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Literacy activists' experiences and challenges in extensive reading programmes with children in South Africa
(University of the Western Cape, 2026) Tamaryn L Wyngaardt
The present study focuses on investigating the experiences of literacy activists and the benefits of extensive reading in a child’s reading development. The main aim of the study was to assess the impact of extensive reading programmes carried out by literacy activists had on children’s reading progress. The main question of this study focused on the experiences and challenges of literacy activists as well as their implications for the extensive reading programmes. The theoretical underpinning of the study includes the narrative theory to focus on individual experiences. The study gathered data by employing a qualitative research approach. Exploratory research was used through a case study research design, and a narrative research design to gather as well as analyse the personal experiences of the literacy activists. The sampling method that was employed was purposive sampling, involving individuals with relevant experience in extensive reading programmes. The data collection of the study primarily involved semi-structured as well as open-ended interviews. These interviews were transcribed for analysis using thematic analysis. The key findings emphasised the necessity of early exposure to reading, the pivotal roles family and community support play, and the impact of home and school environments on an individual’s literacy development. The insights of the literacy activists showed the multifaceted nature of extensive reading programmes. This includes having access to engaging materials, culturally relevant material, as well as being actively engaged with the content being read. In addition, the study indicated key benefits for children who participated in these programmes, such as academic motivation, receiving holistic learning experiences, receiving individual attention, as well as a sustained impact beyond the programme’s duration. All in all, the study’s findings underscore the necessity of literacy initiatives as a means of fostering a lifelong passion for reading among children in South Africa. The study suggests several recommendations for improvement, such as incorporating a diversity of reading materials reflecting the cultural diversity of South Africa, ensuring library access in communities and schools, involving parents in the reading process, establishing reading incentives, fostering community partnerships, incorporating multimodal approaches to reading, implementing a targeted assessment strategy as well, and incorporating cross-cocurricular integration. Further studies could opt towards investigating the long-term effects that extensive reading programmes will have on the academic performances and lifelong reading habits of learners. Moreover, investigating parental involvement could add insights into best practices for improving literacy outcomes. Understanding how these initiatives impact children from various socio-economic backgrounds, as well as various language abilities.
The syndemic effects of food insecurity, depression, and gender-based violence on HIV treatment outcomes among people with HIV in Zimbabwe
(Springer, 2026) Lee, Jasper S.; Mawere, Tsitsi; Nyanda, Rumbidzai; Nyamayaro, Primrose; Stanton, Amelia M.; McKetchnie, Samantha M.; Bere, Tarisai; Jopling, Rebecca; Gulbicki, Lauren; Goldsmith, Kimberley
The effects of food insecurity (FI) on mental health and HIV treatment outcomes among people with HIV (PWH) in Zimbabwe are not well understood, despite its high prevalence and links to poor health. We examined associations between FI and self-reported health quality, viral load, CD4 count, antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence, depression diagnosis and symptoms, and gender-based violence (GBV) among PWH in Zimbabwe. Participants were 484 PWH receiving HIV care in Mashonaland East Province who were assessed for enrollment in a randomized controlled trial for depression. Associations were estimated using linear or logistic regression, controlling for gender and income type. We also tested an interaction between FI and depression on ART adherence. In the past 12 months, 51% reported having skipped a meal (moderate FI) and 29% reported having skipped an entire day of eating (severe FI). Moderate FI was associated with poorer overall perceived health quality (b = -8.48, 95%CI[-12.86 to -4.10], p < .001), increased likelihood of depression diagnosis (OR = 2.13, 95%CI[1.47–3.11], p < .001), greater depression severity (b = 0.89, 95%CI[0.27–1.51], p = .005), and being a woman who experienced GBV (OR = 2.35, 95%CI[1.43–3.93], p = .001). Severe FI was associated with poorer overall perceived health (b = -8.02, 95%CI[-12.89 to -3.16], p = .001), increased likelihood of depression diagnosis (OR = 2.91, 95%CI[1.92–4.43], p < .001), greater depression symptom severity (b = 1.36, 95%CI[0.68–2.04], p < .001), and poorer medication adherence (b = -3.90, 95%CI[-7.58 to -0.22], p = .038). There was an interaction between moderate FI and depression diagnosis on ART adherence (b = -8.88, 95%CI[-15.71 to -2.05], p = .011). Screening and targeted interventions are needed to address FI among PWH in Zimbabwe.
