Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses (IMCI) is a strategy that was developed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to reduce the mortality and morbidity rate of children younger than 5 years and to improve the quality of life of these children. The reduction of child mortality and morbidity is one of the Millennium Developmental Goals (MDGs) as sub-Saharan Africa has a high child mortality and morbidity prevalence. The IMCI strategy has three components namely case management, the health system and the household and community component. This strategy was implemented internationally, including South Africa, where it is implemented within Primary Health Care (PHC) facilities. The implementation of the IMCI strategy was introduced to the PHC environment of South Africa and aims to enhance the equity, accessibility, affordability and availability of health care to all South African citizens, with the focus in this study on the child younger than 5 years. The North West province started training the professional nurses and implemented IMCI in 1998. The Dr. Kenneth Kaunda district (one of the districts in North West Province) and with specific focus on the Matlosana sub-district identified challenges in the implementation of the IMCI strategy by professional nurses. Challenges such as a lack of trained staff, the short time frame available for consultation amidst an already overburdened clinic and the physical infrastructure of the PHC facilities are such examples. The main aim of this research was to explore and gain insight and understanding in the challenges professional nurses working in PHC facilities face regarding the implementation of the IMCI strategy. A qualitative research design was used to conduct this study on daily work-life experiences of the professional nurses. Individual, semi-structured interviews were used as the method of data collection. The main question asked was: “What are the challenges faced by professional nurses in PHC facilities regarding the implementation of the IMCI strategy?” Data saturation was reached after 18 professional nurses were interviewed (N=18). Digitally voice recorded interviews were transcribed and content analysis was conducted. The findings of this research suggest that the professional nurses in the PHC facilities indeed experienced challenges regarding IMCI implementation. The main themes that emerged were challenges regarding the organisation and service delivery; challenges specific to the implementation of the IMCI strategy and also challenges external to the clinic that impacted directly on the IMCI strategy implementation. The findings were discussed with literature integration. From the research results and conclusions, the researcher compiled recommendations for nursing education, nursing research, and community health practice. / Thesis (MCur)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses (IMCI) is a strategy that was developed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to reduce the mortality and morbidity rate of children younger than 5 years and to improve the quality of life of these children. The reduction of child mortality and morbidity is one of the Millennium Developmental Goals (MDGs) as sub-Saharan Africa has a high child mortality and morbidity prevalence. The IMCI strategy has three components namely case management, the health system and the household and community component. This strategy was implemented internationally, including South Africa, where it is implemented within Primary Health Care (PHC) facilities. The implementation of the IMCI strategy was introduced to the PHC environment of South Africa and aims to enhance the equity, accessibility, affordability and availability of health care to all South African citizens, with the focus in this study on the child younger than 5 years. The North West province started training the professional nurses and implemented IMCI in 1998. The Dr. Kenneth Kaunda district (one of the districts in North West Province) and with specific focus on the Matlosana sub-district identified challenges in the implementation of the IMCI strategy by professional nurses. Challenges such as a lack of trained staff, the short time frame available for consultation amidst an already overburdened clinic and the physical infrastructure of the PHC facilities are such examples. The main aim of this research was to explore and gain insight and understanding in the challenges professional nurses working in PHC facilities face regarding the implementation of the IMCI strategy. A qualitative research design was used to conduct this study on daily work-life experiences of the professional nurses. Individual, semi-structured interviews were used as the method of data collection. The main question asked was: “What are the challenges faced by professional nurses in PHC facilities regarding the implementation of the IMCI strategy?” Data saturation was reached after 18 professional nurses were interviewed (N=18). Digitally voice recorded interviews were transcribed and content analysis was conducted. The findings of this research suggest that the professional nurses in the PHC facilities indeed experienced challenges regarding IMCI implementation. The main themes that emerged were challenges regarding the organisation and service delivery; challenges specific to the implementation of the IMCI strategy and also challenges external to the clinic that impacted directly on the IMCI strategy implementation. The findings were discussed with literature integration. From the research results and conclusions, the researcher compiled recommendations for nursing education, nursing research, and community health practice. / Thesis (MCur)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

The purpose of the study was to explore and describe the professional nurse's perception of working in remote rural clinics in Limpopo Province. The research design was qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual. The research population was the professional nurses working in remote rural clinics in Limpopo Province. Purposive sampling was used and data collected by means of tape-recorded in-depth semi-structured individual interviews. The study revealed that the professional nurses perceived working in the remote rural clinics both positively and negatively and had concerns. / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)

