Examining car guarding as a livelihood in the informal sector

2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 525-538 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Foster ◽  
Mihalis Chasomeris
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
High Risk ◽  
South African ◽  
Health Risks ◽  
Informal Sector ◽  
Demographic Characteristics ◽  
Verbal Abuse ◽  
Average Income ◽  
Unemployed Person ◽  
Informal Sector Employment

Car guarding is a distinctly South African informal sector employment activity. A car guard offers to guard vehicles in a public or private parking area for a donation. Car guarding enables an unemployed person to earn some income. The purpose of this study is to examine car guarding as a livelihood in the informal sector. This study interviews 30 car guards at six different locations in Durban, South Africa. It examines their demographic characteristics, income, education and skills, risks and challenges faced, and the opinion of car guards regarding their livelihood. The average car guard worked six days per week and an average of nine hours per day. The average income per hour ranged from ZAR4.64 to ZAR30. Average daily incomes ranged from ZAR50 to ZAR350. Car guarding is a high risk activity that includes health risks, and risks of verbal abuse and violence.

scholarly journals Shopping list development and use of advertisements’ pre-store food-buying practices within different socio-economic status areas in South Africa

2017 ◽  
Vol 119 (12) ◽  
pp. 2880-2902
Author(s):  
Rodney Graeme Duffett ◽  
Crystal Foster
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Developing Country ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Demographic Characteristics ◽  
Low Ses ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Shopping List ◽  
Food Shopping ◽  
Food Buying Practices

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to determine whether there is a difference in the development of shopping lists and use of advertisements as pre-store food-buying practices in terms of planned shopping by South African consumers who dwell in different socio-economic status (SES) areas. The paper also considers the influence of shopper and socio-demographic characteristics on pre-store food-buying practices in a developing country. Design/methodology/approach A self-administered questionnaire was used to survey 1 200 consumers in retail stores in low, middle and high SES areas in South Africa. A generalised linear model was employed for the statistical analysis of pre-store food-buying practices within the SES area groups in a developing country. Findings South African consumers that reside in high SES area displayed the largest of shopping list development, while consumers who dwell in low SES areas showed the highest incidence of advertisement usage. Several shopper and socio-demographic characteristics were also found to have an influence on pre-store food-buying practices in different SES areas in South Africa. Research limitations/implications A qualitative approach would offer a deeper understanding of consumers’ pre-store food shopping predispositions as opposed to the quantitative approach, which was adopted for this study. A longitudinal design would also provide a more extensive representation of pre-store food shopping practices over a longer time frame than cross-sectional research. The survey was conducted on Saturdays, whereas consumers who shop during the week may have different shopping and socio-demographic characteristics. Practical implications Astute food brands, marketers and grocery stores could use the findings of this study to assist with their marketing efforts that they direct at consumers in different SES areas in South Africa and other developing countries. Social implications The findings of this study may assist consumers in developing countries, especially those who reside in low SES areas, with food-buying strategies to reduce food costs, make wiser purchase decisions and reduce shopping. Originality/value No study (to the best of the researchers’ knowledge) has considered shopping list development and use of advertisements’ pre-store food-buying practices in different SES areas in a developing country. Furthermore, there is a dearth of research analysing shopper and socio-demographic characteristics in relation to pre-store food-buying practices among different SES areas in developing and developed countries.

scholarly journals Development of a clinical feeding assessment scale for very young infants in South Africa

2016 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mari Viviers ◽  
Alta Kritzinger ◽  
Bart Vinck
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
High Risk ◽  
South African ◽  
Delphi Method ◽  
Scoring System ◽  
Oropharyngeal Dysphagia ◽  
Assessment Instrument ◽  
Assessment Scale ◽  
Young Infants ◽  
Feeding Assessment

