Evaluating the construct validity of the KIDSCREEN-52 Quality of Life questionnaire in a South African context

The absence of a suitable measure to assess the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of children and adolescents in South Africa, led to the use of the KIDSCREEN-52 questionnaire which was developed and standardised in Europe. The current study is part of a broader study conducted in the Western Cape, which used the KIDSCREEN-52 to explore the influence of exposure to community violence on the subjective HRQoL of a sample of South African adolescents. This study aimed to investigate the reliability and construct validity of the KIDSCREEN-52 in a South African context. The broader study employed stratified interval criterion sampling to select 565 Grade 9 learners, aged 14-18. Participants were selected from six public schools in areas specified by the South African government as comprising key nodal areas in terms of crime in the Western Cape. The dataset for the current study comprised all participants (N=565) of the primary study. As the initial step in validation of the KIDSCREEN-52 in South Africa, the current study examined its factor structure by means of exploratory factor analysis, using principal component analysis with oblimin rotations. It also assessed the internal consistency reliability of each of the scales, using Cronbach’s alpha. Exploratory factor analysis extracted 10 factors as identified by previous studies, with some deviation in the loadings of the last three factors. Items of two scales (“Feelings” and “About Yourself”) divided into three scales, and “Bullying” items were not sufficiently presented in the factor solution. Internal consistency of the measure was shown to be acceptable to good, with Cronbach’s alpha values ranging from 0.76 to 0.81 for the 10 scales

The effects of a four weeks combined resistance training programme on cricket bowling velocity

Background: Despite the importance of resistance training for cricket pace bowlers, there is limited research displaying meaningful improvements in ball release velocity following resistance training. Objectives: The study aimed at investigating the effects of a four weeks combined resistance training programme on ball release velocity in club cricket pace bowlers. Methods: Eighteen adult male club level pace bowlers were allocated into a combined resistance training (CRT) group or a traditional cricket training (TR) group. The CRT group (n=9) performed two training sessions a week for four weeks, consisting of a combination of core and lower body strength exercises, plyometric exercises, and weighted implement training. The TR group (n=9) did no resistance training and only bowled with regular weighted cricket balls. Pre- testing/post-testing variables were ball release velocity, bowling accuracy, and upper and lower body neuromuscular performance. Results: The CRT group significantly increased their ball release velocity by six percent (5.1 km·h-1), effect size (ES) =0.65, p<0.001) after four weeks of training, while there was no significant difference in the TR group (0.00 km·h-1, ES=0.0, p=0.674). There was no statistically significant difference in the bowling accuracy and lower body neuromuscular performance for both groups and the upper body neuromuscular performance for the CRT group. Conclusion: This study provides evidence of a combined resistance training programme that can be used to improve bowling velocity in cricket pace bowlers. This increase in ball velocity was not related to any of the neuromuscular performance variables measured

Infusion of Information and Communication Technologies into a Science programme for assistant lecturers

The rapid growth and impact of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) has infiltrated almost every aspect of our lives across the globe. Hence, it makes sense that the Higher Education Institutions (HEI) should not be left behind in this phenomenon. The authors address how teaching-and-learning practices within HE settings can be enhanced through the effective infusion of ICTs. The Centre for Innovative Educational and Communication Technologies (CIECT) recently collaborated with the Science Faculty and other stakeholders at the University of the Western Cape (UWC), to design and develop a Programme, namely: Faculty of Science Teaching Assistants Development Programme (FSTADP). The paper highlights that the infusion of ICT into the curriculum depends on dedicated training and support interventions - in order for lecturers to successfully engage in the discourse related to the infusion of ICTs, and the actual implementation thereof. Therefore, “integrated institutional ICT infrastructure and systems with dedicated front-end and back-end support capacity and processes enable the development of pedagogically sound, interactive online courses which can be accessed at any time and from any geographical space”. Whilst ICT plays a critical role in enabling teaching-and-learning practices, it is imperative that the lecturer-student relationship be maintained

Evaluating the Construct Validity of the KIDSCREEN-52 Quality of Life questionnaire within a South African context utilizing Exploratory Factor Analysis: Initial validation

