Unisa Press Journals (University of South Africa)
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Awareness and Usage of Management Information Systems and Decision Support Systems in Selected Federal Ministries and Agencies in Nigeria
No full textThis study investigates awareness and usage of management information systems (MIS) and decision support systems (DSS) in government agencies in Abuja, Nigeria. The population of the study includes all the staff at Level 7 and above in all the listed ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) below with a total number of 850 employees across all selected MDAs. Data was collected using a questionnaire. It was found that respondents have minimal knowledge of management information systems but moderate knowledge of decision support systems, with significant differences in their perceived effects on improving data management, decision-making speed, and reducing corruption. The findings also suggested limited acquaintance with both MIS and DSS, possibly due to low computer literacy or managerial transparency issues. While familiarity with MIS/DSS was evident, actual usage remained low, emphasising the need for improvement, particularly in finance, budgeting, and inter-agency services. MIS positively impacted data accuracy, record-keeping, and decision-making speed, while DSS enhanced decision-making efficiency and reduced operational costs. However, gaps in explaining these disparities call for further investigation, possibly employing experimental design studies. The recommendations stress tailored strategies, comprehensive training, and transparent communication, with leadership support crucial for successful integration. Future research should explore user experiences, decision-making implications, and policy impact, aiming to enhance MIS and DSS utilisation within government agencies and guide effective policy implementation
The Effect of Nurses’ Quality of Work Life on Their Care Behaviour
No full textProblems experienced in providing health services due to increased workload affect nurses’ care behaviour and quality of work life. Nurses constitute most of the healthcare staff and must be provided with an environment that enhances their work life for them to achieve targeted patient care results. This descriptive and correlational research was conducted to examine the factors affecting nurses’ work life quality and the effect of quality work life on care. The research was conducted in four private hospitals in Istanbul in 2022. The study sample included nurses (n=171) from these four hospitals. A 17-question structured information form prepared by the researchers, the Quality of Nursing Work Life Scale, and the Nurses’ Caring Behaviour Inventory-24 were used to collect data. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Of the nurses included in the study, 81.9% were clinical nurses, 62.6% worked in the service, 66.1% worked day and night shifts alternately, 66.7% worked overtime monthly, and 52% devoted more than two hours to patient care in an eight-hour shift. The nurses’ total score average on the Quality of Nursing Work Life Scale was 129.33±4.39. The mean total score of the Nurses’ Caring Behaviour Inventory-24 was 5.68±0.56. A statistically moderate, positive and highly significant relationship was detected between the mean scores of the Quality of Nursing Work Life Scale and the total and sub-dimension mean scores of the Nurses’ Caring Behaviour Inventory. It was determined that the nurses’ work life quality was good and their perception of the quality of nursing care was highly favourable. An improvement in nurses’ quality of work life positively affected their level of care behaviour. Supporting nurses in realising their career goals not only enhances the quality of care but also makes it more effective
Assessment of Emotional Management of Emergency Nursing Personnel in Selected Chinese Public Hospitals
No full textThis paper investigated the current situation of emotion management of nurses in the emergency department of medical institutions to provide an empirical reference for nursing managers to cultivate nurses’ ability to control emotions and implement emotional interventions and to make a case reference for further improving nursing work efficiency, nursing service quality and patient satisfaction. Using the purposive sampling method and the Nurse Emotion Management Scale, 150 registered nurses in the emergency department of five third-class first-class hospitals in Guangdong Province were selected for a questionnaire survey from November to December 2022. The total score of emotional management for emergency department nurses was (49.28 ± 3.17) points, emotional awareness (14.53 ± 1.69) points, emotional adjustment (12.99 ± 1.15) points, emotional use (12.51 ± 1.17) points, and emotional expression (9.25 ± 1.22) points. There were differences in emotional management scores among emergency department nurses with different nursing years, professional titles, external environment, emotional transfer, work violence, and job burnout (P<0.05). The emotional management ability of emergency department nurses is at a medium to high level. Nursing age, professional title, external environment, emotional transfer, work violence, and job burnout are the main factors affecting emergency department nurses’ emotional management ability
An Evaluation of the Records Management Capacity of Gweru City Council (GCC), Zimbabwe
No full textLocal authorities (urban and rural councils as well as municipalities) in Zimbabwe are a sub-structure of local government given the responsibility to provide public services in particular areas such as cities and towns. In undertaking their work, local authorities create and use various types of records that include financial, personnel, health, and engineering records as well as council meeting minutes and housing plans, among other records. This study evaluates the records management capacity of the Gweru City Council (GCC) in Zimbabwe. This study employed qualitative research approaches. The study was grounded on the Records Management Capacity Assessment System (RMCAS) as conceptual framework. The RMCAS is a diagnostic model that assesses the records management capacity of organisations based on international standards. It is revealed that the GCC is in level 1 of the RMCAS, which means the council is less invested in records management issues and less equipped and resourced to effectively manage records. Thus, paper and electronic records at GCC are highly susceptible to loss and destruction
