TEACHING AND SUPERVISING RESEARCH: CHALLENGES OF NOVICE EDUCATORS

Nurse educators play a pivotal role in strengthening the nursing workforce. They serve as role models and provide the leadership needed to implement evidencebased practice. To be successful in this endeavour nurse educators should not only be role models as researchers, but must also be able to teach research methodology and supervise students who conduct research projects. Educators at some education institutions, who have recently entered the higher education sphere and are not in possession of a master’s or a doctoral degree, ultimately lack a research background. The purpose of this article is to report on a study conducted to identify and describe the challenges faced by nurse educators in teaching research methodology and acting as supervisors when students have to conduct their own research. A qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual study was conducted. Data were collected by means of a focus group discussion with all nurse educators involved in the research module. Participants acknowledged that they face many challenges. They highlighted a lack of human resources; research experience and competencies; research guidelines; physical resources; and a lack of support from the management as major challenges, and provided suggestions to support them and enhance a research culture in the institution

EXTENSION WORKERS' OPINIONS REGARDING THE INFLUENCE OF THE NATIONAL MAIZE COMPETITION ON FARMERS PRACTICES IN THE MANZINI REGION, SWAZILAND

The primary purpose of the study was to determine extension worker's opinions regarding the influence of the National Maize Competition (NAMCOM) on the farmers' agricultural practices and experiences in the Manzini region. A census population of front-line extension workers in charge of the participating areas in NAMCOM took part in this study. A descriptive survey method of research using a self-administered questionnaire was employed in this study. Findings of the study revealed that some extension workers were opined that the NAMCOM has prompted farmers to adopt certain practices while others were seemed hesitant. Further that there were problems in the overall organization, management and implementation of the NAMCOM and that there were better strategies to be adopted in order to improve its operation. It is recommended that organization, management, and implementation of NAMCOM be frequently reviewed so that it can be restructured to make the anticipated impact on maize production in Swaziland. (UNISWA J Agric: 2000 9: 104-108

Antibiogram Screening and Detection of Virulence-Associated Genes in Brucella Species Acquired from Cattle in South Africa’s Eastern Cape Province

Brucellosis is a widespread zoonotic illness, and it poses serious public health and economic risks. The purpose of this investigation is to look at the antimicrobial susceptibility of unpasteurized milk, blood, and lymph node specimens from cattle, goats, and sheep, as well as to identify virulence-associated genes. In this investigation, a total of 123 isolates were examined. The activity of 15 antimicrobials against Brucella pathogens were assessed using the Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion technique. Nine virulence factors were detected with polymerase chain reaction analysis. Five antibiotics were 100% effective against Brucella isolates. A high level of resistance (100%) was documented with streptomycin, penicillin, and seven more antibiotics. Doxycycline resistance was found in 12% of goat isolates, and tetracycline resistance was found in 21% and 44% of goat and sheep isolates, respectively. Multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index >0.2 was found in 38.2% (47/123) of Brucella isolates. VecC and BetB, two B. abortus genes, were confirmed to be comparable. The findings of this study suggests that Brucella spp. are reservoirs of antibiotic resistance in the Eastern Cape Province. As such, they represent a potential pool of antibiotic genes that might be transferred to other pathogens in the community, and thus continue to pose a healthcare hazard

Prevalence of tuberculous lymphadenitis in slaughtered cattle in Eastern Cape, South Africa

Objective: To detect the prevalence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) in the lymph nodes of slaughtered cattle collected from selected abattoirs in Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Methods: A total of 376 lymph nodes were collected from slaughtered cattle over a period of 12 months. Certain characteristics (sex, age, body condition score, and breed) were observed to be associated with MTBC among slaughtered cattle. Collected samples were cultured and tested for acid-fast bacilli (AFB). DNA was isolated, purified, and quantified using a spectrophotometer. Quantified DNA was confirmed to be MTBC by multiplex PCR targeting two genes (IS6110 and mpb64). Results: Of the 376 collected lymph nodes, 182 were positive when tested by Ziehl–Neelsen stain and 162 were confirmed positive for MTBC by PCR. MTBC was isolated from lymph nodes with nodular lesions (72.8%, 118/162) and inflamed lymph nodes (27.1%, 44/162). All detected MTBC isolates were positive for region of deletion 1 (RD1). No isolate was detected to have Mycobacterium bovis bacille Calmette–Guérin (BCG). However, 3.1% had M. bovis and 96.9% had M. tuberculosis. Conclusions: The presence of live Mycobacterium strains in slaughtered cattle poses a health risk to beef consumers and abattoir workers

(Ad)dressing sexual reproductive health issues and its determinants in KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape provinces of South Africa: evidence from a situational analysis of millennium development goals indicators

This chapter presents a synthesis of the progress on key health-related MDGs in two South African provinces of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and the Eastern Cape (EC) focusing on sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR) indicators. Utilizing a mixed method approach that included a desk review of policy directives on SRHR, secondary quantitative analysis of key epidemiological indicators, and a qualitative component that included focus groups discussions at both urban and rural contexts; we offer evidence about how demographic and socioeconomic conditions explain trends in SRHR and show the complexity, interaction, and intersection of SRHR and all its determinants. The chapter concludes by discussing challenges [including (infra)structural, service delivery, access] in addressing specific SRHR goals and offers evidence of progress and prospects for a post 2015 agenda in addressing health-related MDGs in South Africa.