scholarly journals Protecting documents against disasters and theft : the challenge before the public libraries in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

2013 ◽  
Vol 72 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick Ngulube ◽  
Lindiwe Magazi
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
The Public ◽  
Kwazulu Natal

scholarly journals Membership of the Library and Information Association of South Africa (LIASA) among library and information service workers in KwaZulu-Natal

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Musawenkosi Phumelelo Khomo
Keyword(s):  
Public Libraries ◽  
Information Service ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Simple Random Sampling ◽  
Support Staff ◽  
Public Higher Education ◽  
Service Workers ◽  
The Public ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
Self Administered Questionnaire

The objectives of the study were: 1) to investigate the extent to which workers in library and information services in KwaZulu-Natal are members of LIASA; and 2) if there are substantial numbers of LIS workers who are not currently members, then what are the possible reasons for this? The study surveyed three types of library services in KwaZulu-Natal, namely, academic, public and special libraries with 330 LIS workers participating in the study. A census was done of LIS workers in special libraries and in academic libraries of public higher education institutions in KZN. Simple random sampling was used in selecting public libraries in KZN for participation in the study. All staff in the selected sample of public libraries were surveyed. The research instrument used was a self-administered questionnaire. It was established that a significant number of LIS workers in all three types of libraries surveyed in KZN are currently not members of LIASA for various reasons. LIASA has been unable to draw significant membership from the support staff category in LIS services despite its constitution claiming to embrace all LIS workers. The study recommends that LIASA market itself more aggressively to increase membership levels particularly in the public library sector and among support staff in all LIS services. It also recommends that LIASA should consider involving itself in the industrial concerns of the LIS sector.

scholarly journals A qualitative study of the factors influencing the global migration of anatomical pathologists in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

2014 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nadeem Cassim ◽  
Shaun Ruggunan
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Human Resources For Health ◽  
The United States ◽  
Human Relations ◽  
Global Migration ◽  
The Public ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
Insight Into

Background: The aim of the present study was to identify the factors that influence the global migration of South African anatomical pathologists working in the province of KwaZulu-Natal.Objective: The present study answered the question ‘what factors influence Kwazulu-Natal-based histopathologists to emigrate out of South Africa?’, thus providing insight into an under-researched medical specialisation.Methods: A qualitative approach and purposive sampling were used. Data included 11 in-depth interviews with histopathologists working in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), and one interview with a former KZN-based histopathologist now working in the United States. The interviews were recorded and transcribed. The data were coded for patterns, and these patterns generated themes. The processes of coding and thematic generation were iterative.Results: Six themes were discovered from the data. Of these, five themes suggested reasons for the potential emigration of histopathologists. These included: lack of recognition by clinical doctors, lack of career-pathing opportunities, the deterrent of compulsory service in the public sector upon qualifying, socio-economic and political instability in South Africa, and endemic levels of crime. A sixth theme revealed that remuneration was not a deciding factor as to whether histopathologists choose to emigrate.Conclusions: Remuneration was not revealed to be a reason for emigration, as these specialists’ salaries are commensurate with global salaries. The findings, whilst not generalisable, suggest that more work needs to be done on the human relations aspects of retention for these medical specialists. This has implications for human resources for health policy. Agtergrond: Die doel van hierdie artikel is om die faktore te identifiseer wat die globale migrasie van Suid-Afrikaanse anatomiese patoloë wat in die provinsie van KwaZulu-Natal werk, beïnvloed.Doelwit: Hierdie artikel beantwoord die vraag: ‘Watter faktore beïnvloed histopatoloë wat in KwaZulu-Natal gebaseer is om uit Suid-Afrika te migreer?’, en verskaf sodoende insig in ’n ondernagevorste mediese spesialisasie.Metodes: ’n Kwalitatiewe benadering en doelgerigte steekproefneming is gebruik. Die data het 11 diepgaande onderhoude met histopatoloë wat in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) werk en een onderhoud met ’n voormalige KZN-gebaseerde histopatoloog wat nou in die Verenigde State werk, ingesluit. Die onderhoude is opgeneem en getranskribeer. Die data is vir patrone gekodeer en hierdie patrone het temas gegenereer. Die koderingsproses en tematiese generering was herhalend.Resultate: Ses temas is in hierdie data ontdek. Hiervan het vyf temas redes vir die moontlike migrasie van histopatoloë voorgestel. Dit sluit in gebrek aan erkenning deur kliniese dokters, gebrek aan loopbaangeleenthede, die afskrikmiddel van verpligte diens in die openbare sektor na kwalifisering, sosio-ekonomiese en politieke onstabiliteit in Suid-Afrika, en endemiese misdaadvlakke. ’n Sesde tema het aan die lig gebring dat vergoeding nie ’n beslissende faktor is in histopatoloë se keuse om te migreer nie.Gevolgtrekkings: Vergoeding blyk nie ’n rede vir migrasie te wees nie, aangesien die salarisse van hierdie spesialiste in ooreenstemming met globale salarisse is. Hoewel dit nie veralgemeenbaar is nie, stel die bevindings voor dat meer werk aan die menseverhouding-aspekte gedoen moet word om hierdie mediese spesialiste te behou. Dit het implikasies vir menslike hulpbronne in gesondheidsbeleid.

