Azhaar B.F. Dookhith, Adil Razack, Abdul-Aziez Isaacs
Background: In South Africa, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) represent a significant public health issue. Sexually transmitted infections contribute significantly to the burden of disease in South Africa and are recognised as one of the main causes of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential causes of the high prevalence of STIs in the Du Noon population.Methods: A mixed methodology study involving 40 participants between the ages of 18 years and 45 years was conducted at Du Noon community health centre from 01 May 2021 to 15 May 2021. Both structured questionnaires and one-on-one patient interviews with open-ended questions were utilised to collect data.Results: Cultural beliefs, having multiple partners, a lack of partner notification, alcohol consumption, and a lack of condom usage were found to be the main contributing factors to the high incidence of STIs. Sex education appears to be lacking. Our findings reflected the other well-known cultural and socioeconomic issues confronting South African communities, for example, poverty, age-disparate relationships, and polygamous relationships.Conclusion: The cultural perspectives and understandings of sexual interactions of older men appear to have an impact on younger generations; as do peer pressure, social media and other socio-economic factors. There is an urgent need to shift cultural ideologies and norms among the youth. More research is needed to understand the views and misconceptions of the general public about STIs.Contribution: This study highlighted how health education challenges, interpersonal relationships, and socioeconomic barriers are still important factors in STI transmission.
{"title":"Investigating causes of the high prevalence of sexually transmitted infections in Du Noon","authors":"Azhaar B.F. Dookhith, Adil Razack, Abdul-Aziez Isaacs","doi":"10.4102/safp.v66i1.5794","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/safp.v66i1.5794","url":null,"abstract":"Background: In South Africa, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) represent a significant public health issue. Sexually transmitted infections contribute significantly to the burden of disease in South Africa and are recognised as one of the main causes of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential causes of the high prevalence of STIs in the Du Noon population.Methods: A mixed methodology study involving 40 participants between the ages of 18 years and 45 years was conducted at Du Noon community health centre from 01 May 2021 to 15 May 2021. Both structured questionnaires and one-on-one patient interviews with open-ended questions were utilised to collect data.Results: Cultural beliefs, having multiple partners, a lack of partner notification, alcohol consumption, and a lack of condom usage were found to be the main contributing factors to the high incidence of STIs. Sex education appears to be lacking. Our findings reflected the other well-known cultural and socioeconomic issues confronting South African communities, for example, poverty, age-disparate relationships, and polygamous relationships.Conclusion: The cultural perspectives and understandings of sexual interactions of older men appear to have an impact on younger generations; as do peer pressure, social media and other socio-economic factors. There is an urgent need to shift cultural ideologies and norms among the youth. More research is needed to understand the views and misconceptions of the general public about STIs.Contribution: This study highlighted how health education challenges, interpersonal relationships, and socioeconomic barriers are still important factors in STI transmission.","PeriodicalId":22040,"journal":{"name":"South African Family Practice","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2024-03-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140230583","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}
Background: A robust knowledge on the pattern of use of emergency care resources not only serves as an indicator of universal access to care but also provides a basis for quality improvement within the health system. This study was undertaken to describe the pattern of emergency room visits at Brits District Hospital (BDH) in North West province, South Africa. The objectives of this study were to determine the sociodemographic characteristics of emergency department (ED) users and other patterns of ED use.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study that was conducted at a district hospital. All patients who reported for emergency care in the ED in 2016 were eligible for the study. Data were extracted and analysed from a systematic sample of 355 clinical notes and hospital administrative records.
Results: The age group that visited the ED most frequently (25.3%) was 25-34 years old. A high proportion of the ED users (60%) were self-referred, and only 38% were transported by the emergency medical response services (EMRS). Few (5.6%) presentations were of a non-urgent nature. Trauma-related conditions accounted for the most frequent presentation at the ED (36.5%).
Conclusion: Although most ED users were self-referred, their clinical presentations were appropriate and underscore the need for policy strategies to reduce the burden of trauma in the catchment populationContribution: The study findings may have an impact on future health policies by providing decision-makers with baseline information on the pattern of use of ED resources, ensuring better resource deployment and greater access to care.
