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Author: search.filters.author.Kistnasamy, Emilie JoyHas files: Yes

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    A desktop evaluation of the potential impact of nanotechnology applications in the field of environmental health in a developing country
    (Science and Education Publishing, 2015) Naidoo, Levani; Kistnasamy, Emilie Joy
    Nanotechnology is the latest addition to enhancing lifestyles of the human population. It also has an impact on the core parts that are vital to the well-being of humanity and its’ sustainability. Nanotechnology has been researched and is implemented in a number of countries at a commercialized level. However, in South Africa, nanotechnology is still being explored at grassroots with a few private industries implementing it. Based on research, the public health sector is expected to benefit the most from the application of nanotechnology. An environmental health practitioner plays a key role in ensuring the health and sustainability of the human population. The purpose of this desktop study is to generally explore the uses of nanotechnology in the Public Health sector with specificity to food, health and water remediation in the context of environmental health in South Africa and evaluate the possible impacts nanotechnology will have in the South African society. Proposed recommendations to be considered on how to address the use of nanotechnology in the current state of South Africa are made along with identifying the gaps in research in nanotechnology pertaining to South Africa.
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    Community engagement: where reality meets the road
    (David Publishing, 2014-07) Kistnasamy, Emilie Joy
    Community engagement is an important higher education pillar which underlies a meeting of the theoretical as taught at universities, with the practical as it occurs in the real world. Learning in this holistic manner allows primary customers of universities: the students, to professionally and confidently anticipate the real world. They are empowered to understand the dynamics of working with excellence in solving issues and contributing to society, in a meaningful, respectful, timely, organized, and feasible manner. This paper will firstly, discuss five community engagement projects that final year Environmental Health students participated in, in Durban, South Africa. This will be followed by a discussion on the key components of community engagement projects that should be considered such as project planning, collaboration practices, overcoming challenges, celebrating successes and evaluation. These components are based on my experience in managing these community engagement projects from conception to conclusion.
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    Challenges of Directly Observed Treatment Strategy implementation in eThekwini Municipality, South Africa
    (AFAHPER-SD, 2014-06) Rajagopaul, Althea; Reddy, Poovendhree; Kistnasamy, Emilie Joy
    EThekwini Municipality in Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa has a high prevalence of Tuberculosis (TB) and reported a defaulter rate of 18.9% in 2007, in spite of the Directly Observed Treatment Short Course (DOTS) which was adopted in 1996. While numerous quantitative studies have evaluated aspects of the DOTS programme in South Africa, there are limited qualitative data on this issue. The aim of this study was to determine the challenges associated with the implementation of the DOTS programme in the eThekwini Municipality. Five participants, who were all involved in TB management and control within the municipality, were interviewed. Textual data were content analysed. Three themes relating to healthcare personnels’ reports on the challenges associated with implementing DOTS in the municipality emerged from the inductive analysis of transcripts namely; inadequate follow up and tracing of patients, training of health care personnel and choice of DOTS supporters and DOTS sites. In spite of the eThekwini Municipality’s commitment to TB control and management, problems with implementation of DOTS persist. Communication, reporting and co-ordination between the different levels of the TB programme are essential to optimise patient benefit from both the TB programme and community or home based care.
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    The power of extrinsic motivation in tertiary education
    (Science and Education Publishing, 2014-05) Kistnasamy, Emilie Joy
    Motivation is one of the most significant psychological concepts in education and can be indicated by the achievement of personal goal setting and developing an interest in the subject area; and reliance on external rewards and pressures. Successful students have a continuous motivating cycle of reflection, connection, confidence and positive self-esteem. Therefore, it is imperative for an educator in a tertiary setting to create a positive and encouraging environment that enhances student learning and personal fulfilment. This article looks at the power of extrinsic motivation as implemented in various modes at a University in Durban, South Africa. Four main categories of extrinsic motivation are discussed. Each category is underpinned by examples used to motivate the student to achieve excellence and thrive successfully. The benefits of implementing the various motivation techniques have shown decreased or minimal absenteeism, students endeavouring to achieve 75% and above for each assessment, a sense of accomplishment for the student, an increase in general well-being and personal empowerment and an enhancing of best teaching and learning practices.
