Stakeholders' Perceptions of the Delivery and Quality of Sexually Transmitted Infection Treatment by Private Practitioners in Windhoek; Namibia

The primary objective of this study was to explore the perceptions of the community and other stakeholders regarding the delivery and quality of sexually transmitted infection (STI) treatment and care provided by private general practitioners (PGPs) in Windhoek; Namibia. The study provided a situational and contextual analysis employing qualitative methodologies using different methods of data collection. The methodology used included (1) a review of available country policy documents on STI management and surveillance; as well as the policy with regard to private primary care providers; (2) eight in-depth interviews conducted with key informants and (3) three focus-group discussions held with community members attending PGP practices in Windhoek. The perceptions of the care received from PGPs differed from one person to the next. It emerged that some participants had good experiences and some had negative experiences of the care given. The participants believed that going to a PGP for treatment is a matter of affordability that goes hand in hand with the expectations of receiving care; whilst maintaining confidentiality. The study established that there is no real difference between the care provided to patients with medical aid or those without medical aid. It is recommended that interactions between the public and private sector at various levels be initiated to ensure that curable STIs are appropriately managed and that national guidelines for STI management are adhered to. Health workers should also be sensitised about their approach towards patients. It is further recommended that awareness creation amongst PGPs with regard to the public health importance of STIs needs to be raised to encourage them to participate in the STI-control programme

Foreign Nursing Students: Their Profile and Perceptions Ofnursing Care in Namibia

A survey was conducted using open and close-ended questions to determine how visiting nursing students in Namibia could be assisted during their visits (cultural encounters). Many students decide to complete their clinical exposure in a foreign country; either for personal reasons or in order to meet the course requirements for transcultural nursing. Since 1998; Namibia has received a number of these students. In discussion and from passing remarks from the students themselves; the question has arisen as to how an optimum placement for each student might be achieved. Aspects of the Campina-Bacote model and The Process of Cultural Competence in the Delivery of Health Care Services were used to answer this question. It was decided to gather both biographical (profile) information and information on perceptions of nursing care in Namibia from such foreign nursing students. The biographical (profile) information collected indicates a prevalence of certain shared biographical characteristics among international students. Such students tend to be adventurous; caring and sensitive to human rights issues. This finding correlates with the constructs of cultural desire and cultural awareness as described in the model of Campina-Bacote. Based on this finding; specific recommendations were made for clinical allocations. From the data gathered from the open-ended questions; three themes emerged: firstly; nursing in Namibia has identifiable characteristics; secondly; there is a paternalistic and one-sided communication style among nursing caregivers in Namibia; and finally; nursing care delivery in this country is often characterised by a detached attitude. It was concluded that these themes correlated with a cultural awareness and cultural knowledge among the nursing students. The discovery of these themes was useful for making recommendations for clinical guidelines to help these students adapt; as well as for providing a foundation and substantiation for clinical placement

Trans-Cultural Nursing : Exploring the Experiences of International Students Visiting Namibia

"In a rapidly changing world; where people from diverse cultures move about more readily; nurses may find themselves faced with patients and clients with a totally different world perspective and health belief system. Because this aspect has long been recognised by nurse educators; many educational institutions; in a proactive fashion; have incorporated trans-cultural nursing content in their nursing curricula. As possible options for students to gain clinical exposure in caring for a culturally diverse population; educational visits by student nurses to foreign countries have been increasingly accepted and credited. Namibia is amongst the countries that are visited by foreign nursing students; who are usually well-prepared with regard to what is required during their clinical exposure; as their educational institutions provide them with instructions and objectives. However; they are not as well-prepared in respect of ""acclimatising"" to the country per se and the world view of Namibians. In fact; it appears that there is a huge gap between their expectations and reality. Consequently; it becomes necessary to provide them with basic guidelines to bridge this discrepancy and to make their visit more meaningful. A qualitative; explorative; descriptive and contextual study was conducted to determine the nature of their experiences. Data were collected over a period of four years by means of narratives that were written by students who had spent at least 12 weeks within the Namibian health care services as visiting nurses. Three themes emerged; namely (1) experiences relating to recognition of differences in care delivery; (2) experiences relating to feelings of culture shock; and (3) appreciation for experiencing a cultural encounter. Based on these themes; guidelines were constructed. These guidelines addressed aspects such as the health structure of the country; health belief systems; legal aspects; and the philosophy of nursing care in Namibia."

The Contribution of the Clinical Nurse Instructor to the Development of Critical Thinking Skills of the Student Nurse in Namibia

A quantitative; non-experimental and exploratory study was undertaken to determine the contribution by the clinical nurse instructor to develop critical thinking skills of student nurses in Namibia. The study was conducted at the training hospitals of Namibia; namely Windhoek; Oshakati and Onandjokwe State hospitals. Clinical nurse instructors from all disciplines were included in the study; as well as student nurses in their second; third and fourth year of undergraduate nursing study. The findings of the study revealed that; although the clinical instructors in the training hospitals of Namibia are aware of their responsibility; they do not focus on the development of critical thinking of student nurses in Namibia. A need for in-service programmes to emphasise the development of critical thinking skills of both clinical nurse instructors and student nurses was identified