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 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 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 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 Covid-19 Pandemic in South Africa: An Exploration on Citizen Adherence to Protocols and Communication

2021 ◽  
Vol 73 (1-3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lungisani Moyo
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Phase 1 ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Research Strategy ◽  
Crisis Leadership ◽  
Eastern Cape Province ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Awareness Campaigns ◽  
The Masses

This paper sought to explore the general public’s response to the national communications about COVID-19 in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. A qualitative research strategy was utilised to conduct fieldwork in Scenery Park Phase 1 and 2 locations in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality in King Williams town CBD, and Alice town CBD in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa to understand the context of the participants. Exploratory and descriptive approaches were used in this study. Data collection was cross-sectional as information was gathered once through face-to-face interviews with purposively selected 30 community members and leaders, 10 from each location. The findings indicated that, dissemination of information about COVID-19 was ineffective and inadequate for little was done to address the illiterate population. The study recommends the training and development of crisis leadership competencies as a proactive measure. The study also recommends spirited awareness campaigns ahead of an impending disaster to fully educate and empower the masses.

scholarly journals Characterizations of Bacterial Vaginosis among HIV-Positive and HIV-Negative Women in Rural Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Teke Apalata ◽  
Sandisiwe Nojaholo ◽  
Ikanyeng D. Seipone ◽  
Ntombizodumo Nxasana
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Bacterial Vaginosis ◽  
Health Centre ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Antibiotic Use ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
Eastern Cape Province ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Hiv Negative

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is extremely common among the African population and is associated with the transmission and acquisition of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and characteristics of BV among HIV-infected and -uninfected women in rural Eastern Cape province of South Africa. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between September 2017 and March 2018 on women aged 18 years and above (n = 100), attending Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital and Ngangelizwe Community Health Centre with signs and symptoms suggestive of vaginal infection. High vaginal swabs were collected, and BV was diagnosed using Nugent’s score. The prevalence rate of BV was 70% irrespective of HIV status. Of the 61 HIV-infected patients, 49 (80.3%) and 12 (19.7%) were BV positive and BV negative, respectively; whilst of the 39 HIV-uninfected women, 21 (53.8%) and 18 (46.2%) were BV positive and BV negative, respectively (OR = 3.5; CI: 1.4–8.5; p = 0.005 ). Women aged above 35 years were highly likely to develop BV ( p = 0.049 ). The presence of Mobiluncus species (>25 per high microscopic field) was significantly associated with BV among HIV-infected patients ( p = 0.030 ). A recent history of antibiotic use (≤3 months) was significantly associated with BV among HIV-negative patients ( p = 0.044 ). This study shows that BV is more prevalent among HIV-positive women than their HIV-negative counterparts, and its occurrence is higher among those aged above 35 years. The predominance of Mobiluncus species in the vagina microbiota of HIV-infected women might play a significant role in the development of BV. These findings suggest that the treatment of BV could restore normal flora and reduce susceptibility to and transmission of HIV.

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