Climate change, a reality, a myth, a conspiracy, remains a point of research and concern, specifically with regards to the impact it has on human health. Reports concerning climate change are accepted by many but are also rejected by prominent figures of society and powerful enterprises flourishing in the race for economic development. Yet all living organisms on Earth are dependent on its natural resources and delicate balance of co-existence. A disruption of ecological balance will bring about changes to biomes and niches. These changes will affect disease patterns and well-being for all. Vulnerable groups will be most affected. If these changes have occurred and continue to occur what provision should be made to reduce population vulnerability? What investment should be made to public healthcare to assist vulnerable population groups and improve adaptability? This study was conducted with the aide of the South African Red Cross Society in three large South African provinces, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and Kwa-Zulu Natal, each known for its rich diverse ecologies and tropical to sub-tropical climates. The study aimed to determine the level of awareness amongst the healthcare workers with emphasis on education. The participants were counsellors working closely with the National Department of Health and local clinics. A total of 101 participants completed a close-ended questionnaire. The results indicated a strong workforce of young people with post-matric qualifications and strong views. Qualitative research was used with descriptive statistics to analyse and describe the data collected. It was, therefore, recommended that investment be made into this growing workforce in healthcare, as well as healthcare as a whole, since climate change, as documented, will threaten food security and water availability, see altered diseases patterns including emerging and re-emergence of infectious diseases and cardiovascular concerns brought on by heat stress. Funding must support education and training to strengthen awareness and preparedness so as to empower this workforce so that they may assist local populations to better adapt to the changes, become more resilient and, thereby, reduce their vulnerability and risk / Health Studies / M.Sc. (Life Sciences)

Climate change, a reality, a myth, a conspiracy, remains a point of research and concern, specifically with regards to the impact it has on human health. Reports concerning climate change are accepted by many but are also rejected by prominent figures of society and powerful enterprises flourishing in the race for economic development. Yet all living organisms on Earth are dependent on its natural resources and delicate balance of co-existence. A disruption of ecological balance will bring about changes to biomes and niches. These changes will affect disease patterns and well-being for all. Vulnerable groups will be most affected. If these changes have occurred and continue to occur what provision should be made to reduce population vulnerability? What investment should be made to public healthcare to assist vulnerable population groups and improve adaptability? This study was conducted with the aide of the South African Red Cross Society in three large South African provinces, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and Kwa-Zulu Natal, each known for its rich diverse ecologies and tropical to sub-tropical climates. The study aimed to determine the level of awareness amongst the healthcare workers with emphasis on education. The participants were counsellors working closely with the National Department of Health and local clinics. A total of 101 participants completed a close-ended questionnaire. The results indicated a strong workforce of young people with post-matric qualifications and strong views. Qualitative research was used with descriptive statistics to analyse and describe the data collected. It was, therefore, recommended that investment be made into this growing workforce in healthcare, as well as healthcare as a whole, since climate change, as documented, will threaten food security and water availability, see altered diseases patterns including emerging and re-emergence of infectious diseases and cardiovascular concerns brought on by heat stress. Funding must support education and training to strengthen awareness and preparedness so as to empower this workforce so that they may assist local populations to better adapt to the changes, become more resilient and, thereby, reduce their vulnerability and risk / Health Studies / M.Sc. (Life Sciences)

The purpose of this study was to explore and describe staff experiences in managing data and/or information when utilising the District Health Information System (DHIS) as a support mechanism for data quality improvement, including the strengths and weaknesses of current data management processes. It was also aimed to identify key barriers and to make recommendations on how data management can be strengthened. Key informants included in this study were those based at the district office (health programme managers and information officers) and at the primary health care (PHC) facilities (facility managers, clinical nurse practitioners and data capturers). An exploratory, descriptive and generic qualitative study was conducted. Consent was requested from each participant. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews. The study findings highlighted strengths, weaknesses and key barriers as experienced by the staff. Strengths, such as having data capturers and DHIS software at most if not all facilities, were highlighted. The weaknesses and key barriers highlighted were staff shortages of both clinical and health management information staff (HMIS), shortage of resources such as computers and Internet access, poor feedback, training needs and data quality issues. Most of the weaknesses and key barriers called for further and proper implementation of the District Health Management Information Systems (DHMIS) policy, the standard operating procedures (SOP), the eHealth strategy and training of the staff, due to the reported gaps between the policy and the reality and/or practice at the facility / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health with specialisation in Medical Informatics)

