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Beroepsverwagtinge van 'n groep Afrikaanssprekende st. 10 meisies / Nicolaas Hendrik HavengaHavenga, Nicolaas Hendrik January 1988 (has links)
This study had a dual objective. The first was to determine which factors
influenced the career choice of girls and the second whether• their• actual
choices coincided with their aptitudes.
Socialization has a direct influence on the identification of girls with their
careers. From an early age their behaviour is in line with the traditional
roles (femininity, attractiveness, etc.) which society holds up to them.
This is also true about occupations regarded as being suitable for girls.
Girls therefore tend to choose their careers from a limited sphere.
The style of parents' upbringing of their children also has an influence
on the development of a girl's sex role identity, and therefore her career
orientation. The peer group, especially male friends, has a tremendous
influence during adolescence on the formation of a girl's sex role identity
and career orientation. Pressure from the peer group tends to make girls
feel that popularity and attractiveness are more important than academic
achievement and high professional aspirations. It also appears that
teachers do not play a significant role in the career orientation of girls.
The influence of television on the career orientation of girls can be traced
back to the influence on the patterns of interest of television viewers.
It emerges that television programmes represent sex roles in a stereotyped
manner. Through that, patterns of interest in the fields of "Social
work" and "Practical-female" (19-Field Interest Questionnaire) are reinforced.
School counsellors do not have a big influence on the career choices of
girls.
Boys and girls both regard the aspects of interest highly in making a
choice of career. Girls tend, however, to give high credence to the
rendering of service and to welfare. Boys tend to look more strongly at
good income and good opportunities for promotion.
The training of girls is directed more at the development of aptitudes in
a field in the Humanities, in secretarial and clerking positions. The result
of this is that girls mostly follow a domestic, caring and administrative
course of study.
The career values of girls and their self-image have a negative influence
on their career orientation. This leads to the situation that fear of
success inhibits them from developing their full professional potential.
Other factors, such as manpower shortages, economic and political conditions,
the improvement of the level of education and professional
knowledge separately or in conjunction, have an influence on girls' career
preferences and expectations.
For the purposes of this study the Senior Aptitude Test, professional
profiles identified with the aid of the Senior Aptitude Test and a questionnaire
were used. Three aspects are covered by the questionnaire:
* Field of study
* Career expectations
* Choice of career
All the Afrikaans-speaking matriculants of four Afrikaans-medium high
schools in a particular metropolitan area participated in the project.
The data were statistically processed with an SAS computer programme.
Fields of study and aptitudes of the study group do not correlate. Most
respondents' strongest aptitudes are in the Humanities, while they are
in fact following courses in the field of Economics.
Most respondents are of the opinion that there are adequate work opportunities
for white girls in the RSA, but feel that career counselling
did not make adequate provision for girls.
The study group are of the opinion that girls can do traditionally male
jobs. There is a fair amount of uncertainty, however, about the professional
future of white girls in a changing RSA. Professional training is
thus regarded as being very important.
More than half of the group (67,2%) expert to marry and still to have a
career.
Most of the respondents (176 out of 277) have made a fin3l career choice.
The reason why the rest have not made career choices could largely be
attributed to too little knowledge about careers.
Five careers, viz. secretarial, teaching, nursing, social work and
clerking, represent the largest percentage (35,4%) of the study group's
career choices. The study group mainly made their choices on their own
volition, and most parents are satisfied with their daughters' choices of
career.
Training is essential for most careers, mainly at universities and
technikons. Too little knowledge of careers and financial considerations
gave rise to the fact that some respondents (71 out of 277) planned to
study later.
In the consideration of the results of the investigation, the following
conclusions could be reached:
The process of socialization still holds up the caring role, service and
femininity to girls as the ideal. In that way girls' aptitudes in the fields
of the Humanities and in medicine are reinforced. In spite of that, the
greatest percentage of girls followed a commercial course. The conclusion
that is reached is that they feel "safe" in this field of study, because
the traditional expectation is that they will go and work as a typist or
a secretary.
