3. Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETDs) - All submissions
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Item Knowledge, attitudes and practices of health care workers regarding disaster preparedness at Johannesburg hospital in Gauteng Province, South Africa(2009-11-03T10:50:42Z) Moabi, Rosemary MaudThe purpose of the study is to ascertain the knowledge, attitudes and practices of hospital management at the Johannesburg Hospital regarding disaster preparedness. Objectives: The study is to assess the current status of awareness of the management regarding disaster preparedness; to determine whether there are hospital specific plans; knowledge of whether the plans are regularly updated or not; to determine attitudes towards disaster management plans and drills and to determine current practices with regards to disaster preparedness . Study design: The study design was a cross sectional survey. The study population included the hospital administrators, head of clinical units, head of casualties, the chief porter, the chief clerk, the theatre matron, senior sisters and doctors in the casualty department, head of security, head of transport and the chief pharmacist The study was conducted utilizing a self administered questionnaire with structured and open ended questions. In case where management were not available, the person acting in that capacity was requested to complete the questionnaire. Twenty five out of the thirty five managers selected completed a self administered questionnaire. The response rate was 71,4%. Findings: The management at the Johannesburg Hospital was aware of the disaster preparedness of the hospital and its plans, and disaster management preparedness. Their attitudes to the plans and drill were largely positive. However, the practices were deficient and work still needs to be done in regard to ongoing training, performance of drills and the frequency of regular updating of the plans.Item Perceptions of health care workers regarding the participation of men in HIV programmes(2008-11-11T11:56:48Z) Dhlamini, Zandile FaithThis study explores the perceptions of health care workers regarding men’s participation in HIV programmes with the objective of identifying factors that may facilitate or hinder the participation of men in such programmes. A sub aim was to explore how perceptions regarding the effects of different constructions of masculinity may be implicated in the ways men respond to HIV programmes. The study was conducted with permission from HIV/AIDS clinics: Thembalethu clinic in the Helen Joseph Hospital, Tshwarisanang couples’ VCT clinic at Chris Hani Baragwanath hospital and two Johannesburg University campus clinics. Data was collected using a purposive sample of 8 health care workers. Each participant took part in one-on-one semi-structured interviews, which yielded the results of this study. The data was analysed using thematic content analysis. The results showed that a majority of the health care workers perceived men to be nonparticipatory in HIV programmes. They perceived barriers to men’s participation to be men’s varied perception of fear knowing their HIV status, fear of dying and fear of the emotional consequences of testing positive such as anger and depression. Men also see counselling as a sign of weakness and as a result, they do not participate in HIV programmes. In conclusion, health care workers identified the need to develop new strategies and best suited programmes that promote HIV testing amongst men.Item Health care workers' knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding prevention of smoking in gold mine workers(2008-05-14T09:33:39Z) Govender, Vanessa GanesegerieAbstract Background: The high prevalence of smoking on the mines contributes significantly to the public health burden due to exposure to crystalline silica dust and high HIV and TB prevalence rates. Progressive anti-tobacco legislation that informs workplace smoking policies is in existence but there are no formal smoking interventions to achieve the objectives of such policies and to facilitate health promotion. Health care workers, in particular have a vital role to play in this regard. Objectives: The objectives of this research study were to determine the knowledge, attitudes and practices of HCWs regarding prevention of smoking in gold mine workers and to use this information to propose a framework for a smoking intervention programme for the mines. Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive knowledge, attitudes and practice (KAP) study. Data were obtained from 69 HCWs using self-administered questionnaires, from 161 occupational lung disease (OLD) and 30 medical ward admission record reviews, and from 4 informal discussions. Results: While knowledge and attitudes about smoking was good overall and 84.1% of HCWs reported that they would routinely ask smoking status and document it, this was not done in practice. An overwhelming majority of HCWs are aware that smoking is harmful to one’s health (98.6%); is harmful to mine workers’ health (97.1%), and predisposes them to acquiring lung diseases (95.7%). Half (56.7%) of the nurses, but no doctors documented smoking history on admission and poor follow up of this advice (38.5%) is an area of concern. HCWs identified a need for support structures such as workplace and community programmes that include education, training and awareness campaigns. Conclusion: Overall, HCWS are responsive to workplace smoking interventions: they are knowledgeable, and show insight and have positive attitudes towards smoking interventions, but a more enabling environment is required to establish good workplace practices. To this end a “Proposed framework for smoking interventions on the mines, incorporating the HCW programme” has been developed and partially implemented. Awareness of this study and its preliminary findings has already demonstrated a paradigm shift in thinking about tobacco on the gold mines.