A model for incorporating “indigenous” postnatal care practices into the midwifery healthcare system in Mopani district, Limpopo Province, South Africa

Model development for incorporating “indigenous” postnatal care into a midwifery healthcare system is of utmost importance in ensuring the provision of culturally congruent care. There has been only limited evidence of the availability of a model which addresses “indigenous” postnatal care practices in midwifery health care systems. As a result, the nurses operate from a modern healthcare point of view only, rather than combining the two worldviews. The main aim of the study was to develop a model for incorporating “indigenous” postnatal care practices into the midwifery health care system in Mopani District, Limpopo Province of South Africa. The study was conducted in three phases. During the first phase the meaning of the concept “incorporation” was analysed. The results guided the researcher during data collection in the second phase, consisting of in-depth individual and focus group interviews to explore the experiences and perceptions of postnatal patients, family members, traditional birth attendants, registered midwives, Midwifery lecturers and the maternal and child healthcare coordinators. The findings confirmed that currently the “indigenous” postnatal care practices are not incorporated in the Midwifery curriculum, books or guidelines for maternity care. As a result there is lack of knowledge amongst midwives regarding the “indigenous” postnatal care practices and it is difficult for them to provide culturally congruent care. Due to inadequate knowledge midwives are displaying negative attitudes towards the family members, traditional birth attendants and patients from diverse cultures. The participants confirmed that there is no teamwork between the registered midwives and the traditional birth attendants (family members). The study findings also confirmed that currently there are no follow-up visits by the midwives for patients during the postnatal period. The midwives are imposing their health beliefs an practices onto the patients on discharge after delivery, without the involvement of the family members or the traditional birth attendants, resulting in sub-standard postnatal care, leading to postnatal complications and an increasing maternal mortality rate. Based on the findings of phases one and two, a model for incorporating “indigenous” postnatal care practices into a midwifery healthcare system was developed and described. The implications for further studies suggested the evaluation and implementation of the model in the healthcare institutions, nursing colleges, clinics and hospitals as an initial step to assist the Department of Health in Limpopo Province in incorporating “indigenous” practices into healthcare systems.Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2012.Nursing Scienceunrestricte

The experiences of postnatal patients regarding postnatal care in Mopani District, Limpopo Province, South Africa

This paper describes the experiences of postnatal patients regarding postnatal care, with the intention of making recommendations to improve the quality of care during the postnatal period. The participants receive care from midwives for the first six hours after delivery and are discharged home. On discharge, the participants receive health advice from midwives on how to take care of themselves and newborn infants at home during the postnatal period. At home they receive care and advice from traditional birth attendants. Different pieces of advice confuse the participants because they interfere with decision-making skills. A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual research method was used in this study. A semi-structured interview guide was also used to conduct focus group interviews. Data were collected until saturation was reached during the second focus group interview. Participants revealed the following challenges: lack of openness and transparency between the midwives and the traditional birth attendants; exclusion of participants’ relatives when giving health advice on discharge; conflicting postnatal care advice; lack of postnatal care supervision and follow up; postnatal patients under direct care of traditional birth attendants only; and feeling of insecurity by the participants. The participants suggested that there should be incorporation of indigenous postnatal care practices into the midwifery healthcare system in order to enhance teamwork between the midwives and the traditional birth attendants. Follow up should be conducted by the midwives to ensure safety, support, supervision and continuity of care to the participants during the postnatal period.The University-based Nursing Education South Africa (UNEDSA) projecthttp://www.ajol.info/journal_index.php?jid=153&ab=ajpherd2016-06-30am201

Assessing the use of contraceptives by female undergraduate students in a selected higher educational institution in Gauteng

BACKGROUND : Unplanned pregnancies amongst students at higher education institutions are a major concern worldwide, including South Africa. Apart from various social and psychological challenges, unplanned pregnancies affect students’ objectives of achieving academic success. Research undertaken in the United States of America (USA) indicates that around 80% of female students in institutions of higher education between ages 18 and 24 are sexually active. OBJECTIVES : To assess and describe the use of contraceptives by undergraduate female students in a selected higher educational institution in Gauteng. METHOD : A cross-sectional, descriptive, quantitative design was used. A total of 400 female undergraduate students were requested to respond to a self-administered questionnaire. Stratified random sampling was used to select the participants. They were selected systematically from two campuses. Data were entered using an excel sheet at the Department of Statistics, and analysed using the Statistical Analysis Software programme, (SAS version 9.3), of the Department of Statistics’ higher educational institutions. RESULTS : A total of 74% females indicated they were sexually active, 79% of whom reported using contraceptives. The most common used methods were oral contraceptives at 38%, and 25% for male condoms. The most commonly known methods were condoms at 84%, and the oral contraceptive at 68%. The knowledge of condom use to prevent sexually transmitted diseases was high at 91%. CONCLUSION : Inadequate knowledge and awareness on some contraceptive methods was found. Thus, educational programmes to increase students’ knowledge on the use of all contraceptive methods are urgently needed.http://www.curationis.org.zahb201

