http://hdl.handle.net/10386/63 2026-04-07T07:16:03Z http://hdl.handle.net/10386/5365 Challenges faced by teachers when teaching learners with autistic spectrum disorder in special schools in the Capricorn District, Limpopo Province Ralebapa, Keorapetse Linda Background: The aim of this study is to determine challenges faced by teachers when teaching learners with Autistic Spectrum Disorder in Special Schools in Capricorn District, Limpopo Province. Objectives: The study explored and described the challenges faced by the teachers when teaching learners with Autistic Spectrum Disorder in Special Schools in Capricorn District, Limpopo Province. Methods: A qualitative descriptive phenomenological approach was used to conduct face-to-face semi-structured interviews with 15 teachers to determine the challenges they are faced with when teaching learners with ASD. Data was analysed thematically. Results: Three (3) themes and seven (7) sub-themes emerged from the study, which also discussed measures to ensure trustworthiness as well as ethical considerations. Teachers of learners with ASD are faced with challenges relating to uncooperative parents; shortage of staff, classrooms and educational materials; and lack of knowledge and skills to teach the learners. Conclusion: Teachers of learners with ASD encounter various challenges that impact learners’ educational outcomes. These provide future opportunities for further research in this area about possible intervention and adjustment of policies regarding the education of learners with ASD. Thesis (MPH.) -- University of Limpopo, 2025 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10386/5237 Evaluation of hospital-acquired infections prevention and control programme for nurses in the public hospitals of Limpopo Province Ranoto, Lebitsi Queen Background: Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) are a critical global health challenge, posing risks to patient safety and increasing healthcare costs. Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) programs are vital for reducing the incidence of HAIs. However, effective implementation of these programs, particularly in resource-constrained settings, remains a challenge. This study evaluates the implementation of IPC programs in public hospitals in Limpopo Province, South Africa, applying a mixed-methods approach guided by implementation science frameworks. Purpose: The study aims to: (1) conduct a baseline assessment of IPC activities using retrospective data and the Infection Prevention and Control Assessment Framework (IPCAF); (2) explore the attitudes and practices of hospital IPC nurses toward IPC program implementation; and (3) develop an evidence-based strategy to address gaps and improve program outcomes, informed by the WHO Multimodal Strategy. Methodology: This three-phased mixed-methods study began with a quantitative analysis (Phase I) of hospital compliance with IPC standards using the IPCAF tool. Phase II employed qualitative methods to explore nurses’ attitudes and practices through interviews, analysed using the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability (TFA). Thematic analysis highlighted constructs such as perceived effectiveness, burden, ethicality, and self-efficacy. Phase III integrated these findings into a tailored improvement strategy using the WHO Multimodal Strategy to design iterative, sustainable interventions. Furthermore, the results from both phases were integrated and interpreted. Findings: Phase I revealed inconsistencies in IPC compliance, with gaps in resource allocation and program governance. Phase II highlighted critical themes influencing nurse engagement, including ethicality, perceived burden, and affective attitudes. The proposed improvement strategy incorporates the WHO Multimodal Strategy’s core components—system change, training, monitoring, reminders, and institutional safety culture—adapted for the local context. Conclusion: The integration of the WHO Multimodal Strategy with implementation science frameworks provides a robust approach to addressing systemic challenges in IPC program implementation. This study demonstrates the potential for tailored, evidence-based interventions to improve healthcare outcomes in resource-limited settings. Thesis (Ph.D. (Public Health)) -- University of Limpopo,2025 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10386/5093 Perceptions, experiences and barriers to accessing cervical cancer screening by women at clinics in the Greater Giyani Municipality, Limpopo Province, South Africa Chabalala, Thembi Victoria Background Cervical cancer remains a significant health issue worldwide, despite the availability of effective screening methods. The Health Department of South Africa provided a nationwide program for screening cervical cancer. The aim was to achieve a projected 70% rate of coverage for cancer of the cervix screening. However, up to date, only 13.6% coverage has been reached, yet the cervical cancer mortality rate is still high (Vhuromu, Goon, Maputle, Lebese, & Okafor, 2017). Furthermore, it has been observed that in Greater Giyani Municipality under Mopani District located in Limpopo Province, from 2018 up to 2020, statistics have reported only 47% cervical cancer screening uptake from