Availability of tuberculosis infection control plans at rural hospitals of Vhembe district, Limpopo Province of South Africa

Abstract

BackgroundIn Limpopo province the rate of new tuberculosis (TB) cases increase daily. The Infection Control (IC) plan is one of the essential actions for TB IC. This study aimed to establish the availability of these plans at health care facilities.ObjectivesThe objectives were to explore and describe the awareness and knowledge of health care workers (HCWs) of the availability and content of TB IC plan; and to identity the role of infection control committees from the perspective of HCWs.MethodA qualitative approach using a cross-sectional descriptive design was adopted. The target population was all HCWs from the seven hospitals of Vhembe district. A purposive sampling approach was used to select 57 participants. The approval to conduct this study was obtained from the relevant authorities and participants. Data was collected through seven focus group discussions comprising five to 10 members. An unstructured discussion guide was used to collect data, and an open-coding method was used to analyse the data. Lincoln and Guba's criteria ensured trustworthiness of the study findings.ResultsFindings revealed that HCWs were not aware of the availability and the information contained in the TB IC plans. No person was designated as TB IC officer at hospital level. There was lack of a TB IC Committee and teams as well as ineffective utilisation of those that did exist.ConclusionsIt was concluded that if the TB IC plans are not available at health care facilities, then the TB IC practices implemented by HCWs vary, resulting in TB nosocomial infection transmission. It was recommended that the World Health Organisation's TB IC plans be adopted and implemented in Vhembe district.

Caring for Tuberculosis Patients: Understanding the Plight of Nurses at a Regional Hospital in Limpopo Province, South Africa

“…Nurses and patients were at a great risk of contracting TB infection in the wards. The findings of this study agree with those study by Tshitangano et al [8], which concluded that infection control plans are not available at the hospitals in Vhembe District, and this results in a high risk of TB infection transmission in the hospitals.…”

“…In 2012, Vhembe district had the highest number of TB patients in the Limpopo Province [7]. Tshitangano et al [8], further indicated that TB infection control plans were not available at hospitals in Vhembe district and this contributed to the high number of TB patients. Infection control requires both human and material resources for maintenance and support [8].…”

“…Tshitangano et al [8], further indicated that TB infection control plans were not available at hospitals in Vhembe district and this contributed to the high number of TB patients. Infection control requires both human and material resources for maintenance and support [8]. In line with this assertion, Gursimrat [9] argues that one of the major challenges to control TB infection includes poor primary healthcare infrastructure.…”

The Support Needs of Nurses Caring for TB Patients at Tshilidzini Hospital in Limpopo Province, South Africa

“…In 2012, Vhembe district was also reported to have the highest number of TB patients in the Limpopo Province [7]. Tshitangano, Maputle and Netshikweta (2013) [8] point out that TB infection control plans are not available at hospitals in Vhembe district and this contributes to the high number of TB patients. Infection control requires both human and material resources.…”

Help-seeking behaviors of South African women after sexual offence victimization : the lived experience.

“…After considering the variety of constructs for use, Lincoln and Guba's (1985) criteria for trustworthiness was determined to be the most appropriate for the current study. Also supporting the researcher's decision to use trustworthiness was the number of researchers who had used trustworthiness as their criteria for rigor in phenomenological research conducted in South Africa (Brysiewicz, 2008;Collier-Reed, Ingerman, & Berglund, 2009;Hoffman, Myburgh, & Poggenpoel, 2010;Mavundla, 2000;Pietersen, 2007;Tshitangano, Maputle, & Netshikweta, 2013;Warden, Mayers, & Kathard, 2008). Lincoln and Guba's (1985) criteria for trustworthiness includes credibility, transferability, dependability, and conformability.…”