Self-management challenges of adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Ekurhuleni district primary health care facilities amid COVID-19 lockdown.

BACKGROUND:  Self-management is highly recommended in managing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown, many restrictions were imposed, which might have affected the continuum of care and self-management. However, little is known about how people with T2DM experienced self-management during COVID-19 lockdown within the primary health care (PHC) facilities. AIM:  The study explored and described the self-management challenges of adults with T2DM in Ekurhuleni PHC facilities amid COVID-19 level 5 and 4 lockdowns. SETTING:  The study was conducted in three community health centres in Ekurhuleni which are rendering PHC services. METHODS:  A phenomenological, qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive design was utilised. Purposive sampling was used to select adult patients with T2DM. Data were collected telephonically between July 2022 and August 2022 using semi-structured interviews. Inductive content analysis was used to analyse data. RESULTS:  Two themes emerged from the interviews, namely, uncontrolled blood glucose levels and financial challenges. CONCLUSION:  The patients with T2DM experienced uncontrolled blood glucose levels and financial challenges during the COVID-19 lockdown. Guidelines to improve self-management programmes during restrictions are needed to promote good health during future pandemics to prevent complications and mortality. The telehealth model can be designed to monitor chronic patients at home during lockdown as a two-way communication.Contribution: More knowledge and insight into self-management and health promotion of patients with T2DM was provided by this study. Increased training needs arose for PHC nurses in managing and monitoring patients.

Experiences of primary health care nurses regarding the promotion of sexual reproductive health communication with grandparents in Tshwane District, Gauteng Province.

A qualitative, descriptive contextual design study was conducted to explore and describe the experiences of primary health care nurses regarding the promotion of sexual reproductive health communication with grandparents in Tshwane District, Gauteng Province. A non-probability, purposive sampling was used to select 12 Primary Health care nurses based in the Primary health care facilities within Tshwane District. An in-depth interview was used to collect data and Giorgio's five (5) steps were followed during data analysis. Ethical consideration was adhered to by ensuring confidentiality, anonymity, and privacy. All participants signed the consent form to indicate their willingness to participate in the study. Findings of the study revealed the following themes: Primary health care nurses (PHCNs) experiences of sexual and reproductive health communication, and PHCNs experiences of factors facilitating sexual reproductive health (SRH) communication. From the findings it can then be concluded that PHCNs understand facilitating factors to promote open communication with grandparents regarding SRH.

Une étude contextuelle qualitative et descriptive a été menée pour explorer et décrire les expériences des infirmières de soins de santé primaires concernant la promotion de la communication sur la santé sexuelle et reproductive avec les grands-parents dans le district de Tshwane, province de Gauteng. Un échantillonnage non probabiliste et raisonné a été utilisé pour sélectionner 12 infirmières de soins de santé primaires basées dans les établissements de soins de santé primaires du district de Tshwane. Un entretien approfondi a été utilisé pour collecter les données et les cinq (5) étapes de Giorgio ont été suivies lors de l'analyse des données. Des considérations éthiques ont été respectées en garantissant la confidentialité, l'anonymat et la vie privée. Tous les participants ont signé le formulaire de consentement pour indiquer leur volonté de participer à l'étude. Les résultats de l'étude ont révélé les thèmes suivants : les expériences des infirmières de soins de santé primaires (PHCN) en matière de communication sur la santé sexuelle et reproductive, et les expériences des PHCN sur les facteurs facilitant la communication sur la santé sexuelle et reproductive (SSR). À partir des résultats, on peut alors conclure que les PHCN comprennent les facteurs facilitant la promotion d'une communication ouverte avec les grands-parents concernant la SSR.

Traditional health practitioners' training needs on biomedical knowledge and skills in a South African township.

BACKGROUND: Traditional health practitioners (THPs) play an important role in communities by providing necessary health services for a variety of health problems. Possessing complementary biomedical knowledge and skills is vital in saving lives of patients. However, less is known about biomedical knowledge and skills among THPs. AIM: This study aimed to explore and describe the training needs of THPs on biomedical knowledge and skills in urban townships in South Africa. SETTING: The study was conducted in a township in the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality of Gauteng province, South Africa. METHODS: A qualitative, explorative, descriptive design with 18 THPs was employed through snowballing sampling. Data were collected through a lekgotla group discussion and thematic content analysis undertaken. RESULTS: Themes that emanated include knowledge of the basic physiological functioning of the human body; biomedical knowledge and skills required for the assessment of patients; managing emergency health conditions and understanding diagnostic concepts used in traditional health practice versus biomedical systems. CONCLUSION: Traditional health practitioners have demonstrated interest in being trained on certain skills used within the biomedical system to care for patients. Performing the necessary first-aid skills by THPs will assist patients in the communities while waiting for emergency services or referrals. Provision of training programmes for THPs on first aid interventions during emergencies is therefore recommended.Contribution: The study revealed that capacitating THPs with biomedical knowledge and skills can improve their ability to promote healthy living and prevent health problems in communities where access to resources is limited.