twenty-six clinics, and that is significantly low (Mopani District Municipality, 2020). Aim The aim of the study was to explore perceptions, experiences and barriers to accessing cervical cancer screening services at clinics in the Greater Giyani Municipality, Limpopo Province, South Africa. Methodology This is a qualitative study which is exploratory and descriptive in nature. The population are women aged 30 years and older at clinics in the Greater Giyani Municipality. The semi-structured, in-depth, and face-to-face individual interviews were conducted using an interview guide. Tesch’s open-coding method was used to analyse the findings. Results The study revealed that most women in the greater Giyani Municipality lack knowledge about the causes, symptoms, testing procedures and prevention of cervical cancer. Despite this, women generally have a positive attitude towards the importance of cervical cancer screening and perceive themselves to be at risk. Barriers to accessing screening services include limited knowledge, difficulties in receiving results, fear of outcomes and long waiting times. Conclusion However, perceptions towards cervical cancer screening were optimistic, knowledge of study participants was poor. To improve cervical cancer screening, effort should be focused on reducing identified barriers and enhancing facilitators. Thesis (MPH.) -- University of Limpopo, 2024 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10386/5084 Knowledge and practices of nurses on use of nutrition components of the road to health booklet in Giyani Primary Health Care Facilities, Mopani District. Mashigo, Ressie Background: The Road to Health Booklet (RtHB) is critical for children's health, development, and growth, because children aged 5 and younger are vulnerable to malnutrition and infectious diseases. RtHB provides health records for prevention, risk identification, curative health interaction activities, health promotion information, parenting empowerment opportunities, and a communication tool for health services. Lack of awareness, understanding of the content and completion criteria, as well as poor or partial use, are among the challenges that nursing personnel face when using child health records or RtHB (WHO, 2018).Objectives: The aim of this study is to assess the knowledge and practices of nursing staff regarding the use of nutrition components of RtHB in Greater Giyani Primary Health Care (PHC) facilities and, secondly, to determine the associations between knowledge, practices and sociodemographic variables.Methods: In this study a quantitative approach and a cross-sectional descriptive design was employed. The convenience sampling method was used to select clinics and consecutive nonprobability sampling was used to select participants. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies, cross-tabulation, and correlation tests were performed to analyse the data. Results were presented in tables and cross-tabulation. Data were tested for normality, and the Chi-square test was performed for correlation. Results: One hundred and seven participants participated in the study. The mean age of the participants was 43.9± 9.387. Most of the participating nurses were female. The majority were professional nurses (57.9%), followed by registered nurses (24.3%) and the least number were staff nurses (17.8%). Most nurses (60.1%) had 7-10 years of work experience, 31.2% had 1-6 years of work experience and 7.5% had more than 10 years of work experience. Most of the nurses (74.7%) received their training on RtHB in the Department of Health workshops, followed by the nursing school (18.7%), the reminder were trained in university while studying (6.5%). The aspects covered during training included a combination of plotting points for growth indicators, interpreting them, procedures for taking anthropometric measurements. The majority of nurses also received training on immunization.Almost 40% of the nurses had a moderate level of knowledge, 35.5% had a low level of knowledge, and only 25.2% of them had a high level of knowledge regarding the use of the nutrition component of RtHB. The results show that the majority of nurses had a good score (77.6%) on practice, followed by a poor score (12.1%) and a best score of 10.3% in the use of the nutritional component of the RtHB. There was no statistically significant association between knowledge and age (p = 0.253) and gender (p = 0.091. There was no statistically significant association between practices and age (p = 0.335), gender (p = 0.308), and category of nursing personnel (p = 0.252). There was a significant association between total knowledge and total nurses’ practices of nurses on the use of the nutrition component of RtHB (p = 0.002). Conclusions: The findings of the current study revealed a moderate level of knowledge and fair practices among participants on the use of the nutritional component of RtHB. However, their ability to accurately use the nutrition component was average. The study also suggests that nurses with a better understanding of the nutritional component were more likely to put their knowledge into practice than those with less knowledge. Thesis (MPH.) -- University of Limpopo, 2025 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z