scholarly journals Improving TB infection control in a regional hospital in the Eastern Cape, South Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. bmjoq-2018-000347 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilsa Louisa Haeusler ◽  
Felicity Knights ◽  
Vishaal George ◽  
Andy Parrish
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Hospital Policy ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Root Cause ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Service Training ◽  
Education And Awareness ◽  
Awareness Raising

This quality improvement (QI) work was carried out in Cecilia Makiwane Hospital (CMH), a regional public hospital in the Eastern Cape, South Africa (SA). SA has among the highest incidence of tuberculosis (TB) in the world and this is a leading cause of death in SA. Nosocomial infection is an important source of TB transmission. Adherence to TB infection prevention control (IPC) measures in the medical inpatient department was suboptimal at CMH. The overall aim of this QI project was to make sustainable improvements in TB IPC. A multidisciplinary team was formed to undertake a root cause analysis and develop a strategy for change. The main barriers to adherence to IPC measures were limited knowledge of IPC methods and stigma associated with TB. Specifically, the project aimed to increase the number of: ‘airborne precaution’ signs placed above patients’ beds, patients correctly isolated and patients wearing surgical face masks. Four Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles were used. The strategy for change involved education and awareness-raising in different formats, including formal in-service training delivered to nurses and doctors, a hospital-wide TB awareness week with engaging activities and competitions, and a World TB Day provincial solidarity march. Data on adherence to the three IPC measures were collected over an 8-month period. Pre-intervention (October 2016), a mean of 2% of patients wore face masks, 22% were correctly isolated and 12% had an airborne precaution sign. Post-intervention (May 2017), the compliance improved to 17%, 50% and 25%, respectively. There was a large variation in compliance to each measure. Improvement was greatest in the number of patients correctly isolated. We learnt it is important to work with, not in parallel to, existing teams or structures during QI work. On-the-ground training of nurses and clinicians should be undertaken alongside engagement of senior staff members and managers. This improves the chance of change being adopted into hospital policy.

scholarly journals Human cystic echinococcosis in South Africa

2012 ◽  
Vol 79 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Mogoye ◽  
Colin N. Menezes ◽  
Martin P. Grobusch ◽  
Kerstin Wahlers ◽  
John Frean
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Cystic Echinococcosis ◽  
12S Rrna ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Laboratory Service ◽  
North West ◽  
Retrospective Data Analysis ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Northern Cape

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is caused by the tapeworm, Echinococcus granulosus. The tapeworms resides in the small intestines of canids and the lifecycle involves both intermediate and definitive hosts. Humans are accidental intermediate hosts. Cystic echinococcosis is an economically important infection constituting a threat to public health, and is considered an emerging disease around the world. There are at least 10 Echinococcus strain types (G1 – G10), each exhibiting diversity of morphology, development and host range. The epidemiology of CE is poorly understood in South Africa. A retrospective data analysis of the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) laboratory information system on echinococcosis serology, microscopy and histopathology results in eight provinces (excluding KwaZula-Natal) showed an overall positivity rate in submitted diagnostic samples of 17.0% (1056/6211), with the Eastern Cape (30.4%), North West (19.0%) and Northern Cape (18.0%) provinces showing highest rates. The data showed considerable variability between provinces. The review also showed that most proven cases were negative on serology, implying that the actual number of patients could be underestimated. To our knowledge, no data exist about the prevalent strains of E. granulosus and this prospective study will attempt to fill that gap. The aim is to genotype strains causing the disease in South Africa. Two different polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods will be used to respectively target the 12S rRNA and nad 1 genes. To date, three samples have been genotyped as G1, G5 and G6; suggesting diversity of strains prevalent in the country, but more data is needed for a clearer picture.

Management and Preservation of Court Records: A Case Study of the Mthatha Magistrate Court, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa.

