The aim of this study was to evaluate a 24-week support group intervention programme which was designed to enhance adaptive behaviour of latent-phase children affected by maternal HIV/Aids. The meta-theoretical paradigms underlying the study were pragmatism and realism. The study was embedded in a concurrent nested (QUALquan) mixed-method design. The quantitative approach in the main study followed a quasi-experimental research design whereas the qualitative approach in this study, contributing to the largest part of the analysis in the study, followed a nested multiple case study design. The theory-driven outcome programme evaluation model applied in this study was the integrative process/outcome evaluation approach. The participants (n=139) were purposefully selected from among previously identified HIV-positive women (n=220) with children between the ages of 6 and 10 years at clinics in the Tshwane region, South Africa. Data were collected over a period of five years in multiple waves of intervention implementation. Prolonged, in-depth engagement by the researcher with participants was prioritized. The data collection strategies comprised of mother-and-child psychological questionnaires, group process notes, careworker focus groups, quality assurance questionnaires and field notes. The data were quantitatively analysed by means of a paired-sample t-test for within-group comparisons and descriptive statistics were furthermore applied. The qualitative text and narration obtained through the interviews, documents and focus groups were coded and analysed for themes. The themes of the emergent concepts were re-coded to establish improved defined categories. The different data sampling strategies assisted the researcher in triangulating the data for increased evaluation reliability. The PhD-study was conducted within a broader longitudinal study on resilience in South African mothers and children affected by HIV/Aids – the Promoting Resilience in Young Children Study. The findings of the Child Support Group Evaluation Study (e.g. PhD) showed that the content, methods and processes employed in the group-based sessions were effective and culturally sensitive. The intervention sessions enhanced the children’s coping skills, internalised and externalised behaviour and daily living, communication and socialisation skills. The group provided a buffer for the children and supported them in coping with their mothers’ illness. The children displayed normative values through their religious coping styles, their quest for and display of respect and their unambiguous assertion of right and wrong. A specific finding of this study was that the children created a sphere or space in which to order their thoughts, behaviours and emotions within the intervention. This provided them with parameters in their adverse circumstances to display adaptive behaviour or resilience which they could use to function adequately. The study suggests that the use of support groups should be incorporated into intervention programmes dealing with latent-phase children affected by HIV/Aids. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / gm2014 / Educational Psychology / unrestricted

Over the past two decades there has been an upsurge in interest in structural equation modelling (SEM). Applications abound in the social sciences and econometrics, but the use of this multivariate technique is not so common in public health research. This dissertation discusses the methodology, the criticisms and practical problems of SEM. We examine actual applications of SEM in public health research. Comparisons are made between multiple regression and SEM and between factor analysis and SEM. A complex model investigating the utilization of antenatal care services (ANC) by migrant women in Belgium is analysed using SEM. The dissertation concludes with a discussion of the results found and on the use of SEM in public health research. Structural equation modelling is recommended as a tool for public health researchers with a warning against using the technique too casually. / Mathematical Sciences / M. Sc. (Statistics)

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / Bibliography / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis evaluated the theory behind the South African Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) during its first phase from 2004-2009. The research examined how sound the EPWP theory was which explains the logic that links programme objectives and programme activities and resources. The data for this study comprised of government departmental documents on the EPWP, the context of the EPWP and the policies that informed it. Evaluation of the EPWP theory revealed that the programme was based on a sound theory if focusing solely on projected objectives, activities and resources. However, the evaluation also revealed deficiencies in the programme theory with regard to the EPWP reaching its larger policy goals. The theory construction and evaluation framework by Rossi, Freeman and Lipsey (2004) is an evaluation tool that was used to evaluate the EPWP. More theory based approach evaluations would add value to the lack in theory based programme evaluations in South Africa. In brief, the problem of unemployment is structural in South Africa and requires long term solutions. The policies and policy programmes should thus be designed with permanent employment measures in mind. However, employment through one of the largest policy programmes in South Africa, the EPWP, was short term. It is therefore recommended that this method of programme evaluation be utilised in more studies prior to implementation of a programme, because if the logic behind a programme is sound, its chances to succeed could be improved. