Browsing by Author "Mayers, Pat"

Now showing 1 - 6 of 6
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    The attitudes of midwives towards pregnant women using illicit substances in the Metro East Sub-District, Cape Town
    (University of the Western Cape, 2023) Finlayson, Jean-Louise; Mayers, Pat
    Background: Worldwide, it is estimated that 155 -250 million people between the ages of 15 and 64 use illicit substances; however, an accurate estimation of illicit drug use during pregnancy is not available as this is underreported. The South African National Drug Master Plan (NDMP) reports rising illicit drug use among pregnant women Early initiation and regular antenatal care prevent or decrease many risk factors caused by the use of illicit drugs, leading to improved outcomes for mothers and infants. Pregnant women who use illicit drugs are less likely to engage with health services due to various barriers, of which stigma is particularly pervasive. Stigmatising attitudes from health care providers may lead to reduced management and care. There is limited South African information regarding midwives’ attitudes toward pregnant women who use illicit substances. Aim: To describe midwives’ attitudes toward pregnant women who use illicit substances in the Metro East sub-district of Cape Town. Study setting and population: Primary, secondary, and tertiary maternity services in the Metro East sub-district, Cape Town. All midwives (N=146) in all facilities in the sub-district were included (total population sampling). Method: A quantitative approach with a survey design, using a previously validated questionnaire, was utilised. Face-to-face data collection was conducted. Each questionnaire was checked for completeness. Data analysis was done using SPSS. Ethical considerations: This study strictly adhered to ethical principles. Ethical approval was obtained from the Biomedical Research Ethics Committee, UWC, and Western Cape Department of Health Research Committee. The research adheres to the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013. Voluntary participation and the right to withdraw at any point during the study was respected and respondent data was anonymised. Results: The study had a response rate of 69%. Most respondents were female and 51.4% were in the < 41 age group. 15.8% of respondents had one year or less experience, with a mean of 10 years of experience.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Experiences of professional nurses in caring for patients with suspected mental health disorders
    (University of Western Cape, 2021) Babalwa, Mtshawuli; Mayers, Pat
    Psychiatric nurses are known for their person-centred care approach that offers help through a therapeutic communication approach. In South African nursing, a Professional Nurse is a nurse whose role include but not limited to conducting a comprehensive and holistic health assessment on clients of all age groups, with complex health problems, determines the health needs of the community, early detection, diagnosis, treatment and appropriate referral to higher levels of care.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    An exploration of the counselling work experiences of South African trained Advanced Psychiatric Nurses (R212) working in state psychiatric facilities in the Western Cape
    (University of the Western Cape, 2022) Petersen, Adam John; Mayers, Pat
    Since the ground-breaking work of Hildegard Peplau, counselling is an essential competency of Advanced Psychiatric Nurses (APNs) all across the world. In South Africa, the teaching directives of the South African Nursing Council requires students to be competent in a number of therapeutic interventions, including specialised counselling techniques. Counselling is an essential job requirement of APNs in the Western Cape, and is much needed in the Western Cape, which has a high incidence of mental disorders, which cannot be met by psychologists in state psychiatric facilities. If they are properly utilised, APNs can provide counselling services to people who do not have access to these.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    An investigation of alcohol and drug use and possible risk factors amongst nursing students at a University in the Western Cape
    (University of the Western Cape, 2023) Kovane, Gaotswake Patience; Mayers, Pat
    The use of substances (alcohol and other drugs) is a significant global public health challenge, despite extensive awareness and educational strategies about the dangers of alcohol and illicit drug use. Recognition of the factors associated with substance use amongst nursing students is crucial to guide program planning, promotion of awareness and reduce risk of drug use.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Knowledge and attitudes of nursing students about women who use substances during pregnancy in the Western Cape
    (University of the Western Cape, 2022) Andries, Carmen; Mayers, Pat
    Substance use has become a major socio-economic problem worldwide and is alarmingly high in South Africa. Substance use is frequent in pregnant women and has a negative impact on foetal, neonatal, and maternal well-being. Nurses play an essential role in identifying and treating substance use and related problems in patients in general and pregnant women. Worldwide, published literature reports that professional and student nurses have insufficient knowledge regarding substance use in pregnant women and often portray punitive, negative attitudes towards them.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Sexual and reproductive health knowledge of postgraduate students at the University of Cape Town, in South Africa
    (BMC, 2022) Mwamba, Bupe; Mayers, Pat; Shea, Jawaya
    Globally and in South Africa, university students’ knowledge of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) is low. This study was conducted in response to the dearth of information about the sexual and reproductive health knowledge of postgraduate students. Research conducted to explore the SRH knowledge of undergraduate students suggests that the level of SRH knowledge among undergraduate students is low. The aim of this study was to determine the SRH knowledge of postgraduate students with regards to contraceptives, sexually transmitted illnesses (STI), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Pap smear and clinical breast examination at University of Cape Town (UCT), in South Africa. A cross sectional survey design was utilized, using an adapted and pretested online questionnaire. The aim of this study was to determine the SRH knowledge of postgraduate students at the UCT. Minor adjustments were made to the questionnaire to suit the South African context. Selected aspects of SRH were included in the current study: knowledge and use of contraceptives, Pap smear, clinical breast examination, STIs and HIV. These variables were considered to be general enough to be answerable by male and female respondents and are the most important considerations in reproductive health care in South Africa, as there is a high prevalence of STIs, HIV and cervical and breast cancers.