Department of Nursing Science

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Browsing Department of Nursing Science by Subject "Attitudes"

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    Knowledge, attitudes and practice of patients diagnosed with diabetes regarding diabetic self-care management in intermediate Rundu hospital, Kavango east region
    (University of Namibia, 2022) Sakeus, Jacobina
    Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs either when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. The majority of people with diabetes have type 2 diabetes. The study aimed to assess the level of knowledge, attitudes and practice of self-care management among patients diagnosed with diabetes at Rundu Intermediate Hospital. A quantitative, cross-sectional and analytic study was conducted among patients diagnosed with diabetes. Self-reporting questionnaires were used to collect data from 198 participants diagnosed with diabetes mellitus at Rundu Intermediate hospital. The data were analysed using SPSS version 25. Chi-squared test was used to analyse the possible associations among variables. The study findings indicated that the majority of respondents were female 125 (63%) and belonged to the age group of 60 and above 76 (38.4%). Most, 91 (47%), of the patients were uneducated, 115 (58.5%) on oral medications. 79 (39.9%), were on insulin and only 4 (2%) were on both oral medication and insulin. Almost half, 97 (49%) of patients had adequate knowledge regarding self-care management mainly on domains such as meal plan 184 (92.9%), medication-taking 195 (98.5%), and physical exercise 112 (56.6%). However, 154 (77.8%) had inadequate knowledge of diabetic foot care. The study revealed average attitudes 113 (57.4%) toward self-care management. Poor practice was observed in glucose monitoring 111 (59%). The study found a highly significant association knowledge among participants with university and secondary education levels. Finally, he study found a significant association between age, education level and employment status with the practice of self-care management of diabetes p-<0.05. Awareness creation to the community through health education should be emphasised on lifestyle changes, physical exercise, and foot care, cessation of smoking and healthy dietary habits.
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    Knowledge, attitudes and practices of patients regarding coronary artery disease at the cardiac clinics in Windhoek, Namibia
    (University of Namibia, 2018) De Klerk, Justa F.
    Phenomena such as urbanisation and individual traits such as health literacy, affect people’s exposure and vulnerability to coronary artery disease risk factors. Namibia, as a developing country, is no exception. Although studies have indicated significant effects of predictor variables such as knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) on coronary artery diseases, none has been reported in the Namibian context. The purpose of this study was to determine and describe the knowledge, attitudes and practices of patients regarding coronary artery disease at the cardiac clinics in Windhoek, Namibia. This study employed a quantitative approach to assess knowledge, attitudes and practices towards coronary artery disease. Using probability sampling, the study selected 306 respondents, who then completed a self-administered questionnaire. Data collection was done between February and August 2017. From the results, it emerged that the respondents’ mean age was 57 with a standard deviation of 12.5. The majority of the respondents were males, with most of them having completed tertiary and secondary education. Many of them also reported on co-morbidities and results revealed a high prevalence of hypertension, elevated cholesterol levels and diabetes. Regarding knowledge, as an underlying construct and test bed, respondents were tested on the most common signs and symptoms of myocardial infarction. Results revealed that respondents had limited knowledge about coronary artery disease (CAD), but were able to recognise the related symptoms. Practices did not always correlate with knowledge, as the majority of the respondents were aware of the adverse effects of smoking and alcohol consumption, but still indicated to have been smoking and consuming alcohol. The respondents appeared to have positive attitudes regarding self-image. This was based on their self-rating on being overweight or not and the objective Body Mass Index (BMI) obtained from each respondent. The subjective self-rating did not correlate with the objective data obtained during data assessment of BMI. Many were overweight, but regarded themselves as having normal weight. The study concluded that respondents had limited knowledge on some aspects of CAD and that their practices do not reflect their knowledge levels. Their practices also appeared to be in contradiction with their attitudes. Recommendations were made to the Ministry of Health and Social Services, private hospitals, in-service education departments and training institutions for post-graduate students regarding health education and preventative measures.
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    Tobacco smoking among University of Namibia students: Behaviors, reasons, attitudes, awareness and knowledge of associated health risks
    (2013) Amakali, Kristofina; Haoses-Gorases, Lischen; Taukuheke, Letha
    The purpose of the study was to establish tobacco smoking as a behavior, and to recommend measures to protect and discourage tobacco smoking among students at the University of Namibia. A cross sectional study was conducted among students at the University of Namibia, to assess the determinants of tobacco smoking and smoking as a behavior. Two mixed methods, namely, quantitative and qualitative design were used for gathering the data for this survey. A probability sampling method was used and a sample of 996 out of about 10,000 students registered at the University of Namibia for the academic year 2002 were selected. Demographical data, reasons, attitudes towards and the knowledge of health risk from tobacco smoking as the determinants of tobacco smoking (independent variables) and smoking of tobacco as a function thereof (dependent variable) were analyzed. The results indicated that 169 of the participants, which translates to 17% of the then student population at the University of Namibia aged 15-35 years smoked different types of tobacco such as cigarettes, cigar and, even the dagga. The results demonstrated a significant relationship between demographical data of gender and age and smoking. Male students smoked more than female students (OR 4:1). Furthermore, the results indicated that male and female students of age 15 -19 smoked tobacco the most (32% of 12% respectively). The need to cope with the life experiences and subjective norms to peer pressure were some of the reasons for tobacco smoking among the students. In conclusion, the findings demonstrated a significant trend of tobacco smoking among the students at the University of Namibia. In that regards, a declaration of all university campuses as tobacco -free environment to protect students from being exposed to the cues to tobacco smoking and complemented with teaching health risks from tobacco smoking and the skills that are necessary to protect the students from being lured into the use of tobacco were recommendable.