Health SA Gesondheid最新文献

{"title":"The correlation between depression and haemodialysis adequacy in chronic kidney disease patients in South Africa.","authors":"Bongani V Miya, Ntagi G Mariri, Chevon Clark","doi":"10.4102/hsag.v31i0.3275","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/hsag.v31i0.3275","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global health concern projected to be the fifth most prevalent chronic disease by 2040, associated with high mortality and significant psychosocial burdens.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>This study aimed to explore and describe the correlation between depression and haemodialysis adequacy in CKD patients.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong>Research was conducted across five units in the Free State and Northern Cape provinces, South Africa.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This quantitative, cross-sectional, prospective analytic study included 78 patients selected via convenience sampling, and trustworthiness and ethical principles were adhered to throughout the study. A biostatistician analysed the raw data using the statistical analysis system (SAS). Data collected over 3 months involved objective measurements of online dialysis adequacy (Kt/V) and pathology (creatinine, urea), alongside subjective depression assessments using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The median BDI score was 17 (Interquartile range [IQR]: 13-22), reflecting mild-to-severe depressive symptoms. The median online Kt/V was 1.04. A significant inverse association was found between BDI scores and Kt/V (<i>p</i> = 0.0231), indicating that higher depressive symptoms correlate with lower adequacy. No significant relationships were observed between depression and creatinine or urea levels.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Lower dialysis adequacy is significantly associated with increased depressive symptoms. Findings highlight the urgent need to integrate mental health screening and psychosocial support into routine renal care to improve patient outcomes.</p><p><strong>Contribution: </strong>The findings highlight the necessity of psychosocial support, patient compliance, and education to improve employment and nutritional security, and advocate for comprehensive medical insurance coverage.</p>","PeriodicalId":45721,"journal":{"name":"Health SA Gesondheid","volume":"31 ","pages":"3275"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13543145/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148898005","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Patients' satisfaction in positron emission tomography/computed tomography departments in Gauteng province, South Africa.","authors":"Themba Tshabalala, Padidi Louisa Mokoena, Lucky Chipeya","doi":"10.4102/hsag.v31i0.3280","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/hsag.v31i0.3280","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Patient satisfaction is a subjective metric, yet an important one used for evaluating healthcare performance and identifying areas for improvement. Since the introduction of positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in South Africa in 2005, limited information is available on patient satisfaction in PET/CT departments. Understanding patients' experiences in this setting is essential to ensure the delivery of high-quality, patient-centred care.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>This study assessed patients' satisfaction with care when undergoing PET/CT examinations.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong>The study was conducted at three selected academic public hospitals in the Gauteng province of South Africa.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study employed a quantitative, cross-sectional, descriptive research design to collect data from 226 randomly selected respondents between March 2022 and September 2022. A structured, closed-ended, adapted questionnaire utilising a 5-point Likert scale was used to collect data through telephone surveys.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>This study had a predominance of female respondents (62.4%) over male respondents (37.6%). Overall, the study reported high satisfaction levels regarding staff's professionalism (92.5%), the privacy provided in the examination rooms (94.2%), the cleanliness of the examination rooms (88.9%), reception areas (90.3%), and toilets (93.8%), while only 0.4% expressed no satisfaction at all because their appointments were not kept at the scheduled times.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study suggests that the majority of patients were satisfied with the level of service and care they received during PET/CT examinations. However, there is a need to improve patient appointment adherence for achieving better clinical outcomes.</p><p><strong>Contribution: </strong>Positron emission tomography/computed tomography staff should advise patients with appointment choices and provide service at the scheduled times.</p>","PeriodicalId":45721,"journal":{"name":"Health SA Gesondheid","volume":"31 ","pages":"3280"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13543132/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148897991","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Digital therapeutics for stress in health science students at under-resourced universities: A narrative review.","authors":"Bhekithemba Vellem, Nozuko G Mangi","doi":"10.4102/hsag.v31i0.3301","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/hsag.v31i0.3301","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Health science students' well-being and academic performance are important concerns in under-resourced universities. However, there is limited insight into mHealth interventions and institutional support for psychological stress driven by demanding curricula and socioeconomic disparities. Digital therapeutics (DTx) offer scalable technology-enabled support for stress management.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>This narrative review explores how DTx can complement or enhance existing stress management approaches for health science students in under-resourced South African universities.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A narrative literature search was conducted across four databases: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar. Publications were from 2020 to 2024 on DTx addressing stress among university students, in low-resource settings and theoretical foundations. PRISMA guidelines informed reporting, and thematic synthesis followed Braun and Clarke. Theoretical frameworks informed analysis of effectiveness, the digital divide and mental health service integration.