Factors influencing attendance by diabetic patients for their yearly ophthalmic reviews at a private ophthalmic practice in East London, South Africa
- Authors: Arnolds, Nadine Chrystal
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11928 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1021321
- Description: Diabetic retinopathies is a complication of diabetes mellitus causing blindness globally, and as patients live longer, cases of diabetic retinopathy increases. Despite efforts to educate patients at their eye visits, yearly follow up visits is still a major challenge. Key words: Diabetes, Diabetic retinopathy, health systems, non-attendance, knowledge, attitude, behaviour, gender, fear and anxiety Objectives: The objectives of the study were to investigate the reasons for non-compliance by determining the relationship among the selected factors (knowledge/ confidence/ fear and anxiety) and adherence to yearly reviews. Methods: Data were collected from adult diabetic patients who attended the private practice for an eye review by the ophthalmologist. The instrument used was a semi- structured questionnaire with sections covering demographics, statements regarding diabetes and diabetic eye care and one section with an open ended question to determine the reasons for non- attendance. Data analysis: Measures of central tendency were checked and expressed in terms of percentages and tables. The inferential statistics was also conducted to determine the relationship amongst variables. Chi square tests were used to determine the relationship amongst the categorical variables and eye reviews. Spearman’s correlation analysis was carried out to determine the association amongst variables, (behaviour, control, stigma and satisfaction). The open ended question was used to analyse the reason for non-compliance. Results: A total of 300 diabetic patients were randomly selected for the study. The participants were sampled in a stratified way such that each level of compliance is equally represented. The dataset was acceptably complete with very few missing values. The distribution of the participants across the different biographical variables was cross tabulated by compliance with annual reviews. Of the 300 participants, 151 (50.3%) were compliant. The results show that there were more females than males 166 (56.3%), more Africans than any other ethnic group 168 (57.1%), more married people than any other marital status group 183 (61.0%), more Christians than any other religion 227 (92.3%), and more living with their families than any other living arrangement 223 (74.8%). Of these variables 5 (1.7%) missing values were recorded for gender, 6 (2%) for ethnicity, and 2 (0.7%) for living arrangements, while marital status and religion were complete. The majority of the participants had a secondary school education 130 (43.3%), and most felt that they were in good health 148 (49.3%). As for payment of medical expenses, 255 (87%) had a medical aid, and yet 147 (51.6%) last visited a doctor more than a year from the date of data collection. Conclusion: Compliance with doctor’s visits was found to be associated with positive behaviour and more knowledge and control. Knowledgeable patients were more satisfied with the medical services. Fear of stigma associated with diabetes mellitus was found to be associated with demographic variables such as gender, race, marital status, employment status and educational level. The main reasons for non-compliance were lack of information, negligence, busy work schedules and lack of finance. These results suggested there is a need to raise awareness of eye health and access to affordable medical services.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Arnolds, Nadine Chrystal
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11928 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1021321
- Description: Diabetic retinopathies is a complication of diabetes mellitus causing blindness globally, and as patients live longer, cases of diabetic retinopathy increases. Despite efforts to educate patients at their eye visits, yearly follow up visits is still a major challenge. Key words: Diabetes, Diabetic retinopathy, health systems, non-attendance, knowledge, attitude, behaviour, gender, fear and anxiety Objectives: The objectives of the study were to investigate the reasons for non-compliance by determining the relationship among the selected factors (knowledge/ confidence/ fear and anxiety) and adherence to yearly reviews. Methods: Data were collected from adult diabetic patients who attended the private practice for an eye review by the ophthalmologist. The instrument used was a semi- structured questionnaire with sections covering demographics, statements regarding diabetes and diabetic eye care and one section with an open ended question to determine the reasons for non- attendance. Data analysis: Measures of central tendency were checked and expressed in terms of percentages and tables. The inferential statistics was also conducted to determine the relationship amongst variables. Chi square tests were used to determine the relationship amongst the categorical variables and eye reviews. Spearman’s correlation analysis was carried out to determine the association amongst variables, (behaviour, control, stigma and satisfaction). The open ended question was used to analyse the reason for non-compliance. Results: A total of 300 diabetic patients were randomly selected for the study. The participants were sampled in a stratified way such that each level of compliance is equally represented. The dataset was acceptably complete with very few missing values. The distribution of the participants across the different biographical variables was cross tabulated by compliance with annual reviews. Of the 300 participants, 151 (50.3%) were compliant. The results show that there were more females than males 166 (56.3%), more Africans than any other ethnic group 168 (57.1%), more married people than any other marital status group 183 (61.0%), more Christians than any other religion 227 (92.3%), and more living with their families than any other living arrangement 223 (74.8%). Of these variables 5 (1.7%) missing values were recorded for gender, 6 (2%) for ethnicity, and 2 (0.7%) for living arrangements, while marital status and religion were complete. The majority of the participants had a secondary school education 130 (43.3%), and most felt that they were in good health 148 (49.3%). As for payment of medical expenses, 255 (87%) had a medical aid, and yet 147 (51.6%) last visited a doctor more than a year from the date of data collection. Conclusion: Compliance with doctor’s visits was found to be associated with positive behaviour and more knowledge and control. Knowledgeable patients were more satisfied with the medical services. Fear of stigma associated with diabetes mellitus was found to be associated with demographic variables such as gender, race, marital status, employment status and educational level. The main reasons for non-compliance were lack of information, negligence, busy work schedules and lack of finance. These results suggested there is a need to raise awareness of eye health and access to affordable medical services.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Perceptions of indigenous people regarding mental illness at Cacadu district in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa
- Authors: Tilolo, Lwazi
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11930 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1021323
- Description: Indigenous people tend to consult traditional healers when a family member manifests change in behaviour, whilst conventional treatment disregards spirituality when preserving mental health. The aim of the study was to explore the perceptions of indigenous people and the role of traditional healers in the management of mentally ill persons within the Cacadu District in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The study has adopted a qualitative approach which was exploratory and descriptive in nature. The sample consisted of nine relatives of mental health care users (MHCUs) and six traditional healers. Ethical principles were also taken into consideration by the researcher during the process of conducting the study. Data were collected from two strata, namely, relatives of the MHCUs and the traditional healers and an interview guide was used to conduct in-depth face-to-face interviews. Data were analysed using Tesch’s method of data analysis. Four themes emerged from the data categories and sub categories were identified. According to the themes participants indicated the negative impact of mental illness; as a result they portrayed great desperation regarding the means of accessing a cure for mental illness. Some participants showed insufficient knowledge regarding mental illness and had different perceptions and beliefs regarding the origin of mental illness. Available literature was used to emphasise and support the views that were expressed by both traditional healers and relatives of MHCUs. It has been highlighted from this study that indigenous people of Cacadu District view mental illness as spiritual in origin but they include Western medication for the benefit of the mentally ill. In addition, the relatives of the MHCUs highlighted the economic burden as the major problem that results from mental illness.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Tilolo, Lwazi
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11930 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1021323
- Description: Indigenous people tend to consult traditional healers when a family member manifests change in behaviour, whilst conventional treatment disregards spirituality when preserving mental health. The aim of the study was to explore the perceptions of indigenous people and the role of traditional healers in the management of mentally ill persons within the Cacadu District in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The study has adopted a qualitative approach which was exploratory and descriptive in nature. The sample consisted of nine relatives of mental health care users (MHCUs) and six traditional healers. Ethical principles were also taken into consideration by the researcher during the process of conducting the study. Data were collected from two strata, namely, relatives of the MHCUs and the traditional healers and an interview guide was used to conduct in-depth face-to-face interviews. Data were analysed using Tesch’s method of data analysis. Four themes emerged from the data categories and sub categories were identified. According to the themes participants indicated the negative impact of mental illness; as a result they portrayed great desperation regarding the means of accessing a cure for mental illness. Some participants showed insufficient knowledge regarding mental illness and had different perceptions and beliefs regarding the origin of mental illness. Available literature was used to emphasise and support the views that were expressed by both traditional healers and relatives of MHCUs. It has been highlighted from this study that indigenous people of Cacadu District view mental illness as spiritual in origin but they include Western medication for the benefit of the mentally ill. In addition, the relatives of the MHCUs highlighted the economic burden as the major problem that results from mental illness.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
The investigation of perceptions of professional nurses regarding care of mental health care users in a general hospital setting
- Manona-Nkanjeni, Nonkanyiso Yvonne
- Authors: Manona-Nkanjeni, Nonkanyiso Yvonne
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11924 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1020200
- Description: This study sought to explore the perceptions of professional nurses regarding care of stabilised mental health care users in a general hospital setting. A qualitative, explanatory, descriptive and contextual design was used for the study. A non-probability, purposive sampling method was used to select 12 participants from the Cecilia Makiwane Hospital in Mdantsane. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews. The services of an independent interviewer were used to avoid any bias as interviews took place where the researcher is employed. The services of an editor were also used for language control (see Annexure H). The researcher repeatedly listened to the tapes used for data collection until completely satisfied with the interpretation of verbatim data. The research study was conducted in an ethically reflective manner and trustworthiness was ensured at all times. Four themes emerged from the analysis of the interviews: fear, stigma, myths and training. The researcher utilised the services of an independent coder who verified the identified major themes. The findings revealed that participants were fearful due to lack of knowledge, experience and psychiatric nursing skills. Participants feared because they lack knowledge about psychiatric medication and because mental health care users may have relapse. The participants also attached a stigma to mental health care users, which resulted in poor communication between participants and the stabilised mental health care user; a negative attitude towards mental health care users; and non-acceptance. Participants believed in myths about mental illness; they regarded it as contagious; and perceived mental health care users as dangerous. The participants strongly recommended that training should be provided to improve their knowledge and skills to enable them to care for stabilised mental health care users in a general hospital setting. The following should be facilitated: in-service training; adoption of a positive attitude; dispersal of myths and fear; education about referral systems; and allocation of specialist psychiatric nurses to medical wards for referral purposes with regard to complicated cases.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Manona-Nkanjeni, Nonkanyiso Yvonne
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11924 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1020200