{"title":"Emergency care visits at a South African hospital: Implications for healthcare services and policy.","authors":"Jacob A Adewole, John M Tumbo, Henry I Okonta","doi":"10.4102/safp.v66i1.5816","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/safp.v66i1.5816","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong> A robust knowledge on the pattern of use of emergency care resources not only serves as an indicator of universal access to care but also provides a basis for quality improvement within the health system. This study was undertaken to describe the pattern of emergency room visits at Brits District Hospital (BDH) in North West province, South Africa. The objectives of this study were to determine the sociodemographic characteristics of emergency department (ED) users and other patterns of ED use.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong> This was a cross-sectional descriptive study that was conducted at a district hospital. All patients who reported for emergency care in the ED in 2016 were eligible for the study. Data were extracted and analysed from a systematic sample of 355 clinical notes and hospital administrative records.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong> The age group that visited the ED most frequently (25.3%) was 25-34 years old. A high proportion of the ED users (60%) were self-referred, and only 38% were transported by the emergency medical response services (EMRS). Few (5.6%) presentations were of a non-urgent nature. Trauma-related conditions accounted for the most frequent presentation at the ED (36.5%).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong> Although most ED users were self-referred, their clinical presentations were appropriate and underscore the need for policy strategies to reduce the burden of trauma in the catchment populationContribution: The study findings may have an impact on future health policies by providing decision-makers with baseline information on the pattern of use of ED resources, ensuring better resource deployment and greater access to care.</p>","PeriodicalId":22040,"journal":{"name":"South African Family Practice","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2024-03-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11019032/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140866591","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Background: The study explored and described the meaning attached to the lived experiences of women living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the rural context of Zimbabwe. Stigma and discrimination negatively impact one’s ability to perform the expected social roles, the quality of life, and the efforts to prevent the spread of HIV and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and reduce HIV-related mortality. Thus, the study aims to understand the meaning attached to the lived experiences of HIV-positive women living in rural areas or villages of Matabeleland South province in Zimbabwe.Methods: The study used a qualitative, descriptive, and exploratory design. Four focus group discussions were conducted with 24 HIV-positive rural women living in Matabeleland South province, Zimbabwe. An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was adopted to explore and describe the meaning attached to the lived experiences of women living with HIV.Results: Two interconnected themes were identified in the analysis with their sub-themes. These were: (1) struggle for social belonging, with subthemes – loss of social belonging and reduced access to community-based empowerment opportunities and (2) struggle for maintaining the quality of life with subthemes – lack of need-based community healthcare and food insecurity.Conclusion: Being a woman living with HIV in rural Zimbabwe means a perpetual struggle to maintain one’s humanness and quality of life.Contribution: This study’s results will support the efforts of the Zimbabwean government to improve the quality of life of HIV-positive women living in rural areas.
研究背景本研究探讨并描述了津巴布韦农村地区感染人类免疫缺陷病毒（HIV）妇女的生活经历的意义。污名化和歧视会对一个人扮演预期社会角色的能力、生活质量以及预防艾滋病毒和获得性免疫缺陷综合症（艾滋病）传播和降低艾滋病毒相关死亡率的努力产生负面影响。因此，本研究旨在了解生活在津巴布韦南马塔贝莱兰省农村地区或村庄的 HIV 阳性妇女的生活经历的意义：研究采用了定性、描述性和探索性设计。与居住在津巴布韦南马塔贝勒兰省的 24 名 HIV 阳性农村妇女进行了四次焦点小组讨论。讨论采用了解释性现象学分析法（IPA），以探索和描述感染 HIV 的妇女的生活经历的意义：分析确定了两个相互关联的主题及其子主题。这两个主题是(1) 为争取社会归属感而奋斗，次主题为社会归属感的丧失和获得社区赋权机会的减少；(2) 为维持生活质量而奋斗，次主题为缺乏基于需求的社区医疗保健和粮食不安全：结论：在津巴布韦农村地区，作为一名感染艾滋病毒的妇女，需要为保持自己的人性和生活质量而长期奋斗：本研究的结果将有助于津巴布韦政府努力改善生活在农村地区的 HIV 阳性女性的生活质量。
{"title":"The lived experiences of HIV-positive women in rural Zimbabwe: A qualitative focus group study","authors":"Limkile Mpofu, M. Ganga-Limando","doi":"10.4102/safp.v66i1.5823","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/safp.v66i1.5823","url":null,"abstract":"Background: The study explored and described the meaning attached to the lived experiences of women living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the rural context of Zimbabwe. Stigma and discrimination negatively impact one’s ability to perform the expected social roles, the quality of life, and the efforts to prevent the spread of HIV and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and reduce HIV-related mortality. Thus, the study aims to understand the meaning attached to the lived experiences of HIV-positive women living in rural areas or villages of Matabeleland South province in Zimbabwe.Methods: The study used a qualitative, descriptive, and exploratory design. Four focus group discussions were conducted with 24 HIV-positive rural women living in Matabeleland South province, Zimbabwe. An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was adopted to explore and describe