Intergenerational research aims to promote greater understanding and respect between generations and contribute to building more cohesive communities. Intergenerational relationships form part of our social make–up as they affect social interactions, the use of local spaces, opportunities to take part in public life on an equal basis with others, the degree to which people participate in community life as well as efforts to improve such life. Research indicates that what matters most for young adults and older people is the quality of the interactions taking place between them. Very little is known about the nature of the intergenerational relationships between young adults and older people in an African context. The aim of the study was therefore to explore the intergenerational relationships between young adults and older people in a rural African community. A qualitative research method was used in the study. Two groups of participants were selected though availability sampling method. The group consisted of 11 male participants between 20 to 35 years of age, 6 participants were over the age of 60 (one male and five female). The younger participants were asked to make visual representations of how they perceive the older generation by means of using the Mmogo–method. After the younger participants described their visual representations, the older participants were asked to reflect on the descriptions given by the younger participants. The older people assumed an active listening position while the young adults shared their representations. Informal group discussion was used to facilitate a process of sharing and comparing of perceptions among the participants. The data obtained from the group discussions and applying the Mmogomethod were analysed on the basis of thematic and visual analysis. The trustworthiness of the study was ensured through crystallisation. The results indicate that the relationships between young adults and older people consist of the ambivalent perceptions of the young adults and mostly extreme negative perceptions of older people. As a result, the relationships between the young and old generations seem to be dissatisfying for both generations. Both young and old discover essential tensions in the relationships they create and sustain across generations. Intergenerational tensions may not be so easily identified or concretely observable in everyday behaviour, attitudes, and emotions. But, consistent with the dialectical framework, it is part of all intergenerational relationships at some level. Identifying these underlying tensions is important so that we do not glorify or idealise the interactions of young and old whenever and wherever they occur. Solidarity is not the only outcome of intergenerational relationships; ambivalence as well as conflict is a part of the theory that has often been neglected. In view ofthe importance of intergenerational relationships between the young adults and the older people, intergenerational interventions should be planned to promote the effective negotiation of intergenerational relationships between older persons and the younger generation. / Thesis (M.A. (Research Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

Intergenerational research aims to promote greater understanding and respect between generations and contribute to building more cohesive communities. Intergenerational relationships form part of our social make–up as they affect social interactions, the use of local spaces, opportunities to take part in public life on an equal basis with others, the degree to which people participate in community life as well as efforts to improve such life. Research indicates that what matters most for young adults and older people is the quality of the interactions taking place between them. Very little is known about the nature of the intergenerational relationships between young adults and older people in an African context. The aim of the study was therefore to explore the intergenerational relationships between young adults and older people in a rural African community. A qualitative research method was used in the study. Two groups of participants were selected though availability sampling method. The group consisted of 11 male participants between 20 to 35 years of age, 6 participants were over the age of 60 (one male and five female). The younger participants were asked to make visual representations of how they perceive the older generation by means of using the Mmogo–method. After the younger participants described their visual representations, the older participants were asked to reflect on the descriptions given by the younger participants. The older people assumed an active listening position while the young adults shared their representations. Informal group discussion was used to facilitate a process of sharing and comparing of perceptions among the participants. The data obtained from the group discussions and applying the Mmogomethod were analysed on the basis of thematic and visual analysis. The trustworthiness of the study was ensured through crystallisation. The results indicate that the relationships between young adults and older people consist of the ambivalent perceptions of the young adults and mostly extreme negative perceptions of older people. As a result, the relationships between the young and old generations seem to be dissatisfying for both generations. Both young and old discover essential tensions in the relationships they create and sustain across generations. Intergenerational tensions may not be so easily identified or concretely observable in everyday behaviour, attitudes, and emotions. But, consistent with the dialectical framework, it is part of all intergenerational relationships at some level. Identifying these underlying tensions is important so that we do not glorify or idealise the interactions of young and old whenever and wherever they occur. Solidarity is not the only outcome of intergenerational relationships; ambivalence as well as conflict is a part of the theory that has often been neglected. In view ofthe importance of intergenerational relationships between the young adults and the older people, intergenerational interventions should be planned to promote the effective negotiation of intergenerational relationships between older persons and the younger generation. / Thesis (M.A. (Research Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

