Low functional health literacy, misconceptions and risks regarding prevention of unintended pregnancy, STIs, HIV and AIDS

The risk of experiencing an unintended pregnancy, STIs, HIV and AIDS is exacerbated when low literacy level, low functional health literacy level and misconceptions prevail as barriers to accessing primary health care services and learning about the correct use of and adherence to medicine regimens. Sometimes the source of misconception on the risks regarding unintended pregnancy, STIs, HIV and AIDS are low literacy and health literacy. This study explored the experiences of females who utilise reproductive health promotion services and the experiences of reproductive health care providers regarding the provision of reproductive health services in a primary health care setting. A qualitative, descriptive phenomenological design was used. A sample of 36 participants (11 health care providers and 25 females) who utilise the primary health care facility, was drawn through purposive sampling. Individual and focus group interviews were conducted. Tesch’s data analysis method was used. Ethical principles were observed and trustworthiness was ensured. The themes that emerged confirmed that low health literacy levels were related to unsafe sex practices, specifically, unprotected sex. It is recommended that a health literacy assessment tool for reproductive health be developed to reduce reproductive health problems associated with low health literacy levels.http://www.ajol.info/journal_index.php?jid=153&ab=ajpherd2016-06-30am201

Challenges experienced by South Africa in attaining Millennium Development Goals 4, 5 and 6

BACKGROUND : Despite progress made by other countries worldwide in achieving Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 4, 5 and 6, South Africa is experiencing a challenge in attaining positive outcomes for these goals. OBJECTIVE AND SETTING : To describe the challenges experienced by South Africa regarding the successful implementation of MDGs 4, 5 and 6. METHODS : An integrative literature review was used to identify and synthesise various streams of literature on the challenges experienced by South Africa in attaining MDGs 4, 5 and 6. RESULTS : The integrative review revealed the following themes: (1) interventions related to child mortality reduction, (2) implementation of maternal mortality reduction strategies, and (3) identified barriers to zero HIV and TB infections and management. CONCLUSION : It is recommended that poverty relief mechanisms be intensified to improve the socio-economic status of women. There is a need for sectoral planning towards maternal health, and training of healthcare workers should emphasise the reduction of maternal deaths. Programmes addressing the reduction of maternal and child mortality rates, HIV, STIs and TB need to be put in place.http://www.phcfm.orgam2016Nursing Scienc

The constraints and concerns regarding the size and/or shape of the second generation female condom : the narratives from the healthcare providers

BACKGROUND : Despite the redesigning of the Reality condom (FC) to a new version of the second generation female condom commonly known as (FC2), the users are persistently constrained and concerned about the size and shape of this new version. Condom use is aligned to the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) 3, 5 and 6, which address gender equality, improving maternal health and preventing HIV and AIDS. AIM : To explore and describe the constraints and concerns regarding the size and/or shape of the FC2. SETTING : The study was conducted at Tshwane health district in Gauteng province. METHODS : A qualitative exploratory descriptive design was used. Individual in-depth interviews that yielded narratives in a designated health district in South Africa were conducted. RESULTS : From the analysis of narratives three specific themes emerged. Firstly, the specific theme was that the size and shape of FC2 is undesirable for the health care providers, which may lead women to contract HIV and AIDS. The second theme was that the size and shape of FC2 and female genitals makes insertion complicated and predisposes women to be vulnerable in sexual relationships. The third was that the size and shape of FC2 results in pain and discomfort during coitus, exposing women to unwanted pregnancies and HIV and AIDS. CONCLUSIONS : The findings indicated the need for an evocative collaborative, interdisciplinary ‘walk the talk’ sexual health and AIDS education training programme for health care providers in primary health care facilities. Such programmes, if maintained, may assist health care providers to achieve the MDG 3, 5 and 6.http://www.phcfm.orgam2016Nursing Scienc

The constraints and concerns regarding the size and/or shape of the second generation female condom : the narratives from the healthcare providers

BACKGROUND : Despite the redesigning of the Reality condom (FC) to a new version of the second generation female condom commonly known as (FC2), the users are persistently constrained and concerned about the size and shape of this new version. Condom use is aligned to the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) 3, 5 and 6, which address gender equality, improving maternal health and preventing HIV and AIDS. AIM : To explore and describe the constraints and concerns regarding the size and/or shape of the FC2. SETTING : The study was conducted at Tshwane health district in Gauteng province. METHODS : A qualitative exploratory descriptive design was used. Individual in-depth interviews that yielded narratives in a designated health district in South Africa were conducted. RESULTS : From the analysis of narratives three specific themes emerged. Firstly, the specific theme was that the size and shape of FC2 is undesirable for the health care providers, which may lead women to contract HIV and AIDS. The second theme was that the size and shape of FC2 and female genitals makes insertion complicated and predisposes women to be vulnerable in sexual relationships. The third was that the size and shape of FC2 results in pain and discomfort during coitus, exposing women to unwanted pregnancies and HIV and AIDS. CONCLUSIONS : The findings indicated the need for an evocative collaborative, interdisciplinary ‘walk the talk’ sexual health and AIDS education training programme for health care providers in primary health care facilities. Such programmes, if maintained, may assist health care providers to achieve the MDG 3, 5 and 6.http://www.phcfm.orgam2016Nursing Scienc

