Communicable disease surveillance by environmental health practitioners : Ekurhuleni mMetropolitan Municipality
- Authors: Lebelo, Kgomotso
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Communicable diseases - Transmission - South Africa - Ekurhuleni - Prevention , Sanitarians - South Africa - Ekurhuleni
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/268506 , uj:28503
- Description: M.Tech. (Environmental Health) , Abstract: Communicable diseases are a long-standing global concern. This study described Environmental Health practices relating to communicable disease surveillance in the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM). This research is driven by the need for Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) to comply with the regulations defining the scope of practice for Environmental Health. Section 5 outlines the role of EHPs in the surveillance of communicable diseases. The extent to which EHPs investigate the existence of communicable disease and the actual practices these EHPs follow, is a fundamental question in public health. Therefore, the specific objective of this study is to assess the knowledge, evaluate the practices, determine the EHPs’ perceptions and finally, recommend standard operating procedures (SOPs) for communicable disease surveillance (CDS). This study is descriptive in nature and encompasses quantitative methods. The total population includes 95 EHPs, consisting of senior EHPs and Environmental Health Managers. Data was collected through a structured self-administered questionnaire which was hand delivered to the interested participants. Based on the results, there are no standard operating procedures regarding the surveillance of communicable diseases, which could possibly lead to inconsistent practices within the EMM. The level of knowledge contributed to EHPs perception of communicable disease surveillance and their performance of this function. Based on the results, there is a likelihood that provisions of the regulations are not optimally adhered to. These results may facilitate the establishment of a comprehensive approach in addressing CDS. This approach should guide policy formulation by the national government and aid in CDS through training and establishment of SOPs.
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- Authors: Lebelo, Kgomotso
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Communicable diseases - Transmission - South Africa - Ekurhuleni - Prevention , Sanitarians - South Africa - Ekurhuleni
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/268506 , uj:28503
- Description: M.Tech. (Environmental Health) , Abstract: Communicable diseases are a long-standing global concern. This study described Environmental Health practices relating to communicable disease surveillance in the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM). This research is driven by the need for Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) to comply with the regulations defining the scope of practice for Environmental Health. Section 5 outlines the role of EHPs in the surveillance of communicable diseases. The extent to which EHPs investigate the existence of communicable disease and the actual practices these EHPs follow, is a fundamental question in public health. Therefore, the specific objective of this study is to assess the knowledge, evaluate the practices, determine the EHPs’ perceptions and finally, recommend standard operating procedures (SOPs) for communicable disease surveillance (CDS). This study is descriptive in nature and encompasses quantitative methods. The total population includes 95 EHPs, consisting of senior EHPs and Environmental Health Managers. Data was collected through a structured self-administered questionnaire which was hand delivered to the interested participants. Based on the results, there are no standard operating procedures regarding the surveillance of communicable diseases, which could possibly lead to inconsistent practices within the EMM. The level of knowledge contributed to EHPs perception of communicable disease surveillance and their performance of this function. Based on the results, there is a likelihood that provisions of the regulations are not optimally adhered to. These results may facilitate the establishment of a comprehensive approach in addressing CDS. This approach should guide policy formulation by the national government and aid in CDS through training and establishment of SOPs.
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Perceptions and practices of environmental health practitioners conducting outbreak investigations of foodborne diseases in Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality
- Authors: Mbonane, Thokozani Patrick
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Foodborne diseases - South Africa - Ekurhuleni , Sanitarians - South Africa - Ekurhuleni
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/90696 , uj:20011
- Description: Abstract: Food-borne disease outbreaks, especially food poisoning, are known to be common occurrences that are not reported timeously (or not at all) and consequently are not investigated, controlled and prevented. Environmental health practitioners (EHPs) are responsible for conducting an environmental health investigation when a food-borne disease outbreak has occurred or a case of food-borne disease is reported, to ensure that findings of epidemiological and laboratory investigations are supported as most of the food-borne disease occurrences are due to environmental factors. This motivated the researcher to conduct a quantitative, descriptive study to determine the current practices and perceptions of EHPs when conducting outbreak investigations of food-borne disease. The target population comprised registered EHPs working at Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality. A simple random sampling technique was used to select the participants and data was collected using a structured questionnaire. The data was captured using the Statistical Package Social Science (SPSS) software programme, then converted and analysed using Microsoft Excel. The tools for data collection were piloted prior to commencing the study and errors in methods and procedures were identified and corrected. Ethical considerations were adhered to at all the stages of the study. The results indicated that there were gaps and challenges in knowledge and practice; however the attitude of EHPs was positive with regard to their role in outbreak investigations. The study recommended improvements that could be implemented in the current practices. , M. Tech. (Environmental Health)
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- Authors: Mbonane, Thokozani Patrick
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Foodborne diseases - South Africa - Ekurhuleni , Sanitarians - South Africa - Ekurhuleni
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/90696 , uj:20011
- Description: Abstract: Food-borne disease outbreaks, especially food poisoning, are known to be common occurrences that are not reported timeously (or not at all) and consequently are not investigated, controlled and prevented. Environmental health practitioners (EHPs) are responsible for conducting an environmental health investigation when a food-borne disease outbreak has occurred or a case of food-borne disease is reported, to ensure that findings of epidemiological and laboratory investigations are supported as most of the food-borne disease occurrences are due to environmental factors. This motivated the researcher to conduct a quantitative, descriptive study to determine the current practices and perceptions of EHPs when conducting outbreak investigations of food-borne disease. The target population comprised registered EHPs working at Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality. A simple random sampling technique was used to select the participants and data was collected using a structured questionnaire. The data was captured using the Statistical Package Social Science (SPSS) software programme, then converted and analysed using Microsoft Excel. The tools for data collection were piloted prior to commencing the study and errors in methods and procedures were identified and corrected. Ethical considerations were adhered to at all the stages of the study. The results indicated that there were gaps and challenges in knowledge and practice; however the attitude of EHPs was positive with regard to their role in outbreak investigations. The study recommended improvements that could be implemented in the current practices. , M. Tech. (Environmental Health)
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