Tag: pubmed

ANZ J Surg. 2025 Mar 4. doi: 10.1111/ans.70030. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This randomized controlled trial (RCT) compared outcomes of absorbable and non-absorbable sutures for skin closure in open carpal tunnel decompression.

METHODS: Patients diagnosed with bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome proceeding to staged open carpal decompression were invited to participate in the trial. Patients elected left or right hand for the first operation and were randomized to receive Prolene (non-absorbable) or Vicryl Rapide (absorbable) first, and the alternative suture to the contralateral side. Recorded pre-operative data included the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ) for each hand. At 2 weeks post-operatively the BCTQ, a Visual Analogue Score (VAS) for pain and Asepsis Wound Score were recorded. At 6 weeks, the BCTQ and VAS were repeated and a Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) was performed. Patients were asked preference for left or right suture. Statistical analysis using a linear mixed model assessed improvements in the BCTQ, as well as wound scores between sutures. The individual scales were compared using non-parametric Wilcoxon signed rank test. Specific patient factors including age, comorbidities, and previous steroid injections were evaluated for their impact on outcome.

RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the two suture types in any of the overall recorded assessments, complications or patient preferences. BCTQ scores improved significantly post-operatively, P = 0.001. Previous steroid injection, diabetes and age over 65 did not affect outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS: Patients can be advised there is no difference in the outcome following open carpal tunnel decompression from using either absorbable or no-absorbable suture material for skin closure.

PMID:40035166 | DOI:10.1111/ans.70030

Curationis. 2025 Feb 25;48(1):e1-e9. doi: 10.4102/curationis.v48i1.2695.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Integrating clinical research into nursing practice is essential for improving patient outcomes; however, various factors can affect nurses’ participation, despite research being one of their key performance areas. In Namibia, little research exists on the factors influencing nurses’ willingness to participate in and use clinical research. The literature indicates that two significant factors affecting registered nurses’ participation in and utilisation of clinical research are insufficient time and a lack of motivation to conduct research.

OBJECTIVES: This study explores the factors affecting nurses’ participation and utilisation of clinical research at a regional hospital in Namibia.

METHOD: The study employed a qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual design to ensure a comprehensive approach. Sixteen participants working at Intermediate Hospital Rundu were purposefully selected. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews and analysed thematically. Interviews were then conducted until data saturation was achieved. Trustworthiness was ensured according to the four principles of Lincoln and Guba. Ethical clearance and permission were granted by the School of Nursing Research Committee. The ethical principles of autonomy, non-maleficence, beneficence, and justice were adhered to.

RESULTS: The study revealed three main themes: individual factors, organisational factors, and research-related factors.

CONCLUSION: Strengthening individual research capacities, establishing dedicated research infrastructure and resources, and enhancing the communication and dissemination of research findings will foster a research-oriented culture and facilitate the utilisation of clinical research.Contribution: Understanding these factors will help guide the development of strategies to promote and support nurses’ participation and utilisation of clinical research, enhance evidence-based practice and improve patient outcomes.

PMID:40035111 | DOI:10.4102/curationis.v48i1.2695

Curationis. 2025 Feb 25;48(1):e1-e8. doi: 10.4102/curationis.v48i1.2623.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is high in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), especially in individuals with risk factors such as HIV, diabetes mellitus and hypertension. Despite existing guidelines, the study identified multifactorial gaps in implementing CKD management measures at the primary healthcare (PHC) level. This leads to late-stage diagnoses and increased burdens on tertiary institutions, as identified in institutional statistics. The study was therefore conducted in four different settings: a tertiary hospital in Durban and three PHC centres across KZN (two urban centres and one in a township).

OBJECTIVES: The study’s objective is to describe the perceptions of healthcare professionals on the management of CKD, in the PHC setting in KZN, South Africa.

METHOD: A qualitative, exploratory design involving healthcare professionals was adopted. Purposeful sampling was used. Open coding and conventional content analysis were adopted to analyse data.

