Abstract
M.Cur.
This dissertation studies the cause of the high incidence of low birth-mass and how it can
be prevented at this specific hospital in Pretoria.
A qualitative exploratory and descriptive design was used and a case study used in the
context of the specific hospital. The population consisted of mothers of low birth-mass
babies and a sample of only 10 mothers was selected.
Data was gathered by means of semi-scheduled interviews which were conducted in the
language of the subject. There were, however, no opposition from other subjects to be
interviewed in English since they understood English. A pilot study was done on only
one subject and no major changes were made in the actual study.
Permission was obtained from the subjects and they were informed of the objectives of
the study, which were:
* to detect the reason for low birth-mass babies
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to prevent the causes
to assess the health needs of the patient
to be able to improve the health needs by doing strategic planning.
The subjects were told that they had the right to refrain from participating - most of
them, however, did participate.