Tebogo Maria Mothiba

By Charity Ngoatle and Tebogo Maria Mothiba

Health literacy related to prescribed medications instructions is the ability to read, understand and carry out medication instructions as directed. Being generally literate does not automatically make one to be health literate. In most cases, a person’s health literacy is overlooked based on their good general literacy. A convergent parallel mixed method design was used to explore and describe the practices of diabetes mellitus patients regarding prescribed medications instructions. The results showed failure to interpret medications instructions which leads to non-adherence unaware. On the other hand, non-adherence led to complications. Enhancing health literacy includes explanation of the medication instructions in details including the exact times for medication consumption. This could be achieved through peer teaching, health talks with patients and workshops.

Part of the book: Lifestyle and Epidemiology

By Mabitsela Hezekiel Mphasha and Tebogo Maria Mothiba

Most of diabetes care of outpatients takes place at their families. Family members who may have inadequate or lack diabetes knowledge are expected to offer home care, predisposing patients to poor outcomes and associated health problems. To review and discuss literature related to family-centered diabetes care. Comprehensive Literature Review was used to collect data by reviewing literature related to family centered diabetes care. Literature review involved evaluating discoveries of other researchers. The results of literature review showed that family-centered care is essential for better diabetes outcomes and preventing new cases. So far, family-centered care was successful in children’s diabetes care and may be beneficial for older outpatients. Family-centered diabetes care improves knowledge of both patients and families, minimize prevalence and improve diabetes outcomes of outpatients.

Part of the book: Lifestyle and Epidemiology

By Tebogo Maria Mothiba

Prevalence of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in both Low- and Middle-Income countries is viewed as problematic and could lead to side effects when poorly managed. Therefore, serious intervention whereby People Living With the NCDs (PLWNCDs) could take a lead in controlling the side effects and managing the diseases themselves so that they maintain the QoL. To review and discuss literature related to self-management strategies to curb the development of NCDs in rural communities. Comprehensive Literature Review was used to collect data by reviewing literature related to self-management strategies to curb the development of NCDs in rural communities. The results of literature review showed that Self-management of NCDs is viewed as the only way to improve health outcomes and maintain QoL, by employing relevant strategies which will assist in achieving healthier life despite the situations at rural communities. Western World health systems have NCDs management centres at the community level to empower patients with knowledge for improving their QoL, whilst such centres do not exist in the Low-and Middle- Income countries poor communities. The PLWNCDs and residing at rural communities in Low- and Middle- Income countries can benefit from NCDs self-management strategies, despite the poor conditions.

Part of the book: Lifestyle and Epidemiology

By Livhuwani Muthelo, Tebogo Maria Mothiba and Rambelani Nancy Malema

Occupational health focuses on promotive and preventive and curative health. The occupational health practitioners have the responsibility to guide management and employees on the occupational legislative obligations aiming to safeguard legal compliance at the workplace. Additionally, it is the responsibility of the health professionals within the mining industry to provide primary, secondary and tertiary prevention strategies to improve the health and safety of workers. However, the prevalence of work-related diseases such as noise induced hearing loss, silicosis and the occurrence of accidents in the mining industry is an alarming factor. Systematic review method was adopted to identify and screen relevant citations. This book chapter aims to review and discuss existing literature on health and safety strategies to enhance safety compliance within the South African mining industry.

Part of the book: Primary Health Care

By Peter Modupi Mphekgwana, Tebogo Maria Mothiba and Nancy Kgatla

Hypertension is already a problem faced by South African urban populations, but little is known about the predominance, chance factors, and self-management strategies of hypertension in rural areas. Hypertension has an increased mortality and morbidity rate, thus has been identified as the killer disease in rural communities as its prevalence is increasing year by year. Non-attendance of hypertensive patients in rural communities has been identified as one of the most pressing issues in chronic illness, including hypertension, management and results into uncontrolled illnesses. Hypertensive patients lack self-management strategies to maintain their quality of life when diagnosed. Therefore, this book chapter is aimed at exploring the knowledge of self-management and strategies used in outpatients with hypertension under treatment in rural communities. Seven major themes were identified: paradoxical description; adherence to treatment and medication instructions, medical follow-up visits at the health facility, healthy lifestyle; management of emotions; defense mechanisms and religious interventions. Patients faced obstacles such as not eating a healthy diet since they are not the ones cooking, and children are always generating problems for them, leading their blood pressure and blood glucose levels to rise. Additional efforts are needed in rural communities to promote hypertension and self-management measures through educational programs.

Part of the book: Hypertension

By Mabitsela Mphasha, Linda Skaal and Tebogo Maria Mothiba

Diabetes is a fast-growing disease that is costly to manage, leading to both financial and non-financial burdens. These burdens are worsened in the presence of diabetes complications, so improved interventions are critical. Prior to developing new interventions, a baseline analysis should be conducted to gain insight into the strengths and weaknesses of current interventions. Furthermore, a baseline analysis helps in identifying discrepancies to be addressed and outlining how the environment impacts diabetes management. A comprehensive literature review was adopted to collect data regarding the importance of a baseline analysis in diabetes interventions. The findings of the literature review indicated that a baseline analysis is a critical step for the development of effective diabetes interventions. Knowledge, attitudes, practices, and anthropometric factors such as quality of life and social determinants of health, should be assessed when conducting a baseline analysis. A baseline analysis is affirmed as a fundamental prerequisite for the development of diabetes interventions for better outcomes. There is also a need to assess the capacity of healthcare providers to conduct a baseline analysis to determine the need for support and in-service training. An inappropriately-conducted baseline analysis may lead to inappropriate solutions and misdiagnosis. The implementation of wrongful solutions would defeat the objective of improving diabetes outcomes.

Part of the book: Health and Educational Success

By Linneth Nkateko Mabila, Patrick Hulisani Demana and Tebogo Maria Mothiba

HIV has affected the health and welfare of children and undermined the success of child survival in some countries. The introduction of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in managing HIV is one great public health success story. ART has commanded increased survival for people living with HIV (PLHIV). Barriers to achieving ART outcomes in children have been simplifying the prescribing process for non-paediatricians, such as medical doctors and nurses familiar with prescribing ART for adults but involved in treating children, particularly at the primary health care level. And the lack of appropriate antiretroviral formulations for children. The calculation of individualised doses for liquid oral ARVs for children at each clinic visit is considered complicated and time-consuming. ART failure among children seems to be an under-recognised issue, and adherence to treatment guidelines is reported to be a challenge among nurses caring for children and PLWHIV. Rational medicine use is essential to ensure the success of pharmacologic interventions. The attainment of ART goals depends on the effective use ARVs as recommended in guidelines. It is pivotal that nurses be empowered with strategies aimed at promoting the rational use of antiretrovirals.

Part of the book: Rural Health