Environmental health work methods and procedures for the surveillance and control of cholera in the KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa
- Authors: Bigara, Ana Doherty
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Avian influenza -- Eastern Cape -- South Africa -- Prevention , Environmental health -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9836 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1016073
- Description: The aim of this study was to develop a standardised set of Environmental-Health work methods and procedures, with the purpose of contributing to the effective surveillance and control of Cholera in the KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa. The researcher followed a qualitative research design, which was explorative, descriptive, inductive and deductive by nature. The methods of data collection were documentary research and focus-group interviews. A documentary research approach was employed as the primary method of data collection for the study. The researcher has used semi-structured questions to obtain relevant information from the participants in the focus groups. The purpose of using semi-structured questions in the focus groups was to draw on their knowledge and experience of communicable disease surveillance and control in relation to Cholera, as well as to ascertain their views on the role of the Environmental-Health Practitioners in the Communicable - Disease Outbreak- Response Teams at the three different spheres of government. The process of qualitative data analysis was followed. This was based on data reduction and interpretation; and it was conducted as an activity simultaneously with data collection, data interpretation (coding) and narrative writing. The information obtained from the analysed data assisted in the development of the environmentalhealth work methods and procedures for the surveillance and control of Cholera in the KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa. In this study, firstly, the epidemiology of Cholera was described and analysed against the background of its manifestation in South Africa. Secondly, the national health care system, with specific reference to the place and role of environmental health practitioners at national, provincial and municipal spheres – in relation to Cholera surveillance and control – was analysed. Thirdly, the relevant research that has been done globally has been analysed against the background of the findings of the above, together with work methods and procedures to be used by environmental-health practitioners during the surveillance and control of Cholera in the KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. These include, inter alia: Work methods and procedures for Cholera case investigation; Work methods and procedures for sanitary investigations; and Work methods and procedures for identifying the sources of contamination in environmental waters. Finally, the conclusion and limitations was presented, and appropriate recommendations were made. These include: he need to educate all role - players, on the recent developments in the identification of Vibrio cholerae from environmental surface waters; Communication systems should be developed that allow the Director: Environmental Health to communicate urgent environmental health information directly to the Minister of Health; he training of environmental-health practitioners on detailed work methods and procedures for the surveillance and control of Cholera; and the existing national Cholera control guidelines need to be updated to include relevant environmental health situations when emergencies arise.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Bigara, Ana Doherty
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Avian influenza -- Eastern Cape -- South Africa -- Prevention , Environmental health -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9836 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1016073
- Description: The aim of this study was to develop a standardised set of Environmental-Health work methods and procedures, with the purpose of contributing to the effective surveillance and control of Cholera in the KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa. The researcher followed a qualitative research design, which was explorative, descriptive, inductive and deductive by nature. The methods of data collection were documentary research and focus-group interviews. A documentary research approach was employed as the primary method of data collection for the study. The researcher has used semi-structured questions to obtain relevant information from the participants in the focus groups. The purpose of using semi-structured questions in the focus groups was to draw on their knowledge and experience of communicable disease surveillance and control in relation to Cholera, as well as to ascertain their views on the role of the Environmental-Health Practitioners in the Communicable - Disease Outbreak- Response Teams at the three different spheres of government. The process of qualitative data analysis was followed. This was based on data reduction and interpretation; and it was conducted as an activity simultaneously with data collection, data interpretation (coding) and narrative writing. The information obtained from the analysed data assisted in the development of the environmentalhealth work methods and procedures for the surveillance and control of Cholera in the KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa. In this study, firstly, the epidemiology of Cholera was described and analysed against the background of its manifestation in South Africa. Secondly, the national health care system, with specific reference to the place and role of environmental health practitioners at national, provincial and municipal spheres – in relation to Cholera surveillance and control – was analysed. Thirdly, the relevant research that has been done globally has been analysed against the background of the findings of the above, together with work methods and procedures to be used by environmental-health practitioners during the surveillance and control of Cholera in the KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. These include, inter alia: Work methods and procedures for Cholera case investigation; Work methods and procedures for sanitary investigations; and Work methods and procedures for identifying the sources of contamination in environmental waters. Finally, the conclusion and limitations was presented, and appropriate recommendations were made. These include: he need to educate all role - players, on the recent developments in the identification of Vibrio cholerae from environmental surface waters; Communication systems should be developed that allow the Director: Environmental Health to communicate urgent environmental health information directly to the Minister of Health; he training of environmental-health practitioners on detailed work methods and procedures for the surveillance and control of Cholera; and the existing national Cholera control guidelines need to be updated to include relevant environmental health situations when emergencies arise.