Browsing by Subject "qualitative research"

Now showing 1 - 10 of 10
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    A qualitative exploration of healthcare workers' perspectives on and experiences with colorectal cancer screening in the Western and Eastern Cape
    (2025) Payne, Alexandra; Knight, Lucia
    In South Africa (SA), colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence and mortality is growing at an alarming rate. CRC is often diagnosed at an advanced stage in SA with a noted increase in younger diagnoses and poor outcomes. However, CRC screening and specifically faecal immunochemical testing (FIT) is not currently offered in the public healthcare sector in SA. Before implementing any sort of screening test, it is important to address health system related factors that are specific to the South African context to better understand the potential feasibility and acceptability of a screening test. To establish a foundation for the potential implementation of a FIT screening program, this qualitative study aimed to explore primary and secondary healthcare workers' perceptions of CRC screening. Materials and Methods: The PRECEDE portion of the PRECEDE-PROCEED model, which identifies predisposing (intrapersonal), reinforcing (interpersonal) and enabling (structural) constructs within the context of health behaviours, served as the theoretical framework for this study. Eight healthcare providers (n=6 physicians and n=2 nurses) practicing in both the Western and Eastern Cape were purposively sampled to participate in semi-structured qualitative interviews. Interviews were analysed using thematic analysis guided by the model. Results: Perceived barriers to CRC screening were identified as socioeconomic status, work status and personal discomfort with tests (predisposing); geographical challenges and healthcare worker related factors (reinforcing); and pathology lab services, test costs, lack of proper ablutions, and lack of clinical continuity and communication (enabling). Perceived facilitators were identified as health education (predisposing); primary care physicians' training in CRC risk and testing location (reinforcing); and test affordability, communication across different health systems, and test availability at primary care level (enabling). Conclusion: This study identifies context specific perceived barriers and facilitators among primary and secondary healthcare workers to CRC screening in South Africa. If CRC FIT screening were to be implemented in SA, relevant policy makers and stakeholders would need to address these perceived barriers across multiple levels.
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    Accessibility of academic libraries for students living with disabilities in selected South African Universities
    (2025) Du Toit, Sarah; Shongwe, Mzwandile
    Grounded in the social model of disability (Oliver, 1990), this study assessed the accessibility of academic libraries for students living with disabilities (SWDs) in selected South African universities. Academic libraries are central to higher education, yet systemic, physical and technological barriers often hinder access for students with mobility and visual impairments. The study investigated how academic libraries facilitate accessibility and inclusion for these students by evaluating their ability to engage with library services without assistance. The research adopted a qualitative multiple case study design, focusing on two South African universities: the University of Cape Town and the University of the Western Cape. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with eighteen participants, comprising four library staff members and fourteen SWDs, alongside non-participant observation and document analysis. Non-participant observation was conducted in various library spaces to examine the accessibility of building entrances, service desks, computer workstations, signage, shelving arrangements and the availability and use of assistive technologies. The analysed documents included UCT's Disability Policy (2021), Transformation Report (2023), and Disability Policy Council Report (2022), as well as UWC's Policy on Students with Disability (2007) and Library Annual Report (2021). The study was guided by the following key objectives: to examine the accessibility measures currently implemented in academic libraries, evaluate existing policies supporting physically and visually impaired students, identify physical and non-physical barriers to access and assess the role of library staff and assistive technologies in creating inclusive learning environments. Findings revealed that while various accessibility measures and assistive technologies are available, gaps remain in the areas of infrastructure, staff training and institutional policy implementation. Contributing factors included financial constraints, limited awareness and inconsistent institutional commitment. The study recommended the development of formal accessibility policies, dedicated funding for accessibility initiatives, targeted training programmes for library staff and structured feedback mechanisms to strengthen inclusive service delivery. This research contributes to the discourse on disability inclusion in higher education and offers recommendations for improving academic library services for SWDs in South Africa.
