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Faculty of Health Sciences

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Subject: search.filters.subject.Radiography, Medical

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Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
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    Framework to mitigate disruptive behaviours involving radiographers at central hospitals in Harare Metropolitan Province, Zimbabwe
    (2022-09-29) Chinene, Bornface; Nkosi, Pauline Busisiwe; Sibiya, Maureen Nokuthula
    Background Disruptive behaviours in healthcare have become an unprecedented global problem, transcending borders, work settings and professional groups. Concerns about their impact on patient safety has led many international medical organisations and other healthcare professions to escalate the urgency of knowing the prevalence, causes and consequences of these unprofessional behaviours in different healthcare settings. Evidence shows that assessing and mitigating disruptive behaviours is critical to empowering health workers to focus on delivering high-quality, cost-effective and safe patient care. However, there is a paucity of literature exploring disruptive behaviours involving radiographers in Zimbabwe. Additionally, there is no written policy to monitor and mitigate disruptive behaviours in the Zimbabwean radiography workforce. The challenge of disruptive behaviours is of significant concern for radiographers because they use radiation that has hazardous effects on living organism cells. Aim The aim of the research was to explore disruptive behaviours involving radiographers and the consequences thereof at central hospitals in Harare Metropolitan Province in order to develop a framework to mitigate these behaviours so that healthy radiography work environments are promoted. Methodology A mixed-methods convergent parallel approach using the parallel databases variant was employed. Disruptive behaviours from 100 randomly sampled radiographers were evaluated using a semi-structured questionnaire. In addition, in-depth interviews were conducted with 11 radiography managers selected by criterion purposive sampling, in order to explore factors and strategies to mitigate these behaviours. Findings Disruptive behaviours involving radiographers in HMP are rampant and create an unhealthy work environment that can lead to compromised patient radiation protection by negatively affecting the implementation of radiation protection protocols or procedures. Cultural and environmental factors relating to disruptive behaviours in Harare Metropolitan Province include a power hierarchy, the work environment and the absence of a reporting framework. Nevertheless, the strategies to mitigate these behaviours may include awareness, willingness to address the behaviours and conflict resolution.
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    Prevalence of gallstones in the black population of District 28 in relation to age, gender, diet and body mass index
    (2006) Mhlongo, Bhekithemba Goodlord; Naidoo, Subhadranalene
    This study aimed at determining and evaluating the prevalence of gallstones in the Black population of District 28 (D28) in relation to age, gender, diet and body mass index (BMI) in order to identify people at high risk and advise them so that they can avoid the complications and decrease the morbidity rate. Blacks are thought to have increased prevalence of gallstones but there has been no systematic evaluation of its prevalence in D28. METHODS AND MATERIALS 389 Black people from D28 were selected from referrals (for many different radiological examinations) coming to the X-ray and ultrasound departments. Some of the respondents were staff members who also met the selection criteria for the study. An interview was conducted at Ngwelezane hospital using a structured questionnaire on health, social and diet history of the respondents. All information was entered into the data sheet. All respondents were then scanned using Mid-range ultrasound machines to establish the presence of gallstones and this information was thereafter documented on the data sheet. SPSS version 11.5 (SPSS Inc, Chicago, III) was used for data analysis. Prevalence and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using the Epitable module of Epi Info version 6.04 (CDC, 2001). Pearson's Chi square tests were used to assess associations between categorical variables and gall stones. Logistic regression analysis was applied to assess the independent effects of multiple risk factors on the development of gallstones. Backwards elimination method based on likelihood ratios was used with entry and exit probabilities set at 0.05 and 0.1 respectively
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    A determination of normal reference ranges for bone mineral density for Indian women of varying age groups in KZN : the impact of local data on the diagnosis of osteoporosis
    (2006) Sunder, Roshnee; Naidoo, Subhadranalene; Jackpersad, Dennis R.
    The aim of this research was to determine normal bone mineral density (BMD) reference ranges (means and standard deviations) for the lumbar spine, total hip and distal forearm, for Indian women of varying age groups in KwaZulu-Natal. The aim also included a comparison of the study population reference ranges with those provided by the manufacturer in order to evaluate any diagnostic implications.
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    An evaluation of computerised tomography (CT) based treatment planning versus digitised image planning (standard planning technique) for carcinoma of the breast, using the four field breast technique
    (2007) Govender, Yoguvathie
    Aim/research questions The aim of the study was to evaluate CT-based treatment planning versus digitised image planning (standard planning technique) for carcinoma of the breast, using the four-field breast technique, in terms of the depth of supraclavicular and axillary nodes, the variability of the breast tissue and the dose inhomogeneity at the matchline. The variability of the depth of supraclavicular and axillary nodes has not been documented in any local or national studies. When simulating patients for treatment, it is evident that the anatomical variability of patient chest wall thickness, shape and size is a contributing factor towards the final treatment plan and dose distribution achieved. Therefore knowing the correct depth of the nodes and being able to clearly demarcate the breast tissue should result in a favourable dose administration. The following questions were addressed:  What is the dose to the supraclavicular nodes from both plans?  What is the dose to the axillary nodes from both plans?  How do the plans differ in terms of dose coverage to the supraclavicular and axillary nodes?  What is the relationship between the depth of the supraclavicular nodes and the patient separation? ii  What is the relationship between the depth of the axillary nodes and the patient separation?  Does the target volume receive adequate dose coverage from the plans?  How is dose to the heart volume affected by target coverage on both plans?  How is dose to the lung volume affected by target coverage on both plans?  What is the dose variability along the matchline?  Are the plans over dosing?  Are the plans under dosing?