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The synthesis of nine studies, institutional reports and grey literature yielded four main themes: infrastructural and financial constraints, psychological and sociocultural barriers, facilitators and success factors and integration with university mental health services.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Barriers included poor connectivity, high data costs, limited digital literacy, stigma around mental health and weak institutional support. Effective DTx adoption in low-resource settings requires overcoming barriers and strengthening policy, practice and research.</p><p><strong>Contribution: </strong>Digital therapeutics have the potential to play an important role in addressing mental health inequities among health science students in South Africa and similar contexts. The study contributes insights into digital health interventions to enhance support systems in higher education.</p>","PeriodicalId":45721,"journal":{"name":"Health SA Gesondheid","volume":"31 ","pages":"3301"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13543143/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148897945","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The lived experiences of South African parents during high-risk pregnancy and prolonged neonatal intensive care unit admission.","authors":"Linda H Goldberg, Jacqueline K Bezuidenhout, Janine van der Linde","doi":"10.4102/hsag.v31i0.3342","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/hsag.v31i0.3342","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Becoming a parent is a significant life event; however, premature birth abruptly alters this transition, creating short- and long-term consequences for both parents and infants.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>This study sought to explore the lived experiences of South African parents throughout the trajectory of premature birth and the subsequent hospitalisation of their baby in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong>The research was conducted in Johannesburg, South Africa, within the private healthcare setting.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A quantitative, exploratory and descriptive phenomenological study design was used. Purposive sampling identified participants, and 11 interviews were conducted with eight mothers and three fathers. Inductive thematic analysis using MAXQDA identified emerging codes, categories and themes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Three themes emerged: the journey to the NICU and the pregnancy context, transitioning to parenthood within the unnatural NICU environment, and the emotional journey during the prolonged admission. Parents reported limited psychosocial support from doctors, nurses and other parents.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The challenges experienced by the parents mirrored common themes identified in global research. Parents described the psychosocial challenges during the pregnancy and neonatal admission, and the difficulties of achieving the parental role within the NICU environment. Confounding this was the limited exposure to formal psychosocial counselling by trained professionals.</p><p><strong>Contribution: </strong>This research highlights the psychosocial challenges experienced by parents during the admission period in private-sector NICUs and the need for increased, planned and structured psychosocial support.</p>","PeriodicalId":45721,"journal":{"name":"Health SA Gesondheid","volume":"31 ","pages":"3342"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13543126/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148897516","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Senior emergency medical care students' readiness and confidence to practice paediatric pain management.","authors":"Suzan-Lynn Smit, Dirk Bester, Ryan E Matthews","doi":"10.4102/hsag.v31i0.3421","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/hsag.v31i0.3421","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Paediatric pain is frequently under-managed in prehospital care despite the known consequences. Practitioner-related factors, during transition from student to independent practice, influence pain management decisions.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>This study aimed to explore and describe the elements influencing senior undergraduate emergency medical care students' self-reported attitudes, perceived readiness to practise and confidence in managing paediatric pain in South Africa and to identify self-reported barriers and enablers shaping their approach to paediatric pain management.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong>The study was conducted among exit-level emergency medical care students at a South African university.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A qualitative, descriptive and exploratory design was employed. Using purposive sampling, semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten final-year Emergency Medical Care students registered at a South African university within two months of graduation. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed inductively using reflexive thematic analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The authors generated two themes. Theme one: Attitudinal dissonance, reflected a disconnect between beliefs about paediatric pain management and confidence in practice. Scepticism towards pain expression, fear of harm and protocol reliance contributed to practice hesitancy. Theme two: Fear and uncertainty, highlighted perceived educational gaps and limited clinical exposure, which reduced participants' perceived practice readiness.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Emergency medical care students' self-reported paediatric pain management is shaped by the interaction of attitudes, emotional responses and educational structures within prehospital training.</p><p><strong>Contribution: </strong>The study provides South African prehospital education-specific insight into factors influencing paediatric pain management and supports the need for curriculum refinement and enhanced learning and teaching methods to improve student preparedness and patient care.