Perceptions of the Vhavenda regarding the significance of IKS rituals and customs in women's health : "The other side of the coin"

The paper aimed to explore and describe the perceptions of the Vhavenda people regarding the significance of indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) rituals and customs in promoting Women’s Health. Indigenous knowledge should be given a platform to add to our understanding of the world and advance philosophies that inform research approaches and interventions that sustain and acknowledge the role played by IKS in promoting women’s health. The HIV epidemic, disproportionately affecting sub-Saharan African women and their families, has put an academic spotlight on African beliefs systems and IKS. Most of the academic studies are based on western approaches, which are built predominantly around individualistic western beliefs and cultures that perceives IKS as the ‘other’ form of knowledge that can pose a threat to African women’s health. A qualitative descriptive study was conducted. In depth interviews were held with key informants who were knowledgeable about Vhavenda cultures. The findings demonstrate that beliefs about polygamy, widow inheritance and initiation schools are more complicated as participants perceived these customs as having benefits and risks to women’s health. The paper recommends adopting the African philosophy of ubuntu to assist in harmonizing the Vhavenda IKS to assist in addressing women,s health challenges.http://www.krepublishers.com/journalofsocialsciences.htmlam2016Nursing Scienc

Comparison between indigenous and Western postnatal care practices in Mopani District, Limpopo Province, South Africa

BACKGROUND : Postnatal care begins immediately after the expulsion of the placenta and continues for six to eight weeks post-delivery. High standard of care is required during the postnatal period because mothers and babies are at risk and vulnerable to complications related to postpartum haemorrhage and infections. Midwives and traditional birth attendants are responsible for the provision of postnatal care in different settings, such as clinics and hospitals, and homes. METHODS : A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual research approach was followed in this study. Unstructured interviews were conducted with the traditional birth attendants. An integrated literature review was conducted to identify the Western postnatal care practices. Tesch’s process was followed during data analysis. FINDINGS : The following main categories were identified: similarities between indigenous and Western postnatal care practices, and differences between indigenous and Western postnatal care practices. Based on these findings, training of midwives and traditional birth attendants was recommended in order to empower them with knowledge and skills regarding the indigenous and Western postnatal care practices. CONCLUSIONS : It is evident that some indigenous postnatal care practices have adverse effects on the health of postnatal women and their newborn infants, but these are unknown to the traditional birth attendants. The employment of indigenous postnatal care practices by the traditional birth attendants is also influenced by their cultural beliefs, norms, values and attitudes. Therefore, there is an urgent need to train midwives and traditional birth attendants regarding the indigenous and Western postnatal care to improve the health of postnatal women and their babies.The National Research Foundationhttp://www.curationis.org.za/am201

Comparison between indigenous and Western postnatal care practices in Mopani District, Limpopo Province, South Africa

BACKGROUND : Postnatal care begins immediately after the expulsion of the placenta and continues for six to eight weeks post-delivery. High standard of care is required during the postnatal period because mothers and babies are at risk and vulnerable to complications related to postpartum haemorrhage and infections. Midwives and traditional birth attendants are responsible for the provision of postnatal care in different settings, such as clinics and hospitals, and homes. METHODS : A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual research approach was followed in this study. Unstructured interviews were conducted with the traditional birth attendants. An integrated literature review was conducted to identify the Western postnatal care practices. Tesch’s process was followed during data analysis. FINDINGS : The following main categories were identified: similarities between indigenous and Western postnatal care practices, and differences between indigenous and Western postnatal care practices. Based on these findings, training of midwives and traditional birth attendants was recommended in order to empower them with knowledge and skills regarding the indigenous and Western postnatal care practices. CONCLUSIONS : It is evident that some indigenous postnatal care practices have adverse effects on the health of postnatal women and their newborn infants, but these are unknown to the traditional birth attendants. The employment of indigenous postnatal care practices by the traditional birth attendants is also influenced by their cultural beliefs, norms, values and attitudes. Therefore, there is an urgent need to train midwives and traditional birth attendants regarding the indigenous and Western postnatal care to improve the health of postnatal women and their babies.The National Research Foundationhttp://www.curationis.org.za/am201

