School of Nursing

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https://hdl.handle.net/10566/12

The School of Nursing at the University of the Western Cape is located in the Community and Health Science faculty.

The School offers education and training in both under and post graduate levels. All programs offered by the School are recognized by the South African Nursing Council for registration and registered with the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). The School of Nursing is the largest residential nursing school in the country and offers the Bachelor of Nursing (BNurs) as its core undergraduate programme. The School further offers the Master of Nursing (MNur) and Doctor Philosophy (PhD.) as part of its postgraduate program.

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Suicide mortality in NSW: geographic variation.
(CSIRO, 1995) Stewart, Gavin; Chipps, Jennifer; Sayer, Geoffrey
This is the first of a series of articles on the epidemiology of suicide in NSW. We examine pooled suicide mortality data for Area and District Health Services from the time of the introduction of the ICD9-CM cause of death coding in 1979 to the most current complete year for which death data are available (1992).
Suicide mortality in NSW: clients of mental health services.
(CSIRO, 1995) Chipps, Jennifer; Stewart, Gavin; Sayer, Geoffrey
This article examines suicide by clients of mental health services in NSW. Since April1992 the Mental Health Branch of the NSW Health Department has operated an incident monitoring system which requires all public mental health services in NSW to report unexpected deaths, including suicides, of current or former clients. Part I of this article describes the information collected through this monitoring system, and Part II estimates mental health service clients' risk of suicide, compared with that of the NSW population.
Suicide mortality in NSW: an introduction to clinical audits.
(CSIRO, 1996) Stewart, Gavin; Chipps, Jennifer; Sayer, Geoffrey
This article is an introduction to the use of clinical audit to identify possible preventive approaches to suicide. We examine the ethical issues, techniques and feasibility of this method for collecting information on suicides. A more detailed report on the practicalities of clinical audit is being prepared3. For more than three decades psychological autopsies and modified psychological autopsies have been employed worldwide to study risk factors for suicide. The term psychological autopsy most commonly refers to interviews with family and friends of the victim to reconstruct the circumstances of the suicide'. Sometimes the term is limited to the determination of the mental state of the individual, and at other times the modified psychological autopsy or clinical audit includes all the investigations relevant to the suicide, including the review of medical records and the physical autopsy4. Clinical audit in this article encompasses both the psychological autopsy and the physical autopsy, and any other relevant investigations. We prefer to use the term clinical audit to stress that interviewing bereaved people requires clinical skills and because attention should be given to the potential role clinical services may play in prevention.
Suicide attempts in NSW: associated mortality and morbidity.
(CSIRO, 1996) Sayer, Geoffrey; Stewart, Gavin; Chipps, Jennifer
This article is the fifth in a series on suicide in New South Wales by the Mental Health Epidemiology Group. Its aim is to provide a quantitative account of suicide attempts and the associated mortality and morbidity in NSW during 1992 (the most recent year for which data were available) as context for consideration of the overall problem of suicide in NSW.
'n Ondersoek na die behoeffes van studentverpleegkundiges met betrekking tot die ontwikkeling van basiese studievaardighede.
(University of Western Cape, 1997) Fischer, Marie; Boshoff, ELD
Die grondgedagte vir hierdie studie spruit voort uit die verantwoordelikheid van die verpleegdosente om die vermoëns van studentverpleegkundiges tot selfgerigte studie te ontwikkel. Selfgerigte studie vereis onder andere, die vermoë om inligting te kan vind, te verwerk, en toe te pas in die praktyk. Hierdie vaardighede is essensiële voorvereistes vir onafhanklike professionele praktisering. Die ontwikkeling van die genoemde vaardighede impliseer 'n multi-dimensionele benadering wat die student in totaliteit aanspreek. Voorts vereis dit nougesette betrokkenheid van die student by sy/ haar studies. Laasgenoemde veronderstel, onder andere, egter dat studente oor sekere essensiële vaardighede, in verband met leer en studie, beskik. Uit die literatuur blyk dit duidelik dat sekondêre onderwys, oor die algemeen, studente nie voldoende voorberei vir tersiêre onderwys nie. Deur middel van hierdie studie wou die navorser dus antwoorde probeer vind op die vraag of studenteverpleegkundiges behoeftes ervaar aan leiding met betrekking tot spesifiek geïdentifiseer studievaardighede, die leiding wat verskaf word en of daar leemtes bestaan in die leiding wat studente reeds ontvang. Nadat die studieterrein afgebaken is, is verskillende terme en begrippe, grondliggend tot die studie, omskryf en in perspektief gestel. Hoofstuk twee is gewyaan 'n bespreking van die konsepte leer, -probleme en studie binne die perspektief van hierdie studie, asook verbandhoudend relevante begrippe. Aandag is in die daaropvolgende twee hoofstukke geskenk aan, onderskeidelik, spesifieke stud ievaardighede verbandhoudend tot die versameling van inligting en studievaardighede verbandhoudend tot die benutting van inligting.
