Student Number : 0318613G - MSc research report - School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Studies - Faculty of Science / This report presents an analysis of health-care waste management in selected hospitals in the Central District Municipality of the North West Province, with a view of making recommendations that will ensure environmentally sound and sustainable health-care waste management in the study area. In contributing to the promotion of sustainable management of health-care waste (HCW), the study aimed to minimize waste generation and environmental impact of waste treatment and disposal, to enhance public health and safety, and to provide a safer working environment around hospitals. An assessment was carried out which involved a review of relevant literature, site visits, and interviews with key stakeholders in health-care waste management in the study area, to generate data and information on health-care waste management trends and issues. The major findings of the study include identified gaps in terms of the policy and legislative framework for the actual management of HCW, and issues relating to the mishandling of health-care waste, poor segregation, inappropriate storage rooms, and insufficient training on health-care waste management. Sustainable health-care waste management measures are proposed to improve the current situation at the health-care facilities in the Central District Municipality of the North West Province.

A Atenção Básica caracteriza-se por preconizar ações de proteção, promoção, prevenção de agravos e manutenção à saúde, privilegiando a singularidade, complexidade, integralidade e o aspectos sociais, culturais e históricos da população assistida, Nesta perspectiva, destaca-se a atuação dos Programas de Saúde da Família (PSF), especialmente pelo trabalho realizado pelo agentes comunitários de saúde (ACS) que visa fomentar o vínculo através do acompanhamento longitudinal das famílias e tem o papel de elo e articulação com a rede pública de saúde. No contexto do uso abusivo de substâncias psicoativas (SPA) e acompanhamento das famílias, a atuação destes profissionais tem importância estratégica no território, mediando a relação da comunidade e os serviços de saúde. Isso por possibilitar a identificação dos casos, os encaminhamentos pertinentes e participação na implementação de intervenções específicas na comunidade. O objetivo deste estudo é, identificar e analisar as percepções que os ACS têm sobre o trabalho realizado em um sentido amplo, sobre o uso, usuário de SPA e familiares e da rede de atendimento. Trata-se de um estudo de caráter descritivo, com análise qualitativa de dados, que contou com a participação de 11 ACS que trabalham em dois núcleos com PSF de uma cidade do interior de São Paulo. O método de coleta de dados foram oito grupos focais (quatro em cada núcleo e gravados com autorização dos participantes), com utilização de 4 roteiros de condução com o total de 12 perguntas semi-diretivas, 3 por encontro. Também foi preenchida a ficha de caracterização dos ACS, com dados pessoais de idade, sexo, escolaridade e tempo de serviço no núcleo de PSF. Para tratamento dos dados, utilizou-se a análise temática de conteúdo; no processo de transcrição do material e leitura identificaram-se os temas (primeiro por serviço e depois juntos). Categorias emergiram e estabeleceu-se o seu nível de relevância, estipulado sob critério de intercessão entre o número de menções nos grupos versus número de menções por participantes, na graduação: Muito Relevante, Relevante e Pouco relevante. Ao todo foram 5 categorias centrais: Sujeito da ação de cuidar (Temas: suporte à família, vínculo contínuo perfil dos casos, participação em reuniões);Sentimentos associados ao trabalho(Temas: impotência, medo); Conhecimentos e crenças(Temas: visão do uso, do usuário de SPA e de sua família, mapeamento de problemas relacionados ao uso e tráfico);Atendimento em saúde ao usuário de SPA e famílias(Temas: dispositivos de encaminhamento intervenções no PSF, rede frágil de atendimento, políticas públicas frágeis); Especificidades do trabalho do ACS(Temas: trabalho na comunidade, organização do trabalho, capacitação, sobrecarga ocupacional).Concluiu-se que para os participantes do estudo, suas percepções envolviam sentimentos, valores e julgamentos acerca das SPA e do uso, necessidades e dificuldades sentidas na abordagem. Mencionaram ações de suporte oferecido e vínculo com as famílias de usuários de SPA, e sua percepção sobre a rede de atendimento. Cada núcleo executa ações de sensibilização e encaminhamento a serviços de saúde especializados, mas procuram manter o contato com as famílias dos usuários de SPA, devido ao vínculo estabelecido e da necessidade de acompanhamento no território. Apesar das percepções dos participantes convergirem, houve distinções pontuais quanto às peculiaridades no trabalho realizado e nos sentimentos vivenciados junto à população específica, justificado por diferenças nos perfis sociais dos residentes nos dois territórios de abrangência dos serviços e na organização do trabalho / Basic health cares characterized by recommending protective actions, health promotion, severity prevention and health maintenance, emphasizing the singularity, complexity, integrality and the social, cultural and historical aspects of the