The sexual health needs of learners in Makapanstad, Hammanskraal

The aim of this article is to inductively explore and describe the sexual health needs of learners in Makapanstad, Hammanskraal, using a phenomenological qualitative research design. Three themes and eight sub-themes were revealed during data analysis. The identified main themes were: The sexual health needs of learners, contributory factors towards teenage pregnancy and the strategies to address the identified sexual health needs. It is concluded that teenage pregnancy is a serious health concern due to inadequate parental guidance, and poverty. Parental involvement in sexual health issues, free condom distribution, sex education in schools, homes and churches, use of technology and the use of stepping stones were suggested as strategies to reduce the rate of teenage pregnancy. Further research should be conducted in order to explore other strategies that will possibly promote sexual health of learners in other South African schools.http://www.printspublications.comam2017Nursing Scienc

Culture and marriage : the dual barriers to condom use among health care providers in Tshwane, South Africa

The use of condom will provide men and women 100% protection against HIV and AIDS infection. However, the acceptability of condom use in sexual relations including marriage is confronted with culturally entrenched barriers. Health care providers as being socialised within the communities with specific cultures also experience barriers regarding condom use. The purpose of the study was to explore and describe culture and marriage as barriers regarding condom use among health care providers in Tshwane. A qualitative, focused ethnography design was used. Data collection was through semi-structured interviews using three research questions. The population included health care providers who were responsible for provision of HIV and AIDS programmes in selected health care settings in Tshwane. Purposive sampling was used and ethical principles were upheld. Trustworthiness was ensured. Results indicated that irrespective of health care providers being knowledgeable on condom use, when faced with condom use in their sexual relationships they are confronted by culturally entrenched barriers. Marriage becomes a barrier for condom use as it is culturally embedded. Norms and values determining men and women’s behaviour in a relationship stipulate that men are decision makers. As such, health care providers’ sexual partners refuse to use condoms. It is recommended that culturally sensitive programmes be developed and health care providers receive appropriate training to address culture and marriage as barriers regarding condom use in their sexual relationships.http://www.ajol.info/journal_index.php?jid=153&ab=ajpherd2017-10-31am201

Factors influencing utilisation of female condom among healthcare providers in Tshwane, South Africa

This article describes the factors influencing the utilisation of the female condom (FC2) among healthcare providers, which is part of a study that aimed at developing strategies to improve the utilisation by the patients of FC2 in prevention of STIs, HIV and AIDs and unplanned pregnancies. Like other women in the world, female healthcare providers are also biologically two to four times more vulnerable to STIs, HIV and AIDs infections than men. Women are also vulnerable to unplanned pregnancies. However, the utilisation of FC2 by healthcare providers is still inadequate. A qualitative, exploratory and descriptive research approach was used in this study. Purposive sampling was used to select the participants, because only healthcare providers responsible for the provision of FC2 were selected. In-depth individual interviews were used during data collection. Data were analysed following the qualitative data analysis methods. Factors influencing the utilisation of FC2 were identified as the main category during data analysis. The study confirmed that the healthcare providers are unable to utilise the FC2 because of: the shape and size of the FC2; complexities of the female genital organs hindering procedure; partners’ reaction to FC2; and cultural background around accepting FC2 use. The development of strategies to enable healthcare providers to use FC2 was recommended, in order to ensure protection and prevention of STIs, HIV and AIDs and unplanned pregnancies among healthcare providers.http://www.ajol.info/journal_index.php?jid=153&ab=ajpherd2016-10-31hb201

Female condom two (FC2) marketing strategies for health care workers in Tshwane district, South Africa

Marketing strategies for female condom 2 (FC2) play an important role in health care. Media, health education and campaigns have a role to play in reaching vulnerable populations who need to receive information about the use of FC2. The objective of this study was to explore and describe FC2 marketing strategies for health care workers in the Tshwane District, South Africa. A qualitative exploratory and descriptive case study method was applied. The population included health care workers, who were purposively selected. Data collection was done through in-depth individual interviews with participants in order to reach saturation. These participants included operational managers (n=3), administrator (n=1), lay counsellors (n=6) and professional nurses (n=20). Tesch’s method of data analysis was used where one theme and six subcategories were identified and described. FC2 marketing strategy for health care workers to use in informing vulnerable groups emerged as a category. The six subcategories identified from the category included: maximising media coverage; extensive education of benefits to users; collaboration with other health promotion programmes to promote FC2; expanding programmes to school; educating males about female condom use; training and workshops for health care workers regarding health campaigns to individual families. The results emphasise the role of the media, health education and health campaigns in reaching vulnerable women, men and school children who need to receive information about the use of FC2.http://www.ajol.info/journal_index.php?jid=153&ab=ajpherd2017-10-31am201