Analysis of the practice environment of nurses in a public hospital

The National Health Act aims to protect the health care users and workers by ensuring that their work environments are protected against injuries. Practice environment is described as a physical, social and psychological characteristic of a work setting in which policies, procedures and systems are designed so that employees can meet the organisational objectives and achieve personal satisfaction in their work environment. The aim of the study was to describe and analyze characteristics of the practice environment of nurses. A quantitative descriptive study was conducted in a public hospital in Gauteng Province. Practice Environment Scale-Nursing Working Index (PES-NWI) questionnaires were distributed to 207 nurses who were proportionately stratified. Data was analysed using the SPSS version 25. Findings identified gaps of the current characteristics of the practice environment and developed strategies that will assist managers to enhance practice environment. There was alignment and correlation between the means, standard deviation and the frequencies which were drawn from the findings. The overall Cronbach’s alpha was 89% which confirmed the internal consistency of the instrument. The majority of the variables demonstrated statistical significance which had a p value of 0.001. In conclusion, practice environment affects all health care professionals although the study only analyzed the practice environment of nurses.Health StudiesM. P. H

The Lengau Conservation Clubs of Bophuthatswana- A community service

The activities of the Lengau Conservation Clubs of Bophuthatswana (LCC) are primarily community orientated. This approach and various community projects are described

Prevalence of raised body mass indices and the association with high blood pressure and hyperglycaemia in the rural black population of Ga-Mothapo village, Capricorn District of Limpopo province

Objective: To assess the prevalence of elevated body mass index and to establish whether there was an association between raised body mass index (BMI) and high blood pressure (BP) and hyperglycaemia in the rural population of Ga- Mothapo village, Limpopo province.Design: Cross-sectional and prospective in nature.Setting: Ga-Mothapo village, a rural settlement with a population of 11 000, situated in the Capricorn region of Limpopo province, approximately 28 km east of Polokwane.Subjects: The study sample comprised 382 participants, of whom 286 were females (74.9%) and 96 males (25.1%), aged 18-65 years.Outcome measures: Fasting blood glucose samples were analysed using the ILab 300 Plus®. BP pressure was measured using an automatic BP monitor. Height and weight were measured using a height-measuring rod and weighing scale, respectively. The BMI was calculated.Results: The overall prevalence rates of overweight, obesity, high BP and hyperglycaemia were 30.6%, 23.6%, 27% and 11.8%, respectively. The prevalence rates of overweight, obesity, high BP and hyperglycaemia in females were 34.6%, 29.4%, 27.3% and 13.6% respectively. They were 18%, 6.3%, 26.1% and 6.3%, in the males, respectively.Conclusion: The study revealed high prevalence rates of raised BMI, high BP and hyperglycaemia in the Ga-Mothapo population. Females had higher prevalence rates of raised BMI and hyperglycaemia than males. The study highlighted the fact that raised BMI and hyperglycaemia were significantly associated with high BP.Keywords: overweight, obesity, high blood pressure, hyperglycaemia, rural black populatio

Organisational Commitment and Job Satisfaction as Antecedents of Organisational Citizenship Behaviour

Contemporary challenges facing organisations emphasise the need for a calibre of employees who exude organisational citizenship behaviour (OCB) and organisational commitment (OC), including a satisfactory level of job satisfaction (JS). Research is replete with supporting evidence that OCB is triggered by JS and that JS is positively related with OC. Although the relationship between these constructs is considered important, research exploring the relationship between these three constructs in the context of a water utility remains scarce. The primary objective of this research was to examine the impact of OC and JS on OCB at a water utility company in Gauteng. A survey was utilised to elicit responses from 400 sampled participants. A quantitative approach was adopted by which exploratory factor analysis (EFA), correlation and regression analyses were performed to analyse data. Using EFA, three factors of OC were extracted. The results further showed a positive correlation between affective commitment and normative commitment; JS and OCB; and no predictive relationship was observed between continuance commitment and OCB. Based on the findings, it was recommended that JS, OC and OCB should be improved through mechanisms such as job-fit, job enrichment career advancement performance-related pay and mentorship programmes

Antimicrobial And Anti-Inflammatory Activities Of Pleurostylia Capensis Turcz (Loes) (Celastraceae).