Influence of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Provision of Records Management Services at the De Beers Group, South Africa
No full textOrganisations such as De Beers are still redefining the services they offer and how they offer them in an environment where shifts due to the COVID-19 pandemic have accelerated and complicated many processes related to records management. Unfamiliar with the challenges brought about by the pandemic, organisations found it difficult to provide sustainable records management services to their patrons. Furthermore, the changes brought about by the pandemic lingered, having ripple effects and an influence on the provision of records management services until today. Therefore, this study examined the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the provision of records management and suggested possible strategies for improving the provision of records management services post-pandemic at the De Beers Group, South Africa. To achieve the stated purpose, the study adopted an interpretivist paradigm associated with a qualitative research approach through a single-case study design. Data were collected through document analysis and conducting interviews with purposely selected records management professionals at the De Beers Group. The data collected were presented and analysed thematically in a narrative description. The findings of the study indicated that the De Beers Group implemented a new working style during the pandemic by embracing a hybrid working environment and implementing new information technology and digital solutions, such as the Inmagic program and EDRMS (electronic document and records management system) for records management initiatives, to improve records management services and maintain both manual and electronic records. The study findings showed that some records management professionals did not have the necessary resources, such as laptops and remote access systems, to perform their duties during and post-pandemic. The lack of the necessary ICT (information and communication technology) training and technical skills brought about by the pandemic was also one of the factors hindering records management services at the De Beers Group. The major findings of the study revealed that the De Beers Group has experienced unforeseen consequences during the pandemic, including remote work, challenges in accessing records, misfiling of electronic records resulting from the volume of online records that were generated during the pandemic, a lack of reviewed policies that would also include records created during the pandemic, and a lack of electronic records management practices. The study also revealed the need to adopt guidelines to guide records management following a disaster or pandemic, utilising cloud services to store, preserve, and retrieve electronic records. The study presented several recommendations including the need for records professionals to be provided with resources such as laptops and internet access and the need to invest in the training and re-skilling of records management professionals to ensure that they are able to perform optimally in the post-pandemic era. Furthermore, reducing physical record retention and revising its policies and legal frameworks to accommodate newer technologies that have emerged as a result of the pandemic were recommended. The study concluded that post-pandemic strategies for improving records management services emphasised adjustments in records management through new technology and digital means
Standardised Flavonoid Ointment from Nigella sativa L. for Postpartum Maternal Perineal Wound Care in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia
No full textBackground: Perineal wounds remain a postpartum issue, particularly in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia. Prior research showed that approximately 31.7% of perineal wounds remained unhealed by the seventh day, highlighting the need for additional natural and herbal treatments to accelerate healing and prevent complications. Black cumin (Nigella sativa L.) is a medicinal herb rich in flavonoids, which have been scientifically proven to enhance the wound healing process.Objective: To analyse the effects of flavonoids from Nigella sativa (NS) on second-degree perineal wound healing in postpartum women in Central Kalimantan. Methods: A single-blind randomised controlled trial involving 81 participants divided into three groups (15% NS ointment, 10% Povidone-iodine (PI) ointment, and a placebo) was conducted. Each group had 27 participants, and ointments were applied twice daily for seven days. Wound healing was assessed using the redness, oedema (edema), ecchymosis, discharge, and approximation (REEDA) scale on the first, third, and seventh days, and data were analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics v27. Results: NS extract contained 5.253 mg quercetin equivalent (QE)/g flavonoids and exhibited strong antioxidant activity (IC50=19.709 ppm). Significant differences were observed in wound healing among the three treatments (p≤0.001). Cohen’s d showed a large effect (0.8) for NS vs. PI and a very large effect (1.44) for NS vs. the placebo. Wound healing improvements were 96.3% (NS), 81.5% (PI), and 55.6% (placebo). Conclusion: The 15% NS ointment, which is standardised with flavonoids, significantly accelerated perineal wound healing in postpartum women. These findings suggest that this agent may serve as an alternative or complementary treatment to PI, particularly in areas with limited medical access; however, further research is needed to explore its long-term effects, optimal dosage, and potential side effects
Lived Experiences of Nurses Caring for Children with Asthma in Paediatric Patient Wards in Indonesia
