Health SA Gesondheid最新文献

Background: Electronic health records (EHR) has been acknowledged for bringing down healthcare costs and enhancing hospital service standards.

Aim: The aim of this study was to develop an EHR model to lower patient treatment costs and enhance healthcare quality in South African public healthcare.

Methods: In this study, a cross-sectional quantitative methodology was used. The research data for this study were provided by medical healthcare professionals, at Dr. George Mukhari Academic Hospital (DGMAH). This included doctors, nurses, pharmacists, radiologists, and radiographers who completed a semi-structured questionnaire.

Results: The final model's findings show that the use of EHR significantly improves information quality (IQ) and positively influences medical errors reduction (MER). Knowledge quality (KQ) has a positive significant impact on MER, whereas IQ has a considerable negative impact on MER. Furthermore, cost reduction in patient treatment (CRPT) has a positive significant influence on MER.

Conclusion: Patients obtain better medical care when medical professionals have access to complete and accurate information. Medical errors can be reduced or even prevented with the use of EHRs, which can lead to better patient outcomes.

Contribution: The quality of patient care at South African public hospitals and in other developing countries can be enhanced by using this framework as a guide to reduce treatment costs.

Background: Primary eye care (PEC) is an important component of comprehensive eye care services that allows communities to enjoy basic high-quality services. However, because of various determinants, communities do not use this service.

Aim: This study aimed to explore and describe the experience of adults who used PEC services in the last 6 months.

Setting: This study was carried out in four districts in southern Ethiopia from June to September 2023.

Methods: An exploratory descriptive qualitative study design was used to understand the experiences of adults 40 years and older who had used PEC services. Six focus group discussions were conducted with a total of 48 participants. A nonprobability purposive sampling technique was used to draw participants. Data were analysed thematically using ATLAS.ti software version 23.2.2.

Results: Primary eye care service use experiences of adults 40 years and above were discussed in terms of three emerging themes: the experience of community service use, barriers to service and suggestions to improve service. The study identified poor access to services, service provider-related factors and quality and awareness gaps as barriers to the use of PEC services.

Conclusion: Attention to PEC services, integration of eye care with other primary health care services, deployment of service providers, awareness creation and expansion of PEC units are needed to improve PEC service use.

Contribution: The findings will guide community-based intervention plans to reduce avoidable blindness and low vision, thus improving quality of life.

Background: Physiotherapy in mental health is not very popular among physiotherapists, students, healthcare professionals, and people living with mental illness (PLWMI), although many PLWMI are managed by physiotherapy students and physiotherapists.

Aim: This study aimed to determine the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of physiotherapy students and physiotherapy community service officers (PCSOs) towards mental health.

Setting: The study was conducted in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).

Methods: A concurrent mixed-method was employed using the Attitudes Toward Psychiatry (ATP-30) questionnaire and focus group discussions. The questionnaire was distributed to 100 PCSOs and 191 physiotherapy students. Focus groups were conducted to assess the knowledge gained through the undergraduate programme, comprising three groups of students from second to fourth year and two groups of PCSOs. An interview was also conducted with one PCSO.

Results: A total of 146 students and 72 community service officers completed the questionnaire. Participants had an overall positive attitude, with a mean ATP-30 score of 108.02 (standard deviation [s.d.] = 10.86). Those with a family member or friend with a mental illness scored higher. Focus groups revealed limited knowledge about mental health and reluctance to work in the field.

Conclusion: Physiotherapy students and PCSOs in KZN had positive attitudes towards mental health despite limited knowledge. They expressed a desire for more information about mental health.

Contribution: The curriculum needs to include adequate mental health content to prepare students to manage PLWMI after graduation, reducing stigma, and negative perceptions, and ensuring confidence.

Background: The roles and responsibilities of midwives include providing adequate nutrition assessment, nutrition and health education, counselling, and support to pregnant women.

Aim: This study aims to assess midwives' nutrition knowledge and to what extent they integrate maternal nutrition in services provided at health facilities.

Setting: This study included hospitals and clinics within the three selected districts in Botswana.