Background: Pleurostylia capensis is a large tree that can reach the maximum height of 20 m long, and it have been traditionally used as cosmetic, for steam bath, ritual body wash, and as a purgative to treat symptoms of witchcraft. Using ethanol, chloroform, dichloromethane (DCM), ethyl acetate (EA), and water extracts, leaves, bark and roots of Pleurostylia capensis were investigated scientifically for their effectiveness in antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities using standard methodsMaterials and Methods: The extracts were evaluated for antimicrobial activity against Gram positive (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, and Mycobacterium smegmatis), Gram negative (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Klebsiella oxytoca, Streptococcus pyogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella typhimurium), and Candida albicans. The antioxidant activity was investigated using 2, 2-diphenlyl-1- picrylhadrazyl (DPPH), free radical scavenging assay. The anti-inflammatory activity of P. capensis extracts was evaluated against both cyclooxygenase enzymes (COX 1 and 2).Results: The ethyl acetate extracts of P. capensis showed a strong antimicrobial activity against B. cereus, K. pneumonia, S. pyogenes, and M. smegmatis with MIC value of 0.39 and 0.78 mg/ml. While the ethanol bark extract was most active against M. smegmatis with MIC value of 0.78 mg/ml; the least potent activity was observed with dichloromethane, chloroform and water extracts, with an MIC value ranging from 1.56 mg/ml to 50.0 mg/ml. The plant extracts proved to be good antioxidant agent, whereas extracts of ethanol were the most active, with IC50 ranging from 1.00 to 1.74 μg/ml, which is lower, and in close range to Vitamin C (1.40 μg/ml).Conclusions: Its moderation to potent inhibitory activity was observed in all extracts. Ethanol and dichloromethane extracts were among the most potent when compared to water and petroleum ether extracts. The water extracts showed to be nontoxic on the Hek cell line with an IC50 value of 204.0, and 207.3 μg/ml (roots and bark) respectively. The dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, chloroform and ethanol extracts showed to be toxic on the Hek cell, with IC50 range from 5.94 to 42.91μg/ml. The results obtained indicate the effectiveness of these plants.Keywords: Pleurostylia capensis (P.capensis); 2, 2-diphenlyl-1-picrylhadrazyl (DPPH); Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC); Minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC); Cyclooxygenase (COX)

South African women in information technology

Information Technology (IT) is a contemporary field of study which is driven by society’s use of computer based technology. Computer tools such as web applications and networks are useful resources that collect, analyse and distribute large volumes of information globally. The various uses of IT can be seen in many aspects of modern daily life from transportation to communication systems, they feature significantly in meeting the needs of the fast-paced world of business. Globally IT is recognised as a ‘key’ skill required to meet the needs of the current and future job market. However, the field is faced with a skills shortage challenge as job vacancies remain largely unfilled due to the low supply of technically qualified talent. The challenge faced in the field of IT is that the demand for highly skilled and qualified talent in the job market is high, while the supply of talent is not sufficient. Thus, there is a gap between the opportunities and skills available in the IT workforce. A factor that compounds the lack of available talent in IT is the low levels of participation and representation of women. Technology is part of the universally significant STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) subjects, which prior academic research has indicated as critical fields that have previously been male dominated and have low levels of participation from women. In this treatise an in-depth examination of women’s career choices with regards to the profession of IT in the global and South African context will be discussed. A thorough analysis into the various factors that influence the participation of women, the implications this has for South African businesses and the proposed interventions for future implementation will be included. The aim of this empirical study is to primarily identify current career trends that relate to female choices in the field of IT, to recognise the leading factors that impact women to enter the profession and to identify the factors that lead to a high turnover mid-career. Lastly, this treatise will propose how businesses can combat these negative gender gap trends and attract female talent. The literature review extensively considered published academic articles that have discussed the personality traits and external environmental factors that substantially influence the female gender’s choice of career. The underlying theories that explain gender involvement in career choices will be examined with a focus on the application of these theories in the IT field. A quantitative study in the form of an online survey was conducted to test the formulated conceptual model. Inferential statistics coupled with descriptive tests evaluated and analysed the feedback of the respondents. The survey was conducted amongst professional women, currently working in an IT career to establish the factors that have attracted their participation in the field and the factors that influence their longevity in the IT field. The main findings of the study indicate that women who opt for a career in IT have high levels of intrinsic motivation, confidence and possess similar mental abilities as their male counterparts. The respondents indicated the lack of encouragement or discouragement from close sources of support such as peers, family members and religious circle. The recommendations are based on the fact that entrance to the field of IT, for women, is through raising interest in IT from early schooling life. This, interest results in growing familiarity with the subject area, IT careers and the IT environment. The lack of women in IT academic and top-level management positions has resulted in less solutions being availed for attracting and retaining women in IT. Women in IT face similar working conditions of male dominated environments where family demands, gender bias and alienation result in occupational challenges. The research identified the factors that have largely influenced the career choices of women in IT and investigate the social structures that affect the retention of women in IT. The research contribution of this study is to increase the awareness by young females regarding careers in IT. Future research in obtaining larger sample sizes affecting all parts of South Africa will increase the understanding of South African Women in IT. Through research, the investigation of modern factors that affect the choices of the younger generation including practice and application of practical solutions will result in a bigger impact in the IT sector

Annealing effect of hybrid solar cells based on poly (3-hexylthiophene) and zinc-oxide nanostructures

