Application of a quality by design approach to optimise an existing product
- Authors: Maxwell, Taryn Lee
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Pharmaceutical chemistry , Drugs -- Design Pharmaceutical technology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/32752 , vital:32341
- Description: Quality by design is a science and risk based approach whereby quality is built into the product or process during the pharmaceutical development. although quality by design is encouraged for pharmaceutical development. it is possible to apply quality by design to optimize an existing product as part of a continual improvement strategy. the purpose of this study is to determine which factors should be considered to justify the application of quality by design to optimize an existing product.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Maxwell, Taryn Lee
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Pharmaceutical chemistry , Drugs -- Design Pharmaceutical technology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/32752 , vital:32341
- Description: Quality by design is a science and risk based approach whereby quality is built into the product or process during the pharmaceutical development. although quality by design is encouraged for pharmaceutical development. it is possible to apply quality by design to optimize an existing product as part of a continual improvement strategy. the purpose of this study is to determine which factors should be considered to justify the application of quality by design to optimize an existing product.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2018
Assessing communication challenges between clerks and deaf patients at Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital in Mthatha
- Authors: Stemela, Unati
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Clerks and deaf patients -- Communication -- Hospital
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPH
- Identifier: vital:18417 , http://hdl.handle.net/11260/d1006597
- Description: A study on assessing communication challenges between clerks and deaf patients at Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital was conducted in 2010. The aim was to assess the existence of communication challenges, possible reasons and solutions to these. The literature reviewed identified a gap in the knowledge of communication between staff and deaf patients. A health systems’ study was conducted using a descriptive, cross sectional survey. The study population was made up of 33 clerks who worked at the registration and records area and deaf patients who stayed at Efata and received health services from the hospital. All clerks were interviewed and a random sample of 106 deaf patients was estimated using Epidat statistical software. Self administered questionnaires were used for data collection. Results confirmed the existence of communication challenges between the two groups. A majority of clerks were not trained in Sign Language. They used a combination of methods to communicate with deaf patients, and few clerks could use Sign Language. The patients also used a combination of methods due to the frustration of not having a common method of communication with clerks. The findings clearly showed that there are communication challenges between the two groups and Sign Language needed to be introduced to clerks in order to accommodate deaf patients. Further research may be done on all healthcare providers and to all deaf patients in the region served by Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital, and this could have a positive impact on the quality of service offered by the hospital to the deaf community.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Stemela, Unati
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Clerks and deaf patients -- Communication -- Hospital
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPH
- Identifier: vital:18417 , http://hdl.handle.net/11260/d1006597
- Description: A study on assessing communication challenges between clerks and deaf patients at Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital was conducted in 2010. The aim was to assess the existence of communication challenges, possible reasons and solutions to these. The literature reviewed identified a gap in the knowledge of communication between staff and deaf patients. A health systems’ study was conducted using a descriptive, cross sectional survey. The study population was made up of 33 clerks who worked at the registration and records area and deaf patients who stayed at Efata and received health services from the hospital. All clerks were interviewed and a random sample of 106 deaf patients was estimated using Epidat statistical software. Self administered questionnaires were used for data collection. Results confirmed the existence of communication challenges between the two groups. A majority of clerks were not trained in Sign Language. They used a combination of methods to communicate with deaf patients, and few clerks could use Sign Language. The patients also used a combination of methods due to the frustration of not having a common method of communication with clerks. The findings clearly showed that there are communication challenges between the two groups and Sign Language needed to be introduced to clerks in order to accommodate deaf patients. Further research may be done on all healthcare providers and to all deaf patients in the region served by Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital, and this could have a positive impact on the quality of service offered by the hospital to the deaf community.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Assessment of the effect of the down-referral chronic medication distribution system on patients' adherence to chronic medication in the Buffalo City sub-district
- Authors: Ndwandwe, Miriam
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Health services accessibility Pharmacology Patient compliance
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPH
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13248 , vital:39626
- Description: The purpose of the study is to determine the effect of the down referral chronic medication distribution system on patient's adherence to chronic medicine in Buffalo City sub - district by ensuring that chronic patients receive their correct medication on time and in correct quantities every month so that they can take the medication as recommended by the health professional. Adherence to chronic medication lead to better health outcome and reduced hospital re-admission. A non-experimental and descriptive quantitative research methodology was used. A data abstraction form developed by the researcher was used to record data from the medical records of chronically ill patients. The results of the study revealed that most of the chronically ill patients who were admitted to hospital were not adherent to their chronic medication. Patients are non-adherent even if they have chronic medication with them. This was evident in the number of patients who do not remember how many days did they not take their treatment. Others indicated that they share their medication with other family members who suffer from the same chronic condition. The patients' lack of understanding of their chronic condition and the consequences of not taking medication as instructed by the health professional contribute to non-adherence. Strengthening of health promotion programmes to educate the patients about their chronic condition would improve adherence. Most of the chronic conditions are life-style modifiable diseases. Patients must be educated about the changes they can make to improve their quality of life.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Ndwandwe, Miriam
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Health services accessibility Pharmacology Patient compliance
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPH
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13248 , vital:39626
- Description: The purpose of the study is to determine the effect of the down referral chronic medication distribution system on patient's adherence to chronic medicine in Buffalo City sub - district by ensuring that chronic patients receive their correct medication on time and in correct quantities every month so that they can take the medication as recommended by the health professional. Adherence to chronic medication lead to better health outcome and reduced hospital re-admission. A non-experimental and descriptive quantitative research methodology was used. A data abstraction form developed by the researcher was used to record data from the medical records of chronically ill patients. The results of the study revealed that most of the chronically ill patients who were admitted to hospital were not adherent to their chronic medication. Patients are non-adherent even if they have chronic medication with them. This was evident in the number of patients who do not remember how many days did they not take their treatment. Others indicated that they share their medication with other family members who suffer from the same chronic condition. The patients' lack of understanding of their chronic condition and the consequences of not taking medication as instructed by the health professional contribute to non-adherence. Strengthening of health promotion programmes to educate the patients about their chronic condition would improve adherence. Most of the chronic conditions are life-style modifiable diseases. Patients must be educated about the changes they can make to improve their quality of life.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Assessment of the implementation of workplace HIV/AIDS programmes in the public and private sectors of Mount Fletcher in the Eastern Cape Province, Republic of South Africa
- Ndhlovu-Nomatshila, Zanele Benedict
- Authors: Ndhlovu-Nomatshila, Zanele Benedict
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: HIV/AIDS awareness South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Sw
- Identifier: vital:18480 , http://hdl.handle.net/11260/d1011521
- Description: Workplaces are required by law to provide HIV and AIDS workplace programmes to educate and prevent the spread of HIV, and stigmatisation and discrimination against workers infected or affected by HIV and AIDS. This study was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in the public and private sector at Mt Fletcher in the Eastern Cape Province. It aimed at assessing the availability and implementation of HIV and AIDS workplace programmes at Mt Fletcher. The study’s objectives were: to assess knowledge of HIV and AIDS among employees; to determine the availability of HIV and AIDS psychosocial programmes; to assess the employees’ knowledge on HIV and AIDS workplace guidelines that prevent stigma and discrimination. This was a quantitative study. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. A total of 81 respondents from both public and private sectors participated in the study. Stratified random sampling was used to select participating workplaces. Simple random sampling was used to select respondents. The findings indicated that both public and private sector workplaces have HIV and AIDS programmes. However, all private sector workplaces at Mt Fletcher had no onsite clinic as required, but use the local public HIV and AIDS clinics. However, 24% of public and 23% of private sector employees had no knowledge of the existence of the HIV and AIDS programmes at their workplaces. About 13% of public and 10% of private sector employees indicated that stigmatisation and discrimination against people living with HIV and AIDS was a problem in the workplace. They also indicated that they would not disclose their HIV status to their employers because they were afraid of losing their jobs. The lack of disclosure further disadvantages workers living with HIV as they do not get the support they deserve from their employers. Furthermore, lack of support, stigma and discrimination have an impact on the performance and productivity of the infected and affected employees and therefore affecting the expected output of their workplaces.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Ndhlovu-Nomatshila, Zanele Benedict
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: HIV/AIDS awareness South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Sw
- Identifier: vital:18480 , http://hdl.handle.net/11260/d1011521
- Description: Workplaces are required by law to provide HIV and AIDS workplace programmes to educate and prevent the spread of HIV, and stigmatisation and discrimination against workers infected or affected by HIV and AIDS. This study was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in the public and private sector at Mt Fletcher in the Eastern Cape Province. It aimed at assessing the availability and implementation of HIV and AIDS workplace programmes at Mt Fletcher. The study’s objectives were: to assess knowledge of HIV and AIDS among employees; to determine the availability of HIV and AIDS psychosocial programmes; to assess the employees’ knowledge on HIV and AIDS workplace guidelines that prevent stigma and discrimination. This was a quantitative study. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. A total of 81 respondents from both public and private sectors participated in the study. Stratified random sampling was used to select participating workplaces. Simple random sampling was used to select respondents. The findings indicated that both public and private sector workplaces have HIV and AIDS programmes. However, all private sector workplaces at Mt Fletcher had no onsite clinic as required, but use the local public HIV and AIDS clinics. However, 24% of public and 23% of private sector employees had no knowledge of the existence of the HIV and AIDS programmes at their workplaces. About 13% of public and 10% of private sector employees indicated that stigmatisation and discrimination against people living with HIV and AIDS was a problem in the workplace. They also indicated that they would not disclose their HIV status to their employers because they were afraid of losing their jobs. The lack of disclosure further disadvantages workers living with HIV as they do not get the support they deserve from their employers. Furthermore, lack of support, stigma and discrimination have an impact on the performance and productivity of the infected and affected employees and therefore affecting the expected output of their workplaces.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Assessment of the integrated HIV/AIDS curriculum at a university in the Eastern Cape: views of students and educators
- Terblanche, Delcia Jill Nora
- Authors: Terblanche, Delcia Jill Nora
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: AIDS (Disease) -- Study and teaching , AIDS (Disease) -- Prevention , Universities and colleges
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12359 , vital:39256
