scholarly journals Perceptions of the functioning and effectiveness of nursing regulators in Ghana and South Africa: a cross-sectional study

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. e050580
Author(s):  
Christmal Dela Christmals ◽  
Lydia Aziato ◽  
Laetitia Charmaine Rispel
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Nursing Education ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Health Coverage ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Quality Healthcare ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Functional Areas ◽  
Overall Functioning

ObjectiveNursing regulators are important governance structures for nurses who are critical to the achievement of universal health coverage (UHC). This study examined the perspectives of the heads of nursing education institutions (NEIs) in Ghana and South Africa on the functioning and effectiveness of the respective nursing regulators.DesignThis was a cross-sectional survey.SettingThis study was conducted in Ghana and South AfricaParticipantsHeads of accredited NEIs in Ghana (n=65) and in South Africa (n=39).ResultsIn South Africa, the mean score for overall functioning of the South African Nursing Council (SANC) was 4.6 (SD 1.97), whereas the mean score for overall functioning of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Ghana (N&MC) was 7.1 (SD 1.7) (p<0.0001). Similarly, the mean score for effectiveness of the SANC by NEIs was 5.1, compared with the mean effectiveness score of 7.2 for the N&MC (p<0.001).Compared to the SANC, the heads of NEIs scored the N&MC higher on each of the six functional areas of policy-making (Ghana=7.06; SA=4.56); accreditation (Ghana=7.40; SA=4.10) legal and disciplinary actions (Ghana=6.45; SA=5.52); examination (Ghana=7.84; SA=5.00); registration (Ghana=8.27; SA=5.96) and communication and transparency (Ghana=6.87; SA=6.05).ConclusionBoth the N&MC and SANC are well-established regulators and are vital to ensure that the nursing workforce in each country is able to deliver quality healthcare, thereby contributing to UHC and population health improvements. However, the study findings suggest the need for concerted efforts to improve the functioning and effectiveness of the regulators, especially the SANC. The six functional areas could guide the necessary improvements in regulator functioning and effectiveness, in partnership with relevant stakeholders.

scholarly journals Perceived Knowledge of Scheme Members and Their Satisfaction with Their Medical Schemes: A Cross-Sectional Study in South Africa.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francis M’bouaffou ◽  
Eric Buch ◽  
Evelyn Thsehla ◽  
Steve Olorunju
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Primary Source ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Perceived Knowledge ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Perceived Satisfaction ◽  
Private And Public ◽  
The Cost

Abstract Background: South Africa has a dual healthcare system comprised of private and public sectors covering 16% and 84% of the population, respectively. Medical schemes are the primary source of health insurance in the private sector. The aim of this study was to assess the perceived knowledge and satisfaction of open medical schemes members. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a stratified systematic sample of members from 22 open medical schemes. Nine hundred and sixty members were requested to complete an online semi-structured questionnaire to determine their perceived knowledge and satisfaction with their schemes. We tested to see if variables such as age, gender, years of membership, education, income or having a chronic disease were associated with better-perceived knowledge or satisfaction. We calculated a composite perceived knowledge and satisfaction score, for which a score above 60th percentile for perceived knowledge and 60th for perceived satisfaction were considered good perceived knowledge and good perceived satisfaction with their schemes.Results: Respondents, generally perceived themselves to have good knowledge and were satisfied with their schemes except for accessibility to doctors under the designated service providers arrangement. Overall, members were satisfied, especially with the quality of service from their designated service providers (DSPs) and their schemes. However, only 9% were satisfied with accessibility to doctors under their DSP arrangement, 25% were satisfied with the cost of scheme membership and only 46% were satisfied with the prescribed minimum benefit package. The test for association showed that years of medical schemes membership, perceived knowledge of the prescribed minimum benefits, better income and laying a complaint were associated with better-perceived knowledge. Conclusion: Medical schemes remain a key element of private healthcare in South Africa. The analysis shows that medical schemes, should put more effort into the accessibility of general practitioner under their designated service providers. Furthermore, the PMBS should be reviewed to provide a comprehensive benefits basket without co-payment for members as recommended by the Medical Schemes Act Amendment Bill of 2018.

