Background: The gap between theory and practice in nursing has long been regarded as controversial and has been a much debated subject in literature. The disparity between theory and practice in nursing education has been attributed to, among other factors, the move of nursing education from hospital-based training to higher education. Attempts to bridge the gap have been recorded in literature, including the introduction and use of problem-solving learning approaches that are regarded as reflective; learner-centred and promote lifelong learning. With this transition, there is confusion concerning the role of the nurse educator in clinical teaching which further compounds the problem of integrating theory and practice in nursing education. Nursing education in Swaziland has also experienced the transition from the hospital-based model to higher education in the late nineties. Issues regarding the competence of nurses have emerged with complaints from the local media and the general public about nursing services declining in quality. Purpose: This study was aimed at exploring and describing the perceptions of students and nurse educators regarding the integration of theory and practice in nursing education in a Higher Education Institution in Swaziland. The ways in which theory and practice integration is facilitated in this university were explored with the perceived barriers that are thought to deter the integration. Methodology: A quantitative approach was employed in this study with a total of 167 participants. Of these, 151 were students and 16 were nurse educators. Two self-administered questionnaires were developed for each group. Reliability and validity of these instruments was measured and the α-coeffient of 0.74 and 0.83 were achieved for the students' and educators' instruments respectively. Data were collected and then analysed using the SSPS package, Version 15.0. Findings: Results of this study revealed the existence of the gap between theory and practice in nursing education in Swaziland. Clinical nursing education was found to be an essential component in the training of nurses, however the role of the nurse educator in the integration of theory and practice remained contentious. It was also discovered that no clear guidelines or protocol regarding clinical supervision were available in the country, hence nurse educators conducted clinical supervision as they saw fit. Barriers to the integration of theory and practice were explored, and it was established that the lack of resources and supplies, more particularly in the practice setting stood out as the primary obstacle. It emerged from the study that problem-solving pedagogic approaches are essential in the integration of theory and practice. Furthermore, inadequate student support structures in the clinical setting also emerged as barriers coupled with poor communication and professional relations between the university and the practice settings. Recommendations: The establishment of a university hospital or a partnership with a health care institution where the value of clinical practicum for students would be enforced was one of the recommendations. Furthermore, it was suggested that the nursing department use process-based curricular approaches to teaching and learning which may enable students to be more reflective and more self-directed in their learning process. It was also suggested that the clinical skills laboratory be more self-directed, with students learning how to conduct clinical skills with minimum guidance from the facilitator. / Thesis (M.N.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2011.

Background: The HIV epidemic has greatly affected sub-Saharan Africa, with the highest prevalence in the world found in Swaziland. One in three pregnant women in Swaziland has HIV. One of the PMTCT strategies is primary prevention of HIV among women who are uninfected. Understanding the reasons why pregnant women continue to seroconvert is the key in meeting this strategy. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine the factors associated with seroconversion among pregnant women utilizing Raleigh Fitkin Memorial Hospital in 2012. Objectives: The objectives of this study are to: determine the proportion of HIV non-infected pregnant women who are retested for HIV during pregnancy; determine the gestational age at which pregnant women are retested for HIV; establish the proportion of women who were initially HIV non-infected and seroconverted during pregnancy; and establish the factors associated with seroconversion during pregnancy. Methods: An observational cross-sectional study design with both descriptive and analytic components was carried out at Raleigh Fitkin Memorial Hospital. Systematic sampling was used for the recruitment of 381 pregnant women who were initially HIV non-infected. An interviewer-administered questionnaire and chart review were used to collect demographic and clinical data. The data was analyzed using descriptive and analytic statistics. Results: The results of the study show that demographic factors such as age and educational level are associated with HIV seroconversion during pregnancy. The findings also highlight how partner factors play a role in HIV seroconversion. The results indicate that sexual behaviours 333of the pregnant women contribute greatly to HIV seroconversion. Conclusion: Pregnant women continue to engage in risky sexual behaviours during pregnancy and there is need to strengthen counseling on preventive measures throughout the antenatal care period. There is also need for programs to explore possibility of providing antiretroviral drugs for pre-exposure prophylaxis to all HIV negative women during pregnancy. / Thesis (M.Med.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2013.