INTRODUCTION - Plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1) has a known relationship with obesity and more specifically with central obesity. Traditionally the physiological contribution of PAI-1 is seen as an indicator of fibrinolysis with increased PAI-1 levels contributing to decreased fibrinolysis. In more recent years, assays have been developed that not only uses proxy markers, such as PA-1, which is considered to be representative of fibrinolysis , but global assays that report on the global fibrinolytic potential of an individual, often reported as clot lysis time (CLT). Investigations into the relationship of CLT with obesity are scarce. Preliminary evidence shows that the relationship of CLT with obesity may differ from that of PAI-1 with obesity although in depth investigations in this regard are lacking. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the association between fibrinolysis markers (PAI-1act and CLT) and various markers of body composition in the South African Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiology (PURE) data collected during 2010. METHODS - Data collected in the PURE study in 2010 were cross-sectionally analysed. The participants (n = 1288) were apparently healthy black South-African men and women 35 years and older, residing in urban and rural settlements in the North-West Province. Experimental methods included anthropometric measurements such as height, weight, hip circumference, waist circumference, skinfolds (triceps, chest, abdominal, thigh and supra iliac skinfolds) and body composition measurements by means of air-displacement plethysmography and biolelectrical impedance analysis. Laboratory analysis of fibrinolysis markers, PAI-1act and CLT were also performed. MAIN FINDINGS - In men, similarities were seen regarding the relationship between PAI-1act and body composition markers and the relationships observed between CLT and body composition markers. In contrast, in the women more and stronger associations were observed between CLT and body composition markers compared to that observed between PAI-1act and body composition markers. CLT showed a linear relationship with body composition markers where PAI-1act levels plateaued at higher body composition categories. Possible reasons for the observed differences may be related to differences in adipose tissue distribution and sequence of accumulation between men and women. PAI-1 is associated with visceral adipose tissue (VAT) where high amounts of stromal cells are found. In men preferential accumulation of VAT may explain similarities in the relationship of PAI-1act with body composition and that of CLT with body composition. Proportionally less VAT, but more subcutaneous adipose tissue in women may explain the observed increase in CLT compared to PAI-1act levels that plateaued over body composition tertiles and categories. CONCLUSION - PAI-1act has a stronger association with central obesity while CLT has a stronger association with total body fat. In women PAI-1act and CLT showed different associations with body composition markers, whereas associations of PAI-1act and CLT with body composition were similar in men. PAI-1act is strongly influenced by type of body fat accumulation whereas CLT is associated with obesity independent of type and sequence of body fact accumulation. Significant associations observed between CLT and body composition variables are, therefore, at least in part, independent of PAI-1act. Additional factors such as, thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI), α-2-antiplasmin, plasminogen, prothrombin and fibrin clot structure that influence CLT and are also related to obesity may additionally contribute to the link between CLT and obesity. / MSc (Dietetics), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Intergenerational relationships can be defined as interactions between members of different generations. There are two different groups of intergenerational relationships, historical and familial. The familial relationship consists of members who are familially related, while historical generations can be viewed as a cohort, or a group of people who have experienced similar historical events, because they are the same age or have lived through the same historical period. Most research in South Africa has focused on intergenerational relationships among African families. Research into these families highlights the role of grandparents as people with wisdom, life experience and the educative relationship they have with their grandchildren. Grandchildren, on the other hand, have to take care of their grandparents and respect them as older people. Members of the different generations provide social support, despite the fact that they are not familially-related. The norms that guided the interactions between these two generations provide individuals with a sense of continuity and stability. Social theories regarding intergenerational relationships are: the solidarity model, the solidarity and conflict model, and ambivalence. Current theories from the psychological perspective are: intergenerational intelligence and self-interactional group theory (SIGT). Little research has been conducted into intergenerational relationships among white