scholarly journals A qualitative study to explore primary health care practitioners’ perceptions and understanding regarding the COVID-19 pandemic in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Celenkosini T. Nxumalo ◽  
Gugu G. Mchunu
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Health Care Facilities ◽  
World Health ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Health Care Practitioners ◽  
Kwazulu Natal

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a novel virus that has rapidly spread across countries globally, and has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). In South Africa, more that 1 million cases have been confirmed since case zero was detected in March 2020. South Africa is currently leading in the sub-Saharan African region in terms of COVID-19-related mortality and morbidity rates.Aim: The aim of this study was to explore primary health care practitioners’ perceptions and understanding regarding the COVID-19 pandemic in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.Setting: The study was conducted at two selected primary health care facilities (a community health centre and satellite clinic) within a low-income rural context in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.Methods: A qualitative study was conducted to explore and describe perceptions and understanding of primary health care practitioners regarding the COVID-19 pandemic in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa. Data were collected from a purposive sample of 15 participants at two different clinics situated in rural KZN, South Africa. Participants comprised of nurses, physiotherapists, pharmacists, community care givers, social workers and clinical associates. The participants were both men and women who were all above the age of 20. Data were collected through individual, in-depth face-to-face interviews using a semi-structured interview guide. An audiotape was used to collect data, which were transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed manually by thematic analysis following Tech’s steps of data analysis.Results: Participants reported pre-pandemic and pandemic perceptions of fear, denial, expectancy and a perceived poor preparation for the COVID-19 outbreak. The findings also revealed participants’ misperceptions regarding the nature of the COVID-19 pandemic and unrealistic expectations of occupational compensations for working during the outbreak.Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that primary health care practitioners generally have negative perceptions and understanding regarding the pandemic because of misinformation obtained from social media. Interventions to support health care practitioners are necessary to mitigate the potentially negative implications of health practitioners’ misconceptions on service delivery and their mental health.

scholarly journals WASH infrastructure and practices in primary health care clinics in the rural Vhembe District municipality in South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Potgieter ◽  
N. T. Banda ◽  
P. J. Becker ◽  
A. N. Traore-Hoffman
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
Health Care Facilities ◽  
World Health ◽  
Primary Health Care System ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Health Care Clinics ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Vhembe District

Abstract Background South Africa has unique and diverse social and economic factors that have an impact on the provision of basic water, sanitation, hygiene and waste management infrastructure and practices at health care facilities in ensuring patient safety and prevent the spread of diseases. Methods The aim of this study was to evaluate water, sanitation and hygiene access and standards at 50 government owned public health care clinics in the rural region of the Vhembe district of South Africa during 2016/2017, using self-observation, an observation checklist, record reviews and interviews with clinic managers. Water quality from all available water sources on the clinic compound was analysed for Total coliform and E. coli counts using the Colilert Quanti-tray/2000 system. The prevalence of pathogenic diarrhea causing E. coli strains was established using multiplex-Polymerase Chain Reaction. Results The health care clinics in the Vhembe District generally complied with the basic WASH services guidelines according to the World Health Organisation. Although 80% of the clinics used borehole water which is classified as an improved water source, microbiological assessment showed that 38% inside taps and 64% outside taps from the clinic compounds had TC counts higher than guideline limits for safe drinking. Similarly, EC counts above the guideline limit for safe drinking water were detected in 17% inside taps and 32% outside taps from the clinic compounds. Pathogenic EAEC, EPEC, ETEC and EHEC strains were isolated in the collected water samples. Although improved sanitation infrastructures were present in most of the clinics, the sanitary conditions of these toilets were not up to standard. Waste systems were not adequately managed. A total of 90% of the clinics had hand washing basins, while only 61% of the clinics had soap present and only 64% of the clinics had adequate signs and posters reminding the staff, care givers and patients to wash their hands. Conclusions Various WASH aspects within the primary health care system in South Africa needs to be improved and corrected. A more rigorous system that is inclusive of all role players in the WASH sectors, with regular monitoring and training sessions, should be used.

scholarly journals Factors Influence Diabetes Mellitus Control at a Primary Health Care Facility in Durban, South Africa

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Akm Monjurul Hoque ◽  
Akm Monjurul Hoque ◽  
Somaya Buckus ◽  
Maariyah Hoque ◽  
ME Hoque
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
Glycaemic Control ◽  
Blood Sugar ◽  
Health Care Facilities ◽  
Diabetes Control ◽  
Primary Health

Background: Type-2 diabetes mellitus, a non-communicable disease contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality in South Africa. It is considered a silent epidemic in certain countries in the world with the incidence expected to rapidly escalate due to ageing of the population. Little is known about the treatment outcome from Primary Health Care facilities in SA. The study estimated control and determinants of diabetes control among rural black patients attended a PHC facility. Method: A cross-sectional prospective design was adopted. Chi-square test was carried out to find significant association between dependent and independent variables. Forward stepwise logistic regression was performed to determine the significant predictor for diabetes control. Two-sided statistical tests were performed at 0.05 level of significance. Result: A total of 240 DM patients were recruited and (68.7%) of them had HbA1c level measured) and only 49 (29.7%) were found with glycaemic control. Logistic regression analysis showed that patients those read newspaper daily or almost daily were almost three times (OR=2.6) more likely to have control. Patients those measured the blood sugar at home were 4.4 times more likely to have their diabetes controlled. It was found that knowing normal blood sugar had four times more chances of controlling their diabetes than those did not know. Duration of DM treatment (5-9 years) was 60% less likely to have DM control that those had 10 or more years of DM treatment (p<0.05). Conclusion: Glycaemic control of DM was poor and identified several factors towards diabetes control among DM patient. Training and education to healthcare workers and DM patients may lead to improve DM control.

Primary Health Care. Suicide Prevention Proposal. Santiago del Estero. Argentina

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S570-S570
Author(s):  
T. Sanchez Cantero ◽  
R. Costilla ◽  
M. Chávez
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
Young People ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Care Physician ◽  
World Health ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Commit Suicide

Background and aimSuicide is a serious and growing problem worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, for each death there are twenty attempts on record. Every year over 800,000 people commit suicide, that is, one in every forty. 45% of the people who commit suicide visit their Primary Health Care physician in the previous month. Seventy-five percent of suicides take place in countries with medium or low income and Argentine heads the suicide rate in Latin America. In the last twenty years the death by suicides rate in young people (aged 15–35) and has decreased in older age groups (+ 55), which historically presented the highest rates. In the inner zone of the province of Santiago del Estero, suicides have increased among teenagers [1].AimsTo know suicide statistics in young people in the last decade so that a prevention scheme can be produced.MethodsDescriptive observational study.ResultsIn the province of Santiago del Estero suicides occur more frequently among young people, aged 15–35, and the rate has increased significantly in the inner zone of the province.ConclusionsThe analysis carried out reveal that this problem in increasing in our province and it requires analysis and consensus in order to design a model of Primary Health Care Prevention.Disclosure of InterestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of no competing interest.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document