Challenges Experienced By Primary Health Care Nurses Rendering 24 Hours Service at Designated Clinics in Musina Local Area, Limpopo Province

Abstract

Background: The South African health care system has been making endless efforts to ensure effective and efficient health care service delivery irrespective of the various challenges experienced by Primary Health Care nurses that set some drawbacks. The introduction of a 24-hour service at designated clinics was recommended as an approach that could improve service delivery at Primary health settings however, the approach is faced with challenges from Primary Health Care nurses rendering such services. Objective: The objective was To explore and describe the challenges faced by Primary Health Care nurses when rendering 24-hours service at designated clinics in Musina local area. Methods: A qualitative, explorative-descriptive research methodology approach was used to collect data. The study used a non-probability purposive sampling method to select 10 Primary Health Care nurses to participate in the study. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analysis was done using Tesch’s open coding method to develop themes and sub-themes. Measures to ensure the trustworthiness OF the study were all followed throughout the study. Results: The study results indicated that there is a shortage of resources, inadequate compliance to occupational health and safety measures which affect the rendering of 24-hour services at clinics Conclusion: The study recommends the provision of adequate resources both human and material, provision of adequate security, and improvement in the clinic infrastructure to enable Primary Health Care nurses to work effectively. The study is of importance to the nursing profession as the findings and recommendations will help primary health care nurses in improving service delivery at clinics.