Department of Nursing and Public Health

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http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11837/3421
The Department of Nursing and Public Health collection in DSpace at the University of Fort Hare provides access to the scholarly and research outputs of staff and students. This collection includes theses and dissertations, research articles, conference papers, and examination question papers. The Department is committed to advancing knowledge and practice in nursing, public health, health promotion, epidemiology, community health, and healthcare management. Its teaching and research focus on improving healthcare delivery, disease prevention, health promotion, and the wellbeing of individuals and communities, with particular attention to the health needs of underserved and rural populations. By preserving and disseminating these resources, the collection supports teaching, learning, and research while contributing to evidence-based healthcare practice, public health policy, and the development of competent and compassionate health professionals.

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Browsing Department of Nursing and Public Health by Subject "AIDS (Disease) in pregnancy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape"

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    Attitudes, knowledge and behaviour of HIV positive pregnant women attending antenatal care in buffalo city metropolitan district east London towards prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT).
    (University of Fort Hare, 2014) Skoti, Florence Nozakhe; Mayeye, B.; Yako, E.
    Background: The National HIV and AIDS and STI strategic plan for South Africa, 2007-2011 aims to reduce the rate of mother to child transmission to less than 5% by 2011. On the World Aids day in 2009, the Honorable President Jacob Zuma announced the intervention to improve antiretroviral therapy (ARV), access to priority group’s in order to decrease the disease burden, to address maternal and child mortality, and to improve life expectancy (PMTCT Guidelines: 2010). According to the literature reviewed, accepting attitudes may indicate better knowledge and understanding of HIV and AIDS. Marking a change in South Africa’s history of HIV the South African Government launched a major HIV Counseling and Testing program campaign (HCT) in 2010. For the PMTCT program to work and be acceptable, it needs to be known by its clients. It helps the individual to know about their status so that they make important choices for self and others. Amongst the important choices, medications for opportunistic medications, ARV’S, behavior change, etc, are included (Project Literacy 2006:40). Aim and Objectives: The study assessed the knowledge that the pregnant women have towards the prevention of mother to-child transmission which includes HIV testing, antiretroviral prophylaxis during pregnancy, labour, and post natal and feeding options. Methods: A quantitative descriptive method was used for this study. The questionnaires developed by the researcher were used for data collection. The items on the questionnaire were divided into four (4) subsections. The questionnaire was administered to all positive pregnant women coming for follow up visit and those available at the time of data collection. Conclusion: In this study evaluation of the level of knowledge and attitude of positive pregnant women with regard to PMTCT in 5 Buffalo City Municipality clinics was conducted. It was found that some of positive pregnant women have better knowledge about PMTC though there were still those that need further education. Recommendations: The service providers, who are the professional nurses, should be provided with proper training on PMTCT program to improve their standard of service delivery and to capacitate them with knowledge and skills. Integration of HIV related health aspects during assessment and treatment of pregnant women should be strengthened, as the purpose of implementation of PMTCT was to reduce mortality rate by 50%, and also to reach the 4th Millennium Development Goal of reducing these deaths by two-thirds by 2015.
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    Factors contributing to non adherence among pregnant women on antiretroviral treatment at Amathole district, Eastern Cape
    (University of Fort Hare, 2014) Dekeda, Kolelwa Felicia; Vellem, N.M.
    During the beginning of the HIV epidemic in 1981 25 million people have died. The introduction of ART therefore has promising developments to reduce mortality rates and new infections. Nevertheless, there is still a challenge with adherence to ART worldwide and in South Africa. The purpose of the study was to determine the factors contributing to non-adherence to ART among HIV positive pregnant women. The study involved a non- probability sample of 70 HIV pregnant women on ART attending antenatal care clinics at the tertiary hospital and two community healthcentres,in Buffalo City, Amathole District, Eastern Cape. A coded questionnaire wasused as an instrument for data collection.Ethical procedure was followed and a consentform was signed by each participant. Data was collected for a period of two monthsThe demographic data reveals that the majority of the participants were knowledgeable about ART and employed. That is evident in the adherence to ART in all age groups except age 40 and above. The majority of HIV positive pregnant women on ART whoparticipated in the study were single 50% (n=35) which suggests that they may lack emotional support from partners and may have difficulty in disclosing their status.Level of adherence revealed that 27% (n=19) of participants missed ART because of forgetfulness, and 16% (n=12) and others were feeling healthy due to frequent follow ups and complying with the ART. Poor follow up, too sick, side effects pill burden, fear of stigma, lack of finances and taking alcohol hinders the proper management of HIV positive pregnant women and is risky to the unborn baby.
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    Factors contributing to non adherence among pregnant women on antiretroviral treatment at Amathole District, Eastern cape.
    (University of Fort Hare, 2014) Dekeda, Kolelwa Felicia; Vellem, N.M.; Tshotsho, N.
    During the beginning of the HIV epidemic in 1981 25 million people have died. The introduction of ART therefore has promising developments to reduce mortality rates and new infections. Nevertheless there is still a challenge with adherence to ART worldwide and in South Africa. The purpose of the study was to determine the factors contributing to non-adherence to ART among HIV positive pregnant women. The study involved a non- probability sample of 70 HIV pregnant women on ART attending antenatal care clinics at the tertiary hospital and two community health centres,in Buffalo City, Amathole District, Eastern Cape. A coded questionnaire was used as an instrument for data collection. Ethical procedure was followed and a consent form was signed by each participant. Data was collected for a period of two months The demographic data reveals that the majority of the participants were knowledgeable about ART and employed. That is evident in the adherence to ART in all age groups except age 40 and above. The majority of HIV positive pregnant women on ART who participated in the study were single 50% (n=35) which suggests that they may lack emotional support from partners and may have difficulty in disclosing their status. Level of adherence revealed that 27% (n=19) of participants missed ART because of forgetfulness, and 16% (n=12) and others were feeling healthy due to frequent follow ups and complying with the ART. Poor follow up, too sick, side effects pill burden, fear of stigma, lack of finances and taking alcohol hinders the proper management of HIV positive pregnant women and is risky to the unborn baby. HIV positive pregnant women on ART exhibited a good knowledge and use of ART. This is encouraging and should be sustained by continuous community awareness campaigns to empower the communities about HIV/AIDS, PMTCT programme and ART and extensive training of health care providers.