scholarly journals Mothers’ infant feeding experiences: constraints and supports for optimal feeding in an HIV-impacted urban community in South Africa

2009 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 1983-1990 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lindiwe Sibeko ◽  
Anna Coutsoudis ◽  
S’phindile Nzuza ◽  
Katherine Gray-Donald
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Infant Feeding ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Feeding Practices ◽  
Accurate Information ◽  
Feeding Practice ◽  
Infant Feeding Practices ◽  
Care Workers

AbstractObjectiveTo better understand the enabling and challenging factors impacting on infant feeding practices in communities with a high HIV prevalence.DesignQualitative study, with data collected through in-depth interviews and observations of mothers, in addition to discussions with health-service providers.SettingUrban settlement in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.SubjectsMothers recruited from an HIV clinic and from within the community.ResultsEmerging from discussions with mothers on the acceptability of alternative feeding methods were the challenges they encountered in feeding their infants. Mothers readily identified feeding in the context of HIV infection as an issue of great concern, encompassing three central themes: (i) stigma and disclosure of HIV; (ii) confusion and coercion; and (iii) diarrhoea, sickness and free formula. It became evident that mothers rarely received quality infant feeding counselling and consequently mixed feeding, a widespread practice but one that is highly risky for HIV transmission, remained a common feeding practice. Exclusive breast-feeding (EBF) was best practised with support, following disclosure of HIV status. Availability of free formula did not guarantee exclusive formula feeding but instead led to inappropriate feeding practices.ConclusionsIn addition to providing accurate information, health-care workers must be empowered to counsel mothers effectively, addressing issues of disclosure and thereby facilitating mobilization of maternal support networks. These findings illustrate the challenges that exist in policy translation within the context of quality of training for health-care workers on optimizing maternal infant feeding practices, particularly in HIV-prevalent, resource-poor settings.

The Role of Doctors in Influencing Infant Feeding Practices in South India

1995 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 178-180 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katy Fidler ◽  
Anthony Costello
Keyword(s):  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Infant Feeding ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Household Income ◽  
South India ◽  
Feeding Practices ◽  
Infant Food ◽  
Infant Feeding Practices ◽  
Care Workers

Infant feeding practices are influenced by many factors including culture, household income, literacy, advice from health care workers and advertising. In South India doctors play a very significant role in influencing a mother's decision about when or whether to supplement breastfeeding with formula feeds. Doctors exert their influence on mothers both directly and indirectly, and they are increasingly targeted by commercial infant food companies. Doctors need continuing education about nutrition education, lactation management, and a greater awareness about the influence of inappropriate promotional practices by companies.

scholarly journals Health care service providers’ experiences, understanding and conceptions of voluntary medical male circumcision in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Celenkosini Thembelenkosini Nxumalo ◽  
Gugu Gladness Mchunu
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Male Circumcision ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Health Care Service ◽  
Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision ◽  
Medical Male Circumcision ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Kwazulu Natal

ABSTRACTBackgroundThere is compelling evidence that voluntary medical male circumcision reduces the chances of heterosexual transmission of HIV infection. Health care workers are among the key influencers in terms of scale up of VMMC as they are often involved in mobilization for uptake. Adequate knowledge and competence are essential to ensuring that the delivery of VMMC services is line with the recommended comprehensive package of HIV prevention services.AimThe aim of this study was to analyse health care service providers’ conceptions, experiences and understanding of VMMC in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.MethodsThe study employed a qualitative approach using a phenomenographic design. Ethical clearance to conduct the study was obtained from the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Biomedical Research Ethics Committee (BE627/18).Data were collected from a purposive sample of 15 health care worker who were doctors, nurses and clinical associates working in six different rural clinics in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Individual in-depth interviews were used collect data guided by a semi-structured interview schedule. An audiotape was used to record the interviews, which were then transcribed verbatim, and analysed thematically.ResultsCategories of description in healthcare providers’ experiences, conceptions and understanding of voluntary medical male circumcision emerged. The findings of this study revealed that health care workers conceptions, experiences and understanding of VMMC were influenced by stereotypical cultural, religious and traditional beliefs. The challenges of implementing VMMC were shortage of staff and poor training of health care workers on VMMC.ConclusionTailored messaging targeting health care workers misconceptions and poor understanding of VMMC in necessary. In addition, resource allocation for training and infrastructure could significantly improve the quality of VMMC services and uptake thereof.

scholarly journals A mixed reception: perceptions of pregnant adolescents’ experiences with health care workers in Cape Town, South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronel Sewpaul ◽  
Rik Crutzen ◽  
Natisha Dukhi ◽  
Derrick Sekgala ◽  
Priscilla Reddy
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Antenatal Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Cape Town ◽  
Pregnant Adolescents ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Antenatal Clinics ◽  
Antenatal Services

Abstract Background Maternal mortality among adolescent mothers in South Africa is higher than many middle-income countries. This is largely attributable to conditions that can be prevented or managed by high quality antenatal care. The way in which pregnant adolescents are treated at antenatal clinics influences their timely utilization of antenatal services. This qualitative study reports on the experiences of pregnant adolescents with health care workers when accessing antenatal care. Methods Pregnant girls aged 13–19 (n = 19) who attended public health care facilities that provide Basic Antenatal Care (BANC) services in Cape Town, South Africa were recruited. Four face to face in-depth interviews and four mini focus group discussions were undertaken, facilitated by a topic guide. Thematic analyses were used to analyse the data. Results Experiences that reinforce antenatal attendance, such as respectful and supportive treatment, were outweighed by negative experiences, such as victimization; discrimination against being pregnant at a young age; experiencing disregard and exclusion; inadequate provision of information about pregnancy, health and childbirth; clinic attendance discouragement; and mental health turmoil. Conclusions There is evidence of a discordant relationship between the health care workers and the pregnant adolescents. Adolescents feel mistreated and discriminated against by the health care workers, which in turn discourages their attendance at antenatal clinics. Maternal health care workers need to receive support and regular training on the provision of youth friendly antenatal care and be regularly evaluated, to promote the provision of fair and high quality antenatal services for adolescent girls.

scholarly journals Factors associated with low tuberculosis preventive therapy prescription rates among health care workers in rural South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amiya A. Ahmed ◽  
Megan Grammatico ◽  
Anthony P. Moll ◽  
Sipho Malinga ◽  
Philile Makhunga ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Preventive Therapy ◽  
Rural South ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Prescription Rates ◽  
Rural South Africa

scholarly journals Traditional healers and cancer prevention

Curationis ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Steyn ◽  
A Muller
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Education ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Traditional Healers ◽  
Basic Knowledge ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Prevention Of Cancer ◽  
Knowledge Of Cancer ◽  
Provide Health Education

The increase in the incidence of cancer in South Africa necessitates the expansion of preventative efforts. This study shows that traditional healers in Atteridgeville are consulted by a range of people in their communities, have a basic knowledge of cancer, provide health education to their patients and are willing to participate in cancer preventative strategies. They are therefore ideally suited to augment the services of westernized health care workers. The issue of professionalization is explored and a procedure is suggested whereby the training of traditional healers can be enhanced so as to facilitate their professionalization and their collaboration with other health care workers in the prevention of cancer.

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