the meaning attached to the lived experiences of women living with HIV.Results: Two interconnected themes were identified in the analysis with their sub-themes. These were: (1) struggle for social belonging, with subthemes – loss of social belonging and reduced access to community-based empowerment opportunities and (2) struggle for maintaining the quality of life with subthemes – lack of need-based community healthcare and food insecurity.Conclusion: Being a woman living with HIV in rural Zimbabwe means a perpetual struggle to maintain one’s humanness and quality of life.Contribution: This study’s results will support the efforts of the Zimbabwean government to improve the quality of life of HIV-positive women living in rural areas.","PeriodicalId":22040,"journal":{"name":"South African Family Practice","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2024-03-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140231882","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}
Background: Literature shows that in South Africa there are insufficient resources to meet mental healthcare needs. At general or district hospital level, the non-specialist doctor is often responsible for the holistic assessment and management of mental health service users. Such situations inevitably increase doctors’ care load as they are required to treat across disciplines. We highlight the particular challenges faced by a community service (CS) doctor in this context.Methods: The presented case study formed part of a larger project that investigated public mental healthcare provision in the Eastern Cape province. Data were collected through a once-off semi-structured interview with the participant. The interview was transcribed and data analysed by utilising thematic analysis to yield results.Results: The study suggests that the CS doctor experiences being overloaded with duties, and feels overwhelmed in a healthcare context that lacks resources needed for service provision, which may lead to inadequate mental healthcare provision to public health service users.Conclusion: Healthcare facilities in rural parts of the Eastern Cape province are in need of assistance. This in-depth account highlighted the consequences of working on the front line of a disadvantaged and under-resourced health system. The presented account can be interpreted as a cry for help by CS doctors for relevant authorities to improve access and provision of mental healthcare in the area.Contribution: The paper provides an exploration of the circumstances wherein mental healthcare is provided in rural parts of South Africa.
{"title":"A community service doctor’s experiences of mental healthcare provision in rural Eastern Cape","authors":"D. Rall, Leslie Swartz","doi":"10.4102/safp.v66i1.5849","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/safp.v66i1.5849","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Literature shows that in South Africa there are insufficient resources to meet mental healthcare needs. At general or district hospital level, the non-specialist doctor is often responsible for the holistic assessment and management of mental health service users. Such situations inevitably increase doctors’ care load as they are required to treat across disciplines. We highlight the particular challenges faced by a community service (CS) doctor in this context.Methods: The presented case study formed part of a larger project that investigated public mental healthcare provision in the Eastern Cape province. Data were collected through a once-off semi-structured interview with the participant. The interview was transcribed and data analysed by utilising thematic analysis to yield results.Results: The study suggests that the CS doctor experiences being overloaded with duties, and feels overwhelmed in a healthcare context that lacks resources needed for service provision, which may lead to inadequate mental healthcare provision to public health service users.Conclusion: Healthcare facilities in rural parts of the Eastern Cape province are in need of assistance. This in-depth account highlighted the consequences of working on the front line of a disadvantaged and under-resourced health system. The presented account can be interpreted as a cry for help by CS doctors for relevant authorities to improve access and provision of mental healthcare in the area.Contribution: The paper provides an exploration of the circumstances wherein mental healthcare is provided in rural parts of South Africa.","PeriodicalId":22040,"journal":{"name":"South African Family Practice","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2024-03-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140241308","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}
Moses Alenbalu, Chika K Egenasi, Wilhelm J Steinberg, Omololu Aluko
No abstract available.
无摘要。
{"title":"Corrigendum: Diabetes Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices in adults with type 2 diabetes at primary health care clinics in Kimberley South Africa.","authors":"Moses Alenbalu, Chika K Egenasi, Wilhelm J Steinberg, Omololu Aluko","doi":"10.4102/safp.v66i1.5922","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/safp.v66i1.5922","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>No abstract available.</p>","PeriodicalId":22040,"journal":{"name":"South African Family Practice","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2024-03-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11019113/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140865821","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jenny Nash, Andrew J. Ross, Mergan Naidoo, T. Ras, H. Brits, Sheena Mathew
No abstract available.
