THE ROLE OF PUBLIC OPINION IN THE GOVERNANCE OF A DEMOCRATIC STATE WITH REFERENCE TO SOUTH AFRICA

ABSTRACT The role of public opinion in the governance of a state depends on the extent to which it is taken into account in the processes of policy making and implementation. According to Section 16(1) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 every one has the right to freedom of expression. Therefore, people have the freedom to express their views, whether or not such views agree with government's policies, as long as they do not act unconstitutionally by contravening the limitations stipulated in section 16(2) of the Constitution. Freedom of expression plays a role in policymaking. The media, prominent individuals, interest groups, and political parties utilise it to influence public opinion about particular issues. Political parties and interest groups that opposite to government also use it to criticise public policies. In a democracy, government is expected to respect and take the will of the people into account. A policy framework which indicates that members of the public are free to express their views exists in South Africa. However, the question is, does, what the people say through this policy framework really matter? In this article, it is argued that public opinion is crucial for good governance and the survival of democracy and therefore it should be taken into account in the processes of policy making and implementation

Modern African nuclear detector laboratory: Development of state-of-the-art in-house detector facility at the University of the Western Cape

The upcoming detector facility aims at developing new state-of-the-art particle detectors as well as providing hands-on training to postgraduate students using both analog and digital signal processing from nuclear radiation detectors. The project is two-fold and aims at developing: 1) ancillary detectors to be coupled with the new GAMKA array at iThemba LABS. Of particular interest to our group is the determination of nuclear shapes, which depend on the hyperfine splitting of magnetic substates; 2) PET scanners for cancer imaging using a cheaper technology. Performance of NaI(Tl) inorganic scintillator detectors has been evaluated using PIXIE-16 modules from XIA digital electronics. Gamma-ray energy spectra were acquired from 60Co and 137Cs radioactive sources to calculate the detector resolution as well as to optimize the digital parameters. The present study focuses on improving and optimizing the slow and fast filter parameters for NaI(Tl) detectors which can eventually be used in the list mode of data aquisition

Performance evaluation of the Pima™ point-of-care CD4 analyser using capillary blood sampling in field tests in South Africa

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Point-of-care CD4 testing can provide immediate CD4 reporting at HIV-testing sites. This study evaluated performance of capillary blood sampling using the point-of-care Pima™ CD4 device in representative primary health care clinics doing HIV testing.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Prior to testing, prescribed capillary-sampling and instrument training was undertaken by suppliers across all sites. Matching venous EDTA samples were drawn throughout for comparison to laboratory predicate methodology (PLG/CD4). In Phase I, Pima™ cartridges were pipette-filled with EDTA venous blood in the laboratory (N = 100). In Phase II (N = 77), Pima™ CD4 with capillary sampling was performed by a single operator in a hospital-based antenatal clinic. During subsequent field testing, Pima™ CD4 with capillary sampling was performed in primary health care clinics on HIV-positive patients by multiple attending nursing personnel in a rural clinic (Phase-IIIA, N = 96) and an inner-city clinic (Phase-IIIB, N = 139).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Pima™ CD4 compared favourably to predicate/CD4 when cartridges were pipette-filled with venous blood (bias -17.3 ± STDev = 36.7 cells/mm³; precision-to-predicate %CV < 6%). Decreased precision of Pima™ CD4 to predicate/CD4 (varying from 17.6 to 28.8%SIM CV; mean bias = 37.9 ± STDev = 179.5 cells/mm³) was noted during field testing in the hospital antenatal clinic. In the rural clinic field-studies, unacceptable precision-to-predicate and positive bias was noted (mean 28.4%SIM CV; mean bias = +105.7 ± STDev = 225.4 cells/mm³). With additional proactive manufacturer support, reliable performance was noted in the subsequent inner-city clinic field study where acceptable precision-to-predicate (11%SIM CV) and less bias of Pima™ to predicate was shown (BA bias ~11 ± STDev = 69 cells/mm³).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Variable precision of Pima™ to predicate CD4 across study sites was attributable to variable capillary sampling. Poor precision was noted in the outlying primary health care clinic where the system is most likely to be used. Stringent attention to capillary blood collection technique is therefore imperative if technologies like Pima™ are used with capillary sampling at the POC. Pima™ CD4 analysis with venous blood was shown to be reproducible, but testing at the point of care exposes operators to biohazard risk related to uncapping vacutainer samples and pipetting of blood, and is best placed in smaller laboratories using established principles of Good Clinical Laboratory Practice. The development of capillary sampling quality control methods that assure reliable CD4 counts at the point of care are awaited.</p

