Health SA Gesondheid最新文献

Background: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) self-testing (HIVST) expands access to HIV diagnosis and holds potential for reaching high-risk and hard-to-reach populations. In Eswatini, HIV counsellors play a key role in providing HIVST, yet their knowledge and attitudes towards HIVST remain underexplored.

Aim: This study aimed to explore the knowledge and attitudes of HIV counsellors in offering HIVST as a strategy to enhance targeted HIV services in Eswatini.

Setting: The study was conducted at the outpatient department of a regional hospital in Manzini, Eswatini.

Methods: A qualitative, exploratory-descriptive research design was used. HIV counsellors were sampled using all-inclusive sampling. Individual, face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 HIV counsellors. The interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed. Data were thematically analysed.

Results: HIV counsellors demonstrated a comprehensive understanding of their roles and responsibilities in delivering HIVST and expressed generally positive attitudes towards this testing approach. Recommendations were made for improving HIVST.

Conclusion: The findings highlight the need for policymakers to prioritise the continuous professional development of HIV counsellors and equip them with strategies including mobile testing units and community-based HIVST distribution to reach marginalised high-risk populations within their specific area. Service delivery should integrate effective client feedback systems to improve HIVST, a continuously available support contact line, and government commitment to ensure consistent HIVST kit supplies to prevent disruptions in service delivery.

Contribution: This study describes HIV counsellors in Eswatini's knowledge and attitudes towards HIVST in Eswatini.

Background: Substance use relapse among the youth is a worldwide concern with negative ramifications on their lives, families, communities and nations at large.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a programme for the prevention of substance use relapse among youth with substance use problems in Lobatse, Botswana.

Setting: The research was conducted at a referral psychiatric hospital in Lobatse, Botswana.

Methods: A multiphase approach was used, which included an integrative literature review in phase one and two qualitative studies (exploratory, descriptive and contextual design) in the empirical phase. The survey list of the practice-oriented theory was used for concept classification and guided the programme's development.

Results: The findings from the studies indicate that the programme for preventing substance use relapse among youth should focus more on aftercare initiatives such as tracking and assessment of those under this programme.

Conclusion: A substance use relapse prevention programme for the youth should entail and provide impetus on the aftercare of the youth substance users to prevent their relapses.

Contribution: The programme provides a robust strategy for preventing substance use relapse with actionable approaches for mental health professionals to effectively address the unique needs and circumstances of youth substance users through ongoing support and active engagement in recovery activities.

Background: Dental radiography forms part of the scope and training for a diagnostic radiographer in South Africa; yet there is limited published evidence related to these professionals' knowledge, attitudes and practices on dental radiography.

Aim: This study aimed to determine the knowledge, attitudes and practices of diagnostic radiographers on dental radiography.

Setting: This study was conducted in three South African provinces, namely, KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng and the Western Cape.

Methods: This study used a cross-sectional, correlational design, using purposive and snowball sampling techniques. An online questionnaire was used for data collection, and the data were analysed using SPSS version 29.0.

Results: A study response rate of N = 207 was obtained, where 75.4% of participants agreed that they were aware of what dental radiography entails, 68.1% of participants reported not having adequate knowledge of the necessary dental radiography techniques and 72.4% of participants did not know the key anatomical positioning landmarks in dental radiography. Almost 68.6% of participants disagreed with being able to practice dental radiography techniques confidently and independently. About 87.5% of participants agreed that they are willing and keen to learn about dental radiography, and 89.9% of participants were open to gaining clinical experience in dental radiography.

Conclusion: There were inconsistencies in participants' dental-specific knowledge and practical skills. There was a positive attitude among participants who showed a willingness to learn dental radiography.

Contribution: This study reiterates the value of investing in continuous professional development activities to address identified knowledge, attitude and practice gaps among diagnostic radiographers in dental radiography.

Background: There is a dearth of research on the factors that contribute to a lack of work-life balance (WLB) among nurse educators because most studies focused on nurses or academics in general rather than nurse educators. Thus, more studies are needed to explore the factors that contribute to the lack of WLB among nurse educators.

Aim: To explore and investigate the scope and quantity of literature on the factors affecting the WLB among nurse educators.

Method: This scoping review followed Arksey and O'Malley's framework, using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Manual for Evidence Synthesis to extract and chart sources. Seventeen articles (2014-2024) were analyzed using descriptive analysis, PRISMA-ScR, and thematic analysis.

