Browsing by Author "Smit, Ilze"

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    'n Evaluering van die voorkoms van perineale trauma tydens verlossings in openbare gesondheidsinstellings in die Wes-Kaap : 'n verpleegkundige perspektief
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2003-04) Smit, Ilze; Bester, E.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Medicine Health Sciences . Dept. of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences. Nursing Science.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: It appears that registered midwives prefer not to cut episiotomies which results in an increase in perineal tears. This may be the case as a result of current controversies regarding episiotomies, lack of suturing skills due to insufficient training and evaluation, or the fact that the necessity of an episiotomy are not recognised timeously. In light of this the incidence of perineal trauma during deliveries in public healthcare institutions in the Western Cape was evaluated from a nursing perspective. The midwife can playa significant role in the prevention of unnecessary perineal trauma by applying particular precautions in practice. Triangulation was used as the research method. Seven public healthcare institutions in the Western Cape were included in this study. Nurses completed 45 questionnaires while 33 deliveries and 25 cases of suturing of perineal wounds were evaluated according to a pre-compiled checklist. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with registered midwives and medical practitioners involved in the training of nursing students. According to findings it appears that nurses do not recognise the risk factors to be contributory causes of perineal tears. Furthermore, it appeared that 46% of registered midwives did not feel competent enough to suture perineal wounds. Disparities were identified pertaining to the training of student nurses as well as the continuous training and evaluation of registered midwives regarding the suturing of perineal wounds. It is recommended that a uniform policy should be formulated concerning guidelines for the cut and suturing of episiotomies and lacerations. Furthermore, a uniform classification system regarding perineal trauma should be formulated as well as a uniform system to evaluate the competency of midwives.
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    'n Opleidingsraamwerk gerig op gehalte aborsiesorg vir verpleegkundiges aan hoëronderwysinstellings in die Wes-Kaap
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2008-12) Smit, Ilze; Bitzer, E. M.; Steyn, D. W.; Boshoff, E. L. D.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Education. Dept. of Curriculum Studies.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Before the implementation of abortion legislation in South Africa in February 1997, illegal abortions were the only way out for women with unwanted pregnancies. Because of the high morbidity and mortality rate of the women concerned, abortion legislation was implemented with the aim of ending illegal abortions in South Africa by having abortions carried out legally on request in designated health care facilities. The abortion legislation stipulates that registered nurses who have undergone the proposed abortion care training may terminate a pregnancy upon request of a woman during the first twelve weeks of the gestation period of her pregnancy. Although legislation authorises registered nurses to carry out first trimester abortions, an inadequate number of nurses are being trained in the Western Cape to provide pregnant women with guidance and counselling services, carry out the abortions and/or refer problem cases. Since the implementation of the abortion legislation no real attempts have been made by higher education institutions in the Western Cape to offer abortion care training for nurses. A need has therefore been identified to develop a comprehensive training framework for higher education institutions in the Western Cape for the training of nurses in abortion care. The case study was used as research design and the specific unit of analysis on which the researcher focused were the registered nurses who had received training in abortion care and the context in which they provide abortion care at the various levels of service provision in the different regions of the Western Cape. A random, stratified sample (non-proportional) was taken of the designated state health care facilities in the Western Cape, as well as a non-probability purposive sampling of registered nurses who provide abortion care, a non-probability convenience sample of women who have received abortion care and a non-probability purposive sampling of final-year pre-registration nursing students. Data was generated by means of questionnaires to the women who received abortions and/or counselling, the registered nurses who carried out abortions as well as final-year preregistration nursing students. A checklist was used to observe the abortions that were carried out by registered nurses in an objective and non-participatory manner and semi-structured interviews were conducted with various role-players in abortion care and training. The main findings of this study indicate that the necessary infrastructure within which the services could be provided according to the abortion legislation was adequate, but that the ongoing shortage of trained health care practitioners hampers the abortion care services. Only 10 (n=10) of the 15 certified nurses employed in state health care facilities actively offered abortion care services in the various designated facilities in the Western Cape. Deficiencies were identified in the existing provincial protocol and it was clear that some of the guidelines are either not in use or have become obsolete in the light of new research findings. It was found that midwives with appropriate and effective training are the ideal category of health practitioner for the provision of abortion care. The certified nurses who have been trained by the various regional offices of the Department of Health: Western Cape are skilled in carrying out the abortion procedure, but the other aspects of abortion care, that are mainly carried out by other categories of nurses, will probably require greater attention. The recommendations, which are based on a thorough literature study as well as on the findings and conclusions that arose from the empirical part of this study, have been included in a training framework. The researcher recommends that the training framework provide the basis for the development of a formal programme or programmes for the training of nurses in abortion care at higher education institutions. The purpose of the proposed framework is therefore to determine the context within which curriculation ought to take place, and to provide a focus or format for those who develop the curriculum for prospective students.
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    The status of academic intergrity amongst nuring students at a nursing education institution in the Western Cape
    (AOSIS Publishing, 2012-06-20) Theart, Cecilia J.; Smit, Ilze
    Honesty is regarded as a basic ethical value in all educational programmes, and academic integrity is of undisputed importance in educational environments. The literature reviewed revealed that academic dishonesty is wide-ranging and also encountered in the nursing education environment. This phenomenon is of concern to the nursing fraternity because of the proven positive correlation between unethical academic practices and future unethical professional behaviour. Limited research data regarding academic dishonesty at nursing education institutions in South Africa and this correlation motivated the present study. The purpose was to examine the status of academic integrity amongst nursing students at a nursing education institution in the Western Cape. Formulated objectives guided investigation of several variables which impact upon academic integrity, for example the incidence of and student perceptions around academic dishonesty. A quantitative, descriptive survey design was used, with a self-reported questionnaire (based on literature review and study objectives) designed to obtain information about academic dishonesty. Provision was also made for qualitative input from the respondents by including three open-ended questions. It was found that academic dishonesty was a reality at the nursing education institution where this study was done. Cheating associated with plagiarism and assignments was identified as the main problem area. An unacceptably high level of dishonesty in completion of practical records was also an area of concern. The main recommendations are development and implementation of a code of honour and implementation of comprehensive academic integrity policies at the nursing education institution, with practical measures aimed at combating cheating in tests and examinations.