Pub Date : 2024-05-09DOI: 10.7196/samj.2024.v114i5.1912
T. Dzinamarira, G. Murewanhema, M. Mapingure, I. Chingombe, G. N. Musuka
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{"title":"Frequent outbreaks of cholera in Zimbabwe: Urgent need for strengthened public health interventions","authors":"T. Dzinamarira, G. Murewanhema, M. Mapingure, I. Chingombe, G. N. Musuka","doi":"10.7196/samj.2024.v114i5.1912","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7196/samj.2024.v114i5.1912","url":null,"abstract":"<jats:p>-</jats:p>","PeriodicalId":22034,"journal":{"name":"South African Medical Journal","volume":" 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140997545","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-05-09DOI: 10.7196/samj.2024.v114i5.1757
S. Fawcus, Frcog MB BCh, S. Gebhardt, R. Niit, B. Nursing, R. Pattinson
Background. The COVID‐19 pandemic had a profound effect on the health sector globally and in South Africa (SA). Objective. To review the effects of COVID‐19 on maternal, perinatal and reproductive health outcomes and service utilisation in SA. Methods. Three routine national data collection systems were sourced: the District Health Information System, the Saving Mothers reports of the National Committee on Confidential Enquiry into Maternal Deaths and the Saving Babies reports from the National Perinatal Morbidity and Mortality Committee using data from the Perinatal Problem Identification Program. Results. There were 35% and 8% increases in maternal and stillbirth mortality rates, respectively, in 2020 and 2021, which correlated with the COVID‐19 waves. However, in 2022, rates returned to pre‐COVID levels. Antenatal visits and facility births showed little change, but there was a shift to more rural provinces. The use of oral and injectable contraceptives and termination of pregnancy services decreased markedly in 2020 and 2021, with a sustained shift to long‐acting reversible contraceptives. The increase in maternal deaths was predominantly due to COVID‐19 respiratory complications, but also an increase in obstetric haemorrhage. Stillbirths increased significantly (10%) for birthweights between 2 000 g and 2 499 g, categorised mostly as unexplained stillbirths or preterm labour, but no increase in neonatal deaths was observed. Administrative avoidable factors increased by 24% in the 2020 ‐ 2022 triennium, but there was no increase in patient/community level or healthcare provider‐related avoidable factors during the pandemic years. Conclusion. COVID‐19 caused a marked increase in maternal death and stillbirth rates in 2020 and 2021 due to both direct effects of the virus and indirect effects on functioning of the health system. The continued, although modified, health‐seeking behaviour of women and the rapid return to pre‐COVID‐19 mortality rates demonstrates enormous resilience in women and the health system.
{"title":"Resilience in the time of crisis: A review of the maternal, perinatal and reproductive health effects of COVID-19 in South Africa","authors":"S. Fawcus, Frcog MB BCh, S. Gebhardt, R. Niit, B. Nursing, R. Pattinson","doi":"10.7196/samj.2024.v114i5.1757","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7196/samj.2024.v114i5.1757","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000Background. The COVID‐19 pandemic had a profound effect on the health sector globally and in South Africa (SA).\u0000Objective. To review the effects of COVID‐19 on maternal, perinatal and reproductive health outcomes and service utilisation in SA.\u0000Methods. Three routine national data collection systems were sourced: the District Health Information System, the Saving Mothers reports of the National Committee on Confidential Enquiry into Maternal Deaths and the Saving Babies reports from the National Perinatal Morbidity and Mortality Committee using data from the Perinatal Problem Identification Program.