- Description: Background: HIV/AIDS is a major global public health problem. The higher education sector too, is affected by the scourge of HIV/AIDS. Universities are considered to be high- risks areas for HIV infection because many students indulged in high risky behaviour link to HIV infection; therefore developing ways to prevent students for acquiring HIV and as well reducing HIV prevalence rates through training and teaching about HIV/AIDS will contribute to change in behaviour of students. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the majority of the students at Fort Hare lack the general awareness and education in HIV/AIDS due to lack of information coupled with their general disadvantaged background with the ultimate result being threatened by high infection rates. The University of Fort Hare (UFH), in a bid to capacitate the academic staff in respect of the laudable initiative to integrate HIV/AIDS in curricula, decided to embark on a pilot study that is anticipated to form fundamental strategies to sustainable HIV/AIDS curricula integration across all faculties, at least by the end of 2030. The university has planned to engage in the curriculum integration process by implementing a two year cycle pilot study during the grant period. Aim: The main aim of the study was to assess the challenges faced by students and educators concerning the integration and implementation of HIV/AIDS curriculum at the University of Fort Hare. Methods: The study adopted a quantitative, explorative descriptive design to examine the challenges associated with the Integrated HIV/AIDS curriculum at the University of Fort Hare. The target population was the educators and students who had training and teaching in the Integrated HIV/AIDS curriculum. A purposive sampling was used to select 487 students and 23 educators from across three departments: Nursing Science, LKA (Life, Knowledge and Action) and Law involved in the HIV/AIDS Curriculum Integration programme at the university. A self-design questionnaire was used for data collection focusing on the demographic profiles of the participants, the teaching strategies and methodologies adopted in the Integrated HIV/AIDS curriculum, the usefulness and relevance of the newly integrated HIV/AIDS curriculum content in addressing the needs of the students and the community, and the challenges faced by the educators and students in the Integrated HIV/AIDS curriculum. Ethical approved was obtained from the Research Ethics Committee of the University of Fort Hare. Permission was obtained from the participants through written consent forms. The data was analysed using descriptive statistics (frequency counts, percentage, means and standard deviations (SD)). The Chi-square test was used to examine the relationship between the variables of interest across the departments. A p-value of 0.05 was set for statistical significant testing. Results: The majority of the participants have adequate knowledge of HIV transmission, as 93.2 percent indicated HIV can be contracted through unprotected sex, sharing of needles (92.1 percent), receiving a blood transfusion that has not been screened for HIV (83.9 percent), sharing razor blades that has not been disinfected (83.0 percent), and having more than one sexual partner (86 percent). Age, gender, race and department were significantly associated with knowledge of route of HIV transmission. The present study indicated that the participants experienced several challenges during the teaching of the Integrated HIV/AIDS curriculum. Time allocated was the biggest challenge (58.3 percent), followed by undated materials, and curriculum overloading and teaching. The study indicated that majority of the students would like to compile a portfolio of evidence in the teaching of HIV, followed by creative arts, DVD/movies, and internet research. The majority of the lecturers preferred to teach HIV/AIDS through expressive arts, followed by role play, and formal lectures. The majority of the participants stated that HIV/AIDS information would be useful to them to apply in their communities and in their profession (97 percent), emphasizing that such knowledge and information will empower them to participate in roadshows and voluntary work at HIV/AIDS Shelters. The findings of this study pertaining to the challenges faced by educators during the implementation of the Integrated HIV/AIDS curriculum revealed that the majority of the participants stated that the HIV information was not updated, heavy workload, and adequate training. The lecturers expressed that they would prefer to teach HIV/AIDS curriculum by expressive art through drawing and creating art that expresses HIV and the relevance in the students’ community. Conclusions: Majority of the students received teaching of HIV as part of a course, and HIV teaching as an integrated component in a subject, while few received it as a stand-alone subject offered by a lecturer/facilitator. The present study indicated that the participants experienced several challenges during the teaching of the Integrated HIV/AIDS curriculum. Time allocated was the biggest challenge (58.3percent), followed by undated materials, and curriculum overloading and teaching. The majority of students preferred HIV/AIDS to be taught by their peers experience in HIV, by face-to face by a person who is HIV/AIDS infected or affected. The majority of the lecturers preferred to teach HIV/AIDS through expressive arts, followed by role play, and formal lectures. The majority of the participants affirmed the relevancy of HIV information taught. They further indicated that the information and knowledge gain would able them to make informed decisions on sexual behaviour. The majority of the participants stated that the HIV information was not updated, heavy workload, and adequate training. Most of the educators used formal lectures, followed by compilation of a portfolio of evidence, storytelling, DVD and movies, and experiential learning in hospitals and clinics in teaching HIV/AIDS integrated curriculum. The lecturers expressed that they would prefer to teach HIV/AIDS curriculum by expressive art through drawing and creating art that expresses HIV and the relevance in the students’ community. It is recommended that student’s involvement in the decision making processes of the integrated HIV/AIDS curriculum at the University of Fort Hare would make the programme more successful. HIV/AIDS resource materials need to be updated regularly and relevant to provide educators with specialized knowledge to be able to teach HIV/AIDS.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Terblanche, Delcia Jill Nora
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: AIDS (Disease) -- Study and teaching , AIDS (Disease) -- Prevention , Universities and colleges
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12359 , vital:39256
- Description: Background: HIV/AIDS is a major global public health problem. The higher education sector too, is affected by the scourge of HIV/AIDS. Universities are considered to be high- risks areas for HIV infection because many students indulged in high risky behaviour link to HIV infection; therefore developing ways to prevent students for acquiring HIV and as well reducing HIV prevalence rates through training and teaching about HIV/AIDS will contribute to change in behaviour of students. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the majority of the students at Fort Hare lack the general awareness and education in HIV/AIDS due to lack of information coupled with their general disadvantaged background with the ultimate result being threatened by high infection rates. The University of Fort Hare (UFH), in a bid to capacitate the academic staff in respect of the laudable initiative to integrate HIV/AIDS in curricula, decided to embark on a pilot study that is anticipated to form fundamental strategies to sustainable HIV/AIDS curricula integration across all faculties, at least by the end of 2030. The university has planned to engage in the curriculum integration process by implementing a two year cycle pilot study during the grant period. Aim: The main aim of the study was to assess the challenges faced by students and educators concerning the integration and implementation of HIV/AIDS curriculum at the University of Fort Hare. Methods: The study adopted a quantitative, explorative descriptive design to examine the challenges associated with the Integrated HIV/AIDS curriculum at the University of Fort Hare. The target population was the educators and students who had training and teaching in the Integrated HIV/AIDS curriculum. A purposive sampling was used to select 487 students and 23 educators from across three departments: Nursing Science, LKA (Life, Knowledge and Action) and Law involved in the HIV/AIDS Curriculum Integration programme at the university. A self-design questionnaire was used for data collection focusing on the demographic profiles of the participants, the teaching strategies and methodologies adopted in the Integrated HIV/AIDS curriculum, the usefulness and relevance of the newly integrated HIV/AIDS curriculum content in addressing the needs of the students and the community, and the challenges faced by the educators and students in the Integrated HIV/AIDS curriculum. Ethical approved was obtained from the Research Ethics Committee of the University of Fort Hare. Permission was obtained from the participants through written consent forms. The data was analysed using descriptive statistics (frequency counts, percentage, means and standard deviations (SD)). The Chi-square test was used to examine the relationship between the variables of interest across the departments. A p-value of 0.05 was set for statistical significant testing. Results: The majority of the participants have adequate knowledge of HIV transmission, as 93.2 percent indicated HIV can be contracted through unprotected sex, sharing of needles (92.1 percent), receiving a blood transfusion that has not been screened for HIV (83.9 percent), sharing razor blades that has not been disinfected (83.0 percent), and having more than one sexual partner (86 percent). Age, gender, race and department were significantly associated with knowledge of route of HIV transmission. The present study indicated that the participants experienced several challenges during the teaching of the Integrated HIV/AIDS curriculum. Time allocated was the biggest challenge (58.3 percent), followed by undated materials, and curriculum overloading and teaching. The study indicated that majority of the students would like to compile a portfolio of evidence in the teaching of HIV, followed by creative arts, DVD/movies, and internet research. The majority of the lecturers preferred to teach HIV/AIDS through expressive arts, followed by role play, and formal lectures. The majority of the participants stated that HIV/AIDS information would be useful to them to apply in their communities and in their profession (97 percent), emphasizing that such knowledge and information will empower them to participate in roadshows and voluntary work at HIV/AIDS Shelters. The findings of this study pertaining to the challenges faced by educators during the implementation of the Integrated HIV/AIDS curriculum revealed that the majority of the participants stated that the HIV information was not updated, heavy workload, and adequate training. The lecturers expressed that they would prefer to teach HIV/AIDS curriculum by expressive art through drawing and creating art that expresses HIV and the relevance in the students’ community. Conclusions: Majority of the students received teaching of HIV as part of a course, and HIV teaching as an integrated component in a subject, while few received it as a stand-alone subject offered by a lecturer/facilitator. The present study indicated that the participants experienced several challenges during the teaching of the Integrated HIV/AIDS curriculum. Time allocated was the biggest challenge (58.3percent), followed by undated materials, and curriculum overloading and teaching. The majority of students preferred HIV/AIDS to be taught by their peers experience in HIV, by face-to face by a person who is HIV/AIDS infected or affected. The majority of the lecturers preferred to teach HIV/AIDS through expressive arts, followed by role play, and formal lectures. The majority of the participants affirmed the relevancy of HIV information taught. They further indicated that the information and knowledge gain would able them to make informed decisions on sexual behaviour. The majority of the participants stated that the HIV information was not updated, heavy workload, and adequate training. Most of the educators used formal lectures, followed by compilation of a portfolio of evidence, storytelling, DVD and movies, and experiential learning in hospitals and clinics in teaching HIV/AIDS integrated curriculum. The lecturers expressed that they would prefer to teach HIV/AIDS curriculum by expressive art through drawing and creating art that expresses HIV and the relevance in the students’ community. It is recommended that student’s involvement in the decision making processes of the integrated HIV/AIDS curriculum at the University of Fort Hare would make the programme more successful. HIV/AIDS resource materials need to be updated regularly and relevant to provide educators with specialized knowledge to be able to teach HIV/AIDS.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Association between maternal health status and birth outcomes in the Nelson Mandela Bay Health District
- Authors: Hawkins, Althea Anita
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Birth weight, Low -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Birth weight Premature infants
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/30039 , vital:30812
- Description: In 2011, the South African low birth weight rates varied between 9% and 15.5%, according to different sources. This means that about one out of every ten babies born alive weighed less than 2500g. Furthermore, six of South Africa’s nine provinces, including the Eastern Cape, reported low birth weight rates equal or higher than the national average. These figures raise serious concerns about the health status of infants, their chances of survival and their quality of life, particularly in provinces with a high incidence of low birth weight. Literature has linked the maternal health status to adverse birth outcomes. Statistics from the district office of the Nelson Mandela Bay Health District (NMBHD) indicates that for the fourth quarter of 2015, between 16.65 and 20.9% low birth weight infants were born. However, limited information is available regarding the causes and maternal health status of the mothers of the infants born with adverse birth outcomes in the Nelson Mandela Bay Health District (NMBHD). The objective of the research study is to investigate the associations between maternal health status and birth outcomes in order to identify the major drivers of adverse birth outcomes in NMBHD. The study used a quantitative research approach. In order to enhance the design, the researcher used an explorative, descriptive, cross-sectional, contextual and survey research design. The study was conducted at the regional hospital in Nelson Mandela Bay Health District (NMBHD) and Midwifery Obstetric Units (MOU). The participants were selected using a convenient and purposive sampling technique. A structured, self-administered questionnaire was used as the data collection tool. A statistician assisted with the data analysis. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used. The researcher ensured that ethical considerations were maintained throughout the study to protect the participants. Reliability and validity were also ensured throughout the study. The total sample of the study was 207 and the mean age of the participants was 26,9 years. Hypertension and HIV were the conditions most diagnosed prior to, and during, pregnancy. Most of the delivered infants were females. The findings of the study revealed a significant association between maternal diabetes, maternal hypertension and the infants’ birth weight. Additional findings iv revealed that independent of gestational age, mothers with hypertension are likely to deliver low birth weight (LBW) infants. Antenatal care is of the utmost importance during pregnancy and special attention should be given to the management of hypertension. The researcher developed recommendations for primary health care (PHC) nurses in antenatal clinics (ANC) to address the management of the major maternal drivers of LBW infants in order to decrease and prevent adverse birth outcomes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Hawkins, Althea Anita
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Birth weight, Low -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Birth weight Premature infants
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/30039 , vital:30812