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie tesis evalueer die teorie agter die Suid-Afrikaanse Uitgebreide Openbare Werke Program (UPWP) tydens die eerste fase van 2004-2009. Die navorsing ondersoek hoe grondig die teorie die logika tussen program doelwitte en program-aktiwiteite en hulpbronne verduidelik. Die data vir hierdie studie bestaan uit departementele dokumente oor die konteks van die UPWP en die beleid wat die program ingelig het. Evaluering van die UPWP-teorie het aan die lig gebring dat die program gebaseer is op 'n grondige teorie, met die fokus uitsluitlik op geprojekteerde doelwitte, aktiwiteite en hulpbronne. Die evaluering van die UPWP-teorie het ook die gebrek met betrekking tot die bereik van groter beleidsdoelwitte aan die lig gebring. Die teorie konstruksie-en evalueringsraamwerk deur Rossi, Freeman en Lipsey (2004) is 'n evaluering instrument wat gebruik was om die UPWP te evalueer. Meer teoreties-gebaseerde evaluerings sal waarde toevoeg tot die gebrek van teorie-gebaseerde program evaluering in Suid Afrika. Ter opsomming, werkloosheid is n strukturele probleem in Suid Afrika en vereis langtermyn oplossings. Die beleide en die beleid programme moet dus ontwerp word met permanente indiensneming geleenthede in gedagte. Indiensneming deur een van die grootste programme in Suid-Afrika, die UPWP bied egter kort termyn indiensneming. Dit word dus aanbeveel dat die teorie-gebaseerde benadering van programevaluering in meer studies gebruik word voor die implementering van 'n program, want as die logika agter 'n program grondig is, is die kanse van sukses verhoog.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-25T16:44:34Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Carolina Bohorquez Herrera.pdf: 1215974 bytes, checksum: b6abc7d5c8a0773aae4ad37bc13dcb32 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-05-24 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The objective of this research is to show the emergence of a new type of company that seeks to reconcile two dimensions using the traditional tools of the market: the pursuit of profit and generate social impact. This type of development is the social business, which itself is far from covering a single concept. Different perspectives from some regions of the world are explained in this work, to show and need to define the concept and legal frameworks that support the corporate business, for the contribution in social development achieved by this type of business asserts its importance in the context current crisis and search for options on income generation and poverty alleviation. From the analysis of the concepts studied four perspectives: the Asian perspective, the European perspective, the perspective of the United States and the perspective of Latin America and Brazil, the research seeks to adapt the concepts considered central to each of a single model, termed as model proposed by the research. The work focused on project experience MidiaCom.net, in the municipality of Aquiraz, Ceará. Fruit of Advanced Vocational Technology Institute-ITEVA, MidiaCom.net born as social enterprise within the legal terms of a Brazilian cooperative, but analyzed in detail and according to the parameters and characteristics explained in this research can consider it as social business. After identifying a need assessment of the community, and using technological tools creatively MidiaCom.net the project is part of the solution which effectively tries to break a cycle of poverty and ignorance in the region where it operates. Social business MídiaCom.net has a positive impact on the region through training and integration of young teenagers in the labor market of qualified digital communication. Social business identified, invests directly in the evolution of society and the alleviation of social problems through an enterprise project and complementary training to help enter the market for skilled labor, young teenagers, mostly low-income, coming from public school and under conditions that would eventually be conducted prior to the informal economy or even marginalization. In short, institutions that believe in training young people invest in a company with promising future. MidiaCom.net is demonstration of that fact, to be created as a social business from a social project and a research institute. It is a social business that generates wealth and social opportunity for choice / O objetivo desta pesquisa é mostrar o surgimento de um novo tipo de empresa que busca conciliar dois dimensões utilizando as ferramentas tradicionais do mercado: a busca pelo lucro e gerar impacto social. Este tipo de empreendimento é o negócio social, que por si mesmo está longe de abarcar um único conceito. Diferentes perspectivas provenientes de algumas regiões do mundo são explicadas no trabalho, a fim de mostrar e necessidade por definir o conceito e os marcos jurídicos que respaldem os negócios sociais; pois o aporte no desenvolvimento social alcançado por este tipo de negócio afirma sua importância no contexto atual de crise e busca por opções na geração de renda e diminuição da pobreza. A