\u0000Results. There were 35% and 8% increases in maternal and stillbirth mortality rates, respectively, in 2020 and 2021, which correlated with the COVID‐19 waves. However, in 2022, rates returned to pre‐COVID levels. Antenatal visits and facility births showed little change, but there was a shift to more rural provinces. The use of oral and injectable contraceptives and termination of pregnancy services decreased markedly in 2020 and 2021, with a sustained shift to long‐acting reversible contraceptives. The increase in maternal deaths was predominantly due to COVID‐19 respiratory complications, but also an increase in obstetric haemorrhage. Stillbirths increased significantly (10%) for birthweights between 2 000 g and 2 499 g, categorised mostly as unexplained stillbirths or preterm labour, but no increase in neonatal deaths was observed. Administrative avoidable factors increased by 24% in the 2020 ‐ 2022 triennium, but there was no increase in patient/community level or healthcare provider‐related avoidable factors during the pandemic years.\u0000Conclusion. COVID‐19 caused a marked increase in maternal death and stillbirth rates in 2020 and 2021 due to both direct effects of the virus and indirect effects on functioning of the health system. The continued, although modified, health‐seeking behaviour of women and the rapid return to pre‐COVID‐19 mortality rates demonstrates enormous resilience in women and the health system.\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000","PeriodicalId":22034,"journal":{"name":"South African Medical Journal","volume":" 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140994507","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-05-09DOI: 10.7196/samj.2024.v114i5.2056
J. Van Niekerk, P. Cluver, E. Hertzog, M. Kruger, K. Moodley, J. Myers, D. Ncayiyana, J. Snyman
{"title":"Response to Doctors for Life","authors":"J. Van Niekerk, P. Cluver, E. Hertzog, M. Kruger, K. Moodley, J. Myers, D. Ncayiyana, J. Snyman","doi":"10.7196/samj.2024.v114i5.2056","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7196/samj.2024.v114i5.2056","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":22034,"journal":{"name":"South African Medical Journal","volume":" 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140997634","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-05-09DOI: 10.7196/samj.2024.v114i5.1630
J. Sons, Z. N. Mkhize, N. C. Dlova, C. Aldous, P. R. Bhat, A. Chateau
Background. Although leprosy, a neglected tropical disease, has been eliminated (<1 case per 10 000 population) in South Africa (SA) since 1926, according to the World Health Organization, new cases continue to be reported. The management of leprosy poses several challenges, including patient adherence, education and insufficient training of healthcare practitioners. Objectives. To describe the biographical profile, clinical manifestations and treatment outcomes in patients with leprosy in KwaZulu-Natal Province. Methods. This retrospective study aimed to analyse the clinical data of leprosy patients in SA from 2002 to 2022. Data collected included patient demographics, comorbidities, cutaneous and neurological manifestations of leprosy, complications, treatment and adverse reactions. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise the data. Results. The study analysed the clinical data of 194 leprosy patients from 2002 to 2022. The majority of patients were male and middle aged, with a disproportionate representation of black South Africans. Regarding socioeconomic status, 80% were unemployed and 40% were social grant recipients. Most cases were clustered in urban centres and diagnosed at secondary care facilities, with 15% being HIV positive. The majority of patients (90%) were classified as having multibacillary leprosy. Common symptoms included upper respiratory tract involvement, hair loss and painful nerves, with the face and limbs being most frequently affected. Cutaneous morphology predominantly included plaques and hypopigmented patches, while neurological signs included ulnar nerve tenderness, muscle weakness and sensory deficits. Debilitating neurological complications were found in one-fifth of patients. Despite initiation of multidrug therapy in most patients, a significant proportion (27.3%) did not complete the full course of treatment, and treatment reactions were noted in 33.5% of patients. Conclusion. These findings emphasise the urgent need for enhanced patient and healthcare worker education, particularly in primary healthcare settings, to improve adherence to treatment, advocate for prophylactic measures and prevent new cases. Achieving leprosy-free status in SA requires the collaboration of many role-players to address these challenges and improve healthcare practices.
