African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine最新文献

{"title":"Building community climate resilience: A guide for primary care providers.","authors":"Mandisa A Ndlovu-Tenego, Robert Mash","doi":"10.4102/phcfm.v18i1.5482","DOIUrl":"10.4102/phcfm.v18i1.5482","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Climate hazards pose a threat to health and health services throughout Africa. They directly affect the primary care provider's clinic operations and patient morbidities like vector-borne and heat-related illnesses. Within a community-orientated primary care approach, primary care providers can assist communities to evaluate their vulnerabilities and capacities and identify the key risks. This article is based on a participatory action reflection (PAR) process (reflection, planning, action, observation of action) conducted by the author in Matsaudi Village, Botswana. A small village community on the edge of the Okavango Delta. Under reflection in the PAR cycle, several steps are described: (1) community and stakeholder engagement, (2) information gathering, (3) identification of vulnerabilities, capacities and risks through workshops on exposure to climate hazards, institutional assets, and the pathways from hazards to health and social effects. The process led to an action plan with both short- and long-term prioritised solutions. This stepwise template from Matsaudi Village enables primary health care providers to sustainably build climate-resilient communities.</p>","PeriodicalId":47037,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine","volume":"18 1","pages":"e1-e6"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-06-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13347680/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148406149","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":"Corrigendum: A Delphi study to guide the development of a clinical indicator tool for palliative care in South Africa.","authors":"Rene Krause, Alan Barnard, Henriette Burger, Andre De Vos, Katya Evans, Lindsay Farrant, Nicki Fouche, Sebastiana Kalula, Jennie Morgan, Zainab Mohamed, Eugenio Panieri, Tasleem Ras, Peter Raubenheimer, Estelle Verburgh, Kirsty Boyd, Liz Gwyther","doi":"10.4102/phcfm.v18i1.5566","DOIUrl":"10.4102/phcfm.v18i1.5566","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":47037,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine","volume":"18 1","pages":"5566"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13348416/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148158502","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":"How to build the climate resilience and environmental sustainability of your facility and services.","authors":"Robert J Mash, Patricia N Schwerdtle","doi":"10.4102/phcfm.v18i1.5445","DOIUrl":"10.4102/phcfm.v18i1.5445","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>African district-level health facilities and services face many interconnected challenges including infectious disease outbreaks, conflict and insecurity, fiscal austerity, population displacement and climate-related hazards such as heat, flooding and drought. Emergency preparedness and disaster risk reduction plans have often not included the challenges from climate hazards. In this article, we outline six practical steps that a facility can take to assess its vulnerabilities, capacities and climate-related risks, and develop a plan to improve climate resilience and environmental sustainability: (1) a desktop review of the facility and services; (2) contextualisation and planning; (3) an audit of the facility; (4) a focus group discussion; (5) integration and analysis; (6) creation of an action plan. Environmental sustainability needs to be considered simultaneously with climate resilience as the key domains are the same (workforce; energy; water, waste and sanitation; infrastructure and equipment). In addition, the article outlines how to perform a carbon footprint and integrate the findings into one action plan for the facility. The article provides a practical roadmap for evaluating and improving the climate resilience and environmental sustainability of primary care or primary hospital facilities, and readers can access the referenced resources if they need additional details and support.</p>","PeriodicalId":47037,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine","volume":"18 1","pages":"e1-e6"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-05-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13247668/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148158596","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":"How does climate change impact health in the African primary care context?","authors":"Christian Lueme Lokotola","doi":"10.4102/phcfm.v18i1.5474","DOIUrl":"10.4102/phcfm.v18i1.5474","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Primary health care in the African setting is the foundational level for accessing health services; but the quality of services is often challenged by different systemic vulnerabilities. Climate change occurs as a threat multiplier that amplifies these vulnerabilities. This continuing professional development article aims to update the knowledge of primary care providers with evidence-based information on the impact of climate change on health, healthcare services and facilities. The article uses the planetary health framework to explain the pathways from the ecological crisis to its health and social effects. Climate change and pollution are among the global ecological drivers that impact health and society via various proximate causes, such as changes in food production, water quality and quantity, and extreme weather events (e.g. frequent heatwaves, droughts, heavy rainfall and flooding). The effects can be mediated by factors such as wealth, governance, leadership, technology and the strength of the health system. The potential effects on health span the burden of disease from infectious diseases to non-communicable diseases, to mental health problems, maternal and child health, as well as injury and trauma. Social effects such as conflict, displacement, loss of livelihoods and migration have additional effects on health and wellbeing. Primary care providers need to understand how climate change will impact their communities and alter primary care morbidity and mortality. Providers need to prepare, build resilience and explain to patients how climate change is contributing to their health needs and disease patterns.</p>","PeriodicalId":47037,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine","volume":"18 1","pages":"e1-e6"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-05-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13247672/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148158618","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":"Experiences of volunteers: A volunteer-led community strategy for lung cancer awareness and mobilisation in KwaZulu-Natal.","authors":"Sthabile W Mtolo, Themba G Ginindza, Siyabonga B Dlamini","doi":"10.4102/phcfm.v18i1.5141","DOIUrl":"10.4102/phcfm.v18i1.5141","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong> Community health awareness is essential in ensuring communities are well-informed about different health-related challenges and promoting health-seeking behaviour. This approach could be used to address lung cancer knowledge and health-seeking behaviour, which is among the leading causes of cancer-related fatalities in South Africa.