Adapting Nursing Interventions to Africa: Challenges and Opportunities

Mulaudzi, Fhumulani Mavis

Adapting nursing interventions to Africa: Challenges and opportunities

The World health Organization (WHO) stated that many low and middle income countries in Africa are now facing a double burden of diseases. Countries are currently dealing with infections and they are at the same time faced with a global challenge of non communicable diseases (NCDs). The movement of people from rural to urban areas is often accompanied by lifestyle changes such as sedentary life style, malnutrition, alcohol abuse and smoking habits that lead to increased risks to the development of NCDs. The WHO strategic directions for strengthening nursing and midwifery 2011-2015 emphasised the vital role that nurses can play in reducing the global burden of NCDs. Nurses form the bulk of the health workforce in developing countries. The majority of nurse scientists are involved in research and some have developed evidence best practices that can be used by health care professionals. However it has become clear that some of the methods designed in developed countries may not be appropriate and relevant in Africa where collectivism and people involvement are at the core of introducing new programmes.

A desk top review was conducted using research and technical reports, Journal articles, online databases and the Internet. Available literature were analysed to identify preventive and promotive methods that can be local relevant and user friendly for clients and nurses in Africa. The findings showed different challenges and opportunities and innovative, local relevant methods that can be used to tackle NCDs. It was clear that the methods used must be cultural safe and people-centered to ensure sustainability.

Ubuntic inclusion approach which emphasise people-centeredness and collectivism will be shared with participants. Support of nurses in education, trans-disciplinary research and Multiple intervention methods which are derived from the bottom-up approach based on meta-leadership will also be recommended.