Knowledge and practices of nurses on use of nutrition components of the road to health booklet in Giyani Primary Health Care Facilities, Mopani District.

Thesis (MPH.) -- University of Limpopo, 2025Background: The Road to Health Booklet (RtHB) is critical for children's health, development, and growth, because children aged 5 and younger are vulnerable to malnutrition and infectious diseases. RtHB provides health records for prevention, risk identification, curative health interaction activities, health promotion information, parenting empowerment opportunities, and a communication tool for health services. Lack of awareness, understanding of the content and completion criteria, as well as poor or partial use, are among the challenges that nursing personnel face when using child health records or RtHB (WHO, 2018).Objectives: The aim of this study is to assess the knowledge and practices of nursing staff regarding the use of nutrition components of RtHB in Greater Giyani Primary Health Care (PHC) facilities and, secondly, to determine the associations between knowledge, practices and sociodemographic variables.Methods: In this study a quantitative approach and a cross-sectional descriptive design was employed. The convenience sampling method was used to select clinics and consecutive nonprobability sampling was used to select participants. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies, cross-tabulation, and correlation tests were performed to analyse the data. Results were presented in tables and cross-tabulation. Data were tested for normality, and the Chi-square test was performed for correlation. Results: One hundred and seven participants participated in the study. The mean age of the participants was 43.9± 9.387. Most of the participating nurses were female. The majority were professional nurses (57.9%), followed by registered nurses (24.3%) and the least number were staff nurses (17.8%). Most nurses (60.1%) had 7-10 years of work experience, 31.2% had 1-6 years of work experience and 7.5% had more than 10 years of work experience. Most of the nurses (74.7%) received their training on RtHB in the Department of Health workshops, followed by the nursing school (18.7%), the reminder were trained in university while studying (6.5%). The aspects covered during training included a combination of plotting points for growth indicators, interpreting them, procedures for taking anthropometric measurements. The majority of nurses also received training on immunization.Almost 40% of the nurses had a moderate level of knowledge, 35.5% had a low level of knowledge, and only 25.2% of them had a high level of knowledge regarding the use of the nutrition component of RtHB. The results show that the majority of nurses had a good score (77.6%) on practice, followed by a poor score (12.1%) and a best score of 10.3% in the use of the nutritional component of the RtHB. There was no statistically significant association between knowledge and age (p = 0.253) and gender (p = 0.091. There was no statistically significant association between practices and age (p = 0.335), gender (p = 0.308), and category of nursing personnel (p = 0.252). There was a significant association between total knowledge and total nurses’ practices of nurses on the use of the nutrition component of RtHB (p = 0.002). Conclusions: The findings of the current study revealed a moderate level of knowledge and fair practices among participants on the use of the nutritional component of RtHB. However, their ability to accurately use the nutrition component was average. The study also suggests that nurses with a better understanding of the nutritional component were more likely to put their knowledge into practice than those with less knowledge

Resource description and access utilization by cataloguers in selected academic libraries of previously disadvantaged universities in South Africa

Thesis (M. (Information Studies)) -- University of Limpopo, 2024Resource Description and Access (RDA) is defined as a cataloguing tool consisting of new rules derived from the Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules II (AACR2). The aim of the study was to explore RDA utilisation among cataloguers in selected academic libraries of previously disadvantaged universities in South Africa. The study was conducted at the University of Limpopo, University of Venda and University of Fort Hare. The study used the interpretivist paradigm, descriptive design and a qualitative research approach. Focus group discussions were used to collect data from 13 participants, while content analysis was used for the evaluation of 15 catalogue records obtained from the participated academic libraries of the researched universities. The data were analysed using thematic analysis and direct quotations. The findings revealed that the participants were using RDA to catalogue information resources in the academic libraries. It was further revealed that two universities started using RDA in 2013 and one university started using it in 2016. Data from the catalogued records also revealed that the majority of the catalogue records were created using RDA, However, few catalogue records were still recorded using AACR2. The study concluded that RDA is highly utilized at the universities; however, not entirely, because some catalogue records were still recorded in AACR2. The study recommended, among others, the use of artificial intelligence technologies such as MarcEdit to convert the AACR2 catalogue records to RDA, since AACR2 records were still found in the catalogues of the investigated universities. The study also recommended that universities should ensure that the participants attend continuous RDA workshop/training opportunities to ensure that they are up to date with the recent changes made to RDA rules, since its rules are continuously updated