Girls therefore choose a field of study in Standard seven which is not
in line with their aptitudes. It emerges that girls do not receive adequate
counselling in Standard seven, and that being a secretary or a teacher
is still held up to them by die Guidance teacher. The career choices of
the study group therefore correlate with their fields of study, but not
with their aptitudes. The conclusion that can be reached is that a large
percentage of the study group would seem to have made an unrealistic
choice of career, probably because they did this from a limited professional
awareness. This can probably be ascribed to the traditional values
and roles held for girls.
Other conclusions which emerge from this study: * The respondents are not properly informed about the changes occurring in the RSA. * The study group dispose of too little information about professional training, although they seem to be aware of its importance.
* Girls want to move away from the traditional sex role of wife and mother, and want to reconcile career and marriage. * Most respondents do not dispose of adequate self- knowledge to come to a realistic choice of career without some supportive action. * The female work force in South Africa is very valuable and an important
source of executive and highly qualified manpower which
should not be neglected. The place which women fill in the career
world and its implications should enjoy special attention in school
guidance. It is especially necessary that girls be made aware of their
career potential but also of career options and problems.
A school guidance teacher should take note of the fact that girls' career
orientation is different from that of boys, and should adjust the
counselling programme accordingly. One cannot, therefore, have the same
programme for boys and girls.
If it should be accepted that the role of woman in the business world is
important, it is essential that career and course guidance in school be
improved on an ongoing basis. Such improvement can only take place if
the process of career counselling makes provision for the dynamic as well
as the scientific dimensions of career choice and career development of
girls in particular. The career orientation of girls is a lifelong process.
It goes much further than mere career counselling. It is comprehensive,
encompassing the girl in her totality. It also points to co-ordinated
planning by all persons and institutions involved. It is only in this way
that the optimal utilization of available manpower in its full implications
can be attained. / Skripsie (MEd)--PU vir CHO, 1988
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Beroepsverwagtinge van 'n groep Afrikaanssprekende st. 10 meisies / Nicolaas Hendrik HavengaHavenga, Nicolaas Hendrik January 1988 (has links)
This study had a dual objective. The first was to determine which factors
influenced the career choice of girls and the second whether• their• actual
choices coincided with their aptitudes.
Socialization has a direct influence on the identification of girls with their
careers. From an early age their behaviour is in line with the traditional
roles (femininity, attractiveness, etc.) which society holds up to them.
This is also true about occupations regarded as being suitable for girls.
Girls therefore tend to choose their careers from a limited sphere.
The style of parents' upbringing of their children also has an influence
on the development of a girl's sex role identity, and therefore her career
orientation. The peer group, especially male friends, has a tremendous
influence during adolescence on the formation of a girl's sex role identity
and career orientation. Pressure from the peer group tends to make girls
feel that popularity and attractiveness are more important than academic
achievement and high professional aspirations. It also appears that
teachers do not play a significant role in the career orientation of girls.
The influence of television on the career orientation of girls can be traced
back to the influence on the patterns of interest of television viewers.
It emerges that television programmes represent sex roles in a stereotyped
manner. Through that, patterns of interest in the fields of "Social
work" and "Practical-female" (19-Field Interest Questionnaire) are reinforced.
School counsellors do not have a big influence on the career choices of
girls.
Boys and girls both regard the aspects of interest highly in making a
choice of career. Girls tend, however, to give high credence to the
rendering of service and to welfare. Boys tend to look more strongly at
good income and good opportunities for promotion.
The training of girls is directed more at the development of aptitudes in
a field in the Humanities, in secretarial and clerking positions. The result
of this is that girls mostly follow a domestic, caring and administrative
course of study.
The career values of girls and their self-image have a negative influence
on their career orientation. This leads to the situation that fear of
success inhibits them from developing their full professional potential.
Other factors, such as manpower shortages, economic and political conditions,
the improvement of the level of education and professional
knowledge separately or in conjunction, have an influence on girls' career
preferences and expectations.