Methods: A cross-sectional study design with an analytical component was employed. Direct observation through a checklist and a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire were used. Data were analysed using SPSS IBM version 26.

Results: A sample of 102 midwives participated, resulting in a response rate of 82%. Most of the participants were females (89.2%). Maternal nutrition knowledge was found to be variable but decreased with midwives' age. A statistically significant correlation coefficient of p < 0.005 at r = -0.278 was observed between maternal nutrition knowledge and age. Similarly, there was a statistically significant negative correlation between maternal nutrition knowledge, practices and maternal nutrition course attended using Pearson correlation (r = -0.217 p < 0.028).

Conclusion: Midwives had adequate to variable but declining maternal nutrition knowledge and practices with age. There is a need to provide midwives with refresher courses, as their nutrition knowledge and practices were related with courses attended.

Contribution: The study contributes to provide the literature concerning nutrition knowledge and practices of midwives. The results will assist in addressing the gaps encountered and lead to the improvement of maternal nutrition and pregnancy outcomes.

Background: Management of radiography departments requires skilled and competent managers. This task becomes complex if there is no management development and collaborative performance monitoring.

Aim: The study aimed to explore and describe the radiography managers' perceptions regarding management training and skills required.

Setting: The research was conducted in public health institutions of Gauteng, South Africa.

Methods: Qualitative, exploratory and descriptive approach was adopted, and a purposive sampling method was used to select twenty-three (23) managers from the radiography departments; however, data saturation guided the sample size. Data were collected through online focus group discussions (FGDs). Ethical approval was obtained through Departmental Research Committee (DRC) of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences (MIRS) department, Higher Degrees Committee (HDC), Research Ethics Committee and Gauteng Department of Health Research Committees. Data trustworthiness was obtained through member checking, data verification and an independent coder to verify the accuracy of the data. Thematic data analysis method was used to analyse the data.

Results: Five themes emerged from the thematic analysis and centred on: difficulties in transitioning into management, lack of management support, the need for postgraduate management qualification, coaching and mentoring and required skills for radiography managers.

Conclusion: Public health institutions continuously face transitions in service delivery frameworks. This requires competent and skilled radiography managers to survive in this environment. The study revealed that new managers experience difficulties and require management support to succeed in their roles.

Contribution: Awareness of managers developmental needs relative to the real-life dynamics of radiography management in Gauteng public health environment.

Background: The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic in South Africa is among the worst in the world; in 2017, 38% of new infections were among young people aged 15-24 years. Estimates for HIV infection in 2020 worldwide indicate that there will be 1.5 million new cases, 10.2 million untreated cases (out of 37.7 million), and 680 000 deaths from acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Despite a 46% decline in new HIV infections among adolescents and youth over the previous 10 years, two of the seven new HIV infections in 2019 occurred in people between the ages of 15 and 24. HIV prevalence among young people has remained unchanged since 2008. This consistent pattern among people under 30 years of age indicates a failure in HIV prevention.

Aim: The study aimed to explore HIV and sexual risk behaviours by 18-25-year-old youth at Nyandeni Municipality in the Eastern Cape province.

Setting: The investigation was conducted Nyandeni Municipality in the Eastern Cape province.

Methods: Qualitative approach was used to explore, describe and investigate the knowledge and attitudes about HIV among the 18-25 years old youth.

Results: The findings are based on three themes namely, knowledge and attitudes about HIV and AIDS in youth, sexual risk behaviour among youth, and HIV prevention strategies.

Conclusion: This exploratory investigation confirms that the participants' knowledge is limited by showing that most of them knew very little about HIV and AIDS infection and prevention. Ongoing educational initiatives are required.

Contribution: Youth experience high HIV incidence because of their knowledge gaps.

Background: Fruits are excellent sources of micronutrients; hence, their consumption is highly recommended. However, fruit peels, often discarded, despite some being edible have been reported to contain essential nutrients and antioxidants, which contribute to disease prevention and well-being.

