Community-based postnatal care model: Catalyst for management of mothers and neonates.

BACKGROUND:  Early postnatal discharge is perceived as a factor that contributes to the possibilities of the maternal, neonatal complications and deaths. The implementation of the community-based postnatal care model is crucial to mitigate the morbidity and mortality of postnatal women and neonates during the first weeks of delivery. A community-based postnatal care model was developed for the management of neonates during the postnatal care period in the community. OBJECTIVES:  The study aims to share the developed community-based postnatal care model that could assist postnatal women in the management of neonates. METHOD:  Empirical findings from the main study formed the basis for model development. The model development in this study was informed by the work of Walker and Avant; Chinn and Kramer Dickoff, James and Wiedenbach; and Chinn and Jacobs. RESULTS:  The results indicated that there was no community-based postnatal care model developed to manage neonates. The model is described using the practice theory of Dickoff, James and Wiedenbach elements of agents, recipients, context, process, dynamics and outcomes within the community context of the postnatal care period. The model was further described by Chinn and Krammer following the assumptions of the model, concept definition, relation statement and nature of structure. CONCLUSION:  The utilisation of the model is critical and facilitates the provision of an enabling and supportive community-based context by primary caregivers for the effective management of neonates.Contribution: This study provides a reference guide in the provision of community-based postnatal care by postnatal women after discharge from healthcare facilities.

Achieving effectiveness of antenatal outcomes: A qualitative study in Mutasa district, Zimbabwe.

Achieving the effectiveness of antenatal outcomes depends on the utilization of antenatal care services. The purpose of the study was to explore the utilization of antenatal care in Mutasa District, Zimbabwe. A qualitative research approach using explorative and descriptive design was utilized. Purposive and snowball sampling techniques were used to sample pregnant women and women whose children were under the age of one year. In-depth interviews were conducted using the Shona language. Data were analyzed using thematic content analysis where themes and sub-themes emerged; namely; factors influencing the perceptions of women on antenatal care services uptake. We certify that all applicable institutional and governmental regulations concerning the ethical use of human volunteers were followed during this research. Multiple obstacles to adherence were identified, including a low level of education, low socio-demographic factors such as age, low income, distance traveled to the clinic, high parity, and acceptability of antenatal care by rural women. Awareness should be made by the Zimbabwean Ministry of Health and Child Care through better education of the target groups such as young mothers, people from low socio-economic groups, and childbearing women for better utilization.

Corrigendum: Factors related to married or cohabiting women's decision to use modern contraceptive methods in Mafikeng, South Africa.

No abstract available.

Factors related to married or cohabiting women's decision to use modern contraceptive methods in Mahikeng, South Africa.

BACKGROUND:  Sexual and reproductive decision-making has emerged as an important health indicator in family reproductive health issues. While there is evidence of male dominance in sexual and reproductive health decisions, the role of socio-demographic factors on women's decision to use contraception is not well understood. AIM:  This study aimed at exploring the socio-demographic factors associated with married women's decision-making to use contraception. SETTING:  The study was conducted in Mahikeng local municipality in the Modiri Molema District Municipality. METHODS:  Data were generated in Mahikeng from married and cohabiting women, aged 18-49 years, from a survey comprising 568 participants. Data were collected on women's demographic characteristics and contraceptive behaviour. Descriptive, bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to examine factors related to decision-making on contraceptive use. RESULTS:  The result revealed that 57% of the participants were currently using contraception and 45% stated jointly-made decision regarding the use of contraception. Decisions on use of contraceptives were associated with education, occupation, religion, duration of union and home language. Other factors associated with decision-making on contraceptive use were perception on husband's right to sex, use of force for sex and spousal communication about sex. CONCLUSION:  Empowering women to use contraception to meet their fertility desire should aim at improving their socio-economic status and spousal communication. Family planning providers should recognise socio-cultural barriers under which the relationships exist and how women can navigate these contextual factors.

Dual Protection and Contraceptive Method Use among Women in Heterosexual Relationships in Mahikeng, South Africa.

South African new reproductive health policies have given weight to dual protection as a public health intervention against unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections. However, studies of dual protection have remained scanty and under researched in South Africa. This situation has left the reproductive health policy makers clueless about salient strategies to promote dual contraceptive method use. A survey of 568 women in steady relationships aged 15-49 was conducted in Mahikeng Municipality. Using multivariate logistic regression independent predictors of contraceptive method use were examined and presented as odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals. Sixteen percent of the women were currently protecting against both unintended pregnancies and infectious diseases while 40% were protecting against unintended pregnancies only. Age, occupation, ever discussed condom use with partner; home language and religion were the independent predictors of dual method use. Non-barrier method use was associated with age, home language, religion, and duration of union. The study concludes that educative and enlightening programs that emphasize women's employment and communication about condom use may be specifically helpful in promoting dual method use.

Male partners' views of involvement in maternal healthcare services at Makhado Municipality clinics, Limpopo Province, South Africa.

BACKGROUND: Male partners have a strong influence on pregnant partners' health and their access to care. Their involvement is critical in the delivery and uptake of maternal healthcare services and improving maternal and child health outcomes. AIM: The study sought to determine male partners' views on their involvement in maternal healthcare services. SETTING: The Makhado Municipality's Kutama, Madombidzha and Vleifontein clinics. METHODS: A qualitative study design, which is exploratory, descriptive and contextual in nature, was used. The population comprised 15 men whose partners had been pregnant within the last 2 years. A non-probability, purposive sampling procedure was used. Data were collected via in-depth individual interviews using a voice recorder and an interview schedule guide. Tesch's open coding method was used to analyse data. RESULTS: The findings revealed one major theme, namely that maternal health issues are viewed as a woman'sdomain; and three sub-themes: culture and participation in childbirth, male partners' employment status, and male partners' unwillingness to participate in maternal health issues. CONCLUSIONS: The involvement of male partners in maternal healthcare services, and further research in promoting this activity, should be proposed to policymakers.