For the purposes of this study the Senior Aptitude Test, professional
profiles identified with the aid of the Senior Aptitude Test and a questionnaire
were used. Three aspects are covered by the questionnaire:
* Field of study
* Career expectations
* Choice of career
All the Afrikaans-speaking matriculants of four Afrikaans-medium high
schools in a particular metropolitan area participated in the project.
The data were statistically processed with an SAS computer programme.
Fields of study and aptitudes of the study group do not correlate. Most
respondents' strongest aptitudes are in the Humanities, while they are
in fact following courses in the field of Economics.
Most respondents are of the opinion that there are adequate work opportunities
for white girls in the RSA, but feel that career counselling
did not make adequate provision for girls.
The study group are of the opinion that girls can do traditionally male
jobs. There is a fair amount of uncertainty, however, about the professional
future of white girls in a changing RSA. Professional training is
thus regarded as being very important.
More than half of the group (67,2%) expert to marry and still to have a
career.
Most of the respondents (176 out of 277) have made a fin3l career choice.
The reason why the rest have not made career choices could largely be
attributed to too little knowledge about careers.
Five careers, viz. secretarial, teaching, nursing, social work and
clerking, represent the largest percentage (35,4%) of the study group's
career choices. The study group mainly made their choices on their own
volition, and most parents are satisfied with their daughters' choices of
career.
Training is essential for most careers, mainly at universities and
technikons. Too little knowledge of careers and financial considerations
gave rise to the fact that some respondents (71 out of 277) planned to
study later.
In the consideration of the results of the investigation, the following
conclusions could be reached:
The process of socialization still holds up the caring role, service and
femininity to girls as the ideal. In that way girls' aptitudes in the fields
of the Humanities and in medicine are reinforced. In spite of that, the
greatest percentage of girls followed a commercial course. The conclusion
that is reached is that they feel "safe" in this field of study, because
the traditional expectation is that they will go and work as a typist or
a secretary.
Girls therefore choose a field of study in Standard seven which is not
in line with their aptitudes. It emerges that girls do not receive adequate
counselling in Standard seven, and that being a secretary or a teacher
is still held up to them by die Guidance teacher. The career choices of
the study group therefore correlate with their fields of study, but not
with their aptitudes. The conclusion that can be reached is that a large
percentage of the study group would seem to have made an unrealistic
choice of career, probably because they did this from a limited professional
awareness. This can probably be ascribed to the traditional values
and roles held for girls.
Other conclusions which emerge from this study: * The respondents are not properly informed about the changes occurring in the RSA. * The study group dispose of too little information about professional training, although they seem to be aware of its importance.
* Girls want to move away from the traditional sex role of wife and mother, and want to reconcile career and marriage. * Most respondents do not dispose of adequate self- knowledge to come to a realistic choice of career without some supportive action. * The female work force in South Africa is very valuable and an important
source of executive and highly qualified manpower which
should not be neglected. The place which women fill in the career
world and its implications should enjoy special attention in school
guidance. It is especially necessary that girls be made aware of their
career potential but also of career options and problems.
A school guidance teacher should take note of the fact that girls' career
orientation is different from that of boys, and should adjust the
counselling programme accordingly. One cannot, therefore, have the same
programme for boys and girls.
If it should be accepted that the role of woman in the business world is
important, it is essential that career and course guidance in school be
improved on an ongoing basis. Such improvement can only take place if
the process of career counselling makes provision for the dynamic as well
as the scientific dimensions of career choice and career development of
girls in particular. The career orientation of girls is a lifelong process.
It goes much further than mere career counselling. It is comprehensive,
encompassing the girl in her totality. It also points to co-ordinated
planning by all persons and institutions involved. It is only in this way
that the optimal utilization of available manpower in its full implications
can be attained. / Skripsie (MEd)--PU vir CHO, 1988
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'n Hermeneutiese ondersoek na enkele teologiese interpretasies rondom die vroue van AdamMondriaan, Marlene Elizabeth 17 June 2005 (has links)
Please read the abstract in the section 04back of this document / Dissertation (MA (Biblical and Religious Studies))--University of Pretoria, 2002. / Ancient Languages / unrestricted
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Motivation of women to participate in an income-generating project : the FLAGH programme / Lizmari van der MerweVan der Merwe, Lizmari January 2013 (has links)
There is a large amount of poverty-stricken people in South Africa, especially among female
farm dwellers. Poverty is a problem with many facets that needs a multi-dimensional
approach. One of the approaches used to alleviate poverty is through income-generating
projects (IGPs). Most IGPs reported participation difficulties which negatively affects the
sustainability of these projects. This study focuses on an IGP which forms part of the FLAGH
programme in the North West Province.