- Description: This study sought to explore the perceptions of professional nurses regarding care of stabilised mental health care users in a general hospital setting. A qualitative, explanatory, descriptive and contextual design was used for the study. A non-probability, purposive sampling method was used to select 12 participants from the Cecilia Makiwane Hospital in Mdantsane. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews. The services of an independent interviewer were used to avoid any bias as interviews took place where the researcher is employed. The services of an editor were also used for language control (see Annexure H). The researcher repeatedly listened to the tapes used for data collection until completely satisfied with the interpretation of verbatim data. The research study was conducted in an ethically reflective manner and trustworthiness was ensured at all times. Four themes emerged from the analysis of the interviews: fear, stigma, myths and training. The researcher utilised the services of an independent coder who verified the identified major themes. The findings revealed that participants were fearful due to lack of knowledge, experience and psychiatric nursing skills. Participants feared because they lack knowledge about psychiatric medication and because mental health care users may have relapse. The participants also attached a stigma to mental health care users, which resulted in poor communication between participants and the stabilised mental health care user; a negative attitude towards mental health care users; and non-acceptance. Participants believed in myths about mental illness; they regarded it as contagious; and perceived mental health care users as dangerous. The participants strongly recommended that training should be provided to improve their knowledge and skills to enable them to care for stabilised mental health care users in a general hospital setting. The following should be facilitated: in-service training; adoption of a positive attitude; dispersal of myths and fear; education about referral systems; and allocation of specialist psychiatric nurses to medical wards for referral purposes with regard to complicated cases.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
An investigation on patient's perceptions regarding commencement of treatment following diagnosis with breast cancer at Frere Hospital, Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, Eastern Cape Province
- Ntombekaya, Matwele Caroline
- Authors: Ntombekaya, Matwele Caroline
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11927 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1021305
- Description: The aim of the study was to: explore and describe patient’s perceptions regarding commencement of treatment following diagnosis with breast cancer at Frere Hospital in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Reasons why patients diagnosed with breast cancer delay in the commencement of the treatment were to be elicited and strategies for curbing the problem were looked into. A qualitative approach was used, with an exploratory, descriptive and contextual design. The purposive sampling technique was used. The sample comprised 15 participants, 14 Black Africans and 1 Coloured lady. Data were collected using an interview guide from female patients diagnosed with breast cancer whose age ranged from 18-72 years. Interviews were recorded on a tape. Tesch’s (1990) steps of qualitative data analysis guided the analysis process. The results revealed that being diagnosed with breast cancer is perceived as a traumatic and painful experience with negative emotional, social, physical impact and unbearable side effects of from the treatment. Fear of undergoing treatment emerged as a barrier for taking prompt treatment. In exploring, one needs to use empathy, particularly that the researcher engaged in bringing to surface painful information. With the use of understanding and broad mindedness, participants opened up. Recommendations were made regarding strategies for care.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Ntombekaya, Matwele Caroline
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11927 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1021305
- Description: The aim of the study was to: explore and describe patient’s perceptions regarding commencement of treatment following diagnosis with breast cancer at Frere Hospital in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Reasons why patients diagnosed with breast cancer delay in the commencement of the treatment were to be elicited and strategies for curbing the problem were looked into. A qualitative approach was used, with an exploratory, descriptive and contextual design. The purposive sampling technique was used. The sample comprised 15 participants, 14 Black Africans and 1 Coloured lady. Data were collected using an interview guide from female patients diagnosed with breast cancer whose age ranged from 18-72 years. Interviews were recorded on a tape. Tesch’s (1990) steps of qualitative data analysis guided the analysis process. The results revealed that being diagnosed with breast cancer is perceived as a traumatic and painful experience with negative emotional, social, physical impact and unbearable side effects of from the treatment. Fear of undergoing treatment emerged as a barrier for taking prompt treatment. In exploring, one needs to use empathy, particularly that the researcher engaged in bringing to surface painful information. With the use of understanding and broad mindedness, participants opened up. Recommendations were made regarding strategies for care.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Attitudes, knowledge and behaviour of HIV positive pregnant women attending antenatal care in Buffalo city metropolitan district East London towards prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT)
- Matroshe, Florence Nozakhe Skoti
- Authors: Matroshe, Florence Nozakhe Skoti
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11915 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1016150
- Description: The National HIV and AIDS and STI strategic plan for South Africa, 2007-2011 aims to reduce the rate of mother to child transmission to less than 5% by 2011. On the World Aids day in 2009, the Honorable President Jacob Zuma announced the intervention to improve antiretroviral therapy (ARV), access to priority group’s in order to decrease the disease burden, to address maternal and child mortality, and to improve life expectancy (PMTCT Guidelines: 2010). According to the literature reviewed, accepting attitudes may indicate better knowledge and understanding of HIV and AIDS. Marking a change in South Africa’s history of HIV the South African Government launched a major HIV Counseling and Testing program campaign (HCT) in 2010. For the PMTCT program to work and be acceptable, it needs to be known by its clients. It helps the individual to know about their status so that they make important choices for self and others. Amongst the important choices, medications for opportunistic medications, ARV’S, behavior change, etc, are included (Project Literacy 2006:40). Aim and Objectives: The study assessed the knowledge that the pregnant women have towards the prevention of mother to-child transmission which includes HIV testing, antiretroviral prophylaxis during pregnancy, labour, and post natal and feeding options. Methods: A quantitative descriptive method was used for this study. The questionnaires developed by the researcher were used for data collection. The items on the questionnaire were divided into four (4) subsections. The questionnaire was administered to all positive pregnant women coming for follow up visit and those available at the time of data collection. Conclusion: In this study evaluation of the level of knowledge and attitude of positive pregnant women with regard to PMTCT in 5 Buffalo City Municipality clinics was conducted. It was found that some of positive pregnant women have better knowledge about PMTC though there were still those that need further education. Recommendations: The service providers, who are the professional nurses, should be provided with proper training on PMTCT program to improve their standard of service delivery and to capacitate them with knowledge and skills. Integration of HIV related health aspects during assessment and treatment of pregnant women should be strengthened, as the purpose of implementation of PMTCT was to reduce mortality rate by 50%, and also to reach the 4th Millennium Development Goal of reducing these deaths by two-thirds by 2015.east london towards prevention of mother to child transmission (pmtct)
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Matroshe, Florence Nozakhe Skoti
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11915 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1016150
- Description: The National HIV and AIDS and STI strategic plan for South Africa, 2007-2011 aims to reduce the rate of mother to child transmission to less than 5% by 2011. On the World Aids day in 2009, the Honorable President Jacob Zuma announced the intervention to improve antiretroviral therapy (ARV), access to priority group’s in order to decrease the disease burden, to address maternal and child mortality, and to improve life expectancy (PMTCT Guidelines: 2010). According to the literature reviewed, accepting attitudes may indicate better knowledge and understanding of HIV and AIDS. Marking a change in South Africa’s history of HIV the South African Government launched a major HIV Counseling and Testing program campaign (HCT) in 2010. For the PMTCT program to work and be acceptable, it needs to be known by its clients. It helps the individual to know about their status so that they make important choices for self and others. Amongst the important choices, medications for opportunistic medications, ARV’S, behavior change, etc, are included (Project Literacy 2006:40). Aim and Objectives: The study assessed the knowledge that the pregnant women have towards the prevention of mother to-child transmission which includes HIV testing, antiretroviral prophylaxis during pregnancy, labour, and post natal and feeding options. Methods: A quantitative descriptive method was used for this study. The questionnaires developed by the researcher were used for data collection. The items on the questionnaire were divided into four (4) subsections. The questionnaire was administered to all positive pregnant women coming for follow up visit and those available at the time of data collection. Conclusion: In this study evaluation of the level of knowledge and attitude of positive pregnant women with regard to PMTCT in 5 Buffalo City Municipality clinics was conducted. It was found that some of positive pregnant women have better knowledge about PMTC though there were still those that need further education. Recommendations: The service providers, who are the professional nurses, should be provided with proper training on PMTCT program to improve their standard of service delivery and to capacitate them with knowledge and skills. Integration of HIV related health aspects during assessment and treatment of pregnant women should be strengthened, as the purpose of implementation of PMTCT was to reduce mortality rate by 50%, and also to reach the 4th Millennium Development Goal of reducing these deaths by two-thirds by 2015.east london towards prevention of mother to child transmission (pmtct)
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Clinical experiences of third-year student nurses in a public college in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Tyanti, Mandisa
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11912 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1016097
- Description: Clinical experience has always been an important part of nursing education. Nursing colleges require students to be placed in clinical areas in order to acquire new knowledge and skills. The purpose of the study was to explore and describe the clinical experiences during their clinical placement of the third-year student nurses at a public college in the Eastern Cape. The objectives of this study were: to explore and describe the experiences of the third-year student of a public nursing college in the Eastern Cape, and to describe strategies for the improvement of student learning during clinical practice. A qualitative, explorative and descriptive research design was used to describe the clinical experiences of these student nurses and the strategies for the improvement of student learning during clinical practice. Data were collected from focus group interviews, using a purposive and convenience sample from one college campus in the Eastern Cape. Tesch’s method of data analysis (in Creswell, 2003) was used to analyse data. Trustworthiness was ensured in this research by using Guba’s model (in Lincoln & Guba, 1985) of qualitative research. Ethical approval was obtained from the University of Fort Hare Research Ethics Committee, the Department of Health, Eastern Cape, the Head of the Nursing College, the Campus Head and the participants and ethical consideration was ensured throughout the research process. Themes and sub-themes emerged from data collected about the clinical experiences of the nurses. The study brought to light the experiences of third-year student nurses during allocation to clinical areas. The findings from this study revealed the need for proper clinical accompaniment by college staff to ensure that clinical learning is taking place. Strategies to improve learning in the clinical areas are described. and recommendations for nursing education and nursing practice are made. If this is applied, it will help the student nurses to be better professionals.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Tyanti, Mandisa
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11912 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1016097
