http://hdl.handle.net/10386/2775 2026-04-01T21:05:11Z 2026-04-01T21:05:11Z Matlakala, F. K. http://hdl.handle.net/10386/4709 2024-10-25T01:00:15Z 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z

Natural disasters : communal traditional coping strategies among members of Runnymede, South Africa Matlakala, F. K. The changing of global warming and the participation of human activities has seen the rise of disasters globally. In their nature, natural disasters leave vulnerable community members homeless and health challenges. As a result, those affected tend to be in serious need of counselling; that is where social workers get involved. On that note, this study aimed to explore and describe the communal traditional coping strategies used by Runnymede community members in the face of natural disasters. This study adopted a qualitative research approach using exploratory-descriptive research designs. The study was conducted at Runnymede Village, found in Tzaneen Municipality, Limpopo Province, South Africa. The researchers used a purposive sampling design to sample community members at Runnymede village who could shed light on the factors contributing to natural disasters and coping strategies. The researchers used individual semi-structured interviews to interview 9 participants in the study. The collected data was then analysed thematically using Thematic Content Analysis. The study found that socio-economic factors predispose community members to natural disasters. It further indicated that several strategies, that is, traditional practices and prayers, are adopted by community members to mitigate the effects of natural disasters. The study concludes that even though community members are exposed to the rampage effects of natural disasters, they still use their indigenous knowledge to mitigate those effects. Journal of African Renaissance. Vol. 19, (No. 1), March 2022 pp 147-163

2022-01-01T00:00:00Z Matlakala, Frans K. Makhubele, Jabulani C. Nyahunda, Louis http://hdl.handle.net/10386/4707 2024-10-25T01:00:15Z 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z

Social workers’ intervention during natural hazards Matlakala, Frans K.; Makhubele, Jabulani C.; Nyahunda, Louis Social work profession is anchored on theory and practice and has both primary and secondary methods of interventions. The knowledge base of social work is constituted by values, principles, theories, skills and techniques. Globally, social work scholars have developed paradigms, theories, approaches, perspectives, models, techniques, skills and principles that could be applied in a variety of settings to various social ills for the benefit of clients in communities. Thus, this study was aimed at exploring social workers’ intervention during natural hazards. The researchers used an interpretative qualitative research approach and case study design. Moreover, five social workers who provide psychosocial counselling and social relief of distress were purposively sampled to participate in this study. Data were collected through individual semi-structured interviews and analysed thematically. The study found that social workers use three primary methods of social work: casework, group work and community work. Furthermore, the participants stated that they play roles such as educator, counsellor and broker when dealing with victims of natural hazards. Based on the findings, the researchers have noted that not all social workers are active in providing psychosocial counselling to the victims of natural hazards. As such, the researchers recommend more workshops to educate all social workers that social workers have an important role to perform in the midst of natural hazards. Jàmbá - Journal of Disaster Risk Studies

2022-01-01T00:00:00Z Mmako, Lettie Ndweleng. http://hdl.handle.net/10386/4535 2024-08-28T01:00:11Z 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z

The determinants of malnutrition in children below five years at Seshego District Hospital, Capricorn District, Limpopo Province, South Africa. Mmako, Lettie Ndweleng. Background Malnutrition is one of the big problems of public health in developing countries. It is still a persistent public health issue particularly among the poorest and vulnerable groups. Malnutrition of children below the age of 5 put more burden on health systems of most countries. It accounts for high morbidity and mortality in children below the age of five years. The nutritional status of children below five years can also be used to measure the outcome for children’s health. It is therefore important to provide good nutrition to children as an important factor of general well-being. Methods The study was quantitative and retrospective in nature. The prevalence of malnutrition and the factors that contribute to malnutrition was quantified. The researcher has no control over the exposure. Population was the existing records of children below five years admitted at Seshego district hospital with malnutrition between January 2017 and December 2021. The study was probable, simple random sampling method was used whereby files was selected randomly from the patient filing register. The data collecting tool was developed and it was divided into three sections: the immediate factor questions, intermediate factor questions and distal factor questions. Descriptive statistical analysis was undertaken using the STATA statistical software version 6A for Windows (STATA Corporation, College Station, Texas) in order to identify frequencies and percentages of answers to the research questions. The statistical significance of the relationships between the selected variables was determined using the t-test. The level of significance was set at 0.05. Findings The results showed that most of the children were in the age group 1year-1year 11 months at 46.5%. The prevalence showed that SAM was high at 59.5% and MAM was low at 40,9%. The prevalence of MAM and SAM stratified by the age of the child showed that children below 1 year, 41.9% of them have MAM and 41,1% have SAM. The severity of malnutrition decreased with the increase of the age of the child. The current study showed that statistically there is no significance among the variables in terms of the determinants. The P-values are above 0.05. vi Conclusion The study had showed high rate of MAM and SAM. This will urge the public health sector to put the interventions in place to prevent malnutrition from primary stage. In the future a further study with primary data should be done to examine the determinants of malnutrition among children below 5 years. (M.P.H. (Health Sciences)) -- University of Limpopo, 2023.

2023-01-01T00:00:00Z Dipela, Mmaphuti Percy Sithole, Sello http://hdl.handle.net/10386/4114 2023-03-24T01:00:13Z 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z

Under-utilisation of internal Employee Assistance programme (EAP) services by the SouthAfrican Police Service in Lephalale, Limpopo Province Dipela, Mmaphuti Percy; Sithole, Sello An employee assistance programme (EAP) is a service provided by an employer to employees who experience personal problems. Its utilisation becomes a challenge when the targeted population prefers to use alternative services to this programme specifically earmarked for them. Such a situation motivated this quantitative research aimed to evaluate the utilisation of the employee assistance programme in the South African Police Service (SAPS) in the Waterberg district of Limpopo Province. A systematic sample comprising of 189 respondents was drawn from the total population of 398 employees. The study revealed that the employees’ awareness of the programme was very low. Journal article published in the journal of Social Work/Maatskaplike Werk Vol 57 No 4; Issue 7

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