Aim: This study sought to evaluate the micronutrient and antinutrient content of 10 edible fruit peels namely, orange, mango, pineapple, banana, lemon, mandarin, red apple, cucumber, guava and pawpaw peels.

Setting: Laboratory analyses of the fruit peels were conducted at the University of Calabar, in a well-ventilated and temperature controlled environment to ensure accurate results.

Methods: The research design was quantitative and experimental; laboratory analyses were carried out to determine the minerals, vitamins and antinutrients in fruit peels using AOAC standard methods. Data were analysed using ANOVA on SPSS version 20.0.

Results: Calcium was the most predominant of the minerals analysed, with values ranging from 33.12 ± 0.05 mg/100 g (cucumber peels) to 72.04 ± 0.08 mg/100 g (mango peels); calcium was followed by magnesium. Mandarin, banana and pineapple peels had statistically similar (p > 0.05) content of zinc (about 1.2 mg/100g), which was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than others. Mandarin peels had significantly higher content (100.48 ± 2.03 mg/100 g) of vitamin C, while cucumber peels recorded the lowest (27.50 ± 0.01 mg/100 g). The results show significant concentrations of micronutrients such as iron, selenium and vitamin K; among the antinutrients, hydrogen cyanide had the highest concentrations, followed by phytate. The values were within safe limits.

Conclusion: Therefore, the processing of fruit peels, for use as dietary additives to enrich foods and boost immunity, should be promoted.

Contribution: The study shows the potential of fruit peels as food additives.

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Background: Low levels of physical activity in high- to low-income countries, including South Africa, pose a great risk of cardiovascular-related diseases.

Aim: This study aimed to assess and compare the physical fitness profile among children.

Setting: The study setting comprised rural and urban primary school learners in the Eastern Cape province, South Africa.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was adopted utilising a randomly selected sample of boys and girls aged 9-14 years. Physical fitness measures were assessed using the Euro-fit test battery. Some parametric tests were used for mean comparisons of the various anthropometric measurements and physical fitness characteristics across demographics.

Results: The sample consisted of 870 primary school learners. The average weight and height of the sample were 39.29 ± 10.34 kg and 144.06 ± 10.81 cm, respectively, with a mean body mass index (BMI) of 18.80 ± 4.11 kg/m². The results showed that boys reported significantly high levels of physical fitness. Sit-ups (p ≤ 0.001) and VO2 max (p ≤ 0.001) significantly increase with age, while all the physical fitness measures were significantly higher among rural-based learners.

Conclusion: Rural-based learners and boys generally had better physical fitness performance than their peers. The effect of gender and place of residence should be considered when designing physical fitness interventions.

Contribution: This study adds to the existing body of knowledge about the effect of demographic factors on the physical fitness profile of children, where boys and rural-based learners are reported to be more physically fit than their counterparts.

Background: The researcher's previous study indicated that couples in a relationship where one partner is diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD) experience intra- and inter-personal difficulties affecting interaction with self and others. Therefore, constructive intra- and inter-personal relationships are essential to facilitate the mental health of couples in a relationship where one partner is diagnosed with BPD. However, the concept has not been defined and applied in caring for such couples.

Aim: The study aims to clarify its meaning by identifying and defining the central concept of 'facilitation of constructive intra- and inter-personal relationships'.

Setting: The researcher used results from a previous study that explored the experiences of couples in a relationship where one partner is diagnosed with a mental illness to identify and define the central concept.

Methods: The concept was examined using analysis, synthesis, and inductive reasoning strategies, which were applied in two phases.

Results: The central concept of 'facilitation of constructive intra- and inter-personal relationships' for couples where one partner is diagnosed with BPD was identified and defined using a dictionary and subject definitions.

Conclusion: Identifying and defining the central concept is essential to developing a model to facilitate constructive intra- and inter-personal relationships.

Contribution: The concept 'facilitation of constructive intra- and inter-personal relationships' is unique in its form and valuable for developing a model that can be used as a guiding tool for psychiatric nurses to facilitate the mental health of such couples. Furthermore, the model could benefit other relationships experiencing intra- and inter-personal challenges.