- Description: Clinical experience has always been an important part of nursing education. Nursing colleges require students to be placed in clinical areas in order to acquire new knowledge and skills. The purpose of the study was to explore and describe the clinical experiences during their clinical placement of the third-year student nurses at a public college in the Eastern Cape. The objectives of this study were: to explore and describe the experiences of the third-year student of a public nursing college in the Eastern Cape, and to describe strategies for the improvement of student learning during clinical practice. A qualitative, explorative and descriptive research design was used to describe the clinical experiences of these student nurses and the strategies for the improvement of student learning during clinical practice. Data were collected from focus group interviews, using a purposive and convenience sample from one college campus in the Eastern Cape. Tesch’s method of data analysis (in Creswell, 2003) was used to analyse data. Trustworthiness was ensured in this research by using Guba’s model (in Lincoln & Guba, 1985) of qualitative research. Ethical approval was obtained from the University of Fort Hare Research Ethics Committee, the Department of Health, Eastern Cape, the Head of the Nursing College, the Campus Head and the participants and ethical consideration was ensured throughout the research process. Themes and sub-themes emerged from data collected about the clinical experiences of the nurses. The study brought to light the experiences of third-year student nurses during allocation to clinical areas. The findings from this study revealed the need for proper clinical accompaniment by college staff to ensure that clinical learning is taking place. Strategies to improve learning in the clinical areas are described. and recommendations for nursing education and nursing practice are made. If this is applied, it will help the student nurses to be better professionals.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Experiences of agency nurses regarding their placement in private hospitals in East London, Eastern Cape
- Authors: Muller, Jennifer
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11911 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1016054
- Description: The general Australian workforce is becoming increasingly reliant on agency staff due to the diminishing of full-time jobs and the rise in part-time jobs since the recession of 1991-1992. This pattern is also seen in Western countries such as America and the United Kingdom (Peerson et al., 2002:505). The excessive costs of health service adopting a 100% staffing model has created the use of agency nursing to help meet fluctuating and unpredictable health care demands in Australia and overseas; agency staff are used to meet the shortfalls in staff-patient ratios (Peerson et al., 2002:505). Hurst & Smith (2011:287) agree that agency nurse staffing form a large part of the health service in the UK and state that this was unlikely to change because of recruitment and retention problems, high absenteeism, and staff wanting to work casually. In their study, they identified three types of agency nurses: A bank nurse – the hospital’s own employees or those supplied by NHS Professionals, who work when required, usually at short notice; agency nurses provided by commercial organisations, who are equally flexible but less familiar with the ward patients and procedures; and permanent ward staff working paid overtime. In South Africa, this also remains a problem in public and private institutions. The World Health Organization (WHO) states that the minimum ratio for nurses to population is 200:100 000 or 500 people per nurse. According to South African Nursing Council statistics of nursing manpower as at the end of 2008, South Africa has 437 nurses for every 100 000 people. This assumed that all nurses registered with SANC are working in South Africa at the time. Therefore, if the assumed number of staff not working in South Africa is subtracted, the ratio can increase to between 600 and 678 people per nurse (WHO, 2006). Joubert (2009:2) shows that a shortage of nurses contributes to deaths in hospitals in South Africa that would otherwise have been avoidable. The use of agency staff is becoming an appropriate means of providing cost-effectiveness and flexibility to staffing needs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Muller, Jennifer
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11911 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1016054
- Description: The general Australian workforce is becoming increasingly reliant on agency staff due to the diminishing of full-time jobs and the rise in part-time jobs since the recession of 1991-1992. This pattern is also seen in Western countries such as America and the United Kingdom (Peerson et al., 2002:505). The excessive costs of health service adopting a 100% staffing model has created the use of agency nursing to help meet fluctuating and unpredictable health care demands in Australia and overseas; agency staff are used to meet the shortfalls in staff-patient ratios (Peerson et al., 2002:505). Hurst & Smith (2011:287) agree that agency nurse staffing form a large part of the health service in the UK and state that this was unlikely to change because of recruitment and retention problems, high absenteeism, and staff wanting to work casually. In their study, they identified three types of agency nurses: A bank nurse – the hospital’s own employees or those supplied by NHS Professionals, who work when required, usually at short notice; agency nurses provided by commercial organisations, who are equally flexible but less familiar with the ward patients and procedures; and permanent ward staff working paid overtime. In South Africa, this also remains a problem in public and private institutions. The World Health Organization (WHO) states that the minimum ratio for nurses to population is 200:100 000 or 500 people per nurse. According to South African Nursing Council statistics of nursing manpower as at the end of 2008, South Africa has 437 nurses for every 100 000 people. This assumed that all nurses registered with SANC are working in South Africa at the time. Therefore, if the assumed number of staff not working in South Africa is subtracted, the ratio can increase to between 600 and 678 people per nurse (WHO, 2006). Joubert (2009:2) shows that a shortage of nurses contributes to deaths in hospitals in South Africa that would otherwise have been avoidable. The use of agency staff is becoming an appropriate means of providing cost-effectiveness and flexibility to staffing needs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Experiences of college students, regarding the mentoring role of registered nurses in the public services of the Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Lundall, Kasthuri
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11918 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1016159
- Description: Fifty percent of the learning of student nurses takes place within the clinical learning environment. It is in this environment that nursing students are expected to apply their knowledge, learn new skills, and achieve the required learning outcomes and proficiencies. Nursing program Me s differ significantly, so students ‟practice will vary depending on where they are studying and their practice will develop as the level of proficiency increases, and may also vary depending on the context of placement. Gopee (2008:7) elaborates on the fact that mentoring enables student nurses to gain clinical skills during placements and serves a formal role whereby teaching and practice facilitate professional learning within the healthcare system. The study was undertaken with the aim to describe experiences of college students regarding the mentoring role by registered nurses in the Public Services of the Eastern Cape. The objectives of the study were to explore and describe experiences of college students, regarding the mentoring role of registered nurses in Public Services of the Eastern Cape, to analyse the results and to make suggestions from findings that were obtained. A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual design was used for this study to explore and describe the experiences of the college students regarding the mentoring role of registered nurses in the Public Services of the Eastern Cape, South Africa. The researcher studied the population of student nurses in the public nursing college in the Eastern Cape at the East London Campus. Purposive sampling which is referred to as a judgmental approach was used. Data were collected by means of focus group interviews. An interview schedule with an unstructured questionnaire was used to investigate and explore information gained from the participants. This study consisted of a total of five focus groups that were recruited from fourth-year nursing students at the East London campus who volunteered to be part of the study. The total number of participants was 31. Data were analysed using v Tesch‟s method of analysis for qualitative research. Two major themes emerged, revealing positive experiences of students with regard to mentoring and negative experiences of students regarding mentoring. After exploring and describing the experiences of college students regarding the mentoring role played by registered nurses in the Public Services of the Eastern Cape, it was concluded that that there is a lack of mentoring, coupled with negativity, by registered nurses which results in many challenges. Recommendations included: Motivation for integration and collaboration; interactive working relationships; introducing a well-established orientation programme; a well-structured clinical teaching programme and procedure manuals; reinstatement of clinical preceptors, clinical objectives and time frames; identify in clinical staff who will mentor student nurses; instituting in-service training programmes and workshops; introduction of peer mentoring; and establishment of set times for routine clinical ward rounds.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Lundall, Kasthuri
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11918 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1016159
- Description: Fifty percent of the learning of student nurses takes place within the clinical learning environment. It is in this environment that nursing students are expected to apply their knowledge, learn new skills, and achieve the required learning outcomes and proficiencies. Nursing program Me s differ significantly, so students ‟practice will vary depending on where they are studying and their practice will develop as the level of proficiency increases, and may also vary depending on the context of placement. Gopee (2008:7) elaborates on the fact that mentoring enables student nurses to gain clinical skills during placements and serves a formal role whereby teaching and practice facilitate professional learning within the healthcare system. The study was undertaken with the aim to describe experiences of college students regarding the mentoring role by registered nurses in the Public Services of the Eastern Cape. The objectives of the study were to explore and describe experiences of college students, regarding the mentoring role of registered nurses in Public Services of the Eastern Cape, to analyse the results and to make suggestions from findings that were obtained. A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual design was used for this study to explore and describe the experiences of the college students regarding the mentoring role of registered nurses in the Public Services of the Eastern Cape, South Africa. The researcher studied the population of student nurses in the public nursing college in the Eastern Cape at the East London Campus. Purposive sampling which is referred to as a judgmental approach was used. Data were collected by means of focus group interviews. An interview schedule with an unstructured questionnaire was used to investigate and explore information gained from the participants. This study consisted of a total of five focus groups that were recruited from fourth-year nursing students at the East London campus who volunteered to be part of the study. The total number of participants was 31. Data were analysed using v Tesch‟s method of analysis for qualitative research. Two major themes emerged, revealing positive experiences of students with regard to mentoring and negative experiences of students regarding mentoring. After exploring and describing the experiences of college students regarding the mentoring role played by registered nurses in the Public Services of the Eastern Cape, it was concluded that that there is a lack of mentoring, coupled with negativity, by registered nurses which results in many challenges. Recommendations included: Motivation for integration and collaboration; interactive working relationships; introducing a well-established orientation programme; a well-structured clinical teaching programme and procedure manuals; reinstatement of clinical preceptors, clinical objectives and time frames; identify in clinical staff who will mentor student nurses; instituting in-service training programmes and workshops; introduction of peer mentoring; and establishment of set times for routine clinical ward rounds.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Exploration of indigenous knowledge and practices of the relatives of mental health care users regarding management of mental disorders in Malawi
- Authors: Kavalo, Yasinta
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11933 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1021333 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1020173