Community health nurses’ experiences regarding provision of termination of pregnancy services in Johannesburg metro subdistricts clinics

Experiences of community health nurses contribute to access of termination of pregnancy (TOP) to be affected. The aim of this study was to explore and describe the experiences of community health nurses who provide termination of pregnancy in Johannesburg Metro sub districts clinics. This study was conducted in a natural setting namely the clinics where the community health nurses worked. The clinic was the natural setting for the community health nurses because it was where they provide termination of pregnancy services on a daily basis. The researcher conducted the study in 5 sub districts clinics in Johannesburg Metro. A qualitative, explorative and descriptive method was used in this study. The population comprised of community health nurses who were selected purposively. Data were collected amongst 11 participants using individual face to face interviews in a natural setting. Data were analyzed using the Tesch method of data analysis. Two themes emerged; attributes of termination of pregnancy providers as the first theme with sub-theme possess emotional stability, courage, self-worth, and selflessness. The second theme that emerged was a requirement for termination of pregnancy services with staff, equipment for termination of pregnancy, management support, training, and development needs were sub-themes of the second theme. Termination of pregnancy providers experienced stigma and discrimination by their colleagues and community. Though the community health nurses loved their job, lack of support from the supervisors contributed to them feeling neglected and this in turn caused them, to experience stress. The experiences of community health nurses who provided termination of pregnancy in Johannesburg Metro subdistricts clinics were explored and described. It was noted that the community health nurses were overwhelmed with work, doing everything on their own which resulted in them experiencing stress and burnout. Lack of equipment and consumables increased their stress levels because they had to improvise in order to keep the service going.Les expériences des infirmières en santé communautaire contribuent à ce que l'accès à l'interruption de grossesse (TOP) soit touché. Le but de cette étude était d'explorer et de décrire les expériences des infirmières en santé communautaire qui pratiquent l'interruption de grossesse dans les cliniques des sous-districts du métro de Johannesburg. Cette étude a été menée dans un milieu naturel à savoir les cliniques où travaillaient les infirmières en santé communautaire. La clinique était le cadre naturel pour les infirmières en santé communautaire, car c'était là qu'elles offraient quotidiennement des services d'interruption de grossesse. Le chercheur a mené l'étude dans 5 cliniques de sous-districts du métro de Johannesburg. Une méthode qualitative, exploratoire et descriptive a été utilisée dans cette étude. La population était composée d'infirmières en santé communautaire sélectionnées à dessein. Les données ont été recueillies auprès de 11 participants à l'aide d'entretiens individuels en face à face dans un cadre naturel. Les données ont été analysées à l'aide de la méthode d'analyse des données de Tesch. Deux thèmes ont émergé; les attributs de l'interruption de grossesse comme premier thème avec sous-thème possèdent la stabilité émotionnelle, le courage, l'estime de soi et l'altruisme. Le deuxième thème qui a émergé était une exigence pour les services d'interruption de grossesse avec du personnel, l'équipement pour l'interruption de grossesse, le soutien à la gestion, la formation et les besoins de développement étaient des sous-thèmes du deuxième thème. Les prestataires d'interruption de grossesse ont été victimes de stigmatisation et de discrimination de la part de leurs collègues et de la communauté. Bien que les infirmières en santé communautaire adoraient leur travail, le manque de soutien des superviseurs contribuait à leur faire sentir qu'elles étaient négligées, ce qui, à son tour, leur causait du stress. Les expériences des infirmières en santé communautaire qui ont pratiqué l'interruption de grossesse dans les cliniques des sous-districts du métro de Johannesburg ont été explorées et décrites. Il a été noté que les infirmières en santé communautaire étaient débordées de travail, faisant tout par elles-mêmes, ce qui leur a causé du stress et de l'épuisement professionnel. Le manque d'équipements et de consommables augmentait leur niveau de stress car ils devaient improviser pour maintenir le service.https://www.ajol.info/index.php/ajrham2023Nursing Scienc

COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in rural South Africa: Deepening understanding to increase uptake and access