Background: There is a need for validated neonatal feeding assessment instruments in South Africa. A locally developed instrument may contribute to standardised evaluation procedures of high-risk neonates and address needs in resource constrained developing settings.Objective: The aim of the study was to develop and validate the content of a clinical feeding assessment scale to diagnose oropharyngeal dysphagia (OPD) in neonates.Method: The Neonatal Feeding Assessment Scale (NFAS) was developed using the Delphi method. Five international and South African speech-language therapists (SLTs) formed the expert panel, participating in two rounds of electronic questionnaires to develop and validate the content of the NFAS.Results: All participants agreed on the need for the development of a valid clinical feeding assessment instrument to use with the neonatal population. The initial NFAS consisted of 240 items across 8 sections, and after the Delphi process was implemented, the final format was reduced to 211 items across 6 sections. The final format of the NFAS is scored using a binary scoring system guiding the clinician to diagnose the presence or absence of OPD. All members agreed on the format, the scoring system and the feeding constructs addressed in the revised final format of the NFAS.Conclusion: The Delphi method and the diverse clinical and research experience of participants could be integrated to develop the NFAS which may be used in clinical practice in South Africa or similar developing contexts. Because of demographically different work settings marked by developed versus developing contexts, participants did not have the same expectations of a clinical dysphagia assessment. The international participants contributed to evidence-based content development. Local participants considered the contextual challenges of South African SLTs entering the field with basic competencies in neonatal dysphagia management, thereby justifying a comprehensive clinical instrument. The NFAS is aimed at clinicians working in Neonatal Intensive Care Units where they manage large caseloads of high-risk neonates. Further validation of the NFAS is recommended to determine its criterion validity in comparison with a widely accepted standard such as the modified barium swallow study.

South African survey on disinfection techniques for the flexible nasopharyngoscope

2003 ◽  
Vol 117 (10) ◽  
pp. 811-814 ◽  
Author(s):  
Darlene E. Lubbe ◽  
Johannes J. Fagan
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
High Risk ◽  
South African ◽  
Contact Time ◽  
Isopropyl Alcohol ◽  
Real Risk ◽  
Disinfection Process ◽  
Risk Patients ◽  
Disinfectant Solution ◽  
Random Survey

This random survey was to determine the flexible nasopharyngoscope disinfection practice employed by South African otolaryngologists and to establish whether a breach in the disinfection process exists. The study also aimed to identify organisms most likely to be transmitted via endoscopy and to propose a protocol for the disinfection of the flexible nasopharyngoscope.A questionnaire regarding disinfection techniques used for the flexible nasopharyngoscope was sent to 90 otolaryngologists in South Africa. All provinces were equally represented in the survey.Forty-five otolaryngologists out of a total of 90 participated in the study. Many of the otolaryngologists had no access to a flexible nasopharyngoscope and were therefore not included in the study. Fewer than 50 per cent of the 45 surgeons washed the instrument with soap/detergent and water after use. Only 42 per cent of surgeons used a FDA-approved disinfectant, 52 per cent of which immersed the scope for a shorter period than the recommended contact time. Of the 58 per cent using non-FDA-approved products, 33 per cent used only a 70 per cent Isopropyl alcohol wipe, without immersion of the scope in disinfectant solution. The remaining 25 per cent used non-FDA-approved disinfectants either by wiping or limited immersion of the scope. Of the 45 surgeons, 49 per cent used a different method of disinfection for high-risk patients.Strict guidelines have been proposed for the disinfection of this semi-critical device by the Association of Professionals for Infection Control (APIC) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). These guidelines are currently not being followed by many South African otolaryngologists. There is therefore a real risk of transmitting infectious diseases, especially tuberculosis, via endoscopy.

scholarly journals NOTES ON SPATIAL-STRUCTURAL CHANGE IN URBAN SOUTH AFRICA -THE 1990s

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hermanus S. GEYER
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Informal Sector ◽  
Urban Poor ◽  
Structural Evolution ◽  
Business Sector ◽  
Urban South ◽  
World Class ◽  
Urban Business ◽  
South African Cities

Informal businesses used to be something that was only tolerated in the former black townships during the years of apartheid. Since then the informal business sector has become an integral part of the central business setup of cities in South Africa. It not only serves to widen the security net of the urban poor in cities, it also represents the outcome of the democratization process in the country over the past fifteen years. Yet, there has been a tendency amongst local authorities to take steps to reduce the footprint of this sector in the urban environment in recent years. This trend ties in with the new approach of government to transform South African cities to become ’world class’ centres - a step that is aimed at making the cities more visually acceptable to visitors from abroad. In this paper an attempt is made to demonstrate the importance of the informal sector within the urban business makeup and to show what role it played in the spatial-structural evolution of the urban economies during the 1990s. The paper analyzes the structure of the urban business sector as a whole and structurally links the formal and informal sectors, demonstrating the importance of both sectors in the economic makeup of the cities. It analyses the structure of the informal sector and shows how different layers of the sector potentially relates to the formal urban sector.

scholarly journals The dual labour market theory and the informal sector in South Africa

2006 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
M. D. Uys ◽  
P. F. Blaauw
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Labour Market ◽  
South African ◽  
Working Conditions ◽  
Informal Sector ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Informal Employment ◽  
The South ◽  
Market Theory

