Cost-Effective Interventions to Curb Cardiovascular Diseases in Africa

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death globally and in Africa, and the cost of care is expensive. Finances of the state may need to be re-channeled to CVDs leading to delay in the development of the country and that of the family since the cost of care also burdens the family. Cost-effective interventions to curb the prevalence and incidences of CVDs are required. A comprehensive literature search was conducted. The risk factors include unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, tobacco use, and harmful use of alcohol. On that background, the CVD can be prevented through behavioral interventions aimed at addressing these risk factors. Moreover, behavioral interventions could be helpful in minimizing costs of care and curb prevalence of cardiovascular diseases. Behavioral interventions have been found to be cost-effective and assist in the management of cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, healthcare providers must at each consultation sessions with patients emphasize more on behavioural change. They must help patients visualize the do’s and dont’s for the successful attainment of their health goals. In doing so, healthcare providers must collaborate among themselves and also collaborate with communities and families of patients. At the same time, it is significant to alter false perceptions and attitudes toward cardiovascular diseases to help individuals develop positive attitudes

Baseline Analysis for Effective Diabetes Intervention

Diabetes is a fast-growing disease that is costly to manage, leading to both financial and non-financial burdens. These burdens are worsened in the presence of diabetes complications, so improved interventions are critical. Prior to developing new interventions, a baseline analysis should be conducted to gain insight into the strengths and weaknesses of current interventions. Furthermore, a baseline analysis helps in identifying discrepancies to be addressed and outlining how the environment impacts diabetes management. A comprehensive literature review was adopted to collect data regarding the importance of a baseline analysis in diabetes interventions. The findings of the literature review indicated that a baseline analysis is a critical step for the development of effective diabetes interventions. Knowledge, attitudes, practices, and anthropometric factors such as quality of life and social determinants of health, should be assessed when conducting a baseline analysis. A baseline analysis is affirmed as a fundamental prerequisite for the development of diabetes interventions for better outcomes. There is also a need to assess the capacity of healthcare providers to conduct a baseline analysis to determine the need for support and in-service training. An inappropriately-conducted baseline analysis may lead to inappropriate solutions and misdiagnosis. The implementation of wrongful solutions would defeat the objective of improving diabetes outcomes

Family-Centered Diabetes Care for Better Glycemic Outcomes of Outpatients in Rural Areas

Most of diabetes care of outpatients takes place at their families. Family members who may have inadequate or lack diabetes knowledge are expected to offer home care, predisposing patients to poor outcomes and associated health problems. To review and discuss literature related to family-centered diabetes care. Comprehensive Literature Review was used to collect data by reviewing literature related to family centered diabetes care. Literature review involved evaluating discoveries of other researchers. The results of literature review showed that family-centered care is essential for better diabetes outcomes and preventing new cases. So far, family-centered care was successful in children’s diabetes care and may be beneficial for older outpatients. Family-centered diabetes care improves knowledge of both patients and families, minimize prevalence and improve diabetes outcomes of outpatients

Diet and exercise knowledge and practices for diabetes care within families in Senwabarwana

Background: Family members (FMs) are a valuable source of support, as the bulk of daily diabetes treatment occurs at home. Family members’ insufficient understanding of patient support can lead to poor diabetes outcomes. Lack of knowledge about good diet and exercise can lead to unhealthy food preparation and sedentary lifestyles, affecting patients and increasing the risk of diabetes. This study aims to fill the gap in the level of knowledge of FMs relating to appropriate care for diabetic patients under their care. This will relate specifically to diet and exercise. Methods: A cross-sectional survey conducted in Senwabarwana, Limpopo province, involved 200 FMs caring for diabetic patients for at least 6 months. Their experience could offer valuable insights into the competence of their care. Data were collected regarding knowledge and practice using a close-ended questionnaire, with Likert scale responses and SPSS analysis, including descriptive statistics and chi-squared tests. Knowledge was assessed on a scale ranging from poor to excellent: poor (0% – 50%), fair (51% – 60%), good (61% – 74%) and excellent ( 75%). Practice was assessed as poor (0% – 50%), fair (51% – 69%) and good (70% – 100%). Results: Thirty-one percent of participants demonstrated excellent knowledge and only 9% demonstrated good practice. Unfortunately, 53% stated that obese patients with diabetes should skip meals to lose weight. Only 3.5% and 19%, respectively, are familiar with recommendations for exercise and glucose monitoring. Barely 35.5% of FMs eat breakfast every day, while 87.5% report exercising. Conclusion: Few FMs possess excellent diabetes management knowledge but still indulge in bad practices, increasing their risk of developing diabetes. Additionally, they may potentially cause health problems for patients. Contribution: Family-centred behaviour change intervention is recommended

Prevalence of overweight and obesity amongst patients with diabetes and their non-diabetic family members in Senwabarwana, Limpopo province, South Africa