HIV-positive patients' perceptions of care received at a selected antiretroviral therapy clinic in Vhembe district, South Africa.

BACKGROUND: Patients' experiences are a reflection of what has happened during the care process and, therefore, provide information about the performance of health care professional workers. They refer to the process of care provision at the antiretroviral therapy (ART) sites. AIM AND SETTING: This article explored the perceptions of HIV-positive patients of care received at the Gateway Clinic of the regional hospital that provides antiretroviral treatment in the Vhembe district. METHODS: A qualitative, explorative and descriptive design was used. A non-probability, convenient sampling method was used to select 20 HIV-positive patients who were above 18 years of age. In-depth individual interviews were used to collect data. Data were analysed through Tech's open coding method. RESULTS: One theme and two sub-themes emerged, namely positive experiences related to the environment and attitudes of health professionals, and negative experiences concerning the practices by health care providers. CONCLUSION: Patients' perceptions of quality of, and satisfaction with, health care may affect health outcomes. Recommendations are made to consider, practice and strengthen the protocols, the standard operating procedures and the principles of infection control in the health facilities.

Factors affecting integration of midwifery nursing science theory with clinical practice in Vhembe District, Limpopo Province as perceived by professional midwives.

BACKGROUND: Professional midwives have an important role to play in midwifery training to produce a competent midwife. According to the social learning theory, professional midwives act as role models for students. When allocated for clinical learning experiences in the training hospitals, students will have the opportunity to observe the well-trained, skilled, and experienced professional midwives. The whole process will enable students to integrate theory with practice and they will become competent. AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the factors affecting integration of midwifery nursing science theory with clinical practice as perceived by midwives. SETTING: The study was conducted at the training hospitals in Vhembe district of the Limpopo Province, South Africa. These hospitals were: Donald Fraser, Siloam, and Tshidzini. METHODS: A qualitative explorative, descriptive and contextual design was used. A Nonprobability, convenient sampling method was used to select 11 midwives from the following hospitals: Donald Fraser, Siloam, and Tshidzini, in Vhembe district. In-depth individual interviews were conducted. Data were analysed through open coding method. RESULT: One theme and five sub-themes emerged from the analysed data, namely: shortage of midwives, attitudes towards student midwives, reluctance to perform teaching functions, language barriers, and declining midwifery practice standards. CONCLUSION: Shortage of midwives in the clinical areas led to fewer numbers of mentors whom the students could observe and imitate to acquire clinical skills. Some of the midwives were reluctant to teach students. Recommendations were made for both training institutions and hospitals to employ preceptors for students in the clinical practical.

Views of teenagers on termination of pregnancy at Muyexe high school in Mopani District, Limpopo Province, South Africa.

BACKGROUND: Teenage pregnancy is a global social health concern especially because of the HIV and AIDS pandemic, sexually transmitted infections, high rate of termination of pregnancy (TOP), adolescents' parenthood and decreased level of contraceptives. AIM: To explore the views of teenagers on the TOP at Muyexe high school in a rural village of Mopani District, Limpopo Province. SETTING: Muyexe high school in a rural village of Mopani District, Limpopo Province, in South Africa. METHODOLOGY: A qualitative method using explorative and descriptive designs was used to find in-depth description and understanding of teenagers' views on TOP. The target population was girls aged 15-19 years at Muyexe high school in Mopani District. Non-probability, convenient sampling was used to select high school teenage girls who had undergone TOP for the study. Data were collected using individual self-report technique (interview). Tesch's eight steps of qualitative data analysis were used. Measures to ensure trustworthiness and ethical considerations were observed. RESULTS: Two major themes were revealed: (1) Views of teenagers regarding TOP (poverty, relationship problems and single parenthood, negative impact on the teen's life while attending school) and (2) teenager's fears regarding pregnancy (stigma, fear of parents and friends, rape and incest and fear of giving birth). CONCLUSION: Majority of participants had knowledge about TOP; some had experiences about TOP while others held inadequate knowledge. Recommendations were based on the findings by teaching dangers of TOP and various contraceptive methods to prevent unwanted pregnancies and TOP.

Factors Influencing the Uptake of Contraception Services by Vatsonga Adolescents in Rural Communities of Vhembe District in Limpopo Province; South Africa

The aim of the study was to determine the factors that influence the uptake of contraception services by adolescents in the Vhembe district of Limpopo Province; South Africa. A qualitative research method which is explorative; descriptive and contextual in nature was used to investigate the phenomenon from the adolescents' perspective. The target population comprised of adolescents residing in one of the six villages of Vhembe District. Data was collected through six focus group discussions until data saturation was achieved. Data was analysed using an open coding method. The findings revealed that adolescents are aware of the availability of contraceptive services. However; they lack a comprehensive knowledge about contraception and contraceptives; which led to negative attitudes towards using the services. Cultural health beliefs and attitudes were also identified as a barrier to the uptake and use of contraceptives. Recommendations were made on interventions to increase the uptake of contraception services amongst adolescents