6 research outputs found
Nurses' understanding and implementation of mental health screening among HIV infected in Limpopo
No full textThe purpose of the study was to explore the understanding and implementation of the guidelines by nurses to detect mental disorders in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) management in the Limpopo Province, South Africa. The study aimed to recommend measures to strengthen implementation practices. Qualitative, exploratory and descriptive approach was conducted. Non-probability purposive sampling was used to select primary health professional nurses trained in HIV programme at primary health care facilities in Capricorn District. Data were collected through focus groups and in-depth individual interviews approach using the interview guide. The interviews started with focus group discussions as primary method and in-depth individual interviews as follow-up. Interviews were tape recorded and transcribed.
Data were analysed using Creswell’s data analysis steps. Four themes emerged from data: understanding of HIV management guidelines; implementation of the guidelines; strengthening of mental health screening and competencies required for mental health screening. The study revealed that the nurses who did not have psychiatric nursing as an additional qualification lacked confidence and skills to conduct mental health screening in HIV positive infected individuals. However, they used their background nursing knowledge to manage clients. They all experienced challenges with information provided in the guidelines to screen for mental health in HIV management.
Based on the results of this study, it was recommended that there should be integration of mental health and HIV and development of practical assessment tools for mental health screening. The study acknowledges the importance of equipping nurses with adequate skills to diagnose altered mental health states among HIV infected individuals.M.A. (Nursing Science)Health Studie
Exploring information needs among family caregivers of children with intellectual disability in a rural area of South Africa: a qualitative study
No full textAbstract Background Globally, families experience challenges caring for and raising children with intellectual disability (ID). Family caregivers in rural states are mostly known for lacking support resources, including information on understanding the care of ID. Lack of adequate information on understanding of ID compromises the provision of life-long care and support of the children with ID’s physical, emotional, psychological and social developmental well-being. The study aimed to explore the information needs of family caregivers regarding the care of children with ID in rural areas of Limpopo Province, South Africa. Methods This qualitative explorative research conducted 16 in-depth individual interviews and one focus group discussion with ten family members. The participants shared their experiences of raising children with ID in rural communities. Inductive thematic analysis using Atlas Ti software categorised emerging themes and subthemes of this study from merged data sets on information needs regarding the care of children with ID among family caregivers. Results The findings highlighted the need for information regarding ID care among family caregivers raising children with ID in the home environment. The information challenges experienced by family caregivers include caring for the challenging behaviour of children with ID and available support resources and services for the children and their families. These challenges impact the care and support required to meet the developmental needs of children with ID. Furthermore, inadequate information on ID among family caregivers in rural communities with a lack of resources restricts the children from accessing required support services. Conclusions Given the information challenges these families face on ID, the stakeholders must develop continuous training programmes that will equip, empower, and further monitor ID care and management among family caregivers to enhance care and the raising of children with dignity
Families’ Experiences on Safety Needs of Children with Intellectual Disability
No full textBackground: Children with intellectual disability (ID) are known to have a deficit in self-care, social interaction, and learning abilities. Families raising these children experience a range of difficulties that require supportive systems to meet the physical, psychological, and social safety rights of children with ID. The study explored the safety of children with ID through the experiences of their families in the rural Capricorn District of Limpopo Province, South Africa. Methods: In-depth individual interviews and focus group discussion were conducted with 26 families directly involved in raising the children with ID. An inductive thematic analysis of data on the experiences of raising children with ID was undertaken with the aid of ATLAS.ti 8 computer programme. Results: The study revealed that children with ID lack safety at home, schools, and day care centre environments due to a lack of active involvement by nuclear family members, neighbours, and communities, including interaction with their peers and professional service providers in facilities. Safety of children with ID is compromised through exploitation and injuries, leading to marginalisation as they feared further humiliation. Conclusion: The study highlighted that active involvement of family members, communities, and governmental and non-governmental organisations is crucial in ensuring safe environments for children with ID
Nurses’ implementation of mental health screening among HIV infected guidelines
No full textUp to 25% of people living with HIV (PLWHA) in South Africa are thought to suffer from some form of depression and anxiety during the course of the illness. The nurse-initiated ART improves patients’ access to ART and gives nurses authority to treat uncomplicated patients. However, there is no parallel continuing development program aimed at preparing nurses to manage mental health problems at primary health care level. The purpose of the study was to explore nurses’ interpretation and implementation of HIV/AIDS guidelines for mental health screening among HIV-infected individuals in South Africa.A qualitative, exploratory and descriptive approach was employed, using purposive sampling to select primary health professional nurses trained in HIV programmes at five primary health care facilities. Data were collected through focus groups and in-depth individual interviews. Thematic analysis was used to generate three themes, namely; guidelines as framework for care pathway, mental screening practices, strengthening mental health screening. The study revealed significant weakness in the detection of mental illness in primary health care settings, due to a lack of skills and insufficient screening resources. The implication of these findings is a need to equip all NIMART trained nurses with basic mental health screening skills. Keywords: HIV, HIV management guidelines, Mental health screening, Nursing practice, South Afric
Strategies for Coping with Occupational Trauma: A Scoping Review of the Police Officer Context
No full textBackground: Occupational trauma is heightened among police officers due to their exposure to physical, biological, chemical, and psychological hazards. Sustained occupational trauma results in mental illness among members of the police, which is a public health issue of concern. This study aimed to report a scoping review of the literature on strategies employed by police officers for coping with occupational trauma around the globe. Methods: A search string, formulated from the review question of what is known about the strategies of police officers for coping with occupational trauma, was used to search for articles from databases. A total of 588 hits were screened against inclusion criteria, resulting in 36 full-text studies between 1983 and 2022 being included in this review. Data were extracted using a standardised data extraction tool. The multi-step process was used to analyse the extracted data, integrating quantitative and qualitative approaches. Results: From this review, ‘adaptive coping mechanisms’, involving confrontation; ‘maladaptive coping mechanisms’, such as self-isolation, distancing and substance use; ‘resilience’, relating to mental preparation, and ‘seeking support systems’ from family, colleagues and professionals reflected the strategies used by police officers to cope with occupational trauma. Social stigma related to mental health disorders impacts the strategies used by police officers to cope with occupational trauma. Conclusions: the police management and healthcare practitioners must collaborate towards providing constructive environments that support and strengthen police officers’ strategies for coping with occupational trauma
