<p>This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes and practices about MC as an HIV prevention intervention among adult males presenting for HIV Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) services at Onandjokwe District Hospital in northern Namibia. A high level of knowledge of MC, particularly its potential to reduce the risk of HIV infection, STIs and enhance penile hygiene exists among VCT attendees in Onandjokwe District Hospital. MC will most likely to be accepted in this study area, especially when it is implemented to reduce the risk of HIV infection. The study recommends a comprehensive education and information program targeting males and their partners and a training for traditional and medical circumcisers to ensure a high quality of MC services.</p>

Magister Public Health - MPH / This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes and practices about MC as an HIV prevention intervention among adult males presenting for HIV Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) services at Onandjokwe District Hospital in northern Namibia. A high level of knowledge of MC, particularly its potential to reduce the risk of HIV infection, STIs and enhance penile hygiene exists among VCT attendees in Onandjokwe District Hospital. MC will most likely to be accepted in this study area, especially when it is implemented to reduce the risk of HIV infection. The study recommends a comprehensive education and information program targeting males and their partners and a training for traditional and medical circumcisers to ensure a high quality of MC services. / South Africa

Globally an estimated 33.4 million people were living with HIV/AIDS by 2008 (UNAIDS, 2009a:7). One of the main challenges facing the Republic of South Africa (RSA) today is the HIV/AIDS epidemic (NSP, 2007:17). By mid-year 2011 an estimated 5.38 million people (10.6% of the total population) were living with HIV/AIDS in the RSA (Statistics South Africa, 2011:2). Currently South Africa has the largest number of people enrolled in the Highly Active Antiretroviral Treatment programme (HAART) in the world (WHO, 2008:59). The objective of this study was to determine retrospectively the medicine treatment patterns of HAART at a district hospital in the North West Province of South Africa. The study was conducted at Thusong hospital in the Ditsobotla sub-district of the North West Province of South Africa. A non-experimental, retrospective, cross-sectional, drug utilisation research methodology was used to obtain the data. The target population included patients of all ages who visited Thusong hospital pharmacy during the data collection period, which commenced on 01 February 2012 and ended on 31 March 2012. The data of three hundred and ninety nine (N=399) adult and one hundred and sixty one (N=161) paediatric patients on HAART were used. The adult female patients accounted for almost 70% (n=276, 69.17%) and the adult male patients for only 30% (n=123, 30.83%). The male paediatric patients represented just over 60% (n=97, 60.25%), whereas the female paediatric patients comprised less than 40% (n=64, 39.75%). The majority of adult patients were unmarried (n=323, 80.95%) and this group of patients were also the youngest group (μ=36.38 ± 8.98 years) on ARV treatment. Almost 86% (85.96%, n=343) of adult patients were registered as unemployed. Ninety two (n=92, 23.06%) adult patients and fifty eight (n=58, 36.03%) paediatric patients defaulted treatment during the defined period. The investigation into the adult medicine treatment patterns revealed that more than half (52.38%, n=209) of all the adult patients were receiving regimen 1atn (EFV, TDF and 3TC), followed by 20.80% (n=83) on regimen 1a (EFV, D4T and 3TC). Most paediatric patients (n=73, 45.34%) were on regimen P1c (EFV, D4T and 3TC) and the second most (n=45, 27.95%) were on regimen P1a (D4T, 3TC and LPV/r). The average weight of adult female patients was 57.18kg (± 15.78kg) and the average adult male patient weighed 55.87kg (± 10.17kg) on initiation of HAART. The average adult male patient was initiated on HAART with a CD4 count of 130cells/mm3 (± 99.45cells/mm3), while for adult female patients it was 160cells/mm3 (± 96.52cells/mm3). The average male child was initiated with a CD4 count of 509.1cells/mm3 and the average female paediatric patient with 477.3cells/mm3. The average viral load for adult female patients on initiation of HAART was 103046copies/mm3 (± 189146copies/mm3) and for adult male patients it was 416600copies/mm3 (± 439746copies/mm3). The difference between the viral load of adult female and male patients were described as statistically (p=0.0006) and practically (d=0.713) significant. The average viral load for female paediatric patients on initiation of HAART was 242207copies/mm3 (± 709133copies/mm3) and for male paediatric patients it was 329734copies/mm3 (± 674532copies/mm3). Adult patients that received HAART at more than 12 consultations