Identification of self-care deficiencies requiring mentorship of newly qualified professional nurses employed in community healthcare services in Limpopo Province, South Africa

Newly qualified professional nurses (NQPNs) allocated to community health care services do not always have access to other personnel for mentorship. Self-care could imply that when NQPNs achieve personal and professional maturity they should be competent and independent practitioners. Self-care deficiencies exist when NQPNs lack self-care and have an increase in self-care demands. The aim of the study was to determine the self-care deficiencies that require mentorship of NQPNs employed in community health care services of Limpopo Province. A quantitative research approach was used. The target population consisted of 150 newly qualified professional nurses and 40 professional nurses employed in similar settings as the NQPNs and served as mentors. Due to limited number of NQPNs and mentors all the 150 NQPNs and 40 mentors participated in the study. A questionnaire was used to collect data. The data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), version 18. The NQPNs appeared to be competent in most aspects of self-care in the cognitive, psychomotor and affective domains. However, they were perceived to be incompetent in performing critical skills such as managing emergencies, research aspects and organisational management. The study recommends the development of mentorship model for NQPNs.Keywords: Newly qualified professional nurse, community health care services, mentor, mentorship, self-care deficiencies

Patients’ adherence to antiretroviral therapy at Antiretroviral Therapy sites in Limpopo Province, South Africa

Adherence is the most important factor influencing successful antiretroviral therapy. Long term success with antiretroviral therapy (ART) requires taking 95% of medication. Less than 95% adherence can result in less than optimal therapeutic response and drug resistance. The aim of this study was to determine the adherence of patients to antiretroviral therapy at ART sites in Limpopo Province. A qualitative research approach was used to examine patients’ adherence to ART in the Limpopo Province. Non-probability purposive sampling was used to select 25 patients who were on ART in selected sites in Limpopo Province. Semi-structured interview guides were used to collect data until data saturation was reached. The data were analysed qualitatively using Tesch’s open coding method. The findings revealed three themes with sub-themes namely, challenges affecting adherence to antiretroviral drugs, antiretroviral drugs interactions’ with food and nutrition contributes to non-adherence and available support offered to patients on antiretroviral drugs. The study recommended that health care professionals should implement a patient-centered approach to educate patients about the side effects of ARV. Dieticians, nutritionists, home based care and community based organizations should be involved in the care of such patients. The patients must be encouraged to join support groups and educated about interactions between ARVs and nutrition.Keywords: Adherence, antiretroviral drugs, antiretroviral therapy, antiretroviral, HIV/AIDS patients

Concepts and treatment for diabetes among traditional and faith healers in the Northern Province, South Africa

The purpose of the study was to assess the concepts and treatment modalities for diabetes among traditional and faith healers in the Northern Province in South Africa. The sample consisted of 50 traditional healers (13 females and 37 males) and 50 faith healers (12 females and 38 males). They were interviewed on local terminology, clinical manifestations, causes, curability, and treatment for diabetes, help-seeking behaviour of diabetes patients, and the healers’ sources of information about diabetes. Results indicate that all healers were familiar with “diabetes”, however, not all of them had seen patients suffering from diabetes. The perceived causes of diabetes by both traditional and faith healers could be divided into (1) diet (especially too much of sugar), (2) heredity, (3) supernatural, and (4) psychological causes. Most traditional healers (92%) and faith healers (90%) indicated that diabetes is curable. Treatments used by the healers in this study included the use of prayer, diet, and herbs. The authors conclude that the concepts and treatment modalities for diabetes among traditional and faith healers should be taken note of by health workers while developing health education programmes in the Province

The Role of ARV Associated Adverse Drug Reactions in Influencing Adherence Among HIV-Infected Individuals: A Systematic Review and Qualitative Meta-Synthesis

Poor adherence remains a major barrier to achieving the clinical and public health benefits of antiretroviral drugs (ARVs). A systematic review and qualitative meta-synthesis was conduct to evaluate how ARV adverse drug reactions may influence ARV adherence. Thirty-nine articles were identified, and 33 reported that ARV adverse drug reactions decreased adherence and six studies found no influence. Visually noticeable adverse drug reactions and psychological adverse reactions were reported as more likely to cause non-adherence compared to other adverse drug reactions. Six studies reported a range of adverse reactions associated with EFV-containing regimens contributing to decreased adherence. Informing HIV-infected individuals about ARV adverse drug reactions prior to initiation, counselling about coping mechanisms, and experiencing the effectiveness of ARVs on wellbeing may improve ARV adherence