Factors influencing implementation of health promotion guidelines for families with adolescents orphaned by HIV and AIDS

South Africa was rated among the sub-Saharan countries that failed to prioritise basic focused HIV prevention programmes to combat the new HIV infections across their borders (UNAIDS, 2009). It is therefore essential to re-engineer the HIV prevention programmes through the implementation of health promotion guidelines developed in this study in order to reduce the impact of HIV and AIDS. This study was designed to explore and describe the factors influencing the implementation of health promotion guidelines in the rural Hammanskraal region of the North West Province, South Africa. This study focuses on the implementation of the guidelines that were developed as part of the main study. The study was qualitative in nature, following the explorative, descriptive and contextual design. Data were collected through two focus group discussions involving 10 purposively selected participants, which assisted the researcher to explore the research question and describe the factors as they unfolded during the interaction with participants. The transcribed data were analysed using the steps suggested in the Tesch’s method of data analysis. The four themes identified as factors influencing implementation of health promotion guidelines were: information, door-to-door campaigns, resources and culture. The study concluded that a successful health promotion programme requires effective strategies that concentrate on strengthening existing programme implementation among the adults and youth in order to address the cultural barriers which are impediments to the successful delivery of the programme.I would like to acknowledge the University of Pretoria for funding the project, all the health promoters at Moretele Sunrise Hospice in Hammanskraal who passionately participated in this study and Portia Mthobeni who acted as a research assistant.http://www.ajol.info/journal_index.php?jid=153&ab=ajpherd2016-06-30am201

The attitude of community health nurses towards integration of traditional healers in primary health care in North West Province

South Africa is called "the rainbow nation" because it has so many different cultures. These have an impact on the provision of primary health care. The purpose of this research is to foster good relationships between community health nurses and traditional healers and to explore, identify and describe the attitude of community health nurses towards the integration of traditional healers into primary health care. A non-experimental, explorative and descriptive research strategy was designed to explore the working relationship between community health nurses and traditional healers. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire. Quantitative as well as qualitative data analysis techniques were adopted to interpret the findings. The results indicated that respondents demonstrated positive attitudes towards working with traditional healers, especially in the provision of primary health care. Positive opinions, ideas and views were provided about the integration of traditional healers into primary health care. Respect, recognition and sensitivity were emphasized by respondents.Health StudiesM.A. (Nursing Science

Health promoters' contribution regarding health promotion for families with adolescents within the HIV and AIDS context

Health care workers are faced with increased workloads because of clients who are suffering from different types of chronic illnesses, including HIV and AIDS. This article explored and described the role of health promoters regarding health promotion programmes for families with adolescents that have been orphaned by the HIV and AIDS endemic. A descriptive, qualitative phenomenological study was employed. The population involved health promoters in the Hammanskraal region in rural South Africa. The participants were purposively selected for focus group interviews. Data were qualitatively analysed. Various health promoters’ contributions were identified regarding home visits, patient care, social care and health education. The contributions of health promoters were visible and efficient in the communities. It was recommended that the community, the governmental and non-governmental organisations should train and support health promoters to assist in service delivery for local communities.The project was supported by a postdoctoral grant from the University of Pretoria.http://www.uj.ac.za/EN/Faculties/humanities/departments/socialwork/TheSocialWorkPractionerResearcherJournal/Pages/home.aspxam2016Social Work and Criminolog

Health promotion strategies for families with adolescents orphaned by HIV and AIDS

PURPOSE : This paper aims to explore and describe health promotion strategies for adolescents orphaned by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), as well as the evaluation thereof. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND : Among the Sub-Saharan countries, such as Swaziland, Botswana and Lesotho, South Africa is rated as fourth in the list of countries with the highest number of people living with HIV and AIDS. METHOD : The study employed phenomenological qualitative design. The population consisted of the purposively selected health promoters working in the Hammanskraal region, directly and indirectly involved with families with adolescents orphaned by HIV and AIDS. Following the focus group interviews, data were analysed using the seven steps of Colaizzi. RESULTS : Four categories and eight subcategories were concluded as the strategies for adolescents orphaned by HIV and AIDS as well as the evaluation thereof. The main categories identified were: the door-to-door outcome, workshop outputs, statistical data and community projects. DISCUSSION : It is evident that the health promotion strategies informed by the four themes will be implemented. The outcomes may raise an awareness in the community, support families and provide statistics on the impact of HIV and AIDS on families. STUDY LIMITATIONS : The study was limited to one subdistrict and to health promoters in a rural area, therefore the results cannot be generalized to all other subdistricts including health promoters, especially those in urban areas. CONCLUSION : The successful evaluation programme will pin out the strong points and challenges while assisting in improving the quality of work provided in the communities. Implication for nursing and health policy: Continuing professional and practice development are required to maintain the standard of health care in South Africa. Therefore the policymakers need to include relevant information regarding health promotion strategies in reducing the statistics of people living with HIV and AIDS.http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/(ISSN)1466-7657hb201

