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 Peritoneal Dialysis in Cape Town, South Africa

2012 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 254-260 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ikechi G. Okpechi ◽  
Brian L. Rayner ◽  
Charles R. Swanepoel
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Peritoneal Dialysis ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Cape Town ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Care Workers

BackgroundChronic kidney disease is a major public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), which encompasses 70% of the least-developed countries in the world. Most people in SSA have no access to any form of renal replacement therapy (RRT). Given its ease of performance and patient independence, peritoneal dialysis (PD) should be an ideal form of RRT in SSA, but several complex and interdependent factors make PD a difficult option in SSA. The present review describes the practice of PD in SSA, with emphasis on Cape Town, South Africa.Methods and ResultsAfter a review of the recent PubMed literature on RRT in SSA and an appraisal of nephrology practice in South Africa, factors that make the provision of RRT (especially PD) a challenge in SSA include the low number of qualified health care workers, socio-demographic issues (poor housing, electricity, and water supplies), and the cost of PD fluids in the region. Although South Africa has the largest PD population in all of SSA, the growth of PD in South Africa is specifically impeded by the system of RRT rationing, which favors HD; the methods of funding for dialysis and for remuneration of doctors in private practice; and many other socio-economic factors. The peritonitis rate remains relatively high, and it is a significant contributor to morbidity in PD patients in Cape Town.ConclusionsIn many parts of SSA, PD could be the main dialysis modality. However, African governments must start taking responsibility for their people by providing adequate funds for renal replacement programs. Attempts to produce PD fluids locally and to train and educate health care workers will greatly improve the use of PD as a RRT option in SSA.

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 Ethiopian Health Care Workers’ Insights into and Responses to Intimate Partner Violence in Pregnancy—A Qualitative Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (10) ◽  
pp. 3745
Author(s):  
Bosena Tebeje Gashaw ◽  
Berit Schei ◽  
Kari Nyheim Solbraekke ◽  
Jeanette H. Magnus
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Intimate Partner Violence ◽  
Antenatal Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Pregnancy Outcomes ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Adverse Impacts ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
In Pregnancy

Violence against women is a global pandemic, with the potential to spread through generations. Intimate partner violence has impacts on women’s sexual, reproductive, and psycho-social health. It can occur during pregnancy and adversely affect the health of both mother and child. Health care workers involved in antenatal care can have a unique role in identifying intimate partner violence and in intervening, preventing, and mitigating its consequences. In this study, the objective was to explore Ethiopian health care workers’ insights of and responses to intimate partner violence in pregnancy. Using an exploratory design, this qualitative study includes ten semi-structured interviews of health care workers representing different antenatal care centers in Jimma, Ethiopia. The content analyses of translated interview notes were conducted with Atlas.ti7 software, (Atlas.ti Scientific Software Development Gmbh, Berlin). The health care workers shared their insights of the consequences of intimate partner violence during pregnancy in addition to their experience with and responses to the victims. There was a limited understanding of the extent of the adverse impacts of intimate partner violence on pregnancy outcomes, as well as the potential long-term health implications. The informants described how they only gave medical treatment for obstetric complications or visible trauma during pregnancy. There was no formal referral to or linkages with other resources. Women’s empowerment and systemic changes in the health care, including training and capacity building, clear guidelines addressing management of intimate partner violence in pregnancy, and inclusion of intimate partner violence screening tools in the Ethiopian antenatal care chart/card, were recommended by the informants. The adverse impacts of intimate partner violence on pregnancy outcomes were poorly understood by the Ethiopian health care workers in this study. They offered limited assistance to the victims and recommended changes in the routine antenatal care (ANC) and health care systems. They identified various policy initiatives focusing on women’s empowerment to reduce intimate partner violence and its complications especially during pregnancy.

scholarly journals Factors for late initiation of antenatal care in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: A qualitative study

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Saidi Mgata ◽  
Stephen Oswald Maluka
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Antenatal Care ◽  
Health System ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Cultural Beliefs ◽  
Dar Es Salaam ◽  
World Health ◽  
Health Providers ◽  
Care Workers

Abstract Background Antenatal care (ANC) provided by a trained health care provider is important for monitoring pregnancy thereby reducing potential risks for the mother and child during pregnancy and delivery. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends at least four ANC visits to all pregnant women. While the proportion of women who attend at least one ANC in low-income countries is high, most pregnant women start their first ANC attendance very late. In Tanzania only 24% of pregnant women start their first ANC attendance before the fourth month of pregnancy. While factors for the utilization of antenatal care in general have been widely studied, there is paucity of studies on the factors affecting timing of the first ANC attendance. This study aimed to understand individual, community, and health system factors that lead to the delay in seeking ANC services among pregnant women in Ilala Municipal in Dar es Salaam region, Tanzania. Methods A qualitative exploratory study, using in-depth interviews with 20 pregnant women and five health care workers was conducted in three different health facilities in Dar es Salaam Tanzania. Thematic analysis approach was used to analyse the data. Results Individual perceptions of antenatal care, past experience with pregnancy, fear of pregnancy disclosure, and socio-cultural beliefs were the key individual and social factors for late ANC attendance. Shortage of trained health care workers, lack of spouse’s escort and health providers’ disrespect to pregnant women were the main health system barriers to early ANC attendance. Conclusions This study concludes that community members should be sensitized about the importance of early ANC attendance. Additionally, while spouse’s escort policy is important for promoting PMTCT, the interpretation of the policy should not solely be left to the health providers. District and regional health officials should provide correct interpretation of this policy.

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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