Magister Artium (Psychology) - MA(Psych)The absence of a suitable measure to assess the health related quality of life (HRQoL) of children and adolescents in South Africa, led to the use of the KIDSCREEN-52 questionnaire in this study. This questionnaire was developed and standardised in Europe and it assesses quality of life from the subjective perception of children and adolescents in terms of their physical, mental and social well-being. The use of assessment measures with different populations or in different milieu from the original standardisation context necessitates establishing the validity of such measures for the new utilization context. Thus, the aim of this quantitative study is specifically directed at examining the construct validity of the KIDSCREEN-52 within a South African context. Accordingly, this study is located within the theoretical framework of construct validation theory. Data for this Secondary Data Analysis study was drawn from the “Impact of Hope and Exposure to Community Violence on children’s perception of Well-being” study. The primary study employed stratified interval criterion sampling to select 565 grade 9 learners, aged 14-18 from six public schools. The dataset for the current study comprised all participants (N=565) of the broader study. As the initial step in validation of the KIDSCREEN-52 within South Africa, the current study examined the factor structure of the KIDSCREEN-52 within this context by means of exploratory factor analysis using principal component analysis with oblimin rotations. It also assessed the internal consistency reliability of each of the scales using Cronbach’s alpha. Exploratory factor analysis revealed the same 10 factors as identified by previous European studies with some deviation in the last two factors, which warrants further examination. Internal consistency of the measure was shown to be acceptable, with Cronbach’s alpha values ranging from 0.76 to 0.81 for the 10 scales.South Afric

A Community Engagement Model for an Inclusive Just Energy Transition in the South

Within a dynamic global political arena, the economic ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic, energy impoverishment, ever-increasing global awareness of climate change, energy justice and just energy transition have emerged as important aspects that require critical reflexive deliberation to ensure that those on the margins of the energy divide do not pay the price for such a transition. Existing models to ensure energy justice were described as failing to consider stakeholder perspectives and needs. It was therefore proposed that such models be inclusive and reflective of diverse stakeholders, including local households, communities, utilities and governments. To this end, the University of South Africa’s Institute for Social and Health Sciences has developed a Transformational Model of community engagement in collaboration with communities which can be applied to articulate and guide the community engagement processes in an inclusive just energy transition. In this article, I present the model which offers opportunities to integrate multiple perspectives, prioritise the needs of diverse community stakeholders, interrogate power imbalances, and enhance working collaborations and partnerships, while also facilitating ongoing oversight and sustainable programme implementation. This model is a viable framework to achieve energy justice through an inclusive equitable transition to renewable energy technologies and by extension to reduce energy poverty. It has been applied in diverse community contexts across two provinces (Gauteng and the Western Cape) to engage with and build lasting community–institutional relationships. It has also been used to design, develop and evaluate contextually applicable sustainable initiatives, including a community-wide campaign.Institute for Social and Health Studies (ISHS

Navigating and Reimagining Community Engagement amidst COVID-19

Community engagement is a critical manifestation of a humanising approach on how to respond to various psychosocial and structural violence challenges in the context of a pandemic. Community engagement within the context of the current global coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) requires creative and innovative responses. Institutions have had to reconfigure their community engagement due to restrictive measures instituted by governments to curb the spread of the virus. This paper aims to reflect on the conversations and experiences of community activist researchers in implementing creative ways of engagement to address pertinent psychosocial and structural violence issues affecting communities during COVID-19. Through a qualitative reflexive approach, we identified the following themes: (1) Challenges in community-engaged research during a pandemic; (2) Structural violence and psychosocial issues; and (3) Innovative opportunities to bridge gaps and confront community realities. The pandemic has produced challenges but has also allowed for opportunities to reimagine community engagement. It has created opportunities and novel ways of collaborating with multisectoral social actors to address the psychosocial challenges during the pandemic and to remain actively engaged with communities

Process evaluation of the development of a community-based participatory intervention promoting positive masculinity and peace and safety: addressing interpersonal violence in a Western Cape community

