The acceptability of a donor human milk bank and donated human milk among mothers in Limpopo Province, South Africa.

Breastfeeding is a crucial public health approach that reduces infant morbidity and mortality by providing essential nutrients and antibodies, and breast milk is easily digested. Breastfeeding and donated milk serve as a preventative measure against necrotising enterocolitis. Additionally, they protect against viruses and nosocomial sepsis.

Using a Nominal Group Technique to Inform a Curriculum of a Short Learning Programme for Peer Mentor Training in a Health Sciences Context.

Background: The purpose of this study was to explore the use of a modified nominal group technique (mNGT) to inform the curriculum of a Short Learning Programme for peer mentors in the Bachelor of Clinical Medical Practice (BCMP) program.

Methods: An mNGT was used to achieve group consensus. Research participants included academic staff and students of the BCMP program called clinical associate (ClinA) students.

Stakeholders' views on the utility and employment strategies of clinical associates.

Background: Clinical associates (ClinAs) were introduced into the South African healthcare system to increase the numbers of skilled health professionals. Little is known on how they are viewed. This study explored stakeholder views on the utility and employment strategies of ClinAs in the public sector.

Outcomes of a Short Course in Improving Eye Healthcare Knowledge and Skills Among Final-Year Medical Students.

Background: Globally, at least, more than 2 billion people are either blind or visually impaired, the majority of whom live in low-income settings. Visually impaired people experience limitations in their daily activities in addition to the negative psychological impact. Ophthalmology is not a major focus in medical curricula, including in Sudan.

Inter-rater agreement of scores to assess quality of care in public sector primary health care facilities - A pattern of performance.

Purpose: To determine if the scores obtained from the Ideal Clinic Assessment Tool (ICAT) used to assess the quality of care in public Primary Health Care facilities in South Africa showed inter-rater agreement between self-assessments, district peer reviews and cross-district peer reviews. The ICAT scores obtained in the three types of reviews were paired as follows: self-assessments/district peer reviews, self-assessment/cross-district peer reviews and district/cross-district peer reviews. The global scores and averages of the Vital elements for the three paired reviews for 587 facilities across the country were compared using Bland-Altman plots.

Risk factors of ocular morbidity among under-five years old children in Khartoum State- Sudan- 2020.

Background And Aims: Visual impairment in early childhood can significantly affect the development of visual, motor, and cognitive function and potentially lead to long-term adverse psychosocial consequences. This study aimed to identify the risk factors of ocular morbidity among under 5-year old children in Khartoum State, Sudan.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in three tertiary eye care hospitals in Khartoum State, Sudan.

The clinical outcomes of patients with diabetes and hypertension in a peri-urban area, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Aim: To describe the clinical outcomes of patients with type 2 diabetes (DM2) and hypertension (HT) who received treatment and care at a specialized primary healthcare facility.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted and data retrieved from 349 patient's records. The clinical outcomes were linked to individual risk factors and demographic profiles.

Trends in practice intentions and preferences of clinical associate students: Implications for training and health services in South Africa.

Background: The University of Pretoria (UP) had its first intake of Bachelor of Clinical Medical Practice (BCMP) students in 2009. The objectives of this study were to examine the trends in geographical practice intentions and preferences of the first nine cohorts of BCMP students. We also assessed sector and level of care preferences of six BCMP cohorts.

The ability of primary healthcare clinics to provide quality diabetes care: An audit.

Background: In South Africa, much of diabetes care takes place at primary healthcare (PHC) facilities where screening for diabetic complications is often low. Clinics require access to equipment, resources and a functional health system to do effective screening, but what is unknown is whether these components are in place.

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the capacity of primary care clinics in one district to provide quality diabetes care.

Clinical mentoring to improve quality of care provided at three NIM-ART facilities: A mixed methods study.

Background: The South African Department of Health implemented the nurse-initiated management of antiretroviral treatment (NIM-ART) programme as a policy to decentralise services. Increasing access to ART through nurse initiation results in significant consequences.

Aim: This study evaluated the quality of care provided, the barriers to the effective rollout of antiretroviral services and the role of a clinical mentor.

The quality of voluntary medical male circumcision done by mid-level workers in Tshwane District, South Africa: A retrospective analysis.

Background: Voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) reduces the acquisition of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in heterosexual men by up to 60%. One HIV infection is averted for every 5 to 15 VMMCs. To conduct VMMCs in large populations, large numbers of trained healthcare professionals are needed.

Patient safety culture in a district hospital in South Africa: An issue of quality.

Background: The Nursing Act 33 of 2005 holds nurse practitioners responsible for all acts and omissions in the delivery of quality patient care. But quality patient care is influenced by a number of factors beyond the control of nurse practitioners. Patient safety culture is one such factor and is seldom explored in hospitals in developing countries.

Household conditions, eczema symptoms and rhinitis symptoms: relationship with wheeze and severe wheeze in children living in the Polokwane area, South Africa.

Background: This is the fifth study that applied the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) methodology in the Southern African Development Community (SADC region). However, it is the first ISAAC study that focused on 6- to 7-year-old children living in South Africa and that also investigated the association between potential risk factors and asthma symptoms. Objective To assess the 12-month prevalence of wheeze and severe wheeze along with their potential risk factors.

Household conditions, eczema symptoms and rhinitis symptoms: relationship with wheeze and severe wheeze in adolescents living in the Polokwane area, South Africa.

Objective: Determine the prevalence and risk factors of wheeze and severe wheeze in 13-to 14-year-old children.

Methods: The study was conducted August 2004 to February 2005 in the Polokwane area, South Africa.

Results: The 12-month prevalence rate was 18.

Association between children's household living conditions and eczema in the Polokwane area, South Africa.

The aim of the study was to determine the 12-month prevalence of eczema symptoms (ES), the prevalence of ever having had eczema (EE), and potential risk factors among 6-7-year-old children within a 60km radius of Polokwane city centre, Limpopo Province, South Africa. This study applied the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) Phase III protocol. It was conducted during August 2004 (winter) and February 2005 (summer).

A process and outcomes evaluation of the international AIDS conference: who attends? Who benefits most?

The objective of the study was to conduct a process and outcomes evaluation of the International AIDS Conference (IAC). Reaction evaluation data are presented from a delegate survey distributed at the 2004 IAC held in Thailand. Input and output data from the Thailand IAC are compared to data from previous IACs to ascertain attendance and reaction trends, which delegates benefit most, and host country effects.

A process and outcomes evaluation of the international AIDS conference: who attends? Who benefits most?

The objective of the study was to conduct a process and outcomes evaluation of the International AIDS Conference (IAC). Reaction evaluation data are presented from a delegate survey distributed at the 2004 IAC held in Thailand. Input and output data from the Thailand IAC are compared to data from previous IACs to ascertain attendance and reaction trends, which delegates benefit most, and host country effects.