A framework to integrate information and communication technology security awareness into the South African education system

Text in EnglishThere is general consensus about the importance of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) security in South Africa. This consensus is evident from initiatives related to the formulation of legislation and policies like the Electronic Communications and Transactions (ECT) Act and the National Cyber Security Policy. A number of South African academic institutions have also come on board with initiatives aimed at enhancing ICT security awareness all over the country. In fact, ICT security awareness has been classified as an important component of South Africa’s national security. Many countries use ICT to improve and enhance the standard of their education systems. A number of scholars in South Africa have conducted studies with the aim of proving that ICT can play a major role in improving the quality of education in the country. The research in hand investigates the lack of integration of ICT security awareness into the South African education system. The literature review that was conducted reveals that there is a huge problem especially when it comes to the integration of ICT security awareness into the South African schooling system. The advancement of technology has come with a number of advantages and disadvantages. The easy access to information via the internet, coupled by unsupervised access to instant messaging applications (Skype, MXiT) and social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter and many more), hugely increases the vulnerability of school learners to ICT security attacks and ICT-related crime. The current research therefore investigates the vulnerability caused by the lack of ICT security awareness among school learners as one of the main disadvantages of the advancement of information technology. An analysis of existing models and frameworks in the two spheres of ICT, namely education and ICT security was conducted. The aim was to determine any similarities or overlap between these spheres and to determine whether the existing ICT models and frameworks are relevant to South Africa. The analysis showed a significant disparity and inconsistency between the two spheres and proved that there is a definite need for a framework (relevant to South Africa) that can be used for the integration of ICT security awareness into South African education. Hence, the researcher proposed a more integrated approach in the form of a framework that is directed at South African school learners, based on an in-depth literature review of past scholarly work, models and frameworks. Having reviewed a number of existing models and frameworks, and identifying the potential gaps, the researcher proposed a framework to address the lack of integration of ICT security awareness into the South African education system. The proposed framework, called the South African ICT Security Awareness Framework for Education (SAISAFE), was reviewed for its potential applicability in the South African context, and the results of the literature review analysis are reported to support the analysis of models and frameworks.School of ComputingM. A. (Computing

Behavioural and emotional problems in a Guguletu school: a pilot study

This paper investigates teachers' perceptions of the prevalence of common emotional and behavioural problems in a black primary school in Cape Town. The rationale in undertaking this study is that there is little epidemiological data pertaining to the incidence and types of particular psychiatric disorders in African children. Also, there were concerns from the staff and students of the Child Guidance Clinic of the University of Cape Town that the facilities and services offered at the clinic are only accessible to a small sector of the community. It is thus hoped that the findings from this study would shape direction for future clinical intervention. A selected review of the relevant literature is given. The needs of the teachers are assessed by finding out the prevalence of emotional and behavioural problems, how they manifest and how teachers perceive them. This is geared towards establishing a hierarchy of priorities for common problems. The analysis is divided into two sections; general pattern of problems and teachers' explanation of problems. Findings reveal that although the problems presented by the teachers in this study are similar to those found in developed or First World countries, teachers use different categories from those normally found in basic psychological or psychiatric texts. Categories are based on the teachers' explanations of a particular behaviour

Recommendations pertaining to the use of influenza vaccines and influenza antiviral drugs, 2016

Vaccination is the most effective strategy to prevent influenza. It is recommended that influenza vaccine be administered each year before the influenza season, i.e. from March to June, although for individuals at increased risk of severe influenza in whom vaccination was missed, vaccine may be administered later. For a review of the 2015 influenza season and ongoing real-time updates of the 2016 influenza season when it starts, refer to the website of the National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Service (www. nicd.ac.za). In this article we provide recommendations for the use of influenza vaccines in anticipation of the 2016 southern hemisphere influenza season. Guidance is based on available evidence to assist clinicians in making decisions regarding influenza vaccination. It should be noted that this article includes general recommendations for vaccination with influenza vaccines available in South Africa and may differ from groups targeted in specific vaccination programmes, e.g. the National Department of Health Programme

The contribution of local economic development funded projects in job creation and poverty eradication in Alfred Nzo district municipality

