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Background:  The policy guidelines on 72-hour assessment of involuntary Mental Health Care Users (MHCUs) are implemented in respect of involuntary MHCUs who need mental health care, treatment and rehabilitation services. Currently, there is poor implementation of the policy guidelines on 72-hour assessment of involuntary MHCUs. This includes MHCUs staying beyond 72-hour assessment period and being exposed to infringement and violation of their rights.

Objectives:  This study explored and described the Mental Health Care Practitioners' (MHCPs) understanding of the current practice of the policy guidelines on 72-hour assessment of involuntary MHCUs in South Africa.

Method:  A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive research design was followed. Participants comprised of MHCPs and were purposively sampled, while data were gathered through Focus Group Discussions utilising Microsoft Teams. Data analysis employed the six steps of thematic analysis to assess data, generate themes and categories presented concurrently with MHCPs direct quotations.

Results:  Three themes emerged after data analysis namely, (1) MHCPs' understanding of the policy guidelines on 72-hour assessment of involuntary MHCUs; (2) MHCPs' challenges with the policy guidelines on 72-hour assessment of involuntary MHCUs; and (3) MHCPs' suggestions to strengthen the policy guidelines on 72-hour assessment of involuntary MHCUs.

Conclusion:  The findings of the study indicated that there should be well-trained administrators, qualified MHCPs, appropriate infrastructure, and community and family involvement to ensure proper implementation of the 72-hour policy guidelines.Contribution: This study highlights that with the proper implementation of the 72-hour policy guidelines, MHCU rights can be protected, therefore contributing to proper mental illness management.

Background:  The evaluation of clinical competence is a diverse, rigorous procedure that determines a student's clinical competence. Despite this, little research exists on nursing students' experiences with clinical competency evaluations in Namibia. Nurse educators should thus explore nursing students' experiences of clinical competency evaluations in order to establish what challenges they face, as this can be beneficial for nurturing a positive learning environment.

Objectives:  This research assesses nursing students' experiences of clinical competency evaluations in a pre-registration nurse education programme at the Faculty of Health Sciences in Namibia, University of Namibia, Rundu campus.

Method:  The study was conducted at a public nurse education institution in Namibia. A qualitative approach was employed utilising an exploratory, contextual and descriptive design. This study was conducted from August 2023 to October 2023 among (second-, third- and fourth-year) nursing students who were enrolled for a Bachelor of Nursing Science (Clinical) (Honours) degree. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 16 nursing students being selected using a convenience sampling method. All interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. A thematic analysis method was utilised to analyse the data.

Results:  Three themes emerged in this study: (1) positive experiences of evaluation for clinical competence; (2) negative experiences of evaluation for clinical competence and; (3) recommendations to improve the clinical evaluation of competence.

Conclusion:  The results showed that nursing students had both negative and positive experiences during the clinical assessment process. The positive experiences included integrating theory and practice, while negative experiences included the poor attitudes of the clinical evaluators and limited time.Contribution: The results of this study can be used to develop targeted interventions and strategies to improve the challenges students encounter during clinical assessment.

Background:  The South African public is not satisfied with the level of healthcare rendered by South African health institutions, particularly in Gauteng province; this is evidenced by the concerns raised by the South African Health Ombudsman, who, as of 2021, received more than 2000 complaints from the public, of which 40% were from Gauteng province. This is supported by South African Nursing Council (SANC)'s unprofessional report, which reflected the increase in poor nursing care cases.

Objectives:  The objectives of the study were to identify the factors contributing to the quality of nursing care at the provincial hospitals of Gauteng province and to make recommendations for improving the quality of nursing care in hospitals.

Method:  The study utilised an exploratory descriptive qualitative design. The data were analysed following Colaizzi's steps of data analysis, during which 4 themes and 9 sub-themes emerged. The study population consisted of registered professional nurses working in the two hospitals. The sample consisted of 12 registered professional nurses.

Results:  The study identified three positive factors, namely, nursing as a calling, supervision rounds and staff appreciation. Six negative factors that contribute to the quality of nursing care were identified as the lack of human and material resources, administrative challenges, unsupportive management, nurse-related factors, attitudes of patients, and private versus public health institutions.

Conclusion:  The study revealed the positive factors that promote the quality of nursing care. The negative factors affecting the quality of nursing care were found to be more than the positive factors.Contribution: The study presented factors affecting the quality of nursing care and makes recommendations that can be utilised as basis for improving the quality of nursing care. The study findings and recommendations can be used to develop programmes to support nurses to provide dignified and quality patient care in the hospital.