The purpose of this study was to explore and describe staff experiences in managing data and/or information when utilising the District Health Information System (DHIS) as a support mechanism for data quality improvement, including the strengths and weaknesses of current data management processes. It was also aimed to identify key barriers and to make recommendations on how data management can be strengthened. Key informants included in this study were those based at the district office (health programme managers and information officers) and at the primary health care (PHC) facilities (facility managers, clinical nurse practitioners and data capturers). An exploratory, descriptive and generic qualitative study was conducted. Consent was requested from each participant. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews. The study findings highlighted strengths, weaknesses and key barriers as experienced by the staff. Strengths, such as having data capturers and DHIS software at most if not all facilities, were highlighted. The weaknesses and key barriers highlighted were staff shortages of both clinical and health management information staff (HMIS), shortage of resources such as computers and Internet access, poor feedback, training needs and data quality issues. Most of the weaknesses and key barriers called for further and proper implementation of the District Health Management Information Systems (DHMIS) policy, the standard operating procedures (SOP), the eHealth strategy and training of the staff, due to the reported gaps between the policy and the reality and/or practice at the facility / Health Studies / M. A. (Public Health with specialisation in Medical Informatics)

The aim of the study was to investigate the knowledge and utilisation of antenatal care (ANC) services by pregnant women at a clinic in Ekurhuleni. A quantitative, descriptive correlational study was carried out on 90 eligible pregnant women. Data were collected with a self-administered questionnaire and analysed with the help of a statistician using the Epi Info version 7 computer program. The results of the study indicate that most women initiated ANC later than the recommendations by the World Health Organization (WHO). Over half of the respondents had overall good knowledge of ANC, but lacked knowledge of medication and screening tests done during pregnancy, some danger signs during pregnancy and of exclusive breastfeeding. Factors that were identified as associated with late initiation of ANC were current employment status, number of children, transport costs to clinic and number of antenatal visits. / Department of Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)

The aim of the study was to investigate the knowledge and utilisation of antenatal care (ANC) services by pregnant women at a clinic in Ekurhuleni. A quantitative, descriptive correlational study was carried out on 90 eligible pregnant women. Data were collected with a self-administered questionnaire and analysed with the help of a statistician using the Epi Info version 7 computer program. The results of the study indicate that most women initiated ANC later than the recommendations by the World Health Organization (WHO). Over half of the respondents had overall good knowledge of ANC, but lacked knowledge of medication and screening tests done during pregnancy, some danger signs during pregnancy and of exclusive breastfeeding. Factors that were identified as associated with late initiation of ANC were current employment status, number of children, transport costs to clinic and number of antenatal visits. / Department of Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)

The aim of the study was to determine factors contributing to late booking amongst pregnant women at Ekurhuleni health district in order to offer recommendations for enhancing early booking. Interpretative phenomenological analysis design was used. Data were collected using semi-structured individual face-to-face interviews from 20 purposively selected pregnant women. Each interview was audio recorded and lasted between 45-60 minutes. Fields notes were taken to triangulate data collection method. Audio recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim. Data were thematically analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis framework for data analysis. Results indicate that healthcare service related factors such as human resources, infrastructure and the type of service rendered at the clinic contribute to late bookings. Client related factors such as socioeconomic status, cultural beliefs and knowledge deficit also contribute to late bookings. Recommendations are made addressing both healthcare service and client related factors in order to enhance early booking among pregnant woman at Ekurhuleni district. / Health Studies / M.A. (Nursing science)

Late booking is associated with high perinatal and maternal morbidity and mortality. The World Health Organization (WHO, 2016) recommends that pregnant women should book for ANC full first before 12 weeks of gestation. The aim of the study was to explore and describe factors contributing to late antenatal care booking at public health facilities of Mopani District. A qualitative approach was used. In-depth interviews were conducted with twenty one pregnant women who booked after twelve weeks of gestation and agreed to participate in the study. The study was conducted at four selected public health care facilities rendering maternal health services in Mopani district. Data was collected through in-depth interview with the aid of an interview guide. The analysis of data was done manually using a coding system to develop themes. The results revealed that there are personal and provider factors contributing to late antenatal care booking in Mopani district. Personal factors contributing to late antenatal care booking were unplanned and unaccepted pregnancy, lack of support, late recognition of pregnancy, cultural and religious beliefs, ignorance of the importance of antenatal care and fear. System or provider factors contributing to late booking were long waiting time, midwives’ attitude and lack of resources. / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)