The Development in the Understanding of the Concept of Death among Black South African Learners from the Eastern Cape; South Africa

Thirty-one learners aged 6-16 were selected using purposive sampling; with the aim of investigating their understanding of death. Data were collected using drawings andsemi-structured tape-recorded interviews from a modified version of the Smilansky Death Questionnaire. Drawings were analysedfollowing Marton'sphenomenographicmethod.Interview transcripts were analysed using pattern coding. Specific responses regarding the components of death were analysed using Smilansky's scoring method. Nine descriptive categories were gathered from the drawings : personification; colours; physical features; gender; age; method of death; position of the dead; funeralisation; life symbols. Drawings reflected more similarities than differences between age groups. The 6-8 year-olds hada better understanding of human death than of animal death; whereas the oldergroups were more advancedin conceptualising animal death. This finding demonstrates the influence of culturalpractices. The conceptualisation of old age developedbefore the other components of death; followed by inevitability; irreversibility; finality; and causality respectively. Gender differences were noted in the explanations of causes of death. Conclusions demonstrate that the understanding of death is affected by age; cognition; and familial and cultural factors depending on the context within which such development takes place. Future research should consider context when examining children's conceptions of death

The need for occupational health services in Bloemfontein.

The research was undertaken to ascertain the need for occupational health services in Bloemfontein with the possibility of planning such services in small and medium industries. As mentioned in the problem statement, small and medium industries generally do not employ an occupational health nurse. The survey method was used and the research was descriptive in nature. Questionnaires were used to collect information and the researcher evaluated the environment for safety hazards by means of a checklist. Three samples were conducted: a samples test to identify the industries and employees and goal-directed selection to identify the managers. The main findings of the research showed that managers and employees do not know about industrial health. Managers were unaware of the occupational hazards in their industries but they responded positively and expressed the need for services. The workers were aware of occupational hazards to a certain extent and also expressed the need for services. The main reason for the absence of services is their unaffordability. Some of the recommendations are that industrial health nurses have an important task in providing appropriate information to employers and employees. Occupational nurses face great challenges.