M.Cur. / An explorative, descriptive, contextual qualitative design was employed in an endeavour to unravel experiences of mothers with infants in the NICU regarding emotional support that they received from the nurses while nursing their infants in the unit. The sample of the study comprised eight (8) mothers who were selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected through the use of semi- structured questions. All the interviews were audiotaped. Data were collected in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Princess Marina Hospital, Botswana. Data were analysed through the use of Tesch's method of data analysis, which is based on thematic content analysis. Themes which emerged were acceptance of the infant, encouragement to keep on visiting the infant every three hours, information provided on caring for the infant, encouragement on giving the infant motherly love e.g. cuddling, nurses having no time for the mothers, nurses' mistrust of mothers and finally neglect. The results of the study revealed that mothers did receive the emotional support that they needed, perceived as an important aspect to mothers nursing infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. It was found that some nurses did provide emotional support to mothers while other nurses had no time to support the mothers in need.

This study using a quantitative, descriptive design with a questionnaire investigated cultural, religious and social factors that might impact on ARV treatment in HIV/AIDS-infected women in Botswana. The study found that the majority never missed any doses, a few missed doses once or twice, and a small minority missed more than three times. The respondents’ perception of cultural influence on treatment of HIV/AIDS in women revealed that the majority (70%) believe culture has an influence on the treatment. Social factors also impacted on ARV adherence. A few of the respondents indicated that side effects and the number of pills prevented ARV medication adherence. The main reason for non-adherence, however, was forgetfulness. There had been an improvement in the majority of the respondents’ health status and quality of life. Maximizing adherence is essential. Providers and patients both have responsibilities in this regard. / Health Studies / M.A.(Health Studies)

AIM: This study aimed to explore the factors influencing antiretroviral therapy patients` data quality at Princess Marina Hospital Pharmacy in Botswana. METHODS: A phenomenological approach was adopted in this study. Specifically, Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis qualitative design was used to explore the factors influencing antiretroviral therapy patients` data quality at Princess Marina Hospital Pharmacy in Botswana. Data were collected using a semi-structured interview format on 18 conveniently selected pharmacy staff. Data were analysed using Smith’s (2005) Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis framework. RESULT: Five thematic categories emerged from data analysis: data capturing: an extra task, knowledge and experience of IPMS, training and education, mentoring and supervision, and data quality: impact on patients’ care. The findings of this study have implications for practice, training and research. CONCLUSION: Pharmacy staff had limited knowledge of IPMS and its utilisation in data capturing. Such limitations have implications in the context of the quality of data captured / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)

This study using a quantitative, descriptive design with a questionnaire investigated cultural, religious and social factors that might impact on ARV treatment in HIV/AIDS-infected women in Botswana. The study found that the majority never missed any doses, a few missed doses once or twice, and a small minority missed more than three times. The respondents’ perception of cultural influence on treatment of HIV/AIDS in women revealed that the majority (70%) believe culture has an influence on the treatment. Social factors also impacted on ARV adherence. A few of the respondents indicated that side effects and the number of pills prevented ARV medication adherence. The main reason for non-adherence, however, was forgetfulness. There had been an improvement in the majority of the respondents’ health status and quality of life. Maximizing adherence is essential. Providers and patients both have responsibilities in this regard. / Health Studies / M.A.(Health Studies)

AIM: This study aimed to explore the factors influencing antiretroviral therapy patients` data quality at Princess Marina Hospital Pharmacy in Botswana. METHODS: A phenomenological approach was adopted in this study. Specifically, Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis qualitative design was used to explore the factors influencing antiretroviral therapy patients` data quality at Princess Marina Hospital Pharmacy in Botswana. Data were collected using a semi-structured interview format on 18 conveniently selected pharmacy staff. Data were analysed using Smith’s (2005) Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis framework. RESULT: Five thematic categories emerged from data analysis: data capturing: an extra task, knowledge and experience of IPMS, training and education, mentoring and supervision, and data quality: impact on patients’ care. The findings of this study have implications for practice, training and research. CONCLUSION: Pharmacy staff had limited knowledge of IPMS and its utilisation in data capturing. Such limitations have implications in the context of the quality of data captured / Health Studies / M. A. (Health Studies)