School of Public Healthhttp://hdl.handle.net/10386/1902024-03-28T16:26:50Z2024-03-28T16:26:50ZConstruction of a model for human rights education in the health professionsMokoena, Joyce Desiahttp://hdl.handle.net/10386/6522017-11-16T10:03:11Z2012-01-01T00:00:00ZConstruction of a model for human rights education in the health professions
Mokoena, Joyce Desia
A theory - generative, qualitative, descriptive, exploratory and contextual design was used in this study, in phases 1 and 2. The purpose of the study was to explore and describe the nature of human rights education in the health professions programmes at the University of Limpopo, MEDUNSA Campus in order to develop a model for human rights education and teaching of the students in such programmes.
In Phase 1, data were collected by means of unstructured, in-depth interviews from the sampled lecturers teaching ethics and/or human rights, as well as by observation, field notes and document analysis. The findings indicated that human rights education is an empowering process for the students, which can be facilitated through a collaborative, Inter-professional and interdisciplinary approach. The content for a human rights education programme should include Ethics and Human Rights which is contextual in terms of the South African society and also considers the international perspectives of human rights. Interactive teaching strategies should be used to facilitate maximum involvement and engagement of the student with the subject matter.
In Phase 2, the construction and description of the model is done, based on the guidelines of Dickoff, James & Weidenbach (1968); Chinn & Kramer (2008); Walker & Avant (2011). The concepts which were derived from the themes that emerged from the interviews with the key informants, the observations made, the field notes, the review of selected documents and the literature which used as data, provided the framework for the model “Human Rights Education in the Health Professions”. The thesis provides the research report, and a description of the model, including the guidelines for implementation. Recommendations which are based on the findings of the study have been made with respect to education, practice and research. A key recommendation concerns the review of the content of the curriculum for human rights.
Key words: collaboration, education, empowerment, ethics, human rights, human rights education.
Thesis (Ph.D. (Health Sciences))-- University of Limpopo, 2012
2012-01-01T00:00:00ZThe effect of silicone gel breast prosthesis on the electron beam dose distributionUushona, Ndeshihafela Verahttp://hdl.handle.net/10386/2532017-11-16T10:03:08Z2009-01-01T00:00:00ZThe effect of silicone gel breast prosthesis on the electron beam dose distribution
Uushona, Ndeshihafela Vera
Introduction
The primary role of breast cancer treatment with radiation is to deliver a sufficient
radiation dose to the cancer cells without unduly causing biological damage to the
healthy tissues. For over 50 years, electron beam therapy has been an important modality
for providing an accurate dose of radiation to superficial cancers and disease and for
limiting the dose to underlying normal tissues and structures in particular to boost the
dose to the tumour bed and surgical scars after mastectomy. The Monte Carlo code
MCNP5 was used to determine the effect of silicone gel breast prosthesis on the electron
beam dose distribution.
Materials and Method
Percentage depth dose curves (PDD) for 6, 9, 12, and 15 MeV electron energies along the
electron central axis depth dose distributions in a water phantom and with silicone
prosthesis immersed in a water phantom were simulated using MCNP5.
In order to establish the accuracy of the MCNP5 code, the depth dose curves obtained
using MCNP5 were compared against the measured depth dose curves obtained from the
Varian 2100C linear accelerator. The simulated depth dose curves with silicone
prosthesis immersed in water were compared to the measured depth dose curves with the
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silicone prosthesis in water. The dose at the interface of the prosthesis with water was
measured using thermoluminiscent dosimeters.
Results
The simulated and measured depth dose curve and the investigated dosimetric parameters
are within 2%. Simulations in the presence of silicone showed a decrease in dose as the at
the interface as the beam passes from the prosthesis to water for most energies however,
for 15 MeV beam there is an increase in dose at the interface between the prosthesis and
water and this was verified by physical measurements.
Conclusion
There were good correlations between the measured and MCNP simulated depth dose
curve. Differences were in order of 2%. Small deviations occurred due to the fact that the
simulations assumed a monoenergetic beam that exits the accelerator head, while in the
measured results the beam exiting from the accelerator head includes scatted radiation
from the collimators and the applicator. The presence of the prosthesis does not perturb
the electron beam central axis depth dose curve however, the 15 MeV beam enhanced the
dose in front of the interface between the prosthesis and water. Despite the limitations
mentioned above MCNP5 results agree reasonably with the measured results. Hence,
MCNP5 can be very useful in simulating electron percentage depth dose data.
Thesis --(MSc. (Medical Physics)), 2009.