Results: The scoping review identifies factors and strategies impacting WLB among nurse educators, highlighting occupational stress, understaffing, and heavy workloads as key contributors to imbalance. It also explores the role of technology in improving WLB.

Conclusion: The scoping review identified factors that contribute to work-life imbalance among nurse educators and proposed strategies to address these issues. Studies suggest that WLB programmes can also lower employee stress levels. Furthermore, the review highlights a significant gap in the literature concerning the factors contributing to the lack of WLB among nurse educators in the sub-Saharan region.

Contribution: The findings of this scoping review might assist in the development of strategies that could help nurse educators deal with the factors that contribute to the lack of WLB among nurse educators in nursing education institutions.

Background: Stillbirth remains a significant global health issue. Although extensive literature exists on burial practices for live births, there is a notable gap in evidence regarding the specific cultural practices related to the burial of stillborn infants.

Aim: This study examines the burial practices surrounding stillbirth from the perspectives of parents using the lens of cultural relativism.

Setting: The study was conducted in the Mopani District, South Africa.

Methods: A qualitative approach was used to conduct in-depth interviews with 12 parents who had experienced stillbirth. Data were analysed using thematic analysis, focusing on burial rituals, beliefs and the meaning of these practices in helping parents process their grief. The Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) checklist was used in preparing the manuscript.

Results: Participants described several burial practices performed following stillbirth including preparation of the body of a stillborn infant, selection of a burial site for a stillborn infant, the timing of burial for a stillborn infant, cultural prohibition on men's attendance at the burial of a stillborn infant and sexual practices observed during the mourning period. The cultural significance of these practices was highlighted in terms of subsequent pregnancy.

Conclusion: Burial practices performed for stillborn infants are essential for parents to recover from grieving and enable them to hope for a successful subsequent pregnancy. These practices should be respected and integrated into the broader healthcare framework to provide culturally competent bereavement care.

Contribution: The study offers an interdisciplinary understanding of the intersection between culture and stillbirth.

Background: A significant proportion of South Africa's black population seeks medical attention from both the traditional and Western health care systems. Traditional health practitioners (THPs) are consulted by many black Africans for the treatment of culturally bounded health problems. However, there is a limited understanding of how to manage the coexistence of traditional and Western health care systems in South Africa, despite government efforts to recognise THPs.

Aim: This study aimed to understand the traditional health care providers' perspectives on what could be done to manage cooperation among the health systems of Western health practitioners and THPs.

Setting: This study was conducted in six rural villages in Mogalakwena Local Municipality, Waterberg district, Limpopo province, South Africa.

Methods: Qualitative approach was adopted, and exploratory descriptive design was used. Thirty-seven participants were selected through purposive and snowball sampling techniques. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and data were analysed thematically.

Results: Four key themes emerged: (1) the formation of an organisation and formal registration of traditional health providers, (2) mutual understanding, (3) recognition and equal status in collaboration and (4) spirituality in traditional healing practices.

Conclusion: Participants noted that effective governance could improve collaboration between health systems.

Contribution: Adding to the existing studies, this study may also be of utility to policymakers aiming to improve the integration framework and to psychology practitioners who work with patients navigating both traditional and Western mental health systems. The study aims to inform the Department of Health on implementing workable partnerships.

Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) transformed healthcare worldwide and has the potential to address challenges faced in the South African healthcare sector, such as limited public institutional capacity, staff shortages, and variability in skills levels that exacerbate the demand on the healthcare system that can lead to compromised care and patient safety.

Aim: This study aimed to describe how AI, especially machine learning is used in healthcare in South Africa over the last 5 years.

Method: The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology for scoping reviews was used. Peer-reviewed articles in English, which were published from 2020 to date were sourced and reviewed using the Population, Concept, Context (PCC) framework.

Results: A total of 35 articles were selected. The results showed a focus on conventional machine learning, a health focus on HIV and/or tuberculosis (TB) and cancer, and a lack of big data in fields other than cancer.

Conclusion: There has been an increase in the use of machine learning in the analysis of health data, but access to big data appears to be a challenge.

Contribution: There is a need to have access to high-quality big data, inclusive policies that promote access to the benefits of using machine learning in healthcare, and AI literacy in the health sector to understand and address ethical implications.