无摘要。
{"title":"Health budget cuts will be paid for by the most vulnerable","authors":"Jenny Nash, Andrew J. Ross, Mergan Naidoo, T. Ras, H. Brits, Sheena Mathew","doi":"10.4102/safp.v66i1.5934","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/safp.v66i1.5934","url":null,"abstract":"No abstract available.","PeriodicalId":22040,"journal":{"name":"South African Family Practice","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140414445","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}
Background There have been mounting concerns over the lack of proper facilities for adolescents living with intellectual disability (ALWID), and the struggles particularly of the developing world to provide care and rehabilitation services for this population. Care and rehabilitation services are needed to improve this population’s normal functioning but have been scarce or non-existent in most communities. Objectives This study aimed to solicit and describe nurse managers’ views of the challenges and opportunities in rendering care and rehabilitation services to ALWID. The study was based on Julian Rappaport’s empowerment theory, which provided a framework for organising essential knowledge while rendering care and rehabilitation services for ALWID. Method A qualitative, explorative design was used to solicit nurse managers’ views of the challenges and opportunities in rendering rehabilitation services to ALWID in Tshwane District, Gauteng province, South Africa. Thirteen participants were purposively selected from three rehabilitation centres. Results Data were analysed thematically using Braun and Clarke’s six-step method. Five themes emerged relating to challenges and opportunities in rendering rehabilitation services to ALWID. Two themes focussed on challenges, namely inadequate age-appropriate rehabilitation services and a lack of material and non-material resources. Strengthened support systems, partnerships with outside stakeholders, and the promotion of physical activities emerged as opportunities for rendering rehabilitation services to ALWID. Conclusion Nurse managers believe rehabilitation services empower ALWID towards autonomy, enhancing their societal function and quality of life with a crucial strong support system. Contribution Nurse managers should lead in creating collaboration platforms for ALWID care, promoting partnerships, sharing best practices, and overcoming challenges in treatment and rehabilitation.
{"title":"Challenges and opportunities in adolescent intellectual disability care and rehabilitation","authors":"R. G. Malapela","doi":"10.4102/safp.v66i1.5798","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/safp.v66i1.5798","url":null,"abstract":"Background There have been mounting concerns over the lack of proper facilities for adolescents living with intellectual disability (ALWID), and the struggles particularly of the developing world to provide care and rehabilitation services for this population. Care and rehabilitation services are needed to improve this population’s normal functioning but have been scarce or non-existent in most communities. Objectives This study aimed to solicit and describe nurse managers’ views of the challenges and opportunities in rendering care and rehabilitation services to ALWID. The study was based on Julian Rappaport’s empowerment theory, which provided a framework for organising essential knowledge while rendering care and rehabilitation services for ALWID. Method A qualitative, explorative design was used to solicit nurse managers’ views of the challenges and opportunities in rendering rehabilitation services to ALWID in Tshwane District, Gauteng province, South Africa. Thirteen participants were purposively selected from three rehabilitation centres. Results Data were analysed thematically using Braun and Clarke’s six-step method. Five themes emerged relating to challenges and opportunities in rendering rehabilitation services to ALWID. Two themes focussed on challenges, namely inadequate age-appropriate rehabilitation services and a lack of material and non-material resources. Strengthened support systems, partnerships with outside stakeholders, and the promotion of physical activities emerged as opportunities for rendering rehabilitation services to ALWID. Conclusion Nurse managers believe rehabilitation services empower ALWID towards autonomy, enhancing their societal function and quality of life with a crucial strong support system. Contribution Nurse managers should lead in creating collaboration platforms for ALWID care, promoting partnerships, sharing best practices, and overcoming challenges in treatment and rehabilitation.","PeriodicalId":22040,"journal":{"name":"South African Family Practice","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140409563","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}
{"title":"From the President’s Desk: Part 1, 2024","authors":"Andrew Ross","doi":"10.4102/safp.v66i1.5900","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/safp.v66i1.5900","url":null,"abstract":"No abstract available.","PeriodicalId":22040,"journal":{"name":"South African Family Practice","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140408258","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}
Muila Kambulandu, Radiance M. Ogundipe, Mariel Bryden, Lebohang Sao, Dave M. Thompson, Chelsea M. McGuire, Brian W. Jack
Background Since 2020, the world has been battling the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The mortality and morbidity at the height of the pandemic sparked generalised fear and uncertainty about the future. Concerns were raised about the psychological impact of the pandemic on workers in healthcare systems globally. This study was conducted to establish the degree of psychological impact of the pandemic on frontline health workers in Lesotho. Methods The study used a quantitative cross-sectional survey design. The Kessler psychological distress screening tool (K-10) and the post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) checklist for civilians (PCL-C) were administered to screen for psychological distress among clinical staff at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Roma and its four Health Centres. Additional open- and closed-ended questions were added for context. Data were analysed using Fisher’s exact tests, Pearson chi-square tests and correlation studies. Results Of the 101 participants, 42 (41.6%) scored ≥ 24 on the K-10 scale (95% CI: 32.0% – 51.2%) indicating moderate to severe psychological distress and 32 (31.7%) scored ≥ 50 on the PCL-C checklist suggesting severe PTSD (95% CI: 24.5% – 42.9%). High scores on the K-10 were found more among men than women (17 [37.8%] vs. 4 [7.1%]; p ≤ 0.001). Post-traumatic stress disorder was more in the younger age group (p ≤ 0.03), in those reporting anxiety (p = 0.005) and those with more co-morbidities (p ≤ 0.001). Conclusion This study revealed the grave psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on frontline clinical health workers in Lesotho. Contribution These data will assist health leaders and policymakers to implement mental health support interventions for health workers in future.