assisted population. In this perspective, the role of the Family Health Programs (FHP) is highlighted, especially for the work done by health community workers(HCW) which aims to enhance the bond through the longitudinal follow-up of families and has the role of linking and connecting with the public health system. In the context of psychoactive substances abuse (PSA) and follow-up of families, the work of these professionals is strategically important in the community, mediating the relationship between community and health services. This work allows the identification of cases, the relevance of referrals and participation in the implementation of specific interventions in the community. The aim of this study is to identify and analyze the perceptions that WCH have in a broadly sense on the work that is performed, substance using, PSA users and families and service network. This is a descriptive study, with qualitative data analysis, which included the participation of 11HCWworking on two FHP nucleus of an inner city in São Paulo. The data collection method consisted of eight focus groups(four in each nucleus, being recorded with the permission of the participants), using 4guiding scripts with a total of 12 semi-directive questions, 3 per encounter. The characterization of HCW form was also filled with personal data of age, gender, education and time of service at the FHP.For the data processing, the thematic content analysis was used; the themes were identified in the processes of transcribing the material an dreading(first of all by service and thentogether). Categories emerged and then it was established their level of relevance, stipulated by the criterion of intersection between the number of entries in groups versus number of participants mentions, with graduation of: Very Relevant, Relevant and PartiallyRelevant. Altogether, there were five main categories: Subject in theaction of caring(Themes: family support, continuous bond,cases profile, meeting participations); Work associated feelings(Themes:impotence,fear); Knowledge andbeliefs(Themes: point of view on PSA, psychoactivesubstances user\'sandtheir families, mappingproblemsrelated to usingandtrafficking substances); healthcare to PSA user and families(Themes:referral devices, FHP interventions, fragile et work care, fragile public policies); Working specifications of HCW(Themes:community work, work organization, training, work overload). In conclusion, participants perceptions involved feelings, valuesand judgments about the PSA, needs and difficulties experienced in this approach. They mentioned offered support action, bond with substance user\'s families and their perception of the service network. Each nucleus promote awareness actions and specialized health services referrals, yet try to maintain contact with the substance users\'s families due to their bond and need for assisting the comunity. Despite the convergent participants\' perceptions, there were specific distinctions in the work peculiarities and experienced feelings toward the specific population, differences were justified by social profilesof the residents in the two health services areas and work organization

A Atenção Básica caracteriza-se por preconizar ações de proteção, promoção, prevenção de agravos e manutenção à saúde, privilegiando a singularidade, complexidade, integralidade e o aspectos sociais, culturais e históricos da população assistida, Nesta perspectiva, destaca-se a atuação dos Programas de Saúde da Família (PSF), especialmente pelo trabalho realizado pelo agentes comunitários de saúde (ACS) que visa fomentar o vínculo através do acompanhamento longitudinal das famílias e tem o papel de elo e articulação com a rede pública de saúde. No contexto do uso abusivo de substâncias psicoativas (SPA) e acompanhamento das famílias, a atuação destes profissionais tem importância estratégica no território, mediando a relação da comunidade e os serviços de saúde. Isso por possibilitar a identificação dos casos, os encaminhamentos pertinentes e participação na implementação de intervenções específicas na comunidade. O objetivo deste estudo é, identificar e analisar as percepções que os ACS têm sobre o trabalho realizado em um sentido amplo, sobre o uso, usuário de SPA e familiares e da rede de atendimento. Trata-se de um estudo de caráter descritivo, com análise qualitativa de dados, que contou com a participação de 11 ACS que trabalham em dois núcleos com PSF de uma cidade do interior de São Paulo. O método de coleta de dados foram oito grupos focais (quatro em cada núcleo e gravados com autorização dos participantes), com utilização de 4 roteiros de condução com o total de 12 perguntas semi-diretivas, 3 por encontro. Também foi preenchida a ficha de caracterização dos ACS, com dados pessoais de idade, sexo, escolaridade e tempo de serviço no núcleo de PSF. Para tratamento dos dados, utilizou-se a análise temática de conteúdo; no processo de transcrição do material e leitura identificaram-se os temas (primeiro por serviço e depois juntos). Categorias emergiram e estabeleceu-se o seu nível de relevância, estipulado sob critério de intercessão entre o número de menções nos grupos versus número de menções por participantes, na graduação: Muito Relevante, Relevante e Pouco relevante. Ao todo foram 5 categorias centrais: Sujeito da ação de