Intestinal parasites, growth and physical fitness of schoolchildren in poor neighbourhoods of Port Elizabeth, South Africa: a cross-sectional survey

The way in which an institution treats its records is crucial for its survival in a rapidly changing society. The purpose of the study was to investigate the records management practices and challenges faced by traditional institutions of leadership and governance in Ga Molepo, Limpopo, South Africa. The researcher employed a cross-sectional survey in order to quantitatively examine the challenges faced by members of traditional councils. A researcher administered questionnaire was used as a data collection tool to study a stratified sample of 35 members from an estimated population of 350. The findings revealed patterns and trends of non-compliance with records management standards and guidelines. Although there were sporadic cases of record keeping, a greater number of respondents revealed that traditional institutions lack the facilities, equipment, education and trained/skilled personnel to apply correct records management procedures in their daily administration of their traditional communities. The main value of the study is to create awareness of records management as one of the neglected areas in traditional institutions â€“ which are by current legislative arrangement, the closest form of leadership and governance for rural communities in light of their relationship with local municipalities and the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs.

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Antibiotic use in goats: role of experience and education of Missouri veterinarians

Veterinary Record ◽

10.1136/vr.105455 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 186 (11) ◽

pp. 349-349

Author(s):

Lauren Landfried ◽

Patrick Pithua ◽

Roger D Lewis ◽

Steven Rigdon ◽

Jonathan Jacoby ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Continuing Education ◽

Health Management ◽

Intestinal Parasites ◽

Antibiotic Use ◽

Herd Health ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Attitudes And Practices ◽

Prescription Practices

BackgroundIn a previous study, we found that rates of antibiotic residues in goat carcasses in Missouri were three times the published national average, warranting further research in this area.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional survey of goat veterinarians to determine attitudes and practices regarding antibiotics, recruiting 725 veterinarians listed on the American Association of Small Ruminant Practitioners (AASRP) website and 64 Missouri Veterinary Medical Association (MVMA) veterinarians.ResultsWe collected 189 responses (26.1%) from AASRP members (170 valid) and 8 (12.5%) from MVMA veterinarians totalling 178 responses. While the vast majority of all veterinarians indicated that they prescribed antibiotics less than half of the time, Missouri veterinarians indicated that they spent more time treating goats for overt disease like intestinal parasites and less time on proactive practices such as reproductive herd health management comparatively. While veterinarians agreed that antibiotic resistance was a growing concern, veterinarians outside of Missouri seemed more confident that their own prescription practices was not a contributor. Although nationally most veterinarians felt that attending continuing education classes was beneficial, 73.4% in other states attended classes on antibiotic use compared to only four of the nine Missouri veterinarians.ConclusionMissouri veterinarians had less veterinary experience than veterinarians in other states, and this, in conjunction with low continuing education requirements in Missouri relative to most other states, may hinder development of more proactive and effective client–veterinary relationships.

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An Examination of Men’s Wealth and Age Disparate Partnerships in South Africa: A Nationally Representative Cross-Sectional Survey

Sexuality & Culture ◽

10.1007/s12119-018-9561-z ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 23 (1) ◽

pp. 45-56 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Gavin George ◽

Brendan Maughan-Brown ◽

Sean Beckett ◽

Meredith Evans

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Nationally Representative

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What's in the lunchbox? Dietary behaviour of learners from disadvantaged schools in the Western Cape, South Africa

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980011001108 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 14 (10) ◽

pp. 1752-1758 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Zulfa Abrahams ◽

Anniza de Villiers ◽

Nelia P Steyn ◽

Jean Fourie ◽

Lucinda Dalais ◽

...

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Primary Schools ◽

Dietary Diversity ◽

Standard Of Living ◽

Dietary Behaviour ◽

Processed Meat ◽

Western Cape ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional

AbstractObjectiveTo identify and describe factors associated with food shop (known as tuck shop in South Africa) and lunchbox behaviours of primary-school learners in South Africa.DesignAnalysis of data collected in 2008 from a cross-sectional survey.SettingSixteen primary schools in the Western Cape, South Africa.SubjectsA total of 717 grade 4 learners aged 10–12 years.ResultsA 24 h recall established that 69 % of learners carried a lunchbox to school and 49 % had consumed at least one item purchased from the school food shop/vendor. Most lunchboxes contained white bread with processed meat, whereas the most frequent food shop/vendor purchase comprised chips/crisps. Learners who carried a lunchbox to school had significantly lower BMI percentiles (P = 0·002) and BMI-for-age (P = 0·034), compared with their counterparts. Moreover, they were younger, had higher standard-of-living and dietary diversity scores, consumed more meals per day, had greater self-efficacy and came from predominantly urban schools, compared with those who did not carry a lunchbox to school. Learners who ate food shop/vendor purchases had a lower standard-of-living score and higher dietary diversity and meal scores. Only 2 % of learners were underweight, whereas 19 % were stunted and 21 % were overweight/obese (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2).ConclusionsChildren who carried a lunchbox to school appeared to have greater dietary diversity, consumed more regular meals, had a higher standard of living and greater nutritional self-efficacy compared with those who did not carry a lunchbox to school.