Background:  Ubuntu, an ancient African philosophy, embodies the essence of humanness through communal responsibility and interconnectedness. It shapes moral values and culture that can be implemented in nursing to improve patient care. However, colonial and Western-centric education systems have marginalised ubuntu philosophy resulting in a disconnect from its core principles in contemporary nursing practices.

Objectives:  This meta-synthesis aims to synthesise qualitative literature on ubuntu philosophy in nursing to identify key aspects of the philosophy that can be integrated into nursing education.

Method:  A systematic search using keywords related to ubuntu in nursing and nursing education was conducted across multiple databases, including health sources: Nursing/Academic Edition, Medline, ProQuest, PubMed, CINAHL and Google Scholar. This search aimed to identify qualitative studies exploring the application of ubuntu philosophy within nursing and its implications for nursing education. Quality appraisals were conducted using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme checklist for qualitative research. Noblit and Hare's meta-ethnography techniques were employed to synthesise studies.

Results:  A total of 16 studies were included. The meta-synthesis revealed one meta-theme, namely the integration of ubuntu principles into nursing education with three subthemes: pedagogical approaches, decolonising nursing education and role modelling ubuntu.

Conclusion:  Ubuntu should be integrated into formal nursing education programmes to align with patients' expectations and enhance nursing care quality and student needs for targeted support on the subject.Contribution: The study enriches the ongoing discourse on integrating indigenous philosophies such as ubuntu into nursing education, aligning nursing care with local cultural and ethical values to promote more humane practices.

Background:  The prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is high in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), especially in individuals with risk factors such as HIV, diabetes mellitus and hypertension. Despite existing guidelines, the study identified multifactorial gaps in implementing CKD management measures at the primary healthcare (PHC) level. This leads to late-stage diagnoses and increased burdens on tertiary institutions, as identified in institutional statistics. The study was therefore conducted in four different settings: a tertiary hospital in Durban and three PHC centres across KZN (two urban centres and one in a township).

Objectives:  The study's objective is to describe the perceptions of healthcare professionals on the management of CKD, in the PHC setting in KZN, South Africa.

Method:  A qualitative, exploratory design involving healthcare professionals was adopted. Purposeful sampling was used. Open coding and conventional content analysis were adopted to analyse data.

Results:  Findings revealed three overarching themes: (1) knowledge and awareness about existing guidelines, (2) fragmented system and a lack of clear guidelines and (3) implications of clear guidelines on patient care. Participants demonstrated diverse awareness of guidelines, revealing a need for continuous education. Participants expressed needs for continuous education and clear guidelines.

Conclusion:  The study highlights an urgent need to bridge the knowledge gap and establish a cohesive healthcare system to address the growing CKD burden in KZN effectively.Contribution: The study emphasises the potential benefits of implementing clear guidelines to improve patient outcomes, early detection and appropriate interventions, thereby reducing the burden on tertiary facilities.

Background:  Integrating clinical research into nursing practice is essential for improving patient outcomes; however, various factors can affect nurses' participation, despite research being one of their key performance areas. In Namibia, little research exists on the factors influencing nurses' willingness to participate in and use clinical research. The literature indicates that two significant factors affecting registered nurses' participation in and utilisation of clinical research are insufficient time and a lack of motivation to conduct research.

Objectives:  This study explores the factors affecting nurses' participation and utilisation of clinical research at a regional hospital in Namibia.

Method:  The study employed a qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual design to ensure a comprehensive approach. Sixteen participants working at Intermediate Hospital Rundu were purposefully selected. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews and analysed thematically. Interviews were then conducted until data saturation was achieved. Trustworthiness was ensured according to the four principles of Lincoln and Guba. Ethical clearance and permission were granted by the School of Nursing Research Committee. The ethical principles of autonomy, non-maleficence, beneficence, and justice were adhered to.

Results:  The study revealed three main themes: individual factors, organisational factors, and research-related factors.

Conclusion:  Strengthening individual research capacities, establishing dedicated research infrastructure and resources, and enhancing the communication and dissemination of research findings will foster a research-oriented culture and facilitate the utilisation of clinical research.Contribution: Understanding these factors will help guide the development of strategies to promote and support nurses' participation and utilisation of clinical research, enhance evidence-based practice and improve patient outcomes.

Background:  Technology integration in higher education is a critical aspect of the 21st century, as it enhances student learning.

Objectives:  This study aimed to assess students' access to and utilisation of technological devices, as well as the integration of technology in nursing education at a higher education institution.

Method:  A quantitative approach with a descriptive, cross-sectional study design was used. The study was conducted at a public university in Windhoek. Data were collected via a self-administered questionnaire among 70 third-year nursing students pursuing a bachelor's degree. The data were analysed using SPSS version 26.