partir da análise de conceitos das 4 perspectivas estudadas: a perspectiva asiática, a perspectiva europeia, a perspectiva dos Estados Unidos e a perspectiva de América latina e o Brasil, a pesquisa busca adaptar os conceitos considerados centrais de cada uma num único modelo, denominado como modelo proposto pela pesquisa. O trabalho centrou-se na experiência do projeto MidiaCom.net, no município de Aquiraz, Ceará. Fruto do Instituto Tecnológico Vocacional Avançado- ITEVA, MidiaCom.net nasce como empresa social dentro dos termos jurídicos brasileiros de uma cooperativa, mas analisado em detalhe e segundo os parâmetros e características explicadas nesta pesquisa é possível considerá-lo como negócio social. Depois de identificar uma real carência da comunidade, e usando ferramentas tecnológicas com criatividade o projeto MidiaCom.net é parte da solução que busca romper efetivamente um ciclo de pobreza e ignorância na região onde está inserido. O negócio social MídiaCom.net tem um impacto positivo na região através da capacitação e inserção de jovens adolescentes no mercado de trabalho qualificado da comunicação digital. O negócio social identificado, investe diretamente na evolução da sociedade e na atenuação dos problemas sociais, através de um projeto empresarial e de formação complementária para ajudar a inserir no mercado de trabalho qualificado, jovens adolescentes, principalmente de baixa renda, vindos da escola pública e que em condições anteriores acabariam sendo conduzidos à economia informal ou, mesmo à marginalidade. Em suma, instituições que acreditam na formação dos jovens investem numa sociedade com futuro promissório. MidiaCom.net é demonstração desse fato, ao ser criada como o negócio social proveniente de um projeto social e de um Instituto de pesquisa. É um negócio social que gera riqueza social e oportunidade de escolha

Over the past two decades there has been an upsurge in interest in structural equation modelling (SEM). Applications abound in the social sciences and econometrics, but the use of this multivariate technique is not so common in public health research. This dissertation discusses the methodology, the criticisms and practical problems of SEM. We examine actual applications of SEM in public health research. Comparisons are made between multiple regression and SEM and between factor analysis and SEM. A complex model investigating the utilization of antenatal care services (ANC) by migrant women in Belgium is analysed using SEM. The dissertation concludes with a discussion of the results found and on the use of SEM in public health research. Structural equation modelling is recommended as a tool for public health researchers with a warning against using the technique too casually. / Mathematical Sciences / M. Sc. (Statistics)

Orientador: Carlos Alonso Barbosa de Oliveira / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Economia / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-27T11:53:28Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Duarte_PedroHenriqueEvangelista_D.pdf: 2694625 bytes, checksum: c2fec82d1ec3ba90658273c14f8e4824 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015 / Resumo: Entendendo o excedente de mão de obra como um dos elementos estruturais que caracterizam a economia brasileira, o presente estudo pretende investigar os elementos históricos que fundamentam a origem do excedente de mão de obra no Brasil, a partir das categorias desenvolvidas em dois aportes teóricos: de um lado, a teoria do valor desenvolvida por Karl Marx, especificamente as categorias superpopulação relativa e exército industrial de reserva; de outro lado, a teoria da marginalidade, que procurou entender, a partir das especificidades do capitalismo periférico e dependente, como se formava o excedente de mão de obra, ou a chamada massa marginal. O objetivo central da tese se desdobra em três aspectos a serem analisados. Em primeiro lugar, quais são os fatores históricos que determinaram a formação do mercado de trabalho no Brasil no momento de consolidação do setor industrial, e como se forma, junto a este mercado, um excedente de mão de obra. Em segundo lugar, quais são as características e dinâmica desse excedente num momento de expansão de um conjunto de atividades econômicas urbanas e decadência de uma série de outras atividades, em especial aquelas ligadas aos setores agrícolas. Em terceiro lugar, em que medida as categorias assumidas para tal análise são capazes ou não de explicar o comportamento do excedente de mão de obra no Brasil. A hipótese central que norteia o trabalho é de que o excedente de mão de obra no Brasil tem origem nos problemas decorrentes da transição do trabalho escravo ao trabalho livre, que acabou por determinar não apenas a dificuldade de integração do negro, mas também resultou na entrada maciça de imigrantes, compondo uma força de trabalho com excesso de oferta em relação à demanda dos setores produtivos. Quando da crise de 1929, que determinariam a expansão dos investimentos industriais, parte substancial da população migraria em direção à região economicamente dinâmica, compondo o mercado de trabalho urbano - que, nesses termos, já surgiria com excedente de mão de obra / Abstract: Considering the surplus labor as one of the structural aspects which characterize Brazilian economy, the aim of this thesis is investigate the structural aspects which explain the surplus labor in Brazil, from the theoretical