The aim of this study was to explore the motivation of women to participate in an IGP in
order to understand why they participate and whether there is an observable difference
concerning their motivation over a period of 16 months. In addition, the link between
motivation and regular and irregular participation was investigated. A multiple-phased, single
case study design, was followed to explore the motivation of purposefully selected women of
the IGP. A semi-structured questionnaire was specifically designed for this study to collect
data together with field notes, visual media and in-depth interviews.
The study consisted of three phases. The socio-demographic information obtained by the
semi-structured questionnaires provided the researcher with a profile of women who
participated in the IGP during the first phase. The photographs and field notes served as
evidence with regards to the socio-demographic and household information obtained
through the questionnaires. The semi-structured questionnaires with the structured and
open-ended questions provided insight concerning the motivational factors that influenced
their participation over a period of 16 months. During the second phase, a comparison could
be made between active and non-active participants. Differences in motivational factors
were identified which explained the participation behaviour of both groups. In-depth
interviews in phase three brought a better understanding of the motivational factors of the
regular participants concerning their experiences. Field notes also served as supporting
evidence for the results in phase three.
Results of this study provided more information and insight regarding the participation
difficulties in an IGP. Encouraging as well as discouraging motivational factors were
identified that influenced participants to participate regularly or irregular in the IGP. The
motivation that changed among participants over a period of 16 months was also identified.
These results will be used to improve current IGPs and also in the planning of future IGPs.
One of the limitations of this study was the small number of available women to observe.
This study contributes as a section in a larger process that attempts to alleviate poverty
through research on the subject in order to obtain a better understanding of difficulties found
in IGPs. / M Consumer Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014
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Motivation of women to participate in an income-generating project : the FLAGH programme / Lizmari van der MerweVan der Merwe, Lizmari January 2013 (has links)
There is a large amount of poverty-stricken people in South Africa, especially among female
farm dwellers. Poverty is a problem with many facets that needs a multi-dimensional
approach. One of the approaches used to alleviate poverty is through income-generating
projects (IGPs). Most IGPs reported participation difficulties which negatively affects the
sustainability of these projects. This study focuses on an IGP which forms part of the FLAGH
programme in the North West Province.
The aim of this study was to explore the motivation of women to participate in an IGP in
order to understand why they participate and whether there is an observable difference
concerning their motivation over a period of 16 months. In addition, the link between
motivation and regular and irregular participation was investigated. A multiple-phased, single
case study design, was followed to explore the motivation of purposefully selected women of
the IGP. A semi-structured questionnaire was specifically designed for this study to collect
data together with field notes, visual media and in-depth interviews.
The study consisted of three phases. The socio-demographic information obtained by the
semi-structured questionnaires provided the researcher with a profile of women who
participated in the IGP during the first phase. The photographs and field notes served as
evidence with regards to the socio-demographic and household information obtained
through the questionnaires. The semi-structured questionnaires with the structured and
open-ended questions provided insight concerning the motivational factors that influenced
their participation over a period of 16 months. During the second phase, a comparison could
be made between active and non-active participants. Differences in motivational factors
were identified which explained the participation behaviour of both groups. In-depth
interviews in phase three brought a better understanding of the motivational factors of the
regular participants concerning their experiences. Field notes also served as supporting
evidence for the results in phase three.
Results of this study provided more information and insight regarding the participation
difficulties in an IGP. Encouraging as well as discouraging motivational factors were
identified that influenced participants to participate regularly or irregular in the IGP. The
motivation that changed among participants over a period of 16 months was also identified.