RESULTS: Findings revealed three overarching themes: (1) knowledge and awareness about existing guidelines, (2) fragmented system and a lack of clear guidelines and (3) implications of clear guidelines on patient care. Participants demonstrated diverse awareness of guidelines, revealing a need for continuous education. Participants expressed needs for continuous education and clear guidelines.

CONCLUSION: The study highlights an urgent need to bridge the knowledge gap and establish a cohesive healthcare system to address the growing CKD burden in KZN effectively.Contribution: The study emphasises the potential benefits of implementing clear guidelines to improve patient outcomes, early detection and appropriate interventions, thereby reducing the burden on tertiary facilities.

PMID:40035110 | DOI:10.4102/curationis.v48i1.2623

Curationis. 2025 Feb 21;48(1):e1-e7. doi: 10.4102/curationis.v48i1.2626.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Technology integration in higher education is a critical aspect of the 21st century, as it enhances student learning.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess students’ access to and utilisation of technological devices, as well as the integration of technology in nursing education at a higher education institution.

METHOD: A quantitative approach with a descriptive, cross-sectional study design was used. The study was conducted at a public university in Windhoek. Data were collected via a self-administered questionnaire among 70 third-year nursing students pursuing a bachelor’s degree. The data were analysed using SPSS version 26.

RESULTS: Majority (74.2%) of the participants were aged 20-25 years, 82.9% were female, and 98.6% were single. More than half (58.6%) were Oshiwambo-speaking. Most participants (47.1%) owned technological devices. The majority (60.0%) preferred laptop computers, and the majority used cell phones, messaging apps, social media and WhatsApp daily for learning and communication. Most participants used technological devices to download learning materials, submit online assessments and contact lecturers and classmates. Most preferred a blended mode of learning, online formative assessments and face-to-face examinations.

CONCLUSION: The study found that most students owned and utilised technological devices, which facilitated blended learning during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Technology integration improved access to learning, as students were able to attend classes from locations with Internet access.Contribution: The study contributes to the body of knowledge on technology integration in higher education and highlights the importance of transforming higher education through the effective use of technology.

PMID:40035109 | DOI:10.4102/curationis.v48i1.2626

Curationis. 2025 Feb 20;48(1):e1-e7. doi: 10.4102/curationis.v48i1.2679.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Community health workers (CHWs) work with community members who experience various health problems. They assist community members to lead a healthy life and achieve an acceptable health status. To achieve this, there is a need for CHWs to apply Ubuntu philosophy when providing care related tuberculosis (TB), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess CHW’s knowledge of Ubuntu-informed Care in tuberculosis, HIV, and AIDS Services in Gauteng province, South Africa.

METHOD: A total of 380 CHWs were recruited from a district in Gauteng province to participate in a training on the management of TB, HIV and AIDS. A questionnaire with 40 multiple choice questions was administered to the CHWs before the training. SPSS version 28 was used to analyse the data.

RESULTS: The scores ranged from 9 to 33 out of 40 (M = 21.6, s.d. = 4.2). Out of the 380 participants, 274 (72.1%) passed the pretest while 106 participants (27.9%) failed. The highest mean scores were achieved by female participants (M = 21.6, s.d. = 4.3), participants aged 21-30 years (M = 21.8, s.d. = 4.1) and participants with additional course qualification after Grade 12 (M = 23.5, s.d. = 3.4).

CONCLUSION: The findings highlight the need for targeted training interventions to improve the knowledge of CHWs on TB, HIV and AIDS.Contribution: This study adds to the literature on the need for inclusion of Ubuntu when caring for people living with HIV and TB.

