A Workload Indicators of Staffing Need (WISN) based framework and implementation tool for dietitians at South African central and tertiary public hospitals.

Background: Quality nutrition services are dependent upon the accessibility and availability of nutrition professionals. In this study, we used the World Health Organization's Workload Indicators of Staffing Need (WISN) methodology to develop a dietetic staffing norm framework and implementation tool for South African central and tertiary public hospitals.

Methods: We followed the eight step WISN methodology as a basis for this developmental study.

Application of the workload indicators of staffing need (WISN) to assess dietetic workforce needs in South African central and tertiary public hospitals.

South Africa faces both under- and over-nutrition, highlighting the need for prioritizing nutrition services. Registered dietitians are crucial for delivering appropriate and quality nutrition services. Consequently, this case study employs the World Health Organization evidence-based Workload Indicators of Staffing Need to ascertain the requisite dietetic workforce needed at central and tertiary public hospitals in South Africa.

Lived experience of people with cryptococcal meningitis: A qualitative study.

Background: The high burden of cryptococcal meningitis (CM) among people living with HIV persists despite widespread access to antiretroviral therapy. Efforts to prevent CM among people living with HIV could be hindered by a limited understanding of their lived experiences of CM and its diagnosis.

Objectives: To explore and describe the experiences of people diagnosed with HIV-associated CM in routine care.

The Application of the Food Insulin Index in the Prevention and Management of Insulin Resistance and Diabetes: A Scoping Review.

The food insulin index (FII) is a novel algorithm used to determine insulin responses of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. This scoping review aimed to provide an overview of all scientifically relevant information presented on the application of the FII in the prevention and management of insulin resistance and diabetes. The Arksey and O'Malley framework and the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews 22-item checklist were used to ensure that all areas were covered in the scoping review.

A Delphi consensus study to determine the workload components and activity standards of dietitians in South Africa's central and tertiary public hospitals.

Background: The global Human Resources for Health (HRH) strategy emphasizes the need to invest in HRH to meet population needs and improve the provision of quality health care services. In South Africa, dietitians are recognized as registered professionals who provide nutrition services. In this paper, we used 2 key steps (3 and 4) of the eight step World Health Organization (WHO) Workload Indicators of Staffing Need (WISN) methodology to determine the workload components and activity standards for dietitians at South African central and tertiary public hospitals.

Factors affecting the implementation of a complex health intervention to improve insulin management in primary care: A SWOT analysis.

Background:  In South Africa, initiating and managing insulin in primary care for people living with type 2 diabetes (PLWD) is a major challenge. To address these challenges, a multidisciplinary team from the University of Pretoria (South Africa) developed the Tshwane Insulin project (TIP) intervention.

Aim:  To determine internal and external factors, either facilitators or barriers, that could influence the implementation of the TIP intervention and propose strategies to ensure sustainability.

Assessing barriers to insulin therapy among people with type 2 diabetes in South Africa using the Insulin Treatment Appraisal Scale: A cross-sectional survey.

Aims: To assess barriers to insulin therapy among people with type 2 diabetes after adapting the Insulin Treatment Appraisal Scale (ITAS) to the South African context.

Methods: A panel of experts reviewed the original ITAS for clarity and relevance to the South African context. The ITAS was administered to 253 adults with type 2 diabetes attending diabetes outpatient clinics in the Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality.

Effectiveness of an adapted diabetes nutrition education program on clinical status, dietary behaviors and behavior mediators in adults with type 2 diabetes: a randomized controlled trial.

Purpose: This study evaluated the effectiveness of an adapted social-cognitive theory underpinned diabetes nutrition education program (NEP) on: clinical (HbA1c, BMI, blood lipids, blood pressure) and selected dietary behaviors (starchy foods and energy intake, vegetables and fruit intake) and behavior mediators (knowledge and diabetes management self-efficacy) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods: A tertiary hospital outpatient adults (40-70 years) with poorly controlled (HbA1c ≥ 8 %) T2DM were randomized to either intervention group (: NEP, 7-monthly group education sessions, bi-monthly follow-up sessions, 15-minute individual session, workbook + education materials) or control group (: education materials only). NEP aimed to improve clinical status through improved dietary behaviors and behavior mediators.

Attitudes and beliefs of South African primary healthcare practitioners on initiating insulin in people with type 2 diabetes: Findings from the Tshwane Insulin Project (TIP).

Aims: To investigate the attitudes and beliefs of primary healthcare practitioners (HCPs) towards initiating insulin therapy for people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) in South Africa.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted amongst HCPs from 23 clinics. The nurses' questionnaire was administered by research nurses while doctors completed an online version about their attitudes, beliefs and perceived barriers to initiating insulin.

Effect of a nutrition education programme on clinical status and dietary behaviours of adults with type 2 diabetes in a resource-limited setting in South Africa: a randomised controlled trial.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of a participant-customised nutrition education programme on glycated Hb (HbA(1c)), blood lipids, blood pressure, BMI and dietary behaviours in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Design: A randomised controlled trial. The control group (n 41) received education materials.