Develoment of a guideline for professional nurses in Ghana to support self-management in patients with end-stage renal disease
(University of the Western Cape, 2026) William Amoah
Background End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is an increasing public health concern in Ghana, where limited healthcare infrastructure, and high treatment costs often affecting patient outcomes. Supporting patients to manage their conditions is therefore essential. This study aimed to develop an evidence-based guideline to assist professional nurses in promoting self-management among patients living with ESRD. Methods A multi-phase mixed-methods approach was used. Phase one employed a concurrent mixed-methods design in three teaching hospitals in Ghana. Qualitative data were collected through interviews with 30 patients diagnosed with ESRD to explore their experiences of living with the condition. Quantitative data were obtained from 425 nurses working in renal and dialysis units using the Self-Efficacy and Performance in Self-management Support survey. Phase two involved a scoping review conducted according to PRISMA-ScR guidelines to identify existing evidence on ESRD self-management support. In phase three, findings from the interviews, survey, and scoping review were integrated through methodological triangulation. A modified Delphi technique involving 15 experts across two rounds was used to develop and validate the guideline. Results Patients described delayed diagnoses, challenges adjusting to strict dietary and treatment requirements, emotional distress, and significant financial barriers. Limited access to specialised services and inconsistent patient education further affected their ability to manage the disease. Family support and spirituality were important sources of coping. Survey findings showed moderate levels of self-efficacy and performance among nurses in supporting patient self-management. Significant differences were found across healthcare facilities and gender (p<0.05). Nurses reported strong confidence in providing disease information but less confidence in helping patients actively participate in their care, highlighting a gap between knowledge and practice. The scoping review identified key elements for effective ESRD self-management support, including structured patient education, cultural sensitivity, family involvement, and efficient use of limited resources. These findings informed the development of a guideline comprising eight domains, including patient assessment, education, psychosocial support, care coordination, and resource optimisation. Conclusion This study provides a practical, evidence-based guideline to strengthen ESRD selfmanagement support in Ghana. Enhancing nursing education, implementing culturally appropriate patient education programmes, and improving care coordination are essential for supporting patients living with ESRD. The guideline offers a framework that may also be useful in other low- and middle-income countries facing similar challenges.
Challenges and strategies in translating Islamic texts from Arabic into English
(University of the Western Cape, 2026) Farooki , Muzzammil
Translating Islamic texts and genres, including litanies, supplications, and poetry, is undoubtedly a rigorous task. This is because many of these supplications and litanies are derived from the Holy Qur’ān, which is the greatest form of Islamic literature due to its divine nature. The proposed study will investigate the complex process of translating Islamic texts from Arabic into English. It will mainly focus on the challenges that translators encounter and the strategies employed by them in the process of translation. The aim is to gain insights into the various dimensions involved in the rendition of Islamic texts. Undoubtedly, the underlying dimensions are not only lexicogrammatical, but also ideological, cultural, and religious. The study will use a qualitative research methodology. It will employ a translation quality assessment of both the translation process and product. Moreover, the study will adopt an eclectic theoretical framework that draws from various translation and linguistic theories, including text linguistics, equivalence theory, and translation strategies models. The integration of these theoretical concepts and models will provide a comprehensive understanding of the translation problems and strategies involving the translation of Islamic texts. The corpus of the study encompasses a wide range of Islamic texts, including devotional texts, aḥādīth (Prophetic transmissions), tafsīr (Qur’ānic exegesis), Islamic literary texts, and economic and business texts; hence, it represents different text types and genres. This diverse corpus will enable an in depth, comprehensive textual analysis of linguistic choices, stylistic features, and instances of cultural adaptation, if any. It will shed light on the translation challenges across genres and strategies adopted by them to retain the force of the original and maintain faithfulness to the source text in a way that ensures the comprehension and readability of the text in the target language. This study argues that in order for the source text to be rendered in the target text successfully, the translator must not only be restricted to the use of a single translation strategy, but rather to skilfully employ various translation strategies in a balanced manner so that equivalence may be achieved. It is hoped that the findings of this study will contribute to the existing body of knowledge in the fields of translation studies and Arabic-Islamic studies. In particular, it will offer practical insights for translators and language practitioners who frequently translate Islamic texts or genres from Arabic into English and vice versa. It may provide them with guidelines and strategies they may use to render sensitive religious texts and to ultimately facilitate better cross-cultural communication.
Double pole S-matrix singularity in the continuum of 7Be
(Jagiellonian University, 2026) David Cardona Ochoa; Marek Ploszajczak; Nicolas Michel
The double pole singularity of the S-matrix, the so-called exceptional point, associated with the 5/2− doublet of resonances in the spectrum of7Be has been identified in the framework of the Gamow shell model. The exceptional point singularity is demonstrated by the coalescence of wave functions and spectral functions of the two resonances, as well as by the singular behavior of spectroscopic factors and electromagnetic transitions.