PMID:40035108 | DOI:10.4102/curationis.v48i1.2679

Curationis. 2025 Feb 19;48(1):e1-e8. doi: 10.4102/curationis.v48i1.2637.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Health professionals must keep their knowledge, skills and ethics up to date to ensure competency and promote the public interest, safety and health of all Namibians. In Namibia, little research exists on the facilitators of, and barriers to, nurses’ compliance with continuous professional development (CPD) requirements.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to explore and describe the facilitators of, and barriers to, nurses’ compliance with CPD requirements at Intermediate Hospital Oshakati (IHO) in the Oshana region of Namibia.

METHOD: Purposive sampling was used in this qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual research study to select participants who met the inclusion criteria. Data were collected via individual semi-structured interviews with 15 of the 550 nurses employed at the hospital, at which point data saturation was reached. The transcribed data were then analysed using thematic analysis. The collected data were analysed thematically using an inductive approach.

RESULTS: The findings were synthesised under three themes: facilitators of nurses’ participation in CPD, barriers to nurses’ participation in CPD and recommendations for improvements.

CONCLUSION: Time constraints, a shortage of nurses, limited access to digital technologies, a lack of funding for CPD training and a lack of accredited CPD service providers are major barriers to participation in CPD training. Strengthening communication and collaboration between health workers, CPD providers and management are specifically organisational factors seen as crucial to successful staff development.Contribution: The findings from this study can be used to create some targeted interventions and ongoing strategies to enhance nurses’ compliance with CPD requirements.

PMID:40035107 | DOI:10.4102/curationis.v48i1.2637

Curationis. 2025 Feb 18;48(1):e1-e9. doi: 10.4102/curationis.v48i1.2618.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: A cervical cancer diagnosis has several implications for women’s lives. Living with cervical cancer in the context of sub-Sahara Africa’s unique challenges can have a devastating effect on psychosocial health.

OBJECTIVES: This study describes the publication output reporting psychosocial implications of cervical cancer for women living in sub-Saharan Africa.

METHOD: A scoping review was conducted using the keywords Africa and cervical cancer in combination with psychosocial, psychological, social, spiritual, cultural and financial to search five databases. A data extraction sheet was developed to capture the relative data, which was analysed using content analysis and descriptive statistics. Of the 294 articles initially identified, 18 were included in the review.

RESULTS: The majority of the studies (66.7%; n = 12) were qualitative. They focussed on five psychosocial domains – psychological including a lack of knowledge, misunderstanding and unmet information needs, the omnipresent experience of fear and sexual problems as well as social, cultural, spiritual and financial implications.

CONCLUSION: Work focussing on the psychosocial implications of cervical cancer in women living in sub-Saharan Africa is limited. Only one study focussed specifically on a psychosocial domain, the rest reported little about psychosocial issues. There is an urgent need for research that focusses exclusively on psychosocial health, separate from other studies.Contribution: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study synthesising research conducted on this specific topic. We mapped the extent of the current evidence base, identified gaps and highlighted areas requiring additional inquiry.

PMID:40035106 | DOI:10.4102/curationis.v48i1.2618

S Afr Fam Pract (2004). 2025 Feb 28;67(1):e1-e9. doi: 10.4102/safp.v67i1.6020.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: In Namibia, the Omuthiya Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) Clinic has indicated that nine older adolescents (15-19 years) out of 125 adolescents active on ART have defaulted and become lost to care. This represents an 89% retention rate among older adolescents compared to a 97% retention rate for the adult population in the same facility. There is a lack of information on the extent of ART adherence among older adolescents, particularly in terms of viral suppression rates. This study aims to measure the level of adherence to ART treatment among adolescents enrolled at the Omuthiya ART Clinic in the Oshikoto Region, Namibia.

METHODS: From November to December 2020, a cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV) at the Omuthiya ART Clinic. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and analysed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression.

RESULTS: The study found that 24% of adolescent patients on ART treated at the Omuthiya ART Clinic are non-adherent to treatment. A significant association found was between education level and adherence (p = 0.008), alcohol use and adherence (p = 0.022) and memory aids use and adherence (p 0.001).