Characteristics and mineralisation of platinum-group elements (PGE) in the upper group 2 chromitite (UG2) and merensky reefs at the Buffelshoek farm , Two rivers platinum mine: implications for platinum-group elements recovery

Thesis (M.Sc. (Geology)) -- University of Limpopo, 2022The Two Rivers Platinum Mine (TRP) located in the Eastern Bushveld Igneous Complex is currently exploiting platinum-group elements (PGE) in the Upper Group 2 chromitite (UG2) Reef at the Dwarsrivier Farm. TRP has acquired a new prospect (at the Buffelshoek Farm) and is currently planning to mine the UG2 Reef and potentially also the Merensky Reef (MR). Three drill-cores which intersected the UG2 Reef and MR at the Buffelshoek Farm made available by TRP were sampled for mineralogical studies using complementary techniques including reflected light microscopy, mineral liberation analyser and electron microprobe. The platinum group minerals (PGM) which host the PGE exhibit variability in their flotation rates and consequently variable PGE recoveries that is mostly attributed to the not so well understood PGM distributions and characteristics. The purpose of the study was to investigate the PGE process mineralogical characteristics such as the PGM phases, their modal abundances and mineral associations, as well as the grain size distributions within the UG2 Reef and MR at the Buffelshoek Farm. The observed PGM phases are broadly grouped into PGE sulphides, PGE arsenides, PGE bismuth-tellurides, PGE antimonides and PGE alloys. The PGM phases are largely dominated by PGE-sulphides (average of 80%) in the UG2 Reef and PGE-arsenides (average of 39%) in the MR. Although the UG2 Reef and MR are mineralogically different, the PGM observed are similar in composition, but vary in their proportions. The PGM are mostly associated with base metal sulphides typically, pentlandite in the UG2 Reef and silicates, which are dominated by amphiboles in the MR. The PGM grain sizes generally range between 2 and 22 microns in the UG2 Reef and range between 2 and 32 microns in the MR. The concentrations of platinum are the highest in both the UG2 Reef and MR, and with the platinum largely deported in PGE-sulphides (about 69 - 84.9%) in the UG2 Reef and PGE-arsenides in the MR. Palladium is mostly deported in the PGE sulphides (about 52.3 - 69.2%) in the UG2 Reef and mostly deported in PGE antimonides (about 43%) and PGE bismuth-tellurides (about 37%) in the MR. Rhodium (Rh) is entirely deported in the PGE sulphides in the UG2 Reef and deported in PGE sulphides (about 86.5%) and PGE bismuth-tellurides (about 13.5%) in the MR. Expected recoveries of PGM ranges from 76 to 89% for PGE sulphides and arsenides in the UG2 Reef and 61.3% in the MR, which is considered good. PGE bismuth-tellurides, PGE antimonides and PGE alloys are expected to be variably to poorly recovered, requiring suitable reagents to be well recovered both in the UG2 Reef and MR.Faculty of Science and Agriculture Research Division Geological Society of South Africa North West University's School of Geo- and Spatial Scienc

Low oxygen saturation of COVID-19 in patient case fatalities, Limpopo Province, South Africa