Admission rates as an indicator of the prevalence of severe asthma in the community
(Wiley, 1998) Jalaludin, Bin; Chey, Tien; Holmwood, Marvin; Chipps, Jennifer; Hanson, Ralph; Corbett, Stephen; Leeder, Stephen
BACKGROUND: A reliable indicator of the prevalence of severe asthma in the community is needed to monitor population-based asthma control strategies. We examined the potential use of asthma admissions to hospital as such an indicator. METHODS: We recruited subjects from the Emergency Department (ED) of a children's hospital. The attending doctor completed the 'physician questionnaire' which included questions on the patient's asthma severity and interval severity/chronicity of asthma. The parent/guardian completed the 'parent questionnaire'. It included questions on demography, asthma knowledge and attitudes, asthma history and social support. We performed univariate and multiple logistic regression to determine predictors for hospital admission. RESULTS: Interval severity of asthma, pre-treatment severity of wheeze and low post-treatment pulse oximetry best predicted whether children presenting with asthma were admitted. Demographic variables, factors associated with access to health services and factors related to the asthma history and management were not significant predictors of admission. DISCUSSION: At the population level, it may be possible to utilise routine hospital admission rates as an indicator of the prevalence of severe asthma in the community, especially within the context of monitoring trends in asthma prevalence. Our study was conducted in a metropolitan tertiary paediatric hospital. The reliability of hospital admission rates as indicators of the prevalence of severe asthma in other hospital settings, in different population groups and over time remains to be established.
Nurses experiences of abortion: An exploratory study of nurses experiences in assisting with termination of pregnancy in South Africa and Zambia.
(University of Western Cape, 1999) Ndhlovu, Martha Phiri; Mkwelo, Nomafrench
The legislation of abortion in many countries, allowing women the right to decide to terminate pregnancy, has introduced an unfamiliar situation to the medical professionals, especially nurses and doctors who are the implementers of the legislation.
'n Ondersoek in verband met die voorkoms van post- traumatiese stressteuring by kinders in die Wes-Kaap
(University of Western Cape, 2000) Traut, Annelene; Boshoff, Elo
Hierdie studie is 'n poging om die probleem synde die voorkoms van Post Traumatiese Stressteuring (PTSS) by kinders in die Wes-Kaap aan te spreek. Dit is 'n retrospektiewe studie wat baseer word op die inligting wat vanuit pasiënte-lêers verkry is gedurende die periode 1994 -1996, by die Kinder- en Adolessente Psigiatrie Eenheid by Tygerberg Hospitaal in die Wes-Kaap. Volgens hierdie inligting kom dit voor asof die professionele verpleegpraktisyn geen noemenswaardige rol speel in die voorkoming en waar dit nie moontlik is nie, in die vroeë identifisering en dienooreenkomstige tussentrede van PTSS by kinders nie.Hoofstuk Een fokus op die oriëntering tot die terrein van die studie synde die voorkoms van PTSS by kinders in die Wes-Kaap, die motivering vir die studie, die probleemformulering en die organisering van die daaropvolgende hoofstukke. Ten einde die probleem te definieer en te kontekstualiseer en die situasie waarbinne die betrokke probleem geïdentifiseer is, omvat Hoofstukke Twee, Drie en Vier 'n omvangryke literatuurstudie in verband met die geskiedenis, etiologie, bydraende faktore, patogenese en simptomatologie, die hantering en die rol van die professionele verpleegpraktisyn in die voorkoming en vroeë opsporing en tussentrede van PTSS by kinders. Hoofstuk Vyf handelaar die navorsingsmetodologie, terwyl Hoofstukke Ses en Sewe die gevolgtrekkings, aanbevelings en die beperkinge van die studie toelig.