framework proposed by two theories: in one hand, Karl Marx¿s value theory, and the categories relative surplus population and industrial reserve army; in another hand, marginality theory, which tried to explain, considering the specificities of the peripheral and dependent capitalism, the economics and social processes which results in the emergence of the surplus population, also so called "marginal mass" in that kind of economies. To develop this main aim, we propose analyze of three aspects. Firstly, point out the historical aspects which determine the formation of labor market, at the moment of the consolidation of industrial sector; and also what explain the origin of surplus labor in that market. Secondly, explain the dynamic and characteristics of that surplus labor, at the moment in which grows a set of urban economics sectors, while some regions are in economic decay, especially those specialized in agricultural sectors. Thirdly, how the categories taken from the theoretical framework could explain the dynamic of the surplus labor in Brazil. The hypotheses is that the surplus labor in Brazil is a result of problems arising from the transition from slavery to free labor, which determined the difficulties of black workers¿ integration in the labor market and the huge influx of immigrant workers, resulting in a surplus workforce when compared with the possibilities of job offers in the economy. When the 1929 crisis, which determine the expansion of industrial investments, a substantial part of the population migrate towards the economically dynamic region, forming the urban labor market - which, in these terms, as would arise with labor surplus / Doutorado / Economia Social e do Trabalho / Doutor em Desenvolvimento Economico

Researchers perform multivariate techniques MANOVA, discriminant analysis and factor analysis. The most common applications in social science are to identify and test the effects from the analysis. The use of this multivariate technique is uncommon in investigating the effects of power usage and Province in South Africa on the amounts of the five power modes. This dissertation discusses this issue, the methodology and practical problems of the three multivariate techniques. The author examines the applications of each technique in social public research and comparisons are made between the three multivariate techniques. This dissertation concludes with a discussion of both the concepts of the present multivariate techniques and the results found on the use of the three multivariate techniques in the energy household consumption. The author recommends focusing on the hypotheses of the study or typical questions surrounding of each technique to guide the researcher in choosing the appropriate analysis in the social research, as each technique has some strengths and limitations. / Statistics / M. Sc. (Statistics)

Researchers perform multivariate techniques MANOVA, discriminant analysis and factor analysis. The most common applications in social science are to identify and test the effects from the analysis. The use of this multivariate technique is uncommon in investigating the effects of power usage and Province in South Africa on the amounts of the five power modes. This dissertation discusses this issue, the methodology and practical problems of the three multivariate techniques. The author examines the applications of each technique in social public research and comparisons are made between the three multivariate techniques. This dissertation concludes with a discussion of both the concepts of the present multivariate techniques and the results found on the use of the three multivariate techniques in the energy household consumption. The author recommends focusing on the hypotheses of the study or typical questions surrounding of each technique to guide the researcher in choosing the appropriate analysis in the social research, as each technique has some strengths and limitations. / Statistics / M. Sc. (Statistics)

L'accès aux médicaments essentiels (ME) est un élément clé de la qualité des soins dans un système de santé. Par ailleurs, le financement basé sur la performance (FBP) attire de plus en plus l'attention des décideurs comme une intervention pour améliorer la prestation des services de santé, y compris l’accès aux ME, dans les pays à faible et moyen revenus (PFMR). Malgré l’intérêt croissant de la recherche sur le FBP, très peu d’étude ont porté sur la mise à l’agenda d’une telle réforme ou son maintien à l’ordre du jour au fil du temps, encore moins sur l’influence de celle-ci sur l’accès aux ME dans les PFMR. A travers une analyse du programme de FBP au Cameroun, la présente thèse vise à faire avancer les connaissances en examinant les questions suivantes : qu’est-ce qui explique l’apparition du FBP au niveau de la politique nationale de la santé et quel est l’impact de ce programme sur l’accès aux ME? Le devis de recherche est celui d’une étude de cas et la démarche analytique s’appuie sur la combinaison des données qualitatives, à travers des entrevues réalisées auprès des acteurs clés du programme FBP au Cameroun, et quantitatives, issues de l’évaluation d’impact de ce programme. La perspective conceptuelle est celle des cycles de politique, du cadre de transfert des politiques et de la recherche interventionnelle. Les résultats sont structurés en quatre articles scientifiques. La mise du FBP à l’agenda au Cameroun s’est construite