Journal article published in The Journal of Respiration 2022, 2On 1 August 2020, South Africa’s Minister of Health announced that more than half of a million coronavirus cases were confirmed in the country. South Africa was by far the hardest-hit country in Africa, accounting for half of all infections reported across the continent. The prevalence of underlying conditions such as fever and blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) has been known known to be a significant determinant in the hospitalisation of COVID-19 patients. Low oxygen saturation on admission was reported as a strong predictor of in-hospital mortality in COVID-19 patients. The study sought to assess the association between body temperature and other clinical risk factors with low SpO2 among COVID-19 inpatient case fatalities. A quantitative retrospective study was carried out in Limpopo Province, employing secondary data from the Limpopo Department of Health (LDoH) on COVID-19 inpatients case fatalities across all districts in the province. The chi-square test and Pearson’s correlation coefficient were used to assess the relationship between body temperature and clinical risk factors with SpO2 levels. The findings of this paper indicated that age (older age), chills, sore throat, anosmia, dysgeusia, myalgia/body aches, diarrhoea and HIV/AIDS were associated with low SpO2 in-hospital mortality in COVID-19 patients. Nasal prongs and a face mask with a reservoir for respiratory support cannula were commonly used patient interfaces to provide supplemental oxygen, with the use of only a high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) being minimal (7%). The majority of COVID-19 inpatient fatalities had normal body temperature (<38 C) and SpO2, with no correlation between the two variables. Considering temperature screening as a possible strategy to combat the spread of COVID-19 or suspicious COVID-19 cases appeared, then, to be a pointless exercise. This study aimed to recommend new clinical criteria for detecting COVID-19 cases

An investigation of how progressed learners are supported through the learning process : the case of Manyeleti Circuit, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa

Thesis (M.A. (Education)) -- University of Limpopo, 202

Nodulation bacteria, cucurbitacin-containing phytonematicides, dosage model and nutritional water productivity of sutherlandia frutescens in the context of climate-smart agriculture

