The mental health and wellbeing of healthcare workers during COVID-19 in South Africa

Background: Little is known about the experiences and impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the mental health and wellbeing of healthcare workers (HCWs), particularly in Global South contexts. Aim: The authors aimed to explore the experiences of HCWs at different points during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa. Setting: This study’s sample included 621 HCWs from various professions and health sectors who completed the survey during the pandemic peaks of waves I, II and III in South Africa. Methods: The authors used a qualitative survey design exploring participants’ general work, life, mental health and wellbeing experiences, and their support mechanisms or strategies. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: The authors identified three overarching themes in the data, namely stress, adjustment to work during COVID-19, and support experiences and needs. These themes were common across all three survey waves, with some minor differences noted across the waves. Conclusion: An overarching thread of uncertainty seems central to HCWs’ experiences of working during COVID-19, related to pressures in the South African healthcare system that have been aggravated by the pandemic. Contribution: These findings have the potential to inform the development of contextually relevant approaches to support the mental health and wellbeing needs of HCWs during and after a pandemic. In particular, workplaces need to actively offer psychological support to all HCWs, not just to workers traditionally defined as frontline

'n Koste- en bestuursrekeningkundige ontleding van afvalbestuur in Suid-Afrika

MCom (Bestuursrekeningkunde), North-West University, Potchefstroom CampusA COST AND MANAGEMENT ANALYSIS OF WASTE MANAGEMENT IN SOUTH AFRICA The cost and management aspects of waste management in South Africa are investigated to determine whether they comply with requirements of an efficient policy. Deficiencies are pointed out and solutions are sought for. It is important to include the various elements of waste management such as the reduction of waste at the origin, packaging, dumping, incineration, marine waste management, recovery and recycling, biological control, littering, and the monitor of the waste-stream, into the programs of an enterprise . Knowledge concerning the legal control of waste, its importation and exportation, the treatment of hazardous waste, and formal short-term and long-term waste management policies form the basis for efficient management decision-making. The necessity of adaptations to changing situations and co-operation amongst the parties concerned is stressed, as well as investment in supporting education, training and research. Efficient policies of foreign countries can be implemented unchanged or with adaptations to local circumstances. Preventative action should be taken to avoid disasters and excessive costs as caused by inefficient policies in the past. Since legislation is inadequite to a great extent, and there are no real measures taken against inefficient waste practices, it is important that the waste manager realises his Christian ethical responibilities towards his fellow-man and nature and to incorporate them into his waste management policy. Innovative waste management techniques to improve the present policy are discussed. They commence with the inclusion of waste management into the tactical and strategic planning process, and are carried through to the monitor of the waste stream. Investments must be made into training, education actions, research, and environmental auditing. Waste management techniques to improve packaging and co-operation are looked at, as well as the importance to make provision for adaptations to changing circumstances. Each waste management situation must however be evaluated individually and a unique cost efficient structure developed for the specific requirements. The solutions to waste management problems in South Africa present opportunities to prospective entrepreneurs to utilise.Master

Title A management accounting strategy for mining rehabilitation

Please read the abstract in the section 00front of this document Copyright 1999, University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. Please cite as follows: Beukes, CJ 1999, A management accounting strategy for mining rehabilitation , DCom thesis, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, viewed yymmdd H110/thThesis (D Com (Accounting Sciences))--University of Pretoria, 2007.Accountingunrestricte

An investigation into problem areas related to rehabilitation management accounting

The opinions of rehabilitation and environmental managers in the mining industry were researched. There opinions were obtained to questions about the adequate allocation of environmental costs, the visibility of environmental costs, and the influence of a culture of traditional values, beliefs and mindsets, and the evaluation of environmental inputs and gains in non-financial terms. Although an awareness of these problem areas was found, there nevertheless appear to be shortcomings in the actual application of the underlying management accounting principles

Spatial and temporal assessment of gaseous pollutants in the Highveld of South Africa

Diverse natural and anthropogenic activities in the Highveld of South Africa contribute to elevated levels of inorganic and organic gaseous pollutant species. The primary aims of this investigation were to determine spatial and temporal distributions of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulphur dioxide (SO2) and ozone (O3), as well as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX) in this area. Sampling was conducted on a monthly basis for a year at eight strategically selected sites. The highest NO2, SO2 and BTEX concentrations were measured at sites with significant local sources and/or sites impacted by more remote sources, as indicated by overlay back trajectories. O3 concentrations were found to be lower at sites with high levels of NO2, SO2 and BTEX. NO2 and SO2 peaked during winter, while O3 peaked in spring. NO2 and SO2 temporal concentration variations were ascribed to differences in seasonal meteorological conditions, as well as additional sources in winter. The O3 peak coincided with a seasonal CO peak, which was identified as an important precursor for O3 formation. No distinct seasonal trend was observed for BTEX. The annual average concentrations for SO2, NO2, O3 and benzene were below the South African annual standards at all sites

Spatial and temporal assessment of gaseous pollutants in the Highveld of South Africa

Diverse natural and anthropogenic activities in the Highveld of South Africa contribute to elevated levels of inorganic and organic gaseous pollutant species. The primary aims of this investigation were to determine spatial and temporal distributions of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulphur dioxide (SO2) and ozone (O3), as well as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX) in this area. Sampling was conducted on a monthly basis for a year at eight strategically selected sites. The highest NO2, SO2 and BTEX concentrations were measured at sites with significant local sources and/or sites impacted by more remote sources, as indicated by overlay back trajectories. O3 concentrations were found to be lower at sites with high levels of NO2, SO2 and BTEX. NO2 and SO2 peaked during winter, while O3 peaked in spring. NO2 and SO2 temporal concentration variations were ascribed to differences in seasonal meteorological conditions, as well as additional sources in winter. The O3 peak coincided with a seasonal CO peak, which was identified as an important precursor for O3 formation. No distinct seasonal trend was observed for BTEX. The annual average concentrations for SO2, NO2, O3 and benzene were below the South African annual standards at all sites

The impact of university incorporation on college lecturers

In South Africa, recent government plans to change the institutional landscape of higher education have resulted in mergers of colleges into universities or technikons. The research reported in this article focuses solely on the impact of a "college-into-university" incorporation as manifested in the personal, emotional and career experiences of these college staff members. It traces the changes in their perceptions and emotions during and after the incorporation process. It also identifies recurring themes and issues evident in the personal lives of those affected by this incorporation. A unique research methodology was engaged: The College staff who had been appointed to the university after the merger, identified seven critical themes and then designed and conducted 30 semi-structured interviews among themselves. This article thus documents the impact of incorporation into a university on the individual and collective lives of the researchers themselves. The data suggest that the emotional impact of incorporation was intense and that the uncertainty, especially, led to considerable trauma. The most important concern emanating from this joint research project is that while a certain degree of distress is unavoidable in any institutional merger, inattention to the management of human resources, emotions and aspirations could linger on, possibly having a negative effect on the ambitions for the transformation of the new entity.The original publication is available at www.springerlink.co