Background: Diabetes remains a public health concern and the second cause of mortality in South Africa. Family history of diabetes increases risk of developing diabetes. Obesity amongst patients is associated with comorbidity, whilst amongst non-diabetic family members it is associated with developing diabetes. This study aimed at determining prevalence of overweight and obesity amongst patients with diabetes and non-diabetic family members.Methods: A quantitative, cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 200 patients and 200 non-diabetic family members were selected using systematic random sampling from rural clinics of Senwabarwana. Data were collected using close-ended questionnaires and anthropometric measurements. Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference were measured and interpreted according to World Health Organization guidelines. Data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences, using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Chi-square test was used to calculate associations at 95% confidence interval where a p-value of 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: Most patients (75.5%) had comorbidities and hypertension was most prevalent (89.0%). Over half of the patients (57.0%) and 38.0% of family members were obese. Most patients (75.0%) and 58.0% of family members had abdominal obesity.Conclusion: Patients with diabetes suffer from comorbidities are overweight and obese whilst evidence from various studies suggest that non-diabetic family members are at added risk of developing diabetes because of higher BMI and abdominal obesity. There is an urgent need to create a conducive environment that discourages sedentary behaviours through lifestyle modifications using the family centred approach, and involve family members in the care of patients

Exploratory study on factors influencing the introduction of complementary feeding amongst caregivers of children between 6 and 24 months of age in Polokwane, Limpopo province

Background: Complementary feeding should be introduced at six months to meet infants’ growing nutritional needs. Inappropriate complementary feeding poses threats to the health, development and survival of infants. The Convention on the Rights of the Child states that every child has the right to good nutrition. Caregivers should ensure that infants are fed properly. Factors such as knowledge, affordability and availability impact complementary feeding. Hence, this study explores factors influencing complementary feeding amongst caregivers of children between the age of six and 24 months in Polokwane, Limpopo province, South Africa.Methods: A qualitative phenomenological exploratory study design was used to collect data from 25 caregivers, using purposive sampling; the sampling size was dependent on data saturation. Data were collected through one-on-one interviews using voice recorders and field notes for non-verbal cues. Data were analysed using the eight steps of Tesch’s inductive, descriptive and open coding technique.Results: Participants had knowledge about when and what to introduce during complementary feeding. Participants alluded that availability and affordability, maternal beliefs about infant hunger cues, social media, attitudes, returning to work because of the end of maternity leave and painful breasts affect complementary feeding.Conclusion: Caregivers introduce early complementary feeding because of returning to work at the end of maternity leave and painful breasts. Additionally, factors such as knowledge about complementary feeding, availability and affordability, mother’s beliefs about child hunger cues, social media and attitudes influence complementary feeding.Contribution: There is a need to establish credible social media platforms to disseminate appropriate complementary feeding messages. The established credible social media platforms must be promoted, and caregivers must be referred from time to time.

Non-adherence to growth monitoring and promotion sessions amongst caregivers of children under 5 years in Polokwane Municipality, Limpopo province

Background: Child growth is crucial for nutritional and health status; poor growth may result in stunting. South Africa experiences a high prevalence of stunting, micronutrient deficiencies and late identification of growth faltering. Non-adherence to growth monitoring and promotion (GMP) sessions remains a challenge and caregivers contribute to non-adherence. Therefore, this study explores factors affecting the non-adherence of GMP services.Methods: Qualitative approach and phenomenological exploratory study design were used. One-on-one interviews were conducted with 23 participants conveniently sampled. Sampling size was dependent on data saturation. Voice recorders were used to capture data. Tesch’s eight steps, inductive, descriptive and open coding techniques were used to analyse data. Measures of trustworthiness were ensured through credibility, transferability, dependability and confirmability.Results: Participants indicated non-adherence to GMP sessions because of a lack of knowledge of the importance of adherence and poor service by healthcare workers, which includes long waiting hours. Inconsistent availability of GMP services at healthcare facilities and growth of the firstborn children with non-adherence to GMP sessions are factors influencing participants’ adherence. A lack of transportation and lunch money also contributed to non-adherence to sessions.Conclusion: A lack of knowledge of the importance of adherence to GMP sessions, long waiting hours and inconsistent availability of GMP services at facilities contributed enormously to non-adherence. Therefore, the Department of Health must ensure consistent availability of GMP services to demonstrate the importance and enable adherence. Healthcare facilities should reduce waiting hours to minimise the need for lunch money, and service delivery audits should be conducted to identify other factors contributing to non-adherence to address these.Contribution: Primary health care providers should conduct service delivery audits and internal surveys to identify factors that contribute to non-adherence in order to introduce measures to address them.

Attitudes of Caregivers of Children under Five Years Regarding Growth Monitoring and Promotion in Polokwane, Limpopo Province

Growth monitoring and promotion (GMP) is critical in tracking child growth to address widespread malnutrition and health status. Attitudes influence behaviour change, including attendance of GMP, and negative attitudes are linked to non-attendance. Moreover, negative attitudes correlate with low socioeconomic position. South Africa is characterized by inequality, which may lead to negative attitudes towards GMP among caregivers with a poor socioeconomic status. Hence, this study seeks to explore the attitudes of caregivers of children under five towards GMP. A qualitative exploratory study design was used. Caregivers of children under five were purposively sampled. Twenty-three participants were interviewed one-on-one, and the data were recorded using voice recorders and field notes. Tesch’s eight steps and inductive, descriptive, and open coding techniques were used to analyse the data. Participants understood the significance of GMP and were confident their children would benefit from it; hence, they attended sessions out of love for their children. The inconsistent availability of GMP services and the behaviour of health workers affected participants’ attitude. Despite these challenges, participants felt good about GMP. Caregivers’ love for their children/grandchildren helped them overcome challenges experienced at the health facilities. Good feelings about GMP boosted caregivers’ attitudes and aided in adherence. An intervention to address element impacting attitudes of caregivers is recommended