BackgroundIn South Africa, the rate of histologically diagnosed prostate cancer is 40.1 per 100 000 in whites and 14 per 100 000 in blacks. However, blacks have limited access to diagnostic facilities and present late with an advanced disease. Knowledge about prostate cancer in the South African male population is necessary in order to increase the acceptance of early prostate cancer screening.ObjectiveThis study assessed the knowledge of prostate cancer among men attending the urology outpatient clinic at a tertiary hospital in South Africa.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted from February to March 2010. A structured questionnaire was administered to participants using consecutive sampling of eligible patients and consisted of sections on sociodemographic details and knowledge about prostate cancer. A total of 346 males, 35 years of age and older, participated in the study.ResultsThe majority of the respondents (n = 258; 75.0%) were black, married (n = 220; 64.0%), from the Free State Province (n = 320; 92.8%), and had access to television (n = 248; 71.7%). Only 38 (11.0%) knew the three main symptoms and signs associated with prostate cancer. Level of school education, race and language were statistically significantly associated with level of knowledge whereas age and marital status were not.ConclusionMore than half (54.4%) of the respondents had not heard of prostate cancer. The majority of men who had heard of prostate cancer had a moderate level of knowledge. The factors significantly associated with level of knowledge need to be considered in educational campaigns, prostate cancer screening and treatment.
Background South Africa is implementing national health insurance (NHI) and primary health care (PHC) re-engineering, and has concomitantly introduced the Human Resources for Health (HRH) Strategy. These policies are underpinned by the National Development Plan (NDP), which aims to address widespread inequality and inequity. Aim The aim of this study was to analyse the alignment of national HRH-related policies to implement NHI and PHC re-engineering and determine knowledge gaps and research needs. Method A narrative review of the NDP, PHC re-engineering, HRH and NHI strategies was carried out, supplemented by key HRH reports, data and articles. Results Current policies stress NHI and PHC re-engineering without effectively addressing shortages and maldistribution of HRH across the provincial and public–private divides. In line with PHC re-engineering, the HRH Strategy emphasised strengthening of community health workers (CHWs), professional nurses (PNs), mid-level workers (MLWs), medical practitioners (MPs) and clinical specialists (CSs). Four of these, CHWs, MLWs, MPs and CSs, are varyingly still in absolute shortfall, as well as being inequitably distributed across the provincial and public–private divides. The seeming adequacy in the absolute number of PNs may disguise provincial and public–private sector disparities. Although expedited HRH development and equitable deployment are crucial, it is also vital to resolve extant education and accreditation challenges delaying HRH policy implementation. Conclusion The current lack of alignment of HRH policies does not portend well for the successful implementation of NHI and PHC re-engineering. Knowledge gaps include the need for further clarification of ideal multi-disciplinary team compositions and responsibilities.
BackgroundCervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in South Africa. One of the major risk factors for the development of cervical cancer is the human papillomavirus (HPV).AimTo determine the knowledge of first-year female students living in residences on the main campus of the University of the Free State (UFS) regarding cervical cancer and HPV.SettingFemale residences on the main campus of UFS.MethodsA descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on participants between the ages of 18 and 25 years using a non-random convenience sampling method. Seven residences were included. Anonymous self-administered questionnaires were distributed during the evening meetings to all first-year female students at the selected residences after an information session. Students had to complete the questionnaires immediately after the meeting.ResultsMost of the 373 respondents (85.8%) knew that cervical cancer arises from the cervix, but only 15.4% knew that it was caused by a virus. Of the 62.5% participants who knew that HPV was a cancer-causing virus, most correctly knew that HPV was contracted by unprotected sexual intercourse (81.1%) and that there is a vaccine to protect against HPV (73.1%). However, 62.0% knew that the vaccine was available in South Africa and only 31.0% knew the vaccine was free of charge.ConclusionThe study revealed that students had limited knowledge of cervical cancer, HPV and vaccine availability.
Background: Medical internship refers to the 24-month period of supervised training in an accredited facility, where newly qualified doctors rotate through all relevant medical domains before starting their community service as medical practitioners. The Free State province has one academic complex and three regional hospitals accredited for internship training. Objectives: To evaluate the experience and future plans of final-year interns enrolled in a two-year medical internship programme in the Free State, and whether they felt sufficiently prepared to be medical doctors. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional study. A questionnaire was distributed to all consenting interns from the Free State completing their second year of internship during 2013 and 2014. Results: A total of 80 second-year internship doctors from four healthcare facilities completed the questionnaire. The majority (87.2%) indicated that they believe internship prepared them well for community service and 65.0% were positive about the supervision they received. However, only 52.5% felt that they were properly orientated. Conclusion: Medical interns felt positive about their experiences at their allocated Free State healthcare facilities and acknowledged they were better prepared for their careers. In some domains, insufficient supervision and lack of orientation impacted on the internship experience. Workload, lack of resources, insufficient staff and work environment at institutions are the main push factors.
Background: African men are less likely to participate in prostate cancer (PCa) screening, which may be beneficial to some of them. Gaps in knowledge, cultural factors and beliefs are associated with their screening intentions.Aim: To determine the knowledge, cultural factors and screening intentions of African males regarding PCa screening.Setting: The study was conducted among African men attending randomly selected primary healthcare clinics in the Free State province.Methods: An analytical, cross-sectional survey using self-administered questionnaires developed in line with the Theory of Planned Behaviour constructs.Results: Of the 389 respondents, 18.3% had ever been screened for PCa with prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing and 6.2% by digital rectal examination (DRE). About a quarter (24.4%) of the respondents had knowledge scores ≥ 50%. Factors associated with greater intent to screen for PCa were lower degree of fear/apprehension of PCa screening (mean score = 2.03; p 0.001), higher perceived benefits of PCa screening (mean score = 2.69; p = 0.002), lower perceived situational barriers to PCa screening (mean score = 2.03; p = 0.006) and higher perceived risk of getting PCa (mean score = 2.66; p = 0.024).Conclusion: The observed low level of knowledge and practice of PCa screening among the respondents could be enhanced through PCa awareness strategies targeted at these men or those that could influence their decision making, especially healthcare providers. Factors that enhance screening intentions should be promoted.Contribution: This study improves on the scarce literature on factors associated with African men’s PCa screening intention.
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