Exploring the perceived effectiveness of cognitive behavioural therapy as a treatment model for substance use disorders with co-occurring disorders at substance abuse rehabilitation centres in Gauteng

Text in EnglishAgainst the background of high prevalence of substance abuse in the globe generally and South Africa in particular, research has shown an association between substance abuse and other mental disorders or vice-versa. With most rehabilitation centres offering separate diagnosis and treatment for the two disorders, the problem of relapse has been significant. The purpose of this study is to explore the perceived effectiveness of CBT as a treatment model for substance use disorders with co-occurring disorders. Subsequently, the research will add to the already existing research evidence. The study was conducted in five rehabilitation centres in Gauteng Province. The qualitative descriptive research approach was used to conduct the study. Both purposive and snowball sampling were used to recruit participants in this study. The sample consisted of CBT specialist participants from diverse race, gender, ethnicity, and age ranging from 30 to 65 years, with at least a minimum of five years’ experience. A pilot study with two specialist participants was conducted, and this enhanced trustworthiness and authenticity of the study. The primary method of qualitative data collection employed in this study was semi-structured individual interviews for specialist participants. Grounded theory analysis was employed to analyse data. The findings of the study emphasised a need to not separate treatment of substance use disorders and psychiatric pathologies. More importantly, the effectiveness of CBT in treating both disorders was established by the study. The study further encourages more time in therapy as the way to increase effective results accompanied by less relapse rate. Accordingly, the findings of this study encourage more research and use of CBT treatment for substance use disorders with co-occurring disorders in South Africa. This study found that the most used substances are both legal and illegal, and they are further classified as depressants, stimulants, opioids, and new psychoactive substances. A vulnerable population to abuse substances includes adolescent and young adults, individuals with co-occurring disorders, and low socio-economic status. The disorders that normally co-exist with substance use disorder ranges from depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, sleeping disorder, impulsivity, antisocial behaviour, borderline disorder, paranoia, panic disorder, and suicide behaviour. The study found that genetic predisposition, depression, parental neglect and financial problems, experimentation with substances for relaxation, peer group pressure, and co-occurring disorders are high risk causes for substance abuse. The experience of participants in treating substance use disorder with co-occurring disorders involves which disorders get treated first, and the mental state of patients for effective treatment. The various substance abuse treatment models includes person centred approach, bio-psychosocial approach, holistic approach, eclectic therapy, integrated approach, resilient approach, rational emotive behavioural therapy, family therapy, motivational interviewing, 12-step programme, and cognitive behavioural therapy. The participants’ experience with CBT entails its usability in both individual and group therapy, the use of CBT skills after therapy, and CBT effectiveness in relapse prevention. Accessibility and affordability of CBT treatment is influenced by access to rehabilitation centres and cost of rehabilitation centres. Lastly, individual factors, family factors, and environmental factors are part of the contributing factors towards high relapse rates.PsychologyM.A. (Psychology

Key success factors for developing and managing small and medium-sized enterprises post Covid-19 pandemic.

Masters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play an essential role in the South African economy. Specifically, South Africa’s SME sector creates employment opportunities, contributes to economic development, alleviates poverty and hunger, and promotes entrepreneurship activity. However, the breakout of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic fundamentally changed the business world. In South Africa, COVID-19 has immensely affected SMEs and threatened their survival. This study, therefore, sought to determine the key success factors (KSFs) for developing and managing SMEs post-COVID-19. Although there are various KSFs for developing and managing the SMEs, this study particularly examined: 1) strategic planning, 2) human resources, 3) finance, 4) operations, and 5) marketing as key aspects for the development and management of SMEs post-COVID-19. The KSFs Strategic Management Model by Thompson et al (2016) formed the study’s theoretical framework. The target population was SMEs enrolled in the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Minara Chamber of Commerce. The sample size is 334 SMEs was broken down proportionally across the three respective Chambers. In order to best determine the KSFs for SMEs, the study adopted a quantitative approach through the application of a questionnaire with closed-ended questions. The Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 25 was used for data analysis and to provide both descriptive and inferential statistics, which are detailed through tables and figures. Factor analysis was further applied to determine the groupings of each aspect’s items, while the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) Measure of Sample Adequacy and Bartlett’s Test of Sphericity were also run. The reliability of aspects were also established, and Cronbach’s alpha values indicated. The study findings highlighted that all the selected aspects are key in ensuring SME development and management post-COVID-19. The significance of the study is that it provides useful knowledge to entrepreneurs regarding SME success in a post-COVID-19 market

An exploratory study of the fiscal illusion of individual taxpayers in South Africa

Fiscal illusion is understood to be a concept that occurs where taxpayers do not always realize how much they contribute towards government revenue in the form of taxation, or how much they receive in the form of public goods and services (Dell’ Ánno&Mourao, 2011:2). The purpose of this study was to discover the originating causes of fiscal illusion amongst individual taxpayers in South Africa. To achieve this objective, available literature was reviewed, which revealed that complexity of the tax systems is argued to be one of the causes of fiscal illusion. A study conducted in South Africa suggested that taxpayer’s perception toward tax affects their attitude (Oberholzer, 2007:45). The hypothesis derived from the literature was then applied to a real life context by conducting interviews with a sample of individual taxpayers. Based on the analysis of data obtained, the study revealed that fiscal illusion of individual taxpayers in South Africa falls within four conceptual elements namely, hidden taxes, number of taxes, double taxation and, to a limited extent, tax shifting.Dissertation (MCom)--University of Pretoria, 2012.Taxationunrestricte

Mathematics lecturers’ use of technology in teaching circle geometry at a selected Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) college in KwaZulu-Natal.

