AA 2005 Supplementum 1

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http://hdl.handle.net/11660/9663

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Browsing AA 2005 Supplementum 1 by Author "Janse van Rensburg-Bonthuyzen, Ega"

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    Staff capacity and resources at nine Free State clinics: shortcomings in the TB programme
    (University of the Free State, 2005) Janse van Rensburg-Bonthuyzen, Ega
    English: South Africa faces a continuously escalating tuberculosis (TB) epidemic. This article explores the extent and nature of shortcomings in intra-clinic TB programme resources and staffing. Data was gathered by means of in-depth interviews and observations in nine clinics in the Free State. The main findings of the study include the following: not all TB programme co-ordinators or implementers in the nine clinics had been formally trained in the principles of the National TB Control Programme; knowledge of TB diagnosis was limited; the treatment volunteer system was not optimally managed or utilised; policy guidelines were not available at all facilities; the recording and reporting infrastructure at some clinics was flawed; the drug, supply and equipment infrastructure at some clinics was lacking; the information, education and communication infrastructure was not utilised to its full extent, and management support was in need of improvement. The findings of this study should alert TB programme managers at the provincial, district, local and clinic levels to the existence and extent of problems at some primary health care (PHC) clinics and the urgent need to address them.
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    Tuberculosis control in South Africa: reasons for persistent failure
    (University of the Free State, 2005) Van Rensburg, Dingie; Janse van Rensburg-Bonthuyzen, Ega; Heunis, Christo; Meulemans, Herman
    English: This study reviews the origins and spread of tuberculosis in South Africa in the international context. It shows that TB is far from being under control, despite the availability of effective technology. Five arguments offer explanations for this failure. First, control strategies fail to eradicate the macro-conditions that create a breeding ground for TB. Secondly, new disease conditions — especially HIV/AIDS and MDRTB — confound efforts at control. Thirdly, the health system and its priorities are insufficiently focused and resourced to cope with TB. Fourthly, healthcare staff responsible for TB care are often weak links in the chain of control. Fifthly, TB patients fail due to ignorance, delay in seeking care, and non-adherence to treatment regimens. TB consequently remains a major public health challenge, today more than ever in its protracted history.