familial generations in South Africa even though the phenomenon has been widely researched internationally. In order to establish the nature of the intergenerational relationship, young adults’ lived experiences of their relationships with older people was the focus of this research. This focus has been motivated by the fact that young adults and older people can benefit from effective intergenerational relationships; young adults provide a source of physical and emotional care for older people, where the older person in turn provide a source of affirmation and shared experience for young adults. This research is further motivated by the fact that it cannot be assumed that white generations in South Africa are necessarily following international trends. The study was conducted at the North-West University, at Potchefstroom in South Africa. Psychology Honours students were purposively selected to participate because of their age group as young adults, and their knowledge of human behaviour. It was thought that their description of their relational experiences would be of particular interest. Nineteen young adults (eighteen women and one man) aged 21 to 30 formed part of the study. Ethical approval for the research was obtained from North-West University. The participants gave informed consent that their participation was voluntary, and that they had been made aware that they could withdraw from the study at any time for whatever reason without any negative consequences. They were provided with the materials of the Mmogo-method®, which consist of clay, straws and colourful beads, and were invited to make a visual representation of their relationship with a person older than 60 years. When all the participants had completed their visual presentations, the researcher asked what each had made and why they had made it. An informal group discussion was conducted after each participant had told the others what they had made. During the discussion participants shared their subjective view of their experiences of their relationship with older people. The researcher employed visual data analysis and discourse analysis to analyse the data. Different guidelines were applied to ensure the trustworthiness of the research process and the findings. The results revealed that young adults experienced four types of relationships, which are presented as typologies. The two axes which describe the four types of relationships are: intimacy (physical and emotional) or distance and empathy or judgemental. The four types of intergenerational relationships that emerged from the combination of the different axes were: effective, normative-guided, ineffective, and double-bind. These findings can be used to develop programmes and interventions to promote intergenerational relationships. They also provide an opportunity for cross-cultural and international data to be compared with the four different relationship types. / MA (Clinical Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

INTRODUCTION - Plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1) has a known relationship with obesity and more specifically with central obesity. Traditionally the physiological contribution of PAI-1 is seen as an indicator of fibrinolysis with increased PAI-1 levels contributing to decreased fibrinolysis. In more recent years, assays have been developed that not only uses proxy markers, such as PA-1, which is considered to be representative of fibrinolysis , but global assays that report on the global fibrinolytic potential of an individual, often reported as clot lysis time (CLT). Investigations into the relationship of CLT with obesity are scarce. Preliminary evidence shows that the relationship of CLT with obesity may differ from that of PAI-1 with obesity although in depth investigations in this regard are lacking. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the association between fibrinolysis markers (PAI-1act and CLT) and various markers of body composition in the South African Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiology (PURE) data collected during 2010. METHODS - Data collected in the PURE study in 2010 were cross-sectionally analysed. The participants (n = 1288) were apparently healthy black South-African men and women 35 years and older, residing in urban and rural settlements in the North-West Province. Experimental methods included anthropometric measurements such as height, weight, hip circumference, waist circumference, skinfolds (triceps, chest, abdominal, thigh and supra iliac skinfolds) and body composition measurements by means of air-displacement plethysmography and biolelectrical impedance analysis. Laboratory analysis of fibrinolysis markers, PAI-1act and CLT were also performed. MAIN FINDINGS - In men, similarities were seen regarding the relationship between PAI-1act and body composition markers and the relationships observed between CLT and body composition markers. In contrast, in the women more and stronger associations were observed between CLT and body composition markers compared to that observed between PAI-1act and body composition markers. CLT showed a linear relationship with body composition markers where PAI-1act levels plateaued at higher body composition categories. Possible reasons for the observed differences may be related to differences in adipose tissue distribution and sequence of accumulation between men and women. PAI-1 is associated with visceral adipose tissue (VAT) where high amounts of stromal cells are found. In men preferential accumulation of VAT may explain similarities in the relationship of PAI-1act with body composition and that of CLT with body composition. Proportionally less VAT, but more subcutaneous adipose tissue in women may explain the observed increase in CLT compared to PAI-1act levels that plateaued over body composition tertiles