scholarly journals Health-Promoting Lifestyle Behaviours Among Primary Healthcare Professional Nurses in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 92 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sizeka Monakali ◽  
Daniel Ter Goon ◽  
Eunice Seekoe ◽  
Eyitayo Omolara Owolabi
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Primary Healthcare ◽  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
Physical Activities ◽  
Eastern Cape Province ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Lifestyle Behaviours ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Professional Nurses

Nurses play significant roles in health promotion and health education about healthy lifestyle practices and are considered role models of healthy lifestyle behaviours. It is unclear if their knowledge of healthy lifestyle choices translate to practice. This study assessed the lifestyle behaviours of primary healthcare professional nurses in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. This descriptive, cross-sectional study involved 203 purposively selected primary healthcare nurses in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. We utilised the WHO STEPwise questionnaire to assess the lifestyle behaviour (smoking, alcohol use and physical activity) of the nurses. Descriptive and inferential statistics were carried out at a significance level of p<0.05. The participants’ mean age was 45.17 (Standard Deviation±11.26) years. Of all the participants, 27% had ever taken alcohol, and 18% currently use alcohol. Only 8% had ever smoked and of these, 3% currently smoke. Of all the participants, 33% do not engage in physical activities, and only 29% of them met the WHO recommendation for being active. Most of them were aware of the benefits of physical activities. Majority of the participants cited lack of time (74%) and lack of commitment (63%) as barriers to physical activity and few of them cited health challenges (3.9%). Among the primary health care professional nurses in this setting, we found a high prevalence of alcohol use and low prevalence of smoking and physical activity among primary health care nurses in this setting. There is a need to implement effective workplace strategies and wellness programmes that will foster healthy lifestyle practices among the nurses.

scholarly journals A Cross-Sectional Survey of the Prevalence and Determinants of Overweight and Obesity Among Primary Healthcare Professional Nurses In Eastern Cape, South Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 53 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sizeka Monakali ◽  
Daniel Ter Goon ◽  
Eunice Seekoe ◽  
Eyitayo Omolara Owolabi
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Healthcare Professional ◽  
Primary Healthcare ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Eastern Cape Province ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Primary Health Care Professional ◽  
Professional Nurses

There is a paucity of data on the burden of obesity among primary Health care professional nurses in Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. This study examines the prevalence and determinants of overweight and obesity among Primary Healthcare Professional nurses in Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. This workplace cross-sectional study was conducted among 203 Primary Health Care Professional nurses selected conveniently across 41 primary healthcare facilities in Eastern Cape, South Africa following a the WHO STEPwise approach and using the WHO STEPwise questionnaire for data collection. Data were expressed as mean, counts and proportions, as appropriate. We compared percentages using chi-square test. Descriptive and inferential statistics were conducted. Seventy six percent of the nurses were obese and 18% were overweight. Age, gender, marital status, duration of practice, alcohol use and smoking were significantly associated with obesity. Only age >30 years and not using alcohol were independent predictors of obesity, after adjusting for confounders. We found a high prevalence of obesity among primary healthcare professional nurses in this setting. This constitute future risk for an increased prevalence of chronic diseases among the healthcare workforce in this setting. There is a need for measures to promote healthy lifestyle behaviours and weight management among nurses in this setting.

scholarly journals The provision of Primary Health Care in two rural districts of the Eastern Cape Province with particular reference to human resources and accessibility - Part 2: The results and recommendations

Curationis ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Thipanyana ◽  
T.R. Mavundla
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
Phase Iii ◽  
Eastern Cape Province ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Problem Statement ◽  
Rural Districts ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Community People ◽  
Professional Nurses

Part 1 of this article dealt with the introduction, problem statement and the research methods. This article details the results and the recommendations with the aim of improving the provision of primary health care in rural districts of the Eastern Cape Province. This article is dealt with in three phases: phase I gives the results of interviews of community people, phase II deals with the results of the questionnaire administered to professional nurses and phase III entails the recommendations.

scholarly journals Medicinal Plants Used by the Inhabitants of Alfred Nzo District Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 157-166
Author(s):  
Zingisa Thinyane ◽  
Alfred Maroyi
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Medicinal Plants ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Primary Healthcare ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Herbal Medicines ◽  
Pharmaceutical Products ◽  
Eastern Cape Province ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Snowball Sampling

