Knowledge and Attitudes of Women towards Human Papilloma Virus and HPV Vaccine in Thulamela Municipality of Vhembe District in Limpopo Province, South Africa

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted viral infection. HPV can cause cervical cancer and other cancers of the genitals, neck and throat. Two HPV vaccines are available, Cervarix and Gardasil, which are the first vaccines directed at the prevention of cervical cancer. The purpose of the study was to assess the knowledge of human papilloma virus and HPV vaccine among rural women in Vhembe district in Limpopo Province. A quantitative descriptive approach was adopted. The quantitative design enabled the discovery of more information by means of direct questioning of a sample of women 30years and older. A convenience sampling was used to select 1546 respondents. Data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences. The findings revealed that (97.8%) of women lacked knowledge about Human Papilloma Virus and HPV vaccine and were also not aware of the transmission methods of HPV virus. Furthermore (94.3%) were not aware who was eligible for HPV vaccine and the age range for vaccination and (92.1%) displayed negative attitudes to the use of vaccines if given a pamphlet to let their daughters be immunized. The awareness on human papilloma virus and HPV vaccine among women in Vhembe district is limited. There is a need to educate and promote awareness on cervical cancer screening methods among women to reduce the burden of morbidity and mortality.Keywords: Attitudes, Cervical cancer, Knowledge, Human Papilloma Virus, Human Papilloma Vaccin

Challenges experienced by health care professionals working in resource-poor intensive care settings in the Limpopo province of South Africa

Background: Providing optimal care to critically ill patients poses challenges in resource-poor settings because of the lack of equipment, inadequately trained personnel and limited infrastructure. Objectives: This study explored challenges experienced by health care professionals working in resource-poor intensive care units. Method: A qualitative, explorative, descriptive design was used. The population comprised nurses and doctors working in an intensive care unit of one hospital in the Limpopo province of South Africa. A purposive sample was selected and 17 semi-structured interviews were conducted. Data were analysed using Tesch’s method. Ethical considerations were adhered to. Results: Participants experienced challenges related to provision of suboptimal patient care, the challenge of non-adherence to protocols and/or instructions and the challenge of practising beyond the scope of practice. Conclusion: Lack of resources resulted in providing suboptimal intensive patient care. Patients were prone to infections and their safety might be compromised

Factors contributing to the low uptake of medical male circumcision in Mutare Rural District, Zimbabwe

Background: Medical male circumcision (MMC) has become a significant dimension of HIV prevention interventions, after the results of three randomised controlled trials in Uganda, South Africa and Kenya demonstrated that circumcision has a protective effect against contracting HIV of up to 60%. Following recommendations by the World Health Organization, Zimbabwe in 2009 adopted voluntary MMC as an additional HIV prevention strategy to the existing ABC behaviour change model. Purpose: The purpose of this study is thus to investigate the factors contributing to the low uptake of MMC. Methods: The study was a quantitative cross-sectional survey conducted in Mutare rural district, Zimbabwe. Questionnaires with open- and closed-ended questions were administered to the eligible respondents. The target population were male participants aged 15–29 who met the inclusion criteria. The households were systematically selected with a sample size of 234. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences was used to analyse the data. Results: Socioculturally, circumcised men are viewed as worthless (37%), shameful (30%) and are tainted as promiscuous (20%), psychological factors reported were infection and delayed healing (39%), being ashamed and dehumanised (58%), stigmatised and discriminated (40.2%) and fear of having an erection during treatment period (89.7%) whilst socio-economic factors were not having time, as it will take their time from work (58%) and complications may arise leading to spending money on treatment (84%). Conclusion: Knowledge deficits regarding male medical circumcision lead to low uptake, education on male medical circumcision and its benefits. Comprehensive sexual health education should target men and dispel negative attitudes related to the use of health services. Keywords: Factors, Low uptake, Medical Male Circumcision (MMC