Thesis (Ph.D. Agriculture (Plant Production)) -- University of Limpopo, 2022The unique phytochemical composition of the medicinal plant cancer bush (Sutherlandia frutescens) have made its foliage to gain much attention in South Africa due to its health benefits. In situ harvesting of the plant parts of this important species serve as one potential strategy to avert its extinction through whole plant harvesting, a common practice by rural communities. However, such a strategy is limited by lack of information on the agronomic requirements of the plant species and its susceptibility to root-knot (Meloidogyne species) nematodes. The objectives of the study were four-fold, namely, to: (1) identify nodulation bacteria associated with wild S. frutescens using morphological and biochemical techniques, (2) assess the efficacy of the nodulation isolates from different centres of biodiversity of S. frutescens in Limpopo Province, South Africa (3) test the compatibility of cucurbitacin-containing phytonematicides on S. frutescens for managing population densities of Meloidogyne species and (4) determine the nutritional water productivity (NWP) of S. frutescens in association with water scarcity of the region where the plant species originated. In achieving Objective 1, nodules from S. frutescens roots were washed in distilled water and healthy, undamaged, firm and pink nodules were sterilised. Aseptic nodules from S. frutescens roots and commercial strains were transferred into a smasher biomerieux polythene bag containing 10 ml distilled water and crashed to produce a milky suspension the milky suspension was streaked on Yeast extract mannitol agar (YEMA). After gram reaction, colony characterisation includes the investigation of shape, colour, configuration, elevation and margin of bacterial colony as observed in colonies on nutrient agar plates of overnight grown microorganisms using a microscope. The medium for biochemical test was prepared, inoculated with 5 μl purified xxv bacterial cultures and incubated at 37°C for 48 h. Identification of the bacterial isolates was performed using VITEK 2 Systems (bioMérieux, Inc., North Carolina, USA). Using morphological and biochemical techniques, the bacterial species associated with roots of S. frutescens in the wild were assayed primarily those in the genera Raoutella ornithinolytica and Enterobacter cloacae species dissolvens. The VITEK 2 Systems confirmed the identification of the bacterial species from 80 to 96% of the samples. Three species were confirmed from another sampling area, Sphingomonas paucimobills, Raoutella ornithinolytica and Enterobacter cloacae species dissolvens from by 86 to 96% of the samples. In achieving Objective 2, the five treatments, namely, Bradyrhizobium spp. (Arachis) strain, Rhizobium leguminosarum strain, Tubatse strain, Sebayeng strain and untreated control, were laid-out in a randomised complete block design, with seven replications during the first season (Experiment 1) and with eight replications during the second season (Experiment 2). The seasonal interactions (Experiment 1 × Experiment 2) on plant and nutrient elements were not significant (P ≤ 0.05) and data for the two seasons were pooled (n = 75). Relative to untreated control, commercial (Bradyrhizobium and Rhizobium strain) and native strains (Tubatse and Sebayeng strain) significantly increased plant height by 31, 33, 44 and 40%, respectively, root length by 30, 41, 40 and 42%, respectively and dry shoot mass by 48,195 and 17%, respectively. Similarly, rhizobia strains significantly contributed to the increase in nitrogen assimilation by 7, 25 and 80%, respectively, protein synthesis by 13, 10, 24, 69%, respectively, and symbiotic efficiency by 31, 133, 292 and 82%, respectively. However, rhizobia inoculants had no significant effects on potassium and phosphorus in leaf tissues. In achieving Objective 3, in Mean Concentration Stimulation Point (MCSP) experiments, seven treatments, xxvi namely, 0, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32 and 64% for each phytonematicide, were arranged in a randomised complete block design (RCBD), with 8 replicates. In application interval experiments, treatments, based on “weeks-per-month-of-30 days” for M. javanica, which translated to 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks, were arranged in a RCBD, with 10 replicates. Nemarioc-AL and Nemafric-BL phytonematicides had MCSP values of 3.43 and 4.03%, respectively, with the plant having high tolerance level to the products. The respective application interval of the two products for managing population densities of Meloidogyne species were 29 and 17 days. The dosage models for Nemarioc-AL and Nemafric-BL phytonematicides were 6.62 and 13.26%, respectively. In achieving Objective 5, the study used nine treatments designated as T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6, T7, T8 and T9, respectively, consisting of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 seedlings/hole of drip irrigation transplanted using a 3S planter under field conditions, arranged in randomised complete block design (RCBD) with 9 replications (n = 81) in two seasons. The NWP of total flavonoids, total tannin and total phenol exhibited positive quadratic relations in varied planting density suggesting that this cultural practices could be manipulated to improve NWP of cancer bush. In conclusion, the wild bacterial isolates, sampled from S. frutescens plant grown in the field, outperformed the commercial bacterial strains in enhancing the productivity of the test plants. The empirically established dosage model for Nemarioc-AL and Nemafric-BL phytonematicides could be used to control Meloidogyne species in cancer bush production. There is a need to further investigate the responses of the identified strains to the test phytonematicides. Findings of the study openend new frontiers in the development and commercialisation of the observed native bacterial strains for the cultivation of S. frutescens, which has excellent medicinal importance as a cure or management for cancer.Agricultural Research Council-Universities Collaboration Centre, the National Research Foundation (NRF) and the Flemish Inter-University Council of Belgiu

Exploration of knowledge and challenges in the implementation of the mother-baby friendly initiative at standerton hospital, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa

Thesis (MPH.) -- University of Limpopo, 2022Background: The Mother baby friendly initiative (MBFI) is an initiative that was launched in 1991 as a global programme to create an environment that enables and supports women to breastfeed their infants, providing advice to mothers and practical assistance to promote breastfeeding. This initiative plays an important role in improving infant’s nutritional status, growth, development and health for both mother and infant and supports exclusive breastfeeding. MBFI aims at increasing breastfeeding rate by supporting, protecting and promoting breastfeeding in health facilities. Aim: of the study is to explore the knowledge and challenges related to the implementation of the mother-baby friendly initiative at Standerton hospital. Method: A qualitative descriptive design was used to explore the knowledge and challenges related to the implementation of the mother-baby friendly initiative at selected hospital. Purposive sampling of the healthcare providers were the target population for the study as they are responsible for the implementation of MBFI in the hospital. In this research, data collected were in a form of interviews, audiotapes and written notes from interviews. Tesch’s eight steps in data analysis was used to analyse data. Results: The studies key theme and sub theme give the study’s findings and perspective of the issues found. The studies key theme were: 1. Knowledge of participants on MBFI at Standerton hospital, 2. Views about current practices of MBFI at Standerton –hospital and 3. Challenges regarding MBFI implementation at Standerton. MBFI was considered significant in the facility, however, due to inconsistences and challenges faced by the nurses the initiative was not fully implemented to improve breastfeeding rates. Conclusion: the study conclude that nurse’s had some knowledge on the MBFI initiative as they understood their role in breastfeeding advocacy and enhancing maternal and child health. There were significant challenges in MBFI implementation such as shortage of staff, lack of resources and training that hindered MBFI compliance and mothers not receiving the full benefits of the initiative, which contribute to decreased breastfeeding rates within the facility

