32 articles in this issue
Ernest J. Sechoaro,Belinda Scrooby,Daleen P. Koen
AbstractBackground: Rehabilitation has emerged as a comprehensive approach to addressing intellectually-disabled peoples’ skill deficits, improving competencies and facilitating optimal functioning in order to provide the greatest possible measure of soci... see more
Hendrik J. Loubser,Judith C. Bruce,Daleen Casteleijn
AbstractBackground: In the specialised nursing fields of gerontology, oncology, rehabilitation and home-based care where people live with permanent or temporary disabilities, nurses are unable to perform routine and empirical scoring of their patients’ ab... see more
Aneshree Naicker,Chris Myburgh,Marie Poggenpoel
AbstractBackground: Research shows that one third of all persons in South Africa have been exposed to one or more types of aggression. It has been observed that learners frequently experience aggression from teachers in the secondary school environment, w... see more
Helena W. Meyer,Tiaan G.J.C. Kirsten
Abstract Background: Psychological violence has emerged as a priority concern in all workplaces because of its adverse consequences on victims’ health. So far, limited research has been conducted on the effect of psychological violence on the five interre... see more
Varshika M. Bhana,Annali D.H. Botha
AbstractPatients perceive the intensive care unit (ICU) as being a stressful and anxiety-provoking environment. The physiological effects of stress and anxiety are found to be harmful and therefore should be avoided in cardiac surgery patients. ... see more
Nandzumuni V. Maswanganyi,Rachel T. Lebese,Ntsieni S. Mashau,Lunic B. Khoza
AbstractBackground: Compliance with tuberculosis (TB) treatment is unpredictable. Most patients do not comply because they do not see the importance of doing so, which is usually influenced by lack of knowledge.Objectives: The purpose of the study was to ... see more
Chrisma Pretorius,Ninon Joubert
Abstract Background: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a debilitating and degenerative lifelong neurological disease that seems to be growing increasingly more prevalent in South Africa.Objectives: The aim of this qualitative study was to explore the personal ex... see more
Johanna M. Mathibe-Neke,Allan Rothberg,Gayle Langley
AbstractBackground: The physiological and psychological changes caused by pregnancy may increase a woman’s vulnerability to depression, which may in turn have adverse effects on both maternal and foetal wellbeing. Inadequate psychosocial risk assessment o... see more
Gizelle Kruger,Anita E. Pienaar,Dané Coetzee,Salomé H. Kruger
Abstract Background: Child undernutrition remains a major public health concern in developing countries, with many negative consequences to child development.Objectives: To determine the prevalence of stunting, wasting and underweight amongst Grade 1-lear... see more
Catriona Macleod,Lebogang Seutlwadi,Gary Steele
Abstract Background: The Choice on Termination of Pregnancy (CTOP) Act legalised abortion on request in South Africa until up to 12 weeks of gestation and thereafter under specified conditions. Within the context of liberal legislation, accurate informati... see more
Mashudu Davhana-Maselesele,Sylvester Madu,Gail E. Wyatt,John K. Williams,Lufuno Makhado,Lauren H. Wong
AbstractBackground: Gender-based violence is a challenge in South Africa, despite available interventions. Caring for the survivors of both forms of violence is critical for ensuring their speedy recovery.Objectives: To compare the effects of trauma on fe... see more
Thuli G. Mthembu,Brian van Wyk
Abstract Background: Antiretroviral treatment (ART) improves the prognosis and quality of life for HIV patients by reducing the rate of disease progression and mortality. Although ART has been available in public health centres in South Africa since 2003,... see more
Hendrina H. Grobbelaar,Carin E. Napier
AbstractBackground: Facilities concerned with children ‘in need of care’ should not only be considered as a last resort for a child’s care, but also as an intervention that requires more than addressing a child’s basic physical needs. The nutritional need... see more
Rizwana Roomaney,Michelle G. Andipatin,Anika Naidoo
AbstractBackground: Haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelet count (HELLP syndrome) is a high-risk pregnancy condition that could be fatal to mother and/or baby. It is characterised, as the acronym indicates, by haemolysis, elevated liver enzym... see more
Motlatso G. Mlambo,Karl Peltzer,Annariina Koivu
AbstractBackground: Even though significant progress has been made in the roll-out and quality of the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) services in South Africa, the quality of patient data recording remains a challenge. Objectives... see more
Khangelani Zuma,Khanyisile Manzini,Neo Mohlabane
Abstract Background: South Africa is experiencing one of the worst HIV epidemics, which varies by province and by districts within each province.Objective: To explore and compare HIV trends and patterns between two provinces in South Africa. Method: ‘Know... see more
