The study was conducted to describe the knowledge and beliefs of mothers regarding infant feeding practices in the context of HIV/AIDS. The mothers of infants aged 0 - 6 months attending at the Gilgal clinic in Manzini region, Swaziland were sampled for the study. This was a cross sectional descriptive survey in the quantitative paradigm. A qualitative research technique (focus groups) was used for support purposes. The aim of the study was to describe the knowledge and attitUdes of the mothers with regard to infant feeding practices in the context of HIV, to describe the relationships among these three concepts, and to describe the influence of social referents on mothers' beliefs. The research was carried out in the month of June 2006 in Swaziland. A stratified (age) and convenience (clinic attendance) sampling technique was used to select the sample from mothers and their babies attending at the Gilgal clinic. An adapted 24-h recall was used to assess infant feeding practices; questionnaires and focus group discussions were used to assess knowledge, beliefs and demographic information. Descriptive, inferential and multivariate statistics were used on the quantitative data and content analysis and ethnography on the qualitative data. The results indicated that as much as breastfeeding is still a norm (94.5%), exclusive breastfeeding (11 %) is rarely understood and practiced in this community. Focus group data revealed that the matter is complicated by the fact that some mothers fed ORT to their babies immediately after birth. Generally knowledge on HIV and infant feeding practices was high and beliefs on HIV and infant feeding were negative. Partners and nurses advice on infant feeding was most regarded by mothers. There was no significant relationship found between knowledge and attitudes. A significant relationship between knowledge and beliefs/attitudes was found in mothers who practiced predominant breastfeeding, complementary and replacement feeding. However, the relationships were weak and negative, proving the necessity to strengthen the relationship between knowledge and attitudes. There was no statistical relationship found between knowledge and attitude of mothers who practiced exclusive breastfeeding. In conclusion attitudes were dominant predictors of behavior compared to knowledge. This indicated that good knowledge does not warrant positive attitudes and appropriate behavior. Therefore it is vital to investigate the other factors that influence attitudes in efforts to improve infant feeding. The study was successful in identifying gaps that supported the recommendations for a PMTC program focusing on nutritional aspects. / Dissertation (MConsSci)--University of Pretoria, 2009. / Consumer Science / unrestricted

MSc (Statistics) / Department of Statistics / This study explores the use of exible link functions in discrete survival models through a simulation study and an application to the Swaziland Demographic and Health Survey (SDHS) data. The objective of the research study is to perform simulation exercises in order to compare the e ectiveness of di erent families of link functions and to construct a discrete multilevel survival model for age at rst marriage among women in Swaziland using a exible link function. The Pareto hazard model, Pregibon and Gosset families of link functions were considered in models with and without unobserved heterogeneity. The Pareto model where the family parameter is estimated from the data was found to outperform the other models, followed by the Pregibon and the Gosset family of link functions. The results from both simulation study and real data analysis of the SDHS data illustrated that, misspecication of the link function causes bias on the estimation of results. This demonstrates the importance of choosing the right link. The ndings of this study reveal that women who are highly educated, stay in the Manzini and Shiselweni region, those who reside in urban areas were more likely to marry later compared to their counterparts in Swaziland. The results also reveal that the proportion of early rst marriages is declining since the di erence among birth cohorts is found to be very high, with women of younger cohorts getting married later compared to older women. / NRF

MAIR / Department of Development Studies / The study investigates the issue of human rights on whether there can be a balance or relationship between monarchical rights and human rights in Southern Africa, paying particular attention to the small monarchical kingdom of Eswatini. The study seeks to examine how traditional monarchies in the 21st century treats the issue of human rights bearing in mind the fact that the current global system highly believes in upholding the fundamental freedoms and rights of the people. As a case study, this study seeks to examine the major reasons behind the Kingdom of Eswatini’s continued adherence to a monarchical system and also how the regional and international bodies like the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the United Nations (UN) are doing in terms of addressing the continued violation of human rights in the Kingdom of Eswatini. Qualitative research methodology will be employed to gather data. The research will contribute to the African studies discourse, especially on the nexus between monarchical rights and human rights. Volunteer sampling will be used to get participants for the study and would be drawn mainly from academics, local chiefs/political leaders and also some of the elderly citizens. / NRF