Suicide in New South Wales: the NSW suicide data report.
(CSIRO, 2001) Ansari, Guncha; Chipps, Jennifer; Stewart, Gavin
The NSW Suicide Prevention Strategy has identified suicide prevention as a high priority for government and the community. Death by suicide is a relatively uncommon event; however, more people in NSW now die from suicide than road injury. Nationally, two per cent of all deaths were attributed to suicide in 1998. This article describes the Suicide in New South Wales—The NSW Suicide Data Report, which has been developed and produced by the Centre for Mental Health, and presents improved information on suicide, hospitalisation following attempted suicide, and risk of suicide, both at a state and an area health service level.
Pharmacological evaluation of Leonotis Leonurus for antiepilectic activity
(UWC, 2001) Bienvenu, E; Amabeoku, G
The present study investigated the anticonvulsant properties of the aqueous extract of Leonotis leonurus (L.) R. BR. of the family, Lamiaceae and the possible mechanism of the antiepileptic activity of this plant. A preliminary phytochemical screening of the said plant extract was also carried out.
The effect of a breastfeeding intervention program on the knowledge of pregnant women at the Bishop Lavis clinic.
(University of the Western Cape, 2001) Walker, Sonja Lynn; Daniels, Felicity
Introduction: Breastfeeding is an important child survival strategy. Many mothers choose not to breastfeed their babies or do so for only a short duration, despite the undisputed physiological, social, psychological, economic, immunological and nutritional benefits to mother and infant. The study was conducted in Bishop Lavis, a low socio-economic community in the City of Tygerberg, Cape Town. Poverty, unemployment and inadequate housing are a few problems which this community faces. Aim: To implement an antenatal group breastfeeding education programme and evaluate the knowledge gained by participants. Methodology: A quasi-experimental design was used. Before-after studies were used to measure the knowledge of breastfeeding before and after the implementation of the breastfeeding education programme. Study population: All primigravidas attending the Bishop Lavis antenatal clinic. Sampling: A total of 58 primigravidas were sampled, using systematic random sampling over a four-week period. Data Analysis: Statistical analyses were carried out using the Statistical Analysis Software. Means, percentages and p- values were calculated. Results: The results proved that there was a significant increase in the participants' knowledge after the breastfeeding education education. Conclusion: There is a need to educate all pregnant women regarding the advantages of breastfeeding and to establish permanent breastfeeding education and support systems.
The mental health outcomes and assessment training project: creating the foundations for improved quality of care
(CSIRO, 2002) Chipps, Jennifer; Raphael, Beverley; Coombs, Tim
The NSW Mental Health Outcomes and Assessment Tools Training Project (MH-OAT) is a collaborative and consumer-centred project that aims to strengthen the assessment skills of the mental health care workforce. MH-OAT does this through training that supports the introduction of a process of standard documentation of clinical practice along with measures of outcomes and potential ‘case mix’ (a method of describing the different types of patients treated by the health system, which recognises that different patients require different levels of resources.
Perceptions and experiences of women regarding postnatal care in Ndola-Zambia
(UWC, 2002) Kalunga, EK; Daniels, F
Postnatal care has remained fundamentally unchanged for a long time and has been subject to very little research. Despite the importance of the postnatal period, women's experience of postnatal care has not received great attention and most writing about women's birthing experience has largely been concentrated on antenatal and labor care. The importance of understanding client perceptions of service is widely acknowledged and becoming more relevant in health care, as attempts to incorporate clients' views into service development, provision, and evaluation are increasing. Healthcare providers are beginning to recognize the importance of consumer satisfaction as a measure of quality of service.
What is it that matters most in the practice of nursing children?
(Pub med, 2003) Coetzee, M
This article discusses the results of a workshop designed as an action research cycle to ascertain what matters most in the practice of nursing children in South Africa today. The workshop was convened at the University of Cape Town (UCT), in order to guide and direct the newly established post- basic, children’s nursing pathway in the Bachelor of Nursing for Registered nurses [BN(RN)] programme. The participants were eight experienced paediatric nurses, currently practising in a variety of settings in the Western Cape. The results show that the participants move from their original task- and procedure - based perspective to a more processive one in which the focus of the learning is relational, emphasising the family and culture of the child.
An investigation into factors influencing the rate of readmissions of schizophrenic patients into the Amanuel psychiatric hospital, Ethiopia.