and categories. CONCLUSION - PAI-1act has a stronger association with central obesity while CLT has a stronger association with total body fat. In women PAI-1act and CLT showed different associations with body composition markers, whereas associations of PAI-1act and CLT with body composition were similar in men. PAI-1act is strongly influenced by type of body fat accumulation whereas CLT is associated with obesity independent of type and sequence of body fact accumulation. Significant associations observed between CLT and body composition variables are, therefore, at least in part, independent of PAI-1act. Additional factors such as, thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI), α-2-antiplasmin, plasminogen, prothrombin and fibrin clot structure that influence CLT and are also related to obesity may additionally contribute to the link between CLT and obesity. / MSc (Dietetics), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Intergenerational relationships can be defined as interactions between members of different generations. There are two different groups of intergenerational relationships, historical and familial. The familial relationship consists of members who are familially related, while historical generations can be viewed as a cohort, or a group of people who have experienced similar historical events, because they are the same age or have lived through the same historical period. Most research in South Africa has focused on intergenerational relationships among African families. Research into these families highlights the role of grandparents as people with wisdom, life experience and the educative relationship they have with their grandchildren. Grandchildren, on the other hand, have to take care of their grandparents and respect them as older people. Members of the different generations provide social support, despite the fact that they are not familially-related. The norms that guided the interactions between these two generations provide individuals with a sense of continuity and stability. Social theories regarding intergenerational relationships are: the solidarity model, the solidarity and conflict model, and ambivalence. Current theories from the psychological perspective are: intergenerational intelligence and self-interactional group theory (SIGT). Little research has been conducted into intergenerational relationships among white familial generations in South Africa even though the phenomenon has been widely researched internationally. In order to establish the nature of the intergenerational relationship, young adults’ lived experiences of their relationships with older people was the focus of this research. This focus has been motivated by the fact that young adults and older people can benefit from effective intergenerational relationships; young adults provide a source of physical and emotional care for older people, where the older person in turn provide a source of affirmation and shared experience for young adults. This research is further motivated by the fact that it cannot be assumed that white generations in South Africa are necessarily following international trends. The study was conducted at the North-West University, at Potchefstroom in South Africa. Psychology Honours students were purposively selected to participate because of their age group as young adults, and their knowledge of human behaviour. It was thought that their description of their relational experiences would be of particular interest. Nineteen young adults (eighteen women and one man) aged 21 to 30 formed part of the study. Ethical approval for the research was obtained from North-West University. The participants gave informed consent that their participation was voluntary, and that they had been made aware that they could withdraw from the study at any time for whatever reason without any negative consequences. They were provided with the materials of the Mmogo-method®, which consist of clay, straws and colourful beads, and were invited to make a visual representation of their relationship with a person older than 60 years. When all the participants had completed their visual presentations, the researcher asked what each had made and why they had made it. An informal group discussion was conducted after each participant had told the others what they had made. During the discussion participants shared their subjective view of their experiences of their relationship with older people. The researcher employed visual data analysis and discourse analysis to analyse the data. Different guidelines were applied to ensure the trustworthiness of the research process and the findings. The results revealed that young adults experienced four types of relationships, which are presented as typologies. The two axes which describe the four types of relationships are: intimacy (physical and emotional) or distance and empathy or judgemental. The four types of intergenerational relationships that emerged from the combination of the different axes were: effective, normative-guided, ineffective, and double-bind. These findings can be used to develop programmes and interventions to promote intergenerational relationships. They also provide an opportunity for cross-cultural and international data to be compared with the four different relationship types. / MA (Clinical Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Hierdie mini-verhandeling ondersoek die ontwikkeling van die ouer jeugboek in Afrikaans, sedert die politieke veranderinge in die negentigerjare. Daar word aangetoon dat die einde van Apartheid die einde van die veilige voorskryfmark vir die Afrikaanse jeugboek beteken het. Daar word ook aangetoon dat die ontwikkeling en die geskiedenis van die Afrikaanse kinder- en jeugboek hand aan hand met die ontwikkeling van die Afrikaner se politieke geskiedenis geloop