- Description: Exploration of indigenous knowledge and practices of the relatives of mental health care users regarding the management of mental disorders. This study was conducted to explore the management of mental disorders amongst the indigenous people of the Dedza District in Malawi. The government of Malawi declared public mental health services to be free of charge, as a strategy to reduce the burden of disease to the country. Yet despite the free health care services, the indigenous people of Malawi did not take advantage of these free mental health care services, as they regarded them to be culturally incongruent. Instead they used traditional healing systems for mental disorders and consulted the Western health systems only when the traditional systems had failed, the mental health condition had become worse and the mental health care user had become unmanageable. This study was then conducted to explore what the Malawians regarded as culturally sensitive public mental health services. Method: A qualitative phenomenological research approach was adopted to explore the views of the relatives of mental health care users about culturally sensitive public mental health care services. A purposeful sampling method was used to select information rich participants amongst the relatives of mental health care users of indigenous Malawian origin. An unstructured interview guide was used to gather data through face to face interviews. Saturation of data was reached after interviewing fifteen (15) relatives. The verbatim transcribed data from the participants were content analyzed to identify the themes, categories and subcategories. Themes that emerged were: community beliefs; perceived causes, delayed decision making and health system factors. viii Findings: The community beliefs about the management of mental disorders were on traditional and religious health systems. The traditional healers were consulted in cases where mental illness was believed to be caused by witchcraft and spiritual healers were consulted where mental illness was believed to be caused by ancestral wrath. Even such consultations were delayed as the decisions on the type of healer to be used to manage the mental health care user, had to come from the extended family members. These processes took place during the acute phase of the mental illness and thus explain the delays in consulting with the Western mental health care systems. Such delays had a potential to contribute to the chronicity and the related complications of the illness. The Western health care services were only consulted when the indigenous healing systems were unsuccessful. Yet even the western healing systems were not the best option due to the negative and disrespectful attitudes of health care professionals, the impersonal nature of services, the use of foreign language and delays in service delivery. The recommendations were that the results of this study should be used as guidelines to develop strategies for culturally congruent mental health care services to the indigenous Malawians as the development of the strategies was beyond the scope of this study. The focus of the guidelines to ensure the development of evidence-based nursing practices in rendering culturally congruent mental health services to the indigenous Malawians. Firstly, there should be an integration of both the Western and the traditional healing systems to ensure a holistic patient centered approach to the care of the indigenous people of Malawi; secondly to use the nursing process phases, starting with the assessment, the formulation of the nursing diagnosis, the expected outcomes, the development and implementation of the nursing interventions and the discharge ix plans to incorporate the belief systems of the indigenous Malawians as identified in this study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Kavalo, Yasinta
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11933 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1021333 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1020173
- Description: Exploration of indigenous knowledge and practices of the relatives of mental health care users regarding the management of mental disorders. This study was conducted to explore the management of mental disorders amongst the indigenous people of the Dedza District in Malawi. The government of Malawi declared public mental health services to be free of charge, as a strategy to reduce the burden of disease to the country. Yet despite the free health care services, the indigenous people of Malawi did not take advantage of these free mental health care services, as they regarded them to be culturally incongruent. Instead they used traditional healing systems for mental disorders and consulted the Western health systems only when the traditional systems had failed, the mental health condition had become worse and the mental health care user had become unmanageable. This study was then conducted to explore what the Malawians regarded as culturally sensitive public mental health services. Method: A qualitative phenomenological research approach was adopted to explore the views of the relatives of mental health care users about culturally sensitive public mental health care services. A purposeful sampling method was used to select information rich participants amongst the relatives of mental health care users of indigenous Malawian origin. An unstructured interview guide was used to gather data through face to face interviews. Saturation of data was reached after interviewing fifteen (15) relatives. The verbatim transcribed data from the participants were content analyzed to identify the themes, categories and subcategories. Themes that emerged were: community beliefs; perceived causes, delayed decision making and health system factors. viii Findings: The community beliefs about the management of mental disorders were on traditional and religious health systems. The traditional healers were consulted in cases where mental illness was believed to be caused by witchcraft and spiritual healers were consulted where mental illness was believed to be caused by ancestral wrath. Even such consultations were delayed as the decisions on the type of healer to be used to manage the mental health care user, had to come from the extended family members. These processes took place during the acute phase of the mental illness and thus explain the delays in consulting with the Western mental health care systems. Such delays had a potential to contribute to the chronicity and the related complications of the illness. The Western health care services were only consulted when the indigenous healing systems were unsuccessful. Yet even the western healing systems were not the best option due to the negative and disrespectful attitudes of health care professionals, the impersonal nature of services, the use of foreign language and delays in service delivery. The recommendations were that the results of this study should be used as guidelines to develop strategies for culturally congruent mental health care services to the indigenous Malawians as the development of the strategies was beyond the scope of this study. The focus of the guidelines to ensure the development of evidence-based nursing practices in rendering culturally congruent mental health services to the indigenous Malawians. Firstly, there should be an integration of both the Western and the traditional healing systems to ensure a holistic patient centered approach to the care of the indigenous people of Malawi; secondly to use the nursing process phases, starting with the assessment, the formulation of the nursing diagnosis, the expected outcomes, the development and implementation of the nursing interventions and the discharge ix plans to incorporate the belief systems of the indigenous Malawians as identified in this study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Exploration of nursing students’ experiences of learning in a tertiary institution in East London in the Province of Eastern Cape
- Authors: Bulelwa, Cynthia James
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11909 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015526
- Description: The purpose of this study was to explore and describe the experiences of nursing students learning in a tertiary institution in East London in the Province of the Eastern Cape. Reviewed literature has revealed that the transition from high school to university is a major concern globally and that students start tertiary education with a number of pre-existing problems which influence their experience of learning and their academic performance. A qualitative, contextual approach and phenomenology design was seen as most appropriate to guide this research process in this study. Purposive, non-probability sampling was used to select the 12 participants. The participants included nursing students from the University of Fort Hare in East London in the Eastern Cape Province who are enrolled in the course leading to registration as a Nurse (General, Psychiatry and Community) and Midwifery. A pilot study was conducted at the University of Fort Hare involving respondents with similar characteristics to the study population.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Bulelwa, Cynthia James
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11909 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015526
- Description: The purpose of this study was to explore and describe the experiences of nursing students learning in a tertiary institution in East London in the Province of the Eastern Cape. Reviewed literature has revealed that the transition from high school to university is a major concern globally and that students start tertiary education with a number of pre-existing problems which influence their experience of learning and their academic performance. A qualitative, contextual approach and phenomenology design was seen as most appropriate to guide this research process in this study. Purposive, non-probability sampling was used to select the 12 participants. The participants included nursing students from the University of Fort Hare in East London in the Eastern Cape Province who are enrolled in the course leading to registration as a Nurse (General, Psychiatry and Community) and Midwifery. A pilot study was conducted at the University of Fort Hare involving respondents with similar characteristics to the study population.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Factors contributing to non adherence among pregnant women on antiretroviral treatment at Amathole District, Eastern Cape
- Authors: Dekeda, Kolelwa Felicia
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11921 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1019773
- Description: During the beginning of the HIV epidemic in 1981 25 million people have died. The introduction of ART therefore has promising developments to reduce mortality rates and new infections. Nevertheless there is still a challenge with adherence to ART worldwide and in South Africa. The purpose of the study was to determine the factors contributing to non-adherence to ART among HIV positive pregnant women. The study involved a non- probability sample of 70 HIV pregnant women on ART attending antenatal care clinics at the tertiary hospital and two community health centres,in Buffalo City, Amathole District, Eastern Cape. A coded questionnaire was used as an instrument for data collection. Ethical procedure was followed and a consent form was signed by each participant. Data was collected for a period of two months The demographic data reveals that the majority of the participants were knowledgeable about ART and employed. That is evident in the adherence to ART in all age groups except age 40 and above. The majority of HIV positive pregnant women on ART who participated in the study were single 50% (n=35) which suggests that they may lack emotional support from partners and may have difficulty in disclosing their status. Level of adherence revealed that 27% (n=19) of participants missed ART because of forgetfulness, and 16% (n=12) and others were feeling healthy due to frequent follow ups and complying with the ART. Poor follow up, too sick, side effects pill burden, fear of stigma, lack of finances and taking alcohol hinders the proper management of HIV positive pregnant women and is risky to the unborn baby. HIV positive pregnant women on ART exhibited a good knowledge and use of ART. This is encouraging and should be sustained by continuous community awareness campaigns to empower the communities about HIV/AIDS, PMTCT programme and ART and extensive training of health care providers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Dekeda, Kolelwa Felicia
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11921 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1019773
- Description: During the beginning of the HIV epidemic in 1981 25 million people have died. The introduction of ART therefore has promising developments to reduce mortality rates and new infections. Nevertheless there is still a challenge with adherence to ART worldwide and in South Africa. The purpose of the study was to determine the factors contributing to non-adherence to ART among HIV positive pregnant women. The study involved a non- probability sample of 70 HIV pregnant women on ART attending antenatal care clinics at the tertiary hospital and two community health centres,in Buffalo City, Amathole District, Eastern Cape. A coded questionnaire was used as an instrument for data collection. Ethical procedure was followed and a consent form was signed by each participant. Data was collected for a period of two months The demographic data reveals that the majority of the participants were knowledgeable about ART and employed. That is evident in the adherence to ART in all age groups except age 40 and above. The majority of HIV positive pregnant women on ART who participated in the study were single 50% (n=35) which suggests that they may lack emotional support from partners and may have difficulty in disclosing their status. Level of adherence revealed that 27% (n=19) of participants missed ART because of forgetfulness, and 16% (n=12) and others were feeling healthy due to frequent follow ups and complying with the ART. Poor follow up, too sick, side effects pill burden, fear of stigma, lack of finances and taking alcohol hinders the proper management of HIV positive pregnant women and is risky to the unborn baby. HIV positive pregnant women on ART exhibited a good knowledge and use of ART. This is encouraging and should be sustained by continuous community awareness campaigns to empower the communities about HIV/AIDS, PMTCT programme and ART and extensive training of health care providers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Investigating the provision of nutritional support to critically ill hospitalised patients by registered nurses in East London public and private hospitals in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Mooi, Nomaxabiso Mildred
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Nutritional support , Critical illness , Critical Care units , Registered nurses
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11910 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015533 , Nutritional support , Critical illness , Critical Care units , Registered nurses