Managing hypertensive disorders during pregnancy in low resource settings

BACKGROUND : Maternal deaths caused by hypertensive disorders are preventable. The purpose was to assess midwives’ perceived knowledge and skills on the implementation of maternal health guidelines when managing hypertensive disorders during pregnancy. METHODS : Quantitative, cross-sectional method was used. Population comprised of 200 midwives. Data was collected through self-report questionnaires and analysed through Statistical Package for Social Sciences 24. RESULTS : Midwives (63.5%) possessed knowledge and skills of implementing maternal guidelines. While 77.5% experienced shortage of human and material resources. Non-compliance to ambulance services led to delayed initiation of treatment. RECOMMENDATIONS : Continuous in-service training and education must be conducted. More resources to be provided to implement guidelines accurately.The South African Medical Research Council and the University of Venda Research and Publication Committee.https://www.tandfonline.com/loi/ihip20hj2019Nursing Scienc

Exploring gender and cultural factors associated with sexual health communication in The era of HIV/AIDS: Implications for sexual health interventions

Societal orientation places expectations about what it means to be a man and a woman, thus gender has a  powerful influence on sexual behavior. Gender stereotypes of submissive females and powerful males can  hinder communication and encourage risky behavior and increase vulnerability to sexual health threats such as STIs including HIV. Sexual communication within unions is a crucial issue. Many African women face  inequitable sexual relations, the nature of their sexual bond with a partner seem to affect their sexual decision-making. Power inequity, emotional and financial dependence seem to present significant obstacles to sexual decision-making. The study intended to explore and describe the extent culture and gender influences communication relating to sexual health and health seeking behaviours within communities in Thulamela B municipality in Vhembe district, Limpopo Province. A qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual research approach was used. Data was collected by means of in-depth individual interviews and focus group discussions. A purposive sampling method was used to sample thirty participants, seven for interviews and twenty-three for focus group discussions.Keywords: Culture, gender, sexual communication, sexual health, sexually transmitted infections, HIV and AIDS and HCT

Menstrual knowledge and practices of female adolescents in Vhembe district, Limpopo Province, South Africa

Background: Although sexual issues are openly discussed in the media, sexuality and reproductive functions are treated as taboo. Menstruation is a normal physiologic process, but carries various meanings within cultures and is rarely discussed amongst families and communities.Purpose: This study sought to assess the knowledge and practices of secondary school girls towards menstruation in the Thulamela municipality of Limpopo Province, South Africa. Methods: A quantitative descriptive study design was used and respondents were selected by means of convenience sampling from a population of secondary school girls. The sample consisted of 273 secondary school girls doing Grades 10–12. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data, which was analysed by computing frequencies and percentages using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 12). Findings: The findings revealed that respondents experienced menarche at 13 years and that menstruation is a monthly bleeding (80%) that happens to every female; it is a sign of adulthood (91%). 15% reported that it is the removal of dirt from the stomach and abdomen, 67% indicated the source of menstruation being the uterus, 65% the vagina and 13% from the abdomen. 73% reported having fear and anxiety at the first experience of bleeding and that they could not maintain adequate hygienic practices due to a lack of privacy and sanitarytowels. Conclusion: Interventions are needed to increase girls’ opportunities to discuss menstruation and access information from adults including mothers, parents and guardians. School-based sexuality education should be comprehensive, begin early and be regularly repeated

Caring for Tuberculosis Patients: Understanding the Plight of Nurses at a Regional Hospital in Limpopo Province, South Africa

Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease which is caused by a relatively large, non-motile, rod-shaped pathogen called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. TB is a major cause of illness and death worldwide, especially in Asia and Africa. Despite the fact that TB is a curable illness, the tragedy is that TB remains the biggest killer in the world as a single pathogen. The aim of this study was to determine the experiences of nurses caring for TB patients at a regional hospital in Limpopo Province, South Africa. Qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive designs were used. A non-probability purposive sampling method was used to select the participants. The personal experiences of six nurses with more than five years’ experience caring for TB patients at a regional hospital were explored, and it was guided by data saturation. Data were collected through in-depth individual interviews. Data were analyzed using Colaizzi’s method. Trustworthiness was ensured and ethical considerations were observed in this study. The research findings revealed six major themes from the raw data: challenges of the working environment, problems impacting on the quality of nursing care, fear, anxiety, stress and risk of contracting infection, nurses’ perceptions towards patients, support structure available in the hospital, and support needs for the nurses. Therefore, there is an urgent need to address the challenges experienced by nurses caring for communicable diseases through provision of a positive practice work environment