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    An investigation of the components that influence the purchase decision of Congolese millennials in the Democratic Republic of Congo informal clothing market
    (2021) Momat, Olga; Pillay, Pragasen; Mbumbwa, T
    Informal markets for fashion are a growing phenomenon around the world and more specifically in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In different cities in the Democratic Republic of Congo, there are tents housing vendors who sell second-hand clothes. These markets are becoming the millennials' shopping hubs as millennials are on a quest for uniqueness, fashion trends and value for money. Limited research regarding the shopping patterns and purchase decisions of Congolese millennials and even less regarding the informal clothing market in the Democratic Republic of Congo is available. This research is aimed at investigating factors influencing millennials in the purchase of second-hand clothes in the informal markets in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The theoretical framework was guided by the theory of planned behaviour from which the researcher constructed an adapted model. The purchase of secondhand clothes is the behaviour that is preceded and influenced by the consumer's intention to purchase. In turn, the intention to buy clothing from informal markets is influenced by various factors. Five factors were added to the model, namely quality, clothing interest, peers' opinions, price consciousness and the need for uniqueness. The model was investigated through a qualitative case study analysis. The data was collected through face-to-face interviews and the thematic analysis was conducted and interpreted manually. The target population argued that second-hand clothes are unique, durable and affordable. These clothes allow them to shop the fashion trends they see on social media from around the world. Thus, it is important to have a valuable understanding of the factors influencing Congolese millennials to buy second-hand clothes. Retailers and marketers in the fashion industry of the Democratic Republic of Congo, particularly those in the informal clothing market, can consider the consumer insights acquired in this research and apply them to increase their advantage in the market place.
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    Before, behind, and beyond bars: motherhood among previously incarcerated women in the Western Cape
    (2025) Briscoe, Rebecca Fullerton; Spedding, Maxine; Malinga, Mandisa
    In South Africa, women are a minority of the prison population, but their numbers have significantly increased since 2000, with many being mothers. Despite this rise, the experiences of incarcerated women are under-researched and misrepresented, limiting the knowledge and understanding of these women's narratives of their incarceration and the situations that landed them there. Using an intersectional feminist framework and semi-structured interviews, this study explored how 18 incarcerated mothers in the Western Cape conceptualise and experience motherhood before, during, and after incarceration. The findings of this paper, focus on women, especially mothers, who have been incarcerated, the circumstances which led them to be imprisoned, their family dynamics and their hopes and expectations for their release. Also highlighting the negative impact of South Africa's unequal socio-economic landscape on mothering practices and the increase in criminal behaviour. By challenging patriarchal ideologies and focusing on the voices of participants, this research aims to inform policy and practice makers on how to better support previously incarcerated mothers by revising or creating new frameworks or policies, which will contribute to opening broader discussions on South African mothers who offend. In-prison programmes should be implemented for incarcerated mothers and their families to assist them with supporting one another by focusing on family involvement and support. These programmes should aim to help families cope with having a loved one incarcerated but also to assist in how best to reintegrate the imprisoned woman back into society and back into the family dynamic.
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    Bridging the education gap: an exploratory study of education in low-income rural and informal settlements in Namibia
    (2025) Haingura, Pascalius; Hamann, Ralph
    This qualitative study explores educational challenges and opportunities in low-income communities in northern Namibia and informal settlements in central Namibia. Recognising education as a key driver of national development, the research identifies significant misalignments between the educational expectations of these communities and the priorities set by the Namibian government, highlighting systemic challenges that hinder inclusive education for marginalised populations. The study is framed using the Heneveld and Craig (1995) Framework as further highlighted, tailored for sub-Saharan Africa. This framework evaluates how national education policies translate into school practices, emphasizing the importance of socio-economic and cultural factors. The research employs an exploratory qualitative design, utilizing purposive and convenience sampling to capture the experiences of teachers, education officials, parents, and community members through interviews, focus groups, policy document reviews, and field observations. Findings reveal a disconnect between government policies and community expectations, with communities dissatisfied by top-down approaches to education reform. Socio-economic challenges, local traditions, and cultural factors shape community expectations but are often overlooked in policy design and implementation. Bureaucratic inefficiencies were also cited as barriers to effective policy execution, and resource gaps, particularly inadequate teacher training and underfunded school infrastructure, further aggravated these challenges. The study advocates for community-centric education models that incorporate local traditions and practical knowledge into curricula, fostering relevance and inclusivity. Strengthening collaboration among the Ministry of Education, schools, and communities is crucial for more effective education reforms. Additionally, the research highlights the need for capacity-building initiatives to enhance teachers' cultural competence and teaching skills. Contributing to the academic discourse on education in sub-Saharan Africa, this study emphasises the need for context-specific interventions that align educational policies with socio-economic realities, cultural identities, and community aspirations. Future research is encouraged to explore the role of local traditions, bureaucratic impacts, and private school models in improving education quality and equity.
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    Ethical issues relating to qualitative research
    (AOSIS Publishing, 2005) Jelsma, J.M.; Clow, S.E.
