Primary health care­family partnership for better diabetes outcomes of patients: a systematic review

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a lifelong disease requiring daily self-care activities for better outcomes. Although most of these self-care activities for outpatients are taught in primary health care, their actual practice occurs at home where patients stay. Family dynamics or established cultures impact the management of the disease, hence a need for primary health care­family partnership to empower both families and patients with ways to manage the disease. This systematic review aims to describe the primary health care­family partnership. Methods: The literature was sourced using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis. The Scopus/ Elsevier, ScienceDirect and PubMed databases were used to source literature written in English and published between January 1, 2010 and July 31, 2022. Studies were included if focused on self-care activities, management and family-centred care (FCC); participants were diabetes patients and non-diabetic family members; and primary health care diabetes intervention. Results: A total of 62 publications that met inclusion criteria were used in this review. The included studies include quantitative, qualitative and mixed-method studies, including reports. The process of including these publications involved identification, screening and re-screening in line with set eligibility. The key search strategies resulted in the following sub-headings: diabetes self-care, diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES), family-centred care, and primary health care. Conclusion: Evidence from existing literature shows that primary health care is the source of information, yet actual diabetes management occurs at home. This review recommends the adoption of DSMES and FCC modalities to set the foundation for workable primary health care­family partnerships. The adoption of these joint modalities for partnerships will outline the dos and don'ts in managing diabetes at home. The literature further indicates that family support is critical, therefore primary health care­families partnership may lead to improved adherence to self-care activities and better outcomes

The socio-economic impact of HIV/AIDS on infected individuals in the Capricorn District of Limpopo Province, South Africa

Previous research about people living with HIV and AIDS has highlighted social support as an important determinant of health outcomes. The purpose of the study was to determine Tthe socio-economic impact of HIV and AIDS on infected individuals in the Capricorn District; Limpopo Province; South Africa. A non-probability purposive sampling technique was used to select the sample. Semi-structured in-depth interviews with a schedule guide were conducted until saturation of data was reached. Trustworthiness was ensured by using Lincoln and Guba's model criteria. Ethical standards for nurse researchers were adhered to. Ethical standards were adhered to; while Tesch's open coding qualitative data analysis method was used. Five themes emerged during data analysis. The findings revealed that there are different sources of income of HIV-positive people; living conditions of HIV-positive people which are not acceptable; consequences related to HIV and AIDS disease progression; the support and care to HIV-positive people and disclosure versus non-disclosure of HIV-positive status. Study recommendations emphasise the fact that there is a need for HIV and AIDS patients to receive continuous support from family; friends; and the community with the purpose of enabling them to cope emotionally; socially; and economically

Perceptions of youth on the use of condoms for HIV prevention in Capricorn District, Limpopo Province, South Africa

Despite the fact that condoms are very effective against Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus transmission (HIV); many people who are at risk do not use them. Latex condoms provide an essentially impermeable barrier to particles the size of HIV and other STI pathogens. The primary aim of this study was to determine the perceptions of youth on the use of condoms for HIV prevention in the Capricorn District of the Limpopo Province; South Africa. A qualitative; exploratory and descriptive design was used. The population included all youth from the ages of 15 to 19 years who attended two primary health care clinics in the Capricorn District. A non-probability purposive sampling method was used. Purposive sampling was used to include participants to participate in the study. Data were collected through unstructured interviews from 15 participants. Interviews were conducted until data saturation was reached; after which the data obtained were analysed qualitatively by open-coding method. Findings revealed four themes; namely; paradoxical attitudes towards consistent condom use related to fear of sexual intercourse and a need to prevent HIV transmission; casual usage of condoms perceived as having positive and negative results; responsibilities of youth to insist on condom use during sexual intercourse; and programme available to help youth with consistent use of condoms. Health education themes that should be included in the programme for educating the youth on the use of condoms for HIV prevention were recommended

Experiences of Lay Counsellors who Provide VCT for PMTCT of HIV and AIDS in the Capricorn District; Limpopo Province

Human Immune Deficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune-Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) still carry a stigma in the community. Many people do not know their status and they are still reluctant to be tested including pregnant women despite the fact that Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) is offered for free in South Africa. In South Africa VCT for HIV and AIDS is offered by lay counsellors in public hospitals and clinics. The study conducted by Mate; Bennet; Mphatswe; Barker and Rollins (2009:5483) outlined that in South Africa the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV guidelines have raised hope that the national goal of reducing perinatal HIV transmission rates to less than 5can be attained. A qualitative; exploratory; descriptive and contextual study was conducted in 15 public clinics of the Polokwane Municipality in the Capricorn District; Limpopo Province. The purpose of the study was to determine the experiences of the lay counsellors who provide VCT for the PMTCT of HIV and AIDS in the Capricorn District; Limpopo Province. Data were collected through one-to-one interviews using a semi-structured guide (De Vos et al; 2006:296). The findings of the study reflected the following: the content of training and counselling skills received by lay counsellors were satisfactory; there was lack of counsellor support and in-service education. A program for in-service education and support for all lay counsellors who have had VCT training should be conceptualised and implemented