BackgroundTuberculosis (TB) management remains a major challenge despite the implementation of Directly Observed Treatment Short-Course (DOTS). Some of the challenges include defaulting treatment, low TB cure rates and relapse after patients had been treated under DOTS.ObjectivesThis study explored and described experiences of patients having TB regarding the use of DOTS in Doctor Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District of North West Province, South Africa. The study describes and recommends support required by patients having TB who are using DOTS.MethodsA qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual design was used. The population consisted of all patients having TB under DOTS who had taken treatment for 2 months and more in one of the community health centres in Doctor Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District. Purposive sampling technique was applied to select participants receiving DOTS service. In-depth unstructured individual interviews were conducted, and data saturation occurred after having interviewed 15 participants. Ethical considerations were ensured throughout the study, and data were analysed using Tesch’s method of coding and analysis.ResultsTwo themes emerged from data and these are discussed as concerns related to ineffective use of DOTS and lack of resources as contributory factor to ineffective use of DOTS. Among other categories, poor nurse–patient relationships and difficulties in accessing the community health centre emerged as consistent themes related to default and inconsistent use of DOTS.ConclusionIneffective use of DOTS contributed to TB treatment default and low cure rate. Therefore, recommendations focused on strengthening effective use of DOTS for the management of TB.

A lack of supportive supervision of operational managers is a disturbing phenomenon in the management of primary healthcare facilities in developing countries. The North West province of South Africa is not exempt from a lack of supportive supervision of operational managers. This occurs despite the burden of disease and a high demand for the provision of quality services. The study explored and described experiences of operational managers regarding supportive supervision by local area managers in the facilities of the North West province. Operational managers’ perceptions of how supportive supervision can be facilitated effectively were also described. A qualitative, descriptive, exploratory, and contextual study was conducted. The population comprised operational managers who worked for at least one year in the primary healthcare facilities. Purposive sampling was used and fundamental ethical principles underlying the protection of human participants were adhered to. Four semi-structured in-depth focus group interviews were conducted in the four districts of North West. The analysis of data followed Tesch’s method of content analysis. The first theme that surfaced concerned the participants’ experiences of factors related to compromised critical aspects of supportive supervision. The second theme embodied experiences of factors related to a lack of the qualities and competencies of a supportive supervisor. Perceptions of how effective supportive supervision of operational managers can be facilitated constituted the third theme. Based on the results, it was apparent that supportive supervision of operational managers in primary healthcare facilities should be enhanced.

BackgroundUnfair labour practice is a serious challenge in primary health care (PHC) facilities (Akuffo & Kivipold 2018:12; Sroka & Weinhardt 2018:1). Unfair labour practice refers to being treated unfairly, denied other work benefits and better opportunities, while they are afforded to others by the supervisor (Down 2019:1; Traub Law Attorneys 2020:2). Unfair labour practice can also refer to being disliked by one's supervisor, negatively criticised and denied leave, while approved for others despite providing a reason (Down 2019:1; Traub Law Attorneys 2020:2). Thus, there is a need to explore the experiences of operational managers with regard to unfair labour practice by health area managers in healthcare facilities. The findings of the study can have an influence on issues related to unfair labour practice on staff during supervision and management of PHC facilities. Operational managers in this study refer to professional nurses, responsible for general supervision of staff and management of the PHC facility and a supervisee to a local health area manager.Studies conducted in the United States of America, Haiti and Canada revealed biased promotions for some frontline nursing managers, despite their hard work, loyalty and high level of education (Akuffo & Kivipold 2018:9; Gray 2019:10). The studies revealed that frontline nursing managers, who deserved to be moved to the top management positions, were denied the opportunity by their supervisors. Instead of being granted top positions, they (frontline managers) were criticised by their immediate supervisors and considered as quiet, meek, antisocial and managers who were Background: Unfair labour practices on staff is a worldwide concern which creates conflicts and disharmony among health workers in the workplace. It is found that, nursing staff members are unfairly treated without valid reasons in primary health care (PHC) facilities and predominantly in the developing countries and South Africa is not an exception. Objectives:The purpose of the study was to explore and describe the experiences of operational managers regarding unfair labour practices on staff by their local health area managers, and describe the perceptions of operational managers towards such treatment.Method: A qualitative, descriptive, exploratory and contextual research approach was considered appropriate for the study. The population of the study comprised operational managers working in PHC facilities in the North West province, South Africa. Purposive sampling was used to select participants for the study and focus group interviews used to interview 23 operational managers. Ethical measures were applied throughout the study. Results:The six phases of thematic analysis were used to analyse the data collected for the study. Two themes that emerged are experiences of factors related to unfair labour practices in the PHC facilities and the perceptions regarding how to improve their working conditions. The categories that were found in the first themes were favouritism and discrimination. ...

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