Respect M. Miya
AbstractBackground: The incidence rate of tuberculosis (TB) in South Africa remains high, with the country ranked as having the 14th-highest incidence rate internationally; 646 per 100 000 people are infected with TB nationally, whilst KwaZulu-Natal ... see more
Mauwane R. Phaladi-Digamela
AbstractBackground: Strategies to meet the healthcare needs of pregnant women are made available throughout antenatal, intra-partum and post-natal periods. These strategies are aimed at reducing perinatal and maternal mortality amongst women who access an... see more
Ditonkana A. Sello,Yoswa M. Dambisya
AbstractBackground: Pharmacist participation in ward rounds is of increasing interest for better pharmaceutical care, yet most pharmacists do not engage in this activity.Objective: The objective was to obtain public sector pharmacists’ views and perceptio... see more
Nicolene de Jager,Sonya Beukes,Anna G.W. Nolte
AbstractOccupational health nurses (OHNs) are qualified registered nurses with a postgraduate qualification in occupational health nursing. An important activity of OHNs is to identify and assess health risks in the workplace. Health risk assessments (HRA... see more
Herman R. Letlape,Magdalena P. Koen,Siedine K. Coetzee,Vicki Koen
AbstractBackground: New research findings, changes in legislation and the use of information technology in nursing, require continuous in-service training of psychiatric nurses to cope with, reflect on and modify their clinical practice based on emerging ... see more
Elizabeth Nkwinika,Lunic B. Khoza,Rachel T. Lebese,Hildah N. Shilubane
AbstractBackground: Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV and AIDS) remain a serious threat to population health and economic well-being of individuals in conflict societies. Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is overwhelmingly a... see more
Melanie Y. Hami,Valerie J. Ehlers,Dirk M. van der Wal
Abstract Background: Malawi provides cervical cancer screening services free of charge at some public health facilities. Few women make use of these cancer screening services in Malawi and many women continue to be diagnosed with cervical cancer only duri... see more
Candice Reardon,Oluwatobi Enigbokan,Gavin George
Abstract Background: A paucity of research exists that has examined temporary placements of foreign health professionals in South Africa (SA) as a possible strategy for addressing health worker shortages. The Out of Programme Experience (OOPE) initiative,... see more
Nadeem Cassim,Shaun Ruggunan
AbstractBackground: The aim of the present study was to identify the factors that influence the global migration of South African anatomical pathologists working in the province of KwaZulu-Natal.Objective: The present study answered the question ‘what fac... see more
Amanda Louw,Heather Lawrence,Jenny Motto
AbstractBackground: Mammography is not supported optimally by patients as a screening and diagnostic tool for breast cancer, often as result of negative perceptions amongst patients which originate from a range of factors.Objectives: The objective of the ... see more
Nditsheni J. Ramakuela,Henry A. Akinsola,Lunic B. Khoza,Rachel T. Lebese,Augustine Tugli
AbstractBackground: The term ‘menopause’ is derived from the Greek words men (month) and pausis (a cessation, a pause). It is a direct description of the psychological and physical events in women where menstruation ceases to occur. It is the time in a wo... see more
Susan C. Wright,Titilayo T. Biya,Majapi E. Chokwe
AbstractBackground: Pregnancy-related health education conveys basic information regarding healthy lifestyle choices and preventive healthcare in order to promote the health of the mother and foetus. Verbal education is supplemented frequently b... see more
Mosidi B. Serobatse,Emmerentia Du Plessis,Magdalena P. Koen
AbstractBackground: Non-compliance to treatment remains one of the greatest challenges in mental healthcare services, and how to improve this remains a problem.Aim: The aim of this study was to critically synthesise the best available evidence from&n... see more
Kenetsoe B. Seroalo,Emmerentia Du Plessis,Magdalena P. Koen,Vicki Koen
AbstractBackground: Interventions have been developed and implemented to reduce the stigma attached to mental illness. However, mental healthcare users are still stigmatised.Objective: The objective of this study was to critically synthesise the best... see more
Saloshni Naidoo,Ozayr H. Mahomed,Shaidah Asmall,Myra Taylor
AbstractBackground: Chronic diseases of lifestyle are detrimentally affecting South Africans. National Health Insurance, which is intended to improve care, requires capacity building for nurses at primary care clinics to ensure appropriate service pr... see more
Rogerio Phili
AbstractBackground: KwaZulu-Natal province began implementation of voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) as an integral part of its HIV infection prevention strategy that includes other programmes such as HIV counselling and testing (HCT), ... see more