The aim of this descriptive survey was to do a job analysis of different categories of nurses in a District Health System in order to clarify job expectations, describe current practice of nurses in hospitals and clinics and to make recommendations about skills mix in district services. This article deals with the clinics only

Background: Hypertension (HPT) is a global public health challenge. It predisposes to cardiovascular diseases, kidney diseases and disability as well as contributing to high death rates. HPT is increasing tremendously in sub-Saharan Africa with HPT-related mortality risk having increased by 25% in less than 10 years in South Africa. Physical activity is a cost-effective way of reducing, controlling and preventing hypertension. The aim of the study was to establish the level of physical activity, and factors associated with physical activity, amongst patients with hypertension, in two community health centres in uMgungundlovu Health District, KwaZulu-Natal, 2018. Methods: An observational, cross-sectional descriptive study with an analytic component was implemented. Data were collected utilising an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Frequency distribution tables and the chi-square test were used in the analysis of data. A p-value less than 0.05 was deemed statistically significant. Results: A total of 374 questionnaires were administered of which 373 were adequately completed, yielding a response rate of 99.7%. The results showed that 39.1% were highly physical active, 32.4% were moderately physical active and 28.4% had low physical activity. Age, marital status, employment status and level of education were significantly associated with physical activity. Major barriers to physical activity included health problems and having no time to exercise. Health-related reasons were reported to be the major motivator towards physical activity. Conclusion: Over a third of the participants presented with high levels of physical activity. Health education should focus on promoting physical activity for HPT clients.

Background: Hypertension (HPT) is a global public health challenge. It predisposes to cardiovascular diseases, kidney diseases and disability as well as contributing to high death rates. HPT is increasing tremendously in sub-Saharan Africa with HPT-related mortality risk having increased by 25% in less than 10 years in South Africa. Physical activity is a cost-effective way of reducing, controlling and preventing hypertension. The aim of the study was to establish the level of physical activity, and factors associated with physical activity, amongst patients with hypertension, in two community health centres in uMgungundlovu Health District, KwaZulu-Natal, 2018.Methods: An observational, cross-sectional descriptive study with an analytic component was implemented. Data were collected utilising an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Frequency distribution tables and the chi-square test were used in the analysis of data. A p-value less than 0.05 was deemed statistically significant.Results: A total of 374 questionnaires were administered of which 373 were adequately completed, yielding a response rate of 99.7%. The results showed that 39.1% were highly physical active, 32.4% were moderately physical active and 28.4% had low physical activity. Age, marital status, employment status and level of education were significantly associated with physical activity. Major barriers to physical activity included health problems and having no time to exercise. Health-related reasons were reported to be the major motivator towards physical activity.Conclusion: Over a third of the participants presented with high levels of physical activity. Health education should focus on promoting physical activity for HPT clients.

This article described the third part of a study aim ed at doing a jo b analysis of nurses and non-professional health workers in a district health system. This article describes the tasks of five categories o f workers, their training and their work-load over an ordinary week.Interviews were done with 52 workers from three hospi tals and five clinics, of whom 14 were men and 38 women. The three PHC guards had a m uch more varied job than the hospital security staff (also three). All o f them have had specific task related training. The six General Assist ants in Primary Health Care settings were alm ost exclu sively involved in cleaning, while the 23 in hospitals added food and drink m anagem ent and running errands to their work. Only one had training pertaining to the specific tasks. All three clerks were found in the PHC setting, and their tasks were mainly that of receptionist. None had specific task related training. The three G round's Men worked at gardening and cleaning at PHC clinics, but a range o f other tasks were added from time to time. Por ters, of whom ten were interviewed, did mainly transport ing o f patients and running errands. GA's and security staff were also used to control violent patients and visi tors, something for which none of them have had train ing.Recommendations were made about training and work redesign in the district.

The Physical and chemical quality of natural water is essential for the life of aquatic organisms. This study was aimed at investigating the physical and chemical parameters of eight (8) local swamp ponds in the freshwater swamp of Engenni. Physical and chemical parameters of the freshwater swamp ponds were monitored over a period of three months (February-April 2019), During this period, Temperature (℃), Dissolved Oxygen (DO, mg/l), pH, Electrical Conductivity (EC:µs/cm), Total dissolved solids (TDS, mg/l), Salinity (‰), Turbidity (NTU)  and Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) were measured in situ. Temperature values did not vary significantly across stations. DO values ranged between 0.55 ± 0.01mg/l and 0.95 ± 0.02mg/l, which was consistently lower than the 5mg/l prescribed to sustain fish health.  pH values ranged from 6.17 ± 0.01 to 6.56 ± 0.01, indicating that the ponds were marginally acidic. Range values for EC (46.60 ± 0.10µs/cm to 156.57 ± 0.06µs/cm) and TDS (30.13 ± 0.12mg/l to 104.07mg/l ± 0.12mg/l) followed the same pattern as they were both highest and lowest in stations V and VII respectively. Salinity values of 0.02 ± 0.01‰ to 0.06 ± 0.0‰ across all stations was indicative of a typical freshwater environment. Turbidity was highest at station VIII. The result obtained from this research suggests that these swamp ponds are capable of sustaining life in the aquatic ecosystem, but only fish species that are low oxygen tolerant may survive in them.