{"title":"Characteristics, clinical manifestations and management of leprosy in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: A 20-year retrospective study","authors":"J. Sons, Z. N. Mkhize, N. C. Dlova, C. Aldous, P. R. Bhat, A. Chateau","doi":"10.7196/samj.2024.v114i5.1630","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7196/samj.2024.v114i5.1630","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000Background. Although leprosy, a neglected tropical disease, has been eliminated (<1 case per 10 000 population) in South Africa (SA) since 1926, according to the World Health Organization, new cases continue to be reported. The management of leprosy poses several challenges, including patient adherence, education and insufficient training of healthcare practitioners.\u0000Objectives. To describe the biographical profile, clinical manifestations and treatment outcomes in patients with leprosy in KwaZulu-Natal Province.\u0000Methods. This retrospective study aimed to analyse the clinical data of leprosy patients in SA from 2002 to 2022. Data collected included patient demographics, comorbidities, cutaneous and neurological manifestations of leprosy, complications, treatment and adverse reactions. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise the data.\u0000Results. The study analysed the clinical data of 194 leprosy patients from 2002 to 2022. The majority of patients were male and middle aged, with a disproportionate representation of black South Africans. Regarding socioeconomic status, 80% were unemployed and 40% were social grant recipients. Most cases were clustered in urban centres and diagnosed at secondary care facilities, with 15% being HIV positive. The majority of patients (90%) were classified as having multibacillary leprosy. Common symptoms included upper respiratory tract involvement, hair loss and painful nerves, with the face and limbs being most frequently affected. Cutaneous morphology predominantly included plaques and hypopigmented patches, while neurological signs included ulnar nerve tenderness, muscle weakness and sensory deficits. Debilitating neurological complications were found in one-fifth of patients. Despite initiation of multidrug therapy in most patients, a significant proportion (27.3%) did not complete the full course of treatment, and treatment reactions were noted in 33.5% of patients.\u0000Conclusion. These findings emphasise the urgent need for enhanced patient and healthcare worker education, particularly in primary healthcare settings, to improve adherence to treatment, advocate for prophylactic measures and prevent new cases. Achieving leprosy-free status in SA requires the collaboration of many role-players to address these challenges and improve healthcare practices.\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000","PeriodicalId":22034,"journal":{"name":"South African Medical Journal","volume":" 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140996634","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-05-09DOI: 10.7196/samj.2024.v114i5.2193
J. John
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{"title":"Cystic echinococcosis: The parasitic tale of a sinister cystic disease","authors":"J. John","doi":"10.7196/samj.2024.v114i5.2193","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7196/samj.2024.v114i5.2193","url":null,"abstract":"<jats:p>-</jats:p>","PeriodicalId":22034,"journal":{"name":"South African Medical Journal","volume":" 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140997104","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-05-09DOI: 10.7196/samj.2024.v114i5.2195
A. Govindasamy, MB ChB, P. R. Bhattarai, MS Gen Mbbs, J. Surg, van Niekerk, J. John, FC Urol MMed
Background. Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a zoonotic disease with an Africa-wide prevalence of 1.7%. CE is caused by the tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato, with the liver being the most commonly affected organ. In South Africa (SA), there is a paucity of data on liver CE demographics and management. Objectives. To describe the demographics and clinical profile of patients with liver CE in a single tertiary hospital in Eastern Cape Province, SA. Methods. A 4-year (2019 - 2022) retrospective clinical record review study was conducted on patients presenting with liver CE to the Department of Surgery at Frere Hospital. The demographics, clinical characteristics and management of patients with liver CE are reported. Results. A total of 56 patients diagnosed with and managed for liver CE were included in the study. The mean age of the patients was 37.5 years. Abdominal pain (n=39; 69.6%) was the most common presenting symptom, and a palpable abdominal mass (n=36; 64.3%) was the predominant presenting sign. Most patients had disease confined to the liver (n=35; 62.5%). The right lobe of the liver was most commonly affected (n=38; 67.9%), and most patients had a single liver cyst on imaging (n=32; 57.1%). The majority of the patients (n=36; 64.3%) were managed with surgical partial cystectomy, with a perioperative bile leak being the most common complication. Conclusion. In our setting, liver CE contributes to a significant local burden of the disease. The disease often has a nonspecific clinical presentation, necessitating imaging for the diagnosis. We observed good short-term outcomes in patients managed with combined partial cystectomy and medical therapy, although there is a risk of perioperative bile leak.