- Description: In 2011, the South African low birth weight rates varied between 9% and 15.5%, according to different sources. This means that about one out of every ten babies born alive weighed less than 2500g. Furthermore, six of South Africa’s nine provinces, including the Eastern Cape, reported low birth weight rates equal or higher than the national average. These figures raise serious concerns about the health status of infants, their chances of survival and their quality of life, particularly in provinces with a high incidence of low birth weight. Literature has linked the maternal health status to adverse birth outcomes. Statistics from the district office of the Nelson Mandela Bay Health District (NMBHD) indicates that for the fourth quarter of 2015, between 16.65 and 20.9% low birth weight infants were born. However, limited information is available regarding the causes and maternal health status of the mothers of the infants born with adverse birth outcomes in the Nelson Mandela Bay Health District (NMBHD). The objective of the research study is to investigate the associations between maternal health status and birth outcomes in order to identify the major drivers of adverse birth outcomes in NMBHD. The study used a quantitative research approach. In order to enhance the design, the researcher used an explorative, descriptive, cross-sectional, contextual and survey research design. The study was conducted at the regional hospital in Nelson Mandela Bay Health District (NMBHD) and Midwifery Obstetric Units (MOU). The participants were selected using a convenient and purposive sampling technique. A structured, self-administered questionnaire was used as the data collection tool. A statistician assisted with the data analysis. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used. The researcher ensured that ethical considerations were maintained throughout the study to protect the participants. Reliability and validity were also ensured throughout the study. The total sample of the study was 207 and the mean age of the participants was 26,9 years. Hypertension and HIV were the conditions most diagnosed prior to, and during, pregnancy. Most of the delivered infants were females. The findings of the study revealed a significant association between maternal diabetes, maternal hypertension and the infants’ birth weight. Additional findings iv revealed that independent of gestational age, mothers with hypertension are likely to deliver low birth weight (LBW) infants. Antenatal care is of the utmost importance during pregnancy and special attention should be given to the management of hypertension. The researcher developed recommendations for primary health care (PHC) nurses in antenatal clinics (ANC) to address the management of the major maternal drivers of LBW infants in order to decrease and prevent adverse birth outcomes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Associations between family history of diseases of lifestyle, lifestyle behaviour and anthropometric nutritional status of pre-school children in ECD centres in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Authors: Wilson, Teresa Margaret
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Nutrition--Evaluation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/46344 , vital:39602
- Description: Introduction: Childhood overweight and obesity is an escalating global health issue. In Africa, overweight and obesity prevalence in children has nearly doubled since 2000(World Health Organisation, 2018).TheSANHANES-1 study (2013) identified that overweight and obesity in were most prevalent in urban informal areas of South Africa, with approximately a quarter of the children classified as overweight or obese (Shisana et al., 2013).In the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality(NMBM), a double burden of disease was identified in the lower socio-economic population (Phekana et al., 2016). This study and others recommended further study into the contributing factors and behaviours which play a role in the development of overweight and obesity in children. These include household dietary intake, family history of lifestyle diseases, as well as the children’s and parental physical activity and sedentary time (Zhang et al.,2016).Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the associations between family history of diseases of lifestyle, lifestyle behaviour and anthropometric nutritional status of pre-school children in NMBM to describe underlying causes of childhood overweight and obesity.Methods: A cross-sectional design, using a quantitative approach, was used for this study(Ethics approval: H18-HEA-DIET-004). The study population included adult parents and/or caregivers of children from urban areas of Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality attending crèches and schools in these areas, in the age group from birth to 96 months (8 years). Randomised cluster sampling of crèches and schools from an existing database of anthropometrical data of children attending these crèches and schools in the area was done and a final sample of n=155obtained. With the assistance of a trained fieldworker, respondents completed a questionnaire detailing the family history of lifestyle diseases, physical activity levels and sedentary screen time behaviours, and a graphical adjusted version of a household dietary diversity questionnaire. Data about children’s activity levels in the preschool/creche environment was collected by the fieldworker by assessing the ECD centres’daily activity schedules. The anthropometric data of the children of the respondents was accessed from an existing database of these measurements. The data was described using means and standard deviations. Inferential statistics determined any existing associations between these underlying influences of childhood obesity.Results: Only 2% (n=3) of the children were underweight and 12% (n=9) were at risk of becoming underweight as classified by WAZ. HAZ scores identified26% (n=40) of the children at risk of becoming stunted, and 6% (n=9) of the children were already stunted. WHZ classified5% (n=8)of the children as overweight and 5% (n=8)as obese. A further 22% (n=34) of the children were at risk of becoming overweight.BMI/age classificationidentified25% (n=38) of the children as overweight and a further 12% (n=19) as obese. Out of the sample, 12%(n=17) of mothers and 8% (n=7) of fathers were categorised as overweight-to-obese according to the SA specific waist circumference(WC)cut-offs. Out of the children, 15% (n=22) have at least one parent who was overweight-to-obese. Traditional WC categories were classified48% (n=67) of the mothers as overweight-to-obese and at high risk for metabolic syndrome. Of all the lifestyle diseases, hypertension was the most prevalent with 29% (n=41) of households having at least one parent with hypertension. Parental physical activity was grossly overestimated, and the results found to be invalid. The Diet Variety and Frequency score resulted in a mean of 65.00 (n=154, SD=27.37) out of a possible 100 for the households in this sample, and junk food was consumed on three to four occasions per day in 32% (n=49) of households. There were no significant associations found between the parents’ variables and underweight children. Statistically small to medium effect associations were found between parental weight (both SA specific and traditional categories) and overweight children (classified by WHZ and BMI/age). Conclusions and recommendations: The prevalence of overweight and obesity among children in the NMBM was high. The only possible underlying cause of childhood overweight and obesity in pre-school children in the NMBM that could be determined by this study was parents’ weight classified by WC. However, it must be reiterated that due to the cross-sectional nature of the study, an association does not immediately mean causation, and the results are not adequate to rule out other underlying factors influencing childhood obesity. It is recommended that the results of the study are used to incentivise the final implementation of all the intervention targets laid out in the Strategic Plan for the Prevention and Control of Obesity in South Africa 2015-2020 in NMB, and for the development of the future obesity strategy after 2020. The results have shown the necessity for future health interventions to be targeted at the family as a unit.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Wilson, Teresa Margaret
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Nutrition--Evaluation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/46344 , vital:39602
- Description: Introduction: Childhood overweight and obesity is an escalating global health issue. In Africa, overweight and obesity prevalence in children has nearly doubled since 2000(World Health Organisation, 2018).TheSANHANES-1 study (2013) identified that overweight and obesity in were most prevalent in urban informal areas of South Africa, with approximately a quarter of the children classified as overweight or obese (Shisana et al., 2013).In the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality(NMBM), a double burden of disease was identified in the lower socio-economic population (Phekana et al., 2016). This study and others recommended further study into the contributing factors and behaviours which play a role in the development of overweight and obesity in children. These include household dietary intake, family history of lifestyle diseases, as well as the children’s and parental physical activity and sedentary time (Zhang et al.,2016).Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the associations between family history of diseases of lifestyle, lifestyle behaviour and anthropometric nutritional status of pre-school children in NMBM to describe underlying causes of childhood overweight and obesity.Methods: A cross-sectional design, using a quantitative approach, was used for this study(Ethics approval: H18-HEA-DIET-004). The study population included adult parents and/or caregivers of children from urban areas of Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality attending crèches and schools in these areas, in the age group from birth to 96 months (8 years). Randomised cluster sampling of crèches and schools from an existing database of anthropometrical data of children attending these crèches and schools in the area was done and a final sample of n=155obtained. With the assistance of a trained fieldworker, respondents completed a questionnaire detailing the family history of lifestyle diseases, physical activity levels and sedentary screen time behaviours, and a graphical adjusted version of a household dietary diversity questionnaire. Data about children’s activity levels in the preschool/creche environment was collected by the fieldworker by assessing the ECD centres’daily activity schedules. The anthropometric data of the children of the respondents was accessed from an existing database of these measurements. The data was described using means and standard deviations. Inferential statistics determined any existing associations between these underlying influences of childhood obesity.Results: Only 2% (n=3) of the children were underweight and 12% (n=9) were at risk of becoming underweight as classified by WAZ. HAZ scores identified26% (n=40) of the children at risk of becoming stunted, and 6% (n=9) of the children were already stunted. WHZ classified5% (n=8)of the children as overweight and 5% (n=8)as obese. A further 22% (n=34) of the children were at risk of becoming overweight.BMI/age classificationidentified25% (n=38) of the children as overweight and a further 12% (n=19) as obese. Out of the sample, 12%(n=17) of mothers and 8% (n=7) of fathers were categorised as overweight-to-obese according to the SA specific waist circumference(WC)cut-offs. Out of the children, 15% (n=22) have at least one parent who was overweight-to-obese. Traditional WC categories were classified48% (n=67) of the mothers as overweight-to-obese and at high risk for metabolic syndrome. Of all the lifestyle diseases, hypertension was the most prevalent with 29% (n=41) of households having at least one parent with hypertension. Parental physical activity was grossly overestimated, and the results found to be invalid. The Diet Variety and Frequency score resulted in a mean of 65.00 (n=154, SD=27.37) out of a possible 100 for the households in this sample, and junk food was consumed on three to four occasions per day in 32% (n=49) of households. There were no significant associations found between the parents’ variables and underweight children. Statistically small to medium effect associations were found between parental weight (both SA specific and traditional categories) and overweight children (classified by WHZ and BMI/age). Conclusions and recommendations: The prevalence of overweight and obesity among children in the NMBM was high. The only possible underlying cause of childhood overweight and obesity in pre-school children in the NMBM that could be determined by this study was parents’ weight classified by WC. However, it must be reiterated that due to the cross-sectional nature of the study, an association does not immediately mean causation, and the results are not adequate to rule out other underlying factors influencing childhood obesity. It is recommended that the results of the study are used to incentivise the final implementation of all the intervention targets laid out in the Strategic Plan for the Prevention and Control of Obesity in South Africa 2015-2020 in NMB, and for the development of the future obesity strategy after 2020. The results have shown the necessity for future health interventions to be targeted at the family as a unit.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Attitudes of healthcare professionals towards substance dependent Clients who have relapsed
- Authors: Yokwe, Zintle
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Substance abuse -- Relapse , Substance abuse -- Psychological aspects Attitude (Psychology) Psychologists -- South Africa -- Attitudes
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/44345 , vital:37156
- Description: Relapse has been identified as a major problem when it comes to substancedependence. Research focusing on substance-dependence has found that substance users are at risk of relapsing after attending treatment, whether receiving out-patient or in-patient services. Healthcare professionals are seen as playing a crucial role when it comes to assisting substance-dependence clients; hence their attitudes when working with these clients are considered important. This study explored the attitudes of healthcare professionals when it came to working with substance-dependent clients who had relapsed. The study further explored whether the attitudes held by the healthcare professionals affected the treatment interventions or plans implemented. The study adopted the theory of planned behavior as a theoretical framework, and a qualitative research methodology was used. Nine participants (four social workers, one nurse, one drug counsellor, one psychologist and one registered counsellor) made up the research sample. A combination of convenience and purposive sampling techniques was used. Data was transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis. The findings of the study indicated that healthcare professionals displayed both positive and negatives attitudes when working with substance-dependent clients who had relapsed. The findings of the study showed that although some of the healthcare professionals displayed negative attitudes when clients relapsed, they still believed that their clients could recover and were committed to assisting them. The findings showed that healthcare professionals who worked with substance-dependent clients who had relapsed were influenced by the confidence they had in working with substance-dependence clients, their experiences, the client’s attitudes and level of motivation, as well as the client’s reasons for relapsing. This study also described the different treatment interventions healthcare professionals implemented when working with relapsed clients. Based on the conclusions made, it is important for healthcare professionals to have the relevant education, knowledge and experience that is needed to work with substance-dependence and relapse. The importance of healthcare professionals’ awareness of their attitudes and how these affect their behavior when working with substance-dependence was noted. It is recommend that similar studies are conducted in provinces or cities that have been identified to have high levels of substance-dependence relapse. Identifying healthcare professionals’ attitudes from these regions could result in more knowledge.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Yokwe, Zintle