Human resources are the most important assets of any health system. In recent years it has been increasingly recognised that improving the performance of health personnel should be at the core of any sustainable solution to health system performance. However, it is widely acknowledged that health systems are not producing the desired output of health interventions due to factors such as insufficient skilled and experienced health personnel, demotivated health personnel, lack of management skills, poor working conditions and environment, and inadequate remuneration. This study explores the factors that affect performance of nurses in Namibia with the aim of providing a management framework for improving the performance of professional nurses. The study followed a quantitative research approach using an explorative descriptive design. A survey method using questionnaires was applied. The reaction to the study was positive as a response rate of 75.8% was obtained. Data analysis included identifying and comparing existence or absence of factors using the SSPS package. The target population included all professional nurses in Oshana, Otjozondjupa and Khomas regions. Baseline results revealed various factors which affect performance. The study revealed that hospitals currently have deficiencies in human resource management aspects such as recognition of employees who perform well, working conditions, implementation of performance appraisal systems, feedback on performance outcomes and management skills. These aspects are strongly associated with level of performance of health personnel. Based on the results, a management framework was proposed. The framework consists of activities for enhancing the nursing profession; strengthening knowledge and expertise, including management skills; improving performance; and generating knowledge through research. / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil.(Health Studies)

Magister Curationis - MCur / Professional nurses, with additional training in mental health, report attitudes and perceptions of mental health nursing that are more positive, whilst those with less training report more negative attitudes and perceptions to mental health nursing. The primary aim of this research study was to describe the attitudes and perceptions of professional nurses towards the mentally ill in a psychiatric hospital in the Cape Metropole. The objectives of the study were: to explore the attitudes and perceptions of professional nurses towards the mentally ill; to identify common factors that influence the professional nurses’ attitudes and perceptions towards the mentally ill; to compare the attitudes and perceptions of professional nurses who have completed the Regulation 425, Regulation 808 and Regulation 212 training in mental health nursing towards the mentally ill. A quantitative, exploratory, descriptive design was employed and cross-sectional survey was carried out. Participants comprised all permanent professional nurses (n=60) at a governmental Associated Psychiatric Hospital in the Cape Metropole. Participants completed a demographic questionnaire and two self-report questionnaires, measuring attitudes to and perceptions of mental health problems. Nurses with a diploma report significantly higher role competency than those nurses with a degree. The ethnicity of nurses played a role in the stereotyping of the mentally ill. No significant differences were evident between those professional nurses who had completed the advanced mental health course and those whom had not. However, the combined effects of learning the appropriate course and experience in the practical field of the mentally ill are necessary for the task of impacting positively on the attitudes of the nurses towards the mentally ill.

The purpose of the study was to examine the perceptions of nurses regarding ethico-legal training in Ghana. The study further determined whether there were any discrepancies regarding ethico-legal training of nurses in Ghana, using six hospitals in the Upper West Region (Province). Data were collected through a quantitative, cross sectional research design. Out of 150 people constituting the study population, a sample size of 110 respondents was drawn. A self-developed questionnaire was used to collect data. Nurses who have been in practice for at least five years answered the questionnaires. The convenience sampling technique was found to be appropriate for this study. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyse data. The findings revealed that although ethico-legal topics were contained in the nursing training curriculum, majority of nurses did not receive teaching/training on them, making nurses vulnerable to litigation. / Health Studies / M. A. (Nursing Science)

Thesis (MPH.) -- University of Limpopo, 2015 / The success of antiretroviral therapy for HIV infection through widespread and resounding has been limited by inadequate adherence to its unforgiving regimens especially over a long term. While health care professionals may not be able to predict adherence, they can help overcome barriers to adherence and take steps to improve it. The aim of the study was to explore and describe the strategies that are utilised by professional nurses in the primary health care facilities regarding adherence to antiretroviral therapy, Capricorn District, Limpopo Province, South Africa. A qualitative research approach was used to describe the strategies that are utilised by professional nurses in the primary health care facilities in the Capricorn District Limpopo Province, referring to Mankweng Hospital. The descriptive qualitative design was used. Unstructured interviews were used to collect data until saturation was reached. Informed consent was obtained prior the data collection. The data was analysed qualitatively using Tesch’s open coding method. 18 (eighteen) professional nurses working in the primary health care facilities participated in the study. The findings revealed that the strategies utilised by professional nurses in the primary health care facilities to improve adherence to ART were described. Information and education, health worker and adherence guidelines, use of adherence partner or treatment buddy, addressing religious beliefs, communication skills, community mobilisation and continuous counselling, were the strategies that were utilised by professional nurses in the primary health care facilities to improve adherence of patients to ART.