A study was carried out to: <ul><li>Determine and describe all the stakeholders’ preferences and problems with regard to high school girls' uniform; and</li> <li>To make recommendations for the prototype uniform that could be tested amongst stakeholders.</li></ul> A survey was conducted through three questionnaires for the three different groups, namely the Form-3 girls, parents (represented by the mothers), and the teachers at the school, to determine the functional and aesthetic preferences and problems experienced with the current school uniform. Form-3 girls were selected because it was assumed they had passed the spurt of growth between the ages of 15 and 17 years. Their mothers had the experience of purchasing the family’s clothes, while the teachers spend most of the time with the girls observing the quality features of the uniform. Purposive sampling was used to select the girls, their mothers and five teachers from each school, resulting in a total sample of 150 girls, 150 mothers and 84 teachers. Fifteen (15) schools were selected from two highly populated urban areas, namely: the Hhohho region (Mbabane) and the Manzini region (Manzini). `The analysis starts with the descriptive characteristics of the demographic information of the stakeholders in the uniforms used in the school. Data was expressed in frequencies and percentages. Means and standard deviations were ranked in descending order, the most preferred functional and aesthetic features placed at the top. The functional and aesthetic performance problems were also ranked, with the feature giving most problems placed at the top. The study revealed that Swazi high school girls rated both their functional and aesthetic preferences high. Amongst the performance preferences, sensory-aesthetic dimensions were rated as very important, followed by durability (that the tunic should not fade in colour), comfort and ease of care. Performance preferences that were considered less important by the girls were the wearing of the tunic in summer and winter and using the tunic for class and sports. Mothers were not asked about comfort preferences because they do not wear the tunic; however, amongst the functional performance qualities tested on them, durability, care and cost were considered important. As was the case with the girls, mothers also considered symbolic preferences less important, for example that the tunic should show family and cultural values. The comparison of the combined functional dimensions to the combined aesthetic dimensions indicated that the girls and their mothers rated the functional performance preferences of the tunic higher than the aesthetic performance preferences. Teachers were only asked to respond on end-use and symbolic qualities of the tunic. Teachers considered the wearing of the tunic in winter and summer more important than the symbolic preferences. Symbolic preferences were also seen to be less important with the girls and their mothers. From the problems it can be concluded that the mothers and the girls did not experience major problems, except that the tunic fades. Mothers saw the cost of the tunic to be too expensive, as the same tunic could not be worn for sports. All the preferences relate to choice of style and fabric. Consumers preferred a panelled style of tunic with a waistline; however, in order to accommodate for growth, a semi-fitted princess style was recommended. / Dissertation (MConsumer Science)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Consumer Science / unrestricted

Dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the Masters Degree in Library and Information Science at the University of Zululand in the Department of Library and Information Science, South Africa, 2011. / This study investigated the feasibility of providing Library and Information Management higher education and training locally in Swaziland. It aimed to determine if it is possible and necessary for Swaziland to be involved in the education and training of its own Library and Information Management professionals within the country. The study was centered on two major concerns facing the country with respect to Library and Information Management practice. These were the dependence of the country on foreign schools to acquire higher education and training, and the required funding to import such education and training into the country. Also highlighted were issues of the relevance of the imported education and training and major concerns concerning funding for higher education and training in other countries. The study had seven objectives as follows: • To investigate the state of Library and Information Management higher education and training in Swaziland • To determine if there is a need for the local higher education and training of candidates to the profession and existing professionals in Swaziland • To investigate whether or not there is a market for Library and Information Management professionals to be educated and trained in Swaziland • To investigate the availability of infrastructure that is required for providing higher education and training in Library and Information Management in Swaziland • To establish the challenges and opportunities of providing Library and Information Management higher education and training in the country • To determine the feasibility of providing Library and Information Management higher education and training in Swaziland with respect to cost, relevance and human resources • To determine the role of major stakeholders, such as the government and the Library and Information Professional Association, in providing local higher education and training in Library and Information Management The study targeted five population groups as follows: • Prospective entrants to the Library and Information Management profession • Existing and practicing Library and Information Management employees • Job advertisements for Library and Information Management personnel • Existing and potential employers of Library and Information Management employees • Training institutions likely to host Library and Information Management higher education and training In this study, both qualitative and quantitative data was obtained using survey questionnaires, interviews, content analysis, and observation. Questionnaires gathered data from prospective entrants to the profession of Library and Information Management and existing employees in the profession. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with current and potential employers in the government and major Library and Information Management service organizations. Content analysis of newspaper advertisements for the job market in Library and Information Management was performed on two v local dailies spanning a period of four years (2005 - 2008). Observation was conducted in two higher education institutions to check whether or not they were capable of hosting Library and Information Management education. Prospective entrants, employees, employers and the training institutions highly favoured higher education in Library and Information Management within the country. 155 (64 %) of the prospective entrants expressed their willingness to join the profession of Library and Information Management and pursue higher education, and this could increase to 196 (81 %) with effective marketing campaigns that would woe the 41 (17 %) who were undecided / flexible prospective entrants. Many employees also expressed their desire for local higher education in Library and Information Management. The employees – most with foreign-acquired qualifications – desired to further their higher education and training in the local environment. Employers also continuously emphasized the feasibility of hosting higher education in Library and Information Management in Swaziland. The employers suggested that Swaziland must first introduce diploma programs before proceeding to degree levels. The government as a stakeholder ensured its financial support in sponsoring the pursuit of local higher education in Library and Information Management by local candidates. Both of the visited higher education institutions were suitable in terms of infrastructure. The University of Swaziland displayed more infrastructure and resources and is suitable for both graduate and postgraduate programs. Mananga’s infrastructure and resources could host a diploma and certificate program in Library and Information Management. Content analysis was performed on 98 newspaper advertisements obtained from 2084 papers. The percentage of the obtained advertisements against the total number of papers scanned was low at 9 %. This would suggest low feasibility, but only if the expectation is that job advertisements for a profession would run every day in a local newspaper. Employers in Library and Information Management, however, insisted on the availability of jobs in the local market and highlighted several positive indicators of a growing market in this profession. It was recommended that in hosting programs, the duplication of hosting institutions should be avoided for a small country like Swaziland, and stakeholder participation and involvement should be maintained for the continued success of the education programs. Relevance should also be fairly addressed and balanced for the local, regional and international applicability of locally acquired qualifications. Tracer studies on the usefulness of the educational programs against changing needs of the market would be necessary, and within the first five years, assessments should be conducted in order to positively influence the programs.