- Description: Critical illness is typically associated with a catabolic stress state in which patients commonly demonstrate a systemic inflammatory response that brings about changes in their body systems. Changes in the body systems make the critically ill dependent on mechanical ventilation and inotropic support for longer periods in order to survive. However, this inflammatory response can be attenuated by the timely introduction of nutritional support to provide energy and nutrients to diminish catabolism and promote anabolism. The result could be a decrease in the morbidity and mortality rates, as well as the financial burden on the patients, institutions and the state. Since registered nurses initiate and utilise feeding protocols to achieve target goals, there is a strong need for nurse-initiated feeding protocols. These protocols should be coupled with a comprehensive nurse-directed nutritional educational intervention that will focus on their safe and effective implementation. This focus on nursing nutrition education represents a major shift away from traditional education which has focused on dietitians and physicians. Evidence suggests that incorporating guideline recommendations into nurse-initiated protocols for starting and advancing enteral feedings is an effective strategy to improve the delivery of nutritional support. The study was aimed at exploring the provision of nutritional support to critically ill hospitalised patients by registered nurses to identify and describe possible gaps in the practice, through determining the potential relationship between the provision of nutritional support and characteristics of its providers. A quantitative, descriptive correlational study was undertaken. Seventy registered nurses working in neonatal/paediatric and adult critical care units in two public and three private hospitals in East London in the Eastern Cape participated in the study. The sample also included public critical care students. The results showed that registered nurses in private hospitals have more knowledge about the importance of nutritional support than their public hospital counterparts and students. The mean score was on the question was 80.3% with the highest score of 91% which was for the private hospital nurses, followed by 77.2% for public and 71.4% for students. Again, the mean score for knowledge on timing of initiating nutritional support was 48%, the highest score being 69.4% for students followed by private hospital nurses with 49.6%. Close to 63% (n = 44) of these nurses were either unsure about the availability of nutritional protocols or clearly attested to their non-availability. This is seen as an issue of concern because a protocol is meant to be a standard document with which all members of the ICU should be familiar. It is meant to guide and facilitate the manner of working in the unit. While facilitation of maintenance of nutritional support to patients is the responsibility of registered nurses, according to Regulation 2598(1984) section 45 (1) (q) of the South African Nursing Council, 68% (n = 48) of the respondents felt that this was in the practising scope of doctors and dietitians. The study concluded that the nurses are knowledgeable about the importance of nutritional support but knowledge gaps have been identified as far as the timing of initiating nutritional support is concerned. Some attested to unavailability of standard guidelines that are tailored into protocols guiding the provision of nutritional support by registered nurses in the critical care units. Nutrition should be prioritised as an important therapy for improving the outcomes of critically ill patients. Nurses need to analyse its provision, identify barriers to nutritional strategies and engage in nutritional education to empower themselves regarding the practice. Most importantly, there is a need for nurse-initiated nutritional protocols that are tailored from the broad nutritional guidelines and aligned with the local context and ways of practising. Nutritional support should be included as a key component of the curriculum in academic programmes that specialise in critical care nursing.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Mooi, Nomaxabiso Mildred
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Nutritional support , Critical illness , Critical Care units , Registered nurses
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11910 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015533 , Nutritional support , Critical illness , Critical Care units , Registered nurses
- Description: Critical illness is typically associated with a catabolic stress state in which patients commonly demonstrate a systemic inflammatory response that brings about changes in their body systems. Changes in the body systems make the critically ill dependent on mechanical ventilation and inotropic support for longer periods in order to survive. However, this inflammatory response can be attenuated by the timely introduction of nutritional support to provide energy and nutrients to diminish catabolism and promote anabolism. The result could be a decrease in the morbidity and mortality rates, as well as the financial burden on the patients, institutions and the state. Since registered nurses initiate and utilise feeding protocols to achieve target goals, there is a strong need for nurse-initiated feeding protocols. These protocols should be coupled with a comprehensive nurse-directed nutritional educational intervention that will focus on their safe and effective implementation. This focus on nursing nutrition education represents a major shift away from traditional education which has focused on dietitians and physicians. Evidence suggests that incorporating guideline recommendations into nurse-initiated protocols for starting and advancing enteral feedings is an effective strategy to improve the delivery of nutritional support. The study was aimed at exploring the provision of nutritional support to critically ill hospitalised patients by registered nurses to identify and describe possible gaps in the practice, through determining the potential relationship between the provision of nutritional support and characteristics of its providers. A quantitative, descriptive correlational study was undertaken. Seventy registered nurses working in neonatal/paediatric and adult critical care units in two public and three private hospitals in East London in the Eastern Cape participated in the study. The sample also included public critical care students. The results showed that registered nurses in private hospitals have more knowledge about the importance of nutritional support than their public hospital counterparts and students. The mean score was on the question was 80.3% with the highest score of 91% which was for the private hospital nurses, followed by 77.2% for public and 71.4% for students. Again, the mean score for knowledge on timing of initiating nutritional support was 48%, the highest score being 69.4% for students followed by private hospital nurses with 49.6%. Close to 63% (n = 44) of these nurses were either unsure about the availability of nutritional protocols or clearly attested to their non-availability. This is seen as an issue of concern because a protocol is meant to be a standard document with which all members of the ICU should be familiar. It is meant to guide and facilitate the manner of working in the unit. While facilitation of maintenance of nutritional support to patients is the responsibility of registered nurses, according to Regulation 2598(1984) section 45 (1) (q) of the South African Nursing Council, 68% (n = 48) of the respondents felt that this was in the practising scope of doctors and dietitians. The study concluded that the nurses are knowledgeable about the importance of nutritional support but knowledge gaps have been identified as far as the timing of initiating nutritional support is concerned. Some attested to unavailability of standard guidelines that are tailored into protocols guiding the provision of nutritional support by registered nurses in the critical care units. Nutrition should be prioritised as an important therapy for improving the outcomes of critically ill patients. Nurses need to analyse its provision, identify barriers to nutritional strategies and engage in nutritional education to empower themselves regarding the practice. Most importantly, there is a need for nurse-initiated nutritional protocols that are tailored from the broad nutritional guidelines and aligned with the local context and ways of practising. Nutritional support should be included as a key component of the curriculum in academic programmes that specialise in critical care nursing.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Perceived academic support of student nurses at a public nursing college in the Eastern Cape Province
- Authors: Sineke, Nqatyiswa
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11917 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1016158
- Description: Academic support is critical in promoting success among student nurses. Support for student learning is a key element in optimizing student learning experiences, in any learning environment, and its importance has been widely discussed. Student academic support is closely related to motivation for learning, and helping students achieve their learning goals and objectives. Student nurses continue to struggle during their training, to the point of failing a year or being excluded from the course, in spite of the academic support provided through classroom facilitation, and remedial teaching provided by academic staff. They frequently complain that the course is difficult, the workload is heavy, and they are unable to integrate theory with practice. As a result they are too stressed, throughout their training. The purpose of this study is to explore and describe the perceptions of student nurses about the academic support provided to them at a public nursing college in the Eastern Cape Province. This study was guided by the Caring Curriculum Model, based on Watson‟s Theory of Caring. The core of this theory is the implementation of ten carative factors to promote health and equilibrium. Caring was endorsed as a core value in nursing education and practice, by the National League of Nursing and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, while the centrality of a caring-healing relationship was recognized as a basis for all health professional education by the Pew Health Professions Commission. A quantitative approach, using a descriptive and explanatory design, was used to determine the perceptions of student nurses on the academic support they received from the public nursing college. Participants were selected by a simple random sampling method. A total of 189 student nurses, who registered for the 4-year diploma programme at the East London Campus of the Lilitha College of Nursing, participated in the study. Self-report data was collected by means of the Academic Support questionnaire, using a Likert scale which addressed both the performance and importance of academic support. Data were analysed using Statistical Analysis Systems version 9.3, using mean tables and graphical data analysis. The findings revealed high performance ratings for aspects relating to academic advising and teaching-learning process, indicating that there is satisfaction among students on these service attributes. Poor performance ratings were identified, relative to campus support services, indicating that student nurses were not happy with the availability and accessibility of library resources, and computer and internet services. Student nurses, at the college under study, were also not happy with aspects of service excellence relating to campus-based health care facilities, and personal student counselling services. The study identified a gap between the perceived performance and the importance of academic support at the nursing college, as the general performance was rated lower than the importance of academic support. The findings suggest the necessity for improved library facilities and resources, healthcare and counselling services and the establishment of student support programmes, to build the capacity of students and to enhance their chances of success.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Sineke, Nqatyiswa
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11917 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1016158
- Description: Academic support is critical in promoting success among student nurses. Support for student learning is a key element in optimizing student learning experiences, in any learning environment, and its importance has been widely discussed. Student academic support is closely related to motivation for learning, and helping students achieve their learning goals and objectives. Student nurses continue to struggle during their training, to the point of failing a year or being excluded from the course, in spite of the academic support provided through classroom facilitation, and remedial teaching provided by academic staff. They frequently complain that the course is difficult, the workload is heavy, and they are unable to integrate theory with practice. As a result they are too stressed, throughout their training. The purpose of this study is to explore and describe the perceptions of student nurses about the academic support provided to them at a public nursing college in the Eastern Cape Province. This study was guided by the Caring Curriculum Model, based on Watson‟s Theory of Caring. The core of this theory is the implementation of ten carative factors to promote health and equilibrium. Caring was endorsed as a core value in nursing education and practice, by the National League of Nursing and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, while the centrality of a caring-healing relationship was recognized as a basis for all health professional education by the Pew Health Professions Commission. A quantitative approach, using a descriptive and explanatory design, was used to determine the perceptions of student nurses on the academic support they received from the public nursing college. Participants were selected by a simple random sampling method. A total of 189 student nurses, who registered for the 4-year diploma programme at the East London Campus of the Lilitha College of Nursing, participated in the study. Self-report data was collected by means of the Academic Support questionnaire, using a Likert scale which addressed both the performance and importance of academic support. Data were analysed using Statistical Analysis Systems version 9.3, using mean tables and graphical data analysis. The findings revealed high performance ratings for aspects relating to academic advising and teaching-learning process, indicating that there is satisfaction among students on these service attributes. Poor performance ratings were identified, relative to campus support services, indicating that student nurses were not happy with the availability and accessibility of library resources, and computer and internet services. Student nurses, at the college under study, were also not happy with aspects of service excellence relating to campus-based health care facilities, and personal student counselling services. The study identified a gap between the perceived performance and the importance of academic support at the nursing college, as the general performance was rated lower than the importance of academic support. The findings suggest the necessity for improved library facilities and resources, healthcare and counselling services and the establishment of student support programmes, to build the capacity of students and to enhance their chances of success.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Perinatal experiences of pregnant undergraduate students of a higher education institution in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Simandla, Linda
