Masters Degrees (Centre for Disability and Rehabilitation Studies)

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Browsing Masters Degrees (Centre for Disability and Rehabilitation Studies) by Author "Jordaan, Danielle Nicolene"

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    The knowledge of registered nurses regarding skin integrity, foot care and nutrition of a diabetic client with a stroke
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2004-04) Jordaan, Danielle Nicolene; Mji, G.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Dept. of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences. Centre for Rehabilitation Studies.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: One of the proposals of the Bi-Ministerial Task Team (BTT) was that primary health care services in the Western Province should be nurse-driven (Department of Health and Social Services, 2000). This implied that nurses at the primary level of care (see definition of terms, page vii) should have a comprehensive knowledge regarding a variety of fields, e.g., preventive, promotive and curative services and rehabilitation. In the Helderberg area, which is the study area, it has been noted that there is a steady increase in the number of clients with diabetes and hypertension attending the eight community health centres (CHC's)/clinics. Diabetes and hypertension are interlinked and preventable diseases of life style (Provincial Government of the Western Cape (PGWC), 1999). These two conditions are commonly accompanied by a sequel of complications, such as skin breakdown, foot ulcers, stroke and nutritional deficiencies. These complications can further lead to disability when not managed appropriately. Historically the focus of the nurse has been on curative care, with little emphasis on prevention and rehabilitation. There is also a misconception among the medical staff and the clients that the management of complications of diseases of life style, as mentioned in the previous paragraph, is the responsibility of the rehabilitation specialists, e.g., the physiotherapist and the occupational therapist. With the vision of the BTT, the rise in the number of clients with diseases of life style, and the current focus of the nurse, the researcher is questioning the knowledge of the registered nurse at primary level of care in the Helderberg area in respect of skin integrity, foot care and nutrition of a diabetic client with a stroke. In order to answer this question, a descriptive study was done, making use of a self-administered questionnaire. The Helderberg area with approximately 50 registered nurses working at the eight different CHC's/clinics was chosen as the study area. Of the 50 registered nurses actively working, 44 completed the questionnaire, giving the researcher a return rate of 88%. The data was analysed using both quantitative and qualitative methods. Results showed that the overall average score for registered nurses on the three aspects, namely knowledge of skin integrity, foot care and nutrition of a diabetic client who has suffered a stroke, was 80%, the highest % score being 91% for aspects related to nutritional status and the lowest % score was 70% for aspects related to the prevention of skin breakdown, leaving a knowledge deficit of 20%. Not a single registered nurse scored 100% on the three aspects mentioned. Recommendations are made to all the role players, e.g., the registered nurses, the area managers in the Helderberg area and the rehabilitation staff.