背景。囊性棘球蚴病（CE）是一种人畜共患病，在非洲的发病率为 1.7%。囊性棘球蚴病由普通棘球蚴绦虫引起，肝脏是最常受影响的器官。在南非，有关肝脏包虫病的人口统计学和管理的数据很少。描述南非东开普省一家三甲医院的肝脏CE患者的人口统计学和临床概况。对前往弗雷尔医院外科就诊的肝脏CE患者进行了为期4年（2019-2022年）的回顾性临床记录研究。报告了肝脏CE患者的人口统计学特征、临床特征和治疗情况。研究共纳入了 56 名被诊断为肝脏 CE 并接受治疗的患者。患者的平均年龄为 37.5 岁。腹痛（39人，占69.6%）是最常见的症状，可触及的腹部肿块（36人，占64.3%）是最主要的表现。大多数患者的病变局限于肝脏（35 人；62.5%）。肝脏右叶最常受累（38人；67.9%），大多数患者的影像学检查结果为单个肝囊肿（32人；57.1%）。大多数患者（n=36；64.3%）接受了外科囊肿部分切除术，围术期胆漏是最常见的并发症。在我们的环境中，肝脏CE在当地造成了很大的疾病负担。这种疾病的临床表现往往没有特异性，需要通过影像学检查才能确诊。我们观察到，联合膀胱部分切除术和药物治疗的患者短期疗效良好，但围手术期存在胆漏风险。
{"title":"Liver cystic echinococcosis: A retrospective study on the demographics and clinical profile of patients managed at a single tertiary institution in central Eastern Cape Province, South Africa","authors":"A. Govindasamy, MB ChB, P. R. Bhattarai, MS Gen Mbbs, J. Surg, van Niekerk, J. John, FC Urol MMed","doi":"10.7196/samj.2024.v114i5.2195","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7196/samj.2024.v114i5.2195","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000Background. Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a zoonotic disease with an Africa-wide prevalence of 1.7%. CE is caused by the tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato, with the liver being the most commonly affected organ. In South Africa (SA), there is a paucity of data on liver CE demographics and management.\u0000Objectives. To describe the demographics and clinical profile of patients with liver CE in a single tertiary hospital in Eastern Cape Province, SA.\u0000Methods. A 4-year (2019 - 2022) retrospective clinical record review study was conducted on patients presenting with liver CE to the Department of Surgery at Frere Hospital. The demographics, clinical characteristics and management of patients with liver CE are reported.\u0000Results. A total of 56 patients diagnosed with and managed for liver CE were included in the study. The mean age of the patients was 37.5 years. Abdominal pain (n=39; 69.6%) was the most common presenting symptom, and a palpable abdominal mass (n=36; 64.3%) was the predominant presenting sign. Most patients had disease confined to the liver (n=35; 62.5%). The right lobe of the liver was most commonly affected (n=38; 67.9%), and most patients had a single liver cyst on imaging (n=32; 57.1%). The majority of the patients (n=36; 64.3%) were managed with surgical partial cystectomy, with a perioperative bile leak being the most common complication.\u0000Conclusion. In our setting, liver CE contributes to a significant local burden of the disease. The disease often has a nonspecific clinical presentation, necessitating imaging for the diagnosis. We observed good short-term outcomes in patients managed with combined partial cystectomy and medical therapy, although there is a risk of perioperative bile leak.\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000","PeriodicalId":22034,"journal":{"name":"South African Medical Journal","volume":" 24","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140995874","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-05-09DOI: 10.7196/samj.2024.v114i5.1802
Y. Pillay, J. M. Moodley
In September 2015, South Africa (SA) and 192 countries adopted Agenda 2030, which included the Sustainable Development Goals. With a mere 6 years to go before 2030, it is useful to understand what progress SA is making towards their attainment. In this short report, we assess progress towards meeting the maternal mortality target, globally and in SA. The maternal mortality ratio that countries are expected to reach is no more than 70 deaths per 100 000 live births. A range of sources is used to show progress, with an emphasis on the reports of the National Committee on Confidential Enquiries into Maternal deaths, which reports on the number of maternal deaths in health facilities, together with reasons for these deaths and recommendations to reduce preventable mortality.
