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Welcome to the University of Venda Institutional Repository, an open digital archive of the research output of the University of Venda. Univen IR contains theses and dissertations, research papers as well as conference papers. For further information and assistance please contact Mr Keith Malabi at +27 15 9628564 or +27 15 962 8314 during office hours

Recent Submissions

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Open Access

Registered nurses’ experiences regarding operational factors influencing the implementation of HIV care services in the mobile health clinics of eThekwini Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal

(Springer Nature, 2024) Ngcobo, Silingene Joyce; Makhado, Lufuno; Sehularo, Leepile Alfred

Background Registered nurses working in the mobile health clinics (MHCs) play an important role in enabling HIV care access to populations in remote areas through Nurse Initiated Antiretroviral Therapy program (NIMART). Aim To explore and describe the nurses’ experiences regarding operational factors influencing the implementation of HIV care services in the mobile health clinics (MHCs) of eThekwini Municipality in KwaZulu Natal. Methods Qualitative Exploratory Descriptive (QED) method was used after permission was granted from North-West University Human Research Ethics Committee provincial and local health authorities. Data saturation informed sample size of thirteen MHCs nurses were purposefully sampled to participate. Audio-recorded, semi-structured, online, one-on-one interviews guided by open-ended questions were done for data collection, and including demographic profile. The interview transcripts were analysed using Atlas-TI and SPSS descriptive statistics was used for demographics. Results Eleven subthemes emerged under patient-related, nurse-related, and organisational-related themes which influence the operational factors in the MHCs, namely: patient defaulting treatment, lack of privacy, unavailability of phones, stressful and demotivating MHCs, nurses feel unsafe, lack of support from management, lack of budget, unavailability of computers, shortage of medical equipment, shortage of nursing staff and absence of data capturers. Conclusion Structured contextual coaching and support program for nurses is imperative to ensure effective and strengthened operations in MHCs, further supported by improvement in human resource for health allocation for MHCs in light of expanding health care programs Contributions Evaluation of health care programmes, and human resource for health quality improvement needs in the clinical practice of HIV care of MHCs nurses which advocate for specific policy formulations.

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Open Access

Professional nurses supporting learners during professional socialisation in Limpopo province

(AOSIS, 2024) Mafumo, Julia L.; Luhalima, Takalani R.; Maputle, Maria S.

Background: Professional nurses play a significant role in the professional socialisation of learner nurses during clinical placement. Clinical placements are areas of experiential learning as learner nurses come in contact with real-life experiences. Professional nurses are custodians of learners and need to offer them support. Aim: The study sought to explore the role of professional nurses in supporting learner nurses during professional socialisation. Setting: Four clinical health facilities in Limpopo province at different levels of care were purposely sampled to obtain information from different levels of care. Methods: An ethnonursing approach and qualitative, explorative design was used. Non-probability purposive sampling was used to select 25 professional nurses. The criteria were professional nurses with 3 years of experience in professional socialisation and working in institutions accredited for clinical placement of learner nurses registered in the undergraduate programme. Data were collected through a face-to-face interview until data saturation was reached. Tesch’s open coding system was used to analyse data. Results: Professional nurses acknowledged that their responsibilities in supporting learners during professional socialisation are mentoring, teaching and being competent practitioners. Professional nurses were aware of their role in transferring ethical skills and knowledge to learners through professional socialisation. Conclusion: The effectiveness of professional socialisation of learner nurses depends on the support offered during clinical placements. Contribution: The study adds to the body of knowledge in nursing education and practice because when learners are offered support in the clinical areas, their learning journey will be of positive experience leading to competent practitioners.

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Open Access

‘We are working in specialty units’—An exploratory qualitative study

(Wiley, 2024) Rangwaneni, Mphedziseni Esther; Raliphaswa, Ndidzulafhi Selina; Maluleke, Mary; Letlalo, Vusiwana Patricia; Masutha, Thingahangwi Cecilia; Manyuma, Duppy; Makhado, Langanani; Rikhotso, Tinyiko Nelly

Aim To explore related support needs of general nurses in specialty mental health units and provide references for formulating a model to support this population working in mental health care units. Design An exploratory qualitative design. Method In-depth individual unstructured interviews were performed with 15 general nurses who worked in mental health care units and were selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected through in-depth, individual, unstructured interviews. Data were analysed thematically using Tech's eight-step analysis method. Results Two themes with their subthemes were extracted. The two themes included (a) Needs for professional growth and (b) the Need for emotional support. Conclusion Influenced by many factors, general nurses could not perform some nursing activities in mental health care units. Health managers should plan the training program to empower and provide emotional support to the general nurses in mental health care units. Further research is required to develop a model to facilitate the support of general nurses allocated to these units. Reporting Method This study follows the consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research. Public Contribution A total of 15 general nurses participated in the study. We utilized their lunch time to conduct the interviews, significantly contributing to the article's content.

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Open Access

Inclusion of epilepsy in life skills education of primary school learners: the perceptions of life skills advisors in Mpumalanga and Limpopo Provinces (South Africa)

(IRBIS Publishing House, 2023) Makhado, T. G.; Lebese, R. T.; Maputle, M. S.

Background. Education regarding epilepsy is paramount because it is one of the measures to equip individuals with knowledge and skills for managing seizures, and reduce stigma and misconceptions towards this disease. Objective: to determine the perceptions of life skills educational advisors regarding the inclusion of epilepsy lessons in life skills education. Material and methods. The study employed an exploratory-descriptive design. It was conducted in Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provinces in South Africa. Eight life skills educational advisors were selected through snowballing sampling techniques, and data were collected using semi-structured interviews and analyzed using ATLAS.ti program. Results. Four themes emerged which emphasize the need to include epilepsy in life skills education because the information regarding it is insufficient: life skills educational advisors’ knowledge of epilepsy, the benefits of including epilepsy in life skills education, content for such education, and methods of teaching. Some individuals consider epilepsy is a medical condition whereas others believe that it is a disease caused by witchcraft. Conclusion. There is a need to include epilepsy in life skills education as it will improve people's awareness about the disease.

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Open Access

Sources of knowledge empowerment amongst pregnant women with TB disease: A qualitative study in South Africa

(Wiley, 2024) Mulondo, Seani Adrinah; Khoza, Lunic Base; Lebese, Rachel Tsakani

Background Providing relevant knowledge to empower all pregnant women diagnosed and nondiagnosed with tuberculosis (TB) is essential worldwide. Proper dissemination of health information for pregnant women could assist in preventing TB complications amongst women and babies. The study aimed to describe the sources of knowledge that empower pregnant women diagnosed with TB and improve their quality of life in Limpopo Province, South Africa. Methodology The study followed a qualitative, exploratory and descriptive research design. The study was conducted in 12 selected primary healthcare facilities in three crisis districts. Thirty-five pregnant women with TB disease were purposively selected, and face-to-face interviews were conducted to generate data, which were analysed using the thematic approach. Measures to ensure trustworthiness and ethical standards were adhered to. Results The findings of this study revealed that healthcare workers, community stakeholders, and TB ambassadors are the primary sources of knowledge dissemination for capacitating women diagnosed with TB. Conclusion Most pregnant women lacked knowledge regarding TB ambassadors as sources of information for empowering women, community awareness campaigns, and Google searches as sources of information sharing. All stakeholders need to work together, considering the patients' charter for TB care that sets out the right for respect and information sharing. The emphasis of this study was on developing a comprehensive educational intervention that could assist in improving the quality of TB services offered to pregnant women.