Plant species used as herbal medicines play an important in the provision of primary healthcare in several rural communities. The current study was aimed at documenting medicinal plants used by the inhabitants of Alfred Nzo District Municipality in the Eastern Cape province, South Africa. Information on medicinal plants used for primary healthcare was collected through open-ended interviews with a sample of 124 participants selected via snowball-sampling technique between April 2017 and May 2018. A total of 34 plant species and one fungus species representing 20 families were used in the treatment of 13 different human diseases. The major diseases treated by the documented species included respiratory system, pain, sores and wounds, infections and infestations, digestive system, blood and cardiovascular system, fever and malaria, general ailments, reproductive system and sexual health and mental disorders. Popular herbal medicines with relative frequency citation (RFC) values exceeding 0.50 included Bulbine frutescens, Clivia miniata var. miniata, Elephantorrhiza elephantina, Centella asiatica, Hypoxis hemerocallidea, Dicerothamnus rhinocerotis, Leonotis leonurus, Agapanthus africanus and Datura stramonium. Such repository of medicinal plants and fungi reinforces the need for an evaluation of their biological activities as a basis for developing future medicines and pharmaceutical products.

scholarly journals The knowledge, understanding and perceptions of professional nurses, working in primary health care clinics, about autism spectrum disorder

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Neil Arnold Williams
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Sample Size ◽  
Primary Healthcare ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Health Clinics ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
Professional Nurses

Background Abstract The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States has found that more children than ever before are being classified as having autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) (Chiri and Warfield 2011: 1081). According to Matenge (2014: 1), ASD is a pervasive developmental disorder characterised by two essential features: a combination of impairments in social interaction and social communication, and restricted, repetitive, and stereotyped patterns of behaviour, interests and activities. Malcolm-Smith et al. (2013: 4) report that data on the incidence, prevalence, and impact of ASD in South Africa are almost entirely lacking. No epidemiological studies of ASD have been conducted in the country (Malcolm- Smith et al. 2013: 4). Diagnostic and intervention services, particularly at state level, are scarce (Malcolm-Smith et al. 2013: 4). Hence, those that are in place are heavily overburdened. Of particular concern for South Africa are research findings indicating that ASD is under-identified in low socioeconomic status communities, so in these contexts ASD often goes undiagnosed, or is diagnosed late (Malcolm-Smith et al. 2013: 4). Matenge (2014: 19) argues that there is, therefore, a need to assess the level of knowledge, understanding and the experiences of South African nurses regarding autism, as they are usually the first professionals that families of children with autism contact. Research purpose The purpose of this research was to determine the knowledge, understanding and perceptions of professional nurses who work in primary health clinics in eThekwini Health District, KwaZulu-Natal, regarding ASD. Research design A quantitative, non-experimental, descriptive research survey design was utilised. A self-reporting questionnaire was used to collect data. Sampling and sample size Simple random sampling was used to determine which clinics in the eThekwini health district would be part of the study. The sample size for the clinics was thirty four, of those thirty were eThekwini municipality clinics and four KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health clinics. These clinics were utilised and provided the 275 professional nurses needed. The sample was calculated with a margin of error and an alpha value of 0.05; the researcher needed a minimum of 275 respondents. The researcher selected the respondents utilising non-probability, convenience sampling. Data analysis Data was analysed with the assistance of the statistician, using SPSS version 22. Descriptive statistics were used to explore differences between or among groups (Grove, Burns and Gray 2013: 217). Inferential statistics are used to draw conclusions regarding the differences between groups in the population from which the samples are drawn and the relationship between the variables in the population (Morgan et al. 2015: 84). Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse data in this study. Conclusion and findings It was found that the average professional nurse working in a primary healthcare clinic has 65.8% knowledge and understanding of ASD. Of particular concern is that the majority of respondents 51% (n=141) did not know or understand that the child with autism loves routine which is a key symptom in making a diagnosis of ASD, which may lead to late, or missed diagnosis. Eighty eight percent (n = 242) of respondents felt that they would benefit from further training on the identification and diagnosis of ASD. It was also found that respondents that have completed the Psychiatric Nursing Science course were more knowledgeable about ASD and confident in diagnosing ASD and counselling parents on ASD and available ASD services in the community. Recommendations The researcher recommended that: Autism spectrum disorder to be included in the curriculum for nurses training and that regular in-service training be done to keep the professional nurses up to date with on new information related to ASD. It was also recommended that all children should be screened for ASD at 18 and 24 months at all PHCs in eThekwini district and that posters on the signs and symptoms of ASD should be displayed at primary healthcare clinics in full view of patients, parents and staff

scholarly journals BARRIERS TO ACCESSING MENTAL HEALTH CARE IN THE EASTERN CAPE PROVINCE OF SOUTH AFRICA

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Strümpher ◽  
R.M. Van Rooyen ◽  
K. Topper ◽  
L.M.C. Andersson ◽  
I. Schierenback
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Eastern Cape Province ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
People With Mental Illness ◽  
Professional Nurses

