Guidelines for the development of the generic nursing programme in Zimbabwe

The predominant trend in nursing education in Zimbabwe is the hospital-based apprenticeship model. Globally, there has been a shift from a hospital-based model to a university-based one. When a new nursing programme is introduced in Zimbabwe, the institution presenting the programme is solely responsible for developing guidelines for running it. The institution in most cases has inadequate infrastructure, human, financial and material resources, and will lack the capacity to develop the guidelines. As a nurse educator, the researcher noticed with concern that newly introduced nurse education programmes in Zimbabwe soon faced problems because they were introduced without clear guidelines. This made their implementation difficult. The purpose of the study was to develop guidelines for the Generic Nursing Programme (GNP), a four-year Bachelor of Science Honours Nursing degree. The GNP will balance clinical practice and theory in order to produce nurses who can meet diverse patients’ needs; function as leaders; advance science that benefits patients, and deliver quality, safe patient care. The researcher used Walt and Gilson’s (1994) policy analysis framework as the theoretical framework for the study. Their policy triangle framework is grounded in a political economy perspective, and considers how the four elements of content, context, actors and processes interact to shape policy-making. The study was a qualitative, explorative case study. Data was collected from forty-nine purposively selected participants by means of semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions and the Delphi technique. The study found that the content of the GNP should include sciences, nursing courses, social sciences and practical component courses. The GNP should be developed in an environment with adequate resources and will hinge on the economic and political situation since that will determine available resources. The actors involved in the development should include the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare; the Nurses Council of Zimbabwe; nurse educators; nurses working in the clinical area, and curriculum committee members of the university that will offer the GNP. The guidelines should ensure good quality nursing education for nursing students, and prevent inconsistencies in and the failure of the GNP.Health StudiesD. Lit. et Phil. (Health Studies

Prevalence of Work Related Stress among Health Practitioners at Chinhoyi Provincial Hospital

The study investigated the actual existence of work related stress among health practitioners at Chinhoyi Provincial Hospital in Mashonaland West Province. The 37 health workers, comprising of 22 female and 15 male subjects from 18 different departments, with experience on the job ranging from 0-5 years up to 16 years and more were conveniently selected as a sample. A descriptive survey was used for the collection of data. Structured questionnaires with closed and open ended questions were used to collect data. A pilot study was carried out to ensure validity and reliability of the research instrument. The study findings revealed that work related stress impacted on the social relations, health and psychosocial relationships of the health workers as these practitioners would not fully participate in social activities due to the work schedules they have. There was no significant variation that work related stress was a contributing factor to the health workers’ health status, maybe it was due to differences in instruments used in this study and the other related studies done on the same subject. Work overload was the most mentioned variable that health workers indicated as contributing to work related stress and it was attributed to lack of resources in the whole Zimbabwean public health system. Psychosocial relations of the health workers were affected by the work overload and this in turn contributed to work related stress among the health practitioners. Work under-load was also indicated to contribute to work related stress when health workers would find themselves unable to perform duties as their skills require due to lack of equipment and other materials like medicines. This would occur especially when they watch a patient suffer where there are no materials and equipment or they turn away a patient due to lack of resources. When it came to the issue of salaries, the findings showed that this variable was the most topical issue among health workers who all indicated that the remuneration they got did not match the workload assigned to them as well as their professional qualifications. Key words: stress, burnout, health practitioners, remuneratio

Preventive Strategies on Teenage Pregnancy in the Rural Communities of Zimbabwe: A Case of Hurungwe District, Zimbabwe

The purpose of this study was to come up with preventive strategies on teenage pregnancy in rural communities of Zimbabwe, using Hurungwe District, a rural community located in Mashonaland West Province of Zimbabwe as a case study. To answer the research problem, the researchers used the qualitative research design. A sample of 6 key informants and a focus group of 12 participants comprising 6 females and 6 males was used in data collection. A convenience sampling technique was used to identify the participants. Preventive strategies on teenage pregnancy that were identified are sex educational programmes that include total abstinence and contraception programmes. However, it was noted that abstinence only sex education is less effective. The youth development programme was also identified as another useful preventive programme. The researchers recommended an increase in the awareness campaigns against teenager pregnancy in rural communities, educating local civic groups and faith based groups in the community as well the provision of clinical staff in rural communities with training and materials to assist female teenagers. Keywords: Preventive, Strategies, Teenagers, Pregnancy, Rural Community