Text in EnglishGiven the high rates of male homicides, victimisation and the perpetration of violence by men in South Africa, the prevention of interpersonal violence among males constitutes a major public health priority. The lack of effective strategies to address the onset and effects of exposure to violence foregrounds the need for innovative strategies to address this problem in South Africa. Within this context, this doctoral study’s primary research objective was to evaluate the processes and steps used to plan, design and develop a community-based violence prevention intervention that mobilised spiritual capacity and religious assets to promote positive forms of masculinity, and peace and safety. This doctoral research was part of a broader study entitled, ‘Spiritual Capacity and Religious Assets for Transforming Community Health by Mobilising Males for Peace and Safety’ (SCRATCHMAPS), which aimed to identify and mobilise spiritual capacity and religious assets, in particular communities in South Africa and the USA, in order to address interpersonal violence. This study was framed by a critical public health lens, and was guided by a Community-based Participatory Research (CBPR) orientation and community engagement strategy throughout every step of the development of the intervention and the initial evaluation of the manual development process. The overall research design was a participatory process evaluation. Methods used for this process evaluation included community asset mapping, surveys, focus group discussions, research-based workshops, diary reflections, a photo-documentary, meeting minutes, process notes and participatory observations. The analysis of the multiple sets of data was conducted appropriately, relevant to the particular data collection methods pursued and the demands of both qualitative and quantitative methods of analysis. Findings from this study confirm the utility and efficacy of using a critical public health framework enacted through CBPR for developing an intervention that addresses the complexity of violence. The results further demonstrated that a strength or asset-based, gender-sensitive approach, with men working alongside women, is conducive to promoting positive forms of masculinity to create safety and peace.PsychologyPh. D. (Psychology

Towards a housing policy for post-apartheid South Africa

Thesis (M.C.P.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Urban Studies, 1987.Bibliography: leaves 80-86.by Mohgamat Phaldie Taliep.M.C.P

The cricket bowling performance of different racial groups at a junior provincial level in South Africa

Objective. To investigate the difference in performance and bowling opportunity of black African (BA), coloured/Indian (C/I) and white(W) cricket bowlers at a junior provincial level in South Africa between 2006 and 2012.Methods. Data of all players performing in the South African interprovincial under-13 (U13), under-15 (U15) and under-19 (U19)tournaments were analysed. Bowling performance (bowling average and the top 20 wicket takers relative to their par representation) andbowling opportunity (number of overs bowled) were compared between racial groups.Results. There were no significant differences in the bowling averages between BA bowlers and the other racial groups between 2008 and 2012.BA bowling averages were only significantly worse than W bowlers in the U13s in 2006 and U19s in 2007. BA bowling averages were also onlysignificantly worse than C/I in the U13s and U15s in 2007. BA bowlers were below par representation in the top 20 wicket takers in each yearfor the U15s and U19s and below par representation for the U13s in 2007 - 2009 and 2011. The performance of C/I and W bowlers was relativelysimilar across the age groups. BA players bowled significantly fewer overs than W bowlers in the U13s in 2006, in the U15s in 2007 and 2009and in the U19s in 2006, 2007, 2010 and 2011. C/I bowlers bowled significantly fewer overs than W bowlers in the U13s in 2008 and 2009.Conclusion. The bowling averages of the different racial groups are similar. However, there were relatively few BA bowlers in the top 20wicket takers each year. This could be because of a lack of highly skilled BA bowlers or the lack of opportunity provided to BA bowlers tobowl in these tournaments

Surveillance of specific pathogens on mobile phones in aerosol and non-aerosol generating dental clinics during the COVID pandemic

Following COVID-19 protocols implemented globally, it is prudent to extend this to mobile phones, regarded as carriers of microbes, as these are used extensively in clinical settings for learning and patient care. Was to determine types of microbes harbored on mobile phones and related hygiene practices whilst using these in aerosol and non-aerosol generating dental settings. This cross-sectional study was conducted in two parts: A laboratory study to determine the prevalence of microbes on mobile phones and a questionnaire survey to determine the related knowledge and behavior of phone users in both aerosol and non-aerosol generating dental clinics. All proper protocols (consent, ethics) were adhered to. A small percentage (27.2%) of swabs of mobile phones yielded a positive bacterial culture, of these 72% were from the AGP dental setting. Gram positive and negative microorganisms were distinguishable, indicating a diverse group of microbes. Students and staff indicated good mobile phone hygiene practices, but there is place for improvement. Their related knowledge of disinfectants and use were acceptable, but not having mobile phone coverings was problematic. Faculty protocols for disinfecting mobile phones and standardized guidelines for its use in aerosol or non-aerosoclinics is recommended