Blended learning during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic: Attitudes of nurse educators in Gauteng.

Background: The use of blended learning (BL) pedagogy has become inevitable due to contemporary technological innovations in the nursing education sector. As of late, the need to use BL pedagogy has resulted by the sudden occurrence of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, several nurse educators still experience uncertainties in using BL due to technological, psychological, infrastructure and equipment readiness barriers. Aim: To report the attitudes of nurse educators towards the use of BL pedagogy as a new norm of teaching and learning in public nursing education institutions (NEIs) in the Gauteng Province (GP), South Africa, during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic period. Setting: The study was conducted in five Gauteng public NEIs. Methods: A descriptive non-experimental quantitative design was conducted with 144 nurse educators. Data was collected through a questionnaire. Statistical Analysis Software (SAS) was used to analyse data with the help of a biostatistician. Results: Technologically, only 50% (N = 72) found BL easy to use while 48% (n = 69) were ready and willing to use the BL Psychologically, more than half, that is, 65% (n = 94) lacked the confidence to use BL pedagogy. About 55% (n = 79) reported having inadequate BL infrastructure, while 32% (n = 46) seemed to be satisfied with the availability of effective equipment to support BL pedagogy. Conclusion: Based on the results, it is apparent that nurse educators in Gauteng are not technologically and psychologically ready, since the infrastructure and equipment to support the BL are not adequately provided. Contribution: The study emphasised the purpose of performing regular assessments to establish the overall readiness of nurse educators to successfully implement the BL pedagogy.

Blended learning during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic: Attitudes of nurse educators in Gauteng

Background: The use of blended learning (BL) pedagogy has become inevitable due to contemporary technological innovations in the nursing education sector. As of late, the need to use BL pedagogy has resulted by the sudden occurrence of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, several nurse educators still experience uncertainties in using BL due to technological, psychological, infrastructure and equipment readiness barriers. Aim: To report the attitudes of nurse educators towards the use of BL pedagogy as a new norm of teaching and learning in public nursing education institutions (NEIs) in the Gauteng Province (GP), South Africa, during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic period. Setting: The study was conducted in five Gauteng public NEIs. Methods: A descriptive non-experimental quantitative design was conducted with 144 nurse educators. Data was collected through a questionnaire. Statistical Analysis Software (SAS) was used to analyse data with the help of a biostatistician. Results: Technologically, only 50% (N = 72) found BL easy to use while 48% (n = 69) were ready and willing to use the BL Psychologically, more than half, that is, 65% (n = 94) lacked the confidence to use BL pedagogy. About 55% (n = 79) reported having inadequate BL infrastructure, while 32% (n = 46) seemed to be satisfied with the availability of effective equipment to support BL pedagogy. Conclusion: Based on the results, it is apparent that nurse educators in Gauteng are not technologically and psychologically ready, since the infrastructure and equipment to support the BL are not adequately provided.

Occupational exposure to blood and body fluids and use of human immunodeficiency virus post-exposure prophylaxis amongst nurses in a Gauteng province hospital.

BACKGROUND: Healthcare facilities in South Africa are confronted by several challenges arising from Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immune diseases syndrome infection pandemic. All categories of nurses continue to experience accidental occupational exposure to blood and body fluids (BBFs) of patients who are HIV-positive. Studies conducted revealed that nurses fail to report the occurrence of the exposures. This represents a serious challenge because they contract HIV infections whilst in the process of helping others. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine the occupational exposures and use of HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) amongst nurses at the selected tertiary academic hospital, Tshwane district, Gauteng province, South Africa. METHODS: A quantitative descriptive study was conducted with 94 male and female clinical nurses, using a self-administered questionnaire that facilitated collection of biographical data, occupational exposures to BBFs and use of HIV PEP. The data analysis included univariate and bivariate descriptive analyses. RESULTS: Of the 94 nurses, n = 40 (43%) had been exposed to BBFs, either through sharp or needle prick injuries or splashes but only 16 (46%) of them reported the incident. Nurses were not keen to report accidental occupational exposures to BBFs in their own facility and rather sought HIV PEP outside their workplace. They gave different reasons for their behaviour. For example, 'I did not know where to report'. CONCLUSION: Our study highlights the gaps that exist in reporting occupational exposure to BBFs and obtaining HIV PEP. Therefore, we recommend evaluation of these occupational exposures to BBFs and the management thereof, as well as to address the identified problems.