Purpose of the paper: The purpose of this paper is to revisit the dual labour market theory as far as the informal sector in South Africa is concerned. The hypothesis is that the dual labour market theory must be extended in order to be applicable to the informal sector of the South African economy. It is our view that within some informal occupations a further segmentation exists. Problem investigated: Among South Africa ’s grave socio-economic problems, unemployment is one of the most serious and intractable. An increase in informal and self-employment was experienced during the last decades. Traditional dual labour market theory maintains that jobs can be roughly divided into two groups: those with low wages, bad working conditions, unstable employment and little opportunity for advancement; and those with relatively high wages, good working conditions and opportunities for advancement. The problem that confronts researchers is that even within informal employment, further segmentation is possible. Approach: To determine whether the dualism, that described by the dual labour market theory, is also present within the informal sector itself, available data on a typical informal sector activity, namely car guarding, is analysed. This provides the evidence to achieve the objective of this paper. Findings and implications: The case study of car guards confirms that the dual labour market theory can also apply within the informal sector on the condition that it is expanded to make provision for a further segmentation of the periphery sector. This finding presents several important policy implications. A basket of policies is needed to address the problem of unemployment as effectively as possible. Value of the research: The paper provides further knowledge on informal employment in South Africa. This is an area that requires a lot of attention, given the importance of the informal sector in South Africa and Africa at large. It goes further than the traditional implications stemming from the dual labour market theory. Conclusion: The South African labour market is fragmented, consisting of a well-paid formal sector and the periphery that consists of workers in the informal sector, subsistence agriculture and the unemployed. Within the periphery, there is the possibility that a certain degree of dualism exists. The case study of car guards confirms that the dual labour market theory can be extended to make provision for this dualism, even within the informal sector.

scholarly journals Choice or no choice? The need for better branded public sector condoms in South Africa

2015 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
John Ashmore ◽  
Ruth Henwood
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
South Africa ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Young People ◽  
South African ◽  
Young Women ◽  
Routine Data ◽  
Risk Of Infection ◽  
Department Of Health ◽  
Hiv Epidemic

Condoms are one of the cornerstones to any response to the HIV epidemic. However, targetedmarketing strategies that make condoms more attractive to people at high risk of infection areoften overlooked. The South African National Department of Health has recently purchasedmore attractive condoms to distribute in higher-education settings free of charge, targeting atriskyouth including young women. The authors applaud this move but note the importance ofexpanding better branded condoms to young people elsewhere – for example, via youth clinicsand in high schools. Exploratory, routine data from Médecins Sans Frontières in Khayelitshaare presented, showing the popularity of alternatives to the government’s ‘Choice’ brand.

scholarly journals NOTES ON SPATIAL-STRUCTURAL CHANGE IN URBAN SOUTH AFRICA -THE 1990s

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hermanus S. GEYER
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Informal Sector ◽  
Urban Poor ◽  
Structural Evolution ◽  
Business Sector ◽  
Urban South ◽  
World Class ◽  
Urban Business ◽  
South African Cities

Informal businesses used to be something that was only tolerated in the former black townships during the years of apartheid. Since then the informal business sector has become an integral part of the central business setup of cities in South Africa. It not only serves to widen the security net of the urban poor in cities, it also represents the outcome of the democratization process in the country over the past fifteen years. Yet, there has been a tendency amongst local authorities to take steps to reduce the footprint of this sector in the urban environment in recent years. This trend ties in with the new approach of government to transform South African cities to become ’world class’ centres - a step that is aimed at making the cities more visually acceptable to visitors from abroad. In this paper an attempt is made to demonstrate the importance of the informal sector within the urban business makeup and to show what role it played in the spatial-structural evolution of the urban economies during the 1990s. The paper analyzes the structure of the urban business sector as a whole and structurally links the formal and informal sectors, demonstrating the importance of both sectors in the economic makeup of the cities. It analyses the structure of the informal sector and shows how different layers of the sector potentially relates to the formal urban sector.

scholarly journals How do we measure up? A comparison of lifestyle-related health risk factors among sampled employees in South African and UK companies

2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen Milner ◽  
Roseanne da Silva ◽  
Deepak Patel ◽  
Sulaiman Salau
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
South African ◽  
Health Risks ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Workplace Health Promotion ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Workplace Health ◽  
Lifestyle Behaviours ◽  
The Uk