revealed an average weight gain of 3.43kg (± 8.11kg) from initiation of treatment. This group also showed an average increase of 214.71cells/mm3 (± 248.24cells/mm3) in CD4 count and an average reduction in viral load of 170944copies/mm3 (± 191854.69copies/mm3) from the day they started HAART up to the last date of receiving treatment. The paediatric patients on treatment for more than 12 consultations showed an average weight gain of 6.56kg (± 3.75kg) from initiation of ARV treatmentup to the last date of receiving treatment. They also showed an average increase in CD4 count of 396.63cells/mm3 (± 594.53cells/mm3) and a very encouraging average decrease of 538369.37copies/mm3 (± 948634.46copies/mm3) in the viral load. / MPham (Pharmacy Practice), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Globally an estimated 33.4 million people were living with HIV/AIDS by 2008 (UNAIDS, 2009a:7). One of the main challenges facing the Republic of South Africa (RSA) today is the HIV/AIDS epidemic (NSP, 2007:17). By mid-year 2011 an estimated 5.38 million people (10.6% of the total population) were living with HIV/AIDS in the RSA (Statistics South Africa, 2011:2). Currently South Africa has the largest number of people enrolled in the Highly Active Antiretroviral Treatment programme (HAART) in the world (WHO, 2008:59). The objective of this study was to determine retrospectively the medicine treatment patterns of HAART at a district hospital in the North West Province of South Africa. The study was conducted at Thusong hospital in the Ditsobotla sub-district of the North West Province of South Africa. A non-experimental, retrospective, cross-sectional, drug utilisation research methodology was used to obtain the data. The target population included patients of all ages who visited Thusong hospital pharmacy during the data collection period, which commenced on 01 February 2012 and ended on 31 March 2012. The data of three hundred and ninety nine (N=399) adult and one hundred and sixty one (N=161) paediatric patients on HAART were used. The adult female patients accounted for almost 70% (n=276, 69.17%) and the adult male patients for only 30% (n=123, 30.83%). The male paediatric patients represented just over 60% (n=97, 60.25%), whereas the female paediatric patients comprised less than 40% (n=64, 39.75%). The majority of adult patients were unmarried (n=323, 80.95%) and this group of patients were also the youngest group (μ=36.38 ± 8.98 years) on ARV treatment. Almost 86% (85.96%, n=343) of adult patients were registered as unemployed. Ninety two (n=92, 23.06%) adult patients and fifty eight (n=58, 36.03%) paediatric patients defaulted treatment during the defined period. The investigation into the adult medicine treatment patterns revealed that more than half (52.38%, n=209) of all the adult patients were receiving regimen 1atn (EFV, TDF and 3TC), followed by 20.80% (n=83) on regimen 1a (EFV, D4T and 3TC). Most paediatric patients (n=73, 45.34%) were on regimen P1c (EFV, D4T and 3TC) and the second most (n=45, 27.95%) were on regimen P1a (D4T, 3TC and LPV/r). The average weight of adult female patients was 57.18kg (± 15.78kg) and the average adult male patient weighed 55.87kg (± 10.17kg) on initiation of HAART. The average adult male patient was initiated on HAART with a CD4 count of 130cells/mm3 (± 99.45cells/mm3), while for adult female patients it was 160cells/mm3 (± 96.52cells/mm3). The average male child was initiated with a CD4 count of 509.1cells/mm3 and the average female paediatric patient with 477.3cells/mm3. The average viral load for adult female patients on initiation of HAART was 103046copies/mm3 (± 189146copies/mm3) and for adult male patients it was 416600copies/mm3 (± 439746copies/mm3). The difference between the viral load of adult female and male patients were described as statistically (p=0.0006) and practically (d=0.713) significant. The average viral load for female paediatric patients on initiation of HAART was 242207copies/mm3 (± 709133copies/mm3) and for male paediatric patients it was 329734copies/mm3 (± 674532copies/mm3). Adult patients that received HAART at more than 12 consultations revealed an average weight gain of 3.43kg (± 8.11kg) from initiation of treatment. This group also showed an average increase of 214.71cells/mm3 (± 248.24cells/mm3) in CD4 count and an average reduction in viral load of 170944copies/mm3 (± 191854.69copies/mm3) from the day they started HAART up to the last date of receiving treatment. The paediatric patients on treatment for more than 12 consultations showed an average weight gain of 6.56kg (± 3.75kg) from initiation of ARV treatmentup to the last date of receiving treatment. They also showed an average increase in CD4 count of 396.63cells/mm3 (± 594.53cells/mm3) and a very encouraging average decrease of 538369.37copies/mm3 (± 948634.46copies/mm3) in the viral load. / MPham (Pharmacy Practice), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

