Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Abstract

This article briefly refers to the impact of political and policy changes that have affected genetic services in the Republic of South Africa (RSA) since 1994’s first democratic elections brought the African National Congress to power. Genetic services were relocated to the field of primary health care services. During 2001 the National Department of Health of the RSA published guidelines for enhancing genetic services in this country. The most prevalent genetic conditions to be managed in the RSA include fetal alcohol syndrome, Down syndrome, neural tube defects, and HIV/AIDS. Nurses can make major contributions toward the effective management of all these genetic conditions and birth defects provided that they acquire sufficient knowledge and skills and that they have adequate referral systems and access to appropriate genetic technology in public health settings.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

African National Congress . (1994). A national health care plan for South Africa. Johannesburg, South Africa: Author.

Brink, P. A. , Brink, L. T. , Torrington, M. , & Bester, A. J. (1990). Linkage study of the low-density lipoprotein-receptor gene and cholesterol levels in an Afrikaner family. South African Medical Journal, 77, 292-296.

Department of Health . (2000). HIV/AIDS and STD strategic plan for South Africa 2000-2001. Cape Town, South Africa: CTP Book Printers.

Department of Health . (2001). Human genetics policy guidelines for the management and prevention of genetic disorders, birth defects and disabilities. Pretoria, South Africa: Government Printer.

Department of Health . (n.d.). Albinism: A manageable condition (Information brochure). Pretoria, South Africa: Government Printer.

Ingram, C. F. , Fleming, A. F. , Patel, M. , & Calpin, J. S. (1999). Pregnancy- and lactation-related folate deficiency in South Africa—A case for folate food fortification. South African Medical Journal, 89, 1279-1283.

Khotu, S. H. (2001, August). National telemedicine programme and priorities in South Africa. Paper presented at the International Conference on Birth Defects and Disabilities in the Developing World, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Lea, D. H. , & Lawson, M. T. (2000). A practice-based genetics curriculum for nurse educators: An innovative approach to integrating human genetics into nursing curricula. Journal of Nursing Education, 39(9), 418-421.

South Africa . (1996). Choice of Termination of Pregnancy Act No. 92 on 22 November 1996. Pretoria, South Africa: Government Printer.

10.

Torrington, M. , & Brink, P. A. (1990). Relevance of ancestral surname identification in pedigree of Afrikaner families with familial hypercholesterolaemia. South African Medical Journal, 77, 289-292.

11.

Viljoen, D. (1999). Fetal alcohol syndrome. South African Medical Journal, 89, 958-960.

12.

Viljoen, D. L. , Buccimazza, S. , Dunne, T. , & Molteno, C. (1995). The prevalence and prevention of neural tube defects in Cape Town. South African Medical Journal, 85, 630-631.

13.

Wilkinson, D. , Sach, M. E. , & Karim, S.S.A. (1997). In search of equity: Impact of South Africa’s policy of free health care for children under six and pregnant women on rural mobile clinic services. Hospital and Nursing Yearbook of Southern Africa, 1997, 65-67.

Republic of South Africa: Policies and Politics Guide Nurses’ Application of Genetic Technology in Public Health Settings

Abstract

Get full access to this article

References