Thesis (MPA.) -- University of Limpopo, 2017 / Recruitment and retention of nurses remain one of the challenges globally and locally as the system is unable to attract new staff and failing to retain existing ones. This study was undertaken to investigate the number of nurses leaving the Mpumalanga Department of Health and whether the available recruitment and retention strategy puts the province into the competitive advantage. The qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection were utilised during the investigations. Both the qualitative and quantitative analysis proved that a number of nurses were leaving the public service influenced by factors such as salary, workload, accommodation for nurses, working conditions and lack of resources. The findings further revealed that the recruitment and retention strategy of the Department was poorly implemented and therefore leaving the province at a risk of losing more professional nurses. The main recommendation in this study was that the Department of Health in Mpumalanga needs to ensure that adequate funds are available for the proper implementation of the recruitment and retention strategy. The proper implementation of the strategy will help in addressing the factors that were discussed and agreed to by other studies to be contributing immensely in nurses’ turnover in the province.

Thesis (M. Nursing) -- University of Limpopo, 2022 / Background: Emergency departments (EDs) as the hospitals' front door have a critical role in ensuring access to and efficient care of acute illness and injuries in the healthcare system. The environment in EDs is physically and emotionally demanding and burdened by complex patient loads, long shifts, and administrative challenges resulting in high pressure and high volume workloads amongst the staff members. Purpose: The study aimed to develop support strategies for the resuscitation team in EDs of Mankweng and Pietersburg public hospitals in Limpopo Province, South Africa. Study method: A descriptive, phenomenological, and explorative research design was used to explore the resuscitation team's experiences and the available strategies to support them. Purposive and convenience sampling methods were used to select five Medical doctors and twelve Professional nurses to participate in the study. The sample size was determined by the depth of the information obtained from the participants.Data was collected through semi-structured individual interviews. Interview guide was developed to guide with organised line of questioning and thinking. Qualitative data analysis using Tesch's approach was then followed. The quality of data was ensured by applying four elements; credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability. Turfloop Research Ethics Committee, the Limpopo Department of Health, and the Mankweng/Pietersburg Ethics Committee permitted the study. The study's details were explained to potential participants, who then agreed to be part of the study and signed consent forms. Results: The following themes emerged: Challenges related to the shortage of resources in the ED, challenges related to lack of standardized procedures and policies for handling the resuscitation process, psychological challenges of resuscitation failure, leadership, and managerial support challenges, and challenges related to education and training of the resuscitation team. Conclusion: This study's results indicated that the resuscitation teams of EDs from Mankweng and Pietersburg Public Hospitals face challenges that cause them stress and burnout. The challenges result from an increased overload of work with no personnel and material resources. They become demoralized by being engaged in failed resuscitation with no psychological support from the management. They don't receive any debriefing or counseling post failed resuscitation and no educational backing of the management. The study's findings guided the researcher in developing strategies to support the resuscitation teams in the EDs of Mankweng and Pietersburg Public Hospitals.

Background: Accessibility to health care in rural areas is globally impeded by physical, material, human, financial and managerial resources and societal barriers in the health care system. The Systems Model formed the backbone to developing a strategic action plan to address the challenges experienced by all stakeholders involved. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe accessibility to health care in rural areas to develop a strategic action plan to enhance accessibility to health care in these areas of Zimbabwe. Methods: A multiple methods approach combining qualitative and quantitative components during 4 phases. Phase 1 collected quantitative data with questionnaires from professional nurses and health care users who were conveniently sampled. Phase 2 collected qualitative data with a nominal group from national health directors who were conveniently sampled. Phase 3 was based on the findings from Phases 1 and 2 with a literature control to develop a draft strategic action plan. During phase 4 the strategic plan was amended and validated with a validation tool by members of the parliamentary portfolio committee on health in Zimbabwe with all-inclusive sampling. Framework: The Systems Model Framework was adopted for this study as outcomes and impact on people’s health is determined by inputs, processes and outputs. This model was relevant and applicable to accessibility to health care. Research findings: Accessibility to health care in rural areas of Zimbabwe is affected by inadequate distribution of physical resources, shortage of material and human resources, and a lack of financial resources. The strategies identified contributed to the strategic action plan which was amended and validated. The strategic action plan includes improving the health infrastructure, providing appropriate medical drugs, training and retention of health workers, providing medical equipment at the rural health facilities, reviewing the health worker workload and addressing staff shortages, providing free health care services in rural areas, and improving the capacity of the health care system. Conclusion: The strategic action plan was developed based on the inputs of the relevant stakeholders and the System Model. The inclusion of the parliamentary portfolio committee on health (members of parliament of Zimbabwe) might enhance the possibility for implementation which can enhance the accessibility to health care in rural areas of Zimbabwe. / Health Studies / D. Litt. et. Phil. (Health Studies)