“If you are here at the clinic, you do not know how many people need help in the community”: Perspectives of home-based HIV services from health care workers in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa in the era of universal test-and-treat

Background: Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC) is an effective HIV prevention strategy prioritized by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for regions of high HIV prevalence, South Africa (SA) and in particular KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) is one of such regions. Since the roll out of VMMC in 2010 there has been little research conducted on the implementation of this service. Existing studies on the uptake of VMMC have mainly focused on service users resulting in a paucity of data on health care workers perspectives on the intervention.Aim: To analyse health care workers’ perceptions and experiences of implementing voluntary medical male circumcision in KZN, SA.Setting: The study took place at six different health districts and their six respective rural clinics in the KZN province of SA.Methods: A qualitative approach using a phenomenographic design was employed. Data were collected from a sample of 18 participants comprising of health care providers (n = 12) and health policy makers (n = 6). Individual, face-to-face interviews were conducted using a semi-structured interview guide. An audiotape was used to record the data, which were transcribed verbatim and then analysed using a step-wise phenomenographic data analysis procedure.Results: Participants reported that VMMC was implemented by the department of health with support from non-governmental organisations and private general practitioners. Negative perceptions and negative experiences regarding VMMC and implementation were reported.Conclusion: The implementation of VMMC is compromised due to poor preparation and training of healthcare workers for implementing the service. Addressing health care workers’ needs for training and preparation is crucial for successful implementation of VMMC.

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Tuberculosis among health care workers in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: a retrospective cohort analysis

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/1471-2458-14-891 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

Carrie Tudor ◽

Martie Van der Walt ◽

Bruce Margot ◽

Susan E Dorman ◽

William K Pan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Health Care ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Retrospective Cohort ◽

Cohort Analysis ◽

Retrospective Cohort Analysis ◽

Care Workers ◽

Kwazulu Natal

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Occupational health policies and practices related to tuberculosis in health care workers in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Public Health Action ◽

10.5588/pha.12.0098 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 3 (2) ◽

pp. 141-145 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

C. Tudor ◽

M. Van der Walt ◽

M. N. Hill ◽

J. E. Farley

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Health Care ◽

Occupational Health ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Health Policies ◽

Care Workers ◽

Kwazulu Natal ◽

Policies And Practices

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A comparison of knowledge and practices of universal precautions among public sector health care workers in Ugu north sub-district, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (2010–2014)

Southern African Journal of Infectious Diseases ◽

10.4102/sajid.v35i1.162 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 35 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Renee Govender ◽

Saloshni Naidoo

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Health Care ◽

Public Sector ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Universal Precautions ◽

Care Workers ◽

Kwazulu Natal ◽

Public Sector Health ◽

Public Sector Health Care

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

10.1101/753046 ◽

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.

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

Reproductive Health ◽

10.1186/s12978-021-01211-x ◽

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.

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