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Substance abuse -- Relapse , Substance abuse -- Psychological aspects Attitude (Psychology) Psychologists -- South Africa -- Attitudes
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/44345 , vital:37156
- Description: Relapse has been identified as a major problem when it comes to substancedependence. Research focusing on substance-dependence has found that substance users are at risk of relapsing after attending treatment, whether receiving out-patient or in-patient services. Healthcare professionals are seen as playing a crucial role when it comes to assisting substance-dependence clients; hence their attitudes when working with these clients are considered important. This study explored the attitudes of healthcare professionals when it came to working with substance-dependent clients who had relapsed. The study further explored whether the attitudes held by the healthcare professionals affected the treatment interventions or plans implemented. The study adopted the theory of planned behavior as a theoretical framework, and a qualitative research methodology was used. Nine participants (four social workers, one nurse, one drug counsellor, one psychologist and one registered counsellor) made up the research sample. A combination of convenience and purposive sampling techniques was used. Data was transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis. The findings of the study indicated that healthcare professionals displayed both positive and negatives attitudes when working with substance-dependent clients who had relapsed. The findings of the study showed that although some of the healthcare professionals displayed negative attitudes when clients relapsed, they still believed that their clients could recover and were committed to assisting them. The findings showed that healthcare professionals who worked with substance-dependent clients who had relapsed were influenced by the confidence they had in working with substance-dependence clients, their experiences, the client’s attitudes and level of motivation, as well as the client’s reasons for relapsing. This study also described the different treatment interventions healthcare professionals implemented when working with relapsed clients. Based on the conclusions made, it is important for healthcare professionals to have the relevant education, knowledge and experience that is needed to work with substance-dependence and relapse. The importance of healthcare professionals’ awareness of their attitudes and how these affect their behavior when working with substance-dependence was noted. It is recommend that similar studies are conducted in provinces or cities that have been identified to have high levels of substance-dependence relapse. Identifying healthcare professionals’ attitudes from these regions could result in more knowledge.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Attitudes of midwives towards the use of traditional medicine among pregnant women in Nelson Mandela Bay
- Simelane, Nompumelelo Andiswa
- Authors: Simelane, Nompumelelo Andiswa
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Midwifery -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Pregnancy -- Alternative treatment -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Women's health services -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Traditional medicine -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Integrative medicine -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23197 , vital:30452
- Description: The use of traditional medicines by pregnant women is a global concern. Despite limited theoretical evidence on the safety profile of traditional medicines to substantiate their use in pregnancy, expectant mothers are found to be widely using them. Safety concerns related to traditional medicine use in pregnancy include its use during the critical embryonic period, antenatal and intrapartum periods. These medications were associated with complications such as obstructed labour, foetal distress, emergency caesarean sections having to be performed and neonates delivered with low Apgar scorings. Midwives are usually the first and at times the only healthcare providers that come into contact with pregnant women. It was therefore necessary to investigate the midwives’ attitudes towards the use of traditional medicine among pregnant women. The objectives of this study were to: Explore and describe the attitudes of midwives towards the use of traditional medicine in Nelson Mandela Bay. Based on the findings of the study, make recommendations for midwives and nurse managers on how they could inform pregnant women of the benefits and harms of using traditional medicine during pregnancy. The study was conducted between November 2016 and January 2017, using a quantitative approach with an explorative, descriptive, and contextual design having obtained the necessary approval from the university and relevant authorities. The research population was midwives who work in maternity units in Nelson Mandela Bay. Self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data from conveniently sampled participants using set inclusion and exclusion criteria after obtaining informed consent. Data were captured by the researcher on a Microsoft Excel spread sheet and were reduced and analysed with the help of a statistician using the software package IBM SPSS Statistics 24 to ensure efficacy of the results. One hundred and twenty questionnaires were distributed and 89 were returned, yielding a 74% response rate. From the research findings, midwives in the Nelson Mandela Bay do not support the use of traditional medicine during pregnancy. Midwives acknowledged their responsibility to enquire and provide relevant information regarding the use of traditional medicine in pregnancy. Furthermore, midwives associated the use of traditional medicine with womens’ cultural diversity and lack of knowledge about pregnancy and labour. Based on these findings, recommendations for midwives and nurse managers on how they could inform pregnant women of the benefits and harms of using traditional medicine during pregnancy were made. Further recommendations were made for midwifery practice, nursing education and future research. The researcher used a literature control to ensure validation and integrity of the study. Further quality of the study was maintained by observing the principles of reliability and validity. Ethical considerations were guided by the Belmont Report adopting the principles of respect for persons, beneficence, and justice.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Simelane, Nompumelelo Andiswa
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Midwifery -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Pregnancy -- Alternative treatment -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Women's health services -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Traditional medicine -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Integrative medicine -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23197 , vital:30452
- Description: The use of traditional medicines by pregnant women is a global concern. Despite limited theoretical evidence on the safety profile of traditional medicines to substantiate their use in pregnancy, expectant mothers are found to be widely using them. Safety concerns related to traditional medicine use in pregnancy include its use during the critical embryonic period, antenatal and intrapartum periods. These medications were associated with complications such as obstructed labour, foetal distress, emergency caesarean sections having to be performed and neonates delivered with low Apgar scorings. Midwives are usually the first and at times the only healthcare providers that come into contact with pregnant women. It was therefore necessary to investigate the midwives’ attitudes towards the use of traditional medicine among pregnant women. The objectives of this study were to: Explore and describe the attitudes of midwives towards the use of traditional medicine in Nelson Mandela Bay. Based on the findings of the study, make recommendations for midwives and nurse managers on how they could inform pregnant women of the benefits and harms of using traditional medicine during pregnancy. The study was conducted between November 2016 and January 2017, using a quantitative approach with an explorative, descriptive, and contextual design having obtained the necessary approval from the university and relevant authorities. The research population was midwives who work in maternity units in Nelson Mandela Bay. Self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data from conveniently sampled participants using set inclusion and exclusion criteria after obtaining informed consent. Data were captured by the researcher on a Microsoft Excel spread sheet and were reduced and analysed with the help of a statistician using the software package IBM SPSS Statistics 24 to ensure efficacy of the results. One hundred and twenty questionnaires were distributed and 89 were returned, yielding a 74% response rate. From the research findings, midwives in the Nelson Mandela Bay do not support the use of traditional medicine during pregnancy. Midwives acknowledged their responsibility to enquire and provide relevant information regarding the use of traditional medicine in pregnancy. Furthermore, midwives associated the use of traditional medicine with womens’ cultural diversity and lack of knowledge about pregnancy and labour. Based on these findings, recommendations for midwives and nurse managers on how they could inform pregnant women of the benefits and harms of using traditional medicine during pregnancy were made. Further recommendations were made for midwifery practice, nursing education and future research. The researcher used a literature control to ensure validation and integrity of the study. Further quality of the study was maintained by observing the principles of reliability and validity. Ethical considerations were guided by the Belmont Report adopting the principles of respect for persons, beneficence, and justice.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Attitudes of undergraduate psychology students towards mental illness
- Authors: Lugogwana, Pakama Linda
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: College students -- South Africa -- Attitudes , Psychology -- Study and teaching Mental illness -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/14223 , vital:27454
- Description: Negative attitudes and stigmas against those diagnosed with mental illnesses have been found to prevail in modern society, despite the availability of effective treatments and attempts to educate people about mental health. Numerous studies have been conducted on the attitudes of various groups of people and communities towards mental illness. There is, however, limited research about student populations, particularly students registered for courses in the “allied health professions”. This study aimed to explore and describe the prevailing attitudes towards mental illness of a sample of the undergraduate Psychology student population (registered between 2nd and 4th year of study) within the Faculty of Health Sciences at a South African University. The procedure followed was an electronic intranet based survey, utilising the Community Attitudes to Mental Illness (CAMI) scale. The survey was accessed via the university’s student portal and links were sent via email to students to complete. A total of n=51 student responses were recorded and analysed. Data were quantitatively analysed using t-tests and Analyses of Variance (ANOVA). No statistically significant differences on the CAMI scales were found between the students in relation to the various student demographic variables such as age, gender, race or year level, and the CAMI findings. Overall, the sample of undergraduate Psychology students were shown to have favourable attitudes towards mental illness, which is potentially accounted for by their chosen field of study of Psychology. Education and knowledge about mental health were acknowledged as being most important in reducing stigma towards mental illness.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Lugogwana, Pakama Linda
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: College students -- South Africa -- Attitudes , Psychology -- Study and teaching Mental illness -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/14223 , vital:27454
- Description: Negative attitudes and stigmas against those diagnosed with mental illnesses have been found to prevail in modern society, despite the availability of effective treatments and attempts to educate people about mental health. Numerous studies have been conducted on the attitudes of various groups of people and communities towards mental illness. There is, however, limited research about student populations, particularly students registered for courses in the “allied health professions”. This study aimed to explore and describe the prevailing attitudes towards mental illness of a sample of the undergraduate Psychology student population (registered between 2nd and 4th year of study) within the Faculty of Health Sciences at a South African University. The procedure followed was an electronic intranet based survey, utilising the Community Attitudes to Mental Illness (CAMI) scale. The survey was accessed via the university’s student portal and links were sent via email to students to complete. A total of n=51 student responses were recorded and analysed. Data were quantitatively analysed using t-tests and Analyses of Variance (ANOVA). No statistically significant differences on the CAMI scales were found between the students in relation to the various student demographic variables such as age, gender, race or year level, and the CAMI findings. Overall, the sample of undergraduate Psychology students were shown to have favourable attitudes towards mental illness, which is potentially accounted for by their chosen field of study of Psychology. Education and knowledge about mental health were acknowledged as being most important in reducing stigma towards mental illness.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Attitutes of professional nurses towards the dimensions of quality care in the community health centres of the King Sabatha Dalindyebo sub-district, Eastern Cape
- Authors: Ntuku, Nonzukiso Sheila
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Community health services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Nursing services -- South Africa-- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13989 , vital:39737
