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Faculty of Health Sciences

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    Factors related to functional exercise capacity amongst people with HIV in Durban, South Africa
    (AOSIS, 2021-04-29) Orton, Penelope Margaret; Sokhela, Dudu Gloria; Nokes, Kathleen M.; Perazzo, Joseph D.; Webel, Allison R.
    BackgroundPeople with HIV (PWH), who engage in regular physical activity, have improved fitness, muscular strength, body composition, health-related quality of life and mental health symptoms, but PWH have amongst the lowest physical activity levels of those with any chronic health condition. Furthermore, there is scant evidence examining these relationships in PWH in Africa.

    Aim

    To address these critical gaps, this cross-sectional descriptive research study examined the relationships between demographic, HIV-related, anthropometric factors, neighbourhood walkability and physical activity, amongst PWH in Durban, South Africa.

    Setting

    Respondents (N = 100) were receiving primary healthcare in six eThekwini nurse-run municipal clinics.

    Methods

    Self-reported socio-demographic data were collected, and HIV-related medical data were extracted from respondent's medical charts. Height and weight were measured to calculate the body mass index (BMI, kg/m2); neighbourhood walkability was measured on the Neighbourhood Environment scale; and physical activity, specifically functional exercise capacity, was measured by the 6-min walk test (6MWT).

    Results

    On average, respondents were black African, female, approximately 38 years old and unemployed; men were of normal weight whilst women were overweight. Only 65% of the respondents reached the age- and sex-predicted distance during the 6MWT. Correlational analyses did not reveal any significant relationships between the functional exercise capacity and socio-demographic, HIV-related factors or anthropometric measures.

    Conclusion

    South African PWH do not reach their predicated walking distance on the 6MWT. Engaging community agencies to promote walking as both a means of transportation and leisure physical activity may decrease the risks of a sedentary lifestyle and improve progression towards recommended physical activity targets.
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    Perceptions of facilitators using case-based educational strategies in a nursing management decentralized program in South Africa
    (Post Academic Publications, 2013-06) Nkosi, Zethu; Pillay, Padmini; Nokes, Kathleen M.
    Background: Case-based education has a long history in the disciplines of education, business, law and the health professions. Research suggests that students who learn via a case-based method have advanced critical thinking skills and a greater ability for application of knowledge in practice. In medical education, case-based methodology is widely used to facilitate knowledge transfer from theoretical knowledge to application in patient care. Nursing education has also adopted case-based methodology to enhance learner outcomes and critical thinking. Objectives: The objective of this study was to explore the perceptions of case-based facilitators in a decentralised nursing management education program located in Durban, South Africa. Methods: This descriptive, exploratory study used focus groups to examine perceptions of facilitators (N=15) using case-based education in a nursing management program. Results: The average facilitator was female, between 41 and 50 years of age, working part-time, educated with a baccalaureate degree, working as a professional nurse between 11 and 20 years, and slightly more than half had worked as a facilitator 3 or more years. The three major themes emerged were related to the student learners, the learning environment, and using facilitation to teach the programme. Conclusion: Decentralised nursing management educational programs can meet the needs of nurses who are located in remote areas which are characterised by poor transportation patterns and limited resources and have great need for quality healthcare services.