Uitsluitingsklousules : die huidige status in die Suid Afrikaanse kontraktereg (Afrikaans)

No abstract availableDissertation (LLM)--University of Pretoria, 2009.Private Lawunrestricte

Using iterative learning to improve understanding during the informed consent process in a South African psychiatric genomics study

Obtaining informed consent is a great challenge in global health research. There is a need for tools that can screen for and improve potential research participants’ understanding of the research study at the time of recruitment. Limited empirical research has been conducted in low and middle income countries, evaluating informed consent processes in genomics research. We sought to investigate the quality of informed consent obtained in a South African psychiatric genomics study. A Xhosa language version of the University of California, San Diego Brief Assessment of Capacity to Consent Questionnaire (UBACC) was used to screen for capacity to consent and improve understanding through iterative learning in a sample of 528 Xhosa people with schizophrenia and 528 controls. We address two questions: firstly, whether research participants’ understanding of the research study improved through iterative learning; and secondly, what were predictors for better understanding of the research study at the initial screening? During screening 290 (55%) cases and 172 (33%) controls scored below the 14.5 cut-off for acceptable understanding of the research study elements, however after iterative learning only 38 (7%) cases and 13 (2.5%) controls continued to score below this cut-off. Significant variables associated with increased understanding of the consent included the psychiatric nurse recruiter conducting the consent screening, higher participant level of education, and being a control. The UBACC proved an effective tool to improve understanding of research study elements during consent, for both cases and controls. The tool holds utility for complex studies such as those involving genomics, where iterative learning can be used to make significant improvements in understanding of research study elements. The UBACC may be particularly important in groups with severe mental illness and lower education levels. Study recruiters play a significant role in managing the quality of the informed consent process

Theology at the University of Pretoria - 100 years: (1917-2017) Past, present and future

In this scholarly book, a century’s theology presented by the Faculty of Theology at the University of Pretoria, is celebrated. All authors are academics or research associates of the University of Pretoria. A historical and futuristic overview with perspectives from the past, present and future, are examined. The past is not only portrayed by means of societal and scientific contributions and achievements, but the authors also reflect on malfunctions, ill behaviour and disappointments of church and theology, presented at the University of Pretoria within the South African context over 100 years. The book commences with a chapter in which institutional transformation is discussed, as well as the changes that demonstrate the role of the Faculty of Theology within a secular state university. It includes an explanation of the importance of research impact, research productivity and research reputation. Among various discipline indicators, the category Theology and Religion Studies plays a significant role in the measurement of world university rankings of universities. With regard to scientific and encyclopaedic content, the book focuses on the theological disciplines presented in the academic curricula: first the biblical sciences (Old and New Testament Studies), then the historical disciplines (Systematic Theology, Church History and Church Polity), and finally the practical disciplines (Practical Theology, Science of Religion and Missiology). The role of Religion Studies in a newly established Faculty of Theology and Religion not only enhances the diversity of interreligious tolerance and an atmosphere of dialogue, but it serves as platform to interconnect with the fields of Humanities, Social and Natural Sciences and other academic disciplines. In the conclusive part of the book, contributions highlight the role of the centres in the Faculty (Centre for Contextual Ministry and Centre for Sustainable Communities), as well as the continental and international footprints of the two theological journals whose title ownership is attached to the Faculty of Theology of the University of Pretoria, namely HTS Theological Studies and Verbum et Ecclesia. The methodology comprised in all the chapters amounts to a literature and contextual study. Since the book describes the histories of formal academic departments, these texts are of a descriptive, interpretative and critical character. Reference is made in some chapters to exegetical methods, like the historical critical methods. The target audience of the book is academic scholars and theologians, who specialise in the different fields of Theology, the Humanities and other Social Sciences. The book is also accessible to scholars of other academic disciplines outside these disciplines. The book comprises original research by several authors and is not plagiarised from other scientific publications of this nature

Predictors of consent to cell line creation and immortalisation in a South African schizophrenia genomics study

Background Cell line immortalisation is a growing component of African genomics research and biobanking. However, little is known about the factors influencing consent to cell line creation and immortalisation in African research settings. We contribute to addressing this gap by exploring three questions in a sample of Xhosa participants recruited for a South African psychiatric genomics study: First, what proportion of participants consented to cell line storage? Second, what were predictors of this consent? Third, what questions were raised by participants during this consent process? Methods 760 Xhose people with schizophrenia and 760 controls were matched to sex, age, level of education and recruitment region. We used descriptive statistics to determine the proportion of participants who consented to cell line creation and immortalization. Logistic regression methods were used to examine the predictors of consent. Reflections from study recruiters were elicited and discussed to identify key questions raised by participants about consent. Results Approximately 40% of participants consented to cell line storage. The recruiter who sought consent was a strong predictor of participant’s consent. Participants recruited from the South African Eastern Cape (as opposed to the Western Cape), and older participants (aged between 40 and 59 years), were more likely to consent; both these groups were more likely to hold traditional Xhosa values. Neither illness (schizophrenia vs control) nor education (primary vs secondary school) were significant predictors of consent. Key questions raised by participants included two broad themes: clarification of what cell immortalisation means, and issues around individual and community benefit. Conclusions These findings provide guidance on the proportion of participants likely to consent to cell line immortalisation in genomics research in Africa, and reinforce the important and influential role that study recruiters play during seeking of this consent. Our results reinforce the cultural and contextual factors underpinning consent choices, particularly around sharing and reciprocity. Finally, these results provide support for the growing literature challenging the stigmatizing perception that people with severe mental illness are overly vulnerable as a target group for heath research and specifically genomics studies