{"title":"Will South Africa meet the Sustainable Development Goals target for maternal mortality by 2030?","authors":"Y. Pillay, J. M. Moodley","doi":"10.7196/samj.2024.v114i5.1802","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7196/samj.2024.v114i5.1802","url":null,"abstract":"In September 2015, South Africa (SA) and 192 countries adopted Agenda 2030, which included the Sustainable Development Goals. With a mere 6 years to go before 2030, it is useful to understand what progress SA is making towards their attainment. In this short report, we assess progress towards meeting the maternal mortality target, globally and in SA. The maternal mortality ratio that countries are expected to reach is no more than 70 deaths per 100 000 live births. A range of sources is used to show progress, with an emphasis on the reports of the National Committee on Confidential Enquiries into Maternal deaths, which reports on the number of maternal deaths in health facilities, together with reasons for these deaths and recommendations to reduce preventable mortality.","PeriodicalId":22034,"journal":{"name":"South African Medical Journal","volume":" 12","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140996995","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-05-09DOI: 10.7196/samj.2024.v114i5.2194
J. John, A. Adam, L. Kaestner, P. Spies, S. Mutambirwa, J. Lazarus
Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most widespread solid organ malignancy in males and ranks as the fifth leading cause of death globally. Identifying and treating men with clinically significant disease while avoiding the over-diagnosis and over-treatment of indolent disease remains a significant challenge. Several professional associations have developed guidelines on screening and early diagnosis of asymptomatic men with prostate-specific antigen testing. With recent updates from several large randomised prospective trials, the South African Urological Association and the Prostate Cancer Foundation of South Africa have developed these evidence-based recommendations to guide clinicians on PCa screening and early diagnosis for South African men.
{"title":"The South African Prostate Cancer Screening Guidelines","authors":"J. John, A. Adam, L. Kaestner, P. Spies, S. Mutambirwa, J. Lazarus","doi":"10.7196/samj.2024.v114i5.2194","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7196/samj.2024.v114i5.2194","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most widespread solid organ malignancy in males and ranks as the fifth leading cause of death globally. Identifying and treating men with clinically significant disease while avoiding the over-diagnosis and over-treatment of indolent disease remains a significant challenge. Several professional associations have developed guidelines on screening and early diagnosis of asymptomatic men with prostate-specific antigen testing. With recent updates from several large randomised prospective trials, the South African Urological Association and the Prostate Cancer Foundation of South Africa have developed these evidence-based recommendations to guide clinicians on PCa screening and early diagnosis for South African men.\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000","PeriodicalId":22034,"journal":{"name":"South African Medical Journal","volume":" 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140997275","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-05-09DOI: 10.7196/samj.2024.v114i5.1821
M. T. Lamola, Mph A BCur, Musekiwa, PhD A de Voux, PhD C Reddy, MSc MB BCh, Morifi, M. P. C. M. BSc
Background. In South Africa (SA), malaria is endemic in three of nine provinces – KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and Limpopo. During 2010 - 2014, SA reported that ~47.6% of all malaria cases were imported. Contemporary estimates for the prevalence of malaria in the five districts of Limpopo Province are limited, with unknown proportions of imported malaria cases. We estimated the prevalence of malaria, and the proportion of imported malaria cases in the five districts of Limpopo, from January 2015 to December 2017. Objective. To measure the prevalence of malaria in Limpopo Province, the proportion of malaria cases that are imported and to determine factors associated with malaria from January 2015 to December 2017.Methods. We retrospectively reviewed data routinely collected through the Malaria Information System and Laboratory Information System of the National Health Laboratory Services, and assessed associations with age, sex and district, using a multivariable logistic regression model. Results. From 2015 to 2017, a total of 43 199 malaria cases were reported, of which 3.5% (n=1 532) were imported. The prevalence of malaria in Limpopo Province was the highest in 2017, at 331.0 per 100 000 population. The highest malaria prevalence district was Vhembe, with 647.9 in 2015, 220.3 in 2016 and 659.4 in 2017 per 100 000 population. However, Waterberg had the highest proportion of imported malaria cases 28.5% (437/1 532). In adjusted analyses, ages 15 - 49 years (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.58, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.48 - 1.68, p<0.001) and <1 year (aOR 1.55, 95% CI 1.37 - 0.74, p<0.001) were at higher odds of having malaria compared with ages ≥65 years. Conclusion. These findings highlight the significant burden of imported malaria in Limpopo Province. There is a need for strengthened surveillance and control programmes in neighboring countries (such as Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Botswana) to reduce the importation and spread of malaria in this region.