Background: Swaziland, a country in Sub-Saharan Africa, with an HIV prevalence of 26 % amongst 15-49 year olds. The nurses work conditions are heavily affected by the high prevalence of HIV/AIDS and of the increasing workload. Moral distress can have implications on the nurse’s social, physical, emotional and psychological wellbeing and can also serve as a wake-up call in morally questionable situations. Aim: To describe moral distress among nurses working with people living with HIV/AIDS in Swaziland. Method: A qualitative semi-structured interview study was carried out at two health clinics in Swaziland. Five nurses who in their daily work interact with patients living with HIV/AIDS were interviewed. Data was analysed using content analysis with an inductive approach as presented by Elo and Kyngäs. Results: The results were divided into two main themes of contributing and protecting factors. Contributing factors were: strain of heavy workload and shortages, powerless over ones work situation, guilt over not doing enough, expectations on being the perfect nurse and work not being recognised. Protecting factors were: providing beneficial care brings meaning and having a supportive and appreciative work environment. Discussions: The results of the study are reviewed in the light of the lifeworld perspective theory. Nurses’ sense of identity is discussed as well as experiences of high expectations, powerlessness and protecting factors such as meaningfulness and peer support. / Bakgrund: Swaziland är ett land söder om Sahara som har en HIV-prevalens på 26 % bland 15-49 åringar. Sjuksköterskors arbetsvillkor har påverkats markant av den höga HIV/AIDS-prevalensen och den höga arbetsbelastningen. Moralisk stress kan påverka sjuksköterskans sociala, fysiska, emotionella och psykiska välbefinnande och kan fungera som en väckarklocka i moraliskt svåra situationer. Syfte: Att beskriva moralisk stress bland sjuksköterskor som arbetar med personer som lever med HIV/AIDS i Swaziland. Metod: En kvalitativ semi-strukturerad intervjustudie genomfördes på två hälsokliniker i Swaziland. Fem sjuksköterskor intervjuades som i sitt dagliga arbete kommer i kontakt med patienter som lever med HIV/AIDS. Innehållsanalys med induktiv ansats enligt Elo och Kyngäs användes för att analysera data. Resultat: Resultatet delades upp i bidragande och skyddande faktorer. Bidragande faktorer var: påfrestning av tung arbetsförda och bristande resurser, maktlöshet över ens arbetssituation, skuld över att inte göra tillräckligt, förväntningar att vara den perfekta sjuksköterskan och att inte uppskattas för sitt arbete. Skyddande faktorer var: att ge gynnsam vård skänker mening samt att ha ett arbetsklimat som stöttar och uppmuntrar. Diskussion: Studiens resultat diskuteras utifrån ett livsvärldsperspektiv. Sjuksköterskornas upplevelse av identitet, höga förväntningar, maktlöshet samt skyddande faktorer såsom meningsskapande och stöd från kollegor diskuteras.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship among locality of school, type of school, gender of student, school GPA (GPA), aptitude (MEANAPT), Cambridge English Language (CAMENG), Cambridge class (CAMCLASS), and Cambridge aggregate (CAMAGGR). A second purpose of this research was to determine the relationship among GPA, MEANAPT, CAMENG, CAMCLASS, CAMAGGR, university registration status (STATUS), and average university grade (UNIMEAN) after 2 years at the University of Swaziland (UNISWA). The study was divided into two parts. In the first part, locality of school, type of school, and gender of student were the independent variables; GPA, MEANAPT, CAMENG, CAMCLASS, and CAMAGGR were the dependent variables. In the second part, performance at UNISWA, as measured by either STATUS or UNIMEAN, was the dependent variable; CAMENG, CAMCLASS, CAMAGGR, GPA, and MEANAPT were the independent variables.Answers to questions on Part 1 of the study were determined by computing means, standard deviations, and F-tests for differences between means for GPA, MEANAPT, CAMENG, CAMCLASS, and CAMAGGR for each of the general questions. Data were analyzed using Pearson r and multiple regression to answer Part 2 questions.The results of this study indicate that students enrolled in rural and government schools were outperformed by those attending urban and government-aided schools on all the measures. Although males outperformed females on the local Swaziland measures, school GPA and aptitude, there were no significant differences between males and females when the Cambridge examination scores were considered. The Cambridge examination appears to be neither efficient nor economical when used to identify the successful African student once he or she has been admitted to a local university. The same is true for the measures designed and currently used by local Swaziland educators. Swaziland officials may have to look elsewhere for predictors of university performance. / Department of Educational Psychology