CONCLUSION: Adolescents’ adherence to ART at the Omuthiya ART Clinic is influenced by educational level, alcohol use, and memory aid use. Further research is needed to explore other potential factors influencing adherence.Contribution: These findings may be used to develop ongoing strategies and targeted interventions that prioritise a patient-centred care approach, recognising the autonomy of adolescents. In addition, they highlight the importance of a supportive family environment in managing HIV and improving ART adherence.

PMID:40035102 | DOI:10.4102/safp.v67i1.6020

S Afr Fam Pract (2004). 2025 Feb 20;67(1):e1-e7. doi: 10.4102/safp.v67i1.6050.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Men who have sex with men (MSM) are regarded as a key population that needs specialised healthcare services to address their healthcare needs. This is because of their sexual practices. Men who have sex with men encounter positive and negative experiences when accessing healthcare services in public health care facilities. This study explored and described the experiences of MSM about accessing healthcare services in public healthcare facilities. The study was conducted in Ekurhuleni district, situated in the East of Gauteng province, South Africa.

METHODS: A descriptive, explorative, qualitative approach was employed to investigate the experiences of MSM about accessing healthcare services. In-depth interviews were conducted with 17 MSM aged 18 years and above.

RESULTS: Overall, MSM had both negative and positive experiences when accessing healthcare services. However, mainly the negative in the public healthcare facilities, whereas positive were experienced in the private healthcare facilities.

CONCLUSION: The negative experiences of MSM, the judgemental and discriminatory attitudes of healthcare workers towards them and the scarcity or unavailability of resources and healthcare services to address their specific healthcare needs in healthcare facilities have created interpersonal and structural barriers, which prevent MSM from accessing healthcare services.Contribution: These findings suggest the need for the training of healthcare workers to be truly caring, the allocation of resources and healthcare services to addressing MSM-specific healthcare needs in healthcare facilities and the creation of an accommodating environment for them.

PMID:40035099 | DOI:10.4102/safp.v67i1.6050

S Afr Fam Pract (2004). 2025 Feb 18;67(1):e1-e8. doi: 10.4102/safp.v67i1.5779.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Cultural and religious illnesses such as spirit possessions are health conditions that are not easily understood by healthcare providers in mental healthcare service institutions. Mental health care providers’ understanding is guided by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5) that seems to not recognise cultural and religious illnesses as a disorder that needs distinct care. The study explored mental healthcare providers’ understanding of cultural and religious illnesses that could assist spirit-possessed persons to receive proper management and early referrals to traditional health practitioners and faith healers who are expects in cultural and religious illnesses.

METHODS: Hermeneutic phenomenology explored 12 mental healthcare providers’ understanding of cultural and religious illnesses. In-depth individual interviews were conducted with 12 mental healthcare providers who were selected through a purposive sampling technique. Data were collected from two mental healthcare institutions in the Gauteng province of South Africa that provide mental healthcare services. Data analysis followed Heidegger’s and Gadamer’s philosophies and Van Manen’s six steps.

RESULTS: The findings revealed that mental healthcare providers understood cultural and religious illnesses as mental illness that is unclassified, a calling for a person to become a traditional health practitioner, a demonic spirit and/or witchcraft. The term ‘unclassified disorder’ denotes that there are no specific criteria that could be used to classify an illness.

CONCLUSION: Understanding of cultural and religious illnesses could assist mental healthcare providers that ill-nesses that do not respond to psychiatric treatment can be referred to traditional health practitioners with expert cultural and religious assessment.Contribution: The study could assist MHCPs to acknowledge and take culture and religion into account when providing care to person with cultural and religious illness. Considering the culture and religion of the spir-it-possessed person could be an attempt to move towards a holistic understanding of health needs that highlight the continuous connections between mind, body, and soul.

PMID:40035098 | DOI:10.4102/safp.v67i1.5779