{"title":"Psychological distress and PTSD among clinicians in Roma, Lesotho during the COVID-19 pandemic","authors":"Muila Kambulandu, Radiance M. Ogundipe, Mariel Bryden, Lebohang Sao, Dave M. Thompson, Chelsea M. McGuire, Brian W. Jack","doi":"10.4102/safp.v66i1.5785","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/safp.v66i1.5785","url":null,"abstract":"Background Since 2020, the world has been battling the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The mortality and morbidity at the height of the pandemic sparked generalised fear and uncertainty about the future. Concerns were raised about the psychological impact of the pandemic on workers in healthcare systems globally. This study was conducted to establish the degree of psychological impact of the pandemic on frontline health workers in Lesotho. Methods The study used a quantitative cross-sectional survey design. The Kessler psychological distress screening tool (K-10) and the post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) checklist for civilians (PCL-C) were administered to screen for psychological distress among clinical staff at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Roma and its four Health Centres. Additional open- and closed-ended questions were added for context. Data were analysed using Fisher’s exact tests, Pearson chi-square tests and correlation studies. Results Of the 101 participants, 42 (41.6%) scored ≥ 24 on the K-10 scale (95% CI: 32.0% – 51.2%) indicating moderate to severe psychological distress and 32 (31.7%) scored ≥ 50 on the PCL-C checklist suggesting severe PTSD (95% CI: 24.5% – 42.9%). High scores on the K-10 were found more among men than women (17 [37.8%] vs. 4 [7.1%]; p ≤ 0.001). Post-traumatic stress disorder was more in the younger age group (p ≤ 0.03), in those reporting anxiety (p = 0.005) and those with more co-morbidities (p ≤ 0.001). Conclusion This study revealed the grave psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on frontline clinical health workers in Lesotho. Contribution These data will assist health leaders and policymakers to implement mental health support interventions for health workers in future.","PeriodicalId":22040,"journal":{"name":"South African Family Practice","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140415147","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}
Persistent challenges in addressing severe neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia in resource-constrained settings have led to ongoing and often unacceptable rates of morbidity, disability and mortality. These challenges stem from limitations such as inadequate, inefficient or financially inaccessible diagnostic and therapeutic options. However, over the past decade, noteworthy innovations have emerged to address some of these hurdles, and these innovations are increasingly poised for broader implementation. This review provides a concise summary of these novel, economically viable diagnostic solutions, encompassing point-of-care assays and smartphone applications, as well as treatment modalities, notably more effective phototherapy and filtered sunlight. These advancements hold promise and have the potential to meaningfully reduce the burden of neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia, signifying a promising shift in the landscape of neonatal healthcare.
{"title":"Innovative approaches to neonatal jaundice diagnosis and management in low-resourced settings","authors":"Haroon Saloojee","doi":"10.4102/safp.v66i1.5833","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/safp.v66i1.5833","url":null,"abstract":"Persistent challenges in addressing severe neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia in resource-constrained settings have led to ongoing and often unacceptable rates of morbidity, disability and mortality. These challenges stem from limitations such as inadequate, inefficient or financially inaccessible diagnostic and therapeutic options. However, over the past decade, noteworthy innovations have emerged to address some of these hurdles, and these innovations are increasingly poised for broader implementation. This review provides a concise summary of these novel, economically viable diagnostic solutions, encompassing point-of-care assays and smartphone applications, as well as treatment modalities, notably more effective phototherapy and filtered sunlight. These advancements hold promise and have the potential to meaningfully reduce the burden of neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia, signifying a promising shift in the landscape of neonatal healthcare.","PeriodicalId":22040,"journal":{"name":"South African Family Practice","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140416946","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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