31 research outputs found
Existing and evolving in two minds : beliefs in relation to health and illness expressed by older South Africans
The aim of the study was to illuminate beliefs in relation to health and illness expressed by
older Africans within the context of a society in transition, namely South Africa. An ethnographic
research approach influenced by the interpretive phenomenological tradition was selected to
gain an understanding of the participants’ experiences. A focused ethnographic design was
employed, using group and individual in-depth interviews and participant observations. Sixteen
elderly persons (ten females and six males) from Hammanskraal, a rural area north of Pretoria,
were involved in the research. The findings illuminate a world understanding where body and
mind are inseparable and relationships provide the foundation for improving and maintaining
health and being cured from illness. The ongoing transition that the elderly in South Africa
experience influences health and illness beliefs, with a need to adapt to existing parallel health
care systems, Western biomedicine and African traditional medicine. As the study draws
attention to the importance of caring for the elderly to be contextualised, it is recommended
that the care of the elderly be applied to the unique needs of the individual involved. Failure to
do so may otherwise have severe consequences such as an apparent high risk of developing
stereotypes, which can lead to cultural misunderstandings, prejudice and discrimination.The research was funded by grants from the Nordic
Africa Institute, Uppsala, Sweden and Blekinge Institute of Technology, Sweden.http://www.unisa.ac.za/Default.asp?Cmd=ViewContent&ContentID=24782http://reference.sabinet.co.za/sa_epublication/ajnmam201
Elderly South Africans in transition : The daily life circumstances, beliefs concerning health and illness and the influences on caring and family structure
Elderly South Africans in transition the daily life circumstances,
beliefs concerning health and illlness and the influences on caring and
family structure. The overall aim of this thesis was to shed light on
different aspects of elderly South Africans experiences in a transitional
period in order to reach culturally contextual knowledge within
gerontological care. The research objectives were to: identify and
describe daily life and related concerns and interests as expressed by a
group of elderly (I), illuminate how a group of elderly South Africans
experience being old in a transitional period. (II), Study how a group of
aged South Africans and their family members describe their
intergenerational relations in a transitional period i.e. from a
traditional to an industrialized society and how the transition influence
the care of the aged in the extended family (III), illuminate beliefs in
relation to health and illness expressed by elderly Africans within a
South African context, in light of a society in transition (IV). The
research takes an ethnographic approach concerned with the perspective of
individuals; the life world and the lived body of an individual, to
enable an in-depth understanding of the influence of culture and an
understanding of the processes by which people develop meaning in their
daily lives, acknowledging the existing mutual influence between the
world, context, and the individual. Two analysis methods were used:
qualitative content analysis (I-III), and interpretive phenomenology
(IV). Altogether sixteen elderly individuals were engaged in the research
project, including ten females and six males (aged 52-76 years) (I-IV).
In study II-IV individual in depth interviews were conducted with
altogether ten elderly, nine female and one male participant from
previous group interviews. In study III, nine elderly female from
previous groups and individual interviews were engaged together with
thirteen family members. The results show four main themes: Being old in
a changing society, Interpersonal and intergenerational relations,
Reciprocal care and Beliefs in a transitional period. The participants
are reflecting on life and the changes that occurred during their life
span and they return to disappointments and enjoyments in life (II). They
express a growing frustration due to their powerlessness of not knowing
what will happen to themselves and their family members also the loss of
cultural norms and values are of great concern among the participants (I,
II, III). Relations are essential in the lives of the participants and
are viewed as a reassurance of support and care within the extended
family (III). Interpersonal have a essential position in relation to
health and illness, where illness may be caused due to disrupted
interpersonal relations and on the other hand keeps one healthy when
experiencing good relationships (II, IV). Caring is closely linked to
respect and the role of reciprocity is emphasized (II, III). Believing is
seen as an essential source for improving and maintaining health and
being cured. Being sick is normal and suffering and illness is perceived
as both natural and a way of purification. HIV/AIDS is regarded as a new
and modern disease, but the consequences of it cannot be explained
through normal reasoning of an illness making a person stronger and is
instead explained as misfortune or bad luck (IV). The overall conclusion
of the thesis is the importance of contextualized gerontological care and
to acknowledge individuals beliefs in relation to health and illness. It
further sheds light on the need of an African approach to gerontological
care and the necessitate to be sensitive to local conditions. In a wider
perspective the findings of this thesis can be used in education to
create understanding for the life world of an individual and the
importance of being aware of a person s cultural, socio-economical,
spiritual and environmental circumstance to avoid the notion of otherness
in caring
An online learning module improves specialist palliative care nurses' pain assessments and patient-reported pain.
Commentary on: Phillips JL, Heneka N, Hickman L, et al. Impact of a novel online learning module on specialist palliative care nurses’ pain assessment competencies and patients’ reports of pain: Results from a quasi-experimental pilot study. Palliat Med 2014;28:521–9
An online learning module improves specialist palliative care nurses' pain assessments and patient-reported pain.
Commentary on: Phillips JL, Heneka N, Hickman L, et al. Impact of a novel online learning module on specialist palliative care nurses’ pain assessment competencies and patients’ reports of pain: Results from a quasi-experimental pilot study. Palliat Med 2014;28:521–9
Primary healthcare nurses' experiences of physical activity referrals: an interview study.
Aim The aim of this study is to illuminate primary health care (PHC) nurses' experiences of physical activity referrals (PARs)
Public health care nurses' views of mothers' mental health in paediatric healthcare services: a qualitative study.
Aim To investigate public health nurses' perceptions and experiences of mental health and of the prevention of mental ill health among women postpartum, within paediatric healthcare services