These results will be used to improve current IGPs and also in the planning of future IGPs.
One of the limitations of this study was the small number of available women to observe.
This study contributes as a section in a larger process that attempts to alleviate poverty
through research on the subject in order to obtain a better understanding of difficulties found
in IGPs. / M Consumer Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014
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Die dokumentasie en danskundige ontleding van bepaalde Suid-Sotho-danse met verwysing na die liggaamlike opvoedingprogram / Madeleine van ZylVan Zyl, Madeleine January 1985 (has links)
Traditional dances of the South Sotho of Qwaqwa were studied as a product
of culture. The two major objectives were: to document, and analyse
specific South Sotho dances and relate them holistically to the culture;
and to determine which dances of the girls and the women would be
suitable for inclusion in the Syllabus for Physical Education for Girls
in the Republic of South Africa according to certain educational
criteria.
The aspects investigated in the study included the following:
1. An ethnographic image of the South Sotho relating to
ancestry, way of life and culture;
2. Dance as a cultural phenomenon and the place and function of
dance in the culture of the South Sotho;
3. The notation of selected dances, an analysis of the dance
movements and choreographic structure of the dances;
4. The educational value of folk and ethnic dances for implementation
in the physical education programme, according to relevant
objectives.
The techniques used to identify, classify, document and analyse the
dances, included fieldwork done through personal observation, participating
observation, video filming of the dances, sound recordings of the songs
and personal interviews. The sequence of steps was notated descriptively
and graphically. The movements of the free body segments and dance
technique were described and the floor pattern of each step sequence, the
information with the accompaniment and the floor plan of the dance were
transcribed graphically. The number of repetitions of the step
sequences and the order of the parts of the dances were notated according
to counts.
The following dances were identified: women's dances - mokgibo,
moqoqopelo, ledingwana, thojane, timiti and famu; girls' dances -
mokgibo, play dances, ndlamu and bale dances; men's dances - mohobelo,
mokorotlo, diphotha and setapo; boys dance the same dances apart
from the mokorotlo. Wedding dances and thojane are also danced
together by both sexes. The four dances which were documented
include the wedding dance Ausi o manele, a play dance (Tikwe ha
malome), ledingwana-women's dance (Diponono ha kena basadi) and
mogogopelo women's dance (Ke lelekuwe bohadi).
The main findings of the study indicated that dance is still
closely interlinked with the cultural life of the South Sotho and
that the purpose of the dance manifests itself mainly in terms of
social recreation. Specific dances of the South Sotho can be
utilized in a meaningful way in the physical education programme for
girls because of the educational value, the link with the cultural
objectives of the folk dance section of the syllabus and the relevance
to the present needs of society. / Thesis (MA) -- PU vir CHO, 1985
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Die dokumentasie en danskundige ontleding van bepaalde Suid-Sotho-danse met verwysing na die liggaamlike opvoedingprogram / Madeleine van ZylVan Zyl, Madeleine January 1985 (has links)
Traditional dances of the South Sotho of Qwaqwa were studied as a product
of culture. The two major objectives were: to document, and analyse
specific South Sotho dances and relate them holistically to the culture;
and to determine which dances of the girls and the women would be
suitable for inclusion in the Syllabus for Physical Education for Girls
in the Republic of South Africa according to certain educational
criteria.
The aspects investigated in the study included the following:
1. An ethnographic image of the South Sotho relating to
ancestry, way of life and culture;
2. Dance as a cultural phenomenon and the place and function of
dance in the culture of the South Sotho;
3. The notation of selected dances, an analysis of the dance
movements and choreographic structure of the dances;
4. The educational value of folk and ethnic dances for implementation
in the physical education programme, according to relevant
objectives.
The techniques used to identify, classify, document and analyse the
dances, included fieldwork done through personal observation, participating
observation, video filming of the dances, sound recordings of the songs
and personal interviews. The sequence of steps was notated descriptively
and graphically. The movements of the free body segments and dance
technique were described and the floor pattern of each step sequence, the
information with the accompaniment and the floor plan of the dance were
transcribed graphically. The number of repetitions of the step
sequences and the order of the parts of the dances were notated according
to counts.