(University of the Western Cape, 2003) Bimerew, Million Shiferaw; Sonn, F.C.T
The problem of recurrent readmission of schizophrenic patients into the hospital has an impact on the service provision to all patients. Those frequently admitted patients usually occupy most beds and also utilize the limited hospital resources and time of the professionals. This makes it difficult to provide quality service to other psychiatric patients. The aim of the study was to ascertain the factors associated with recurrent in-patient admissions. The research was conducted at the Amanuel Psychiatric Hospital, Ethiopia. The biopsychosocial model was used as conceptual framework of the study, which represents a holistic approach emphasizing treatment, rehabilitation and prevention of the relapse of schizophrenic patients. The research employed quantitative survey methods and focus group interviews, The instruments used for data collection was structured interviews and a questionnaire for schizophrenic patients and health professionals respectively and an interview guide for focus group interviews. Samples of 43 schizophrenic patients and 20 health professionals were selected using random sampling methods, and 14 care-givers were selected using a purposive sampling method. The quantitative data was analyzed using the SPSS program and the data from the focus group interviews was analyzed by generating themes. The findings obtained from this triangulated study has shown that the modifiable factors i.e. medication non-compliance, poor after-care services, poor socio-economic conditions, that and alcohol abuse, were mainly associated with frequent readmissions of schizophrenic patients- Side effects of the drugs, lack of enough food to tolerate the unwanted effect of the drugs and negative attitudes to the treatment, were the reasons given for the medication non-compliance. The absence of continuity of care and support, lack of community psychiatric services and rehabilitation programs were mentioned as poor after-care services. Lack of money for food, transport and medication as well as stigmatization, rejection and abuse were the main socio-economic problems of the patients. The problems of khat and alcohol abuse were frequently mentioned by the focus group informants as common. More male patients tended to be readmitted than female patients. More than 90olo of the patients' themselves and their caregivers did not know the diagnosis of the patient. Community psychiatric services and psychosocial rehabilitation programs as well as family psycho-education and support systems should be promoted to reduce the risk of rehospitalization. Although the findings of this study is not representative due to the small sample size, it provides a starting point about the problems associated with schizophrenic readmissions and it also serve as a basis for further studies and for the development of an appropriate model for community psychiatric care and services.
A systematic review evaluating the effects of bilateral tubal ligation on menorrhagia and dysmenorrhoea (post-tubal ligation syndrome).
(University of the Western Cape, 2004) Muntanga, Veronica Longwe; Nikodem, Cheryl
A systematic review evaluating the effects of bilateral tubal ligation on menorrhagia and dysmenorrhoea (post-tubal ligation syndrome). The complaints about the tubal sterilization surgery leading to post-tubal ligation syndrome first surfaced in the 1950s. With the introduction in the 1970s of laparoscopy, which was less invasive than previous surgery, more women than never before chose tubal ligation, and reports of post-operative symptoms increased. Alteration in menstrual flow, dysmenorrhoea, menorrhagia and change I n cycle length after tubal sterilization have been reported in several studies since 1970. The term "post sterilization syndrome" has been used to refer to these changes. Often studies have failed to account for factors other than tubal sterilization that can affect menstrual cycles. The primary objective of this research project is to evaluate the long-term risks associated with female tubal ligation by executing a systematic review.
An assessment of the knowledge and practice of registered midwives regarding policy guidelines for routine episiotomies at two academic, state tertiary hospitals in the Western Cape.