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A cross sectional survey on physical fitness, mental health and associated factors in mothers of children with special needs

Comparative Exercise Physiology ◽

10.3920/cep210017 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

R. Jain ◽

S. Kalra ◽

S. Pawaria

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Physical Fitness ◽

Special Needs ◽

Associated Factors ◽

Step Test ◽

Special Needs Children ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Care Giving ◽

Health And Fitness

Mothers are the primary caregivers of a child. While caring for a special needs child, workload of caring increases by manifold and taking care of these children increases physical & mental overload. There is a dearth of studies that have objectively evaluated mental health and fitness of this group. To study status of physical fitness, mental health and associated factors in mothers of special needs children a cross-sectional survey done on 100 mothers of special needs children from special schools in the Gurugram District, Haryana, India. The Harvard Step test was used to evaluate cardiac fitness. Standard tests were used to evaluate different components of musculoskeletal fitness. Depression was assessed by Beck Depression Inventory. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. The Karl Pearson correlation test was used to identify correlations between mental health and fitness components and sociodemographic characteristics. Mean age and body mass index of mothers was 36.15±2.56 years and 27.4±3.25 kg/m2, respectively. 50% of the subjects were overweight, 89% scored poor in cardiopulmonary fitness, 63% had very poor muscle endurance, and 69% had average muscular flexibility. 81% of the mothers had symptoms of clinical depression. Inverse and significant correlation was present between depression and cardiorespiratory fitness (r=-0.197), strength (r=-0.242), and endurance (r=0.209). Income, total number of children and duration of care giving were inversely correlated with depression. Positive correlation was found between type of disability and depression. There was an overall decrement in cardiorespiratory and musculoskeletal fitness. Mental health was found to be poor with a large percentage of participants showing symptoms of depression.

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Commitment and the emigration intentions of South African professional nurses

Health SA Gesondheid ◽

10.4102/hsag.v18i1.512 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Jeffrey J. Bagraim

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

South African ◽

Employee Commitment ◽

Western Cape ◽

Public Health Services ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Tertiary Hospitals ◽

Quantitative Design ◽

The Relationship

The emigration of skilled nurses from South Africa exacerbates the crisis in the provision of public health services. A descriptive, quantitative design was applied to investigate the relationship between intention to emigrate and employee commitment. Over 400 registered nurses (N = 419), working within public sector tertiary hospitals in the Western Cape, responded to a cross-sectional survey questionnaire. Three foci of employee commitment (organisational, professional and national) were examined but only national commitment significantly helped predict intention to emigrate from South Africa in the regression model (beta = -0.0525, p < 0.0001). The implications of the results obtained in this study are discussed.Die emigrasie van verpleegkundiges uit Suid-Afrika vererger die krisis in die verskaffing van gesondheidsorgdienste in die land. ’n Beskrywende, kwantitatiewe ontwerp is gebruik om die verwantskap tussen werknemertoewyding en die voorneme om te emigreer te ondersoek. Meer as 400 verpleegsters (N = 419) wat in openbare tersiêre hospitale in die Wes-Kaap werk, het op die vraelys gereageer. Drie fokusareas van toewyding (organisatories, professioneel en nasionaal) is gemeet, maar net nasionale toewyding het daartoe bygedra om emigrasievoorneme te voorspel (beta = -0.0525, p < 0.0001). Die implikasies van hierdie resultate word bespreek.

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From malaria control to elimination in South Africa: The researchers’ perspectives

African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine ◽

10.4102/phcfm.v8i1.1078 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Khumbulani W. Hlongwana ◽

Joyce Tsoka-Gwegweni

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Community Involvement ◽

Malaria Elimination ◽

Surveillance Systems ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Eligibility Criteria ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Cross Border ◽