</p>","PeriodicalId":45721,"journal":{"name":"Health SA Gesondheid","volume":"31 ","pages":"3421"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13543114/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148897989","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A review of lead times and determinant factors in public optometry services in South Africa.","authors":"Mapula P Rapao, Pheagane M W Nkoana","doi":"10.4102/hsag.v31i0.3208","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/hsag.v31i0.3208","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Lead time is the total time spent by a patient in a facility from their arrival until the end of the last service they receive. Increased waiting times, which are idle times, in between service points within a service system significantly lengthen the lead times.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>To review lead times and the determinant factors in public optometry services in South Africa.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Literature was reviewed from Google Scholar, PubMed and ScienceDirect databases using key terms such as 'lead time', 'waiting times', 'optometry services' and 'public hospitals'. To obtain more data about optometry services and wait times in public hospitals, seven websites were also included.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>It was determined that 38 academic papers were pertinent to the review. Fifteen were optometry and eye care, six on lead time,six on triage, three queuing theory, one on patient flow, three on lean theory and two on frame work. Human resource limitations, insufficient equipment, unequal optometrist distribution and ineffective referral and patient flow mechanisms are among the main issues influencing lead times.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>To address the prolonged lead times for service in optometry, the report emphasises the urgent need for systemic changes in rural South African public hospitals. To ensure patients receive prompt and efficient eye care. It is imperative to increase the availability of qualified staff, upgrade infrastructure and expedite procurement procedures.</p><p><strong>Contribution: </strong>This study not only sheds light on existing debates on lead times and the system-level factors such as human resources, infrastructure and patient flow inefficiencies that influence them in South African public optometry services, but it also highlights important knowledge gaps and offers guidance for further studies and improvements in the healthcare system.</p>","PeriodicalId":45721,"journal":{"name":"Health SA Gesondheid","volume":"31 ","pages":"3208"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13543123/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148897943","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Leading through the pandemic: Experiences of diagnostic radiography middle managers during the COVID-19 pandemic.","authors":"Yolanda Le Roux-Arries, Valdiela Daries, Heidi Thomas","doi":"10.4102/hsag.v31i0.3343","DOIUrl":"10.4102/hsag.v31i0.3343","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Seven years since the onset of the global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, healthcare delivery, particularly within radiology and imaging services, has been reshaped. Amid the surge of COVID-19 infection rates, diagnostic radiography middle managers (DRMMs) were tasked with implementing new protocols, managing increased imaging demands and leading teams through uncharted territory. The exposed gaps in middle management crisis preparedness during the global health emergency highlighted the need for support structures within the imaging sector.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>This article focuses on the experiences of DRMMs during the COVID-19 pandemic and the management strategies they applied in response to the global health emergency.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong>The study was conducted at a private radiology practice operating at various imaging branches in the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A qualitative study was conducted using a case study design. Eleven DRMMs were recruited through purposive sampling. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and recorded via the Zoom online platform. Manual coding was performed, and the data were analysed using thematic analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Three main themes were identified: adapting to change, challenging environment and managerial growth amid the pandemic. The DRMMs expressed the various operational management challenges they experienced, the uncertainties and doubts they had to navigate and the new skills and abilities they developed.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The study participants experienced feeling out of control and unprepared at the start of the pandemic, but they surmounted the difficulties and grew from the experience. The recommended frameworks are designed to provide support to DRMMs during future global health emergencies.</p><p><strong>Contribution: </strong>The study demonstrated that better-structured support mechanisms for DRMMs should be in place to safeguard radiology staff members from potential adverse effects.</p>","PeriodicalId":45721,"journal":{"name":"Health SA Gesondheid","volume":"31 ","pages":"3343"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-07-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13443822/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148686115","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Nursing care supervision: A qualitative study of staff and auxiliary nurses' experiences in Limpopo province.","authors":"Munyadziwa R Raliphaswa, Takalani R Luhalima, Julia L Mafumo, Vhonani O Netshandama","doi":"10.4102/hsag.v31i0.3251","DOIUrl":"10.4102/hsag.v31i0.3251","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>According to the South African Nursing Council's regulation R 2127, staff and auxiliary nurses must be supervised by professional nurses. This supervision is essential for quality care, leading to fewer patient complaints and higher satisfaction.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>This study aimed to explore and describe the experiences of staff nurses and auxiliary nurses on the supervision of nursing care by professional nurses in Limpopo province.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong>The study was conducted in three selected regional hospitals located in different districts of Limpopo province: Vhembe, Mopane, and Waterberg.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A qualitative approach using exploratory, descriptive, and appreciative inquiry research designs was selected to gain insights into professional nurses' supervision of nursing care. Non-probability purposive sampling was used to choose districts, hospitals, units, and participants. Data were collected through focus group interviews with participants from paediatric, maternity, and casualty units and analysed using Tesch's eight steps of data analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Four themes emerged: Staff shortages, educational and training challenges, attributes of a good supervisor, and the roles and responsibilities of supervisors.