“Loxion management”: social networks and precarious economies, a case study of Tembisa

A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts by Coursework and Research Report Faculty of Humanities University of the Witwatersrand, 2017This research project was designed with the aim of understanding how tailoring a particular township experience known as “loxion management” in a Gauteng township of Tembisa could insert more knowledge and re-envision literature on precarity. This project hopes to not only re-envision “loxion management” as a possible intersection between the labour market and township life but to also unpack the intricacies within this idiom. With attempting to unpack this idiom, most participants and external conversations to this research project revealed an assortment of terms used in the township which have the possibility to obscure an understanding of what “loxion management” really encapsulates. Therefore, this research project highlights that a misinterpretation of the terms glosses over the significant undertones permeating experiences of this idiom. Thus, it argues that “loxion management” is an idiom which has been loosely defined in the township, which not only serves as a circuitous network contributing to social cohesion amongst men but also as a site where employment information, even of a precarious nature circulates. Key words: loxion management, precarity, Post-apartheid township life, unemployment, labour market, masculinity, “conduits”, circuitous network, social ties.GR201

"Must you make an app?" A qualitative exploration of socio-technical challenges and opportunities for designing digital maternal and child health solutions in Soweto, South Africa

Participatory and digital health approaches have the potential to create solutions to health issues and related inequalities. A project called Co-Designing Community-based ICTs Interventions for Maternal and Child Health in South Africa (CoMaCH) is exploring such solutions in four different sites across South Africa. The present study captures initial qualitative research that was carried out in one of the urban research sites in Soweto. The aim was twofold: 1) to develop a situation analysis of existing services and the practices and preferences of intended end-users, and 2) to explore barriers and facilitators to utilising digital health for community-based solutions to maternal and child health from multiple perspectives. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 28 participants, including mothers, other caregivers and community health workers. Four themes were developed using a framework method approach to thematic analysis: coping as a parent is a priority; existing services and initiatives lack consistency, coverage and effective communication; the promise of technology is limited by cost, accessibility and crime; and, information is key but difficult to navigate. Solutions proposed by participants included various digital-based and non-digital channels for accessing reliable health information or education; community engagement events and social support; and, community organisations and initiatives such as saving schemes or community gardens. This initial qualitative study informs later co-design phases, and raises ethical and practical questions about participatory intervention development, including the flexibility of researcher-driven endeavours to accommodate community views, and the limits of digital health solutions vis-à-vis material needs and structural barriers to health and wellbeing

The global diet and activity research (GDAR) network: a global public health partnership to address upstream NCD risk factors in urban low and middle-income contexts

Abstract: Background: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of death globally. While upstream approaches to tackle NCD risk factors of poor quality diets and physical inactivity have been trialled in high income countries (HICs), there is little evidence from low and middle-income countries (LMICs) that bear a disproportionate NCD burden. Sub-Saharan Africa and the Caribbean are therefore the focus regions for a novel global health partnership to address upstream determinants of NCDs. Partnership: The Global Diet and Activity research Network (GDAR Network) was formed in July 2017 with funding from the UK National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Global Health Research Units and Groups Programme. We describe the GDAR Network as a case example and a potential model for research generation and capacity strengthening for others committed to addressing the upstream determinants of NCDs in LMICs. We highlight the dual equity targets of research generation and capacity strengthening in the description of the four work packages. The work packages focus on learning from the past through identifying evidence and policy gaps and priorities, understanding the present through adolescent lived experiences of healthy eating and physical activity, and co-designing future interventions with non-academic stakeholders. Conclusion: We present five lessons learned to date from the GDAR Network activities that can benefit other global health research partnerships. We close with a summary of the GDAR Network contribution to cultivating sustainable capacity strengthening and cutting-edge policy-relevant research as a beacon to exemplify the need for such collaborative groups

Author reflexivity statement.

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Interview guide for community facilitators.

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Staircase of participation [32, 54].

Staircase of participation [32, 54].</p

Framework matrix of themes by participant group.

Framework matrix of themes by participant group.</p

SRQR checklist.

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