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong> To provide an insight into the experiences of the Cancer Association of South Africa - Multinational Lung Cancer Control Program volunteers in the implementation of a volunteer-led community strategy for lung cancer awareness and mobilisation.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong> The study was conducted in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, in the Durban and Pietermaritzburg cities. The Durban sites were Umlazi, Chatsworth, and South Durban Basin, and the Pietermaritzburg sites were Imbali and Sobantu.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong> A qualitative study was conducted using focus group discussions (FGD) where a discussion guide was used. Three FGDs were conducted with 16 project volunteers. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong> Volunteers shared their insights about the strategy, understanding of their roles, skills development, community acceptance, supportive teamwork and stakeholder involvement and their preferences for community spaces versus door-to-door awareness. Challenges experienced by volunteers included community safety risks, personal safety, inadequate remuneration and intervention strategy restrictions.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong> These findings highlight the need for policymakers to recognise the value of a volunteer-led intervention strategy. The challenges faced by volunteers had a direct impact on their job satisfaction and motivation. The study offers strategic insights that should inform the design and implementation of future lung cancer awareness and mobilisation programmes involving volunteers.Contribution: To inform the development of policy on volunteer-led community strategies for lung cancer awareness and mobilisation in South Africa and similar settings.</p>","PeriodicalId":47037,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine","volume":"18 1","pages":"e1-e10"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-05-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13247654/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148158623","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":"Emergency preparedness and disaster management for primary health care in Africa from the perspective of climate hazards and extreme weather events.","authors":"Elzarie Theron, Wayne P Smith","doi":"10.4102/phcfm.v18i1.5449","DOIUrl":"10.4102/phcfm.v18i1.5449","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Climate-related hazards are impacting community health and healthcare provision across the African continent, resulting in increased vulnerability and reduced capacity to withstand further impacts. While it is important to recognise that not all climate-related hazards result in disaster, this is often the case in populations that are already vulnerable, creating a vicious cycle that further increases risk. However, with appropriate multisectoral collaboration, planning and preparedness, community resilience can be strengthened, thereby reducing the likelihood and severity of disasters. Situated at the interface between health systems and communities, primary care providers are uniquely placed to identify climate-related vulnerabilities and emerging risks. Sharing these insights through disaster risk management platforms can inform planning processes and strengthen preparedness and resilience. With this purpose in mind, this article outlines key concepts and approaches in disaster risk management, supported by a real-life case study that illustrates lessons learned and their implications for primary health care, with the aim of better equipping providers to participate in and support resilience-building efforts.</p>","PeriodicalId":47037,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine","volume":"18 1","pages":"e1-e6"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-05-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13247667/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148158478","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":"Knowledge and compliance related to the prevention of mother-to-child transmission guidelines amongst South African healthcare professionals.","authors":"Ayabonga Vika, Burt Davis","doi":"10.4102/phcfm.v18i1.5304","DOIUrl":"10.4102/phcfm.v18i1.5304","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong> Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) guidelines provide evidence-based protocols to prevent infections such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from passing from mother-to-child. Regular updates ensure alignment with evolving treatments and best practices. It is therefore essential that all healthcare professionals clearly understand and consistently follow the latest PMTCT guidelines. So far, there seems to be limited research that explored healthcare professionals' knowledge and practices regarding the PMTCT guidelines in South Africa.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong> This study aimed to assess healthcare professionals' knowledge and compliance related to the South African 2023 PMTCT guidelines.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong> Healthcare professionals involved in antenatal and postnatal care across public and private healthcare facilities in all South Africa's provinces.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong> A cross-sectional study of 221 participants (35 doctors, 77 nurses and 109 clinical associates) was conducted over 8 weeks using an online survey distributed via social media.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong> Participants generally demonstrated high knowledge of the PMTCT guidelines, with significantly higher scores among those who had received formal training. Some knowledge deficits, e.g. in HIV testing procedures and infant antiretroviral dosing, remain. Doctors showed significantly higher knowledge scores than nurses and clinical associates. Fewer than half of the participants reported consistent compliance.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong> While knowledge of the PMTCT framework was high, low compliance remains.Contribution: This study provides foundational information on the knowledge of healthcare professionals across various South African provinces about the 2023 PMTCT guidelines, highlights the vital role of clinical associates and stresses the need for consistent and structured PMTCT training.