scholarly journals Awareness of Health Care Practitioners About the National Health Insurance in Tshwane District, South Africa

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
L.H. Mabuza ◽  
G.A. Ogunbanjo ◽  
K.E. Hlabyago ◽  
M. Mogotsi
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Insurance ◽  
National Health Insurance ◽  
National Health ◽  
School Health ◽  
Health Coverage ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health Care Practitioners

Background: In 2012, the National Department of Health of South Africa launched the National Health Insurance (NHI) pilot program in 11 districts, towards universal health coverage for all South Africans. Health Care Practitioners (HCPs) are important role-players in its implementation. We decided to evaluate to what extent the HCPs were aware of the NHI program after three years of the pilot phase. Objective: To evaluate the awareness of HCPs about the NHI in the pilot Tshwane district of South Africa. Method: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 1753 HCPs in Tshwane district. At 95% confidence level and 5% error margin, the sample size was 315 HCPs, but we over-sampled to 480. The study was conducted in 25 health facilities within the district. A pre-tested self-administered questionnaire was used. Results: A high proportion of HCPs were unaware of the objectives of the NHI program (p < 0.001); number of NHI pilot sites [(281; 59.4%) versus (145; 30.7%), p < 0.001]; rationale used to select pilot sites [(223; 46.9%) versus (193; 40.5%), p = 0.047]; role of the Integrated School Health Services (ISHP) [(250; 52.7%) versus (70; 14.8%), p < 0.001]; and specialists constituting the District Clinical Specialist Team (DCST) (p < 0.001). However, awareness regarding the Ward-Based Outreach Team (WBOT) leader was high [(236; 49.9%) versus (135; 28.5%), p < 0.001]. Conclusion: HCPs in Tshwane district demonstrated poor awareness of the NHI. This reveals that any awareness effort towards the NHI has not taken effect among the HCPs in this district.

scholarly journals Clinical outcomes of hospitalised COVID-19 patients at Mthatha Regional Hospital, Eastern Cape, South Africa: A retrospective study

2021 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramprakash Kaswa ◽  
Parimalaranie Yogeswaran ◽  
Busisiwe Cawe
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Clinical Outcomes ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Regional Hospital ◽  
Sudden Expansion ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Hospitalised Patients ◽  
The Mean

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a public health crisis that threatens the current health system. The sudden expansion in the need for inpatient and intensive care facilities raised concerns about optimal clinical management and resource allocation. Despite the pressing need for evidence to make context-specific decisions on COVID-19 management, evidence from South Africa remained limited. This study aimed to describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of COVID-19 hospitalised patients.Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study design was used to evaluate the clinical outcomes of hospitalised adult patients (≥ 18 years old) with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 illness at Mthatha Regional Hospital (MRH), Eastern Cape.Results: Of the 1814 patients tested for COVID-19 between 20 March 2020 and 31 July 2020 at MRH, two-thirds (65.4%) were female. About two-thirds (242) of the 392 patients (21.6%) who tested positive for this disease were hospitalised and one-third (150) were quarantined at home. The mean age of the patients tested for COVID-19 was 42.6 years and there was no difference between males and females. The mean age of hospitalised patients was 55.5 years and the mean age of hospitalised patients who died (61.3 years) was much higher than recovered (49.5 years). Overall, 188 (77.6%) hospitalised patients had clinical comorbidity on admission. Diabetes (36.8%) and hypertension (33.1%) were the most common comorbidities amongst COVID-19 hospitalised patients.Conclusion: The majority of the patients who were hospitalised for COVID-19 were elderly and had high baseline comorbidities. Advance age and underlying comorbidities (diabetes, hypertension and HIV) were associated with high mortality in hospitalised COVID-19 patients.