Mousaion ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Odwa Patricia Ngezana ◽  
Ndakasharwa Muchaonyerwa
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Management Policy ◽  
Records Management ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Court Records ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative Methods ◽  
Administration Of Justice ◽  
Records Access

The management and preservation of records is a crucial element in a records programme. This study investigated the management and preservation of court records, focusing particularly on the Mthatha Magistrate Court in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. A mixed methods approach, consisting of both qualitative and quantitative methods, was used, and data were obtained through interviews, observations and questionnaires. Using purposive sampling, 35 staff members were sampled from the Mthatha Magistrate Court. The quantitative data that were obtained from questionnaires distributed to these 35 respondents were analysed using the IBM SPSS software package and were presented in graphs and tables. Four participants were interviewed, and the qualitative data obtained from these interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using content analysis. The findings of the study revealed that the court officials depended entirely on records to fulfil their roles and that they acknowledged that records were vital for the administration of justice. In general, the results suggested that the management of records at the relevant court was ineffective, primarily in the creation phase. The study concluded that creators of court records should be responsible for their records so as to facilitate the smooth operation of the court. The study strongly recommended that the court should consider putting in place a general records management policy that should include the management of records only in an electronic form. The policy would give guidance for managing records and address issues such as records access, records security and preservation, as well as the management of electronic records.

Pre- and post-intervention assessment of a PMTCT-programme-strengthening initiative in a rural area of the Eastern Cape, South Africa

2011 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-93 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nancy Phaswana-Mafuya ◽  
Karl Peltzer ◽  
Rendani Ladzani ◽  
Gladys Mlambo ◽  
Adlai Davids ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Rural Area ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Pmtct Programme ◽  
Post Intervention

Influence of Knowledge Management Practices on Public Service Delivery by Municipalities

Mousaion ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Charleen Musonza ◽  
Ndakasharwa Muchaonyerwa
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Knowledge Management ◽  
Service Delivery ◽  
Public Service ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Integrated System ◽  
Eastern Cape Province ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Public Service Delivery

This study examines the influence of knowledge management (KM) practices on public service delivery by municipalities in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. The study sought to determine the factors that have triggered the implementation of KM practices; the effectiveness of KM practices towards public service delivery; and the extent to which KM practices have influenced public service delivery by municipalities in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were employed in this study. Quantitative data were collected through a survey questionnaire administered to a sample of 202 employees at the Raymond Mhlaba Municipality in the Eastern Cape. Qualitative data were collected through observations and interviews of 2 senior managers. The data collected gave a response rate of 72 per cent. The quantitative and qualitative data were analysed descriptively and presented verbatim respectively. The results indicated that the internal and external factors included in this study have contributed to the implementation of KM practices in the municipality. Furthermore, the effective use of KM practices has increased the organisational KM initiative, as well as the provision of services such as electricity, education, transport, and social services by the municipality. The study recommends the establishment of KM awareness and the establishment of an integrated system that will assist in effective knowledge sharing, retention and acquisition across municipalities in the Eastern Cape.

Exploring the South African Government Communication on Land Expropriation without Compensation

2020 ◽  
Vol 72 (1-3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lungisani Moyo
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Food Security ◽  
South African ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
South African Government ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
The South ◽  
Land Expropriation ◽  
African Government ◽  
Government Communication

ABSTRACT This paper used qualitative methodology to explore the South African government communication and land expropriation without compensation and its effects on food security using Alice town located in the Eastern Cape Province South Africa as its case study. This was done to allow the participants to give their perceptions on the role of government communication on land expropriation without compensation and its effects on South African food security. In this paper, a total population of 30 comprising of 26 small scale farmers in rural Alice and 4 employees from the Department of Agriculture (Alice), Eastern Cape, South Africa were interviewed to get their perception and views on government communications and land expropriation without compensation and its effects on South African food security. The findings of this paper revealed that the agricultural sector plays a vital role in the South African economy hence there is a great need to speed up transformation in the sector.

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