Factors associated with adverse events after emergency laparotomy in Cape Town, South Africa: identifying opportunities for quality improvement

While neck dissection is an important primary and adjunctive procedure in the treatment of head and neck cancer, there is a paucity of studies evaluating outcomes. A retrospective review of the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database was performed to identify factors associated with adverse events (AEs) in patients undergoing neck dissection. A total of 619 patients were identified, using CPT codes specific to neck dissection. Of the 619 patients undergoing neck dissection, 142 (22.9%) experienced an AE within 30 days of the surgical procedure. Risk factors on multivariate regression analysis associated with increased AEs included dyspnea (odds ratio [OR] 2.57; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.06 to 6.22; p = 0.037), previous cardiac surgery (OR 3.38; 95% CI 1.08 to 10.52; p = 0.036), increasing anesthesia time (OR 1.005; 95% CI 1 to 1.009; p = 0.036), and increasing total work relative value units (OR 1.09; CI 1.04 to 1.13; p < 0.001). The current study is the largest, most robust analysis to identify specific risk factors associated with AEs after neck dissection. This information will assist with preoperative optimization, patient counseling, and appropriate risk stratification, and it can serve as benchmarking for institutions comparing surgical outcomes.

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Factors associated with current substance use among a sample of homeless individuals in Cape Town, South Africa: a secondary data analysis

Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse ◽

10.1080/15332640.2021.2011817 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-14

Author(s):

Tara Carney ◽

Jonathan Hopkins ◽

Ria Laubscher ◽

Nandi Siegfried

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Substance Use ◽

Data Analysis ◽

Cape Town ◽

Secondary Data ◽

Secondary Data Analysis ◽

Factors Associated

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Factors associated with loss to follow-up after occupational HIV exposure in Cape Town, South Africa: a retrospective cohort study

AIDS Research and Therapy ◽

10.1186/s12981-017-0149-8 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Nectarios Sophocles Papavarnavas ◽

Kathryn Manning ◽

Fahd Conrad ◽

Milah Govender ◽

Gary Maartens

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Cohort Study ◽

Retrospective Cohort Study ◽

Retrospective Cohort ◽

Cape Town ◽

Loss To Follow Up ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Hiv Exposure

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Exploring Factors Associated with Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment Compliance Behaviour in Cape Town, South Africa

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph182212209 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (22) ◽

pp. 12209

Author(s):

Annalie Wentzel ◽

Zandile June-Rose Mchiza

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

South Africa ◽

Health Care ◽

Diabetic Retinopathy ◽

Cape Town ◽

Treatment Compliance ◽

Public Health Care ◽

Public Health Care System ◽

Key Informants ◽

Factors Associated

Complete patient adherence to treatment for diabetic retinopathy (DR) is critical to limit vision loss. There is a dearth of evidence regarding the reasons why South African patients referred for suspected vision-threatening DR stay compliant to or default their treatment. The current study sought to explore factors associated with treatment compliance among patients living with diabetes who have been referred for suspected vision-threatening DR in the Northern/Tygerberg sub-Structure (NTSS) public health care system of Cape Town, South Africa. A qualitative research approach was used where semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 13 adult patients living with DR, and 2 key informants who are primary eye care providers. Thematic data analysis was conducted using taguette.org. Fear of going blind was the most notable patient-related factor associated with compliance. Notable patient-related barriers reported were forgetfulness and a poor state of health. Notable institution-related barriers included suboptimal information received from health care service providers, poor referral management by the organisation delivering retinal screening services, as well as the inaccessibility of the main NTSS hospital via telephone calls. All these factors were confirmed by the key informants of the current study. Finally, all patients and key informants agreed that SARS-CoV-2 negatively affected patients’ adherence to their DR treatment. Hence, scaling up of health care, referral, and appointment setting services could increase the uptake of treatment and retinal screenings among patients attending the Cape Town, NTSS public health care system.

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Factors associated with alcohol use prior to and during pregnancy among HIV-infected pregnant women in Cape Town, South Africa

Drug and Alcohol Dependence ◽

10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2016.12.017 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 173 ◽

pp. 69-77 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Kirsty Brittain ◽

Robert H. Remien ◽

Tamsin Phillips ◽

Allison Zerbe ◽

Elaine J. Abrams ◽

...

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Alcohol Use ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Cape Town ◽

Factors Associated

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Factors Associated With Retention in Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment Among Disadvantaged Communities in Cape Town, South Africa

Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs ◽

10.15288/jsad.2010.71.395 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 71 (3) ◽

pp. 395-399 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Sonja Pasche ◽

Bronwyn Myers ◽

Mohamed Adam

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Drug Treatment ◽

Cape Town ◽

Disadvantaged Communities ◽

Factors Associated

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Factors Associated With the Use of the Contraceptive Implant Among Women Attending a Primary Health Clinic in Cape Town, South Africa

Frontiers in Global Women's Health ◽

10.3389/fgwh.2021.672365 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2 ◽

Author(s):

Kim Jonas ◽

Mikateko Mazinu ◽

Moira Kalichman ◽

Seth Kalichman ◽

Carl Lombard ◽

...

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

South African ◽

Cape Town ◽

Outcome Expectancies ◽

Health Clinic ◽

Intention To Use ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Primary Health ◽

The Future ◽

Contraceptive Implant

Background: Long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs), which include the subdermal contraceptive implant and intrauterine contraception, offer women safe, highly effective, long-term pregnancy prevention, and have expanded contraceptive options. The implant greatly expands LARC options for South African women as it is available free of charge at public health facilities, but little is known about factors associated with its uptake. This study describes factors associated with the intention to use the implant, including knowledge and beliefs about the implant and perceived outcome expectancies of implant use among women in Cape Town, South Africa.Methods: Between 2015 and 2016, the authors conducted a quantitative, cross-sectional survey among adult women attending a public, primary health clinic in Cape Town, South Africa. Using a structured questionnaire, they measured knowledge, awareness, and attitudes, perceived outcome expectancy, and the intention to use the contraceptive implant in future among the women.Results: The authors surveyed 481 women (mean age 29.1 years). Most of the participants (n = 364, 75.6%) had heard about the implant, 45 (9.4%) were currently using it, and 97 (20.2%) intended to use it in the future. Knowledge about the safety of the implant, beliefs about its effectiveness, and the ease of insertion and removal, and support from intimate partners were positively associated with the current use and intentions to use the implant in the future.Conclusions: Limited knowledge of the implant, having completed secondary schooling, support from partner for women to use implant and the perceived outcome expectancies of using the implant were factors significantly associated with the intention to use the implant. Ensuring that the contraception information is available in all South African languages, regardless of education levels in women, and that comprehensive contraception education and counseling is provided during all family planning might help improve the uptake of contraceptives, including the use of the implant in the country.

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