Importance of Utilizing Non-Communicable Disease Screening Tools; Ward-Based Community Health Care Workers of South Africa Explain

Elelwani Malau, Irene Thifhelimbilu Ramavhoya () and Melitah Molatelo Rasweswe
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Elelwani Malau: Department of Nursing Science, University of Pretoria, P.O. Box X323, Pretoria 0007, South Africa
Irene Thifhelimbilu Ramavhoya: Department of Nursing Science, University of Limpopo, P.O. Box 1106, Polokwane 0727, South Africa
Melitah Molatelo Rasweswe: Department of Nursing Science, University of Limpopo, P.O. Box 1106, Polokwane 0727, South Africa

IJERPH, 2024, vol. 21, issue 3, 1-14

Abstract: The screening of patients in the community is important and is a commonly used indicator to detect, prevent, and treat abnormal health changes. As such, the South African Department of Health following the initiative of the World Health Organization has appointed ward-based community health care workers through a primary health care reengineering program. The main objective of their appointment was to screen household members to reduce the burden of diseases such as diabetes mellitus and hypertension. As such, the study investigated the importance of using non-communicable disease screening tools by ward-based community health care workers in South Africa. A qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive design was used. A non-probability purposive sampling method was used to select forty participants from primary health care facilities. Four focus group discussions were held with ten participants in each group. Semi-structured focus group discussions were held with participants in their workplaces. Content data analysis was applied to come up with one theme and six subthemes. The study findings revealed that the use of screening tools facilitated comprehensive household assessments, helped identify risk factors and symptoms, and facilitated health education and patient referrals. The continuous supply of screening tools and updates on their use was recommended to reduce the rate and burden caused by non-communicable diseases to society at large.

Keywords: ward-based community health care workers; screening tools; utilizing; non-communicable diseases (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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