The epidemiology and treatment outcomes of tuberculosis cases in Lesotho between 2009 and 2019

Thesis (MPH. (Epidemiology)) -- University of Limpopo, 2022Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is a fatal disease globally, if not managed well, with a million or more people dying by the disease annually in low and middle-income countries (LMIC). Around two billion people are thought to be asymptomatically (latently) infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, putting them at risk of acquiring active tuberculosis. Tests that identify immunoreactivity to mycobacterial antigens rather than live bacteria, as well as mathematical modelling, are used to estimate the prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection. According to reports, tuberculosis (TB) was the cause of 1.3 million fatalities among HIV-negative people in 2016, surpassing the global number of HIV/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) deaths. In addition, TB was a factor in 374,000 HIV-related deaths. Despite the effectiveness of chemotherapy over the last seven decades, tuberculosis remains the world's leading infectious killer. In 2016, 10.4 million new cases were reported, a number that has remained constant since the dawn of the twenty-first century, confounding public health specialists tasked with designing and implementing measures to lessen the global burden of tuberculosis disease. As a result, the current study aims to look into the epidemiology of tuberculosis in Lesotho in order to help policymakers make decisions on TB control in the country. Methodology:. In the current investigation, a cross-sectional, retrospective descriptive study design was used, as well as a probability sampling strategy. The National TB-Database from the Ministry of Health in Lesotho was used as the source of data for this quantitative investigation, which was analyzed using STATA statistical software version 12 for Windows (STATA Corporation, College Station, Texas). A Chi-Squared test was used to compare categorical variables, while a t-test was used to examine continuous variables. A statistically significant P-value of 0.05 was used. Results: A total of 18 836 TB patient records were recovered, with 45 percent of the TB patients being females. The average age of the TB patients was 35.9 years, with a standard deviation of 12.7%, and the ages ranged from one year to 84 years. There vi was a statistically significant difference between the age groups (p value 0.001), with 33.1 percent of TB patents being in the age group 25–34 years, followed by 29 percent, 15.4 percent, 11.2 percent, and 5.5 percent in the age groups 35–44 years, 45–55 years, 15–24 years, and 55–64 years 65 years.. There has been a fluctuating treatment outcome of TB from 63.5% for cured patients in 2012 to 57.2% in 2013 and this rose to 60.4% in 2014 then eventually reached 76.7% in 2019. The TB treatment success rate in Lesotho also showed a similar trend as the cure rate. The overall TB death rates in the current study was found to be increasing on an annual basis from 7.4% in 2012 to 9.2% in 2018 then dropped to 8.5% in 2019. The TB patients who have not been evaluated for treatment outcomes have been decreasing annually from 4.4% in 2012 to 0.8% in 2019. The proportion of TB patients with known HIV status increased from 22.3% in 2015 to 90.5% in 2019 and similarly to the proportion of TB patients with HIV status positive increased from 15.1% in 2015 to 60.4% in 2019. The proportion of TB patients with HIV status positive increased with increasing age group all age groups. Conclusion: TB is still a concern in Lesotho, where treatment target goals have not yet been fulfilled, the findings of this study underline the importance of addressing the underlying socio-economic causes of TB. The most important goal in TB control is to detect 70% and cure at least 85% of sputum smear positive cases. If these goals are met, the prevalence, incidence, transmission, and medication resistance to tuberculosis (TB) could all decrease. Despite the National Tuberculosis Control Programme's attempts to enhance TB patients' access to treatment and adherence to therapy, the percentage of patients who have good treatment outcomes remains low. Despite having an 84 percent detection rate and using the DOTS technique, the available data did not identify the types of tuberculosis, therefore we were unable to forecast multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB)