The following dances were identified: women's dances - mokgibo,
moqoqopelo, ledingwana, thojane, timiti and famu; girls' dances -
mokgibo, play dances, ndlamu and bale dances; men's dances - mohobelo,
mokorotlo, diphotha and setapo; boys dance the same dances apart
from the mokorotlo. Wedding dances and thojane are also danced
together by both sexes. The four dances which were documented
include the wedding dance Ausi o manele, a play dance (Tikwe ha
malome), ledingwana-women's dance (Diponono ha kena basadi) and
mogogopelo women's dance (Ke lelekuwe bohadi).
The main findings of the study indicated that dance is still
closely interlinked with the cultural life of the South Sotho and
that the purpose of the dance manifests itself mainly in terms of
social recreation. Specific dances of the South Sotho can be
utilized in a meaningful way in the physical education programme for
girls because of the educational value, the link with the cultural
objectives of the folk dance section of the syllabus and the relevance
to the present needs of society. / Thesis (MA) -- PU vir CHO, 1985
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Karolina Ferreira en Landskap met vroue en slang (deur Lettie Viljoen) in 'n postkoloniale konteksHuman, Matthys Philippus 12 September 2012 (has links)
M.A. / With the possible exception of the much-lauded Karolina Ferreira, most of Lettie Viljoen's novels are (unfairly) regarded as very complex and even incomprehensible. The main reasons being the lack of a satisfactory evaluation framework that can be used to address the interpretation problems in her texts successfully and a resulting tendency to approach her novels with conventional reading strategies and expectations. By situating Viljoen's literary work in a postcolonial context, however, basic premises of postcolonial theory and criticism can be used to develop an instrument that will be able to address these problems satisfactorily and improve readers' comprehension of her novels. Because most recent critical work on postcolonialism focuses mainly on literature produced in former British colonies, these premises should be revised and adapted to suit the South African situation in general and the Afrikaans literature specifically.
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Women in mining : a conceptual framework for gender issues in the South African mining sector / Dorothea BothaBotha, Dorothea January 2013 (has links)
The Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (28 of 2002) (MPRDA) and the
accompanied Broad-based Socio-economic Empowerment Charter aimed to rectify
previous inequalities and disadvantages in the mining sector and specifically provide for
the inclusion of women in core mining activities. According to the Act and the Charter, the
mining industry was supposed to reach a quota of 10% women in core mining activities by
2009. The amendment of the Broad-based Socio-economic Empowerment Charter for the
South African Mining and Minerals Industry (launched in 2010) set further requirements in
terms of employment equity targets; the Charter requires a 40% historically disadvantaged
South African representation in core and critical skills by 2015. Although well intended, the
establishment of gender equality in the male-dominant mining sector remains one of the
biggest equity challenges in the country and numerous problems accompany the
deployment of women in core mining activities.
Against this background, the main objective of the study was to critically analyse gender
issues in the mining sector and to subsequently develop a conceptual framework that will
enable the mining sector to contribute to and ensure the sustainable employment of
women in the mining sector. A literature review was done, firstly to provide an
understanding of persistent inequalities in society and the workplace, and secondly to gain
an in-depth understanding of the variables that have an impact on women in the world of
work in general and in the mining sector specifically. An empirical study was conducted to
determine and investigate relevant gender-related issues in the mining sector.
Quantitative (questionnaires) and qualitative (semi-structured interviews, focus group
discussions and direct observation) research paradigms were used.
From the literature review as well as the empirical study, it is evident that the deployment
of women in core positions is still accompanied by various challenges, not only for
managers but also for male co-workers as well as the women themselves. Although the
numbers of women in the South African mining industry have risen, there is still a long
way to go to successfully and sustainably ensure women‟s participation in the industry.