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11913 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1016125
- Description: Unplanned pregnancies among students are increasing annually. There are cases of students giving birth by themselves in the rooms within higher education institution residences unsupervised. Unsupervised births put the students at health risk as birth can complicate or even lead to death. The purpose of this study was to explore the perinatal experiences of undergraduate students whilst a pregnant student. In this study the researcher used a qualitative phenomenological approach within interpretive realism. The study was exploratory focusing on the need to understand how students experience perinatal care. Population for this study comprised of undergraduate students that had been pregnant within their undergraduate program which normally takes three to four years and were staying in the higher education institution residence at the time of pregnancy. A snowball sample was used. Data was collected from participants using unstructured in-depth interviews. For the study a total of 9 students were interviewed. Data was collected in English and Xhosa depending on preference. During pilot interviews the researcher established that the participants had difficulty in expressing themselves in English and used slang in spite of being registered for a degree. The interviews were conducted by the researcher and the data tape recorded. Permission to conduct a study at the higher education institution was sought from the Vice- chancellor, the Dean of Students and Research Ethics Committee To ensure trustworthiness of the study credibility, transferability, dependability and confirmability were adhered to. Four themes with several sub-themes emerged which were: Dynamics on awareness about existence of pregnancy. Support system for female students pertaining to reproductive health. Encountered psychosocial experiences. Coping strategies used by pregnant students. Excerpts were used to support the interpretation of perinatal experiences of the undergraduate students. Recommendations to the management of the higher education institution are to develop guidelines that ensure implementation of the pregnancy policy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Simandla, Linda
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11913 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1016125
- Description: Unplanned pregnancies among students are increasing annually. There are cases of students giving birth by themselves in the rooms within higher education institution residences unsupervised. Unsupervised births put the students at health risk as birth can complicate or even lead to death. The purpose of this study was to explore the perinatal experiences of undergraduate students whilst a pregnant student. In this study the researcher used a qualitative phenomenological approach within interpretive realism. The study was exploratory focusing on the need to understand how students experience perinatal care. Population for this study comprised of undergraduate students that had been pregnant within their undergraduate program which normally takes three to four years and were staying in the higher education institution residence at the time of pregnancy. A snowball sample was used. Data was collected from participants using unstructured in-depth interviews. For the study a total of 9 students were interviewed. Data was collected in English and Xhosa depending on preference. During pilot interviews the researcher established that the participants had difficulty in expressing themselves in English and used slang in spite of being registered for a degree. The interviews were conducted by the researcher and the data tape recorded. Permission to conduct a study at the higher education institution was sought from the Vice- chancellor, the Dean of Students and Research Ethics Committee To ensure trustworthiness of the study credibility, transferability, dependability and confirmability were adhered to. Four themes with several sub-themes emerged which were: Dynamics on awareness about existence of pregnancy. Support system for female students pertaining to reproductive health. Encountered psychosocial experiences. Coping strategies used by pregnant students. Excerpts were used to support the interpretation of perinatal experiences of the undergraduate students. Recommendations to the management of the higher education institution are to develop guidelines that ensure implementation of the pregnancy policy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Professional nurses’ perceptions on quality patient care in one of the Eastern Cape state hospitals
- Authors: Somahela, Khanyisa Judith
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11353 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1021141
- Description: The focus of this study was to explore the perceptions of professional nurses in the quality of care rendered by nurses in the public hospitals. Nursing is a challenging, demanding, and yet fulfilling profession, whose goal is to provide quality care to individuals, families and communities. However, there are inconsistencies regarding the quality of care rendered by nurses in the public hospitals. The media and the public portray nurses as providing poor quality care in the health care facilities. Conversely, the nurses view that they are doing their best, considering the challenging circumstances under which they work in public institutions.The study followed a qualitative approach and an exploratory descriptive design. A purposive sample of 13 professional nurses participated in the study. The sample size was not pre-determined. Data were collected until data saturation, when the interviews yielded no new information. The study was conducted in a state hospital in the Eastern Cape, using an interview guide. Responses were recorded using a tape recorder. No incentives were given to participants. Data were collected and analysed following the Tesch’s method. Prior to conducting the study, the researcher obtained ethical clearance from the University of Fort Hare research ethics committee. The perceptions of the professional nurses who participated in this study were inconsistent. The majority pointed out that the quality of patient care was deteriorating which means the patient care is poor. whereas some participants indicated that the quality of patient care was still the same; it had not changed or deteriorated, The contributing factors to the poor quality patient care were indicated as; shortage of staff, shortage of resources such as equipment, inadequate empowerment of staff, insufficient training of students, staff arriving late for duties, lack of passion their work, skipping and missing of routines, support service that was not working hand in hand with the nursing staff, increased hospitalization of patients and the Eastern cape Department of Health failing to remunerate the nurses as promised.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Somahela, Khanyisa Judith
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11353 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1021141
- Description: The focus of this study was to explore the perceptions of professional nurses in the quality of care rendered by nurses in the public hospitals. Nursing is a challenging, demanding, and yet fulfilling profession, whose goal is to provide quality care to individuals, families and communities. However, there are inconsistencies regarding the quality of care rendered by nurses in the public hospitals. The media and the public portray nurses as providing poor quality care in the health care facilities. Conversely, the nurses view that they are doing their best, considering the challenging circumstances under which they work in public institutions.The study followed a qualitative approach and an exploratory descriptive design. A purposive sample of 13 professional nurses participated in the study. The sample size was not pre-determined. Data were collected until data saturation, when the interviews yielded no new information. The study was conducted in a state hospital in the Eastern Cape, using an interview guide. Responses were recorded using a tape recorder. No incentives were given to participants. Data were collected and analysed following the Tesch’s method. Prior to conducting the study, the researcher obtained ethical clearance from the University of Fort Hare research ethics committee. The perceptions of the professional nurses who participated in this study were inconsistent. The majority pointed out that the quality of patient care was deteriorating which means the patient care is poor. whereas some participants indicated that the quality of patient care was still the same; it had not changed or deteriorated, The contributing factors to the poor quality patient care were indicated as; shortage of staff, shortage of resources such as equipment, inadequate empowerment of staff, insufficient training of students, staff arriving late for duties, lack of passion their work, skipping and missing of routines, support service that was not working hand in hand with the nursing staff, increased hospitalization of patients and the Eastern cape Department of Health failing to remunerate the nurses as promised.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
‘Student life’ discourse and the perception of risk for HIV infection among undergraduate nursing students, at a university, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Mnwana, Sindiswa Millicent
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11922 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1019830
- Description: There is evidence that the HIV prevalence rates among South African university students remains low at 3.4 %. However, the vulnerability of young people to HIV/AIDS continues to be a serious concern as the prevalence of sexual risk behaviour among students in South African universities is reported to reach 68% in heterosexual relationships. Some analysts argue that so far little is known about the influence of the university culture (the so called “student life”) in this behaviour. The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of the risk for HIV infection amongst undergraduate nursing students at an institution of higher learning (university) in East London, Eastern Cape. More specifically, the study examined the ways in which the ‘student life’ discourse functions to influence students’ perceptions of the risk to HIV infection at the selected institution of higher learning. An explorative and descriptive qualitative design was used. The purposive sampling technique was used to select participants. In total, 12 one to one interviews and four focus group discussions (n=35) were conducted. An interview guide was used and a voice recorder to record interviews. Through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions, the research sought to provide insight into the perceptions of risk for HIV infection. The data were analysed using thematic analysis and the themes identified formed the basis for discussion in this study. Among the key findings, that emerged from this study was that knowledge about potential risks to HIV/AIDS did not seem to influence the general sexual behaviour of students. A majority of the participants, 90% that were interviewed individually perceived themselves to be at “little or no” risk of contracting HIV/AIDS despite the high prevalence of HIV risk indicators among them. One of the main findings was that the students’ values that they bring from home were seriously challenged by the student life when they arrived at the university. Therefore in this regard undergraduate nursing students should be equipped by the university with aspects of sexual behaviour such as sexual negotiation and sexual decision making. This would equip them with the necessary skills to resist peer pressure.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Mnwana, Sindiswa Millicent
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11922 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1019830
- Description: There is evidence that the HIV prevalence rates among South African university students remains low at 3.4 %. However, the vulnerability of young people to HIV/AIDS continues to be a serious concern as the prevalence of sexual risk behaviour among students in South African universities is reported to reach 68% in heterosexual relationships. Some analysts argue that so far little is known about the influence of the university culture (the so called “student life”) in this behaviour. The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of the risk for HIV infection amongst undergraduate nursing students at an institution of higher learning (university) in East London, Eastern Cape. More specifically, the study examined the ways in which the ‘student life’ discourse functions to influence students’ perceptions of the risk to HIV infection at the selected institution of higher learning. An explorative and descriptive qualitative design was used. The purposive sampling technique was used to select participants. In total, 12 one to one interviews and four focus group discussions (n=35) were conducted. An interview guide was used and a voice recorder to record interviews. Through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions, the research sought to provide insight into the perceptions of risk for HIV infection. The data were analysed using thematic analysis and the themes identified formed the basis for discussion in this study. Among the key findings, that emerged from this study was that knowledge about potential risks to HIV/AIDS did not seem to influence the general sexual behaviour of students. A majority of the participants, 90% that were interviewed individually perceived themselves to be at “little or no” risk of contracting HIV/AIDS despite the high prevalence of HIV risk indicators among them. One of the main findings was that the students’ values that they bring from home were seriously challenged by the student life when they arrived at the university. Therefore in this regard undergraduate nursing students should be equipped by the university with aspects of sexual behaviour such as sexual negotiation and sexual decision making. This would equip them with the necessary skills to resist peer pressure.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