- Description: The study focused on attitudes of professional nurses towards the dimensions of quality care. Quality care is the main focus of the Department of Health in the Republic of South Africa. The researcher believes that professional nurses form the backbone of the whole health care fraternity; hence they are central to the study of quality care dimensions. The aim of the study was to determine and describe the attitudes of professional nurses towards the dimensions of quality care in the community health centres of the KingSabatha Dalindyebo sub-district. A quantitative descriptive design was employed to meet the objectives of the study. The non-probability purposive sampling method was used to select participants to provide information on the attitudes of professional nurses towards the dimensions of quality care in the community health centres of the King Sabatha Dalindyebo sub-district, Eastern Cape. From the target of 84 professional nurses who were employed at the five community health centres of King Sabatha Dalindyebo sub-district of the O.R. Tambo District, Eastern Cape Province, 70 (83,3percent) professional nursesresponded to the questionnaires. A self-administered questionnaire written in simple English was used to collect data from the professional nurses regarding their attitudes towards dimensions of quality care. The researcher adhered to the ethical standards of nursing research as described by the Democratic Nursing Organisationof South Africa regarding anonymity, confidentiality, privacy and quality research, according to which the names of professional nurses were not recorded on the questionnaires. The data were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) computer software. The distribution of the results has been presented in tables and a bar graph. The results of the study revealed that the professional nurses of these community health centres had positive attitudes towards the dimensions of quality care.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Ntuku, Nonzukiso Sheila
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Community health services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Nursing services -- South Africa-- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13989 , vital:39737
- Description: The study focused on attitudes of professional nurses towards the dimensions of quality care. Quality care is the main focus of the Department of Health in the Republic of South Africa. The researcher believes that professional nurses form the backbone of the whole health care fraternity; hence they are central to the study of quality care dimensions. The aim of the study was to determine and describe the attitudes of professional nurses towards the dimensions of quality care in the community health centres of the KingSabatha Dalindyebo sub-district. A quantitative descriptive design was employed to meet the objectives of the study. The non-probability purposive sampling method was used to select participants to provide information on the attitudes of professional nurses towards the dimensions of quality care in the community health centres of the King Sabatha Dalindyebo sub-district, Eastern Cape. From the target of 84 professional nurses who were employed at the five community health centres of King Sabatha Dalindyebo sub-district of the O.R. Tambo District, Eastern Cape Province, 70 (83,3percent) professional nursesresponded to the questionnaires. A self-administered questionnaire written in simple English was used to collect data from the professional nurses regarding their attitudes towards dimensions of quality care. The researcher adhered to the ethical standards of nursing research as described by the Democratic Nursing Organisationof South Africa regarding anonymity, confidentiality, privacy and quality research, according to which the names of professional nurses were not recorded on the questionnaires. The data were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) computer software. The distribution of the results has been presented in tables and a bar graph. The results of the study revealed that the professional nurses of these community health centres had positive attitudes towards the dimensions of quality care.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Audit of intravenous antifungal therapy used for Candida infections at a South African private hospital
- Authors: Van Dyk, Jacklyn Kate
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Candidiasis
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/46380 , vital:39600
- Description: The epidemiological landscape of the candida species has changed with the emergence of MDR strains globally and in South Africa. The aim of this study was to critically evaluate the compliance to guidelines in the use of intravenous antifungal therapy when treating invasive Candidainfections in a South African private hospital.Objective One was to determine the prevalence of Candida auris(C.auris) in the sample. Objective Two examined the relationship between high-risk patients and positive microbiological cultures. Objective Three studied the prescribing utilisation of the intravenous antifungalsin the form of a clinical audit. Objective Four compared these prescribing patternsto current guidelines by evaluating whether the antifungal course was non-compliant, of suboptimal compliance or compliant. Objective Five was to design a protocol for ward pharmacists to use when assessing antifungal treatment for candidiasis. The research design consisted of a retrospective, non-experimental, cross-sectional analysis of intravenous antifungal use in the management of systemic Candida infections in a private sector hospital in the Gauteng province, South Africa.A positive research paradigm with a quantitative clinical audit was used in this study. The most prevalent species cultured was C.auris with 31 of the 77 positive cultures. Risk stratifying patients was validated with 70% of high risk patients (Candida Score >2.5 and positive β-D-glucan) having a corresponding positive culture. Echinocandins were the most frequently utilised antifungal class, with caspofungin being the most used antifungal in the sample. The average duration of therapy for the echinocandins ranged between 11 and 16 days. Compliance to guidelines was evaluated accordingto: reason for initiation; drug choice and drug dose. Three levels of compliance were determined: non-compliant, sub-optimal compliance and compliant. xivThe overall compliance,according to recommended treatment guidelines,was found to be suboptimal, with anidentified need foranintervention which targets thedosing of the antifungals used. In conclusion, the research findings highlight the importance of reviewing antifungal prescribing habits and the need for antifungal stewardship programmes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Van Dyk, Jacklyn Kate
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Candidiasis
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/46380 , vital:39600
- Description: The epidemiological landscape of the candida species has changed with the emergence of MDR strains globally and in South Africa. The aim of this study was to critically evaluate the compliance to guidelines in the use of intravenous antifungal therapy when treating invasive Candidainfections in a South African private hospital.Objective One was to determine the prevalence of Candida auris(C.auris) in the sample. Objective Two examined the relationship between high-risk patients and positive microbiological cultures. Objective Three studied the prescribing utilisation of the intravenous antifungalsin the form of a clinical audit. Objective Four compared these prescribing patternsto current guidelines by evaluating whether the antifungal course was non-compliant, of suboptimal compliance or compliant. Objective Five was to design a protocol for ward pharmacists to use when assessing antifungal treatment for candidiasis. The research design consisted of a retrospective, non-experimental, cross-sectional analysis of intravenous antifungal use in the management of systemic Candida infections in a private sector hospital in the Gauteng province, South Africa.A positive research paradigm with a quantitative clinical audit was used in this study. The most prevalent species cultured was C.auris with 31 of the 77 positive cultures. Risk stratifying patients was validated with 70% of high risk patients (Candida Score >2.5 and positive β-D-glucan) having a corresponding positive culture. Echinocandins were the most frequently utilised antifungal class, with caspofungin being the most used antifungal in the sample. The average duration of therapy for the echinocandins ranged between 11 and 16 days. Compliance to guidelines was evaluated accordingto: reason for initiation; drug choice and drug dose. Three levels of compliance were determined: non-compliant, sub-optimal compliance and compliant. xivThe overall compliance,according to recommended treatment guidelines,was found to be suboptimal, with anidentified need foranintervention which targets thedosing of the antifungals used. In conclusion, the research findings highlight the importance of reviewing antifungal prescribing habits and the need for antifungal stewardship programmes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Availability of pharmacoeconomic data and its use in the development of drug formularies in South Africa
- Authors: Keele, Mothobi Godfrey
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Drugs -- Cost effectiveness , Pharmacy -- Economic aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: vital:10146 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/685 , Drugs -- Cost effectiveness , Pharmacy -- Economic aspects
- Description: In an attempt to manage scarce health care resources and keep drug expenditure low, health care administrators worldwide have to make careful considerations regarding the choice of drugs to be provided to patients within their systems. One of the key strategies that is being employed to achieve this goal is the use of formularies. A major challenge in the formulary development process is to use pharmacoeconomics and outcomes research effectively to arrive at formularies that simultaneously provide patients with effective pharmacotherapy whilst maintaining financial stability. The extent to which this can be successfully achieved depends to a large extent on the availability of appropriate pharmacoeconomic data. The primary objectives of this study were to describe the availability and quality of literature pertaining to South African based pharmacoeconomic research, and to establish the manner in and extent to which pharmacoeconomic data is used in drug formulary decision-making processes, in both the private and public health care sectors in South Africa. A structured bibliographic search for South African pharmacoeconomic studies was conducted and a qualitative assessment of the identified studies which met the predetermined inclusion criteria was completed, using a pre-validated quality evaluation tool. In order to determine the use of pharmacoeconomic data in the formulary decisionmaking processes, by various stake holders in both the public and private of health care sectors in South Africa, a cross-sectional, descriptive study using a self-administered questionnaire was conducted. The results suggest that there is a limited availability of pharmacoeconomic research data in South Africa. Only 16 full pharmacoeconomic studies could be identified as having been published between 01 January 1995 and 30 June 2007. The quality of 3 of these studies was considered to be ‘dubious’, one study was found to be of high standard whilst the other 12 (74.95%) were of acceptable quality and thus could be considered as suitable to be used in formulary decision-making. The results of the national survey indicated that pharmacoeconomics is considered to be of importance and is used in formulary decision-making processes in both the public and private sectors. The primary source of pharmacoeconomic data used in formulary decisions appears to be international peer-reviewed publications. Of concern however, is the finding that this data, mostly from studies conducted outside of South Africa, is applied directly without sensitivity analysis or modelling. The results of the literature search and the subsequent quality appraisal suggest that pharmacoeconomic research and the use of pharmacoeconomic data in formulary decisions is at its infancy in South Africa. Thus efforts are needed to develop and grow the discipline of pharmacoeconomics in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Keele, Mothobi Godfrey
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Drugs -- Cost effectiveness , Pharmacy -- Economic aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: vital:10146 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/685 , Drugs -- Cost effectiveness , Pharmacy -- Economic aspects
- Description: In an attempt to manage scarce health care resources and keep drug expenditure low, health care administrators worldwide have to make careful considerations regarding the choice of drugs to be provided to patients within their systems. One of the key strategies that is being employed to achieve this goal is the use of formularies. A major challenge in the formulary development process is to use pharmacoeconomics and outcomes research effectively to arrive at formularies that simultaneously provide patients with effective pharmacotherapy whilst maintaining financial stability. The extent to which this can be successfully achieved depends to a large extent on the availability of appropriate pharmacoeconomic data. The primary objectives of this study were to describe the availability and quality of literature pertaining to South African based pharmacoeconomic research, and to establish the manner in and extent to which pharmacoeconomic data is used in drug formulary decision-making processes, in both the private and public health care sectors in South Africa. A structured bibliographic search for South African pharmacoeconomic studies was conducted and a qualitative assessment of the identified studies which met the predetermined inclusion criteria was completed, using a pre-validated quality evaluation tool. In order to determine the use of pharmacoeconomic data in the formulary decisionmaking processes, by various stake holders in both the public and private of health care sectors in South Africa, a cross-sectional, descriptive study using a self-administered questionnaire was conducted. The results suggest that there is a limited availability of pharmacoeconomic research data in South Africa. Only 16 full pharmacoeconomic studies could be identified as having been published between 01 January 1995 and 30 June 2007. The quality of 3 of these studies was considered to be ‘dubious’, one study was found to be of high standard whilst the other 12 (74.95%) were of acceptable quality and thus could be considered as suitable to be used in formulary decision-making. The results of the national survey indicated that pharmacoeconomics is considered to be of importance and is used in formulary decision-making processes in both the public and private sectors. The primary source of pharmacoeconomic data used in formulary decisions appears to be international peer-reviewed publications. Of concern however, is the finding that this data, mostly from studies conducted outside of South Africa, is applied directly without sensitivity analysis or modelling. The results of the literature search and the subsequent quality appraisal suggest that pharmacoeconomic research and the use of pharmacoeconomic data in formulary decisions is at its infancy in South Africa. Thus efforts are needed to develop and grow the discipline of pharmacoeconomics in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
Awareness, attitudes and referral practices of health care providers to psychological services in Botswana
- Authors: July, Emma
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Medical care -- Botswana -- Psychological aspects , Public health -- Botswana -- Psychological aspects , Attitude (Psychology) -- Botswana , Medical personnel -- Botswana , Medical personnel -- Attitudes , Primary health care -- Botswana , Awareness
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9889 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1166 , Medical care -- Botswana -- Psychological aspects , Public health -- Botswana -- Psychological aspects , Attitude (Psychology) -- Botswana , Medical personnel -- Botswana , Medical personnel -- Attitudes , Primary health care -- Botswana , Awareness