Job creation and poverty eradication have been the top priority of the South African government over the past few years and continues to be on the agenda. The government is making numerous efforts to aggressively address poverty levels and create jobs. In 1994 the African National Congress (ANC) led government inherited an economy that had glaring disparities. Most of the important economic resources of the country are concentrated in urban areas, while very few economic activities and resources are found in the rural areas. While about 70% of the country’s poorest people live in rural areas, the abundance of economic resources in towns and cities has led to minimal growth taking place in rural areas. High poverty levels continue to manifest itself in various forms and shapes in communities. The negative effects of unemployment continue to threaten our societal well-being and stability. It is evident that in poverty stricken communities there are limited economic development opportunities and have thus become trapped in a poverty cycle, and economic growth is the only sustainable approach of addressing poverty and unemployment. Local economic development (LED) is but one intervention that could be used to create jobs and eradicate poverty at a given locality. LED has been regarded as an approach towards economic development and growth whereby local people are encouraged to work in collaboration in order to achieve sustainable economic growth, bringing economic benefits and improved quality of life for all community members in a municipal area. LED is an intervention solely based at a local level being driven by local people to realise economic benefits that would improve their quality of life. A qualitative study was conducted at Alfred Nzo District Municipality to assess the contribution of LED on job creation and poverty eradication. The target population included LED managers, Project Practitioners, LED Project Beneficiaries, LED Portfolio Councillors in the Alfred Nzo District Municipality and its Local Municipalities as well as relevant sector departments and Public Entities. The study examined the contribution of LED funded projects in job creation and poverty eradication. The project also assessed the problems, issues and challenges in LED and how they are being addressed. The study found that the implementation of LED in Alfred Nzo continues to be ineffective and confronted with numerous challenges. LED has been viewed as one of the tools for job creation targeted at unskilled and unemployed members of the community. Municipalities seem to be under utilising the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) and Equitable Share for funding the LED programme. In most municipalities LED is still regarded as an unfunded mandate. Most municipalities rely heavily on grant funding from sector departments and state owned enterprises for LED. A point of concern is the lack of regular and structured discussions on LED issues within municipalities which continue to re-enforce uncoordinated planning, insufficient budgeting and poor implementation of programmes within the municipality. The study noted serious skills shortages within the project beneficiaries which hamper effective implementation of LED projects. These skills include financial management, project management, conflict resolution and business management. These are core skills for the sound and viability of management of LED projects. Access to markets has been raised as an on-going concern for LED practitioners. It is recommended that a change is made from project-based LED to a business-based approach in LED. This would require all LED projects to be registered business entities, be liable for tax and require them to produce sound business plans before receiving grant funding

Recommendations pertaining to the use of viral vaccines: Influenza 2014

Here we provide recommendations for the use of viral vaccines in anticipation of the 2014 southern hemisphere influenza season. For a review of the 2013 influenza season, please refer to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases, National Health Laboratory Service website (http://www.nicd.ac.za)

Factors associated with pregnancy in women taking part in a phase III microbocide trial in Johannesburg

Introduction This was a secondary data analysis of a prospective cohort of women enrolled in a phase III microbicide trial between October 2005 and August 2008. The study aimed to assess the pregnancy incidence rates and factors associated with pregnancy in women using barrier method and hormonal contraception, enrolled in the trial. Methods A total of 2508 participants were enrolled in the trial and followed up for up to 12 months. Of these 2437 were included in the pregnancy incidence analysis and 2171 participants were included in the multivariate analysis. Data on the main exposure, contraception, were collected by structured interview. The main outcome of interest was pregnancy, which was measured by detection of human chorionic gonadotrophin in urine using Quick Vue® test and confirmed by laboratory based testing. The incidence rate of pregnancy was calculated as number of pregnancies per 100 women years of follow up. Kaplan Meier Survival analysis was used to determine average time to first pregnancy. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted using Cox regression models to asses the factors associated with incident pregnancies. Data was analysed using Stata® version 10. Results A total of 2248 women years of follow up were recorded. A total of 238 pregnancies occurred resulting in pregnancy incidence of 11 per 100 women-years of follow up (95% CI: 9.32 to 12.02). The incidence of pregnancy increased with time in the study; 98 per 100 women years of follow up (95% CI: 85.09 to 112.35) in the last 3 months compared to 2 per 100 women-years of follow up (95% CI: 0.94 to 2.92) in the first 3 months of follow up. Older age and hormonal contraception use were significantly associated with a decreased risk of pregnancy. Women 35 years and older were 49% less likely to fall pregnant compared to those who were younger than 25 years, adjusted hazard ratio (AHR) 0.51(95% CI: 0.30 to 0.88, p=0.016). Women who used hormonal contraception had a reduced risk of falling pregnant AHR 0.66(95% CI: 0.46 to 0.94, p=0.02). There was no difference between the two types of hormonal contraception (injectable vs oral) with respect to pregnancy risk. Conclusion: The incidence of pregnancy increased with time in the study. Women who used hormonal contraception and who were older were less at risk of pregnancy. There was no significant difference in pregnancy risk by type of hormonal contraception (i.e. oral contraception vs injectable contraception) used