het. Daar was 'n verdieping en ontwikkeling in die ouer jeugboek in Afrikaans sedert 1994, waarvan nog nie formeel kennis geneem word nie. Dié boeke word nog gemaklik in die kinder- en jeugboekkategorie ingedeel, waar baie van hulle nie sonder meer tuishoort nie. Volwassenelesers neem gewoonlik net van hulle kennis as hierdie boeke publisiteit weens "omstrede" kwessies ontvang of in ander media soos rolprente verwerk word. Daar is aangetoon dat die formele klassifikasie van die ouer jeugboek baie van hierdie boeke van die erkenning en verkoopsyfers wat hulle verdien, weerhou. Daar is gevolglik steeds 'n gebrekkige belangstelling vanuit akademiese geledere in die Afrikaanse kinder- en jeugliteratuur. Ander redes wat die ontwikkeling van die ouer jeugboek in Afrikaans belemmer, soos die invloed van indirekte sensuur op skrywers en die konserwatiewe kriteria wat deur voorskryfkomitees vir die Afrikaanse voorgeskrewe boek neergelê word, word uitgewys. Verder word Afrikaanse kinder- en jeugboekskrywers eers as "ware" skrywers beskou sodra hulle 'n boek vir volwassenes geskryf het. Die studie ondersoek voorts die Amerikaanse "young adult" (YA)-genre en daar word aangetoon aan die hand van 'n ontleding van vyf Afrikaanse jeugromans dat hulle gemaklik in só 'n genre tuishoort, naamlik fiksie vir jong volwassenes (FJV). Die voordele van FJV vir ouer kinders word uitgewys en daar word aangetoon dat hierdie boeke anders bemark moet word en 'n ander staanplek op boekwinkel- en biblioteekrakke verdien. Hulle hoort nie tussen die prenteboeke vir kleuters nie. / Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / gm2014 / Afrikaans / unrestricted

This study was informed by a phenomenon observed by a variety of members from the multidisciplinary team at an acute psychiatric facility, where the researcher works daily. It appeared to clinicians as if the individual between the ages of 18 and 25 years was reluctant to engage in therapeutic intervention. The researcher considered current literature and discovered that this phenomenon seems to be globally relevant and an issue in the field of mental health. Emerging adulthood is the developmental phase that occupies the transitional period between adolescence and adulthood. The life phase is an essential developmental phase where an identity is established and skills are acquired to equip the individual through his/her life process. Emerging adulthood is predominantly defined by the individual’s progress to independence and autonomy and the establishment of a personal and societal identity. Developmental tasks include taking responsibility for him/herself, deciding on future career paths and re-evaluating introjected values to form an independent belief system. Literature indicates that emerging adults’ life phase can cause severe distress due to a variety of social and personal stressors. Emerging adults who are enrolled in university often face additional stressors with regards to adapting to campus life, academic pressure and a need to establish themselves within their new environments. A high prevalence and onset of mental health disorders is noted not only in the general emerging adult population, but also in the population of emerging adults who attend university. Despite the increase in stressful experiences the percentage of emerging adults who experience distress is not reflected in the percentage of emerging adults who actually seek and receive therapeutic intervention as a means to manage their distress. As therapeutic intervention is seen as an effective tool in managing distress, the fact that emerging adults negate the help is a clear area of concern. This urged the researcher to closely consider which factors might lead to negation of therapeutic services by the emerging adult. The study was performed at a South African university where students residing in campus residences where approached to volunteer their participation. In total fifteen participants participated in one of three focus groups with the focus on understanding which factors contribute to the negation of therapeutic services by emerging adults. The data crystallised into eleven main themes with different subthemes to support and describe the relevant main theme. The themes clearly emphasised the lack of awareness, pervasiveness of stigmatisation and the internalised beliefs emerging adults have about themselves and therapy that induce help negation. In addressing the issue of help negation in emerging adults this study suggests solutions and actions to the role players involved in the therapeutic intervention of emerging adults that would support the promotion of mental wellbeing and mental health awareness. / MA (Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

This study was informed by a phenomenon observed by a variety of members from the multidisciplinary team at an acute psychiatric facility, where the researcher works daily. It appeared to clinicians as if the individual between the ages of 18 and 25 years was reluctant to engage in therapeutic intervention. The researcher considered current literature and discovered that this phenomenon seems to be globally relevant and an issue in the field of mental health. Emerging adulthood is the developmental phase that occupies the transitional period between adolescence and adulthood. The life phase is an essential developmental phase where an identity is established and skills are acquired to equip the individual through his/her life process. Emerging adulthood is predominantly defined by the individual’s progress to independence and autonomy and the establishment of a personal and societal identity. Developmental tasks include taking responsibility for him/herself, deciding on future career paths and re-evaluating introjected values to form an independent belief system. Literature indicates that emerging