scholarly journals Awareness of the Ward Based Outreach Team and the services offered by the programme in the Tshwane health district, South Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Bongongo ◽  
J. V. Ndimande ◽  
G. A. Ogunbanjo ◽  
A. T. Masango-Makgobela ◽  
S. N. Nyalunga ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Sample Size ◽  
Health District ◽  
Team Approach ◽  
Health Coverage ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Outreach Team ◽  
Data Collection Process

Background: The Ward Based Outreach Team (WBOT) is an organised team approach to a healthcare system based on the principles of epidemiology, primary health care, preventive medicine and health promotion. Globally, it has become a primary care response to many health challenges such as universal health coverage. The beneficiaries are community members, also referred to as households.Methods: The study assessed the awareness of the WBOT and the services offered by the programme in the Tshwane health district of South Africa. This was a cross-sectional survey conducted in all seven sub-districts of the health district. The health district is further sub-divided into 150 health wards. Eighty-five health wards were randomly selected for the study. Using the sample size calculator, with a confidence interval of 5% and confidence level of 99%, the sample size of participants was 654. However, during the data collection process there was over-sampling of up to 764. Participants were recruited by convenience sampling. Data were collected between October 12 and December 3, 2015, using a pre-piloted, structured questionnaire administered by 14 trained field workers.Results: The study obtained 6 288 responses from the 764 participants. The responses were grouped into two sections, ‘Yes’ and ‘No’. A summary of the responses showed that the number of ‘yes’ responses, the number of participants who were aware of the WBOT and the services offered by the programme were higher than the number of participants who were unaware of the programme. The figures were 5 590 (88.8%) ‘yes’ responses and 698 (11.1%) ‘no’ responses.Conclusion: In summary, the awareness of the WBOT and the services offered by the programme in the Tshwane health district, South Africa is evaluated to be 88.8%.

scholarly journals Assessment of Knowledge and Compliance to Evidence-Based Guidelines for VAP Prevention among ICU Nurses in Tanzania

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vicent Bankanie ◽  
Anne Outwater ◽  
Li Wang ◽  
Li Yinglan
Keyword(s):  
Nursing Education ◽  
Knowledge Score ◽  
Educational Interventions ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Local Context ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Effective Measure ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Evidence Based Guidelines

Abstract Background: Implementation of evidence-based guidelines (EBGs) related to VAP is an effective measure for the prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). While low knowledge regarding the EBGs related to VAP prevention among ICU nurses is still a major concern among nurses in ICUs globally, the situation in Tanzania is scarcely known. This study aimed to assess the ICU nurses’ knowledge, compliance, and barriers toward evidence-based guidelines for the prevention of VAP in Tanzania.Methods: A cross-sectional study, involving ICU nurses of major hospitals in Tanzania, was conducted. A structured questionnaire was administered among 116 ICU. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and independent t-test.Results: The mean knowledge score was 38.6% which is lower than the lowest ever reported knowledge score for EBGs for VAP prevention. Nurses with a degree or higher level of nursing education performed significantly better than the nurses with a diploma or lower level of nursing education(p=0.004). The mean self-reported adherence score for EBGs for the prevention of VAP was 60.8%. The main barriers to the implementation of EBGs for VAP prevention were lack of skills (96.6%), lack of adequate staff (95.5%), and lack of knowledge (79.3%).Conclusion: Considering the severity and impact of VAP, and the higher risks of HAIs in resource-limited countries like Tanzania, the lower level of knowledge and compliance implies the need for on-going educational interventions and evaluation of the implementation of the EBGs for VAP prevention by considering the local context.

