Water quality has been linked to health outcomes across the world. This study evaluated the physico-chemical and bacteriological quality of drinking water supplied by the municipality from source to the point of use at Thulamela municipality, Limpopo Province, South Africa; assessed the community practices regarding collection and storage of water and determined the human health risks associated with consumption of the water. Assessment of water quality was carried out on 114 samples. Questionnaires were used to determine the community’s practices of water transportation from source to the point-of-use and storage activities. Many of the households reported constant water supply interruptions and the majority (92.2%) do not treat their water before use. While E. coli and total coliform were not detected in the water samples at source (dam), most of the samples from the street taps and at the point of use (household storage containers) were found to be contaminated with high levels of E. coli and total coliform. The levels of E. coli and total coliform detected during the wet season were higher than the levels detected during the dry season. Trace metals’ levels in the drinking water samples were within permissible range of both the South African National Standards and World Health Organisation. The calculated non-carcinogenic effects using hazard quotient toxicity potential and cumulative hazard index of drinking water through ingestion and dermal pathways were less than unity, implying that consumption of the water could pose no significant non-carcinogenic health risk. Intermittent interruption in municipal water supply and certain water transportation and storage practices by community members increase the risk of water contamination. We recommend a more consistent supply of treated municipal water in Limpopo province and training of residents on hygienic practices of transportation and storage of drinking water from the source to the point of use.

Waste generated form healthcare facilities is a potential source of health risks to the public, if it is not properly handled from the point of generation to disposal. This study was conducted to assess the efficiency of healthcare risk waste (HCRW) management in Vhembe District of Limpopo Province, South Africa. Fifteen healthcare facilities were selected in Vhembe District for this study. Data were obtained through in-depth interviews, semi-structured questionnaires, observation and pictures. Qualitative data were thematically analyzed, while the quantitative data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 25. In all the healthcare facilities; mismanagement of HCRW was noted at different points along the management chain. Poor segregation, overfilling of waste bins, inappropriate transportation and storage of waste in substandard storage rooms were observed in the facilities. All the waste from the district are transported to a private-owned treatment facility outside the district, where they are mainly incinerated. Enforcement of healthcare risk waste guidelines, provision of standardized equipment for temporary storage, empowerment of each healthcare facility to treat at least some of the waste, and employment of non-burn techniques for treatment of waste are recommended for more efficient management of healthcare risk waste in Vhembe District.

Many developing countries face various challenges in managing medical waste properly, and most of these challenges lie within the healthcare facilities. This study was conducted to investigate the challenges of effective management of medical waste in Vhembe District from the perspective of healthcare workers. The convergent parallel approach of mixed-method design was adopted. In-depth interviews were conducted with managers, infection prevention and control coordinators and environmental health practitioners of 15 public healthcare facilities in the district to gain insight into the challenges they identify in their respective healthcare facilities. A self-administered questionnaire was employed to obtain data from medical waste generators and handlers. Qualitative data were thematically analysed, and the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 25 was used to analyse the quantitative data. The challenges identified by healthcare workers include poor understanding of medical waste management guidelines and poor compliance; lack of regular training; poor attitudes of medical waste generators; insufficiency of waste management equipment and sub-standard central storage rooms. Most of the challenges were found to be linked to inadequate training of healthcare workers. For effective management of medical waste, efforts should be intensified towards adequate training of healthcare workers and provision of necessary equipment.

Despite the availability of the South African cervical cancer screening guidelines at clinics, women still present in district hospitals of Thulamela Municipality with no cervical cancer screening results. Thus, many cervical cancer screenings done at the hospitals often come back positive for cervical cancer at advanced stages. This study was conducted to investigate the compliance of professional nurses at primary health care facilities (PHCs) in Thulamela Municipality to the South African cervical cancer screening guidelines. The study adopted a qualitative approach. Purposive, non-probability sampling method was used to select PHCs and recruit eligible participants. Sample size was determined by data saturation. A digital recorder was used to log individual responses during interview sessions. Data from the digital recordings were transcribed verbatim. Results were analysed and interpreted in accordance with the consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ) checklist. This study established that clinic professional nurses are non-compliant to the South African cervical cancer screening guidelines owing to several challenges they face, such as inadequate knowledge of the cervical cancer screening guidelines, shortage of resources, shortage of staff and patients’ factors. We recommend a strengthening of the South African cervical cancer screening guideline, in-service trainings and workshops on cervical cancer and cervical cancer screening guideline as well as improvement on patients’ education.

Family involvement in long-term mental health care is a significant therapeutic aspect in managing mentally ill patients. This study aimed to determine the perspectives of family members about caring for mental health care users at selected long-term mental health institutions in Limpopo Province. A qualitative explorative and contextual descriptive design was used. Purposive sampling was used to select family members with mental health care users admitted in long-term health institutions in Limpopo Province. Data were collected with in-depth individual interviews aided by an audio recorder and field notes. Data were qualitatively analysed. Trustworthiness and ethical considerations were ensured. Two themes yielded from the interviews: Perspectives of family members about their involvement in the care of mental health care users and difficulties in caring for mental health care users at home when granted leave of absence or discharged. Sub-themes: Caring for mental health care users leads to an understanding of mental illness; Lack of skill and inability to monitor mental health care users at home; Mental health care users abuse substances during leave of absence which makes family reluctant to request them for visit; Caring for mental health care users at home viewed as a difficult task and stigma from the community. The challenges experienced by family members contribute to poor interaction with mentally ill patients. We recommend that family members of mental health care users be educated about mental illnesses and encouraged to participate in the care of the patients.