Reorientation-effect measurement of the first 2+ state in 12C : Confirmation of oblate deformation

A Coulomb-excitation reorientation-effect measurement using the TIGRESS γ−ray spectrometer at the TRIUMF/ISAC II facility has permitted the determination of the 〈21 +‖E2ˆ‖21 +〉 diagonal matrix element in 12C from particle−γ coincidence data and state-of-the-art no-core shell model calculations of the nuclear polarizability. The nuclear polarizability for the ground and first-excited (21 +) states in 12C have been calculated using chiral NN N4LO500 and NN+3NF350 interactions, which show convergence and agreement with photo-absorption cross-section data. Predictions show a change in the nuclear polarizability with a substantial increase between the ground state and first excited 21 + state at 4.439 MeV. The polarizability of the 21 + state is introduced into the current and previous Coulomb-excitation reorientation-effect analyses of 12C. Spectroscopic quadrupole moments of QS(21 +)=+0.053(44) eb and QS(21 +)=+0.08(3) eb are determined, respectively, yielding a weighted average of QS(21 +)=+0.071(25) eb, in agreement with recent ab initio calculations. The present measurement confirms that the 21 + state of 12C is oblate and emphasizes the important role played by the nuclear polarizability in Coulomb-excitation studies of light nuclei

Coulomb excitation of and a change in structure approaching N = Z = 40

Background: Nuclei approaching are known to exhibit strongly deformed structures and are thought to be candidates for shape coexistence. In the krypton isotopes, are poorly characterized, preventing an understanding of evolving deformation approaching . Purpose: The present work aims to determine electric quadrupole transition strengths and quadrupole moments of in order to better characterize their deformation. Conclusions: Comparison of measured and values indicates that neutron-deficient () isotopes of krypton are closer to axial deformation than other isotopic chains in the mass region. A continuation of this trend to higher may result in Sr and Zr isotopes exhibiting near-axial prolate deformation. Methods: Sub-barrier Coulomb excitation was employed, impinging the isotopes of krypton on and targets. Utilizing a semiclassical description of the safe Coulomb-excitation process matrix elements could then be determined. Results: Eleven new or improved matrix elements are determined in and seven in . The new value in disagrees with the evaluated value by , which can be explained in terms of deficiencies in a previous Coulomb-excitation analysis

Individual and community-level factors associated with lifetime number of sexual partners among women aged 15-49 in Eswatini.

IntroductionUnderstanding the risk factors for behavioral patterns in sexual relationships play a significant role in the reduction of the transmission of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections.ObjectiveTo investigate individual and community level factors on the lifetime number of sexual partners of women in Eswatini.Material and methodsThe study was a secondary cross-sectional analysis of the 2014 Eswatini Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS). A total of 2,832 women aged 15-49 years were asked in total, how many different people have you had sexual intercourse in your lifetime. The multilevel negative binomial regression model was used to analyze the data.ResultsThe overall mean number of lifetime sexual partners was 2.78 (95% CI: 2.66, 2.91) in 2014. Compared to women aged 15-19, those aged 20 years and older, formerly married or never married reported more lifetime sexual partners compared to currently married women. Those that were aged 15 years and older at sexual debut reported fewer lifetime sexual partners compared to those that were aged less than 15 years. Compared to women that used a condom at last sexual intercourse, those that did not use a condom at last sexual encounter reported fewer lifetime sexual partners. Relative to women that lived with their sons and daughters, those that did not live with their sons and daughters reported more lifetime sexual partners. Women that lived in the Shiselweni and Lubombo regions reported fewer lifetime sexual partners compared to those residents in the Hhohho region.ConclusionOverall, lifetime sexual partners in Eswatini was significantly associated with individual characteristics and is unique across regions. Programs that aim to elucidate the factors associated with incident HIV infections among women in Eswatini should focus on individual and community-level factors that are associated with multiple sexual partnerships, which in turn might increase the risk of HIV exposure

