An innovation to improve health outcomes in Amajuba district,KwaZulu-Natal,South Africa

Systems’ thinking places high value on understanding the context. This study focused on the collection of disaggregated data in order to understand the context, to facilitate improvement of health outcomes. The aim of this article was to assess the implementation of municipal ward-based health data collection (disaggregated data) and health care workers’ perceptions of this data collection process. This cross-sectional study used mixed methods in Amajuba district. The participants were professional nurses at the Primary Health Care level. Of the 131 respondents, 123 (93.9%) collected municipal ward-based health data, and found it useful. Opportunities for improving data collection were identified. Disaggregation of the data at ward level contributes to a better understanding of the target population’s health, assists planning for health needs and enables provision of targeted interventions in order to improve health outcomes, to prevent financial regression and waste of health resources.     

Scaling up support for children in HIV-affected families by involving early childhood development workers: community views from KwaZulu-Natal,South Africa

The United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS estimates that South Africa has 1.2 million orphans as a result of AIDS. This study investigated the views of communities in KwaZulu-Natal on the potential use of early childhood development (ECD) practitioners for helping children in vulnerable households. It reports on in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with community members and service providers in six different areas of KwaZulu-Natal. Despite the increase in the numbers of deaths, people in affected areas have yet to accept that HIV is the cause. Stigma, denial, myths and witchcraft beliefs were evident, particularly in the rural areas. There was general agreement by the respondents that ECD practitioners with additional training specific to HIV/AIDS could assist families if cost difficulties were overcome. As community members with basic training in childcare they could enhance community responses by linking with community health workers and other service providers to assist children and households in need.     

'Stingray City'- Managing the Impact of Underwater Tourism in the Cayman Islands

Recreational diving and snorkelling are increasingly popular leisure activities, with potentially adverse consequences for coral reefs and other types of marine life. This case study presents observations of the impact and management of visitors viewing a single animal species, the Southern Stingray (Dasyatis americana) congregating at a specific location (nicknamed 'Stingray City') off the coast of Grand Cayman in the western Caribbean. It is estimated that the stingrays now receive 80,000 to 100,000 visitors per year, and on a busy day more than 500 divers and snorkellers can be observed in the water stroking and feeding the rays. The stingray population is beginning to show major behavioural changes such as the development of shoaling behaviour, skin abrasion from handling, and altered feeding habits. It is also possible that some behavioural modifications are being learnt and transmitted to new generations of rays. Concern is expressed about the effect of consistently high levels of visitation upon the stingray population, and it is suggested that there is an urgent need for long term monitoring with possible restriction of visitor numbers.     

Measuring the Effectiveness of Retail Window Display as an Element of the Marketing Mix

This paper presents the results of a study undertaken by staff from Boots the Chemists and Nottingham Business School. The study attempts to quantify the effectiveness of window display design in order to produce an objective way of costing design effectiveness and significantly improving display design to create competitive advantage. The results suggest that relating consumer-buying behaviour to an individual marketing element makes sales forecasting and associated design criteria more predictable.     

Engineering and technology students’ perceptions of courses

As cultural, social, political and economic changes take place, the secondary or high school curriculum should reflect and respond to changing needs and aspirations of students. Technology Education has been proactive in this arena as it has transformed over the decades to meet ever-changing societal needs. The most recent change to the discipline has been to add engineering and, as a result, adopting a new name and curriculum-Engineering and Technology Education. The added component and name change in Technology Education is causing discussions about what the new direction means, what professional preparation changes will be incurred, and what work graduating students will be prepared to do. In light of these changes, this study investigated perceptions of high school students in the United States of America about engineering and technology courses they take. To investigate whether students’ perceptions are in accord with current changes in Engineering and Technology Education, 316 students enrolled in engineering and technology courses in Georgia schools that have an affiliation with the Georgia Engineering and Technology Education Association (GETEA) were surveyed. According to data analyses, students’ perceptions can be divided into two factors. Educational Value of Course (factor 1) was extracted from statements measuring the degree to which the courses prepare students for employment and provide them with information regarding future employment. Personal Relevance of Course (factor 2) was derived from statements measuring students’ perceptions about links between engineering and technology education and their personal lives. Such findings suggest these students valued their engineering and technology courses, planned to continue their education, made good grades, and had varied types of career expectations for jobs such as design engineers and architects.     

The future of gorilla tourism in Rwanda

Until April 1994 Rwanda was an obscure central African country, renowned for its endangered mountain gorillas surviving in the Parc National des Volcans. They formed virtually the sole basis of the Rwandan tourism industry which generated substantial foreign exchange, part of which was returned to finance gorilla conservation programmes. Today, the name Rwanda conjures up images of massacre and genocide consequent upon the 1994 resumption of a tragic civil war. In addition to overwhelming humanitarian considerations many people have feared for the future of the mountain gorillas whose plight was first publicised in the 1970s by the scientist Dian Fossey. Recent research shows that the gorillas have survived the war unexpectedly well and increased political stability has permitted research and protection teams to return to the Parc. However, in the meantime neighbouring Uganda and Zaire have built up substantial competing gorilla tourism industries. The resumption of gorilla tourism in Rwanda is vital to provide both conservation resources and local employment. This paper assesses its future potential as assessed by fieldwork completed by the writer during November‐December 1993 with subsequent additional information added until December 1994.     

Working with community health workers to improve nutrition in rural KwaZulu-Natal

Addressing the health problems of disadvantaged communities requires innovative strategies in a situation of resource constraints. A community-based participatory intervention was undertaken in southern KwaZulu-Natal, using 18 local community health workers (CHWs). A baseline survey was conducted by each CHW, who visited five households to investigate factors affecting nutrition. After a training programme of monthly nutrition workshops, CHWs shared this information with local community members by visiting households and holding community meetings. After six months, a second questionnaire administered by CHWs investigated householder perceptions of the intervention. Data from the initial survey served as a basis for the content of the nutrition intervention by CHWs to improve health by influencing dietary practices. Factors affecting nutrition that were investigated included dietary practices, breastfeeding, sanitation, source of water and food gardens. CHWs learnt from this nutrition intervention and spread this information among their communities, suggesting a useful role for CHWs in implementing health-promoting initiatives.     

Variations in housing satisfaction and health status in four lower socio-economic housing typologies in the eThekwini Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal

A study was done in the Durban Area, South Africa amongst residents (n?=?300) of four lower socio-economic housing typologies: Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) houses, informal settlements (IS), traditional rural houses (TR) and inner-city apartments (IC). Respondents living in IC were most satisfied with their dwellings, those living in RDP houses and in IS were the least satisfied. People living in the IC perceived their health best, while those living in IS perceived it as worst. Major reasons for dissatisfaction with housing were pest infestation in their dwelling in the past 12 months, inadequate toilet facilities, high temperature, unclean neighbourhood, poor ventilation and dust. Pest infestation and poor ventilation were mentioned most frequently by flat dwellers whilst RDP, IS and TR households complained about inadequate toilet facilities. For many people living in low socio-economic housing, both housing and service provision remain inadequate.