Challenges experienced by healthcare providers with regard to the provision of school healthcare services in Tshwane sub-district, Gauteng Province

Children of school-going age are faced with multiple challenges that need professional interventions from educators and healthcare providers. This study sought to explore and describe the challenges experienced by healthcare providers with regard to the provision of school healthcare in the Tshwane sub-district, Gauteng Province. A qualitative, descriptive phenomenological design was used because of its holistic and contextualised nature. The population consisted of healthcare providers who were working in collaboration with the school health nurses, as well as being members of the community. These participants were conveniently and purposefully selected. Twenty-two healthcare providers were selected. Data were collected through the use of individual interviews until data saturation was attained. The interviews were based on the question: “What are the challenges you experience as healthcare provider regarding the provision of school health services in the Tshwane sub-district, Gauteng Province? Researchers followed the adapted Colaizzi’s method (1978) of data analysis in Polit and Beck (2012). All transcripts were read repeatedly and the data was reviewed, coded and categorised into the sections applicable to the problem statement. From the challenges experienced three main themes evolved by health care providers and these included: the need for early and frequent school health visits, the lack of collaboration in school health programmes, and the care provided to HIV positive children of schoolgoing age. It was evident that the challenges school health service providers faced included limited resources, inconsistency in existing school health service rendering, and poor collaboration between the stakeholders involved. These challenges create a major barrier for the delivery of school health services in South Africa. The participants recommended that partnerships and collaboration should be established in order to establish a healthy educational environment and promote frequent and sustained school visits.http://www.unisa.ac.za/Default.asp?Cmd=ViewContent&ContentID=24782http://reference.sabinet.co.za/sa_epublication/ajnmam2016Nursing Scienc

Perceptions of student nurses regarding accompaniment in the clinical environment in Gauteng Province, South Africa

This study explores the perceptions of student nurses during accompaniment in the clinical environment. A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive research approach was applied on 24 student nurses’ to explore their perceptions during accompaniment in the clinical environment. The participants were conveniently and purposively selected. The student nurses were registered for their first year of training. Data was generated through two focus group interviews comprising of 12 student nurses each. Unstructured focus groups interviews were conducted during data collection. Studies have confirmed that student nurses who are not adequately accompanied during placement are unable to attain the learning outcomes set by their programme most students were dissatisfied with accompaniment and failed summative practical evaluation. Persons assigned to teach and facilitate learning in this environment were not readily available to take up this responsibility. Data analysis revealed the following findings; a disregard of student status by clinical staff, hostile clinical environment, inadequate clinical supervision and lack of commitment by professional nurses in teaching students and caring for patients under their care. To achieve efficient and effective accompaniment, student status should be recognised by clinical staff, creation of conducive learning environment should be created and appropriate supervision of students be facilitated by professional nurses in the clinical environment.http://www.ajol.info/journal_index.php?jid=153&ab=ajpherd2017-10-31am201

Experiences of school health nurses regarding the provision of the school health service delivery in the Tshwane district

BACKGROUND : Irrespective of the provision of an integrated school health policy, the school health nurses continue to experience multiple challenges regarding the provisioning of school health service delivery. AIM : The aim of this paper was to explore and describe the experiences of school health nurses regarding school health service delivery in the Tshwane district. SETTING : Schools in the Tshwane district in Pretoria were used in the study. METHODS : A qualitative and descriptive phenomenological design was used to conduct the study. Purposive sampling techniques were used to select a sample from the population of school health nurses employed in the Tshwane district and conduct the enquiry because of their knowledge and experience of school health services. The researchers collected data by means of unstructured, one-on-one in-depth interviews. The Tesch data analysis method was used by the researcher and co-coder. The researcher identified categories, subcategories and themes and these were reduced into grouping topics that were related to one another. RESULTS : Positive and negative experiences of school health nurses emerged. It was evident from the findings of the study that the factors affecting the quality of the integrated school health programme (ISHP) provided were interrelated. Most of these factors negatively affected service delivery. CONCLUSION : It was recommended that the partnership between the National Department of Health and National Department of Basic Education as the main role players should be sustained at all times to ensure the successful implementation of the ISHP.http://www.phcfm.orgam2019Nursing Scienc