Households’ satisfaction with the healthcare services rendered by a ward-based outreach team in Tshwane district, Pretoria, South Africa

Introduction: Households’ satisfaction is an important and commonly used indicator for measuring quality in health care. An amelioration of primary health care services at the level of households, by utilising community health workers, has led to a good healthcare system in many countries, such as Brazil. In South Africa, little is known about the satisfaction of households (HH) regarding the healthcare services they receive from ward-based outreach teams (WBOTs). A study was undertaken to determine this phenomenon.Methods: The study used a cross-sectional study design. Tshwane district had established 39 ward-based outreach teams at the time of the study and households were conveniently selected. Hence the study population was estimated to be 3 600. Using 99% confidence level and 5% confidence interval, the sample size was 660, and oversampled to 765 since all households present during the data collection were willing to be included in the survey. Data collected was captured on Microsoft Excel and analysed using SAS, version 9.2.Results: Interviews were held with members of the families, who were willing to participate. Participants’ ages ranged from 18 to 110, mean age 53.1years (SD = 19.7). The study participants included more females (74.0%), and 45.2% were single. The majority (89.8%) were unemployed. Overall satisfaction was seen in 692 participants (90.7%). Outcome of satisfaction according to sex (91.9%), age (90.7%) and employment (90.8%) was not statistically significant with p-value 0.05.Conclusions: The findings of households’ satisfaction regarding the healthcare services rendered by the ward-based outreach team in Tshwane district, Pretoria, South Africa showed a high level of satisfaction from the households. This high level of satisfaction was referred to as excellent and was not associated with sex, age or employment status. A recommendation is made to all stakeholders that the ward-based outreach team programme cover all municipal wards in the country in order to raise the level of households’ satisfaction with the healthcare system

Community healthcare workers’ satisfaction with ward-based outreach team services in Tshwane district, South Africa

Background: The incorporation of community healthcare worker (CHW) involvement in the management of patients is in line with the 2006 World Health Report, which advocates increased community participation and the systematic delegation of tasks to less specialised cadres. For CHWs to function optimally, satisfaction in their duties is paramount to promote quality healthcare. The health minister included ward-based outreach teams (WBOT) as part of the National Health Insurance.1 CHWs form an important link between healthcare facilities and the communities. This study aimed to measure the satisfaction level of the CHWs with WBOT services in the Tshwane district of South Africa.Method: A cross-sectional study on CHWs was conducted in seven sub-districts. Data were obtained by trained data collectors using a piloted self-administered structured questionnaire from October 12 to November 3, 2015 in three local official languages. The study population of CHWs was 1 600. Using a 95% confidence level and 5% confidence interval, the sample size was 310. However, we over-sampled to 431 participants.Results: The mean age was 36 years (SD ± 9.46). The majority were females (82.1%); more than three-quarters (77%) had secondary education. The majority were satisfied with the WBOT services whereby 59.8% was the lowest score and 98.4% the highest score. Close to two-thirds (62%) were not satisfied with their monthly stipends. The majority of the younger members of the team (20–40 years) were not valued by their co-workers (70% or 181/255) [p = 0.03]. The overall satisfaction (n = 8593) was 73.4% (p 0.001).Conclusion: Overall satisfaction of CHWs with WBOT is good news. Dissatisfaction regarding stipend/compensation must be addressed. CHWs should be valued and motivated