- Description: The provision of psychological services is vital considering the complex nature of psychosocial issues facing people today. Nevertheless, the provision and utilization of psychological services has not been given due recognition in most African countries, including Botswana. Botswana is one of the countries faced by the challenges of the HIV/AIDS pandemic and other mental health problems, as well as poverty and unemployment. To date statistics on the magnitude of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Botswana, published annually by the National AIDS Coordinating Agency (NACA) reflect an increased rate of mental illness and psychosocial problems. Considering the complex nature of issues that impact negatively on people in Botswana, there is a need for awareness and the provision of psychological services in the primary health care system. There is little research on the place of psychology and psychological services in Botswana. The availability of such information is crucial for the planning of effective community-based psychological services. The present study employed a quantitative research method to explore and describe awareness and attitudes towards psychological services and referral practices in relation to psychological problems, of health care providers in Botswana. The participants in the study were chosen, based on a non-probability, purposive sampling method. The sample consisted of ninety-six persons and constituted medical doctors, nurses, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses and clinical social workers from governmental and non-governmental institutions from Gaborone and Francistown in Botswana. Data were analyzed by means of descriptive statistics in order to identify the mean, ranges and standard deviations. Frequency counts and percentages of the participants’ responses were computed. The results of the study revealed an awareness of available psychological services, positive attitudes towards psychology and psychological services and a reasonable percentage of referrals to psychological services. The results also revealed that available psychological services were limited and not easily accessible to patients. There was also an indication of a shortage of trained professionals to offer psychological services in health care centres, which resulted in psychological problems being referred to social workers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: July, Emma
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Medical care -- Botswana -- Psychological aspects , Public health -- Botswana -- Psychological aspects , Attitude (Psychology) -- Botswana , Medical personnel -- Botswana , Medical personnel -- Attitudes , Primary health care -- Botswana , Awareness
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9889 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1166 , Medical care -- Botswana -- Psychological aspects , Public health -- Botswana -- Psychological aspects , Attitude (Psychology) -- Botswana , Medical personnel -- Botswana , Medical personnel -- Attitudes , Primary health care -- Botswana , Awareness
- Description: The provision of psychological services is vital considering the complex nature of psychosocial issues facing people today. Nevertheless, the provision and utilization of psychological services has not been given due recognition in most African countries, including Botswana. Botswana is one of the countries faced by the challenges of the HIV/AIDS pandemic and other mental health problems, as well as poverty and unemployment. To date statistics on the magnitude of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Botswana, published annually by the National AIDS Coordinating Agency (NACA) reflect an increased rate of mental illness and psychosocial problems. Considering the complex nature of issues that impact negatively on people in Botswana, there is a need for awareness and the provision of psychological services in the primary health care system. There is little research on the place of psychology and psychological services in Botswana. The availability of such information is crucial for the planning of effective community-based psychological services. The present study employed a quantitative research method to explore and describe awareness and attitudes towards psychological services and referral practices in relation to psychological problems, of health care providers in Botswana. The participants in the study were chosen, based on a non-probability, purposive sampling method. The sample consisted of ninety-six persons and constituted medical doctors, nurses, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses and clinical social workers from governmental and non-governmental institutions from Gaborone and Francistown in Botswana. Data were analyzed by means of descriptive statistics in order to identify the mean, ranges and standard deviations. Frequency counts and percentages of the participants’ responses were computed. The results of the study revealed an awareness of available psychological services, positive attitudes towards psychology and psychological services and a reasonable percentage of referrals to psychological services. The results also revealed that available psychological services were limited and not easily accessible to patients. There was also an indication of a shortage of trained professionals to offer psychological services in health care centres, which resulted in psychological problems being referred to social workers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Awareness, knowledge and practices with regards to alcohol use of pregnant women in the Missionvale area
- Authors: Du Preez, Mingon
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Pregnant women -- Alcohol use
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/46404 , vital:39572
- Description: South African statistics, when compared to global statistics, has an above-average occurrence of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder(FASD). Alcohol use during pregnancy is on the rise globally and has far-reaching consequences. FASD is an umbrella term that describes the range of effects that can occur in an individual whose mother consumed alcohol during pregnancy.FASDnot only has an abiological, social and emotional negative impact on the individual, but also creates an added burden on the family caring for such an individual. When this condition occurs in a third world country, like South Africa, there is an economic impact as this country has limited physical and human resources to deal with the multitude of repercussions associated with this condition. This study was conducted in the Missionvale Community, an impoverished area of Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape. Participants were selected from this community, as clients attending the psychology clinic in the area frequently present with diagnosed FASD and co-concurring conditions, such as scholastic underachievement and behavioural conditions. These factors perpetuate an individuals inability to rise above their current circumstances as they are frequently unable to complete their schooling and are consequently unable to find unemployment. Prevention of FASD is a social, public and personal health issue that requires a multifaceted approach to intervention. The present study aimed to determine participants’ awareness, knowledge levels and practices with regard to alcohol use during pregnancy. Previous studies conducted in the Eastern Cape have primarily focused on the outcomes of prenatal alcohol exposure rather than the contributing factors, thus making this study the first of its kind to be conducted in the Eastern Cape. The study was quantitative in nature and participants were obtained through purposive sampling. A questionnaire, comprising of four different sections was used to obtain the necessary information. The sections in the questionnaire tapped information about the following concepts: Demographics, awareness, knowledge, and practices of alcohol use by pregnant women. The statistical results and additional comments by the participants assisted the researcher to gain a better understanding of the awareness levels, knowledge, and practices with regard to alcohol use of pregnant women residing in the Missionvale area. The results from the study indicate that participants have a general awareness that alcohol use during pregnancy could be harmful to an unborn baby but lack in-depth specific knowledge of the adverse effects of prenatal alcohol exposure.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Du Preez, Mingon
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Pregnant women -- Alcohol use
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/46404 , vital:39572
- Description: South African statistics, when compared to global statistics, has an above-average occurrence of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder(FASD). Alcohol use during pregnancy is on the rise globally and has far-reaching consequences. FASD is an umbrella term that describes the range of effects that can occur in an individual whose mother consumed alcohol during pregnancy.FASDnot only has an abiological, social and emotional negative impact on the individual, but also creates an added burden on the family caring for such an individual. When this condition occurs in a third world country, like South Africa, there is an economic impact as this country has limited physical and human resources to deal with the multitude of repercussions associated with this condition. This study was conducted in the Missionvale Community, an impoverished area of Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape. Participants were selected from this community, as clients attending the psychology clinic in the area frequently present with diagnosed FASD and co-concurring conditions, such as scholastic underachievement and behavioural conditions. These factors perpetuate an individuals inability to rise above their current circumstances as they are frequently unable to complete their schooling and are consequently unable to find unemployment. Prevention of FASD is a social, public and personal health issue that requires a multifaceted approach to intervention. The present study aimed to determine participants’ awareness, knowledge levels and practices with regard to alcohol use during pregnancy. Previous studies conducted in the Eastern Cape have primarily focused on the outcomes of prenatal alcohol exposure rather than the contributing factors, thus making this study the first of its kind to be conducted in the Eastern Cape. The study was quantitative in nature and participants were obtained through purposive sampling. A questionnaire, comprising of four different sections was used to obtain the necessary information. The sections in the questionnaire tapped information about the following concepts: Demographics, awareness, knowledge, and practices of alcohol use by pregnant women. The statistical results and additional comments by the participants assisted the researcher to gain a better understanding of the awareness levels, knowledge, and practices with regard to alcohol use of pregnant women residing in the Missionvale area. The results from the study indicate that participants have a general awareness that alcohol use during pregnancy could be harmful to an unborn baby but lack in-depth specific knowledge of the adverse effects of prenatal alcohol exposure.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Barriers to implementation of evidence-based practices in a critical care unit
- Authors: Bowers, Candice Andrea
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Evidence-based medicine , Critical care medicine , Nursing ethics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: vital:10048 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1013612
- Description: Over the last three decades there has been a greater need for health care practitioners to base their decision on the best available in order to optimise quality and cost-effective patient care. Evidence-based practice necessitates guideline development, education and review in order to achieve improved patient outcomes. However, initiatives that endeavour to disseminate and implement evidence-based practice have faced barriers and opposition. Barriers that might hamper the implementation of evidence-based practice include characteristics of the evidence itself, personal, institutional or organizational factors. The research study explored and described the barriers to implementation of evidence-based practices in a critical care unit. Based on the data analysis, recommendations were made to enhance the implementation of evidence-based practices in the critical care unit. A quantitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual research design was used to operationalize the research objectives. The target population comprised professional nurses in the critical care unit. Non-probability sampling was used to obtain data by means of a structured self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive data analysis was applied, using a statistical programme and the aid of a statistician. The results are graphically displayed using bar graphs and tables. Recommendations for nursing practice, education and research were made. Ethical principles have been maintained throughout the study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Bowers, Candice Andrea
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Evidence-based medicine , Critical care medicine , Nursing ethics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: vital:10048 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1013612
- Description: Over the last three decades there has been a greater need for health care practitioners to base their decision on the best available in order to optimise quality and cost-effective patient care. Evidence-based practice necessitates guideline development, education and review in order to achieve improved patient outcomes. However, initiatives that endeavour to disseminate and implement evidence-based practice have faced barriers and opposition. Barriers that might hamper the implementation of evidence-based practice include characteristics of the evidence itself, personal, institutional or organizational factors. The research study explored and described the barriers to implementation of evidence-based practices in a critical care unit. Based on the data analysis, recommendations were made to enhance the implementation of evidence-based practices in the critical care unit. A quantitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual research design was used to operationalize the research objectives. The target population comprised professional nurses in the critical care unit. Non-probability sampling was used to obtain data by means of a structured self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive data analysis was applied, using a statistical programme and the aid of a statistician. The results are graphically displayed using bar graphs and tables. Recommendations for nursing practice, education and research were made. Ethical principles have been maintained throughout the study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Barriers to picking and packing in pharmaceutical warehousing and distribution in South Africa
- Authors: Kemp, Nicholas
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Pharmaceutical industry -- Materials management , Warehouses -- Management Pharmaceutical industry -- South Africa Physical distribution of goods -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/30627 , vital:30994