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>To improve the quality of patient care outcomes and reduce patient complaints and lawsuits, professional nurses must supervise nursing care. However, the current difficulties jeopardise professional nurses' ability to optimally supervise nursing care.</p><p><strong>Contribution: </strong>This study contributes to improving the quality of supervision of nursing care, which is aimed at achieving high patient satisfaction, reducing patient complaints and related medico-legal negligence cases. This study also demonstrates how effective supervision by registered professional nurses can enhance the knowledge and skills of both staff nurses and auxiliary nurses.</p>","PeriodicalId":45721,"journal":{"name":"Health SA Gesondheid","volume":"31 ","pages":"3251"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-07-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13444033/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148686121","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exploring experiences of Faculty of Health Sciences students on interprofessional collaboration in the healthcare settings in the Khomas region, Namibia.","authors":"Daniel O Ashipala, Rossaline Mlunga, Suama Kuugongelwa","doi":"10.4102/hsag.v31i0.3399","DOIUrl":"10.4102/hsag.v31i0.3399","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Globally, interprofessional collaboration (IPC) has been shown to improve patient outcomes and foster teamwork. While IPC forms an integral part of healthcare delivery, enabling professionals from various disciplines to work together in achieving holistic patient care, in Namibia, there is little research on the experiences of Faculty of Health Sciences students on IPC.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>The aim of this study was to explore and describe the experiences of Faculty of Health Sciences students on IPC in healthcare settings within the Khomas Region, Namibia.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong>This study was conducted at the National University in Namibia.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A qualitative exploratory contextual design was used. Data were collected through individual, in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 16 Faculty of Health Sciences students. All interviews were audio recorded with a digital voice recorder followed by verbatim transcriptions, with the participants' permission. The collected data were analysed thematically to identify recurring themes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Three main themes emerged: (1) Understanding IPC as a learning and teamwork opportunity, (2) barriers to ineffective IPC in clinical settings and (3) mechanisms for enhancing IPC in healthcare settings.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study revealed that IPC is seen as a pathway to better teamwork and improved patient care outcomes among healthcare students. However, addressing challenges such as fostering effective interprofessional relationships is crucial for optimising IPC in healthcare settings.</p><p><strong>Contribution: </strong>Understanding student's experiences on IPC can contribute to the development of ongoing strategies and targeted interventions geared towards enhancing strong IPC and promoting teamwork, effective communication and improved patient-centred care.</p>","PeriodicalId":45721,"journal":{"name":"Health SA Gesondheid","volume":"31 ","pages":"3399"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-07-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13443647/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148686016","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Factors contributing to the use of traditional herbal medicine among hospitalised high-risk pregnant women in Namibia.","authors":"Foibe T Teofilus, Alice Lifalaza, Daniel O Ashipala","doi":"10.4102/hsag.v31i0.3508","DOIUrl":"10.4102/hsag.v31i0.3508","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Traditional herbs are widely used during pregnancy, especially in developing countries, influenced by cultural beliefs and accessibility. Pregnant women often use these remedies to relieve discomfort. Despite ongoing debate about their safety and efficacy, little is known about factors influencing their use, highlighting the need for further research and clearer clinical guidance to ensure maternal and foetal safety.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>The purpose of this study was to explore and describe the factors contributing to the use of traditional herbs among pregnant women at Rundu Intermediate Hospital, Kavango East Region, Namibia.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong>The study was conducted in the maternity wards of an intermediate hospital in Namibia.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A qualitative, explorative, descriptive design was employed. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews guided by open-ended questions. Fifteen pregnant women were purposively sampled based on inclusion criteria.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Four main themes emerged from the data analysis: reasons for using traditional herbs during pregnancy, perceived benefits of traditional herbs, motivating factors influencing the use of traditional herbs and strategies to address the use of traditional herbs.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The study concluded that pregnant women's widespread use of traditional herbal remedies is motivated by cultural beliefs, perceived health benefits and accessibility. Accordingly, it would appear that pregnant women may have insufficient awareness of potential risks.</p><p><strong>Contribution: </strong>Findings from this study can be used to implement culturally responsive health education on the risks and consequences of the use of herbal remedies, as well as to strengthen prenatal promotion programmes to ensure safe and integrated maternal care outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":45721,"journal":{"name":"Health SA Gesondheid","volume":"31 ","pages":"3508"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-07-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13443221/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148686038","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}