Changing behaviour of people living with non-communicable diseases in Hammanskraal, South Africa

Abstract

In South Africa, there is high mortality rate and an increasing number of disabilities resulting from non-communicable diseases, diseases of lifestyle and related complications. The study explored the effectiveness of the community based rehabilitation programme on behavioural change by people with non-communicable ciseases such as hypertension and diabetes mellitus in Hammanskraal. The research design was explorative with a qualitative approach. Data were collected from five focus groups with an average of six people in each who were 29 in total. An interview guide using open-ended questions and some probing was used for data collection from the respondents until the data was saturated. This study showed that the rehabilitation programme made a difference in the prevention and management of non-communicable diseases in communities of Hammanskraal where it is being implemented. Giving knowledge and skills to the people motivated them to take charge of their medical condition, psycho-social circumstances and take responsibility in changing their behaviours and improving their well-being. The participants experienced the challenges of adhering to the strategies that they were advised on in the management of their diseases and promoting healthy lifestyle. The healthy diet prescribed was found by some to be expensive and untasteful making it unsustainable, hence the noncompliances sometimes. In conclusion, interventions aimed at acting against Non-Communicable Diseases should comprehensively cover education, prevention and management strategies with the full participation of all members of the Primary Health Care Team.

Keywords: Community, non-communicable disease, hypertension, iabetes mellitus, changes