Gross margin analysis and determinants of savings among small-scale broiler producers in Vhembe District of Limpopo Province, South Africa

Thesis (M.Sc. Agriculture (Agricultural Economics)) -- University of Limpopo, 2022The poultry industry consists of the broiler and layer production. Most of the broiler chickens produced by smallholder farmers in villages are sold to local customers with lower degrees of processing, compared to large commercial farmers who have access to retail and export markets. The aim of this study was to analyse the determinants of gross margin and savings among small-scale broiler producers in Vhembe District of Limpopo Province. In the analyses the following objectives were performed; identifying and describing their socio-economic characteristics, assessing their gross margin, analysing the factors influencing their gross margin and lastly, by analysing the factors affecting savings among these farmers. The study was conducted in three municipalities (Makhado, Thulamela and Musina) under Vhembe District, where 60 respondents were purposively and randomly selected. The total number of households per municipality in Vhembe District were used to determine the exact number of broiler producers to be interviewed in each municipality due to insufficient data available regarding the total number of broiler producers in the district. The respondents were interviewed face to face using structured questionnaires. To achieve the study objectives the study used Descriptive statistics, Gross Margin analysis, Multiple Linear Regression and Logistic Regression model. The results of the study showed that the small-scale broiler producers in Vhembe District are profitable, with an average Gross Margin of R6470.78 per cycle. Six variables from Multiple Linear Regression analysis were found to have an influence on Gross Margin among small-scale broiler producers in Vhembe District. These variables were gender, primary economic activity, cost of day-old chicks, feed cost, electricity cost and labour cost. Seven variables from Logistic Regression analysis were found to have significant influence on savings. These variables were age, primary economic activity, monthly income, gross margin, feeds cost, cost of day-old chicks and vaccines. The study recommends that the broiler producers invest in other heating methods that do not require the use of electricity since it plays an important role towards the savings. The study further recommends that the Department of Agriculture should encourage the small-scale broiler producers to register their enterprise to be able to access extension services and other services from the department when necessary

“They shouted at me to discontinue exclusive breastfeeding”: narratives of mothers in Limpopo Province of South Africa as they grabble with exclusive breastfeeding

Journal article published in the Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol. 21 No. 04 October’22Objective: Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of an infant’s life is an internationally recognised practice that promotes maternal and child health. Mothers and theirinfantsreap health and socioeconomic benefits from exclusive breastfeeding. Even with these benefits, exclusive breastfeeding is still a challenge for some mothers to practice. Many studies revealed numerous challenges and enablers, and proposed comprehensive solutions, but implementation of exclusive breastfeeding for six months remains a challenge although there is some improvement. This study therefore explored barriers and facilitators to practice exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of the infant’s life among mothers attending a health centre in Limpopo Province of South Africa, to contribute to the ongoing measures to increase the practice. Materials and methods: Mothers were selected through purposive sampling and semi-structured interviews were held with those willing to participate until saturation of data was reached. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using a thematic analysis approach. Ethical issues of consent, permission and confidentiality were respected as well as trustworthiness criteria. Results and Discussion: Nine mothers narrated their experiences as they navigated through the exclusive breastfeeding practice. Education on exclusive breastfeeding and social support to a breastfeeding mother emerged as both barriers and facilitators to practice exclusive breastfeeding for six months. Conclusion: The study recommends that vigorous education on exclusive breastfeeding for six months be given to mothers during antenatal care and be extended to include relatives to empower them to support a breastfeeding mothe