Walter Sisulu University
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    Improving TB infection control in a regional hospital in the Eastern Cape, South Africa

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    This quality improvement (QI) work was carried out in Cecilia Makiwane Hospital (CMH), a regional public hospital in the Eastern Cape, South Africa (SA). SA has among the highest incidence of tuberculosis (TB) in the world and this is a leading cause of death in SA. Nosocomial infection is an important source of TB transmission. Adherence to TB infection prevention control (IPC) measures in the medical inpatient department was suboptimal at CMH. The overall aim of this QI project was to make sustainable improvements in TB IPC. A multidisciplinary team was formed to undertake a root cause analysis and develop a strategy for change. The main barriers to adherence to IPC measures were limited knowledge of IPC methods and stigma associated with TB. Specifically, the project aimed to increase the number of: ‘airborne precaution’ signs placed above patients’ beds, patients correctly isolated and patients wearing surgical face masks. Four Plan Do-Study-Act cycles were used. The strategy for change involved education and awareness-raising in different formats, including formal in-service training delivered to nurses and doctors, a hospital-wide TB awareness week with engaging activities and competitions, and a World TB Day provincial solidarity march. Data on adherence to the three IPC measures were collected over an 8-month period. Pre-intervention (October 2016), a mean of 2 percent of patients wore face masks, 22 percent were correctly isolated and 12 percent had an airborne precaution sign. Postintervention (May 2017), the compliance improved to 17 percent, 50 percent and 25 percent, respectively. There was a large variation in compliance to each measure. Improvement was greatest in the number of patients correctly isolated. We learnt it is important to work with, not in parallel to, existing teams or structures during QI work. On-the-ground training of nurses and clinicians should be undertaken alongside engagement of senior staff members and managers. This improves the chance of change being adopted into hospital policy

    Exploring Teacher Assessment Practices in The General Education and Training Level in Junior Secondary Schools in Mthatha Education District

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    Diabetes mellitus is one of the largest and most important public health emergencies of our time that has resulted in human suffering and huge financial implications for organisations, governments and individuals (IDF Atlas, 2015). Furthermore there is growing evidence that a number of employees are overstretched in their work environments and this has resulted in stress and burnout (McCormack and Cotter, 2013). This study investigated the effects of diabetes mellitus on burnout among WSU employees as well as the prevalence of diabetes mellitus and burnout. A mixed method research design using quantitative and qualitative approaches was employed in order to explore the effects of diabetes on burnout as well as the prevalence of diabetes and burnout at WSU. A cross-sectional survey was used to gather quantitative data and semi-structured interviews were used for the qualitative data collection. A total number of 169 participants were involved in this study. This included 154 participants and 15 participants who were selected for the quantitative and qualitative respectively using random sampling technique and purposive sampling method. The quantitative data was analysed using Stata version 13. The study findings indicated that the prevalence of diabetes at WSU was 16% and 57% participants were burned out. It was further found that the majority of participants (58%) who were diabetic also suffered from burnout. The relationship between diabetes and burnout was found to be significant. Qualitative data analysis involved coding data and analysing the emerging themes to form the basis of the findings. The results of the study found an emerging problem of high level of burnout and also a significant number of employees who were diabetic. A combination of these two conditions poses a challenge to the continued uninterrupted functioning of WSU. It is recommended that the university should educate its employees about diabetes and burnout as well as create an environment that promotes healthy lifestyle. A model has been developed that could help deal with diabetes and burnout.Thesis - Faculty of Health Sciences, 201

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