Knowledge, attitudes and practice of secondary school girls towards contraception in Limpopo Province

Unplanned teenage pregnancy constitutes an important health problem, whilst contraceptive services are free throughout South Africa and the number of Termination of Pregnancy (TOP) services is increasing. The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of secondary school girls towards contraception in Thulamela Municipality of Limpopo Province, South Africa. A quantitative descriptive study design was used and respondents were selected by convenience sampling from a population of secondary school girls, the sample consisting of 273 girls in Grades 10–12. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data and analysed by computing frequencies and percentages using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences. Findings showed that respondents were aware of different contraceptive methods that can prevent pregnancy. However, most did not have knowledge of the emergency contraceptive, intra-uterine device and female condom. Pressure from male partners, fear of parental reaction to the use of contraceptives, reluctance to use contraceptives, poor contraceptive education and lack of counselling were seen as the main causes of ineffective contraceptive use and non-utilisation. Possible modalities of intervention deal with providing contraceptive counselling and care to empower these school girls to make informed choices on reproductive health

Risky sexual behaviour amongst students at a training college in Vhembe District of Limpopo Province, South Africa

Multiple sexual partners, unprotected sex and transactional sex are considered risky sexual behaviours worldwide and continue to pose risks of sexually transmitted infections, unwanted pregnancy as well as increased termination of pregnancy amongst young people. Risky sexual behaviour amongst college is a problem experienced by college students in South Africa. The reported study was aimed at determining risky sexual behaviour amongst students at a training college. We used a descriptive, cross-sectional survey design to describe factors associated with risky sexual behaviour among students. The targeted population was the registered students at a training college in Vhembe District. Since the population of registered students at Mashamba College was only 787, a total population sample was used to avoid sampling bias. Self-administered questionnaires with close-ended questions were administered to 307 students who were available on campus during data collection. Out of 307 students, 217(70.3%) were females and 90 (29.3%) were males. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 23.0 was used to manage and analyze the data. The study results revealed that students were engaging in risky sexual behaviours such as multiple sexual partnerships, unprotected sexual intercourse and transactional sex. Out of 307 students, 54 (61.2%) were found to be having multiple sexual partners as compared to 107(54.2%) female students. Students aged 21-24 years 98(31.9%) were having multiple sexual partners. Forty-six (15%) of students were engaging in transactional sex. The study further reveals that sexual orientation contributes to students engaging in risky sexual behaviour. The students who reported that they were bisexual, gay or lesbian 33 (84.6%) were not using condoms.Keywords: bisexual, sexual orientation, lesbian, transactional se

Knowledge, attitudes and practices toward breast cancer screening in a rural South African community

Objectives: The study assessed the knowledge, attitudes and breast cancer screening practices amongst women aged 30–65 years residing in a rural South African community. Method: A quantitative, descriptive cross-sectional design was used and a systematic sampling technique was employed to select 150 participants. The questionnaire was pretested for validity and consistency. Ethical considerations were adhered to in protecting the rights of participants. Thereafter, data were collected and analysed descriptively using the Predictive Analytics Software program. Results: Findings revealed that the level of knowledge about breast cancer of women in Makwarani Community was relatively low. The attitude toward breast cancer was negative whereas the majority of women had never performed breast cancer diagnostic methods. Conclusion: Health education on breast cancer screening practices is lacking and the knowledge deficit can contribute negatively to early detection of breast cancer and compound late detection. Based on the findings, community-based intervention was recommended in order to bridge the knowledge ga