The aim of this study was to explore and describe the perceptions of professional nurses concerning barriers to care for people with mental illness in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. The study was based on a qualitative, explorative and descriptive design.  A total of nine professional nurses working in primary, secondary and tertiary health care facilities were purposively selected. Unstructured interviews were conducted to collect data. Participants’ responses were captured on an audio recorder and later transcribed verbatim.Participants’ responses were then analysed thematically. Two main themes and their related sub-themes were identified. The first theme concerns the perceptions of professional nurses regarding the societal barriers that may hinder people with mental illness from accessing and utilising mental health services. These barriers include socioeconomic hardships, lack of knowledge and insight, lack of family support, embedded cultural beliefs and practices and stigma. The second theme highlights the barriers that professional nurses perceive within the health care system that influence access and utilisation of mental health services. These barriers include inadequate support from stakeholders and leaders in the mental health sector and lack of financial, human and infrastructure resources. Professional nurses made recommendations to improve mental health care. Those of high priority included enhanced mental health literacy among members of the public and a need for mental health stakeholders and leaders to increase their support of the mental health sector in an effort to improve access to mental health care.

scholarly journals Prevalence and factors associated with abdominal obesity among primary health care professional nurses in Eastern Cape, South Africa

2018 ◽  
Vol 60 (5) ◽  
pp. 53
Author(s):  
Sizeka Monakali ◽  
Daniel Ter Goon ◽  
Eunice Seekoe ◽  
Eyitayo Omolara Owolabi
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
Abdominal Obesity ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Height Ratio ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Primary Health Care Professional ◽  
Waist To Height Ratio ◽  
Professional Nurses

Background: Nurses are key stakeholders in health promotion and obesity management, yet a high-risk group for obesity development. This study examined the prevalence and correlates of abdominal obesity among primary health care professional nurses (PHCPNs) in Eastern Cape, South Africa.Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 203 PHCPNs conveniently selected across 41 primary health care facilities in Eastern Cape, South Africa. The WHO STEPwise questionnaire was used for data collection. Abdominal obesity was defined according to the WHO criteria as a waist circumference ≥ 94 cm for men and ≥ 80 cm for women or waist-to-hip ratio ≥ 0.90 in men and ≥ 0.85 in women; and a waist-to-height ratio of 0.50.Results: The prevalence of abdominal obesity ranged from 50%, to 87% to 90%, using waist-to-hip ratio, waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio, respectively. Age, gender and duration of practice were significantly associated with abdominal obesity. After adjusting for potential confounders, only age 30 years (OR = 6.7; 95% CI = 2.4–18.7; p 0.001) and female sex (AOR = 7.9; 95% CI = 2.4–18.7; p 0.001) were independent predictors of obesity.Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of abdominal obesity among PHCPNs in Eastern Cape, South Africa, which was associated with female sex and ageing. This constitutes a potential risk for the healthcare workforce of the province and might be an impediment to adequate conveyance to patients of health education on healthy weight management by the affected nurses. There is an urgent need for appropriate workplace health policies targeted towards the promotion of physical activities, healthy lifestyle and ultimately weight reduction among this group.

scholarly journals Nursing Recommendations for the Management of HIV and Hypertension in a rural Primary Health Care Setting, Eastern Cape, South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lwandile Tokwe ◽  
Joanne Rachel Naidoo
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
Health Education ◽  
Chronic Illnesses ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Co Morbidity ◽  
Professional Nurses

South Africa has an increased number of people living with the human immunodeficiency virus (PLWH). In addition, older PLWH are prone to developing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) as co-morbid illnesses, in particular hypertension. South Africa is experiencing a dual burden of care, that being the co-morbidity of HIV and hypertension. The integration of HIV and non-communicable disease management is needed towards a synergised and comprehensive approach within primary health care (PHC) settings. This article presents nursing recommendations yielded by a descriptive phenomenological study on the management of HIV and hypertension in a rural PHC context. A qualitative research approach, using Husserl’s descriptive phenomenology, was employed, and data were gathered using semi-structured interviews. The interviews were conducted by the first author at Sakhisizwe sub-district clinics, Eastern Cape. Purposive sampling was used to select nine participants. Giorgi’s phenomenological steps underpinned data analysis. Six nursing recommendations were developed to support professional nurses in the management of the co-morbidity of HIV and hypertension: 1) disease-specific health education as opposed to generic health education; 2) utilisation of existing programmes on the integration and management of chronic illnesses; 3) creating social support platforms or spaces; 4) referral pathways; 5) surveillance and monitoring; and 6) management of disease-related stigma. Professional nurses working in PHC clinics have several guidelines to manage chronic illnesses. However, there are limited nursing recommendations on how to manage the co-morbidity of HIV and hypertension. This study focused on a smaller sample of nine participants, in one sub-district and in one district.  

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