à partir des rapports et événements identifiant l'absence d'une politique de financement de la santé adaptée comme une question importante à laquelle il fallait s'attaquer (article 1). L'évolution du discours politique vers une plus grande responsabilisation a permis de tester de nouveaux mécanismes. Un groupe d'entrepreneurs politiques de la Banque mondiale, par le biais de nombreuses formes d'influence (financière, conceptuelle, fondée sur la connaissance et les réseaux) et en s'appuyant sur plusieurs réformes en cours, a collaboré avec de hauts fonctionnaires du gouvernement pour mettre le programme FBP à l'ordre du jour. Des organisations non gouvernementales internationales ont été recrutées au début du programme pour assurer sa mise en œuvre rapide. Toutefois, il a fallu transférer ce rôle aux organisations nationales pour assurer la pérennité, l'appropriation et l'intégration de l'intervention du FBP dans le système de santé (article 2). L'expérience de ce transfert montre que les éléments favorisant la réussite d’un tel processus incluent des directives structurées, une appropriation et planification conjointe de la transition par toutes les parties, et un soutien post-transition aux nouveaux acteurs. Les données qualitatives suggèrent que la mise en œuvre du programme FBP influence l’accès aux médicaments essentiels par l’entremise de plusieurs facteurs, notamment une plus grande autonomie des formations sanitaires, une régulation appliquée des équipes cadre de santé, une plus grande responsabilisation des acteurs du médicament et la libéralisation du système d’approvisionnement (article 3). Cependant, le programme a eu un impact très limité sur la disponibilité des ME (article 4). L'intervention n’a été associée à aucune réduction des ruptures de stock de ME, sauf pour la planification familiale (PF), avec une hétérogénéité des effets entre les régions et les zones urbaines et rurales. Ces résultats sont la conséquence d'un échec partiel de la mise en œuvre de ce programme, allant de la perturbation et de l'interruption des services à une autonomie limitée des formations sanitaires dans la gestion des décisions et à un retard considérable dans le paiement des prestations. / Access to essential medicines (EM) is a key element of quality of care in a health system. Accordingly, performance-based financing (PBF) is increasingly attracting the attention of policy makers as a promising intervention to improve health service delivery, including access to essential medicines, in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). Despite the growing interest in PBF research, very few studies have focused on how such a reform has been put on the agenda or how it has been maintained over time, much less how it has influenced access to EMs in low- and middle-income countries. Through an analysis of the PBF program in Cameroon, this thesis aims to advance knowledge by examining the following questions: What explains the emergence of PBF at the level of national health policy and what is the impact of this program on access to EMs? The research design is a case study and the analytical approach is based on a combination of qualitative data, through interviews conducted with key actors of the PBF program in Cameroon, and quantitative data from the impact evaluation of this program. The conceptual perspective is that of policy cycles, the policy transfer framework and intervention research. The results are structured into four scientific articles. Putting the PBF on the agenda in Cameroon was built from reports and events identifying the lack of an appropriate health financing policy as a critical issue that needed to be addressed (article 1). The evolution of political discourse towards greater accountability made it possible to test new mechanisms. A group of political entrepreneurs from the World Bank, through many forms of influence (financial, conceptual, knowledge-based and networked) and building on several ongoing reforms, worked with senior government officials to put the PBF reform on the agenda. International non-governmental organizations were recruited at the beginning of the programme to ensure its rapid implementation. However, this role had to be transferred to national organizations to ensure sustainability, ownership and integration of the PBF intervention into the health system (Article 2). The experience of this transfer shows that the elements for the success of such a process include structured guidelines, joint ownership and planning of the transition by all parties, and post-transition support to new actors. The implementation of the PBF programme influences access to essential medicines through several factors, including greater autonomy of health v facilities, enforced regulation of district medical teams, greater accountability of drug stakeholders and liberalization of the supply system (Article 3). However, the programme had a very limited impact on the availability of EMs (Article 4). The intervention was not associated with any reduction in EM stock-outs, except for family planning (FP), where the reduction was 34% (P = 0.028), with a heterogeneity of effects between regions and urban and rural areas. These poor results were likely the consequence of partial implementation failure, ranging from disruption and discontinuation of services to limited facility autonomy in managing decision‐making and considerable delay in performance payment.