This article presents WhatsApp as a means of data collection among vulnerable populations, reporting on a study conducted in South Africa and Zimbabwe, to determine the terminology used for and among different genders and sexually diverse individuals. 19 LGBTIQ+ individuals, recruited through a modified snowballing technique, participated in the study. Using WhatsApp text-based information, the interview questions and information regarding the study and ethics-related information were forwarded from one participant to another. The same approach was used for data-collection purposes, where responses (either voice notes or written texts) were forwarded until they reached the initial two participants and/or the principal investigator. Data were analysed using Collazi’s steps for data analysis. As the study focus was on the data collection technique, the paper highlights the ethical implications related to using WhatsApp as a data collecting tool. The study also indicates the advantages and disadvantages of using this platform and further emphasises that voice note WhatsApp messages yielded higher-quality and more in-depth responses than text messages. The limitations of using WhatsApp, and ways of enhancing its use as a means of data collection among vulnerable populations, are also addressed.

The South African health care system was hard hit by the second wave of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), which affected nurse managers as healthcare facilities became overwhelmed due to an increased workload emanating from the overflow of admissions. Therefore, this study sought to explore and describe the nurse managers’ experiences during COVID-19 in order to identify gaps and lessons learnt. A descriptive phenomenological research approach was used to explore the experiences of ten nurse managers who were purposively selected from different units of a selected district hospital. Data was collected through telephonic unstructured individual interviews and analysed using Colaizzi’s seven steps method. The study revealed that nurse managers experienced human resource related challenges during COVID-19, worsened by the fact that vacant posts were frozen. It also emerged that there was a shortage of material resources that affected patient care. Nurse managers also indicated that COVID-19 brought a lot of administrative duties plus an additional duty of patient care. Also, nurse managers who had previously contracted COVID-19 experienced stigma and discrimination. The government needs to address resource related challenges in rural public hospitals and provide continuous support to nurse managers, particularly during a pandemic like COVID-19.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and plus (LGBTQI+) people are still discriminated against in South Africa, irrespective of their protection by the constitution of South Africa. The study explores the experiences of LGBTQI+ people when accessing HIV management services at public primary healthcare (PHC) facilities in Gauteng Province. Interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) was used. Data were collected through in-depth face-to-face interviews with six individuals who self-identified as LGBTQI+. The interviews were audio recorded with the permission of the participants. The data were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using the IPA framework. The findings indicate that LGBTQI+ people are marginalized, discriminated against, and stigmatized in the public PHC system, exposing them to unequal access to healthcare services. The heterocentric system disadvantages them from accessing specific HIV management services and appropriate preventive commodities. The study concludes that gender diversity, inclusion and sensitivity in healthcare provision, and specific LGBTQI+ training for healthcare providers, are crucial components of ensuring LGBTQI+ people’s access to quality HIV management services.

Curationis provides a forum for cutting-edge theories and research models related to the exploration of issues experienced and the best practices of nurses and midwives so as to improve nursing education, nursing administration and community nursing within Africa.

Background: Although sub-Saharan African countries have rolled out massive HIV treatment and care programmes, there is little evidence of these having embraced key population groups particularly female sex workers. Due to the criminalisation of sex work in countries like Zimbabwe, research on HIV and its impact on this group is sparse. The absence of an enabling environment has hindered access to HIV care and treatment services for female sex workers. Objectives: To gain an in-depth understanding of the experiences of female sex workers accessing HIV care and treatment services to enhance programming and planning for this key population group. Methods: This study was qualitative and phenomenological. Data saturation determined the sample size of 20 participants. Data was collected using in-depth interviews that were audio recorded, transcribed, and subjected to thematic content anal- ysis. Results: Our findings demonstrate varying dynamics between the private and public sector HIV care services for sex work- ers, with facilitators and barriers to access to care. Conclusion: Health workers need sensitization and training in the provision of differentiated care. For effective linkage to and retention in care an enabling environment is critical. Keywords: Linkage to care; retention in care; enabling environment; facilitators; barriers.

Health SA Gesondheid promotes communication, collaboration and teamwork between professions and disciplines within the health sciences to address problems that cross and affect disciplinary boundaries.