scholarly journals Perceptions, expectations and experiences of first time chiropractic patients when consulting chiropractic students at a teaching clinic in KwaZulu-Natal

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Jamie Sarah Robbertze
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Chiropractic Care ◽  
The Body ◽  
Chiropractic Profession ◽  
Population Groups ◽  
The Public ◽  
Teaching Clinic ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
Chiropractic Students ◽  
First Time

The focus of the chiropractic profession is to diagnose, treat and prevent mechanical disorders which affect the neuromusculoskeletal system of the body. Chiropractic is a young profession in South Africa as law only recognized chiropractors as recently as 1971. As a result, perceptions of chiropractic are continually evolving as it gains popularity among the public. Despite its growth to date, further expansion of the profession may be limited due to its isolation from the public health care system of South Africa. This study aimed to determine the demographics, perceptions, expectations and experiences of first time chiropractic patients who consulted chiropractic students at a teaching clinic in KwaZulu-Natal. This information may allow identification of requirements for improved clinical outcomes of first time chiropractic patients and clinical practice of chiropractors and the chiropractic profession. This qualitative study utilized an exploratory and descriptive design. This methodology was chosen for its potential to reveal a deeper understanding of the fundamentals of chiropractic. Data collection involved semi-structured interviews with fourteen first time chiropractic patients who presented to the Durban University of Technology (DUT) Chiropractic Day Clinic (CDC). Interviews were voice recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed which resulted in eight themes with numerous subthemes. These were explored and demographic characteristics of participants were determined to fulfil the objectives of the study. Eight participants were male and six were female. Most were aged in their thirties, forties or fifties. With regards to population groups, six participants were Black/African, three were Indian, three were Coloured and two were White. Half the participants had medical aid and most were professionals, technicians and associate professionals and services and sales workers. The understanding of chiropractic and chiropractic care theme revealed a limited awareness and understanding of chiropractic, perceptions of the chiropractic scope of practice and beliefs regarding chiropractic care for special population groups. The care-seeking influential factors theme indicated that the reasons chiropractic care was sought were: soreness, trusted suggestions and unsuitable alternative care options. The experience anticipations theme showed that some participants had indistinct ideas prior to their experiences while others had conceived expectations for the chiropractic care. The consultation outcomes theme indicated expectations for improvement in presenting complaints as well as occurrence of adverse reactions. The origins of beliefs theme revealed that perceptions and expectations of chiropractic were formed from accessible information as well as the first time chiropractic consultation experience. Professional and unprofessional aspects of the DUT CDC environment were discussed in the first impressions theme. The chiropractic care theme explored experiences of the thorough and detailed examination, feelings of fear and apprehension and trust and comfort, patient centered care, effectiveness of the treatment and pain and adverse effects. The last theme, experience reflections, demonstrates the extent to which expectations were met, aspects of the experience which could be improved and desires to return to and recommend the DUT CDC to others.

scholarly journals The management of diabetic retinopathy in the public sector of eThekwini district of KwaZulu-Natal

2016 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zaheera Abdool ◽  
Kovin Naidoo ◽  
Linda Visser
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Diabetic Retinopathy ◽  
Public Sector ◽  
Fundus Photography ◽  
Screening Methods ◽  
Initial Examination ◽  
District Health ◽  
Ocular Complications ◽  
The Public ◽  
Kwazulu Natal

