Background Hypertension is a global health burden affecting developed and developing countries, and South Africa is no exception (Seedat, Croasdale, Milne, Opie, Atkinson, Rayner and Veriava, 2006). In 2003, hypertension was estimated to have caused 7.1 million premature deaths and accounted for 4.5% of the disease burden worldwide (Lippincott and Wilkins, 2003). In 2001, non-communicable diseases accounted for almost 60% of the 56 million deaths annually and 47% of the global burden of disease. In countries such as Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa, the prevalence of chronic diseases is increasing, while the threat of communicable and poverty-related diseases (infant mortality, cholera and malnutrition) still exists (Belue, Okotor, Iwelunmor, Taylor, Degboe, Agyemang and Ogedegbe, 2009). Purpose The purpose of this study was to explore the compliance of hypertensive clients to lifestyle modification practices within a selected community in Durban, and to make recommendations for a structured programme of health promotion, through lifestyle modification. Method A quantitative approach was adopted to explore the compliance to lifestyle modification amongst hypertensive clients, and purposive sampling was used. Data collection was through a structured, self-administered questionnaire. A total of 205 participants completed the questionnaires. The questionnaire was divided into nine sections: Section A was on biographic data, Section B referred to compliance with lifestyle modification, and Sections C- I dealt with health belief model constructs. A four-point Likert scale was used to assess the health belief model constructs. Results Results revealed that 90% of the respondents in the study had a good understanding of the benefits of complying with their doctor’s treatment and the recommended lifestyle modification practices. They also possessed good knowledge and understanding about their condition, a factor which made them more compliant with lifestyle modification practices. The majority of respondents viewed health information shared through TV and radio programmes as motivators that helped them to comply with lifestyle modifications, and cited long waiting periods in the clinic and insufficient time to engage in physical activities as barriers to their lifestyle modification. Recommendations Health education campaigns and structured programmes of health promotion concerning lifestyle modification practices should be emphasized, especially with regard to diet and exercise. Foods containing high amounts of animal fats and fast foods should be avoided, and the importance of doing physical activities for 30 minutes at least three times a week should be emphasized. / Thesis (M.N.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2012.

No abstract available. / Thesis (M.N.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2012.

KwaZulu-Natal is the province worst affected by the disease burden of HIV and AIDS with 38.7% of pregnant women attending antenatal clinics (ANC) testing positive for HIV in 2008 (South Africa National Department of Health, 2008; Horwood et al, 2010). The lack of male partner involvement has been recognized as a contributing factor to poor programme adherence by women initiated into the prevention of mother-to-child-transmission (PMTCT) programme in South Africa (Peltzer et al, 2011a). Increasing male partner involvement in the services, therefore, has been acknowledged as one of the strategies that may have an impact in the success of the programme (DOH, 2008; Peltzer et al., 2011a; Reece et al, 2010; Vika et al, 2010) This study aimed to explore and describe male partner involvement in PMTCT services in a selected primary health care facility in KwaZulu-Natal. Five areas were investigated: demographic factors; knowledge; socio-cultural factors; programmatic factors; and the interrelationship between demographic factors, knowledge, socio-cultural factors and programmatic factors on male involvement in PMTCT. A quantitative exploratory descriptive design was conducted in November 2012 at a selected primary health care facility in KwaZulu-Natal. Questionnaires were issued to 90 men. The study revealed some association between certain variables of interest and male involvement. The study recommended that PMTCT programmes need to boost their awareness strategies as a means of increasing male involvement in the services. / Theses (M.N.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2013.