'n Strategie vir die rehabilitasie van versteurde mynbougebiede in Suidelike Afrika

PhD (Plant- en Bodemwetenskappe), North-West University, Potchefstroom CampusA STRATEGY FOR THE REHABILITATION OF AREAS IN SOUTHERN AFRICA DISTURBED BY MINING ACTIVITIES A literature study revealed that revegetation (grassing) of areas disturbed by mining activities already occurred during the early thirties. Most of the relevant research has been conducted abroad. In the RSA, all the initial work was done on gold mine sand dumps. Although other methods to stabilize the dust generating dumps had also been applied, it was finally agreed upon that a proper vegetation cover is the only permanent solution. During previous years, all initial revegetation attempts were voluntary. During the fifties, law enforcement became applicable in most countries, forcing all mines to revegetate areas disturbed by their activities. In the RSA several laws have already existed since 1956, e.g. the Mines and Works Act (Act 27 of 1956). Although these laws are not directly aimed at revegetation, they can be applied to this aspect. In 1980 the law became more stringent and it became evident that revegetation is not the solution to all problems, due to deterioration of the vegetation occurring on many of the revegetated areas. In order to comply with the demands of the constantly tightening law, research on the rehabilitation of disturbed areas started during 1984. The study area included several mines in the RSA as well as mines situated within the borders of Leboa and Ka Ngwane. The ecological diversity of these localities is stressed by the differences in climate, topography, geology and vegetation. Some of the mines are situated in areas with an annual rainfall of approximately 400 mm in comparison with others with a precipitation of more than 800 mm. Presently, research on the revegetation of road reserves already indicates that methods and recipes which were successfully applied in countries with a moderate climate and high rainfall, do not necessarily produce the same results in the RSA with its dry and hot summers. This is one of the main reasons why the use of indigenous grass species was seen as a priority. From the results obtained in experiments on the mine dumps and slimes dams, it was clear that hardy indigenous species were also not capable of solving all the problems. The negative results led to a more holistic approach by which the habitat of plants was taken into consideration. Special attention was given to soil-associated problems at various mines. These problems included aspects such as gradient and length of slopes, particle size of overburden, chemical imbalances of tailings, temperature of tailings, spontaneous combustion, etcetera. Although only a few of the more important factors had been studied, the results of this research revealed a number of general principles which can be applied in devising rehabilitation strategies. The results can also be used as a basis for more detailed studies on the various aspects. The study has shown that every effort should be made to reinstate a situation as near as possible to the natural situation. In order to establish a stable and self-sustaining vegetation on a mine dump, it will be necessary to create a habitat where ecological factors comply with the tolerance limits of the species to be used. This approach implies that the revegetation or grassing alone will not be the answer to the existing problems of recovering disturbed areas, but that complete rehabilitation would be of utmost importance.Doctora

Die bestuur van klantediens aan die hand van algemene bestuurstake

M.Comm.The supposition was made that when customer service is not formally planned and managed, it could result in customer service, as a competitive strategy, not being optimally exploited due to it being done in an unco-ordinated, disorganised and ad hoc manner. The aim of this study is to set guidelines for customer service and management to ensure that customer service, is optimally exploited as a competitive strategy. This study commences with a theoretical framework followed by empirical research. During the theoretical study, customer service was defined and related theoretical aspects discussed. Emphasis was given to the conditions for applying customer service in the enterprise including the service quality model of Parasuraman, Zeithaml and Berry (1988). General management tasks were defined and the content of each task briefly discussed. Thereafter, the principles of these tasks were applied to customer service management. A customer service model was formulated, which integrated the theory of customer service and general management tasks. The model is based on the assumption that customer service management can be applied at executive, functional and operational level. A questionnaire was designed with the theoretical review as foundation. All facets of customer service management were analysed and questions were posed to determine the extent to which local banks comply with these management principles. The questionnaire was sent to the top ten Commercial banks in South Africa, selected according to the size of their total assets. The completed questionnaires were then analysed with the following results. The management tasks satisfactorily applied in customer service management are: planning, organising and leading. Management tasks that are not satisfactorily applied in customer service management as a result of all the gaps identified are: control, motivation, discipline, communication, delegating, decision making and the management of information. This indicated that customer service is not always managed on a formal and structured way because some of the management tasks are neglected. None of the general management tasks should be neglected as the omission of one of these tasks may lead to an ineffective management process. A customer service manager should thus continuously focus on each one of these management tasks to ensure that they are effectively carried out. If all the management tasks are performed out effectively, and are not neglected or ignored, the management process will be completed satisfactorily and improved results can be expected. The enterprise will therefore have a continuous competitive advantage over its rivals and the primary objectives of a enterprise, namely optimization of income, can thus be attained