An Analysis of a Hearing Conservation Programme (HCP) at a Mining Company in Zimbabwe

The study sought to carry out an analysis of a hearing conservation programme at a mining company in Zimbabwe. To answer the research problem, researchers used a descriptive survey design in which the target population were underground employees at the company. A sample of 120 employees was selected using the stratified random sampling technique and the researchers used two research instruments; questionnaires and a focus group guide. Findings revealed that the mine under study is providing Hearing Protective Devices (HPD) and the majority of the workers are making use of them. The Hearing Protective Devices being provided by the company are plugs, noise ban customised hearing devices, and the ear muff. The company is also doing well in carrying out audiometry test because they are done annually. In view of the findings and conclusions drawn from the study, the researchers strongly recommended that Line managers and SHERQ practitioners should strictly inspect and enforce the usage of HCP by all employees in their area of control. The researchers also strongly recommended the company to employ a resident audiologist on site so that employees with deviations are assisted promptly. Keywords: Hearing Conservation Programme, Induced Noise Hearing Loss, Hearing Protective Device, Audiometry Test, Minin

Knowledge and Practices Related to Condom Utilisation among the People of Mashonaland West Province, Zimbabwe.

The study is coming against a problem of an increase in cases of sexually transmitted diseases in spite of a good condom distribution programme in place in Mashonaland West Province of Zimbabwe. The researchers therefore sought to investigate the knowledge and practices related to condom utilisation among the people in the community. To answer the research problem, the researchers used both qualitative and quantitative methods. A sample of 72 participants was selected from a population people of have been diagnosed of having sexually transmitted diseases and those that have not. Convenience and snowball sampling was used to identify the participants. Questionnaires, an interview guide and a focus group discussion guide were used as research tools. Findings revealed that generally the community is aware of the existence of condoms in the community. However, the majority of people in the community are not well equipped with the knowledge on condom utilisation because they are failing to use condoms consistently and correctly. To this end, the researchers recommended massive awareness campaigns to educate the community on condom utilisation in order to reduce the prevalence rate of sexually transmitted diseases. Key Words: Condom Distribution, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Community, Condom    Utilisation

Factors Contributing to Teenage Pregnancies in a Rural Community of Zimbabwe

The prevalence rate of teenage pregnancies seem to be on the increase especially in rural communities of Zimbabwe. Using Hurungwe District, a rural community in Zimbabwe as a case study, this study sought to find out the factors that are contributing to teenage pregnancies in rural communities of Zimbabwe. To answer the research problem, the researchers adopted the qualitative research design. The target population were women who got married before they reached the age of 18 years, their husbands and local leaders in the community. A sample of 6 women who were married before they reached the age of 18 years and 5 men who are apparently married to some of these women was used to gather data using an in-depth interview instrument. The researchers also identified 3 key informants and a focus group of 12 people (8 men and 4 women) was also used in data collection. Findings revealed that the following are some of the factors contributing to teenage pregnancies in rural communities of Zimbabwe; socio-economic background, peer influence, lack of sex education, non-use of contraceptives, traditional roles, low self-esteem and low level of education. To this end the researcher recommended the empowerment of teenagers in the rural community and sexual health reproductive education on teenagers in rural communities of Zimbabwe. Keywords; Factors, Teenagers, Pregnancies, Child Marriages, Rural Community

To examine the relationship between utilization of available nutrition options and quality of life among people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) aged 21 – 45 years at Chinhoyi Hospital

HIV is a chronic medical condition. People Living with HIV (PLWH) are at high risk of developing HIV related illnesses, malnutrition and deaths. The purpose of this descriptive correlational study was to describe and examine the relationship between utilization of available nutrition options and quality of life among PLWH. Roy’s adaptation model was used to guide the study. A simple random sample of eighty PLWH aged between 21 to 45 years was interviewed using a Quality of Life Questionnaire and Utilization of Available Nutrition Options Questionnaire. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficient test and simple regression. Study findings showed a Pearson coefficient test of (r = .368, p = < .01). This showed that there was a weak positive correlation between utilization of available nutrition options and quality of life. The results of the study showed that utilization of available nutrition options had a weak effect on quality of life of PLWH. R-squared indicated that 13.5% of the total variation in quality of life is attributed to utilization of available nutrition options. The major recommendation is that the Ministry of Health should develop institutional policies that encourage utilization of available nutrition options by PLWH