The structural growth and optical and photovoltaic properties of the organic–inorganic hybrid structures of zinc oxide (ZnO)-nanorods/poly-3-hexylthiophene (P3HT) and two variations of organic polymer blends of ZnO/ P3HT:C60 fullerene and ZnO/P3HT:6,6]-phenyl C61 butyric acid methyl ester were studied in detail during thermal annealing. The ordering of the P3HT nanocrystals increased during annealing, which also improved hole transport in the hybrid structures. The optical constants of the ZnO/P3HT:[6,6]-phenyl C61 butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) films elevated with annealing temperature due to the improved crystallisation induced by the formation of P3HT crystalline domains. As a result, a maximum power conversion efficiency of approximately 1.03% was achieved for the annealed ZnO/P3HT:PCBM device at 140 °C. These findings indicate that ZnO-nanorods/P3HT:PCBM films are stable at temperatures up to 160 °C.Web of Scienc

Improving the management of the professional development of lecturers at a selected technical and vocational education and training (TVET) college

The TVET colleges in South Africa contribute to the social and economic development of the country. It is for this reason that TVET colleges are expected to provide quality teaching and learning, but this core business of the colleges has been hampered by a lack of professional development or irrelevant professional development of lecturers. The study aims to investigate the relevance of professional development offered at a selected TVET college in the Free-State province and the improvement thereof. The study employed a qualitative research design involving 22 participants. The participants comprised of two executive managers, two campus managers, four heads of department, six senior lecturers and eight lecturers. The participants were purposively selected using purposive sampling. Face-to-face semistructured interviews were conducted to collect data from managers and two focus group interviews were employed to collect data from lecturers. The findings of the study revealed that there is a need for relevant professional development of lecturers at the selected TVET college. The most important recommendation with the potential to change the situation at the studied college is that the planning, organising, leading and control of professional development need to be done more professionally. If managers utilise management functions (planning, organising, leading and control) properly to manage lecturer’s professional development, lecturers will be in a better position to provide quality teaching. Other relevant recommendations are also provided.Educational Management and LeadershipM. Ed. (Education Management

Structure property relationship and thermal stability of organic photovoltaic cells

Philosophiae Doctor - PhDIn this thesis, regioregularpoly( 3-hexylthiophene) (rr-P3HT) polymer was used as a light absorption and electron donating material, while the C60 fullerene and its derivative [6,6]-phenyl C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) were used as electron acceptor materials. The effect of solvent to control the degree of mixing of the polymer and fullerene components, as well as the domain size and charge transport properties of the blends were investigated in detail using P3HT:C60 films. The photo-physical, structural and electrical transport properties of the polymer blends were carried out according to their ratios. A distinctive photoluminescence (PL) quenching effect was observed indicating a photo-induced electron transfer. In this thesis, the effect of solvents on the crystallization and interchain interaction of P3HT and C60 fullerene films were studied using XRD, UV-vis, PL, Raman and FTIR spectroscopy. The polymer blends formed with non-aromatic solvents exhibited an improved crystallinity and polymer morphology than that formed with aromatic solvents. An improved ordering was demonstrated in the polymer films spin coated from non-aromatic solvents. This indicates that the limited solubility of rr P3HT in a marginal solvent such as non-aromatic solvents can offer a strategy to obtain highly ordered crystal structures and lead directly to optimal morphologies on the films.South Afric

Assessment of the implementation of controls for Lead (Pb) exposure amongst laboratory workers at a Science and Research Institution in Gauteng, South Africa

Abstract: Background The lead regulations under the OHSA (Act 85 of 1993) prescribes guidelines for the control measures that must be put in place to protect workers from Lead (Pb) exposure in the workplace. Even though stringent measures are implemented at the science and research institution, workers exposed to Pb continue to have Blood Lead Levels (BLL) of over 20μg/dL and these high levels exposes workers to amongst others, neurological, cardiovascular, maskulo-skeletal and associated symptoms. While lead exposure has been investigated at the mining sites, in agriculture, households and amongst the vulnerable groups, investigation in the laboratories of a science and research institutions have not been adequately described in literature. Objective The study sought to assess the implementation of controls for Pb exposure amongst laboratory workers at a science and research institution in Gauteng, South Africa. Methods A quantitative cross section design study was conducted in a science and research council environment with laboratory workers who were more exposed to Pb and those less exposed to Pb. The study sample size was 389 with those exposed to Pb constituting a proportion equal to 181 (46.5%) and those less exposed to Pb 208 (53.5%). The data was collected using an online questionnaire. Secondary data for BLL in the period 2018-2019 was extracted from existing biological monitoring records of the same employees who participated in the online questionnaire. The data management and analysis were performed using EPINFO 7.2 for crude analysis and SPSS version 27 for adjusted odds ratios. Bivariate tests were performed using logistic regression to assess the association between laboratory work and Pb exposure at a confidence interval of 95%...M.A. (Public Health