Recommendations pertaining to the use of influenza vaccines and influenza antiviral drugs: Influenza 2015

Prevention of influenza is the most effective management strategy. Influenza vaccine is administered each year before the influenza season. Here we provide recommendations for the use of influenza vaccines in anticipation of the 2015 Southern Hemisphere influenza season. For a review of the 2014 influenza season, please refer to the website of the National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Service, www.nicd.ac.z

A thematic analysis of the challenges experienced by those living with tuberculosis

Friedrich Engels (1820-1895) in his study, The condition of the working class in England, argued that the cause of illness and death amongst the working class was due to their living conditions such as poor housing, over-crowding, poor sanitation, food shortage, low paying jobs and a lack of material resources. The objective of the study was to understand the experiences of six South African individuals who have shared their experiences and challenges of living with TB on the TB&ME blog, and to show how TB is linked to the living conditions of these individuals. The study found that the challenges experienced by TB patient bloggers are of a social nature and confirms Engel’s study findings on the conditions of the working class in England. For example, a disease such as TB has a direct association with the living conditions of people, especially the poor. Thus, socio economic status of TB patient bloggers plays a role in the escalation of their ill health. Further, the study found that gender is central in understanding non-compliance to treatment. This is significant as it highlights the need to not only focus on issues of socioeconomics, but gender issues in fighting TB. Despite the negative consequences associated with living with TB, the bloggers have noted that the support from loved ones and other stakeholders in the fight against TB alleviates the challenges inherent in living with TB

Recommendations pertaining to the use of influenza vaccines and influenza antiviral drugs, 2016

Vaccination is the most effective strategy to prevent influenza. It is recommended that influenza vaccine be administered each year before the influenza season, i.e. from March to June, although for individuals at increased risk of severe influenza in whom vaccination was missed, vaccine may be administered later. For a review of the 2015 influenza season and ongoing real-time updates of the 2016 influenza season when it starts, refer to the website of the National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Service (www.nicd.ac.za). In this article we provide recommendations for the use of influenza vaccines in anticipation of the 2016 Southern Hemisphere influenza season. Guidance is based on available evidence to assist clinicians in making decisions regarding influenza vaccination. It should be noted that this article includes general recommendations for vaccination with influenza vaccines available in South Africa and may differ from groups targeted in specific vaccination programmes, e.g. the National Department of Health Programme

Best-worst scaling approach to measure public transport user quality perceptions and preferences in cape town

Papers presented virtually at the 41st International Southern African Transport Conference on 10-13 July 2042Public transport plays an important role in human society. Even more so in the context of developing countries where a large share of trip makers are captive users of public transport trying to gain access to economic activities, schools and other social and cultural activities. User quality and user perceptions are essential indicators for service providers to understand their service offering better, also in a context of captivity. One needs to understand which external factors are essential and which ones are sufficient and the extent to which they are. Understanding the order and magnitude of the importance of these external factors is of great importance to service providers when wanting to improve user experiences, for planning purposes, for marketing purposes as well as for fare setting. Considering this, the primary focus of this research is to provide empirical evidence on the existence of a hierarchy in transportation needs. Such evidence is provided in this research by investigating the existence of a user quality pyramid on public transport modes as claimed in literature. We do this for the City of Cape Town using the Best-Worst Scaling (BWS) method, which measures consumer priorities in a manner that is robust and transparent, by compelling respondents to make trade-offs among items user experience and satisfaction. BWS is a survey technique of measuring individuals’ priorities as it identifies the extremes in a given list as best as well as worst items and is used in other disciplines where prioritisation of items is required to guide decisions. In this study, a total of 282 public transport users rank the best and the worst quality attributes in a given set. The research findings indicate that travel time followed by affordability are the most important quality attributes in regional public transport modes. Equally, in- vehicle security followed by service transfers are the least important public transport quality attributes. We use this to construct and critique the user quality pyrami