Factors influencing poor implementation of primary preventive care in primary health care facilities of Makhado Municipality, Vhembe District in Limpopo Province

Abstract

Introduction: In South Africa, poor implementation of primary preventive care has resulted in an increased number of deaths due to the rise of disease burden, non-communicable and communicable diseases. The aim of the study was to determine factors influencing poor implementation of primary preventive care in primary health care facilities of Makhado Municipality. Methods: The study adopted a qualitative design and used an exploratory and descriptive approach. The entire population of the study were registered professional nurses working in Makhado Municipality primary health care facilities. A non-probability purposive sampling was used to select registered professional nurses and primary health care facilities. Fifteen (15) registered professional nurses and four (04) primary health care facilities were selected. Pre-testing was done with two professional nurses from one of Makhado primary health care facility to determine if there are any flaws in the research interview guide. Data collection was guided by an interview guide using semi-structured interviews. Trustworthiness was ensured through credibility, transferability, dependability and conformability. To ensure that ethical principles were adhered to, ethical clearance certificates were obtained; there was ethical recruitment of subjects; informed consent was obtained from the participants; voluntary participation was maintained while, anonymity and confidentiality were guaranteed to all participants. Results: the study findings revealed that primary health care nurses fail to provide quality health care services to their patients as a result of various shortages. For example, insufficient diagnostic medical devices such as, bloXod pressure monitoring machines and glucometer machines. Insufficient preventive medications were major challenge to nurses and the community at large as it also leads to unwanted pregnancies, termination of pregnancies which increases the workload for both primary health care facilities and secondary health care facilities. In addition, lack of awareness and religious beliefs were also common contributory factors for poor implementation of primary preventive care. Recommendations: The researcher recommended that an increased budget on preventive care would curb the poor implementation of Primary Preventive Care. It was further recommended for research to be conducted on the same research topic; however, the research should be conducted in a different setting to generate more knowledge about the problem at hand. Authorities responsible for allocating budget to the Primary Health Care facilities must do clinic audits so that they identify the shortages in each clinic. Conclusion: primary preventive care is a crucial part of the health system because preventing medical conditions helps with saving money for the Department of Health and ensuring that the population of South Africa remains healthy. The rise in non-communicable and communicable disease that is reported daily, affirms that primary preventive care is still poorly implemented in the primary healthcare facilities and this calls for immediate intervention by the Department of Health.