Doctoral Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.This study explores the experiences of mathematics lecturers’ use of technology in teaching circle geometry to level 4 at a selected TVET College. This qualitative study also aimed at exploring what, how, and why lecturers use that technology in a particular manner. An interpretive paradigm and case study were used on five participants to gain meaning in a real situation. For data generation needed to respond to the research questions in the study, the following instruments were utilized: open-ended questionnaires and individual semi-structured interviews. Purpose sampling was employed to acquire in-depth data. Data generated was guided by a TPACK theoretical framework for this study. The themes that emerged from data generation were Experiences and challenges regarding the use of technology, Students’ performance, Content knowledge, mathematics teaching, and Pedagogical Knowledge, Pedagogical Content Knowledge, Technological Content Knowledge, Technological Pedagogical Knowledge, Pedagogical Knowledge, Technological Knowledge, Technological Pedagogical and Content Knowledge and the use of technology in geometry teaching. The findings reveal insufficient relevant technologies to teach circle geometry level 4 at the TVET College. Mathematics lecturers encountered many challenges concerning the lack of relevant technology for specifically teaching circle geometry, and all mathematics lecturers were familiar with the concepts content knowledge (CK), pedagogical knowledge (PK), and technological knowledge (TK). Most lecturers have sufficient knowledge of the teaching strategies, but the students lack a basic foundation in mathematics. Consequently, the teaching strategies that the mathematics lecturers use for circle geometry are specific to mathematics, and they experience difficulty teaching geometry. Lecturers can use technology for assessment, but available resources limit them for this study. Lastly, there is no opportunity for the lecturers to use technology for individual assessments for the students. There is a lack of insufficient resources limiting the teaching and learning of circle geometry at this TVET College. The DBE and DHET operate differently concerning curriculum development. Mathematics lecturers revealed that the FET phase mathematics’ syllabus is different from NCV level 2 to 4, whereas it is equivalent according to DHET. There is evidence that inequality exists because some colleges use technology to teach geometry. Mathematics lecturers were confronted with many challenges concerning the lack of teaching and lecturing conditions due to security challenges on campuses to enable technology to teach circle geometry at level 4 in the TVET College. Although no technology is relevant to teaching circle geometry, mathematics lecturers are identified as incompetent in using technology in their circle geometry teaching activities. Mathematics lecturers do not hold technology knowledge (TK), technological content knowledge (TCK), technological pedagogical knowledge ((TPK), and technological, pedagogical, and content knowledge (TPACK) relevant for circle geometry. Mathematics lecturers are not competent in using circle geometry technology to teach level 4 in a TVET College. The study recommends that TVET Colleges provide mathematics lecturers with the required opportunity to teach level 4 circle geometry students using technology. Therefore, the findings of this study should be enlightening to the DHET and DBE ministers in South Africa for planning and designing the curriculum together through policies

Indlelakubuka yabafundi nabazali ngokufundwa nokufundiswa kohlelo lolimi lokuqala lokwengeza lwesiZulu esikoleni esixube izinhlanga e-Vryheid.

