Religiosity as a protective factor against alcohol and substance use among first-year students in a South African University

Religiosity modulates many aspects of human behaviour. However, there is paucity of empirical studies examining the protective effects of religiosity on alcohol and substance use among first-year students in South African universities. This study therefore assessed the protective effects of religiosity on alcohol and substance use among first-year students in a South African university. A total of 348 first-year students were purposively sampled for the study which lasted for 30 days. Results revealed that alcohol consumption, tobacco smoking, use of cannabis and any substance were 60.1%, 31.5%, 23.3%, and 36.9% respectively. High religiosity scores conferred  protectives effects on alcohol consumption, (OR=0.33, p<0.01), tobacco (0.23, p<0.01), and on the use of any substance (0.38, p<.021). Being a male student, residing with parents and living in an urban area were associated with increased odds of alcohol use. Age and fathers’ educational level were predictive of likelihood to use tobacco. The use of marijuana was associated with being a male student. Use of any substance was associated with being a male student and residing in the urban area. The current findings suggest that religiosity had restrictive role on alcohol consumption and substances use. Parental factors underscored the use of substances among the study population. Keywords: Religiosity, alcohol, substance use, protective factors, university student

Patterns of substance use and its predictors among North-West University students Mafikeng campus

The aim of this study was to examine the pattern of substance use among university students in South Africa. A cross-sectional study of randomly selected 416 students was conducted. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression. The result of the study indicated that current alcohol use was reported by 67.5%, Cigarette, 21.4%, cannabis, 17.3% and glue 2.9%. Alcohol consumption was associated with sex, age, religious affiliation, home language, family influence, and substance experimentation. Sex and substance experimentation were predictors of cigarette smoking. Cannabis use was associated with respondent’s sociocultural group and family influence. There is need to strengthen the family structure of homes as present substance use is rooted in family influences. Educational programmes that emphasise the dangers of experimenting with substance to young people may have great potential in minimizing substance use.Keywords: pattern, psychoactive, substance use, peer pressure, experimentin

Factors contributing to teenage pregnancy in the Capricorn district of the Limpopo Province

Original research Journal article, 5 p. Published in Curationis 35(1), Metadata creation was based on submitted article.Teenage pregnancy refers to pregnancy of a woman of less than 19 years. It is found commonly amongst young people who have been disadvantaged and have poor expectations with regard to either their education or job market. Adolescents may lack knowledge of access to conventional methods of preventing pregnancy, as they may be afraid to seek such information. The study purpose was to identify factors contributing to teenage pregnancy in one village in the Capricorn District of the Limpopo Province. A quantitative descriptive research approach was chosen. Population consisted of all pregnant teenagers attending antenatal care during June to August 2007 at one clinic in the Capricorn District of the Limpopo Province. Simple random probability sampling was used to include 100 pregnant teenagers who satisfied the inclusion criteria. Data were collected through structured self-administered questionnaires. Descriptive statistical data analysis was used. Ethical considerations were ensured. Findings were classified as demographic data where 24% of the respondents were aged between 15–16 years and 76% were aged between 17–19 years. Findings further revealed that 60% of the respondents started to engage in sex at 13–15 years; 48% of the teenagers’ partners were 21 years and above, 44% depended on a single parents’ income; 20% father’s income, 16% received a social grant and 8% lived on the pension fund of the grandparents. Pregnancy prevention strategies were recommended based on the results. The strategies focused on reproductive health services, male involvement and adult-teenager communication programmes

Women’s perceived barriers to accessing post-abortion care services in selected districts in Kwazulu natal province, South Africa: a qualitative study

Background: Despite different interventions to curb unwanted pregnancies, repositioning Family Planning and post-abortion care services as critical priorities in health programme in Kwa-Zulu Natal, women are still admitted with induced abortion complications. Aim: The aim was to explore challenges experienced by women who are accessing post-abortion care services at selected public hospitals. Methods: A qualitative explorative, descriptive, and contextual approach was used. The population comprised all women who presented with incomplete abortion and had accessed PAC services in the selected hospitals. Purposive convenience sampling was used to select the 23 participants. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with all participants on discharge and analysed through open-coding method. Trustworthiness was ensured, by considering the criteria of credibility, dependability, applicability, and transferability. Ethical considerations were secured by requesting consent and permission to conduct the study. All interviews were voluntarily conducted following the ethically approved informed consent, anonymity and confidentiality were maintained. Findings: Three themes emerged reflecting challenges from women’s perspectives on accessing post abortion care. These themes were: transportation barriers, stigma, and mistreatment (lack of analgesics, early discharge). Conclusion: Conclusion showed the description of perceived barriers and experiences related to accessing, seeking and care received during the process of PAC. Inaccessibility to PAC was due to poor road, poor mode, lack of transport and long distance from the community to the hospital, long waiting queues, stigma, and discrimination. The PAC services should be accessible with the increased number of facilities and adequately trained staff with functional equipment and guidelines. Value clarification workshops for health professionals are essential

Causes of maternal deaths in a tertiary hospital in Limpopo Province, South Africa : Healthcare professionals’ perspective