Background: A postgraduate specialist programme in trauma and emergency nursing is offered to help address the high burden of injuries and emergencies in the South African healthcare system. The trauma and emergency nurse specialists' advance skills and expertise have been associated with improved patient outcomes, yet they continue to face barriers that constrain the full scope of their practice.

Aim: This study aimed to explore and describe the perceptions of trauma and emergency nurse specialists on barriers to skill implementation.

Setting: The study was conducted in the trauma and emergency departments of a tertiary hospital providing Level I services and a district hospital providing Level II services at two public hospitals in the Western Cape province, South Africa.

Methods: An exploratory-descriptive qualitative design with purposive maximum variation and snowball sampling was utilised. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 specialist nurses among a population of 33 with a post-registration qualification in Medical and Surgical Nursing Science: Trauma and Emergency. Thematic analysis of data was carried out and adherence to the criteria of dependability, credibility, transferability and confirmability ensured trustworthiness in the study.

Results: Three themes emerged, which include uncertainty regarding legal accountability and specialised practice responsibility, oppressive practice environments not conducive to skill implementation and the disregard for trauma and emergency nurse specialists' role and value of specific skills.

Conclusion: Job descriptions and scope of practice (SOP) are not adapted after specialist training in trauma and emergency nursing, resulting in a lack of recognition of specialised skills by the interdisciplinary team and management, uncertainty among these specialist nurses about what they are allowed to do with their new skills and a subsequent inability to practice in their full capacity in service of the population in need.

Contribution: Improved utilisation of the specialised practice of these trauma and emergency nurse specialists within their expanded scope to cope with the high burden experienced in the emergency rooms of South Africa.

Background: Central venous catheters are essential in critical care, but mismanagement risks serious complications, making comprehensive nursing knowledge crucial for their proper use and for safeguarding patient safety.

Aim: To describe the effect of an 8-week educational intervention on critical care nurses' knowledge of central venous catheter management.

Setting: Five critical care units in public hospitals in the Eastern Cape, South Africa.

Methods: A quasi-experimental, two-group, pre-test-post-test design was used with a convenience sample of nurses working in selected critical care units (intervention n = 72; control n = 50). The intervention group received an 8-week educational intervention including face to face in-service training sessions, written material (brochures) and monitoring visits twice a month, while the control group did not receive this training.

Results: Both groups showed significant knowledge improvements (p < 0.0005), with the intervention group improving more during catheter insertion (+33.7 vs. +23.8; t = -16.68 vs. -5.59) and the control group more after catheter insertion (+33.3 vs. +21.5; t = -7.66 vs. -12.43). The intervention group had significantly higher mean pre-test scores (pre-test: 97.13; post-test: 98.01) compared to the control group (pre-test: 82.91; post-test: 83.76).

Conclusion: The educational intervention showed potential to improve critical care nurses' knowledge of central venous catheter management but require further adaptation and testing. Orientation, mentoring and continued formal training through institutional support and leadership are recommended.

Contribution: The use of an 8-week educational intervention can improve critical care nurses' knowledge of management of central venous cathether management and may enhance practices, ultimately reducing venous catheter-related complications.

Background: Substance use among young people is a pressing concern both globally and in South Africa. Thus, social workers, as frontline workers, employ community work strategies in assisting young people grappling with substance use. Equally, they need support in their efforts to provide effective substance use services to young people.

Aim: The study aimed to explore community work strategies of social workers in providing substance use services to young people. In addition, the study explored the needs of social workers providing substance use services to young people.

Setting: The study was conducted at 10 service points of the Department of Social Development (DSD) within the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality (CTMM).

Methods: A qualitative research approach was employed, characterised by an exploratory and descriptive design. A purposive sampling method was implemented to recruit a sample of 11 social workers from the 10 service points operated by the DSD in Gauteng, located within the CTMM. Subsequently, individual face-to-face semi-structured interviews with an interview guide were used to collect data. Thus, Tesch's framework for qualitative data analysis was utilised.

Results: Two themes emerged: Community work strategies of social workers and support needs of social workers.

Conclusion: Awareness campaigns, collaboration with local stakeholders and community dialogues are the backbone of social workers' community work strategies. Additionally, social workers need support to provide substance use services to young people effectively.

Contribution: This study seeks to address a gap in understanding the community work strategies and support needs of social workers who provide substance use services to young people.