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Environmental health work methods and procedures for the surveillance and control of avian influenza in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Elie, Sammy Abraham
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Avian influenza -- Eastern Cape -- South Africa -- Prevention , Environmental health -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9834 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/947 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1009648 , Avian influenza -- Eastern Cape -- South Africa -- Prevention , Environmental health -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Avian influenza is an infectious disease of birds caused by the Type A strain of the influenza virus. The disease, which was first identified in Italy more than 100 years ago, occurs worldwide (World Health Organization, 2006a). The current outbreak of the highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1), which began in Southeast Asia in mid-2003, is the largest and most severe on record. Never before in the recorded history of this disease have so many countries been simultaneously affected. Since the last pandemic in 1968-1969, the risk of an influenza pandemic has not been considered greater than at the present time. The importance of intervention strategies had become increasingly evident throughout the world. The World Health Organization provides a generic outline for preparedness plans to assist countries in their preparations to respond to a possible avian influenza pandemic. These guidelines may be modified as the epidemiology of avian influenza evolves. The South African National Department of Health has developed national guidelines in the form of an avian influenza preparedness plan. These draft guidelines do not provide detailed Environmental Health work methods and - procedures for the effective surveillance and control of the disease. The general purpose of this study is to develop a standardised set of Environmental Health work methods and - procedures, which will contribute to the effective surveillance and control of avian influenza in the Eastern Cape province – South Africa. Within the context of the purpose of this study, a qualitative, explorative, descriptive, inductive and deductive research design will be used. The methods of data collection will be documentary research, telephonic as well as in-depth personal interviews. In this study, documentary research will be the primary method of data collection. With a qualitative approach, the researcher will be the human instrument for data analysis. The process of qualitative data analysis will be based on data reduction and interpretation; and will be conducted as an activity simultaneously with data collection, data interpretation and narrative reporting writing.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Elie, Sammy Abraham
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Avian influenza -- Eastern Cape -- South Africa -- Prevention , Environmental health -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9834 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/947 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1009648 , Avian influenza -- Eastern Cape -- South Africa -- Prevention , Environmental health -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Avian influenza is an infectious disease of birds caused by the Type A strain of the influenza virus. The disease, which was first identified in Italy more than 100 years ago, occurs worldwide (World Health Organization, 2006a). The current outbreak of the highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1), which began in Southeast Asia in mid-2003, is the largest and most severe on record. Never before in the recorded history of this disease have so many countries been simultaneously affected. Since the last pandemic in 1968-1969, the risk of an influenza pandemic has not been considered greater than at the present time. The importance of intervention strategies had become increasingly evident throughout the world. The World Health Organization provides a generic outline for preparedness plans to assist countries in their preparations to respond to a possible avian influenza pandemic. These guidelines may be modified as the epidemiology of avian influenza evolves. The South African National Department of Health has developed national guidelines in the form of an avian influenza preparedness plan. These draft guidelines do not provide detailed Environmental Health work methods and - procedures for the effective surveillance and control of the disease. The general purpose of this study is to develop a standardised set of Environmental Health work methods and - procedures, which will contribute to the effective surveillance and control of avian influenza in the Eastern Cape province – South Africa. Within the context of the purpose of this study, a qualitative, explorative, descriptive, inductive and deductive research design will be used. The methods of data collection will be documentary research, telephonic as well as in-depth personal interviews. In this study, documentary research will be the primary method of data collection. With a qualitative approach, the researcher will be the human instrument for data analysis. The process of qualitative data analysis will be based on data reduction and interpretation; and will be conducted as an activity simultaneously with data collection, data interpretation and narrative reporting writing.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
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