Results:  Majority (74.2%) of the participants were aged 20-25 years, 82.9% were female, and 98.6% were single. More than half (58.6%) were Oshiwambo-speaking. Most participants (47.1%) owned technological devices. The majority (60.0%) preferred laptop computers, and the majority used cell phones, messaging apps, social media and WhatsApp daily for learning and communication. Most participants used technological devices to download learning materials, submit online assessments and contact lecturers and classmates. Most preferred a blended mode of learning, online formative assessments and face-to-face examinations.

Conclusion:  The study found that most students owned and utilised technological devices, which facilitated blended learning during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Technology integration improved access to learning, as students were able to attend classes from locations with Internet access.Contribution: The study contributes to the body of knowledge on technology integration in higher education and highlights the importance of transforming higher education through the effective use of technology.

Background:  Community health workers (CHWs) work with community members who experience various health problems. They assist community members to lead a healthy life and achieve an acceptable health status. To achieve this, there is a need for CHWs to apply Ubuntu philosophy when providing care related tuberculosis (TB), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Objectives:  The aim of this study was to assess CHW's knowledge of Ubuntu-informed Care in tuberculosis, HIV, and AIDS Services in Gauteng province, South Africa.

Method:  A total of 380 CHWs were recruited from a district in Gauteng province to participate in a training on the management of TB, HIV and AIDS. A questionnaire with 40 multiple choice questions was administered to the CHWs before the training. SPSS version 28 was used to analyse the data.

Results:  The scores ranged from 9 to 33 out of 40 (M = 21.6, s.d. = 4.2). Out of the 380 participants, 274 (72.1%) passed the pretest while 106 participants (27.9%) failed. The highest mean scores were achieved by female participants (M = 21.6, s.d. = 4.3), participants aged 21-30 years (M = 21.8, s.d. = 4.1) and participants with additional course qualification after Grade 12 (M = 23.5, s.d. = 3.4).

Conclusion:  The findings highlight the need for targeted training interventions to improve the knowledge of CHWs on TB, HIV and AIDS.Contribution: This study adds to the literature on the need for inclusion of Ubuntu when caring for people living with HIV and TB.

Background:  Health professionals must keep their knowledge, skills and ethics up to date to ensure competency and promote the public interest, safety and health of all Namibians. In Namibia, little research exists on the facilitators of, and barriers to, nurses' compliance with continuous professional development (CPD) requirements.

Objectives:  The objective of this study was to explore and describe the facilitators of, and barriers to, nurses' compliance with CPD requirements at Intermediate Hospital Oshakati (IHO) in the Oshana region of Namibia.

Method:  Purposive sampling was used in this qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual research study to select participants who met the inclusion criteria. Data were collected via individual semi-structured interviews with 15 of the 550 nurses employed at the hospital, at which point data saturation was reached. The transcribed data were then analysed using thematic analysis. The collected data were analysed thematically using an inductive approach.

Results:  The findings were synthesised under three themes: facilitators of nurses' participation in CPD, barriers to nurses' participation in CPD and recommendations for improvements.

Conclusion:  Time constraints, a shortage of nurses, limited access to digital technologies, a lack of funding for CPD training and a lack of accredited CPD service providers are major barriers to participation in CPD training. Strengthening communication and collaboration between health workers, CPD providers and management are specifically organisational factors seen as crucial to successful staff development.Contribution: The findings from this study can be used to create some targeted interventions and ongoing strategies to enhance nurses' compliance with CPD requirements.

Background:  A cervical cancer diagnosis has several implications for women's lives. Living with cervical cancer in the context of sub-Sahara Africa's unique challenges can have a devastating effect on psychosocial health.

Objectives:  This study describes the publication output reporting psychosocial implications of cervical cancer for women living in sub-Saharan Africa.

Method:  A scoping review was conducted using the keywords Africa and cervical cancer in combination with psychosocial, psychological, social, spiritual, cultural and financial to search five databases. A data extraction sheet was developed to capture the relative data, which was analysed using content analysis and descriptive statistics. Of the 294 articles initially identified, 18 were included in the review.

Results:  The majority of the studies (66.7%; n = 12) were qualitative. They focussed on five psychosocial domains - psychological including a lack of knowledge, misunderstanding and unmet information needs, the omnipresent experience of fear and sexual problems as well as social, cultural, spiritual and financial implications.

Conclusion:  Work focussing on the psychosocial implications of cervical cancer in women living in sub-Saharan Africa is limited. Only one study focussed specifically on a psychosocial domain, the rest reported little about psychosocial issues. There is an urgent need for research that focusses exclusively on psychosocial health, separate from other studies.Contribution: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study synthesising research conducted on this specific topic. We mapped the extent of the current evidence base, identified gaps and highlighted areas requiring additional inquiry.