An explosive study of factors leading to students drop out at Lilitha College of Education in Eastern Cape
- Authors: Mnikina, Thandazwa
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11914 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1016148
- Description: This study is about exploring the factors that contribute to nursing students’ dropout at a public college. Lilitha College examination policy states that for a student to complete the Four Year Comprehensive Diploma Course, the student shall have passed all the four year courses. An increased student dropout rate has been identified to be affecting nursing student’s progress at Lilitha College of Nursing, East London Campus. This is a cause for concern and the researcher decided to investigate and explore the factors contributing to students’ dropout. This situation paralyzes the attempt by government to deal effectively with the shortage of trained nurses. The purpose of the study was to investigate and explore the factors that contribute to students’ dropout at Lilitha College of Nursing East London Campus. The objectives of this study were: To explore and describe experiences of students who dropped out from Lilitha College before course completion, to identify contributory factors related to increased students’ dropout rate, to come up with recommendations as how to curb the problem of student dropout and to ensure an increase of nursing students who complete at the end of the programme. This study followed a qualitative approach and explorative descriptive design. The population was all the students that have dropped out at Lilitha College of Nursing, East London Campus in the four year basic comprehensive programme from 2007 – 2011 at all levels of study. The sample size in this study was determined by data saturation, meaning that the data were collected to the point where no new information was obtained (Polit & Beck 2004: 308). A purposive sample of 15 former Lilitha students now working as Enrolled nursing assistants participated in this study. Data collection was divided into two sections, namely, demographic characteristics and face to face interviews. Demographic characteristics of the participants were obtained by asking questions related to age, sex, race, marital status, number of children per participant and the year of study at the time of dropping out. In section two of the study the interview guide was used for the purposes of data collection for this study, where four questions were formulated to guide the interview that was followed by probing questions. All tape recordings were listened to and transcribed verbatim. Field notes that were taken during unstructured interview were interpreted. The ideas that emerged from the interview sessions were then consolidated. Questions in the interview guide and their responses were drawn up and similar responses that arose from the interviews were grouped together. The identified major themes and sub themes were coded and categorized. Data belonging to each category were grouped together and analyzed and then the final remarks on the data analysis were completed. For most participants the course was frightening and difficult. They explained that they were exposed to a lot of information in a short space of time. In class, there was a lot of theory and in the wards there were skills to be learnt. Learners had to compile all the information and try to make sense out of it. Students follow up and support in the clinical facilities was reported as inadequate. The college should employ full time facilitators. This can improve teaching in the clinical area. The student should have mentors so that whenever they encounter a problem there will be people to assist and give them guidance. Through mentoring and support, student absenteeism can be controlled and students can gain self-confidence and learn more.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Mnikina, Thandazwa
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11914 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1016148
- Description: This study is about exploring the factors that contribute to nursing students’ dropout at a public college. Lilitha College examination policy states that for a student to complete the Four Year Comprehensive Diploma Course, the student shall have passed all the four year courses. An increased student dropout rate has been identified to be affecting nursing student’s progress at Lilitha College of Nursing, East London Campus. This is a cause for concern and the researcher decided to investigate and explore the factors contributing to students’ dropout. This situation paralyzes the attempt by government to deal effectively with the shortage of trained nurses. The purpose of the study was to investigate and explore the factors that contribute to students’ dropout at Lilitha College of Nursing East London Campus. The objectives of this study were: To explore and describe experiences of students who dropped out from Lilitha College before course completion, to identify contributory factors related to increased students’ dropout rate, to come up with recommendations as how to curb the problem of student dropout and to ensure an increase of nursing students who complete at the end of the programme. This study followed a qualitative approach and explorative descriptive design. The population was all the students that have dropped out at Lilitha College of Nursing, East London Campus in the four year basic comprehensive programme from 2007 – 2011 at all levels of study. The sample size in this study was determined by data saturation, meaning that the data were collected to the point where no new information was obtained (Polit & Beck 2004: 308). A purposive sample of 15 former Lilitha students now working as Enrolled nursing assistants participated in this study. Data collection was divided into two sections, namely, demographic characteristics and face to face interviews. Demographic characteristics of the participants were obtained by asking questions related to age, sex, race, marital status, number of children per participant and the year of study at the time of dropping out. In section two of the study the interview guide was used for the purposes of data collection for this study, where four questions were formulated to guide the interview that was followed by probing questions. All tape recordings were listened to and transcribed verbatim. Field notes that were taken during unstructured interview were interpreted. The ideas that emerged from the interview sessions were then consolidated. Questions in the interview guide and their responses were drawn up and similar responses that arose from the interviews were grouped together. The identified major themes and sub themes were coded and categorized. Data belonging to each category were grouped together and analyzed and then the final remarks on the data analysis were completed. For most participants the course was frightening and difficult. They explained that they were exposed to a lot of information in a short space of time. In class, there was a lot of theory and in the wards there were skills to be learnt. Learners had to compile all the information and try to make sense out of it. Students follow up and support in the clinical facilities was reported as inadequate. The college should employ full time facilitators. This can improve teaching in the clinical area. The student should have mentors so that whenever they encounter a problem there will be people to assist and give them guidance. Through mentoring and support, student absenteeism can be controlled and students can gain self-confidence and learn more.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Client satisfaction with midwifery services rendered at Empilweni Gompo and Nontyuatyambo community health centres in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Mfundisi, Nokwamkela Pearl
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Primary health care -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community health services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community health nursing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Midwifery -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Midwives -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11908 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1006902 , Primary health care -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community health services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community health nursing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Midwifery -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Midwives -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The aim of this study was to investigate whether patients were satisfied with midwifery services rendered at the two Community Health Centres in the Eastern Cape Province.The study sites were Empilweni Gompo and Nontyatyambo Community Health Centres. Descriptive quantitative study design was employed, using a questionnaire with closed and open ended questions as the data collecting tool. Likert Scale was used to measure the following variables: quality care variables to measure level of satisfaction with midwifery services rendered and to determine positive and negative perceptions regarding quality of care received during antenatal, labour and postnatal period. Non-random convenience sampling of sixty pregnant women, thirty from each Community Health Centre, with two or more antenatal subsequent visits and forty postpartum women, twenty from each health facility, six hours after delivery if there were no complications. Out of 60 participants interviewed n=60 (100 percent) agreed that individual counseling and importance of HIV testing was explained.The majority of participants n=53(88 percent) disagreed that they were educated about focused antenatal visits. Out of 60 participants interviewed n=41(68 percent) agreed that delivery plan formed part of their ANC visits and n=18 (30 percent) disagreed. Of the 60 participants interviewed n=11(18 percent) agreed that they were told that they had the right to choose labour companions and n=48 (80 percent) disagreed.Out of 60 participants interviewed n=23 (38 percent) stated that they waited a long period of time without being attended to by midwives. In general, the study revealed high satisfaction level with intrapartum and postnatal care due to functional accessibility of both Community Health Centres. Both health centres delivered normal healthy babies and mothers. However, the participants were dissatisfied with antenatal care rendered at the two facilities. The researcher’s recommendations were based on the closing of gaps that were identified with regard to the implementation of Basic Antenatal Care; birth companions: health education deficiency; community involvement and participation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Mfundisi, Nokwamkela Pearl
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Primary health care -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community health services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community health nursing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Midwifery -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Midwives -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11908 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1006902 , Primary health care -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community health services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community health nursing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Midwifery -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Midwives -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The aim of this study was to investigate whether patients were satisfied with midwifery services rendered at the two Community Health Centres in the Eastern Cape Province.The study sites were Empilweni Gompo and Nontyatyambo Community Health Centres. Descriptive quantitative study design was employed, using a questionnaire with closed and open ended questions as the data collecting tool. Likert Scale was used to measure the following variables: quality care variables to measure level of satisfaction with midwifery services rendered and to determine positive and negative perceptions regarding quality of care received during antenatal, labour and postnatal period. Non-random convenience sampling of sixty pregnant women, thirty from each Community Health Centre, with two or more antenatal subsequent visits and forty postpartum women, twenty from each health facility, six hours after delivery if there were no complications. Out of 60 participants interviewed n=60 (100 percent) agreed that individual counseling and importance of HIV testing was explained.The majority of participants n=53(88 percent) disagreed that they were educated about focused antenatal visits. Out of 60 participants interviewed n=41(68 percent) agreed that delivery plan formed part of their ANC visits and n=18 (30 percent) disagreed. Of the 60 participants interviewed n=11(18 percent) agreed that they were told that they had the right to choose labour companions and n=48 (80 percent) disagreed.Out of 60 participants interviewed n=23 (38 percent) stated that they waited a long period of time without being attended to by midwives. In general, the study revealed high satisfaction level with intrapartum and postnatal care due to functional accessibility of both Community Health Centres. Both health centres delivered normal healthy babies and mothers. However, the participants were dissatisfied with antenatal care rendered at the two facilities. The researcher’s recommendations were based on the closing of gaps that were identified with regard to the implementation of Basic Antenatal Care; birth companions: health education deficiency; community involvement and participation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Effectiveness of TB dot support programme as percieved by community health workers at Inxuba Yethemba and Tsolwana Sub-districts under Chris Hani District
