Description of a new species of Afroedura (Loveridge) (Reptilia: Gekkonidae) from the south-western Cape

A new gekkonid species, Afroedura hawequensis, is described from the south-western Cape (South Africa). The three species groups recognized in the genus are discussed

A South African perspective on factors that impact on the adoption and meaningful use of health information technologies

Objective: Various benefits are associated with the adoption and meaningful use of health information technologies (HITs) in the healthcare sector. Despite the associated advantages with the adoption and use of HITs, the South African healthcare sector has been slow to adopt HITs, such as electronic record systems. The purpose of this study was to identify factors that should be addressed to encourage the adoption and meaningful use of HITs in the South African healthcare landscape.Design: A three-round Delphi study was conducted to identify such factors.Setting and subjects: The Delphi panel included 21 participants who were considered to be suitably knowledgeable about the acceptance and significant use of HITs in the context of the South African healthcare setting.Results: A total of 58 factors were uncovered by the participants. Consensus was reached on 42 factors that were considered to have a direct to significant impact on the adoption and meaningful use of HITs in the South African healthcare sector.Conclusion: The results of this study highlight factors that should be addressed to encourage the adoption and meaningful use of HITs in South Africa’s healthcare setting. These results indicate that a wide range of factors need to be addressed and involve a multitude of stakeholders.Keywords: health information technology, adoption, meaningful use, South Africa, Delphi stud

SERVICE QUALITY GAPS AND CHALLENGES IN THE ACADEMIC LIBRARIES IN KENYA

Abstract The subject of service quality has been widely researched in various sectors and the academic libraries are no exception. University libraries in Africa, in Kenya in particular, are therefore required to re-examine and justify their very existence within the academic institutions. This study seeks to establish the level of service quality in Kenyan academic libraries by analysing, evaluating and assessing the level of service quality in the academic libraries. Applying the Gap model suggests there are gaps/shortfalls within the service delivery process thus resulting to users’ dissatisfaction. Descriptive survey research method is employed; and guided by the study’s research objectives, a combination of f qualitative and quantitative methods were employed for this study using questionnaires, interviews, and observation as data collection instruments. . From the entire list of accredited universities in Kenya as of 2015, a sample of 10 (ten) institutions was purposively selected. In each institution external (library users) and internal (librarians) users were targeted. Findings from the study revealed that academic libraries are faced by a myriad of challenges: a growing and divergent user population, limited range of information resources/services, poor infrastructure, inadequate staff working areas and tools, limited budgets, heavy bureaucratic tendencies, lack of top institutional management support, poor leadership by the departmental heads, and poor market orientation strategies; nonetheless they’re endowed with a rich pool of well-trained information professionals, large market for their services, and customer goodwill, all of which are under-exploited. In addition, the findings revealed that academic libraries are ill prepared to provide specialised services for People with Disabilities (PWDs). Recommendations include: increased budgetary allocations, acquisition of more diverse information resources, change in the management of the academic libraries (this may include, creating an enabling environment for optimal operation/functioning; improved organizational communication, effective supervision by the Commission for University Education (CUE), and introduction of a policy framework on the operations of the academic libraries

Late Effects of Therapy, Stigmatization and Social Reintegration following Childhood Cancer Survival in Kenya: A Case Report

Childhood cancer survival is increasing in low- and middle-income countries like Kenya, which comes with a new healthcare challenge: late effects and quality-of-life of survivors. A case was studied to depict a Kenyan Hodgkin lymphoma survivor, illustrating some of the childhood cancer survivors' difficulties in Kenya. Late effects of therapy, stigmatization and social reintegration were explored. The investigators reviewed medical records and used semi-structured interviews and stigma assessments using the Social Impact Scale. The survivor developed severe pulmonary hypertension during treatment with ABVD and salvage protocols. Three years after treatment, the patient experienced chemotherapy-induced late effects (chronic heart disease) that hindered personal care, social activities and job opportunities and required follow-up. Stigmatization by the community burdened his family life and marital prospects. This case report is one of the first that testifies of combined medical and psychosocial challenges that childhood cancer survivors may face in sub-Saharan Africa and underlines the need for a holistic approach