The experiences of lay counsellors regarding HIV and AIDS care and support in Tshwane clinics

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a major burden disease in South Africa. The pandemic characterises the need for increased counselling and testing due to the availability of antiretroviral therapy (ART). This study describes the experiences of lay counsellors regarding care and support for HIV and AIDS. A qualitative approach was used during focus group interviews at four Tshwane clinics. The purposive sampling method was used to select participants from each facility. Data were collected and data analysis conducted using Tesch’s method. The results highlight that lay counsellors are not recognised as part of the health workers and multidisciplinary team by the Department of Health. It was recommended that the lay counsellors be retained as stipend earning government workers with clearly stipulated and revised conditions of service. On-going support, managerial support and supervision are necessary to improve care and support of HIV and AIDS.http://www.uj.ac.za/EN/Faculties/humanities/departments/socialwork/TheSocialWorkPractionerResearcherJournal/Pages/home.aspxam2016Social Work and Criminolog

The needs of health promoters on a health promotion programme for families with adolescents orphaned by HIV and AIDS

The South African communities has shown to have a challenge in accessing health services especially in rural areas; hence the national strategic objective 1.7 aimed at strengthening community systems to expand access to services using the community-based care programmes (NSP 2012–2016). The programmes enhance access to health services whilst promoting health and educating the community to improve health knowledge and work towards attaining a healthy living (NSP 2012–2016). However, the health promoters from the rural Hammanskraal region in the North West Province of South Africa often found themselves rendering the health promotion services in their communities with limited resources. This study aimed at exploring and describing the challenges faced by health promoters in implementing health promotion programmes for families with adolescents orphaned by HIV and AIDS. The study followed a qualitative design. Data was collected using focus group interviews. Participants were purposely selected by the social worker and the health promotion coordinator working at Hammanskraal. The process of data analysis was adapted from the eight steps of Tesch method of data analysis where categories, sub-categories and themes were isolated. The following categories emerged as the needs of health promoters on health promotion programmes for families with adolescents orphaned by HIV and AIDS, (1) financial needs, (2) resources, (3) basic life needs, (4) educational needs and (5) health promoter’s needs. It is therefore recommended that equal distribution of resources: including medicine, equipment and finances, should be maintained in order to ensure non-interrupted services.The authors’ would like to acknowledge the University of Pretoria, Nursing Department for presenting the learning opportunity for academic development. We acknowledge the Sunrise Hospice Centre and the North West Department of Health for permitting us to conduct the study in their region. To the study participants, this study would not be successfull without their participation.http://www.curationis.org.zaam2013ay201

Perceptions of female teenagers in the Tshwane District on the use of contraceptives in South Africa

BACKGROUND : Perceptions of female teenagers in the Tshwane District contribute to the nonuse and or discontinued use of contraceptives as evidenced by increased levels of unplanned pregnancies. OBJECTIVES : The objective of this study was to explore and describe the perceptions of female teenagers in the Tshwane District on the use of contraceptives. METHODS : A qualitative, explorative, descriptive approach was followed in this study. The population comprised of pregnant female teenagers who were purposively selected. Data were collected using unstructured individual interviews on a face-to-face encounter in a natural setting. Data were analysed using the discourse method of data analysis. RESULTS : The following perceptions on the use of contraceptives emerged: Perceptions on the use of contraceptives, emotions, contraceptive effects, social pressure and education on contraceptives. Teenagers’ perceptions were predominantly negative with unfounded fears. Though the teenagers were aware of the importance of the use of contraceptives, motivation to pursue contraception was lacking. Teenagers verbalised to be uncommitted as well. CONCLUSION : Various perceptions of female teenagers in the Tshwane District on the use of contraceptives were explored and described. It was noted that all the teenagers interviewed had great remorse and feelings of guilt regarding their behaviour of not using contraceptives. Their need for re-education was cited and seen as motivational enough to encourage the use of contraceptives at primary health care settings. Therefore, the study recommended that health education programmes should be restructured to effectively influence the female teenagers’ perceptions positively and to promote the use of contraceptives.http://www.curationis.org.zaam201