- Authors: Gili-Stemele, Lindiwe
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11196 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1006882
- Description: Background: The National Department of Health realised that its TB control efforts had been ineffective and joined its international counterparts by adopting Directly Observed Treatment short course [DOTs] strategy to fight the spread of TB. DOT is the only globally recognised strategy for effective TB control. This strategy ensures that infectious TB patients are identified and cured using standardised drug combinations. Treatment supporters observe patients as they swallow their drugs daily (SA Tuberculosis control Programme practical guide, 2000). Objectives of the study are: to assess the relevancy and quality of training for DOT supporters at InxubaYethemba and Tsolwana sub – districts,to identify challenges faced by TB DOT supporters during the execution of their duties and to assess satisfaction of TB DOT supporters, with their remuneration packages and other conditions of employment. Method: A quantitative descriptive convenient design was conducted for this study. A self - administered questionnaire was used.The researcher’s targeted sample was 42 participants although only 39 filled in the questionnaires. The questionnaires were personally distributed by the researcher to TB DOT supporters. Items in the questionnaire included the following: Demographic data, working hours per day, distance covered, meeting with managers, salary and remuneration issues and acceptance by community members. Results: The research findings indicated that the TB DOT Supporters are generally not happy with the conditions they are working under. From the 100 percent (n=39) TB DOTS responses, 8 percent (n=11) received a three days training, which is not in line with the Department of Health’s guidelines, and resulted in rendering ineffective delivery of DOT programme. Of the 100 percent ) 23.1 percent (n=9) walk 8kilometres, 51.3 percent percent(n=20) walk 7kilometers, 12.8 percent (n=5) walk 5kilometers, 10.3 percent (n=4) walk 4kilometers. This is against the required distance allowed to travel by foot which is five kilometres. Conclusion:According the results of this study, the effectiveness of TB DOT Supporters is being distracted by many factors, such as: Not having transport for doing home visits, Less number of hours worked per day, few number of community health workers working as TB DOT supporters, not having meetings with the management to discuss their challenges, and most of all not being given a clear explanation as far as their salaries are concern. The mentioned factors render D OT Support programme is rendered in effective at the Chris Hani District. According to Tuberculosis, A training Manual proven for Health Workers (1998:13) the most effective means of controlling TB known to us is a strategy known as Directly Observed Treatment Short Course (DOTS). This strategy enables tuberculosis clients to complete their treatment and has four areas of strength when compared to previous TB control strategies in South Africa. Recommendation: The results from this study proves that there is a definite need for improvement of working condition amongst TB Co-ordinators, TB Managers and the TB DOT Supporters. It is clear that increased number of MDR/XDR is due to the challenges that were mentioned above. There is a need for the additional number of TB DOT Supporters, as the area is big for only two TB DOT Supporters in each area. Hours worked by TB DOT needs to be extended considering their salaries as well.Therefore it is essential to empower TB DOT Supporters with more knowledge and skills so that they can be able to make an impact in TB service delivery system.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Gili-Stemele, Lindiwe
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11196 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1006882
- Description: Background: The National Department of Health realised that its TB control efforts had been ineffective and joined its international counterparts by adopting Directly Observed Treatment short course [DOTs] strategy to fight the spread of TB. DOT is the only globally recognised strategy for effective TB control. This strategy ensures that infectious TB patients are identified and cured using standardised drug combinations. Treatment supporters observe patients as they swallow their drugs daily (SA Tuberculosis control Programme practical guide, 2000). Objectives of the study are: to assess the relevancy and quality of training for DOT supporters at InxubaYethemba and Tsolwana sub – districts,to identify challenges faced by TB DOT supporters during the execution of their duties and to assess satisfaction of TB DOT supporters, with their remuneration packages and other conditions of employment. Method: A quantitative descriptive convenient design was conducted for this study. A self - administered questionnaire was used.The researcher’s targeted sample was 42 participants although only 39 filled in the questionnaires. The questionnaires were personally distributed by the researcher to TB DOT supporters. Items in the questionnaire included the following: Demographic data, working hours per day, distance covered, meeting with managers, salary and remuneration issues and acceptance by community members. Results: The research findings indicated that the TB DOT Supporters are generally not happy with the conditions they are working under. From the 100 percent (n=39) TB DOTS responses, 8 percent (n=11) received a three days training, which is not in line with the Department of Health’s guidelines, and resulted in rendering ineffective delivery of DOT programme. Of the 100 percent ) 23.1 percent (n=9) walk 8kilometres, 51.3 percent percent(n=20) walk 7kilometers, 12.8 percent (n=5) walk 5kilometers, 10.3 percent (n=4) walk 4kilometers. This is against the required distance allowed to travel by foot which is five kilometres. Conclusion:According the results of this study, the effectiveness of TB DOT Supporters is being distracted by many factors, such as: Not having transport for doing home visits, Less number of hours worked per day, few number of community health workers working as TB DOT supporters, not having meetings with the management to discuss their challenges, and most of all not being given a clear explanation as far as their salaries are concern. The mentioned factors render D OT Support programme is rendered in effective at the Chris Hani District. According to Tuberculosis, A training Manual proven for Health Workers (1998:13) the most effective means of controlling TB known to us is a strategy known as Directly Observed Treatment Short Course (DOTS). This strategy enables tuberculosis clients to complete their treatment and has four areas of strength when compared to previous TB control strategies in South Africa. Recommendation: The results from this study proves that there is a definite need for improvement of working condition amongst TB Co-ordinators, TB Managers and the TB DOT Supporters. It is clear that increased number of MDR/XDR is due to the challenges that were mentioned above. There is a need for the additional number of TB DOT Supporters, as the area is big for only two TB DOT Supporters in each area. Hours worked by TB DOT needs to be extended considering their salaries as well.Therefore it is essential to empower TB DOT Supporters with more knowledge and skills so that they can be able to make an impact in TB service delivery system.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Evalution of the knowledge and skills of the professional nurses regarding IMCI service delivery, including HIV/AIDS case management in primary health care facilities in Buffalo City Sub-District, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Noluvuyo, Leonelle Gosangaye
- Authors: Noluvuyo, Leonelle Gosangaye
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Nurses -- Rating of -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nursing -- Ability testing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nursing -- Standards -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nurses -- In-service training -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nurses -- Supervision of -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , HIV infections -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , AIDS (Disease) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Prenatal diagnosis -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Primary health care -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11903 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1006782 , Nurses -- Rating of -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nursing -- Ability testing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nursing -- Standards -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nurses -- In-service training -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nurses -- Supervision of -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , HIV infections -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , AIDS (Disease) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Prenatal diagnosis -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Primary health care -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: An increase in diarrhoea and upper respiratory tract infection has been noted for the past five years and this is associated with the prevalence of Human Immune-deficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. HIV infection is an increasingly common cause of childhood morbidity and mortality in South Africa. In some areas of the country, like the Eastern Cape, more than 30 percent of the women attending antenatal clinics are HIV infected. Without intervention, approximately one third of the babies born to these HIV infected mothers will get infection from their mothers (WHO, 2003). Aim and Objectives of the study: The study was meant to assess the specific knowledge and skills of professional nurses at the primary health facilities regarding management and integration of childhood illnesses, evaluate the quality of training of professional nurses on aspects of IMCI including integration of HIV within IMCI programme for children under five years in Primary Health Care facilities in Mdantsane Township. Methods: A quantitative descriptive method was used for this study. The questionnaire developed by the researcher was used for data collection. The items on the questionnaire were divided into four (4) subsections. The questionnaire was administered to all professional nurses on duty and those available at the time of data collection. A checklist for IMCI was used to collect data from Road to Health files of children who were HIV positive admitted in the pediatric ward at Cecilia Makhiwane Hospital. Results: The results of this study for all the variables examined showed that the highest score was 56 percent and the lowest was18 percent.These results indicated that the knowledge and skills of professional nurses were inadequate.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Noluvuyo, Leonelle Gosangaye
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Nurses -- Rating of -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nursing -- Ability testing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nursing -- Standards -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nurses -- In-service training -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nurses -- Supervision of -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , HIV infections -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , AIDS (Disease) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Prenatal diagnosis -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Primary health care -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11903 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1006782 , Nurses -- Rating of -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nursing -- Ability testing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nursing -- Standards -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nurses -- In-service training -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nurses -- Supervision of -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , HIV infections -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , AIDS (Disease) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Prenatal diagnosis -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Primary health care -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: An increase in diarrhoea and upper respiratory tract infection has been noted for the past five years and this is associated with the prevalence of Human Immune-deficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. HIV infection is an increasingly common cause of childhood morbidity and mortality in South Africa. In some areas of the country, like the Eastern Cape, more than 30 percent of the women attending antenatal clinics are HIV infected. Without intervention, approximately one third of the babies born to these HIV infected mothers will get infection from their mothers (WHO, 2003). Aim and Objectives of the study: The study was meant to assess the specific knowledge and skills of professional nurses at the primary health facilities regarding management and integration of childhood illnesses, evaluate the quality of training of professional nurses on aspects of IMCI including integration of HIV within IMCI programme for children under five years in Primary Health Care facilities in Mdantsane Township. Methods: A quantitative descriptive method was used for this study. The questionnaire developed by the researcher was used for data collection. The items on the questionnaire were divided into four (4) subsections. The questionnaire was administered to all professional nurses on duty and those available at the time of data collection. A checklist for IMCI was used to collect data from Road to Health files of children who were HIV positive admitted in the pediatric ward at Cecilia Makhiwane Hospital. Results: The results of this study for all the variables examined showed that the highest score was 56 percent and the lowest was18 percent.These results indicated that the knowledge and skills of professional nurses were inadequate.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013