Challenges Contributing to Loss to Follow-up as Experienced by Glaucoma Patients in the Vhembe District of Limpopo Province, South Africa

Background: Glaucoma is a group of chronic diseases of the optic nerve that, if not managed effectively, could lead to blindness of many people worldwide. Non-adherence to medical treatments typically lead to burdensome consequences such as progressive visual loss and disabilities. Fortunately, literature reveals that with timed appropriate treatment, such blindness can be prevented. Thus, patients’ adherence to follow-up plays an important role in maintaining vision. However, glaucoma patients in Vhembe District still miss their follow-up appointments. Objective: This study sought to explore factors contributing to loss to follow-up as experienced by glaucoma patients in South Africa. Methods: Qualitative, explorative, and descriptive research designs, using qualitative methodology, were adopted. The population consisted of glaucoma patients who had been on antiglaucoma medications for three years and above. The purposive sampling method was used to select 18 participants for the study. Data were collected using a semi-structured interview using an interview guide. Participants were between the ages of 24 and 80 years. Tesch’s eight steps of qualitative data analysis were used. Measures to ensure trustworthiness and ethical issues were observed. Results: The study findings revealed that some of the patients did not understand glaucoma disease and the importance of follow-up. Financial constraints, traditional/religious belief, shortage of medications, and negative staff attitude were the most cited barriers contributing to loss to follow-up. Conclusion: Follow up adherence amongst glaucoma patients was negatively influenced by low disease knowledge. Therefore an improvement in patient education, transportation services, and clinic efficiency may strengthen follow-up visits.

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Efficiency of Health Care Risk Waste Management in Rural Healthcare Facilities of South Africa: An Assessment of Selected Facilities in Vhembe District, Limpopo Province

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph16122199 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 16 (12) ◽

pp. 2199 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Foluke C. Olaniyi ◽

Jason S. Ogola ◽

Takalani G. Tshitangano

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Healthcare Facility ◽

Study Data ◽

Limpopo Province ◽

Healthcare Facilities ◽

The Public ◽

Efficient Management ◽

The Social ◽

Vhembe District ◽

And Storage

Waste generated form healthcare facilities is a potential source of health risks to the public, if it is not properly handled from the point of generation to disposal. This study was conducted to assess the efficiency of healthcare risk waste (HCRW) management in Vhembe District of Limpopo Province, South Africa. Fifteen healthcare facilities were selected in Vhembe District for this study. Data were obtained through in-depth interviews, semi-structured questionnaires, observation and pictures. Qualitative data were thematically analyzed, while the quantitative data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 25. In all the healthcare facilities; mismanagement of HCRW was noted at different points along the management chain. Poor segregation, overfilling of waste bins, inappropriate transportation and storage of waste in substandard storage rooms were observed in the facilities. All the waste from the district are transported to a private-owned treatment facility outside the district, where they are mainly incinerated. Enforcement of healthcare risk waste guidelines, provision of standardized equipment for temporary storage, empowerment of each healthcare facility to treat at least some of the waste, and employment of non-burn techniques for treatment of waste are recommended for more efficient management of healthcare risk waste in Vhembe District.

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Loss to follow-up amongst glaucoma patients in selected hospitals of the Limpopo Province, South Africa

African Vision and Eye Health ◽

10.4102/aveh.v79i1.559 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 79 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Shonisani E. Tshivhase ◽

Lunic B. Khoza ◽

Takalani G. Tshitangano

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Limpopo Province ◽

Loss To Follow Up

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Transformational Leadership: Lessons from Ramosileiâ€™s Leadership Study in the Vhembe District, Limpopo Province, South Africa

International Journal of Educational Developement in Africa ◽

10.25159/2312-3540/1760 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 4 ◽

Author(s):

Mavhungu Elias Musitha

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

School Teacher ◽

Secondary Data ◽

Study Data ◽

Limpopo Province ◽

Primary Sources ◽

Learning And Teaching ◽

Stakeholder Relationships ◽

Leadership Study ◽

Vhembe District

Educators are faced with classroom problems in South African schools which force them to quit as they cannot find solutions to them. This study investigated whether there were lessons to be learned from a successful study by a retired school teacher in the former Venda in Limpopo Province of South Africa. A qualitative approach was adopted to explain and describe the study. Data was obtained from both primary sources such as speeches where the researcher took down notes during the interview proceedings and also from secondary data extracted from literature. From the notes taken by the researcher, information was collated and analysed to answer the research questions. This study has revealed that learning and teaching should be integrated in the classroom and the teacher should provide leadership all the time and understand that learners are not small adults but children who need an adult to take them by the hand and guide them towards adulthood. This study recommends that the lessons from Ramosilei should be shared with other schools. It also proposes that schools could succeed if they establish stakeholder relationships with the management and administration of schools.

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Experiences of family members caring for tuberculosis patients at home at Vhembe district of the Limpopo Province

Curationis ◽

10.4102/curationis.v35i1.54 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 35 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Joyce T. Sukumani ◽

Rachel T. Lebese ◽

Lunic B. Khoza ◽

Patrone R. Risenga

Keyword(s):

Ethical Issues ◽

Family Members ◽

Population Group ◽

Study Data ◽

The Body ◽

Limpopo Province ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Tuberculosis Patients ◽

Vhembe District ◽

At Home

Tuberculosis (TB) is a potentially serious infectious disease which enters the body by inhalation and usually affects the lungs. TB is ranked amongst the leading infectious diseases worldwide, and in South Africa (SA) it has become an epidemic, because of its high prevalence. There are multiple factors that were found to attribute to the existence and spread of this disease. The purpose of this study was to explore and describe experiences of family members caring for TB patients at home, in the Vhembe District of the Limpopo Province. The study was qualitative, explorative, descriptive, phenomenological and contextual in nature. The population group selected for the study all comprised of family members caring for tuberculosis patients at home in Tshifulanani village. A purposive sampling method was applied in the study. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews guided by three questions. Tech’s eight steps of data analysis were followed. Measures to ensure trustworthiness and ethical issues were observed. The results of the study revealed that family members experienced difficulties when they care for TB patients at home. These difficulties included providing food, attending to hygiene needs, the lack of equipment, financial constraints as well as physical and psychological exhaustion. Recommendations were made concerning the provision food, attending to hygiene needs, assisting in the administration of medication, nursing practice and policy making.

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