The purpose of this study was to contextualise the Swaziland correctional services environment and inmate population, analysing how best to respond to the needs of the organisation and providing strategies that can have an impact on crime and recidivism. Offenders in Swaziland are incarcerated because alternatives to imprisonment or the resources necessary to make a visible impact on the inmate population are not provided. There is also very little scientific information available on the profiles of inmates to determine who really needs to be incarcerated, who could be incarcerated for a shorter time and who could be taken care of in the community. In addition to the above, Swaziland correctional services finds itself in a predicament where it has to provide concrete evidence that it is effective and adding value to the social and economic reconstruction of the country. This implies the frequent assessment of the organisation's performance to ensure the continuous delivery of cost-effective, innovative and high quality correctional services. In an attempt to understand the breadth of the problems faced by Swaziland correctional services, this thesis sets out to assess the environment in which Swaziland correctional services operates and to suggest mechanisms which can be used to rehabilitate and reduce the inmate population in order to add value and sustain the delivery of an effective correctional service. This study would seem to be of value not only to correctional practitioners, but also to the police and judiciary in that they will have a better understanding of dilemmas faced by Swaziland correctional services. This will assist the police and judiciary to take more informed decisions with regard to effective law enforcement, detention of awaiting-trials and sentencing practices. With Swaziland and other African countries embarking on a new route in corrections, the academic world can also play a major role in enlightening reform in legislation, policies and practices. / Penology / D.Litt. et Phil. (Penology)

A study was conducted in two sites: one at an electricity storage facility belonging to the Swaziland Electricity Board (SEB) and the other at a facility that belongs to its treated pole supplier, the Thonkwane wood creosote treatment plant. The drainage system of these sites leads to surface waters in rivers. This is a cause of concern since creosote contains polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are listed as priority pollutants by the US Environmental Protection Agency. They have toxic, mutagenic and carcinogenic effects and as a result they pose a threat to human life and the environment. No previous studies have been done on PAHs in Swaziland. The main objective of this study was to determine the impact of the SEB storage facility and the creosote treatment plant by investigating the extent of PAHs in surrounding environments (soil, sediments and surface waters). Preliminary studies were undertaken on the storage facility and the creosote treatment plant. No PAHs were detected from the pole storage facility; therefore the creosote wood treatment facility was selected as the ideal site at which to conduct the research. Soil samples were collected from depths 15 cm and 60 cm at points around the creosote plant, including effluent discharge points. The samples were extracted by solid-phase micro extraction (SPME) and analysed by GC/MS. The GC/MS, incorporating a solid phase micro extraction step, provided detection limits ranging from 0.12 μg/g to 20.08 μg/g. The pollution patterns in the study site were assessed using cluster analysis and principal component analysis. Most of the 16 US EPA-listed priority pollutants were detected from the creosote wood treatment facility. PAHs such as anthracene, fluorene, naphthalene and fluoranthene were dominant in all the sampling sites. The compounds occurred in very high concentrations (0.64, 0.46, 0.27 and 0.26 mg/kg respectively). These compounds are found in pure creosote as determined in the sample taken from the Thonkwane creosote tank site. The highest concentration of PAHs was observed in the soil samples taken next to the road site. The concentrations of the identified PAHs were above the acceptable minimal level allowed in soil by the US EPA and Swaziland Environment Authority (SEA). The levels of the PAHs are also above the recommended US EPA limit in soil, which is 0.1 mg/kg. The results indicated that significant soil pollution was taking place in some of the sampling sites. The top layer (0, 15 cm) contained many PAHs at high levels whilst the 60 cm layer had a lower number of PAHs which were also in low concentrations. This provided an indication that there is no downward movement of PAHs from the surface layer to underground layers. The potential exists for contamination of surface waters when there is runoff from the project area. This is a cause of concern, since both the creosote treatment plant and areas outside the facility are contaminated. Therefore, the site has to be cleaned up, preferably by using a phytoremediation technique. / Environmental Sciences / M. Sc. (Environmental Science)