adults’ life phase can cause severe distress due to a variety of social and personal stressors. Emerging adults who are enrolled in university often face additional stressors with regards to adapting to campus life, academic pressure and a need to establish themselves within their new environments. A high prevalence and onset of mental health disorders is noted not only in the general emerging adult population, but also in the population of emerging adults who attend university. Despite the increase in stressful experiences the percentage of emerging adults who experience distress is not reflected in the percentage of emerging adults who actually seek and receive therapeutic intervention as a means to manage their distress. As therapeutic intervention is seen as an effective tool in managing distress, the fact that emerging adults negate the help is a clear area of concern. This urged the researcher to closely consider which factors might lead to negation of therapeutic services by the emerging adult. The study was performed at a South African university where students residing in campus residences where approached to volunteer their participation. In total fifteen participants participated in one of three focus groups with the focus on understanding which factors contribute to the negation of therapeutic services by emerging adults. The data crystallised into eleven main themes with different subthemes to support and describe the relevant main theme. The themes clearly emphasised the lack of awareness, pervasiveness of stigmatisation and the internalised beliefs emerging adults have about themselves and therapy that induce help negation. In addressing the issue of help negation in emerging adults this study suggests solutions and actions to the role players involved in the therapeutic intervention of emerging adults that would support the promotion of mental wellbeing and mental health awareness. / MA (Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

The main aim of the study was to determine the prescribing patterns of antibiotics with an emphasis on fluoroquinolones in the private health sector of South Africa. The empirical study followed a quantitative, descriptive, observational method using retrospective, longitudinal medicine claims data provided by a nationally representative Pharmaceutical Benefit Management company (PBM) from 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2012. Penicillins, cephalosporins, carbapenems, aminoglycosides, chloramphenicol, fluoroquinolones, macrolides, tetracyclines, sulphonamides and trimethoprim were considered in the study. A total of 5 155 262 (44.8%) patients received at least one antibiotic prescription out of the total number of registered beneficiaries included in the database. The average number of antibiotic prescriptions per patient per year ranged from 2.22 ± 1.89 (95% CI 2.22-2.22) in 2005 to 1.98 ± 1.62 (95% CI 1.98-1.99) in 2012. The number of antibiotics per prescription per year remained fairly constant at 1.05 ± 0.19 (95% CI 1.05-1.05) in 2005 to 1.06 ± 0.21 (95% CI 1.06-1.06) in 2012. The prevalence of patients receiving antibiotic prescriptions decreased from 46.1% (n = 789 247) in 2005 to 38.2% (n = 480 159) in 2012. Antibiotics were mostly prescribed for females (54.9%, n = 2 831 686) and in patients aged 0 to 18 years (26.5%, n = 1 366 824) and least in patients above 65 years (9.5%, n = 490 496). The prevalence of patients receiving antibiotic prescriptions was highest in Gauteng (41.9%, n = 2 159 360) and lowest in the Northern Cape (1.7%, n = 87 720). Antibiotics were mostly prescribed during the winter period. Penicillins were the most prescribed antibiotics (43%) and carbapenem the least (0.1%) out of the total number of antibiotics claimed. No practically significant association was found between antibiotic prescribing and gender, age, province and season. A total of 1 983 622 prescriptions for fluoroquinolones were claimed in patients older than 18 years. The average number of fluoroquinolone prescriptions per patient per year ranged from 1.45 ± 0.92 (95% CI 1.44-1.45) in 2005 to 1.31 ± 0.71 (95% CI 1.31-1.32) in 2012. The highest prevalence of fluoroquinolone prescribing was observed in females (64.1%, n = 850 253) and in patients between 45 and 65 years (38.6%, n = 511 542). The total fluoroquinolone use by the study population decreased from 2.85 DID in 2005 to 2.41 DID in 2012. Norfloxacin was the only first-generation fluoroquinolone prescribed. The second-generation fluoroquinolones accounted for more than 50% of the total DID, with ciprofloxacin being the most used active ingredient in this generation. Moxifloxacin was the most prescribed third-generation fluoroquinolone; its use ranging from 0.51 DID in 2005 to 0.44 DID in 2012. Between 2005 and 2012, a total of 57 325 prescriptions for fluoroquinolones were claimed by patients 18 years and younger. The prevalence of patients receiving fluoroquinolone prescriptions decreased from 3.6% (n = 8 329) in 2005 to 2.9% (n = 3 310) in 2012. Fluoroquinolones were mostly prescribed to females and in patients between 12 and 18 years. In all age groups, prescribing was mainly done by general medical practitioners. Ciprofloxacin was the most prescribed fluoroquinolone, followed by levofloxacin. In conclusion, this study established estimates on the prevalence of antibiotic prescribing covering an eight-year period. Secondly, baseline estimates for fluoroquinolone prescribing in adults using the ATC/DDD methodology were determined. Fluoroquinolone prescribing patterns in children and adolescents were determined, with specific reference to the comparison between the prescribed daily and recommended daily dosages in the different age groups and by prescribers’ specialties. / MPharm (Pharmacy Practice), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015