    Qualitative research or naturalistic research has moved from the sidelines into the mainstream of health research and an increasing number of qualitative research proposals are being presented for ethical review. Qualitative research presents ethical problems that which are unique to the intensive hands-on paradigm which characterises naturalistic research. This paper briefly outlines the most common methodologies used in this research. The four ethical principles of benevolence, non-maleficence, autonomy and justice will be used as a framework to explore specific ethical issues related to this form of inquiry. The need for scientific rigour will also be explored as research that is scientifically unsound can never be ethical.
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    Exploring the perceived impact of a leadership training module on clinical family medicine practice: a qualitative study
    (2025) Dladla, Samantha; Ras, Tasleem; Von Pressentin, Klaus
    Background: Family physicians are the senior clinicians responsible for clinical governance in the District Health System. Their training programmes must prepare them for the leadership roles they are expected to fulfil. At the University of Cape Town, family medicine registrars enrolled in a four-year Masters of Medicine (MMed) degree complete a four-month Leadership and Governance module during their third year of study. This module consists of seminars, a leadership profile, and critical reflection sessions. While the immediate feedback is useful, the relevance of this module to the actual work of these family physicians is not known. This study aimed to understand how the postgraduate L&G module at UCT helped prepare qualified family physicians working in the Western Cape Province public sector for their leadership role. Methods: Ten graduates were purposively sampled for online semi-structured interviews, which were recorded, transcribed, and analysed using the framework method. Data were analysed deductively and assigned to the relevant theme. Where coded data did not fit into these themes, a new theme was generated if the data was sufficiently cohesive. Results: The following themes were identified : key leadership qualities and fit for purpose training. Two additional themes were generated: early experiences of the FP as clinical leaders and Resources used by FPs. Conclusion: This qualitative study explored recently qualified family physician consultants perceptions on their leadership training. Four key themes emerged that describe their leadership journeys, highlighting aspects of the current training that could be strengthened. Future research should explore workplace-based leadership training models, the impact of leadership role-modelling, and provide ongoing evaluation of fit for purpose training programmes.
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    Stakeholder understandings of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in Sub-Saharan Africa: a qualitative systematic review
    (2019) Deignan, Caroline; Swartz, Alison; Cooper, Sara
    Cervical cancer rates in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are amongst the highest in the world. The World Health Organization currently estimates that worldwide, cervical cancer will kill more than 443,000 women per year by 2030, of which 90% of deaths are predicted to occur in SSA. The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine provides primary protection against the most common cancer-causing strains of HPV that are responsible for cervical cancer. Over the last five years, there has been a slow increase in the number of African countries that have introduced the HPV vaccine via demonstration and pilot projects, and a minority of African countries that have incorporated the HPV vaccine into their National Immunisation Programmes. As part of this systematic review, a literature review was conducted and revealed that research has been conducted on top-down barriers and facilitators to HPV vaccine uptake and have found that poor health system capabilities, inaccessibility to medical care, low cervical cancer screening levels, inadequate infrastructure, finances, and health worker training are significant systemic barriers to HPV vaccination success in SSA. Little research has been conducted on demand-side or end-user perspectives of, and decisions around, the HPV vaccine. In order to complement existing research, and inform current and future implementation approaches, this qualitative systematic review explored stakeholder understandings of the HPV vaccine in SSA. This review searched the following databases: Embase (via Scopus), Scopus, MEDLINE (via PubMed), PubMed, EBSCOhost, Academic Search Premier, Africa-Wide Information, CINAHL, PsycARTICLES, PsycINFO, SocINDEX, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Controlled Register of Trials (CENTRAL) and found a total of 259 articles. Of these, 31 articles met the inclusion and exclusion criteria and were included in the review. Braun and Clarke’s six step process for conducting a thematic analysis was used for analysis and studies were assessed for quality using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) checklist. Three major themes emerged from the thematic analysis: knowledge is intertwined with misinformation; fear shapes contradictory perceptions about the HPV vaccine; and social norms and gender dynamics are relevant factors in how stakeholders understand the HPV vaccine in SSA. This review iterates the importance of first working with communities to gauge understandings of the HPV vaccine, before trying to implement change through education, sensitization and behavior change.
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    Treatment Failure and Adherence in Second- Line Patients
    (2012-10) Barnett, Whitney
    Results from an interview and photo-based research study looking at barriers and facilitators to adherence for second-line patients.
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    Why patients struggle with anti-retroviral treatment
    (2012-10) UCT Knowledge Co-op
    This is a Public Health project. The recent increase of anti-retroviral treatment (ART) in public clinics in South Africa means that many more people have access to treatment. If patients become resistant to the standard ART package they are put on an alternative second-line ART; if that fails, there is no further public treatment option to control the HI virus. Yet, literature addressing facilitators and barriers to treatment adherence faced by patients on second-line ART is scarce.