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Tshwane nursing students attend Mpox awareness drive
Fourth-year nursing students from the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) and Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) recently held a Mpox awareness campaign at Hebron Mall.
The initiative formed part of the inter-professional education and collaborative practice (IPECP) programme.
The programme aims to provide crucial health education and services to local communities.
Mpox, a viral disease caused by the Mpox virus, has spread across various regions and countries, including South Africa.
It was initially prevalent in Central and West Africa, but the virus has now reached Southern Africa due to increased travel and close human-animal contact.
According to recent statistics, Mpox cases in South Africa are rising, with both urban and rural areas affected.
The virus spreads through close contact with infected individuals, contaminated surfaces, or animals, making it essential to raise public awareness to prevent further transmission.
Symptoms of Mpox include:
– Fever
– Swollen lymph nodes
– Headaches
– Muscle aches and
– Rash that can develop into lesions.
“These campaigns are essential not just for the community, but also for our students,” Suzan Mathikhi, a lecturer at the Adelaide Tambo School of Nursing Science, explained the need for such campaigns.
“They gain practical experience while engaging with real healthcare users, learning how to communicate effectively, and practising leadership in a diverse environment.
“The feedback we received was overwhelmingly positive, with many community members requesting that future campaigns include HIV testing and counselling,” Mathikhi added.
Free health services offered to Hebron community members on September 16 included:
– Vital sign monitoring, with referrals made to nearby clinics for abnormalities.
– Body Mass Index (BMI) measurements to promote healthy lifestyles.
– Simulated polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests to educate the public about testing processes.
– Health education focused on disease prevention and wellness.
“When people know the symptoms and transmission methods, they are more likely to seek help early, preventing the virus from spreading further. Additionally, free services such as vital sign checks provide residents with access to essential health monitoring that might otherwise be unavailable. Health education plays a crucial role as well, empowering the public to make informed decisions, which is key to preventing not just Mpox but other health issues,” said Mathikhi.
The universities said the collaboration fostered health awareness and inter-professional development, benefiting attendees not just during the initiative but for the future as well.
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