Masters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.IsiZulu singezinye zezilimi ezihamba phambili esifundazweni saKwaZulu- Natali. UHulumeni wahlaba ikhwelo lokuthi zonke izikole ezaziwa ngama x- Model C zifunde izilimi zaboHlanga. Lokhu kwakuncike ekutheni yiluphi ulimi olukhulunywa kahle kakhulu esifundazweni ngasinye. NjengaKwaZulu Natali nje kukhulunywa isiZulu naseEastern Cape kukhulunywa isiXhosa. Lolu cwaningo luqhutshwe esifundeni saseZululand esikoleni esixube izinhlanga esiseVryheid. Abantwana abangamaZulu bangena ezikoleni esezaziwa njengama x- Model C ngenhloso yokuthola imfundo engcono. Ulimi lokufunda nokufundisa kulezi zikole isiNgisi. IsiNgisi siba yisibelele kusukela enkulisa kuze kube semazingeni athe thuthu. Iningi lalaba bafundi liqhamuka edolobheni eVryheid nasemalokishini akhele leli dolobha. Iningi lalaba bafundi laqala imfundo yalo yamabanga aphansi ezikoleni zabamhlophe ezikhuluma ulimi lwesiNgisi nesiBhunu. Abanye babantwana abangamaZulu kulesi sikole bakhule bejwayele ukukhuluma ulimi lwesiNgisi nesiBhunu. Ucwaningo beluhlose ukubheka indlelakubuka yabafundi nabazali ngokufundwa nokufundiswa kohlelo lolimi Lokuqala Lokwengeza lwesiZulu esikoleni esixube izinhlanga esiseVryheid. Lolu cwaningo lusebenzise indlela exubile yekhwalithethivu kanye nekhwantithethivu, ngoba izimpendulo ziphinde zahunyushwa ngezinombolo ukuqoqa ulwazi. Lolu cwaningo lusebenzise ipharadayimu yekhrithikhali. Lolu cwaningo lusebenzise insizakuhlaziya yeHegemony kaGramsci, 1971. Ulwazi locwaningo luqoqwe lwahlaziywa ngokwezindikimba ezivezwe ngezihlokwana. Ukuqoqwa kwalo kuhlanganisa imibuzo esakuhleleka, izingxoxo ezisakuhleleka, ukuqoqa ulwazi ngokubukela kanye nokuhluzwa kwamadokhumenti. Bonke ababambiqhaza bavela esikoleni esixube izinhlanga esisesifundeni saseZululand eVryheid. Ucwaningo luveza ukuthi abafundi besiZulu ulimi Lokuqala Lokwengeza babhekene nezinselelo eziningi ezahlukene. Ukwentuleka kwesisekelo solwazi lwesiZulu njengesifundo, ukwakhelwa umkhanya kwesiZulu kanye nokungakhulunywa kwesiZulu esicwengekile emakhaya nasesikoleni.Ucwaningo luveze izimpendulo ezingezinhle ngendlela abafundi abasibuka ngayo isiZulu. Ucwaningo luveze ukuthi abazali bancamela isiNgisi kunesiZulu. Ucwaningo luveze izindlela ezahlukene zokuqhakambisa isiNgisi ngaphezu kwesiZulu. Nakuba kunjalo ucwaningo lunikeze umhlahlandlela nezincomo ezizokwazi ukuhlangabezana nezingqinamba ezivezwe ababambiqhaza. Amagama amqoka: IsiZulu ulimi Lokuqala Lokwengeza, Abazali, Abafundi, Indlelakubuka

Exploring implementation of the ideal clinic realisation and maintenance programme in KwaZulu-Natal rural PHC facilities

South African rural communities depend on Primary Health Care services. Ideal Clinic Realisation and Maintenance programme is implemented to improve quality of Primary Health Care services. A qualitative case study design was used to explore the Ideal Clinic Realisation and Maintenance programme’s implementation in public Primary Health Care facilities in a rural KwaZulu-Natal sub-district. Eight senior health managers and seven professional nurses were interviewed. Four themes were developed, including the organisation, barriers, facilitators and recommendations for Ideal Clinic Realisation and Maintenance programme’s implementation in a rural context. Data suggested challenges in rural Primary Health Care such as sub-optimal infrastructure, growing disease burden and resource shortage. Successful implementation of Ideal Clinic Realisation and Maintenance programme requires stakeholder support, communication and teamwork. The study’s findings can be utilised to improve implementation of Ideal Clinic Realisation and Maintenance programme in Primary Health Care, facilitate Primary Health Care re-engineering and achieve universal health coverage.Health StudiesM. A. (Public Health

Genital tract immune activation, inflammation and sexually transmitted infections in CAPRISA 008 trial participants.

Master of Medical Science in Virology. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 2016.Abstract available in PDF file

Extraction and precipitation of phosphorous from sewage sludge : a feasibility study.

Sewage sludge from ERWAT (East Rand Water Care Company) was investigated to determine its potential as a source of P. The raw sewage sludge was found to be a potential source of P. At least 84% P could be leached from the raw sewage sludge after 60 min using either HCl or H2SO4. Selective precipitation of P as magnesium tetraphosphate could be achieved using ammonia and magnesium oxide to give yield a 92.2% pure magnesium tetraphosphate and 9.8% P

The underlying factors of a successful organisational digital transformation

Background: Organisational digital transformation (ODT) is a field of growing interest in practice and academia. Further, a disparity between how information technology (IT) leaders and non-IT leaders perceive the factors leading to successful ODT initiatives has been cited. A set of empirically tested ODT assessment instruments will enhance leaders’ decision-making when implementing ODT initiatives. Objectives: This research attempts to: (1) identify the key internal factors of successful ODT initiatives; and (2) confirm whether there is, as has been suggested, a difference between the way IT managers and non-IT managers perceive these factors. Method: A questionnaire consisting of 36 potential underlying factors was formulated, based on the existing literature and additional insights. A prescreening process ensured each survey participant met the selection criteria. From a total of 95 participants who completed the survey, 45 were IT executives and 50 were non-IT executives. Quantitative analyses were conducted to identify the key underlying factors and ascertain whether IT and non-IT leaders hold differing perceptions of these factors. Results: Factor analysis identified four categories of factors of a successful ODT initiative: (1) customer centricity, (2) governance, (3) innovation and (4) resource attainment. Further, the analysis revealed that IT and non-IT managers hold similar perceptions on the key factors affecting the overall ODT success. Conclusion: This research provides empirical evidence that paves the way towards a reliable ODT assessment instrument and refutes claims that IT and non-IT leaders hold contrasting views on these factors