The need to address the growing prevalence of non-communicable diseases through changing the lifestyle behaviours that contribute to them has become a global priority. Settings-based health promotion strategies such as workplace health promotion programmes are growing in an attempt to start meeting this need. In order for settings-based health promotion programmes to be successful, they need to be based on the specific risk profiles of the population for whom they are designed. Workplace health promotion programmes are becoming popular in South Africa, but there are currently few data available about the health risks and lifestyle behaviours of the South African employed population. In order to obtain such data and reward workplace health promotion initiatives, Discovery Health initiated healthy company campaigns in South Africa and the UK. These campaigns took the form of a competition to assess the healthiest companies in each country. Through these campaigns, an extensive data set was collected encompassing UK and South African employees’ lifestyle behaviours and health risks. In this article, we used these data to compare self-reported physical activity levels, self-reported fruit and vegetable consumption, calculated BMI, self-reported smoking, mental health indicators, and health screening status of the UK and South African employee samples. We found significant differences across all measures, with the exception of self-reported fruit and vegetable consumption. The findings emphasise the importance of using local data to tailor workplace health promotion programmes for the population for which the programmes have been designed.

scholarly journals Consumer perceptions of a perilous product: International tourism to South Africa

1996 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 71-81
Author(s):  
Mike Bendixen ◽  
Denis Cranson ◽  
Russell Abratt
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
High Risk ◽  
South African ◽  
Market Segmentation ◽  
Economic Activity ◽  
Significant Contribution ◽  
Tourism Industry ◽  
Consumer Perceptions ◽  
International Tourism ◽  
Tourist Destination

Tourism can make a significant contribution to the development of South Africa by providing employment, contributing to foreign exchange earnings and by increasing economic activity. The aim of this study was to establish current perceptions, attitudes and orientations of foreign tourists towards post-apartheid South Africa as a tourist destination. A sample of 250 tourists were interviewed at London's Heathrow Airport. The results show that the South African tourism industry is faced with a multidimensional problem. It is a good example of a perilous or high risk product. However, with sound market segmentation and targeting, and proper planning, South Africa can have a vibrant and sustainable tourism industry. A unique way of segmenting tourist markets is presented. Specific recommendations are discussed in detail, which could aid all those involved in marketing a high risk product.

Translation, Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Validation of the Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Knowledge Questionnaire in the Western Cape, South Africa

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorisha Manas ◽  
Tawanda Chivese ◽  
Ankia Coetzee ◽  
Madga Conradie ◽  
Linzette Deidre Morris
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
South Africa ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Gestational Diabetes ◽  
Gestational Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
South African ◽  
Antenatal Clinic ◽  
Validity And Reliability ◽  
Knowledge Questionnaire ◽  
Culturally Adapted

Abstract Background. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a major public health concern. The International Diabetes Federation estimated that the global prevalence of hyperglycemia in pregnancy is 16.2%. In South Africa, the most recent prevalence of GDM ranges between 9.1-25.8%. Serious adverse events associated with GDM can be mitigated by lifestyle modifications and education. Good comprehension of GDM, and improved understanding has been shown to translate into better glycemic control and reduces peri-natal complications. Assessing the knowledge base of mothers with GDM, whether in a country like South Africa, or any other similar country, is therefore imperative in bridging the gap and improving their understanding and control of their condition. Objective. To ascertain the validity and reliability of translated, cross-culturally adapted South African English, Afrikaans and isiXhosa versions of the Malaysian GDM Knowledge Questionnaire (M-GDMKQ). Methods. This mixed-method study was conducted prospectively within a high-risk antenatal clinic setting. The study consisted of three phases. Women ≥18-years, with GDM who were able to read basic level English, Afrikaans or isiXhosa; and attended the high-risk antenatal clinic throughout the index pregnancy were consecutively sampled and stratified into three language groups across phases. Results. The cross-culturally adapted English, Afrikaans and isiXhosa South African GDMKQ demonstrated reasonable face and content validity. Kappa values ranged between Kappa (SE), -0.03 (0.18) to 0.89 (0.13) for the English version, Kappa (SE), -0.07 (0.18) to 0.53 (0.13) for the Afrikaans version and Kappa (SE), 0.28 (0.18) to 0.87 (0.17) for the isiXhosa version respectively. Cronbach alpha for the individual questions ranged from 0.31 to 0.90, while correlation between overall scores was rho=0.79 (p<0.001). Conclusion. While the translated and cross-culturally adaptation South African English, Afrikaans and isiXhosa versions of the GDMKQ were found to be feasible, acceptable and easy to comprehend, more research is required to confirm validity and reliability.

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