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

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

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

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

An environmental scan of emergency response systems and services in remote First Nations communities in Northern Ontario

Background: Approximately 24,000 Ontarians live in remote Indigenous communities with no road access. These communities are a subset of Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN), a political grouping of 49 First Nations communities in Northern Ontario, Canada. Limited information is available regarding the status of emergency care in these communities. Objective: We aimed to understand emergency response systems, services, and training in remote NAN communities. Design: We used an environmental scan approach to compile information from multiple sources including community-based participatory research. This included the analysis of data collected from key informant interviews (n=10) with First Nations community health leaders and a multi-stakeholder roundtable meeting (n=33) in October 2013. Results: Qualitative analysis of the interview data revealed four issues related to emergency response systems and training: (1) inequity in response capacity and services, (2) lack of formalised dispatch systems, (3) turnover and burnout in volunteer emergency services, and (4) challenges related to first aid training. Roundtable stakeholders supported the development of a community-based emergency care system to address gaps. Conclusions: Existing first response, paramedical, and ambulance service models do not meet the unique geographical, epidemiological and cultural needs in most NAN communities. Sustainable, context-appropriate, and culturally relevant emergency care systems are needed