Africa Journal of Nursing and Midwifery

02.09.2026

Rethinking Theoretical Assessment in Undergraduate Nursing Education: Evidence-Based Best Practice Guidelines

The quality of theoretical assessments in undergraduate nursing education is crucial to shaping students’ clinical reasoning, professional judgment, and overall readiness for professional practice. Despite growing emphasis on competency-based education, persistent challenges, inc …

02.09.2026

Exploring Psychological Support Systems in Mental Health Units: An Interpretive Phenomenological Study of Nurses’ Post-traumatic Clinical Incident Lived Experiences

Background: Nurses often face traumatic events in clinical settings, leading to significant psychological, physical and professional consequences. Understanding their lived experiences, coping strategies, and institutional support is essential for designing effective, culturally …

02.09.2026

OA unpaid#21699 Pregnant Women’s Knowledge and Awareness of Sexually Transmitted Infections in Selected Public Health Facilities in the North West Province

Background: South Africa is considered to have a high prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), which continue to impose a major public health burden. Untreated STIs can lead to long-term, irreversible and potentially fatal outcomes in pregnant women. This study aimed …

02.09.2026

Factors Associated with Substance Use among Nurses and Midwives in Referral Hospitals in Botswana

Substance use among nurses and midwives is escalating globally. Nurses and midwives face numerous workplace challenges and resort to substance use to cope. The specific factors associated with substance use in this population group remain underexplored. The purpose of this study …

02.09.2026

Nurses’ Perspectives on Spirituality and Spiritual Care for Critically Ill Patients in Intensive Care Units: A Systematic Review of Qualitative Studies

Background: Nurses’ competencies in spiritual care are increasingly in demand in intensive care (ICU) units, yet their perspectives, preparedness and challenges in delivering such care remain unclear.Aim: This qualitative systematic review explores ICU nurses’ understanding and p …

02.09.2026

Cultural Beliefs of Zulu Women During Pregnancy, Labour, and Postnatal Infant Care in the KwaZulu-Natal Province of South Africa

Numerous ongoing cultural beliefs begin at birth and continue throughout various stages of life. Women continue to observe these beliefs not only because they are traditions, but also because they hold meaning for them. This study explores the cultural beliefs and practices of Zu …

07.07.2026

Editorial

06.07.2026

Student Nurses’ Leadership Experiences: Attribution Theory, Locus of Control and Ubuntu in South Africa

Leadership is a core nursing competency, yet student nurses in South Africa often enter practice psychologically underprepared due to hierarchical training environments, limited autonomy, and historical inequities. Research has focused largely on qualified nurses, with limited at …

01.07.2026

Socio-Ecological Factors Influencing Exclusive Breastfeeding and the Lived Experiences of Mothers in Kroonstad, Free State, South Africa

South Africa has an exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) rate of 32% and current national efforts to increase this rate are not showing any improvement. This study examined the socio-ecological factors influencing EBF and the lived experiences of mothers in Kroonstad, Free State, South …

23.06.2026

Strategies, Enabling Factors, and Barriers in Mentorship for Midwife Specialists: A Systematic Review

Background: Although midwifery professionals markedly enhance outcomes for mothers and newborns, uneven or informal mentorship frameworks frequently impede their advanced abilities. The absence of organised, competency-based mentorship hinders the application of theoretical knowl …

23.06.2026

The Use of Mobile Applications Among Undergraduate Nursing Students at a Selected South African University

Mobile applications are increasingly used in clinical education and can enhance nursing training by supporting self-directed learning and clinical competence. Smartphones provide access to integrated theory, simulation and clinical content through multimedia resources that suppor …

23.06.2026

Risk Factors for Mortality Among Patients Admitted to a COVID-19 Isolation Ward at Clairwood Hospital, South Africa

The global outbreak of the novel coronavirus resulted in substantial morbidity and mortality worldwide, with a marked increase in hospitalisations and in-hospital deaths. This study investigated the relationship between in-hospital mortality and various risk factors among patient …

23.06.2026

Registered Nurses’ Perspectives on Barriers and Enablers of Incorporating Ubuntu Principles in the Management of Childhood Illness in the Mahikeng Sub-District, North West

Introduction: There are several obstacles to applying Ubuntu principles in the treatment of childhood illness, including a lack of understanding of the concept, cultural disparities, and limitations of the healthcare system. Promoting respect for children's rights, family involve …

23.06.2026

Factors Affecting the Quality of Clinical Training at a University Teaching Hospital: A Qualitative Inquiry

The quality of student clinical training has become a critical focus in the health sector worldwide. Effective clinical teaching and learning of student nurses plays a pivotal role in their acquisition of necessary clinical competencies. It remains crucial that qualified nurses a …

23.06.2026

Experiences and Support Needs of Caregivers of Clients Diagnosed with a Mental Illness Regarding Compliance to Psychotropic Drugs in Malawi

Mental illness is one of the chronic illnesses which require support from caregivers throughout the life trajectory of clients. Caregivers meet a lot of psychosocial challenges in the process of caring for clients. Despite experiencing psychosocial challenges, caregivers are not …

