Contributing to the ICNP: validating the term 'informal settlement'.
OBJECTIVE
The specific aims of this study were to propose a definition of the term informal settlement, validate the term informal settlement, and submit a term and definition for international utilization to the International Council of Nurses (ICN) for consideration for inclusion in the International Classification of Nursing Practice (ICNP).


BACKGROUND
South Africa was one of four African countries (Botswana, South Africa, Swaziland and Zimbabwe) funded by the WK Kellogg Foundation to participate in the ICNP project. South Africa had two research groups. One of the research groups identified the term informal settlement to define.


METHODS
This was a qualitative study where a philosophical perspective was used to explore, explain and describe nursing practice. The combined method proposed by the ICN was utilized to define and validate the term informal settlement.


RESULTS
Validation and literature review provided sufficient support for the defined characteristics and the term was finally defined and submitted to ICN on 12 April 2001 as informal settlement is a type of residential development with the specific characteristics--temporary residential structures, erected with limited or no formal infrastructure, densely populated, no secure tenure for occupants, no property demarcations, often associated with overcrowding/limited or no privacy, and low standard of living, being situated in high risk areas with an increased risk for disease and disasters.


CONCLUSIONS
The ICNP Evaluation Committee recommended inclusion in the ICNP with minor changes in February 2003.
Geyer
N
N
DENOSA, Pretoria, South Africa. nelouise@denosa.org.za
Mmuwe-Hlahane
S
S
Shongwe-Magongo
R G
RG
Uys
E
E
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003441:Crowding; D006801:Humans; D007392:International Council of Nurses; D009732:Nursing Care / Q000145:classification*; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000523:psychology; D010687:Philosophy, Nursing; D011156:Population Density; D011204:Poverty Areas; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000145:classification*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013019:South Africa; D009626:Terminology as Topic; D014171:Transients and Migrants; D014754:Violence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data