Malaria Episodes ◽

Structured Questionnaire

Background: Global decline in malaria episodes over the past decade gave rise to a debate to target malaria elimination in eligible countries. However, investigation regarding researchers’ perspectives on barriers and facilitating factors to effective implementation of a malaria elimination policy in South Africa (SA) is lacking.Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the malaria researchers’ knowledge, understandings, perceived roles, and their perspectives on the factors influencing implementation of a malaria elimination policy in SA.Setting: Participants were drawn from the researchers who fulfilled the eligibility criteria as per the protocol, and the criteria were not setting-specific.Methods: The study was a descriptive cross-sectional survey conducted through an emailed self-administered semi-structured questionnaire amongst malaria researchers who met the set selection criteria and signed informed consent.Results: Most (92.3%) participants knew about SA’s malaria elimination policy, but only 45.8% had fully read it. The majority held a strong view that SA’s 2018 elimination target was not realistic, citing that the policy had neither been properly adapted to the country’s operational setting nor sufficiently disseminated to all relevant healthcare workers. Key concerns raised were lack of new tools, resources, and capacity to fight malaria; poor cross-border collaborations; overreliance on partners to implement; poor community involvement; and poor surveillance.Conclusion: Malaria elimination is a noble idea, with sharp divisions. However, there is a general agreement that elimination requires: (a) strong cross-border initiatives; (b) deployment of adequate resources; (c) sustainable multistakeholder support and collaboration; (d) good surveillance systems; and (e) availability and use of all effective intervention tools.

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Cost awareness of radiological studies among doctors at Universitas Academic Hospital in Bloemfontein, South Africa

South African Journal of Radiology ◽

10.4102/sajr.v25i1.2188 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 25 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Khanyisa N. Mrwetyana ◽

Jacques Janse van Rensburg ◽

Gina Joubert

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Cost Estimation ◽

Academic Hospital ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Education Training ◽

The Cost ◽

Cost Awareness ◽

Radiological Studies

Background: South Africa has high healthcare expenses. Improving cost-consciousness could decrease government expenditure on healthcare.Objectives: To determine cost awareness of radiological studies among doctors at a tertiary hospital. The objective was met by assessing the accuracy of cost estimation according to the level of training and speciality, whether participants had received prior education/training related to cost awareness and if they had a desire to learn more about the cost of radiological imaging.Method: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in six clinical departments at Universitas Academic Hospital using an anonymous questionnaire that determined doctors’ cost awareness of five radiological studies. Each radiological study was answered using six different cost ranges, with one correct option. Costs were based on the Department of Health’s 2019 Uniform Patients Fee Schedule (UPFS).Results: In total, 131 (67.2%) of 195 questionnaires distributed to registrars and consultants were returned. Overall, low accuracy of cost estimation was observed, with 45.2% of the participants choosing only incorrect options. No participant estimated all five costs correctly. Only the Internal Medicine clinicians demonstrated a significant difference between registrars and consultants for the number of correct answers (median 0 and 1, respectively) (p = 0.04). No significant differences were found between specialities stratified by registrars/consultants. Most participants (88.6%) would like to learn about imaging costs. Only 2.3% of the participants had received prior education/training related to cost awareness of radiological studies.Conclusion: Doctors were consistently inaccurate in estimating the cost of radiological studies. Educating doctors about the cost of radiological imaging could have a positive effect on healthcare expenditure.

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Self-perceived employability among undergraduate students at a South African university

SA Journal of Human Resource Management ◽

10.4102/sajhrm.v19i0.1685 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 19 ◽

Author(s):

Doret Botha

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

South African ◽

Undergraduate Students ◽

Survey Design ◽

The Self ◽

The South ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Perceived Employability ◽

Managerial Implications

Orientation: South Africa has been suffering from persistently high levels of unemployment since 2008. The youth is regarded as the most at-risk group in the South African labour market and unemployment amongst the youth is considered one of the most critical socio-economic problems in South Africa. Increasing one’s employability is essential to securing employment and enhancing one’s well-being.Research purpose: This study aimed to explore the self-perceived employability of undergraduate students at a South African university.Motivation for the study: Currently, there is a scarcity of published research on the self-perceived employability amongst undergraduate students at higher education institutions in South Africa.Research approach/design and method: The study was conducted within a positivistic research paradigm. A quantitative-based cross-sectional survey design was used. Convenience sampling was used to select the students who were included in the survey. Data were collected through a web-based survey, using a standardised coded questionnaire that consisted of a five-point Likert-type scale.Main findings: The results indicated that the respondents were relatively confident about their internal employability, but they were less confident about their opportunities in the external labour market.Practical/managerial implications: Understanding one’s employability and the accompanied issues creates awareness of one’s potential, skills and knowledge to become a successful citizen and employee.Contribution/value-add: The study shed light on the self-perceived employability of undergraduate students at a South African university and consequently contributes to the existing literature on employability in the South African context.

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

10.21203/rs.3.rs-951531/v1 ◽

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.

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