Through the literature study and the empirical research, it became clear that various factors need to be considered for the successful and sustainable deployment of women in
the mining sector. The study concludes by making recommendations and offering a
conceptual framework, with the main pillars being company policies, workplace
opportunities, infrastructure facilities, physical ability, health and safety and workplace
relations. This framework can be implemented and used by various stakeholders in the
mining sector to contribute to the successful and sustainable deployment of women in the
mining sector. / PhD (Sociology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014
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The relationship between cortisol, c-reactive protein and hypertension in the development of cardiovascular dysfunction in African and Caucasian women : the POWIRS study / Claire TolmayTolmay, Claire January 2009 (has links)
Motivation: C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and other risk factors such as cortisol and obesity in the diagnosis of cardiovascular dysfunction (CVD) in African and Caucasian women has become increasingly imperative when one considers the escalation of hypertension among these groups. Recent studies have explored some aspects of these risk factors and the roles that they play within hypertension and possible future risk for cardiovascular disease. Hs-CRP has been associated with the increased prevalence of hypertension and obesity. Cortisol per se has also been linked with the development of both hypertension and the hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal cortex (HPA) response. Nevertheless, the exact mechanism remains rather uncertain due to conflicting outcomes of research within different ethnic groups. Several recent investigations have, however, linked hypocortisolism with both urbanisation and a subsequent increased likelihood of hypertension within African women as they have presented increased vascular blood pressure responses. Conversely, Caucasian women have displayed an increased central cardiac reactivity. The lack of data regarding the relationship between the above-mentioned parameters within both African and Caucasian women serves as the motivation for conducting this study. Objective: To investigate hs-CRP, cortisol and hypertension as contributors to the increased likelihood of cardiovascular dysfunction in both African and Caucasian women within South Africa. hs-CRP use this through whole document please
Methodology: The manuscript presented in Chapter 2 has been compiled using data obtained from the POWIRS (Profiles of Obese Women with Insulin Resistance Syndrome) study. Apparently healthy African (N=102) and Caucasian (N=115) women, matched for age and body mass index, were recruited from the North-West Province of South Africa for participation within this study. Subjects were divided into normotensive (NT) and hypertensive (HT) groups according to the mean resting cardiovascular values that were taken using a Finometer device. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and cortisol blood serum values were determined by immunochemistry and ELISA analyses. Significant differences within each ethnic group and between each of the groups (NT and HT) were determined by analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), for anthropometric, cardiovascular, hs-CRP and cortisol variables, while adjusting for cardiovascular covariates (age, smoking and alcohol consumption). Partial correlations analyses were used to examine the relationship between hs-CRP, cortisol, anthropometric and cardiovascular parameters adjusting for cardiovascular covariates. Logistic regression analyses was used within each ethnic group to determine the relationship between anthropometric, cardiovascular, hs-CRP and cortisol as independent variables and hypertension as dependent variable.
This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the North-West University and all subjects gave informed consent in writing. For a more detailed description of the subjects, study design and analytical procedures please refer to the Materials and Methods section within Chapter 2 of this dissertation. Results and Conclusion: Both ethnic groups presented higher hs-CRP and lower cortisol levels compared to normal values. Lower waist circumference (WC) and cortisol as well as higher blood pressure (BP) and vascular values were evident in Africans compared to Caucasians. Both HT ethnic groups were older and more visceral obese compared to their NT counterparts. HT Caucasians indicated higher central adrenergic responses whilst HT Africans showed vascular adrenergicresponses. Only NT Africans had lower cortisol values than NT Caucasians but the Africans (NT and HT) responded with higher diastolic blood pressure responses compared to their Caucasian counterparts. Moreover, hs-CRP within African women significantly correlated with all BP and obesity variables whilst hs-CRP only associated with stroke volume (SV) and compliance (Cw) within HT Caucasian women. Cortisol in both ethnic groups was strongly associated with vascular BP responses. Only BP contributed to the higher prevalence of HT in both ethnic groups.
In conclusion, these results suggest the possible diverse roles of HPA axis dysregulation associated with higher inflammatory responses. This happens in conjunction with cardiac and vascular responses within more obese Caucasian and especially African women, respectively. / MSc (Physiology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009
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