Assessing patients' experience of care in four referral hospitals: a cross-sectional survey of outpatients in two South African rural provinces.

Background: Patient experience of care surveys are an important component of performance improvement and clinical effectiveness because they serve as a good proxy for patient's satisfaction and the quality of care. The purpose of this study was to assess patients' experience of care in four referral hospitals in two of South Africa's rural provinces.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in four public hospitals in Eastern Cape (Nelson Mandela Academic (NMAH) and St.

A cross-sectional study of knowledge, attitudes, barriers and practices of cervical cancer screening among nurses in selected hospitals in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa.

Background: Cervical cancer is a preventable but highly prevalent cancer in many low -and middle-income countries including South Africa. Cervical cancer outcomes can be improved with improved vaccination, a well-coordinated and efficient screening programme, increased community awareness and uptake, and increased knowledge and advocacy of health professionals. This study therefore aimed to ascertain the knowledge, attitudes, practices and barriers of cervical cancer screening among nurses of selected rural hospitals in South Africa.

Protocol for exploring the use of hospitals as a learning organisation: a cross-sectional study in South Africa's Eastern Cape province.

Introduction: In today's highly competitive environment, where changes happen at a rapid pace, organisations that stand a chance to survive are those that are proactive and easily adapt to changes. Hospitals are faced with various challenges including scrutiny from stakeholders. This study seeks to investigate learning strategies used by hospitals in one of South Africa's provinces to achieve the principle of a learning organisation.

Factors influencing the information behaviour of doctors and nurses in South Africa's Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga, Limpopo and Northern Cape provinces: a survey study protocol.

Introduction: Information is a prerequisite for quality healthcare service. Health professionals play a key role in the health system as they jointly have the responsibility of looking after patients everyday. Failure to use evidence in medicine may lead to medical errors such as incorrect diagnosis and/or mismanagement.

A retrospective review of rabies post-exposure prophylaxis queries, South Africa, 2016-2019.

Background: The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICDs) of South Africa (SA) provides technical support to healthcare workers (HCWs) with regard to infectious diseases through the NICD clinician hotline. Queries to the hotline are often about rabies prophylaxis. An analysis of these queries may help to identify knowledge gaps amongst HCWs regarding prevention of rabies in humans in SA.

Protocol of mixed-methods assessment of demographic, epidemiological and clinical profile of decentralised patients with cancer at Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital and Rob Ferreira Hospital, South Africa.

Introduction: Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally. However, cancer care services are often concentrated in urban centres. Two of South Africa's hospitals have decentralised cancer care delivery since February 2018 and August 2019, respectively.

Model of delivery of cancer care in South Africa's Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga provinces: a situational analysis protocol.

Introduction: Cancer contributes to a significant proportion of morbidity and mortality globally. Low-income and middle-income countries such as South Africa tend to be characterised by poor and inequitable access to cancer services. Cancer resources are more likely to be found in urban areas, tertiary centres and quaternary hospitals.

Epidemiological investigation of a typhoid fever outbreak in Sekhukhune District, Limpopo province, South Africa - 2017.

Background: Typhoid fever remains a public health concern in South Africa, where the risk of transmission is high because of poor access to safe water and sanitation. This study describes the investigation of typhoid fever outbreak in Limpopo province.

Methodology: Following notification of laboratory-confirmed cases, a descriptive study was conducted at Sekhukhune District, Limpopo province.

Molecular characterisation and epidemiology of enterovirus-associated aseptic meningitis in the Western and Eastern Cape Provinces, South Africa 2018-2019.

Background: Enteroviruses are amongst the most common causes of aseptic meningitis. Between November 2018 and May 2019, an outbreak of enterovirus-associated aseptic meningitis cases was noted in the Western and Eastern Cape Provinces, South Africa.

Objectives: To describe the epidemiology and phylogeography of enterovirus infections during an aseptic meningitis outbreak in the Western and Eastern Cape Provinces of South Africa.

Outbreak of Listeriosis in South Africa Associated with Processed Meat.

Background: An outbreak of listeriosis was identified in South Africa in 2017. The source was unknown.

Methods: We conducted epidemiologic, trace-back, and environmental investigations and used whole-genome sequencing to type isolates.

Auditing chronic disease care: Does it make a difference?

Background: An integrated audit tool was developed for five chronic diseases, namely diabetes, hypertension, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and epilepsy. Annual audits have been done in the Western Cape Metro district since 2009. The year 2012 was the first year that all six districts in South Africa's Western Cape Province participated in the audit process.