When researchers accompanied radiography students during their work integrated learning, it was observed that there is non-compliance with regards the use of personal radiation monitoring devices by ...radiographers in the Radiology Departments at Provincial hospitals in the Tshwane district area. The aim of this research study was to identify the level of compliance with the use of radiation monitoring devices by radiographers. A quantitative descriptive study method was used, and the data collection tool was questionnaires that were hand delivered to all settings. The sample size of radiographers was 96, and consent was received from 61 participants. The data was collated in a Microsoft Excel® spreadsheet, and the variables were statistically analyzed for frequencies and percentages. The Fisher's exact test was used for association to answer the level of compliance and management of the radiation monitoring device. Results showed compliance of radiographers in the wearing of radiation monitoring devices but inconsistency as to where the radiation monitoring device should be worn. A lack of awareness about policies from the Radiation Board was also noted.
BackgroundBreast cancer is a great health concern globally. According to the cancer registry of South Africa, it is the leading cause of death amongst females. The World Health Organisation (WHO) ...focuses on early detection of breast cancer to decrease the mortality rate and to improve the prognosis.Breast self-examination (BSE) is recommended by the WHO as one of the screening methods for early detection of breast cancer. However, it has been found that BSE is still neglected by women all over the world including those who are assumed to have adequate knowledge of BSE and breast cancer screening tests. In some cultures, women are not encouraged to do BSE while some individuals cannot access mammograms or breast ultrasound on a regular basis. In higher education institutions in South Africa the staff complement is culturally diverse due to implementation of transformation within the Higher education sector. It is therefore important to investigate the healthcare educators’ awareness, attitudes, and practises of breast health. Healthcare educators are role models to their students and therefore should set an example in their practising of breast health.AimThis research aims to describe and explain the awareness, attitude and practises of healthcare educators related to breast health at a selected University in South Africa.MethodsAn explanatory sequential mixed methods research design was used to describe and explain the awareness, attitudes, and practises of breast health among health care educators. For the quantitative aspect of the study participants completed an online questionnaire about breast health and after analysing the results, the qualitative aspect of the study followed with one on one semistructured interviews that were conducted by the researcher.ResultsQuantitative aspect: The results obtained from the quantitative aspect of the study indicated that many participants practice BSE and gained their knowledge of BSE from medical practitioners. The most noteworthy reason for delaying issues regarding breast health was lack of time. Participants who were married or in a relationship had higher awareness scores. Family history of breast and of any other type of cancer had a significant association with participants’ attitude toward breast health. Some of the results from the quantitative aspect of the study were further elaborated on in the qualitative aspect of the study.Qualitative aspect:From the qualitative section of this study, it became evident that although participants indicated that breast health is important to them, they do not prioritise performing any of the screening tests available to them. The participants indicated that they do not have a proper or dedicated platform to speak to students about breast health, as it is usually not relevant to the subject that they are teaching.ConclusionDespite the positive attitude and awareness of breast health among healthcare educators, the practises of breast health are somewhat alarming. The main contributors to this being participants’ unwillingness to prioritise breast health, healthcare educators’ reluctance to discuss the importance of breast health with students and participants’ personal beliefs of breast health, which leads them to be shy, fearful and embarrassed to practice breast health.
Background;
Breast cancer is a great health concern globally. According to the cancer registry of South Africa, it is the leading cause of death amongst females. The World Health Organisation (WHO) ...focuses on early detection of breast cancer to decrease the mortality rate and to improve the prognosis. ;
;
Breast self-examination (BSE) is recommended by the WHO as one of the screening methods for early detection of breast cancer. However, it has been found that BSE is still neglected by women all over the world including those who are assumed to have adequate knowledge of BSE and breast cancer screening tests. In some cultures, women are not encouraged to do BSE while some individuals cannot access mammograms or breast ultrasound on a regular basis. In higher education institutions in South Africa the staff complement is culturally diverse due to implementation of transformation within the Higher education sector. It is therefore important to investigate the healthcare educators’ awareness, attitudes, and practises of breast health. Healthcare educators are role models to their students and therefore should set an example in their practising of breast health.;
;
Aim;
This research aims to describe and explain the awareness, attitude and practises of healthcare educators related to breast health at a selected University in South Africa. ;
;
Methods;
An explanatory sequential mixed methods research design was used to describe and explain the awareness, attitudes, and practises of breast health among health care educators. For the quantitative aspect of the study participants completed an online questionnaire about breast health and after analysing the results, the qualitative aspect of the study followed with one on one semi-structured interviews that were conducted by the researcher.;
Results;
Quantitative aspect: ;
The results obtained from the quantitative aspect of the study indicated that many participants practice BSE and gained their knowledge of BSE from medical practitioners. The most noteworthy reason for delaying issues regarding breast health was lack of time. Participants who were married or in a relationship had higher awareness scores. Family history of breast and of any other type of cancer had a significant association with participants’ attitude toward breast health. Some of the results from the quantitative aspect of the study were further elaborated on in the qualitative aspect of the study.;
;
Qualitative aspect:;
From the qualitative section of this study, it became evident that although participants indicated that breast health is important to them, they do not prioritise performing any of the screening tests available to them. The participants indicated that they do not have a proper or dedicated platform to speak to students about breast health, as it is usually not relevant to the subject that they are teaching. ;
;
Conclusion;
Despite the positive attitude and awareness of breast health among healthcare educators, the practises of breast health are somewhat alarming. The main contributors to this being participants’ unwillingness to prioritise breast health, healthcare educators’ reluctance to discuss the importance of breast health with students and participants’ personal beliefs of breast health, which leads them to be shy, fearful and embarrassed to practice breast health.;
;
Keywords: Breast cancer, breast health practises, awareness, healthcare educators, attitudes
Dissertation (MRad) -- University of Pretoria, 2020.
Radiography
MRad (Diagnostic)
Unrestricted
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