Background: Estimates from the year 1990–2010 showed an increase in blindness and vision impairment (moderate or severe) because of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in Sub-Saharan Africa’s sub-regions (central, eastern, southern and western Africa).1 The rate of DR in South Africa is expected to increase because of the lack of screening protocols and policies for the management of diabetic eye disease in the district health system of South Africa. Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine the current role of healthcare practitioners (HCPs) towards managing DR in the eThekwini district of KwaZulu-Natal.Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted, and questionnaires were distributed to a total of 104 HCPs in public health institutions situated in the northern eThekwini district of KwaZulu-Natal. Clinics and community health centres (CHCs) were selected based on the assumption that primary healthcare nurses, medical officers (MOs) and ophthalmic nurses and/or optometrists practice at these institutions. The hospitals selected were the referral institutions for the selected clinics and CHCs. The questionnaires distributed included questions relating to diabetic patient registers, referrals to and from other HCPs, management of ocular complications, ocular screening methods, fundus examinations and involvement in screening programmes.Results: Over a third of the ophthalmologists (35.3%) indicated that DR was present at the initial examination in more than 50% of patients, though overall ophthalmologists reported loss of vision in at least one eye in fewer than 5% of patients on presentation. Less than half of the public sector general practitioners or MOs (40.6%) conducted fundus examinations but 90.6% did not dilate pupils, although 71.9% had knowledge on the use of a direct ophthalmoscope. Only 40.6% of the MOs discussed the ocular complications of uncontrolled diabetes mellitus (DM) with patients and 62.5% encouraged regular eye examinations. Less than 50% of the MOs (43.8%) referred patients complaining of visual difficulties to optometrists and 9.4% referred to the ophthalmic nurses. Only 6.25% referred patients with DM needing further evaluation to ophthalmologists. Data from the optometrists were inconclusive because of the poor response rate of 5 (20%). None of the ophthalmic nurses reported doing fundus photography or refractions. Two-thirds of the ophthalmic nurses were interested in training to properly grade DR.Conclusion: The study established that there are key challenges in referral, training and practice in the management of DR. These need to be addressed in order to develop a comprehensive approach for the prevention and management of visual impairment and blindness because of DM.

scholarly journals Antimicrobial stewardship in South Africa: a scoping review of the published literature

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarentha Chetty ◽  
Millidhashni Reddy ◽  
Yogandree Ramsamy ◽  
Anushka Naidoo ◽  
Sabiha Essack
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Medical Journal ◽  
South African ◽  
Antimicrobial Stewardship ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Screening Process ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
The Public ◽  
Kwazulu Natal

Abstract Objectives To map published data of antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) interventions that are currently being carried out in hospitals and clinics in the public and private health sectors of South Africa in line with the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) strategy of South Africa. Methods A systematic scoping review was conducted to identify AMS initiatives in the public and private health sectors of South Africa for the period 1 January 2000 to 31 March 2019. An electronic search of databases was made including PubMed, Scopus, a key medical journal (South African Medical Journal), University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) WorldCat iCatalogue and AMR networks: Federation of Infectious Diseases Societies in South Africa (FIDSSA). Reference lists of published articles were also reviewed for inclusion. Keywords included ‘antimicrobial antibiotic stewardship South Africa’. Findings Of a total of 411 articles, using a stepwise screening process, 18 articles were selected for inclusion in the review. The interventions/initiatives were divided into four broad categories: (i) AMS intervention: prescription audits and usage; (ii) AMS intervention: education and its impact; (iii) other AMS interventions; and (iv) the role of different healthcare professionals in AMS. Conclusions The data identifies a need for and the value of AMS in both the public and private health sectors of South Africa. Initiatives are carried out across both sectors but more attention needs to be focused on AMS implementation in line with the National AMR Strategy of South Africa. Collaboration between the different sectors will aid in overcoming the AMR challenge.

scholarly journals Dynamics and Complexities of Work Based Education in the Context of Technical, Vocational and Training Colleges

2021 ◽  
Vol 73 (1-3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sunday Olawale Olaniran
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Vocational Education And Training ◽  
New Host ◽  
The Public ◽  
Clear Vision ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
Skills Mismatch ◽  
And Training

Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in South Africa has undergone major institutional, structural and curricular changes over the last twenty-seven years. At the centre of these changes lie skills mismatch and poor quality of graduates who have gone through Work Based Education (WBE) experience. This study was conducted on two campuses of one of the public TVET colleges in northern KwaZulu-Natal Province of South Africa. This mixed-method study used purposive sampling to identify the sample size of 21 participants, which comprised campus managers, senior lecturers and WBE champions. The findings revealed that the college management is failing to give necessary support to the implementers on the ground to carry out the WBE programme. Findings also revealed that the college management seems not to fully comprehend their role in enforcing compliance with the regulation guiding the WBE implementation. The need to strengthen ties with existing host employers and to recruit new host employers to address a serious shortage in graduate placement is evident. The study recommends that a clear vision for the implementation of WBE be prioritised and communicated to all stakeholders for effective implementation of the programme.

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