Background: To date, COVID-19 vaccine coverage in the African region falls far too short of global goals. Increasing vaccination rates requires understanding barriers to vaccination so that effective interventions that sensitively and effectively address barriers to vaccination can be implemented. Methods: To assess COVID-19 vaccination levels and identify major barriers to vaccine uptake we conducted a population-based, cross-sectional survey among 1662 adults 18 and older from August 25 to October 29 2021 in the Agincourt Health and Socio-Demographic Surveillance System (AHDSS) area, Mpumalanga, South Africa. Results: Half of participants reported receiving a COVID-19 vaccine (50.4%) with 41.1% being fully vaccinated and 9.3% being partially vaccinated; 49.6% were unvaccinated. More women than men were vaccinated (55.5% vs 42.8%, P < 0.001), and older age groups were more likely to be vaccinated than younger age groups (P < 0.001). Among the unvaccinated, 69.0% planned to get vaccinated as soon as possible, while 14.7% reported definitely not wanting the vaccine. Major barriers to vaccination included lacking information on eligibility (12.3%) or where to get vaccinated (13.0%), concerns about side effects (12.5%), and inconvenient hours and locations for vaccination (11.0%). Confidence in the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines was higher among those vaccinated than unvaccinated (75.3% vs 51.2%, 75.8% vs 51.0%, both P < 0.001, respectively). Conclusions: Increasing vaccination in South Africa beyond current levels will require a concerted effort to address concerns around vaccine safety and increase confidence in vaccine efficacy. Clarifying eligibility and ensuring access to vaccines at times and places that are convenient to younger populations, men, and other vulnerable groups is necessary

The experiences of clients and healthcare providers regarding the provision of reproductive health services including the prevention of HIV and AIDS in an informal settlement in Tshwane

Globally challenges regarding healthcare provision are sometimes related to a failure to estimate client numbers in peri-urban areas due to rapid population growth. About one-sixth of the world's population live in informal settlements which are mostly characterised by poor healthcare service provision. Poor access to primary healthcare may expose residents of informal settlement more to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) than their rural and urban counterparts due to a lack of access to information on prevention, early diagnosis and treatment. The objective of this study was to explore and describe the experiences of both the reproductive health services' clients and the healthcare providers with regard to the provision of reproductive health services including the prevention of HIV and AIDS in a primary healthcare setting in Tshwane. A qualitative, exploratory and contextual design using a phenomenological approach to enquire about the participants' experiences was implemented. Purposive sampling resulted in the selection of 23 clients who used the reproductive healthcare services and ten healthcare providers who were interviewed during individual and focus group interviews respectively. Tesch's method for qualitative data analysis was used. Ethical principles guided the study, and certain strategies were followed to ensure trustworthiness. The findings revealed that females who lived in informal settlements were aware of the inability of the PHC setting to provide adequate reproductive healthcare to meet their needs. The HCPs acknowledged that healthcare provision was negatively affected by policies. It was found that the community members could be taught how to coach teenagers and support each other in order to bridge staff shortages and increase health outcomes including HIV/AIDS prevention

Healthcare violence and occupational safety support of nurses in a psychiatric hospital in South Africa

Nurses working in psychiatric hospitals are at risk of exposure to violent incidents, resulting in burnout and job dissatisfaction. The study was based on three appreciative inquiry objectives: to explore and describe the best support experiences of nurses after exposure to violent incidents (discovery); their wishes for the ideal support (dream); and their suggestions to improve the support structures (design). Data were collected through a nominal group technique and analysed using thematic analysis. Participants experienced the best support from their colleagues. Nurses tended to underreport incidents of violence, and were not satisfied with the institutional support, security services and occupational health service. They wished for ongoing training, staff support, a userfriendly reporting system, compensation for working in an unsafe environment, and protection of their rights. Exposure to violent incidents should be reported to management who should ensure appropriate support to improve nurse’ work satisfaction and quality patient care

Challenges experienced by South Africa in attaining Millennium Development Goals 4, 5 and 6

Background: Despite progress made by other countries worldwide in achieving Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 4, 5 and 6, South Africa is experiencing a challenge in attaining positive outcomes for these goals. Objective and setting: To describe the challenges experienced by South Africa regarding the successful implementation of MDGs 4, 5 and 6. Methods: An integrative literature review was used to identify and synthesise various streams of literature on the challenges experienced by South Africa in attaining MDGs 4, 5 and 6. Results: The integrative review revealed the following themes: (1) interventions related to child mortality reduction, (2) implementation of maternal mortality reduction strategies, and (3) identified barriers to zero HIV and TB infections and management. Conclusion: It is recommended that poverty relief mechanisms be intensified to improve the socio-economic status of women. There is a need for sectoral planning towards maternal health, and training of healthcare workers should emphasise the reduction of maternal deaths. Programmes addressing the reduction of maternal and child mortality rates, HIV, STIs and TB need to be put in place. Keywords: Millennium Development Goals; maternal and child morbidity and mortality; HIV and AIDS; STI and T