(University of the Western Cape, 2004) de Maar, Major Colleen; Nikodem, Cheryl
An episiotomy is the surgical incision of the perineum. As far is known, was this procedure was done as early as 17 41. Sir Fielding Quid, was the first person to describe this procedure in his "Treatise of Midwifery in Three parts", as an aid to assist with difficult deliveries. The implementation of this intervention is a worldwide phenomenon and has been recorded during the 19th century as one of the most common surgical procedures in the clinical practice. The World Health Organisation has taken a clear stand against routine episiotomies and recommend that episiotomy rates should be around 10% and no more than 20%. There are no clear guidelines in the literature available that give true and valid indications for the performance of an episiotomy. Aim The aim was to determine whether the two tertiary academic institutions in the Western Cape have policies and guidelines available regarding the performance of episiotomies by registered midwives and to determine the knowledge and practice of registered midwives regarding these policies and Methodology The researcher made use of a descriptive survey to explore the issue whether guidelines exist regarding episiotomies and whether midwives are aware about these guidelines. Structured questionnaires were used to gain information from the registered midwives. The researcher also made use of documents (birth register) and in-depth interviews (unit managers). Results The findings of the study concluded that midwives are aware of the latest evidence that episiotomies are not done routinely even though no evidence of existing policies could be allocated in any of the two wards. The finding further shown that the current guidelines are not based on evidence. Midwives do not directly rely on guidelines in the wards (non available), but an inference is made that the midwives obtain access via secondary sources such as obstetricians. Midwives feels competent to do episiotomies but would like to be updated on knowledge regarding procedures and agree that skills updates are important. They are not aware of how to gain access to evidence based literature such as systematic reviews. Conclusions There is an urgent need to inform the regulatory professional body to review their regulations as the current regulation as it stands promotes more harm than good. Similarly is there a need to inform the national, provincial and local government I institutions, that if they publish guidelines they need to ensure that these guidelines are based on the latest evidence where possible. It is further important that policies be available to all members of staff to update them self with current information. In-service updates on evidence.
Workplace violence: an exploratory study into nurses interpretations and responses to violence and abuse in trauma and emergency departments
(University of the Western Cape, 2004) Kennedy, Maureen Angeline; Julie, H; Dept. of Nursing; Faculty of Community and Health Sciences
Violence in society has reached epidemic level and has permeated the walls of the workplace. Workplace violence has also spread across all occupations, especially those dealing with the public, and has escalated over the years. In this thesis the researcher explored the experiences, perceptions and coping mechanisms used by nurses exposed to violence in the health setting. The main focus was to determine how the nurses interpret abuse, and does this interpretation determine their response to the abuse.
An inquiry into the feasibility of integration of the advanced midwifery and neonatology clinical nurse specialist in the district health system: the Zambian experience
(University of the Western Cape, 2004) Kabamba, Beatrice Mubanga; Mbombo, Nomafrench; Dept. of Nursing; Faculty of Community and Health Sciences
Research has shown that there is a problem in the delivery of quality care in maternal and child health services in Zambia. The 1996 Zambia demographic and health survey estimated maternal mortality rate as high as 649 per 100,000 live birth, with this reason among others, human resource constraints and low number of supervised antenatal clinics, deliveries and postnatal clinics by skilled personnel as some of the reasons for the high maternal mortality. Selected studies identify the role of a clinical nurse specialist in advanced midwifery and neonatology who has acquired the knowledge and practical skills to bring about the desired impact of quality care in safe mother hood in order to bring down the high maternal mortality rates. In order to achieve this, the government needs to integrate the advanced midwifery and neonatology clinical nurse specialist in the health system. It was the purpose of the study to inquire into the feasibility of integration of the advanced midwifery and neonatology clinical nurse specialist in the Ndola District Health system .
Community- based service-learning through reflective practice.
(University of the Western Cape, 2004) Julie, Hester; Kortenbout, E; Dept. of Nursing; Faculty of Community and Health Sciences
Domestic violence is a pervasive problem in South Africa. The School of Nursing at the University of Western Cape has responded to the challenge of training sensitive, knowledgeable and skilled health personnel by developing a Management of Gender- Based Violence Module. The purpose of this study is to describe the professional and personal development of nursing students who were placed at the Saartjie Baartman Centre for Abused Women and Children for the service-learning trial run of this Gender- Based Violence module in 2003. A qualitative, contextual, and descriptive design was therefore used to provide rich information from in-depth descriptions of students’ perceptions and experiences with regard to the service-learning module. Purposive, convenient sampling was used because the key informants, 27 female students involved in the trial run of the module, were selected to “illuminate" the research question. Content analysis was done and to ensure credibility, data triangulation was done using focus group, project reports and the students’ journals. Informed consent to use data from the previously mentioned sources was obtained from students. The overall findings indicate that the service-learning programme allowed students to achieve the goals defined by the community, services and the university. Students came to understand the supportive roles that health professionals can play and recognised that the development of the attributes of caring, advocacy and civic ngagement is essential to their professional development. Comments in their reflective journals revealed that students valued their service-learning experience, and believed that this experience would expand into future collaborative relationships within civil society. The recommendation is that further in depth research be conducted given the promise shown by this educational approach.

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