Thesis in English, Annexure E: Consent form (leaf 81) as well as KABP Survey Questionnaire (leaves 87-91) in English and SiSwati. / The purpose of the study was to assess knowledge, explore attitudes and determine practices of breastfeeding mothers living with HIV regarding post-natal PMTCT interventions and services. The study was quantitative and descriptive in nature, utilising a retrospective cohort design. The study sample included breastfeeding mothers living with HIV, who attended the King Sobhuza II public health unit in the Manzini region of Swaziland. A written questionnaire was administered to a non-random sample of 90 consecutively selected mothers living with HIV attending the above-cited public health unit for post-natal health purposes. The overall study results revealed that the majority of breastfeeding mothers living with HIV in the afore-mentioned region (77.8%) presented high levels of knowledge on PMTCT, and 90% demonstrated a positive attitude; while a further 90% also demonstrated positive behaviour towards PMTCT. However, stigma and discrimination among family members, non-disclosure of HIV status to sexual partners; as well as poverty and fear of future drug-resistance are the cause of non-adherence to ARV prophylaxis. Furthermore, inconsistent condom use, mixed-feeding methods and wet-nursing also emerged as other contributing factors to the increase of post-natal mother-to-child transmission of HIV among breastfeeding mothers living with HIV. / Health Studies / M.A. (Nursing Science)

The Kingdom of Swaziland is a signatory to policies on universal education that seek to ensure the provision of high quality basic Education for All (EFA). EFA is a commitment to providing equal opportunities for all children and the youth as provided for in its highest piece of legislation. With the view to providing equal education opportunities to all children in the country, a draft inclusive education policy was drafted in 2006. The implementation of this policy meant the introduction of inclusive education into mainstream schools and all teachers in the country’ schools were called upon to have adequate capacity to teach learners with a wide range of educational needs. Inservice teachers received inadequate staff development ahead of implementation of IE and a majority of teachers never received pre-service inclusive education training at tertiary level. The primary purpose of this study is to explore teacher training at inclusive schools in Gege branch of schools in order to determine how not enough training and sometimes lack of professionally trained inclusive teachers shall have an implication on inclusive education programmes and the quality of education in the country going forward. The term branch in the context of this study refers to schools found under the Gege constituency, which are sometimes refered to as Gege cluster of schools in some education and teacher circles. This study chooses to use branch as it is used in official national government documents. This research is a qualitative interpretive case study based selected schools in the Gege branch of schools. Data was obtained through semi-structured research interviews and documents analysis, processed and analysed through data coding, unitizing, categorising; wherein the themes that emerged became the findings of the study. Themes that emerged highlighted that teachers have divergent understanding of Inclusive education. Some teachers are unaware of the governmental policy regarding teacher training for inclusivity at inclusive schools in Swaziland. Un-inclusive curriculum, big numbers of learners, lack of resources and teacher’s lack of competency were found to be barriers in the implementation of inclusive education. / Inclusive Education / M. Ed. (Inclusive Education)

D.Cur. (Community Nursing Science) / The purpose of the study was to develop a strategy to assist community nurses facilitate the mobilization of resources for meeting the basic needs of the elderly in the peri-urban and rural communities within the Hhohho region in Swaziland. Qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual research designs were used to explore and describe the basic needs and the resources for meeting the needs of the elderly. In order to achieve the study objectives and be logical, this study was organized into two phases namely: phase one and two. Phase one focused on the first objective namely: to explore and describe the basic needs and resources of the elderly in the peri-urban and rural communities in the Hhohho region in Swaziland. The second phase focused on the second objective namely: to develop and describe the strategy for mobilizing the resources meeting the basic needs of the elderly. Purposive sampling was utilized to select participants who met the inclusion criteria. Data were collected using focus groups and individual indepth face-toface interviews. Tesch method of qualitative data analysis was utilized to identify themes. From the study findings the researcher and the independent coder identified the following themes from the focus groups and individual indepth face-to-face interviews with the elderly and the key informants in the peri-urban and rural communities in the Hhohho region: • Theme 1: Need for resources because of poverty • Theme 2: Need for support because of burden for caring for others • Theme 3: Need for health care because of health challenges • Theme 4: Need for company because of loneliness • Theme 5: Need for protection because of abuse of the elderly persons The study highlighted a lack of resources including food security, housing accommodation, clothing, water supply and basic sanitation, electricity supply and lack of financial resource. The burden of caring for grandchildren who were orphans due to HIV/AIDS related illnesses and others as well as chronic illnesses were also reported...

Masters in Public Administration - MPA / The aim of the study was to investigate why it was deemed necessary to train and localise the public and private sectors by the Swaziland government. The efforts began shortly before Swaziland attained independence in 1968. Many of the initiative to localisation started in pre-colonial Swaziland in 1966 leading to independence. The study also examined the drawbacks to training and localisation and how these were overcome. Swaziland inherited and was strongly dependent upon a strongly entrenched cadre of top-level public service and private administrators who were expatriates. The study also examined how far localisation has gone to date. / South Africa