Published in: African Journal for Physical, Health Education, Recreation and Dance (AJPHERD) March 2013 (Supplement 1), pp. 138-146.Some women die as a result of pregnancy or childbirth complications which occur during pregnancy, childbirth or within two months after the birth or termination of a pregnancy. The general health status of pregnant women depends largely on the available quality ante-natal care services. The aim of the study was to determine the perceptions of healthcare professionals regarding the causes of maternal deaths in tertiary hospital in Limpopo province. A qualitative, descriptive and exploratory design was used. The population included all obstetricians and midwives working at the tertiary hospital in Limpopo province. A non-probability, purposive and convenient sampling method was used to select participants. Twelve participants who had three and more years experience in the obstetrical unit were included in the study. Data were collected through individual in-depth, unstructured interviews. Data were analysed qualitatively by means of the open-coding method. Findings revealed three themes with sub-themes, namely; HIV and AIDS associated with maternal death, risky diagnosis contributing to maternal death and pregnancy versus post-delivery complications. There is need to strengthen advocacy campaigns on the importance of early booking and regular antenatal care attendance, and strengthen integration of HIV and AIDS into the antenatal care services

Community-based postnatal care model: Catalyst for management of mothers and neonates

Background: Early postnatal discharge is perceived as a factor that contributes to the possibilities of the maternal, neonatal complications and deaths. The implementation of the community-based postnatal care model is crucial to mitigate the morbidity and mortality of postnatal women and neonates during the first weeks of delivery. A community-based postnatal care model was developed for the management of neonates during the postnatal care period in the community. Objectives: The study aims to share the developed community-based postnatal care model that could assist postnatal women in the management of neonates. Method: Empirical findings from the main study formed the basis for model development. The model development in this study was informed by the work of Walker and Avant; Chinn and Kramer Dickoff, James and Wiedenbach; and Chinn and Jacobs. Results: The results indicated that there was no community-based postnatal care model developed to manage neonates. The model is described using the practice theory of Dickoff, James and Wiedenbach elements of agents, recipients, context, process, dynamics and outcomes within the community context of the postnatal care period. The model was further described by Chinn and Krammer following the assumptions of the model, concept definition, relation statement and nature of structure. Conclusion: The utilisation of the model is critical and facilitates the provision of an enabling and supportive community-based context by primary caregivers for the effective management of neonates. Contribution: This study provides a reference guide in the provision of community-based postnatal care by postnatal women after discharge from healthcare facilities

Factors related to married or cohabiting women’s decision to use modern contraceptive methods in Mahikeng, South Africa

Background: Sexual and reproductive decision-making has emerged as an important health indicator in family reproductive health issues. While there is evidence of male dominance in sexual and reproductive health decisions, the role of socio-demographic factors on women’s decision to use contraception is not well understood. Aim: This study aimed at exploring the socio-demographic factors associated with married women’s decision-making to use contraception. Setting: The study was conducted in Mahikeng local municipality in the Modiri Molema District Municipality. Methods: Data were generated in Mahikeng from married and cohabiting women, aged 18–49 years, from a survey comprising 568 participants. Data were collected on women’s demographic characteristics and contraceptive behaviour. Descriptive, bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to examine factors related to decision-making on contraceptive use. Results: The result revealed that 57% of the participants were currently using contraception and 45% stated jointly-made decision regarding the use of contraception. Decisions on use of contraceptives were associated with education, occupation, religion, duration of union and home language. Other factors associated with decision-making on contraceptive use were perception on husband’s right to sex, use of force for sex and spousal communication about sex. Conclusion: Empowering women to use contraception to meet their fertility desire should aim at improving their socio-economic status and spousal communication. Family planning providers should recognise socio-cultural barriers under which the relationships exist and how women can navigate these contextual factors

HIV-positive patients’ perceptions of care received at a selected antiretroviral therapy clinic in Vhembe district, South Africa

Background: Patients’ experiences are a reflection of what has happened during the care process and, therefore, provide information about the performance of health care professional workers. They refer to the process of care provision at the antiretroviral therapy (ART) sites. Aim and setting: This article explored the perceptions of HIV-positive patients of care received at the Gateway Clinic of the regional hospital that provides antiretroviral treatment in the Vhembe district. Methods: A qualitative, explorative and descriptive design was used. A non-probability, convenient sampling method was used to select 20 HIV-positive patients who were above 18 years of age. In-depth individual interviews were used to collect data. Data were analysed through Tech’s open coding method. Results: One theme and two sub-themes emerged, namely positive experiences related to the environment and attitudes of health professionals, and negative experiences concerning the practices by health care providers. Conclusion: Patients’ perceptions of quality of, and satisfaction with, health care may affect health outcomes. Recommendations are made to consider, practice and strengthen the protocols, the standard operating procedures and the principles of infection control in the health facilities. Keywords: Human Immunodeficiecy Virus, Antiretroviral Treatment, HIV positive, Limpop

Hypertensive diseases in pregnancy: An exploratory study on midwives\u27 experiences in South Africa

The study was conducted on midwives who are rendering maternal health care services in the rural areas of Limpopo province. Their experiences when managing pregnant women with hypertensive diseases were explored seeing that maternal death caused by preventable conditions such as hypertension remains unchanged and whole country is affected