No full textAsthma is a serious health problem among children, and it is important for children to acquire self-management skills in order to optimise their quality of life in the future. Therefore, nurses play an important role in delivering comprehensive nursing care, providing asthma control education, and facilitating appropriate self-management support for paediatric patients. This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of nurses caring for children with asthma in paediatric patient wards in Indonesia. The study used a hermeneutic-phenomenological design approach. Using purposive sampling, 12 participants were recruited. The data was collected through in-depth interviews, direct observations, and field notes. Sampling continued until data saturation was achieved. Thematic analysis was conducted following Braun and Clarke’s six-phase framework. The results showed that the lived experiences of nurses caring for children with asthma in paediatric patient wards were categorised into four main themes and nine sub-themes. The four themes included: (1) providing nursing care (nursing priorities and nursing interventions); (2) experiencing personal challenges (communication barriers and feelings of frustration); (3) providing culturally competent care (minimising barriers to treatment and respecting the different cultural beliefs of children and parents); and (4) requiring specialised skills (patience, accuracy in medication administration, and play therapy techniques). Thus, the study concluded that caring for hospitalised children with asthma involves a multifaceted approach, distinct from the care of children with other conditions. Nurses face unique challenges due to the influence of cultural beliefs, religious values, and varied perceptions about the illness. Therefore, nurses have to provide nursing care; experience personal challenges; provide culturally competent care; and require specialised skills
Fostering Environmental Citizenship to Address Ecological Challenges in South Africa: Lessons from the Circular Economy
No full texthe responsibility to protect the environment and promote sustainable development lies with all people. People’s attitudes, lifestyles, and daily activities have resulted in negative impacts on the environment and its inhabitants. While South Africa’s rich biodiversity can be used to enhance livelihoods, there are unintended consequences to some business initiatives geared towards creating employment opportunities. All sectors in South Africa must embrace environmental citizenship and circular economy principles to mitigate ecological challenges. The involvement of social workers in collaborative efforts that promote sustainable development is limited. Educating communities to engage in environmental citizenship while building circular economy inter-sectoral exchanges and synergies between communities, the government, and private and business sectors may lead to positive social, economic, and environmental outcomes. Environmental citizenship lies in creating environmental consciousness and adopting a culture of sustainability. Towards this end, this integrative review of literature seeks to foster environmental citizenship and address ecological challenges in South Africa while drawing lessons from the circular economy. The authors recommend educating social workers, businesses and communities about environmental citizenship to develop and/or enhance their understanding of the value of circular economy as pivotal in addressing the triple challenges of poverty, unemployment, and inequality while promoting economic growth within a social, economic and ecological justice framework
Possibilities for Unemployed Youth in the Green Economy: An Ecological Social Work Perspective
No full textThis article considers the question: What are the existing guidelines for community-based strategies to empower youth to participate in a green economy? South African youth is a particularly vulnerable group due to sociopolitical and economic reasons including systemic marginalisation, high unemployment rates, insufficient opportunities, and environmental degradation that threaten their and future generations’ well-being. Currently, most South African youth are faced with high levels of early school dropout, unemployment, substance use and abuse, crime and violence, high-risk behaviours, and socioeconomic challenges that limit their development. This is true for youth in both urban and rural areas, who have been challenged by, among other factors, a long-standing lack of access to resources and support services that have resulted in self-destructive behaviours. Drawing a link between social and environmental justice, social work places value on the empowerment of marginalised youth, as well as on the importance of participatory environmental initiatives through collaborative action for sustainable change with youth as change agents. Social work practice guidelines to effectively facilitate youth participation in environmental initiatives are, however, lacking. This includes various skills and enterprise development programmes focused on schools, youth, and the community at large. Using a scoping review, evidence of existing international and local guidelines for a community-based strategy aimed at youth participation in the green economy are presented and recommendations made for ecological social work practice and education
The Relationship between Ideological and Political Education and Students’ Social Responsibility
No full textThe purpose of this study is to identify the relationship between ideological and political education and students’ social responsibility. Methodologically, the study involves 76 first-year Chinese undergraduate students who received ideological and political education. The study offers a theoretical substantiation of the features of students’ formation of social responsibility in the process of ideological and political education. This allows for an expansion of the understanding of the formation of an individual’s “I” in the process of socialisation. The practical significance of the research results is derived from their potential application to enhance the effectiveness of ideological and political education and to develop students’ social responsibility in the context of the digitalisation of the educational process, considering both personal and institutional factors within the Chinese educational system. In addition, the obtained research results can be used to harmonise the “I” concept of the individual in its interaction with the social environment. The implications underscore the correlation between students’ ideological and political education and their social responsibility and highlight the importance of ideological and political education in fostering personal social responsibility development and forming socially responsible attitudes towards academic pursuits and future professional activities