By Gofaone Motsamai
Instead of focusing on formal employment when they graduate, final-year animal health science students at the North-West University (NWU) are tapping into their entrepreneurial spirit to explore ways to generate an income.
As part of a specialised entrepreneurship module, students from the School of Agricultural Sciences showcased their innovative business proposals at a pitching session on 15 November.
Prof Leepile Sehularo, a professor of Psychiatry and Mental Health Nursing at the North-West University (NWU), has received the Nurse Researcher Award at the South African Nursing Council (SANC) Nursing Excellence Awards. The ceremony took place at The Capital Menlyn Maine in Pretoria on 8 November 2024.
This award celebrates significant contributions to nursing research and forms part of the SANC’s 80th anniversary.
In South Africa, a country still shadowed by the legacies of the past and grappling with complex social and economic challenges, the Population and Health Research Entity at the North-West University (NWU) offers a striking vision of hope. Nestled within the Faculty of Humanities on the Mahikeng Campus, this research entity has grown into a research powerhouse since it was founded in 2007.
Medical experts agree smoking is a health hazard, but many smokers choose to justify this habit by highlighting the calming and socialising effects they believe it may have. Some smokers of plants such as dagga also point to the medical benefits some studies have shown.
A new NWU study is challenging smokers’ perceptions and justifications by looking at the possible detrimental effect the habit may have on the effectiveness of chronic medication.
The consumption of pork meat products is increasing due to its affordability, versatility and high protein content.
A North-West University (NWU) research project from the Consumer Sciences subject group in the School of Applied Health Sciences, is focusing on food product cues (sensory and non-sensory attributes) that influence consumers’ food choices. Prof Annchen Mielmann is now looking into the cues of pork meat because of its increased popularity among consumers.
A researcher from the North-West University (NWU) has dedicated her research to advancing perinatal mental health in Africa.
Dr Patience Kovane, senior lecturer and research coordinator at the Quality in Nursing and Midwifery (NuMIQ) research focus area in the Faculty of Health Sciences, says her mission is to promote the mental health of women, especially in low- and middle-income settings.
Prof Leepile Alfred Sehularo’s research on mental health and substance abuse has resulted in the development of a programme that is designed to support both adults and learners and focuses especially on the abuse of illegal substances in North West.
He is the director of the Lifestyle Disease research niche area in Nursing in the Faculty of Health Sciences at the North-West University (NWU). “I started with this research during my master’s-degree studies. My research explores the perceptions of psychiatric patients regarding marijuana use.”
A sports vision programme can significantly improve visual and motor skills in young netball players. This is according to the research findings of Prof Dané Coetzee from the School of Biokinetics, Recreation and Sport Science at the North-West University (NWU) and her research partner Dr Elna van der Merwe.
Their research article, titled “An exploratory investigation of the effect of a sports vision programme on Grade 4 and 5 female netball players’ visual skills”, was published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.
Mental health in the healthcare system is beginning to receive the attention it deserves. Prof Leepile Sehularo, a professor of psychiatry and mental health nursing at the North-West University (NWU), has been nominated for the Nurse Researcher Award at the South African Nursing Council (SANC) Nursing Excellence Awards.
The SANC is an independent regulatory body that oversees standards in nursing education and practice throughout South Africa. It was established by the Nursing Act of 1944 and now operates under the Nursing Act of 2005.
Improvements in the North West province’s support systems for psychiatric nurses would directly impact the quality of care for children with mental health issues.
This is one of the findings of a recent study led by Dr Rorisang Machailo, an academic at the School of Nursing at the North-West University (NWU). She focused on developing strategies to address the gaps in resources, training and support for psychiatric nurses caring for children with mental health issues in the province.