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    Predictors of tuberculosis treatment defaulting in informal dwellers within the eThekwini Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal
    (FIDSSA, 2014) Rajagopaul, Althea; Reddy, Poovendhree; Kistnasamy, Emilie Joy
    Globally, tuberculosis causes more than 2-million deaths annually. Despite the implementation of the directly observed treatment strategy (DOTS) in South Africa, cure and defaulter rates have not reached World Health Organization (WHO) target rates. This causes concern as it may increase the risks of the development of multiple drug-resistant tuberculosis. Prior to commencement of this study, the eThekwini Municipality reported a defaulter rate of 18.9% in 2007 and 29% in 2009, which is higher than the WHO guideline of 5%. In 2011, eThekwini reported a defaulter rate of 24.3%. Given these statistics and the impact that these high rates may have on susceptible populations and an already overburdened health system, this study aimed to investigate predictors of defaulting in informal dwellers of eThekwini Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal. The study population comprised 102 defaulters and 102 non-defaulters from informal settlements within eThekwini. It was a cross-sectional descriptive study. The Prince Cyril Zulu Communicable Disease Centre electronic tuberculosis register was used to trace defaulters who were interviewed from informal settlements. Demographic data for non-defaulters were matched from the Prince Cyril Zulu Communicable Disease Centre electronic tuberculosis register, but were not physically traced. A questionnaire was administered to all defaulters and retrospective data were obtained from the Prince Cyril Zulu Communicable Disease Centre register for non-defaulters. Multivariate logistic analysis found smoking, alcohol use and having a family member with tuberculosis to be statistically significant predictors of defaulting. Smoking [odds ratio (OR): 2.79, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.15, 6.77, p-value ≤ 0.005], alcohol consumption (OR: 7.04, 95% CI: 2.96, 16.71, p-value ≤ 0.005), and having a family history of tuberculosis (OR: 4.60, 95% CI: 2.34, 9.04, p-value = 0.01), were all significantly associated with defaulting in informal dwellers. Smoking, alcohol use and having a family member with tuberculosis were predictors that informal dwellers would default from their treatment. These factors should be included in tuberculosis management programmes.
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    The relationship between asthma and outdoor air pollutant concentrations of sulphur dioxide (SO2), oxides of nitrogen (NOx), ozone (O3) total reduced sulphates (TRS), carbon monoxide (CO) and respirable particulate matter less than 10 microns (PM10) in learners and teachers at Settlers Primary School in Merebank, south Durban
    (2005) Kistnasamy, Emilie Joy; Barratt, Graham James
    South Durban is in the province of Kwazulu-Natal in South Africa and is home to two international petro-chemical refineries, a paper mill, sewage works, an international airport, a chemical tank farm with approximately 970 tanks, a number of landfill sites, an airport, various processing and manufacturing industries which are all in close proximity to residential and recreational areas. This area is known as the South Durban Industrial Basin (SDIB). Serious concerns have arisen about the potential health impacts that could arise from ambient air pollution from these industries. Learners and staff at the Settlers Primary School situated in Merebank, a suburb in the SDIB, perceived themselves to be at risk for air pollutant related health effects owing to the schools’ geographic location. The aims of this study was a) to determine the prevalence of asthma among learners from Grades 3 and 6 and staff at Settlers Primary School and b) To investigate whether outdoor air pollutant concentrations of sulphur dioxide (SO2), oxides of nitrogen (NOx), ozone (O3), total reduced sulphur (TRS), carbon monoxide (CO) and respirable particulate matter less than 10 microns (PM10) were associated with increased signs and symptoms of asthma in the study population.