cuidar (Temas: suporte à família, vínculo contínuo perfil dos casos, participação em reuniões);Sentimentos associados ao trabalho(Temas: impotência, medo); Conhecimentos e crenças(Temas: visão do uso, do usuário de SPA e de sua família, mapeamento de problemas relacionados ao uso e tráfico);Atendimento em saúde ao usuário de SPA e famílias(Temas: dispositivos de encaminhamento intervenções no PSF, rede frágil de atendimento, políticas públicas frágeis); Especificidades do trabalho do ACS(Temas: trabalho na comunidade, organização do trabalho, capacitação, sobrecarga ocupacional).Concluiu-se que para os participantes do estudo, suas percepções envolviam sentimentos, valores e julgamentos acerca das SPA e do uso, necessidades e dificuldades sentidas na abordagem. Mencionaram ações de suporte oferecido e vínculo com as famílias de usuários de SPA, e sua percepção sobre a rede de atendimento. Cada núcleo executa ações de sensibilização e encaminhamento a serviços de saúde especializados, mas procuram manter o contato com as famílias dos usuários de SPA, devido ao vínculo estabelecido e da necessidade de acompanhamento no território. Apesar das percepções dos participantes convergirem, houve distinções pontuais quanto às peculiaridades no trabalho realizado e nos sentimentos vivenciados junto à população específica, justificado por diferenças nos perfis sociais dos residentes nos dois territórios de abrangência dos serviços e na organização do trabalho / Basic health cares characterized by recommending protective actions, health promotion, severity prevention and health maintenance, emphasizing the singularity, complexity, integrality and the social, cultural and historical aspects of the assisted population. In this perspective, the role of the Family Health Programs (FHP) is highlighted, especially for the work done by health community workers(HCW) which aims to enhance the bond through the longitudinal follow-up of families and has the role of linking and connecting with the public health system. In the context of psychoactive substances abuse (PSA) and follow-up of families, the work of these professionals is strategically important in the community, mediating the relationship between community and health services. This work allows the identification of cases, the relevance of referrals and participation in the implementation of specific interventions in the community. The aim of this study is to identify and analyze the perceptions that WCH have in a broadly sense on the work that is performed, substance using, PSA users and families and service network. This is a descriptive study, with qualitative data analysis, which included the participation of 11HCWworking on two FHP nucleus of an inner city in São Paulo. The data collection method consisted of eight focus groups(four in each nucleus, being recorded with the permission of the participants), using 4guiding scripts with a total of 12 semi-directive questions, 3 per encounter. The characterization of HCW form was also filled with personal data of age, gender, education and time of service at the FHP.For the data processing, the thematic content analysis was used; the themes were identified in the processes of transcribing the material an dreading(first of all by service and thentogether). Categories emerged and then it was established their level of relevance, stipulated by the criterion of intersection between the number of entries in groups versus number of participants mentions, with graduation of: Very Relevant, Relevant and PartiallyRelevant. Altogether, there were five main categories: Subject in theaction of caring(Themes: family support, continuous bond,cases profile, meeting participations); Work associated feelings(Themes:impotence,fear); Knowledge andbeliefs(Themes: point of view on PSA, psychoactivesubstances user\'sandtheir families, mappingproblemsrelated to usingandtrafficking substances); healthcare to PSA user and families(Themes:referral devices, FHP interventions, fragile et work care, fragile public policies); Working specifications of HCW(Themes:community work, work organization, training, work overload). In conclusion, participants perceptions involved feelings, valuesand judgments about the PSA, needs and difficulties experienced in this approach. They mentioned offered support action, bond with substance user\'s families and their perception of the service network. Each nucleus promote awareness actions and specialized health services referrals, yet try to maintain contact with the substance users\'s families due to their bond and need for assisting the comunity. Despite the convergent participants\' perceptions, there were specific distinctions in the work peculiarities and experienced feelings toward the specific population, differences were justified by social profilesof the residents in the two health services areas and work organization