This research examines the participation of women in the HIV and AIDS policy process between 2003 and 2009. Participation has been an integral part of Swaziland‘s HIV and AIDS policy since the country adopted a multi-sectoral response to the pandemic in the late 1990s. As a concept and practice, participation is highly contested and political. The study sought to find out what type and quality of involvement Swaziland offers to women in its status as the last absolute monarchy in the African continent. The thesis relies on interviews and documentary research to establish its findings. It tracks the role women played at each stage of policy making, from agenda setting, policy formulation, policy adoption, policy implementation to policy assessment. The study also interrogates the shape of the participation space as well as power relations that define it. Women‘s advocacy and collaborative efforts are investigated to determine the type of strategies women used to increase their influence in the process. The study will argue that women‘s participation in the HIV and AIDS policy process or any other development process in Swaziland is in vain if their inferior legal status and other forms of discrimination are not fully addressed. While women can have increased access to political and policy making processes in government, their chances of bringing about change are severely undermined by the entrenchment of their subordination at every level of society. Instead of shying away from feminism, women should consider and adopt a vigorous, conscious, and unrelenting feminist agenda, which will challenge unfair gender laws and cultural norms.

This research investigated the relationship between the school principal’s instructional leadership role and the academic performance of pupils in Swaziland primary schools. A qualitative investigation was conducted using individual and focus group interviewing. This was supplemented by a study of official documents on instructional leadership at each research site and the observation of the prevailing culture of teaching and learning traits at each school. A research sample of eight school principals and forty teachers was purposefully drawn from eight well-performing primary schools in the Southern Hhohho region of Swaziland. The findings of the study confirmed that the school principal’s instructional leadership role serves as a pillar for the development and sustainment of a sound culture of teaching and learning in order to ensure that learners achieve optimally. Based on the perceptions of school principal and teacher participants, strategies were developed for effective instructional leadership so as to ensure optimal learner performance. / Educational Leadership and Management / M. Ed. (Education Management)

There is controversy about the role of human aid in the world. It has been charged that aid is harmful to its recipients. Critic, Paul Theroux said, "Dumping more money in the same old way is not only wasteful, but stupid and harmful; it is also ignoring some obvious points."1 My analysis will look at different approaches to aid specifically in the case of Swaziland. Aid' s level of effectiveness is a key concern of this paper because aid can have an effect on a country's levels of starvation, disease, education, and overall standards of living. Humanitarian aid is a crucial point for contemporary world politics.

A quantitative, descriptive, explorative design was used to examine drug abuse among adolescents in Swaziland. The researcher collected data by interviewing adolescents who abused drugs in the Msunduza township, Mbabane, Swaziland. The study found that these adolescents abused alcohol to such an extent that they were often intoxicated and their schoolwork deteriorated. Only 21,7% (n=13) of the adolescents were addicted to illegal drugs. The respondents indicated that the use of drugs had negatively affected their relationships with other people and their lives in general, and they had been arrested for criminal offences, which could be contributed to their use of drugs. Peer group pressure and being accepted by their friends were the primary factors that contributed to the problem. However, the fact that more than half of the sample did not live with both their parents and had a poor relationship with their guardians could also be a factor. / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)

The AIDS pandemic has generated a large number of orphaned and vulnerable children (OVC) in Swaziland, as it affects the reproductive age group. Most of the OVC are being cared for by their grandparents who are old, poor and suffer from degenerating diseases of old age. The purpose of this study was to explore and describe the needs and support available for OVC under the care of grandparents in the informal settlements of Mbabane, Swaziland in order to develop guidelines for their care and support. A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual study was conducted to identify the needs of the OVC and type of support provided by organizations for these children. Data was collected using unstructured and semi-structured interviews. The study was conducted in three phases each addressing a research objective. In the first phase which was to identify the needs of OVC, twelve grandparents who cared for OVC in the informal settlements participated. For the second phase seven managers of organizations that provide support to OVC in the informal settlements participated. The third phase was the development of guidelines by the researcher and validated by participants and experts. The study highlighted the needs of OVC, the nature of the existing support structure and type of support provided by organizations for these children. The findings revealed that the OVC have developmental support, protection support, psychosocial support and support for survival needs. The themes identified from the analysis of the type of support provided by organizations were developmental, partnership, protection, psychosocial and support for survival needs. The organizations' support was inconsistent and inadequate to meet these needs due to the large number of OVC. Some of the weaknesses of organizations were indicated as donor dependency and lack of coordination and collaboration among organizations. The study highlighted partnership as fundamental to the successful implementation of the guidelines. / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)