- Description: Barriers within the supply chain play an evident role in decreasing its efficiency. The supply chain system is not well documented in the pharmaceutical sector. The aim of this study was to identify any barriers to the movement of picking and packing operators within 6 distribution facilities throughout South Africa using a time and motion analysis. A pilot study was initially conducted to choose the stopwatch application for Android® devices and to ensure reliability of the tools utilised. The motions during the processes of fulfilling an order were identified during the case picking, bulk picking and packing processes by direct observation of operators. The direct observation was performed using a stopwatch application for Android® devices and a tool on Microsoft Excel®. The data was analysed using Microsoft Excel®, using a student’s T-test and an analysis of variance (ANOVA) approach to identify similarities and differences between the facilities. The data was further analysed using a descriptive statistics approach to identify the common barriers amongst the distribution centres. Thereafter, the data was analysed by identifying a value-quotient. The value-quotient was used to identify how much time was spent on value-adding activities with each facility. The observation of the operators was done randomly at each facility to avoid subjectivity and bias. Results: The pilot study identified which stopwatch application was to be utilised. The pilot study aided to improve upon the design of the data collection tool used for the transcribing of the timing operation. The student’s T-test and ANOVA revealed that there were statistically significant differences in case picking amongst facilities, namely using the radio frequency identification devices (RFID), picking and transfer of stock. In the bulk picking process, there was a statistically significant difference amongst the facilities, namely using the RFID, pick and transfer of stock. In the packing process there was a statistically significant difference amongst the facilities in the packing process. The analysis of barriers within the distribution centres revealed that the 16 common barriers amongst the picking processes at the facilities included raising the platform, waiting for colleagues to depart an aisle, RFID malfunctions and answering their phones. No common barriers during the packing process was identified. The value-quotient revealed that most of the facilities spent more than 50 percent of their time on value-adding activities during the case picking, bulk picking and packing processes. A time and motion analysis proved to be an effective method to identify similarities and barriers between the six facilities. It was recommended to investigate a few of the basic operations to improve upon, as well as the possibility of implementing a barcoded system to the stock.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Kemp, Nicholas
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Pharmaceutical industry -- Materials management , Warehouses -- Management Pharmaceutical industry -- South Africa Physical distribution of goods -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/30627 , vital:30994
- Description: Barriers within the supply chain play an evident role in decreasing its efficiency. The supply chain system is not well documented in the pharmaceutical sector. The aim of this study was to identify any barriers to the movement of picking and packing operators within 6 distribution facilities throughout South Africa using a time and motion analysis. A pilot study was initially conducted to choose the stopwatch application for Android® devices and to ensure reliability of the tools utilised. The motions during the processes of fulfilling an order were identified during the case picking, bulk picking and packing processes by direct observation of operators. The direct observation was performed using a stopwatch application for Android® devices and a tool on Microsoft Excel®. The data was analysed using Microsoft Excel®, using a student’s T-test and an analysis of variance (ANOVA) approach to identify similarities and differences between the facilities. The data was further analysed using a descriptive statistics approach to identify the common barriers amongst the distribution centres. Thereafter, the data was analysed by identifying a value-quotient. The value-quotient was used to identify how much time was spent on value-adding activities with each facility. The observation of the operators was done randomly at each facility to avoid subjectivity and bias. Results: The pilot study identified which stopwatch application was to be utilised. The pilot study aided to improve upon the design of the data collection tool used for the transcribing of the timing operation. The student’s T-test and ANOVA revealed that there were statistically significant differences in case picking amongst facilities, namely using the radio frequency identification devices (RFID), picking and transfer of stock. In the bulk picking process, there was a statistically significant difference amongst the facilities, namely using the RFID, pick and transfer of stock. In the packing process there was a statistically significant difference amongst the facilities in the packing process. The analysis of barriers within the distribution centres revealed that the 16 common barriers amongst the picking processes at the facilities included raising the platform, waiting for colleagues to depart an aisle, RFID malfunctions and answering their phones. No common barriers during the packing process was identified. The value-quotient revealed that most of the facilities spent more than 50 percent of their time on value-adding activities during the case picking, bulk picking and packing processes. A time and motion analysis proved to be an effective method to identify similarities and barriers between the six facilities. It was recommended to investigate a few of the basic operations to improve upon, as well as the possibility of implementing a barcoded system to the stock.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Biological activities of medical plants traditionally used in the Eastern Cape to treat pneumonia
- Kamanga, Melvin Chalochapasi
- Authors: Kamanga, Melvin Chalochapasi
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Communicable diseases -- Eastern Cape , Medicinal plants -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10124 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020051
- Description: Infectious diseases such as pneumonia still pose a major global health concern. Currently, the world is facing widespread emergence of acquired bacterial resistance to antibiotics which constitute one of the chief causes of infectious diseases. The accumulation of different antibiotic resistance mechanisms within the same strains has induced the appearance of the so called “superbugs”, or “multiple-drug resistant bacteria”. Due to antibiotic resistance, attention is currently being drawn towards biologically active components isolated from plant species commonly used as herbal medicine, as they may offer a new source of antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral activities. This is the basis of this study. In this study four medicinal plants namely, Cassia abbreviata, Geranium incanum, Pelargonium hortorum and Tecoma capensis were investigated for their antimicrobial potential. In vitro antimicrobial activity using agar disc diffusion method, agar dilution method and broth microdilution plate determination of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), were carried out against ATCC (American Type Culture Collection) strains and clinical isolates known to cause pneumonia. Aqueous, methanol and acetone extracts from the selected plants were thus tested against strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans. The plants exhibited pronounced antimicrobial activity and were more active against Gram-positive bacteria than Gram-negative bacteria. During agar disc diffusion method, the highest inhibition zone was demonstrated by the acetone extract of P. hortorum (IZ=22mm and AI=0.73) against the reference strain of S. pneumoniae (ATCC 49619). The range of zones of inhibition in diameter across strains of S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae was 7mm to 22mm with activity index range of 0.23 to 0.74. The lowest MIC produced by medicinal plants in the study during agar disc diffusion method against S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae strains, was 2.5mg/ml. In broth microdilution plate assay, the lowest MIC demonstrated by C. abbreviata, T. capensis and P. hortorum extracts on tested bacteria was 0.031mg/ml and that of G. incanum was 0.063mg/ml. Candida albicans strains were only inhibited at 20mg/ml by the study plants. The highest activity among the individual extracts was shown by P. hortorum methanol extract which inhibited 71% of the studied bacteria. T. capensis methanol extract was the least and inhibited only 17% of the tested bacteria. The strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae showed the highest resistance to medicinal plants employed in this study. Traditional preparation of selected medicinal plants did not show any significant antimicrobial activity. Bioactive analysis of compounds on study plants was carried out using standard methods which revealed the presence of anthraquinones, flavonoids, phytosterol, saponins, tannins and triterpenoids. Comparison of the inhibitory effect of the plant extracts against some broad spectrum antibiotics revealed that the tested medicinal plants showed greater antimicrobial activity than standard antibiotics. However, there was no correlation between the antibiotic susceptibility patterns of the bacteria and the effects of the plants, signifying that plants probably function through different mechanisms. Bioautographic findings on thin-layer chromatography plate, exhibited clear zones of inhibition of bacterial growth with the Rf value range of 0.09 to 0.94. Anti-mutagenic activity was assayed by the Ames mutagenicity test in the plate-incorporation method using histidine mutants of S. typhimurium strains TA 100. The selected plant extracts at 2.5mg/ml and 5mg/ml did not induce mutagenesis in the absence of liver-metabolizing enzymes. The study results indicated that the selected plants are capable of inhibiting the growth of the studied pathogenic microorganisms to a varied degree. The leaves of G. incanum, P. hortorum, T. capensis as well as the stem bark of C. abbreviata could be novel sources of antimicrobial agents that might have broad spectrum activity. The anti-mutagenic properties of the studied medicinal plants may also provide additional health supplemental value to the other claimed therapeutic properties of the plants.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Kamanga, Melvin Chalochapasi
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Communicable diseases -- Eastern Cape , Medicinal plants -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10124 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020051
- Description: Infectious diseases such as pneumonia still pose a major global health concern. Currently, the world is facing widespread emergence of acquired bacterial resistance to antibiotics which constitute one of the chief causes of infectious diseases. The accumulation of different antibiotic resistance mechanisms within the same strains has induced the appearance of the so called “superbugs”, or “multiple-drug resistant bacteria”. Due to antibiotic resistance, attention is currently being drawn towards biologically active components isolated from plant species commonly used as herbal medicine, as they may offer a new source of antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral activities. This is the basis of this study. In this study four medicinal plants namely, Cassia abbreviata, Geranium incanum, Pelargonium hortorum and Tecoma capensis were investigated for their antimicrobial potential. In vitro antimicrobial activity using agar disc diffusion method, agar dilution method and broth microdilution plate determination of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), were carried out against ATCC (American Type Culture Collection) strains and clinical isolates known to cause pneumonia. Aqueous, methanol and acetone extracts from the selected plants were thus tested against strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans. The plants exhibited pronounced antimicrobial activity and were more active against Gram-positive bacteria than Gram-negative bacteria. During agar disc diffusion method, the highest inhibition zone was demonstrated by the acetone extract of P. hortorum (IZ=22mm and AI=0.73) against the reference strain of S. pneumoniae (ATCC 49619). The range of zones of inhibition in diameter across strains of S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae was 7mm to 22mm with activity index range of 0.23 to 0.74. The lowest MIC produced by medicinal plants in the study during agar disc diffusion method against S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae strains, was 2.5mg/ml. In broth microdilution plate assay, the lowest MIC demonstrated by C. abbreviata, T. capensis and P. hortorum extracts on tested bacteria was 0.031mg/ml and that of G. incanum was 0.063mg/ml. Candida albicans strains were only inhibited at 20mg/ml by the study plants. The highest activity among the individual extracts was shown by P. hortorum methanol extract which inhibited 71% of the studied bacteria. T. capensis methanol extract was the least and inhibited only 17% of the tested bacteria. The strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae showed the highest resistance to medicinal plants employed in this study. Traditional preparation of selected medicinal plants did not show any significant antimicrobial activity. Bioactive analysis of compounds on study plants was carried out using standard methods which revealed the presence of anthraquinones, flavonoids, phytosterol, saponins, tannins and triterpenoids. Comparison of the inhibitory effect of the plant extracts against some broad spectrum antibiotics revealed that the tested medicinal plants showed greater antimicrobial activity than standard antibiotics. However, there was no correlation between the antibiotic susceptibility patterns of the bacteria and the effects of the plants, signifying that plants probably function through different mechanisms. Bioautographic findings on thin-layer chromatography plate, exhibited clear zones of inhibition of bacterial growth with the Rf value range of 0.09 to 0.94. Anti-mutagenic activity was assayed by the Ames mutagenicity test in the plate-incorporation method using histidine mutants of S. typhimurium strains TA 100. The selected plant extracts at 2.5mg/ml and 5mg/ml did not induce mutagenesis in the absence of liver-metabolizing enzymes. The study results indicated that the selected plants are capable of inhibiting the growth of the studied pathogenic microorganisms to a varied degree. The leaves of G. incanum, P. hortorum, T. capensis as well as the stem bark of C. abbreviata could be novel sources of antimicrobial agents that might have broad spectrum activity. The anti-mutagenic properties of the studied medicinal plants may also provide additional health supplemental value to the other claimed therapeutic properties of the plants.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Biological activities of medicinal plants traditionally used to treat Septicaemia in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Chinyama, Robert Fred
