Department of Advanced Nursing Science

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Browsing Department of Advanced Nursing Science by Author "Chewe, V. M."

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    Factors contributing to poor utilization of public health facilities for maternity care Services at Mpumalanga Province, South Africa
    (2025-09-05) Usinga, Sibusiso; Mulondo, S. A.; Chewe, V. M.
    Utilizing maternity care services as soon as possible will guarantee maternal health and ensure that babies have the best possible start in life. Around 75% of births occur outside of a health facility worldwide which means that it is rare for experienced midwives to be present in these situations. Despite all the efforts the Department of Health makes to implement standards and develop programs like the South African Maternal, Perinatal, and Neonatal Health Policy, Basic Antenatal Care Approach, traditional approach, and updating standards to minimise maternal mortality rate and complications, poor utilization of public health facilities for maternity care services remains high in rural based health facilities of Ehlanzeni district. Therefore, this study aimed at identifying and describing factors that contribute to poor utilization of public health facilities for maternity care services at Thulamahashe local region, Bushbuckridge local municipality of Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. A quantitative cross-sectional descriptive design was employed for this study. A questionnaire was employed and simple random probability was used to select 204 pregnant women from the six selected primary health facilities of Thulamahashe local region. The sample size was calculated using Slovin’s formula. A pre-test of the data collection instrument was done on 22 respondents from one of the selected health facilities. The researcher used Excel and the statistics program SPSS version 30.0. This software produces tables, charts, and numerical statistical measures with the click of a mouse. Validity and reliability were maintained. Ethical standards such as permission to conduct the study, informed consent, confidentiality and privacy, principle of beneficiary, respect and human rights and justice were taken into consideration. The study indicated that core barriers for maternity care service utilisation listed by respondents were that they were waiting for too long in the healthcare facility, fear of being scolded by midwives, distance from home to the health facility and lack of education. The conclusion drawn from this study is that awareness to maternity care services utilisation needs to be consistently raised so that utilisation might increase. Pregnant women are encouraged to initiate ANC services as soon as they find out they are pregnant and Nurses’ attitude should be addressed through trainings on interpersonal communication skills.
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    Factors contributing to the utilisation of cultural remedies by pregnant women in selected villages of Mopani District, South Africa
    (2026-05-19) Mashige, Mbidzo; Malwela, T.; Chewe, V. M.
    Cultural remedies remain an integral component of maternal health care globally, particularly in African societies where they are commonly used alongside or in preference to modern medical services, and this study aimed to determine the factors contributing to their utilisation amongst pregnant women in selected villages of the Mopani District, Limpopo Province, South Africa. A quantitative and descriptive cross-sectional design was used. Data were collected from one hundred and fifty (150) multigravida women between the ages of twenty-five (25) and fifty-five (55) years. A structured questionnaire was used to gather information. The questionnaire was tested before the main study to ensure clarity and consistency. Data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences and Microsoft Excel. The results were presented in tables and graphs. The findings showed that the use of cultural remedies is still common. Most women used herbal mixtures and believed they were effective. Cultural beliefs, accessibility, affordability, and trust in traditional knowledge were the main reasons for use. Elderly family members and community expectations played a strong role in guiding pregnant women. The study also found that some women experienced risks such as delayed medical care and early labour. Many women did not disclose the use of remedies to health workers because they feared being judged. The study recommends stronger collaboration between traditional healers and health professionals. It also calls for culturally sensitive maternal care programmes, public health education, and more research on the safety of the herbal remedies used by pregnant women.