26.05.2026

Caregivers of Post-Stroke Patients’ Support Needs in Limpopo Province: A Qualitative Study

A persistent gap in structured support for caregivers of patients after a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) underscores the need for robust caregiver support strategies to strengthen post-stroke care. This study aims to explore and describe caregivers’ experiences in caring for pati …

26.05.2026

Are Reusable Menstrual Pads a Sustainable and Safe Alternative to Disposable Pads? A Qualitative Study

Reusable menstrual pads (RMPs) offer an eco-friendly, cost-effective alternative to disposable products, with potential health, environmental and financial benefits. This study aims to explore the nuanced experiences, perceptions and attitudes of female students regarding RMPs, a …

26.05.2026

Roles of Nurses in Reducing Health Disparities in Primary Healthcare in Namibia: A Scoping Review

Health disparities are a major public health issue, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Nurses are frontline healthcare professionals ensuring access to suitable healthcare, yet disparities in healthcare outcomes persist among various groups. This scoping review aimed to examine nu …

26.05.2026

Maternal Mental Health and Infant Feeding Choices in Khayelitsha, South Africa: A Longitudinal Study

Background: Maternal mental health impacts caregiving, attachment and feeding practices. There is limited literature available on the influence of maternal mental health on feeding choices, specifically in peri-urban townships such as Khayelitsha. Aim: This study aimed to investi …

26.05.2026

Utilisation of Midwife-Led Maternity Care and Its Associated Factors among Childbearing Women in Ibadan, Nigeria

Background: Midwife-led maternity care emphasises continuity of care, reduced medical intervention, and improved maternal outcomes. Despite global evidence supporting its effectiveness, documentation of its utilisation in Nigeria is limited. This study assessed the utilisation of …

26.05.2026

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Contraceptives Practices among Undergraduate Students at a Public University in Gauteng Province, South Africa

Background: Unintended pregnancy remains a major public health concern among young adults globally and in South Africa. Despite increased access to contraceptives and reproductive health education, inconsistent contraceptive use persists among university students. Evidence sugges …

26.05.2026

Exploring Factors Affecting the Quality of Nursing Care at an Intermediate Hospital in the North-east of Namibia

Background: Quality nursing care remains the cornerstone of any nation. Since its independence, Namibia has shown a strong commitment to quality nursing care. However, multiple factors can affect the quality of nursing in hospitals. In Namibia, there is a lack of research on fact …

06.05.2026

COVID-19 Health System Challenges and Adaptations: Implications for Resilience and Universal Health Coverage in Zimbabwe

Background: Universal Health Coverage (UHC) seeks to ensure equitable access to quality health services without financial hardship. Progress toward UHC had slowed prior to COVID-19, and the pandemic further exposed systemic gaps. Strengthening resilient health systems is therefor …

25.03.2026

Nurses’ Perspectives on Retention in Namibian Public Health Institutions

Staff retention is a critical issue facing healthcare systems worldwide, with significant implications for patient care, institutional efficiency, and overall healthcare delivery. Staff turnover, particularly among nurses, has emerged as a pervasive issue in public health institu …

25.03.2026

Strengthening Child Health through Caregiver Engagement: Advancing Universal Health Coverage in South Africa

Child mortality and morbidity remain significant public health concerns in sub-Saharan Africa, with universal health coverage (UHC) for children under five identified as a critical strategy for addressing these issues. This study explored professional nurses’ perspectives on the …

24.03.2026

Electronic Health Record Interoperability as a Pathway to Advancing Universal Health Coverage in the South African Healthcare System

Electronic health record (EHR) interoperability is widely considered the backbone of a sustainable health system and the foundation of achieving universal health coverage (UHC), as it facilitates the seamless exchange of patient information across various levels of care. Despite …

24.03.2026

Effects of Educational Intervention on Nursing Students’ Knowledge About Infusion Phlebitis: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Background: Both peer teaching and self-directed learning have become substantial areas of interest and research in medical education. However, there is limited educational intervention to improve nursing students’ knowledge of infusion phlebitis. Aim: To evaluate the effects of …

24.03.2026

Outcome of Educational Intervention on Knowledge, Attitude and Self-Efficacy of Midwives on Newborn Screening for Sickle Cell Disease in a State Hospital in Nigeria: A Pilot Study

Background: Globally, sickle cell disease (SCD) is one of the most common genetic diseases with high childhood mortality. Newborn screening using point-of-care devices is paramount for early diagnosis and enrolment of affected children into a comprehensive care programme. The stu …

18.02.2026

Integrating Digital Learning in Midwifery Education at Selected Universities in Gauteng Province, South Africa: Midwifery Educators’ View

The integration of digital learning in nursing and midwifery education is increasing worldwide. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of digital learning as a primary instructional medium in higher education, enabling the delivery of content to nursing and midwifery stud …

18.02.2026

Motivations and Expectations of Generation Z Nursing Students and Nursing Staff: A Systematic Review

Background: Generation Z (Gen Z) nurses have begun entering the workforce. Generational differences among nurses can shape their work expectations and motivations. To date, little is known about the motivations and expectations of Gen Z nurses and nursing students. Understanding …