The aim of this study was to describe mothers’ knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding malaria in children under five years old. A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used. A structured questionnaire was administered by face-to-face interviews during data collection. The study population of this research composed of mothers of children under five years old suffering from malaria in Thyolo district. Economic-demographic characteristics that were significantly associated with mothers’ knowledge were age (p=0.018), formal education (p=0.001), income (p=0.005), and type of a house (p=0.002). Sources of malaria information that were significantly associated with mothers’ knowledge included television (p=0.004), radio (p=o.005), and posters (p=o.00019). Treatment-seeking behaviour was significantly associated with education (p=0.017). Treatment prior to hospitalisation was significantly associated with mothers’ education (p=0.0001), number of children that passed away (p=0.015), distance to the health facility (p=0.013), lack of money (p=0.019), and time taken at the hospital to get treatment (p=0.016). Recommendations were made to improve mothers’ malaria knowledge for further research / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)

The aim of this study was to describe mothers’ knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding malaria in children under five years old. A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used. A structured questionnaire was administered by face-to-face interviews during data collection. The study population of this research composed of mothers of children under five years old suffering from malaria in Thyolo district. Economic-demographic characteristics that were significantly associated with mothers’ knowledge were age (p=0.018), formal education (p=0.001), income (p=0.005), and type of a house (p=0.002). Sources of malaria information that were significantly associated with mothers’ knowledge included television (p=0.004), radio (p=o.005), and posters (p=o.00019). Treatment-seeking behaviour was significantly associated with education (p=0.017). Treatment prior to hospitalisation was significantly associated with mothers’ education (p=0.0001), number of children that passed away (p=0.015), distance to the health facility (p=0.013), lack of money (p=0.019), and time taken at the hospital to get treatment (p=0.016). Recommendations were made to improve mothers’ malaria knowledge for further research / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)

Aim: To investigate the reliability of the COntext Assessment for Community Health (COACH) tool on mobile phone versus pen-paper in Nairobi, Kenya. Background: One of the barriers to the progress of the MDGs has been the failure of health systems in many LMICs to effectively implement evidence-based interventions As a result of the “know-do” gap, patients do not benefit from advances in healthcare and are exposed to unnecessary risks. Better mapping of context improves implementation by allowing tailoring of strategies and interpretation of knowledge translation. COACH investigates healthcare contexts for LMICs and has only been used on pen-paper. With 5 billion mobile phone users globally, mobile technologies is being recognized as able to play a formal role in health services. Methods: Comparative study with 140 nurses/midwives and doctors in four hospitals in Nairobi. 70 were randomly assigned to mobile phone and pen-paper each. The tool was administered twice with a two week interval and test-retest reliability, internal consistency and interrater reliability were assessed. Findings: Excellent test-retest reliability for both pen-paper and mobile phone (ICC &gt;0.81). 45% (pen-paper) and 34% (mobile phone) moderate agreement between individual questions in round 1 and 2. Acceptable average Cronbach’s alpha (&gt;0.70). Conclusion: Both mobile phone and pen-paper were reliable and feasible for data collection. The findings are a good first step towards using COACH in Kenya. Additional research is needed for individual settings. Using mobile phones could increase healthcare facilities’ accessibility in implementation research, helping to close the “know-do” gap and reach the SDGs.

The purpose of the study was to explore and describe leadership at Matlala District Hospital in Limpopo, a province of South Africa. The study was critical for a better understanding of leadership styles adopted in different situations (hospital, district or province) at Matlala District Hospital in the Sekhukhune district. The main objectives of the study were described in chapter 1 on leadership styles (transformational and transactional), to determine how best to investigate leadership styles at Matlala District Hospital, to determine what the current leadership style at Matlala District Hospital is and to propose the most appropriate leadership style for Matlala District Hospital. A mixed-methods approach was used with an exploratory and descriptive design. In terms of the qualitative methodology, purposive sampling was used as the managers were selected on their knowledge of the issues under investigation. Firstly, an interview schedule was developed and used to collect data at Matlala District Hospital. The sample size was 82. Interviews were conducted with 12 members of the executive committee who were regarded as senior managers of the hospital. Secondly, the researcher distributed the questionnaires to participants of the hospital that met the inclusion criteria. Seventy participants completed questionnaires, which were collected upon completion. A 100% response rate was reached. Thematic analysis was used to assess the qualitative data. With regard to quantitative data analysis, descriptive, frequency tables and charts and inferential statistics were used. According to the results, those managers who felt that resources had be provided felt strongly that leadership at the hospital should be improved. Accordingly, guidelines for improving leadership at Matlala District Hospital have to be developed to ensure that mitigating factors are in place for the improvement of the situation at the hospital. / Public Administration and Management / M. P. A. (Public Administration)