</p>","PeriodicalId":47037,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine","volume":"18 1","pages":"e1-e7"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-05-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13247650/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148158669","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":"Evaluating knowledge and awareness of cervical cancer, human papillomavirus and human papillomavirus vaccination among women in East London, South Africa.","authors":"Tabita Boto, Anthony M Feketshane, Nondumiso Ngxola","doi":"10.4102/phcfm.v18i1.5261","DOIUrl":"10.4102/phcfm.v18i1.5261","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong> Cervical cancer poses a major health risk for women in low- and middle-income countries, with persistent human papillomavirus (HPV) types 16 and 18 as leading causes. In South Africa, screening rates are low, and awareness and vaccine uptake remain insufficient despite a national immunisation programme since 2014.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong> This study evaluated women's knowledge and awareness of cervical cancer, HPV and HPV vaccination at three healthcare levels in East London, South Africa, and examined demographic factors and differences between settings.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong> The study was conducted at five public health facilities in East London, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong> An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted. Three hundred and five female participants completed questionnaires on cervical cancer, HPV and vaccination. Data were analysed with STATA 17; knowledge was scored and classified from 'very poor' to 'excellent', and statistical tests determined associations.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong> The median knowledge score was 28.6%. Awareness rates were as follows: cervical cancer (48.5%), HPV (25.9%) and HPV vaccination (29.2%). Community health centre attendees had the lowest scores. Only 6.2% had 'excellent' knowledge, and 52% had 'poor' or 'very poor' knowledge. Higher education and hospital-based care correlated with better scores (p  0.001). Vaccine uptake among eligible female relatives was only 12%.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong> Knowledge and awareness of cervical cancer, HPV and vaccination are low, especially in primary care. Pap smear usage is high, but understanding remains limited. Improved community education and provider involvement are needed to boost awareness and vaccine acceptance if South Africa is to meet the World Health Organization cervical cancer targets by 2030.Contribution: This study provides current evidence on HPV-related knowledge gaps among women in the Eastern Cape and highlights the need for targeted interventions within primary health care settings.</p>","PeriodicalId":47037,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine","volume":"18 1","pages":"e1-e6"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-05-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13247659/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148158566","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":"Compassionate care in a digital world: Artificial intelligence and the consultation.","authors":"Werner Viljoen","doi":"10.4102/phcfm.v18i1.5531","DOIUrl":"10.4102/phcfm.v18i1.5531","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p></p>","PeriodicalId":47037,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine","volume":"18 1","pages":"e1-e2"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-05-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13247670/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148158523","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":"Understanding barriers to treatment-seeking in Mseleni joint disease: A multistaged study in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.","authors":"Elizabeth S Dinkele, Robea Ballo, Victor Fredlund, Victoria E Gibbon","doi":"10.4102/phcfm.v18i1.5297","DOIUrl":"10.4102/phcfm.v18i1.5297","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong> Mseleni joint disease (MJD) is a degenerative chondrodysplasia of unknown aetiology that is endemic to uMkhanyekude in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Delayed treatment-seeking for MJD results in severe joint pain, which commonly progresses to permanent loss of mobility and reliance on caregivers.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong> This study aimed to identify systemic, social and cultural barriers to MJD treatment-seeking from the perspectives of patients and healthcare providers.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong> The research was conducted at the Mseleni Hospital in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong> A multistage mixed methods study was conducted. Stage One involved quantitative analysis of patient medical records (n = 53) and administration of questionnaires to patients (n = 37). Stage Two involved a thematic analysis of interviews with MJD patients (n = 6), nurses (n = 7) and treating MJD (n = 9). Findings from both stages were analysed thematically to barriers to treatment-seeking for MJD.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong> Treatment-seeking barriers fell into three domains: (1) current approaches to treatment and self-management, (2) aetiological perspectives and (3) systemic barriers to healthcare access. Treatment and self-management through traditional medicine and delays in the primary healthcare system were cited as reasons for latent treatment-seeking. Healthcare providers highlighted structural barriers including unstandardised record-keeping, poor cross-facility communication and limited resources, while MJD patients emphasised failed treatments, pain and immobility and inadequate care as key obstacles. Variable aetiological perspectives between MJD patients and healthcare providers were reflected in appraisals of treatment. Gender disparities in sociocultural expectations and stigma-linked to symptoms restricted women's access to care.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong> Differing perspectives between MJD patients and healthcare providers contributed to delayed treatment-seeking and hindered the management of MJD. Patients discussed barriers to MJD relative to traditional knowledge, beliefs and lived experience, while healthcare providers discussed barriers relative to systemic and structural factors through a biomedical lens.Contribution: This study highlights the need to align clinical approaches to treating MJD with patient and provider experiences of this disease to address both individual and systemic barriers to treatment.</p>","PeriodicalId":47037,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine","volume":"18 1","pages":"e1-e10"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-05-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13247673/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148158603","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}