Multi-mycotoxin exposure of children (0-24 months) in rural maize-subsistence farming areas of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 401-410
Author(s):  
R.S. Tshalibe ◽  
J.P. Rheeder ◽  
J.F. Alberts ◽  
C. Taljaard-Krugell ◽  
W.C.A. Gelderblom ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Daily Intake ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Subsistence Farming ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Daily Intakes

In South Africa, child malnutrition is highly prevalent among children from in rural areas mostly at risk. In the Eastern Cape (EC) Province, maize is commonly used as complementary and weaning food. Previous studies conducted in parts of EC have indicated high levels of fumonisin B (FB) mycotoxins in home-grown maize, as well as the co-occurrence of other Fusarium mycotoxins, such as deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZEN). A cross-sectional study of children below 24 months was conducted in rural maize-subsistence farming areas in Centane, EC to determine mycotoxin exposure. Home-grown maize samples (n=171) were collected from households in the study area and analysed by LC-MS/MS for FB, DON and ZEN. Food intakes of 129 children were quantified using a validated quantitative food frequency questionnaire (QFFQ). Individual raw maize consumption was calculated using recipes from the QFFQ. Probable daily intakes (PDIs) for each mycotoxin were determined using a deterministic approach and were compared to the respective mycotoxins’ provisional maximum tolerable daily intake (PMTDI). The numerical means for total FB (sum of fumonisin B1, B2 and B3), DON and ZEN levels in home-grown maize were 1,035, 24.5 and 31.0 μg/kg, respectively. Mean daily maize intakes of children ranged from 2-321 g/day and increased with age. The mean PDIs for total FB, DON and ZEN were 8.4, 0.2 and 0.3 μg/kg body weight (bw)/day, respectively. Exposures stratified by age indicated persistent high mean PDIs for total FB, above the PMTDI of 2 μg/kg bw/day, ranging between 5.0-11.6 μg/kg bw/day. Mean exposure to DON and ZEN were below their relevant PMTDIs (1 and 0.5 μg/kg bw/day, respectively). Individually, 81 and 13% of children had exposures above the PMTDI for total FB and for ZEN, respectively. Results confirm the magnitude of FB exposure among vulnerable groups from rural maize subsistence farming areas in EC.

Students’ Self-assessed Competence Levels during Nursing Education Continuum – A Cross-sectional Survey

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Satu Kajander-Unkuri ◽  
Riitta Meretoja ◽  
Jouko Katajisto ◽  
Helena Leino-Kilpi ◽  
Arja Suikkala
Keyword(s):  
Nursing Education ◽  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Nursing Students ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Competence Scale ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Education Nursing

AbstractDuring nursing education, nursing students are required to develop their competence to be able to fulfill their duties safely as Registered Nurses. The aims of this study were to explore 1) nursing students’ self-assessed competence levels during education 2) the relationship with competence and frequency at which competencies are utilized in clinical practice, and 3) factors related to competence levels. 841 (response rate 67.6 %) nursing students responded to the Nurse Competence Scale in a cross-sectional study. The self-assessed overall competence levels were improving during the education continuum (VAS-means 1st 56.6; 2nd 58.3; 3rd 59.8 and 3.5th -year students 68.4). Every group revealed a significant positive correlation with competence and frequency at which competencies are utilized in clinical practice in clinical placement. Risk factors for low competence were also identified. Systematic multimethod competence evaluations with longitudinal designs are needed to monitor outcomes of nursing education.

scholarly journals Health status and quality of life in patients with severe hemophilia A: A cross-sectional survey

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Majid Davari ◽  
Zahra Gharibnaseri ◽  
Roya Ravanbod ◽  
Abolfazl Sadeghi
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Hemophilia A ◽  
Clinical Information ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Adult Patients ◽  
Severe Hemophilia ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Mean

Among different groups of hemophiliacs, those suffering from Severe Hemophilia A (SHA) are most vulnerable to the complications of the disease. This study investigated the Health-Related Quality of Life (HR-QoL) among adult patients with SHA. A cross-sectional study was designed to gather demographic and clinical information from adult patients with SHA. Patients with inhibitors were excluded. The remaining were asked to complete the HR-QoL questionnaire after being examined for joint health using the Hemophilia Joint HealthScore (HJHS). The HR-QoL and joint conditions were measured in 38 patients. The mean EQ-5D value scores were 0.46 (SD=0.23) while the mean Visual Analogous Scale score was 50 (SD=18.7). The clinical examination of patients indicated that the HJHS were as follows: eight patients had a score of 55-75, 12 patients had a score of 40-55, 7 of them (25-40) and 11 patients had a score of 10-25. The results obtained from this study showed that HR-QoL in hemophilia patients was considerably low. Pain, anxiety/depression, and motion limitations were the main causes of the disutility for these patients respectively.