{"title":"The prevalence of malaria in the five districts of Limpopo Province, South Africa, 2015 - 2017","authors":"M. T. Lamola, Mph A BCur, Musekiwa, PhD A de Voux, PhD C Reddy, MSc MB BCh, Morifi, M. P. C. M. BSc","doi":"10.7196/samj.2024.v114i5.1821","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7196/samj.2024.v114i5.1821","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000Background. In South Africa (SA), malaria is endemic in three of nine provinces – KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and Limpopo. During 2010 - 2014, SA reported that ~47.6% of all malaria cases were imported. Contemporary estimates for the prevalence of malaria in the five districts of Limpopo Province are limited, with unknown proportions of imported malaria cases. We estimated the prevalence of malaria, and the proportion of imported malaria cases in the five districts of Limpopo, from January 2015 to December 2017.\u0000Objective. To measure the prevalence of malaria in Limpopo Province, the proportion of malaria cases that are imported and to determine factors associated with malaria from January 2015 to December 2017.Methods. We retrospectively reviewed data routinely collected through the Malaria Information System and Laboratory Information System of the National Health Laboratory Services, and assessed associations with age, sex and district, using a multivariable logistic regression model.\u0000Results. From 2015 to 2017, a total of 43 199 malaria cases were reported, of which 3.5% (n=1 532) were imported. The prevalence of malaria in Limpopo Province was the highest in 2017, at 331.0 per 100 000 population. The highest malaria prevalence district was Vhembe, with 647.9 in 2015, 220.3 in 2016 and 659.4 in 2017 per 100 000 population. However, Waterberg had the highest proportion of imported malaria cases 28.5% (437/1 532). In adjusted analyses, ages 15 - 49 years (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.58, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.48 - 1.68, p<0.001) and <1 year (aOR 1.55, 95% CI 1.37 - 0.74, p<0.001) were at higher odds of having malaria compared with ages ≥65 years.\u0000Conclusion. These findings highlight the significant burden of imported malaria in Limpopo Province. There is a need for strengthened surveillance and control programmes in neighboring countries (such as Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Botswana) to reduce the importation and spread of malaria in this region.\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000","PeriodicalId":22034,"journal":{"name":"South African Medical Journal","volume":" 31","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140995645","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-05-09DOI: 10.7196/samj.2024.v114i5.1973
E. Q. Klug, F. J. Raal
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{"title":"Heart groups in South Africa advocate for tighter LDL-C control and lipoprotein(a) testing to curb atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease","authors":"E. Q. Klug, F. J. Raal","doi":"10.7196/samj.2024.v114i5.1973","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7196/samj.2024.v114i5.1973","url":null,"abstract":"<jats:p>-</jats:p>","PeriodicalId":22034,"journal":{"name":"South African Medical Journal","volume":" 24","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140994778","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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