Health-related quality of life assessment in Indonesian childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Most studies on Health-related Quality of Life (HRQOL) in children with cancer were conducted in developed countries. The aims of this study were to assess the HRQOL in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients in Indonesia and to assess the influence of demographic and medical characteristics on HRQOL.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>After cultural linguistic validation, a cross-sectional study of HRQOL was conducted with childhood ALL patients and their guardians in various phases of treatment using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ (PedsQL™) 4.0 Generic Core Scale and the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ (PedsQL™) 3.0 Cancer Module.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Ninety-eight guardians and 55 patients participated. The internal consistency of both scales ranged from 0.57 to 0.92. HRQOL of Indonesian patients was comparable with those in developed countries. There were moderate to good correlations between self-reports and proxy-reports, however guardians tended to report worse HRQOL than patients. Children of the 2–5 year-group significantly had more problems in procedural anxiety, treatment anxiety and communication subscales than in older groups (p < 0.05). In the non-intensive phase HRQOL was significantly better than in the intensive phase, both in patient self-reports and proxy-reports.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Younger children had more problems in procedural anxiety, treatment anxiety and communication subscales. Therefore, special care during intervention procedures is needed to promote their normal development. Psychosocial support should be provided to children and their parents to facilitate their coping with disease and its treatment.</p

Physiotherapy in rehabilitation and prohabilitation across the lifespan

There is considerable evidence to support the rise in non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Reduction of the NCD burden is of vital importance globally, including South Africa (SA). Recent evidence demonstrates that NCDs commence in early childhood and continue throughout the lifespan. Strengthening of interprofessional and multidisciplinary team efforts supports a decrease in the impact of NCDs on individuals, families and communities and enhances health-related quality of life to improve productivity of the SA economy. Mounting overweight/obesity rates and poor nutrition cause NCDs, which are preventable. It is  important that healthcare practitioners identify causes of ill-health and promote health among patients, rather than await symptoms and then determine treatment. It is also critically important to inspire positive lifestyle changes in one’s patients

The interrelationship between service quality, relational benefits, customer satisfaction and behavioural intentions in the South African short-term insurance industry

South African short-term insurers operate in a highly competitive market but do not successfully differentiate themselves from competitors. One way differentiation can be achieved, is to adopt a customer-focused approach where short-term insurers engage in CRM initiatives such as providing quality services and relational benefits to satisfy customer needs and subsequently retain customers over the long term. This study investigates the effect of service quality and relational benefits on customer satisfaction, as well as the effect of customer satisfaction on behavioural intentions in the short-term insurance industry. A quantitative, descriptive research design was followed and convenience sampling was used to select respondents. Data was collected by means of self-administered surveys from shortterm insurance customers in Gauteng, South Africa. The results of the structural equation model indicate that service quality and relational benefits have a significant effect on customer satisfaction, which in turn has a significant effect on customers’ behavioural intentions. The paper also offers several managerial implications.This article was co-written by P.G. Mostert before he joined the University of Pretoria.http://www.unisa.ac.za/Default.asp?Cmd=ViewContent&ContentID=25784am2017Marketing Managemen

Relational benefits and customer satisfaction – a South African short-term insurance industry perspective

South African short-term insurers struggle to maintain and grow market share due to industry competitiveness and decreasing customer retention rates. One way of retaining customers is to establish and maintain long-term relationships with them. For relationships to last, customers should derive benefits from these relationships. It is furthermore professed that the relational benefits that customers gain from customer-business relationships positively impact customer satisfaction, which in turn enhances the quality of these relationships. This paper aims to determine whether relational benefits (confidence, social and special treatment benefits) predict customer satisfaction in the South African short-term insurance industry. Research focussing on customer relational benefits is limited, and such research has not been conducted within this industry or context. A quantitative, descriptive research design was undertaken and convenience sampling was used to select respondents. Data was collected by means of self-administered surveys from short-term insurance policy holders residing in Gauteng, South Africa. The results indicate that confidence benefits best predict customer satisfaction, followed by social and special treatment benefits. It is therefore recommended that, in order to improve customer satisfaction and maintain long-term relationships with customers, short-term insurers adapt their product and service offerings to include confidence, social and special benefits to customers.This article was co-written by P.G. Mostert before he joined the University of Pretoria.http://www.journals.co.za/content/journal/jcmanam2017Marketing Managemen