scholarly journals The quality of doctoral nursing education in South Africa

Curationis ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Siedine K. Coetzee ◽  
Hester C. Klopper ◽  
Mi J. Kim
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Nursing Education ◽  
Doctoral Education ◽  
Survey Design ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Doctoral Graduates ◽  
Doctoral Programmes ◽  
Quality Of Nursing

Background: The number of doctoral programmes in nursing has multiplied rapidly throughout the world. This has led to widespread concern about nursing doctoral education, specifically with regard to the quality of curricula and faculty, as well as to the availability of appropriate institutional resources. In South Africa, no study of these issues has been conducted at a national level.Objective: To explore and describe the quality of nursing doctoral education in South Africa from the perspectives of deans, faculty, doctoral graduates and students.Method: A cross-sectional survey design was used. All deans (N = 15; n = 12), faculty (N = 50; n = 26), doctoral graduates (N = 43; n = 26) and students (N = 106; n = 63) at South African nursing schools that offer a nursing doctoral programme (N = 16; n = 15) were invited to participate. Data were collected by means of structured email-mediated Quality of Nursing Doctoral Education surveys.Results: Overall, the graduate participants scored their programme quality most positively of all the groups and faculty scored it most negatively. All of the groups rated the quality of their doctoral programmes as good, but certain problems related to the quality of resources, students and faculty were identified.Conclusion: These evaluations, by the people directly involved in the programmes, demonstrated significant differences amongst the groups and thus provide valuable baseline data for building strategies to improve the quality of doctoral nursing education in South Africa.

scholarly journals Employee engagement and its relation to hospital performance in a tertiary care teaching hospital

2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 48
Author(s):  
Srinivas Goud Bulkapuram ◽  
Laxmitej Wundavalli ◽  
Kanthi Sagar Avula ◽  
T Reddy K
Keyword(s):  
Employee Engagement ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Performance Standards ◽  
Patient Safety Culture ◽  
Hospital Performance ◽  
Work Place ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Quality Healthcare ◽  
The Mean

Introduction: Employees in modern organizations are expected to be proactive, show initiative, and take responsibility for their own professional development and to be committed to high quality performance standards. Human resource in healthcare is one of the key components which is scarcely available and needs to be utilized in an efficient way. Assessment of employee engagement and identifying the key areas for work place improvement are important to be able to deliver timely and quality care.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted at the Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences, India, in the year 2012-13, that included all the permanent employees of the institute except class IV employees. The required sample size was calculated as 286. A semi structured socio-demographic proforma was designed. Employee Experience Survey used in the current study is based on Ontario Hospital Association’s Quality Healthcare Workplace Model. Engagement scores were categorized into low, medium and high categories. Correlation analysis was done to identify the association between engagement score and both the outcomes: patient centered work environment (PCWE) and patient safety culture (PSC).Results: The mean employee engagement score in the study hospital was 20.98 (SD = 3.15) which falls in the medium level. 40.6% of employees were in low engagement group, 39.9% were in medium engagement group and 19.5% were in high engagement group. The mean PCWE score was 22.78 (SD = 3.19), and mean PSC was 21.62 (SD = 3.99) and there was a positive and significant association between employee engagement vs. PWCE and employee engagement vs. PSC.Conclusion: The study shows a significant association between employee engagement and the key hospital outcomes, PCWE and PSC. A further analysis of the engagement survey data is required to test the direction of association and to determine the change in their relationships with respect to time. National benchmarks for such outcome measures need to be developed to enable the hospitals nationwide to assess and compare the work environments.

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