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Materia medica, Vegetable -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Medicinal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Traditional medicine -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Herbs -- Therapeutic use -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10119 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1274 , Materia medica, Vegetable -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Medicinal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Traditional medicine -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Herbs -- Therapeutic use -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Over the past 25 years, there has been a resurgence of worldwide scientific research in the fields of ethnopharmacology. The Western world has acknowledged the continued use of traditional medicines by the majority of third world countries, and the need for novel drug development. Hence, much of the pharmaceutical research in recent years has focused on the ethnobotanical approach to drug discovery (Light et al., 2005). In South Africa, as in most developing parts of the world, traditional herbal medicine still forms the backbone of rural healthcare. The government health services in South Africa provide only western medical care although the majority of the population consult traditional healers for some or all of their healthcare needs (McGaw et al., 2005). Medicinal plants like Harpephyllum caffrum are used as blood purifiers or emetics (Watt and Breyer-Brandwijk, 1962), and also for treating acne and eczema. The antimicrobial activity of this plant can be used to treat septicaemia, which is ranked the sixth leading cause of death among neonates and the eighth leading cause of death for infants through the first year of life (Heron, 2007). In this study, the plants investigated for antimicrobial activity were Harpephyllum caffrum, Hermannia cuneifolia, Chironia baccifera, Rhigozum obovatum, Felicia muricata and Pentzia incana. These plants were tested against ATTC (American Type Culture Collection) strains and microorganisms isolated from clinical isolates of patients suffering from septicaemia. The assay methods used included the agar diffusion method using the Mast multipoint inoculator, the microtitre dilution method were used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration, thin layer chromatography fingerprints accompanied by bioautographic assay were used to detect the inhibition of bacterial growth by active compounds separated from plant extracts and the Ames test was required to assess the possibility of bacterial mutagenesis upon the exposure to plant extracts which can lead to carcinogenicity. In agar diffusion method, extracts of Harpephyllum caffrum inhibited nine strains of Candida albicans, three species of Acinetobacter and four strains of E.faecalis. Extracts of Hermannia cuneifolia inhibited four strains of B.cereus and three strains of Staphylococcus aureus. Extracts of Chironia baccifera inhibited one strain of Acinetobacter and five strains of E.faecalis. Extracts of plants Rhigozum obovatum, Felicia muricata, and Pentzia incana showed no antimicrobial activity. In the microtitre dilution method used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), the results were different from the agar diffusion method. More activity was observed. Extracts of Harpephyllum caffrum inhibited three strains of E.coli, six strains of S.aureus, three species of Acinetobacter and one strain of Klebsiella pneumonia. Extracts of Hermannia cuneifolia inhibited four strains of B.cereus, three strains of S.aureus, two strains of K.oxytoca and one species of Acinetobacter. Extracts of Chironia baccifera inhibited three strains of S.aureus, one strain of MRSA, one species of Acinetobacter and one strain of S.haemolyticus. The MIC values ranged from 0.049 to 6.25mg/ml. Using the thin layer chromatography fingerprints, bioautography showed the presence of various inhibitory chemical compounds. Methanol and acetone extracts of Harpephyllum caffrum, separated very well and showed various inhibition zones on exposure to Candida albicans, Enterococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus aureus. The different inhibition zones were recorded as Rf In the Ames test (Maron and Ames, 1983) the methanol and acetone extracts of Harpephyllum caffrum and Hermannia cuneifolia were negative which means they were devoid of any mutagenic properties. Methanol extracts of Harpephyllum caffrum showed similar results in the Ames assay as reported by Verschaeve and Van Staden (2008). values ranging from 0.25 to 0.95. The zones indicate the different inhibiting chemical compounds present in the plant. Petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, chloroform and formic acid were the solvents used in the assay in the ratio 8:7:5:1, respectively. Establishing the antimicrobial activity of these plants contribute to the systematic scientific investigation of indigenous South African medicinal plants.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Chinyama, Robert Fred
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Materia medica, Vegetable -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Medicinal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Traditional medicine -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Herbs -- Therapeutic use -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10119 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1274 , Materia medica, Vegetable -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Medicinal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Traditional medicine -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Herbs -- Therapeutic use -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Over the past 25 years, there has been a resurgence of worldwide scientific research in the fields of ethnopharmacology. The Western world has acknowledged the continued use of traditional medicines by the majority of third world countries, and the need for novel drug development. Hence, much of the pharmaceutical research in recent years has focused on the ethnobotanical approach to drug discovery (Light et al., 2005). In South Africa, as in most developing parts of the world, traditional herbal medicine still forms the backbone of rural healthcare. The government health services in South Africa provide only western medical care although the majority of the population consult traditional healers for some or all of their healthcare needs (McGaw et al., 2005). Medicinal plants like Harpephyllum caffrum are used as blood purifiers or emetics (Watt and Breyer-Brandwijk, 1962), and also for treating acne and eczema. The antimicrobial activity of this plant can be used to treat septicaemia, which is ranked the sixth leading cause of death among neonates and the eighth leading cause of death for infants through the first year of life (Heron, 2007). In this study, the plants investigated for antimicrobial activity were Harpephyllum caffrum, Hermannia cuneifolia, Chironia baccifera, Rhigozum obovatum, Felicia muricata and Pentzia incana. These plants were tested against ATTC (American Type Culture Collection) strains and microorganisms isolated from clinical isolates of patients suffering from septicaemia. The assay methods used included the agar diffusion method using the Mast multipoint inoculator, the microtitre dilution method were used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration, thin layer chromatography fingerprints accompanied by bioautographic assay were used to detect the inhibition of bacterial growth by active compounds separated from plant extracts and the Ames test was required to assess the possibility of bacterial mutagenesis upon the exposure to plant extracts which can lead to carcinogenicity. In agar diffusion method, extracts of Harpephyllum caffrum inhibited nine strains of Candida albicans, three species of Acinetobacter and four strains of E.faecalis. Extracts of Hermannia cuneifolia inhibited four strains of B.cereus and three strains of Staphylococcus aureus. Extracts of Chironia baccifera inhibited one strain of Acinetobacter and five strains of E.faecalis. Extracts of plants Rhigozum obovatum, Felicia muricata, and Pentzia incana showed no antimicrobial activity. In the microtitre dilution method used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), the results were different from the agar diffusion method. More activity was observed. Extracts of Harpephyllum caffrum inhibited three strains of E.coli, six strains of S.aureus, three species of Acinetobacter and one strain of Klebsiella pneumonia. Extracts of Hermannia cuneifolia inhibited four strains of B.cereus, three strains of S.aureus, two strains of K.oxytoca and one species of Acinetobacter. Extracts of Chironia baccifera inhibited three strains of S.aureus, one strain of MRSA, one species of Acinetobacter and one strain of S.haemolyticus. The MIC values ranged from 0.049 to 6.25mg/ml. Using the thin layer chromatography fingerprints, bioautography showed the presence of various inhibitory chemical compounds. Methanol and acetone extracts of Harpephyllum caffrum, separated very well and showed various inhibition zones on exposure to Candida albicans, Enterococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus aureus. The different inhibition zones were recorded as Rf In the Ames test (Maron and Ames, 1983) the methanol and acetone extracts of Harpephyllum caffrum and Hermannia cuneifolia were negative which means they were devoid of any mutagenic properties. Methanol extracts of Harpephyllum caffrum showed similar results in the Ames assay as reported by Verschaeve and Van Staden (2008). values ranging from 0.25 to 0.95. The zones indicate the different inhibiting chemical compounds present in the plant. Petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, chloroform and formic acid were the solvents used in the assay in the ratio 8:7:5:1, respectively. Establishing the antimicrobial activity of these plants contribute to the systematic scientific investigation of indigenous South African medicinal plants.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Biological activities of selected South African medicinal plants traditionally used to treat urinary tract infections
- Mathobela, Kegomoditswe Prudence
- Authors: Mathobela, Kegomoditswe Prudence
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Medicinal plants -- South Africa , Urinary tract infections -- Treatment , Anti-infective agents -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/8059 , vital:24715
- Description: Plants have been an important part of medicine and since the existence of human beings; they have been used to cure a variety of ailments such as diarrhoea, wounds and sexually transmitted diseases. Far from being out-dated, the use of traditional medicinal plants plays a significant role in drug discovery and remains a source of medicine still used by many South Africans. Diseases of the urinary tract can be treated using traditional medicinal plants. Although most cases of urinary tract infections (UTIs) are acute and uncomplicated, a few cases do become chronic and complicated. Resistance of pathogens causing UTIs to antibiotics normally used for treatment is one of the reasons for infections developing into the chronic and complicated state. In this study, medicinal plants indigenous to South Africa and traditionally used to treat UTIs were investigated in vitro for antimicrobial activities against UTI-causing pathogens. The plants investigated were Bulbine latifolia, Eucomis autumnalis, Hypoxis hemerocallidea and Trichilia dregeana. American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) microbial strains together with clinical strains were tested against distilled water, methanol and acetone extracts of the plants. The microbial strains included Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans. The agar well diffusion method was used to screen for antimicrobial activity; the microtiter dilution method to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration; and thin layer chromatography fingerprints to separate the mixtures of the extracts and determine the number of active compounds. The study also investigated the scientific rationale for the traditional use of plant combinations to treat diseases. Three plant combinations (1:1) were investigated for potential interactive properties, which were identified through the sum of the fractional inhibitory concentration index (ΣFIC) calculations. The plant combinations studied were Hypoxis hemerocallidea and Bulbine latifolia; Hypoxis hemerocallidea and Eucomis autumnalis; and Hypoxis hemerocallidea and Trichilia dregeana. In the study, more activity was observed in the microtiter dilution method as compared to the agar well diffusion method. This was true in both the studies of the plants independently and the combination studies. The independent plants displayed noteworthy MIC values (≤ 2 mg/ml) against E. coli, Kleb. pneumoniae, P. mirabilis, P. aeruginosa and C. albicans. The plant combinations studied did not show any synergistic interactions (ΣFIC ≤ 0.5). Only non-interactive (ΣFIC >1.0 - ≤4.0) and additive (ΣFIC >0.5-1.0) interactions were observed. The study contributes to the on-going investigation of antimicrobial activities of medicinal plants and highlights the need for further investigations on the synergistic interactions of the medicinal plants used in this study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Mathobela, Kegomoditswe Prudence
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Medicinal plants -- South Africa , Urinary tract infections -- Treatment , Anti-infective agents -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/8059 , vital:24715
- Description: Plants have been an important part of medicine and since the existence of human beings; they have been used to cure a variety of ailments such as diarrhoea, wounds and sexually transmitted diseases. Far from being out-dated, the use of traditional medicinal plants plays a significant role in drug discovery and remains a source of medicine still used by many South Africans. Diseases of the urinary tract can be treated using traditional medicinal plants. Although most cases of urinary tract infections (UTIs) are acute and uncomplicated, a few cases do become chronic and complicated. Resistance of pathogens causing UTIs to antibiotics normally used for treatment is one of the reasons for infections developing into the chronic and complicated state. In this study, medicinal plants indigenous to South Africa and traditionally used to treat UTIs were investigated in vitro for antimicrobial activities against UTI-causing pathogens. The plants investigated were Bulbine latifolia, Eucomis autumnalis, Hypoxis hemerocallidea and Trichilia dregeana. American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) microbial strains together with clinical strains were tested against distilled water, methanol and acetone extracts of the plants. The microbial strains included Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans. The agar well diffusion method was used to screen for antimicrobial activity; the microtiter dilution method to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration; and thin layer chromatography fingerprints to separate the mixtures of the extracts and determine the number of active compounds. The study also investigated the scientific rationale for the traditional use of plant combinations to treat diseases. Three plant combinations (1:1) were investigated for potential interactive properties, which were identified through the sum of the fractional inhibitory concentration index (ΣFIC) calculations. The plant combinations studied were Hypoxis hemerocallidea and Bulbine latifolia; Hypoxis hemerocallidea and Eucomis autumnalis; and Hypoxis hemerocallidea and Trichilia dregeana. In the study, more activity was observed in the microtiter dilution method as compared to the agar well diffusion method. This was true in both the studies of the plants independently and the combination studies. The independent plants displayed noteworthy MIC values (≤ 2 mg/ml) against E. coli, Kleb. pneumoniae, P. mirabilis, P. aeruginosa and C. albicans. The plant combinations studied did not show any synergistic interactions (ΣFIC ≤ 0.5). Only non-interactive (ΣFIC >1.0 - ≤4.0) and additive (ΣFIC >0.5-1.0) interactions were observed. The study contributes to the on-going investigation of antimicrobial activities of medicinal plants and highlights the need for further investigations on the synergistic interactions of the medicinal plants used in this study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016