2009-01-01T00:00:00ZAttitudes and perceptions of girls in St John's College about the practice of virginity testingSwaartbooi-Xabadiya, Zolisa Cynthiahttp://hdl.handle.net/10386/2522017-11-16T10:03:08Z2010-01-01T00:00:00ZAttitudes and perceptions of girls in St John's College about the practice of virginity testing
Swaartbooi-Xabadiya, Zolisa Cynthia
Background
Virginity testing is a practice that has stimulated lots of discussions amongst people from various perspectives. Controversies around this practice have necessitated further research in order to bring the voice of girls into the virginity testing debate.
Aim and objective
The aim of the study was to explore perceptions and experiences of girls on the practice of virginity testing.
Methodology
Triangulation of qualitative data collective method was used. The researcher informally engaged in key informants’ interviews with stakeholders who participate in the practice attended virginity testing celebration to observe the proceedings and processes conducted during the practice. Focus group discussions were conducted. Data was analyzed using NVIVO.
Results
Elders, in particular mothers, encouraged participation of girls in virginity testing. Girls observed and sighted benefits, ranging from viz: HIV/STI prevention, societal recognition and acceptance, purity before marriage and delay of sexual debut. Non participation was attributed to the in availability of virginity testing practices the areas. Concerns of doggy behaviors by testers, uneducated testers of testers, compromised health standards were discussed.
Conclusions
These findings reveal that there are areas of misunderstanding on how the practice is viewed and represented in the media. Arguments against virginity testing seem to be based on the perspective of on Westernized, feminist and individualistic notions of humanity disregarding the social construction of traditional cultural practices. Socialization and moral standards of people from a particularly Western orientation dominate the debate against virginity testing with no basis that is supported by research.
Thesis (MPH)--University of Limpopo, 2010.
2010-01-01T00:00:00ZMycoplasma genitalium,passenger or pathogen?le Roux, Marie Ceciliahttp://hdl.handle.net/10386/2512017-11-16T10:03:08Z2010-01-01T00:00:00ZMycoplasma genitalium,passenger or pathogen?
le Roux, Marie Cecilia
Mycoplasma genitalium is the smallest existing self-replicating prokaryote, lacks
a cell wall and has a genome consisting of only 580 kilo base pairs. It has
characteristic pear/flask-like morphology with a terminal tip organelle used for
attachment. Many researchers, mainly in developed countries, have investigated
the role the organism plays in the aetiology of male urethritis and the majority of
studies show an association between M. genitalium and male urethritis. In this
study, the modified Koch’s postulates were applied to answer the question
whether M. genitalium is a true pathogen, or merely a passenger, invading
already inflamed or damaged cells.
A total of 300 urine specimens were collected from adult males with symptoms
and/or signs of urethritis and 75 from asymptomatic men. In the first study, three
molecular assays; viz, a commercial conventional PCR test, a real-time PCR (q-
PCR) test and a transcription mediated amplification (TMA) assay were
evaluated for the detection of M. genitalium. The comparison between the assays
was based on the extended gold standard concept, where a specimen was
deemed positive when any two nucleic acid amplification tests were positive. In
the second study, the specimens were tested for four common urethral
pathogens (N. gonorrhoeae, C. trachomatis, T. vaginalis and M. genitalium)
using TMA assays. Finally, the bacterial loads for M. genitalium were determined
using the q-PCR assay.
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All three assays tested were highly specific (98-99%) for the detection of M.
genitalium. However, where q-PCR and TMA demonstrated high sensitivities
(96% and 100%), the sensitivity of the conventional PCR assay was low (78%).
One or more pathogens were detected in a total of 129 (43%) men with urethritis.
M. genitalium was the most frequently detected pathogen in men with urethritis
(129; 43%), and significantly more (p= 0.04) than in asymptomatic men (7; 9.0%).
There is a strong association with M. genitalium bacterial load and clinical
urethritis. Patients with urethral discharge had significantly higher M. genitalium
concentrations than those with only burning on micturition (p<0.001), and the
bacterial concentrations in men with symptoms and/or signs of urethritis were
significantly higher than that in asymptomatic men (p=0.02). As the number of
organisms increased, the severity of the symptoms increased; an indication of
the role that the organism plays in disease progression.
In conclusion, by applying the modified Koch postulates, it was shown that
Mycoplasma genitalium is by no means a passenger, but rather an important
cause of adult male urethritis that should be taken into account when making
diagnosis and when designing treatment strategies.
Thesis (D Phil. (Microbiology))--2010.
2010-01-01T00:00:00Z