectional design. A quantitative research design was utilized to survey nursing practitioners at selected public hospitals through a process of multiphase random sampling. Data was collected using survey questionnaires. Findings : Findings of this study have shown that nurses do accept spirituality and spiritual care as being part of their role. Participants (n=385) acknowledged that spiritual care is a component of holistic patient care. This aspect of care, they agreed, lacks the attention it seriously needs. In addition, majority of nurses considered nursing to be part of their spiritual path. Results indicated that the more spiritual nurses viewed themselves, the more positive their perspectives were towards providing spiritual care.