Thesis (MPH.) --University of Limpopo, 2019. / Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the extent of adherence to Infection Prevention and Control (IP&C) practices and programs amongst healthcare workers (HCWs) in the neonatal ward at Charlotte Maxeke Central Hospital (CMCH). Methods: Quantitative research was conducted on 57 Clinicians directly providing care to the patients and 5 Health Care Workers indirectly providing care to the patients by means of supporting the environment and logistics where patients are being taken care. Data collection was done using structured questionnaires. Because the population was so small, all available HCWs, who were willing to participate in the study were selected to participate in the study. Furthermore, the SAS statistical software was used to describe and analyse data received from the data collection tools. Results: Two groups of respondents participated in the study which were (n=57) who in the neonatal ward at CMCH and Health Care Workers (n=5), most of the clinicians were having 1 – 4 years’ experience working in the neonatal unit at 54.6% followed by 5 – 9 years at 21.8%. Participants were in the age group ≤ 30 years at 39.3% followed by 31 – 40 years (32.1%) and least being at ≥ 51 years (5.4%). Clinicians included 46% of professional nurses, 28.6% Auxiliary Nursing Assistant, 16.1% student nurses and 8.9% medical doctors. The findings revealed that there are some areas where there’s inconsistent in using gloves when anticipating exposure to blood or body fluids, drying of hands after washing and removing jewellery during clinical care among clinicians particularly doctors, professional nurses and student nurses about IPC practices during clinical care. In Conclusion: There was inadequate compliance with IPC standards and there’s a need for regular trainings to improve the knowledge about IPCs and awareness of its importance among clinicians and health care workers in the neonatal unit. The IPC committee need to be revitalized by the hospital management to be able to undertake its mandate. Furthermore, the Hospital administration should provide copies of IPPC policy Guidelines in all wards/units and ensure effective implementation through vi constant supervision and adequate supplies and conduct regular audits to enhance compliance and implementation of IPPC policy. The study concluded that there was inadequate compliance with IPC and there’s a need for regular trainings to improve the knowledge about IPCs and awareness of its importance among clinicians and health care workers in the neonatal unit.

Healthcare workers (HCWs) and public safety personnel (PSP) are at an elevated risk for adverse mental health outcomes, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and increased suicidality. Workplace challenges and burdens were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which further highlighted the physical and mental health vulnerabilities of HCWs and PSP. As a result, there has been a growing interest from mental health professionals and researchers in understanding the unique stresses and mental health risks these individuals face. Moral injury (MI), a phenomenon linked to the unique experiences of HCWs and PSP, has been associated with adverse mental health outcomes. Cognitive impairments, such as memory disturbances, are also frequently observed in these populations. This thesis explored the relation between MI and memory disturbances and how this relation was impacted by emotion regulation (ER) and self-compassion (SC). In addition, we investigated how SC and ER influenced the relation between MI and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). In the first study of this thesis, we explored these relations through a series of correlational, moderated mediation analyses of self-report measures collected among HCWs and PSP during the COVID-19 pandemic. These analyses revealed significant relations between MI and memory disturbances, where higher levels of moral injury were associated with elevated levels of memory disturbances, particularly in relation to subscales of guilt and shame. Interestingly, these effects were moderated by ER and mediated by SC at high levels of ER difficulties. In the second study of the thesis, we conducted various correlational analyses as well as explored the relation between MI and ACEs alongside the impacts of SC and ER through moderated mediation analysis. The analyses in this study revealed significant relations between MI and ACEs regarding the mediating effect of SC and the moderating effect of ER at medium and low levels of ER difficulties. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

This study sought to determine if ANC and PMTCT services are utilized within the first trimester of pregnancy by the women in East Ekurhuleni sub-district. Quantitative descriptive research was conducted on 390 eligible pregnant women and data collection was done using structured questionnaires. The results indicated that women start ANC late despite their knowledge of first trimester as the best time to start ANC. Actions that would motivate them to start ANC early were explored and barriers were identified. / Health Studies / MA (Public Health)

This study sought to determine if ANC and PMTCT services are utilized within the first trimester of pregnancy by the women in East Ekurhuleni sub-district. Quantitative descriptive research was conducted on 390 eligible pregnant women and data collection was done using structured questionnaires. The results indicated that women start ANC late despite their knowledge of first trimester as the best time to start ANC. Actions that would motivate them to start ANC early were explored and barriers were identified. / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)