scholarly journals Empty shelves: selected essential medicines stockouts in South Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
L Wolvaardt ◽  
R Nemuntandani ◽  
I Kamungoma-Dada

Abstract Background Access to essential medicines in South Africa has been compromised by stockouts in health facilities. This study describes the occurrence of stockouts for a selection of essential medicines. Methods This cross-sectional study used secondary data retrieved from the Stop Stock Outs Project (SSP). A descriptive analysis was conducted on data from the 2013-2015 SSP case management database of routinely reported stockouts. Chi square tests of independence was conducted on data from the SSP 2015 annual telephonic survey to investigate associations between the occurrence of stockouts, the level of health facility and the type of health professional. Results 231 facilities reported 609 stockouts. Antiretroviral medication had the most stockout reports (78%; n = 475/609), followed by anti-infectives (17.1%; n = 104/609) and tuberculosis medication (4.9%; n = 30/609). The highest number of stockout reports were received from Gauteng province and the majority (71.09%; n = 150/211) of facilities reporting stockouts were in urban areas. There were more stockouts at ambulatory, rather than inpatient care, facilities however, this was not statistically significant. Conclusions This study confirms that South Africa experiences medicine stockouts for many of the essential medicines, with antiretroviral medication being the category most affected. The stockouts vary between provinces and the urban-rural divide but are an equal threat to both ambulatory and inpatient facilities. Key messages The pattern of stockouts experienced over a three-year period suggest that stockouts are ‘normal’ despite the substantive effects of treatment interruption – especially patients with HIV and/or TB. Antiretroviral therapy is at risk as a result of stockouts.

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 184
Author(s):  
Armya Zakiah Safitri ◽  
Risna Nur Fajariyah ◽  
Erni Astutik

Background: Over the last decades, the number of new diabetic cases and the prevalence of diabetes have tended to increase. The diabetes prevalence rate in Indonesia in 2020 reached 6.20%. Purpose: The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between the variables of age, level of education, smoking status, and Body Mass Index (BMI) and the prevalence of diabetes in the urban areas. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study and used secondary data from the Indonesia Family Life Survey (IFLS 5) in 2015. The data was analyzed using descriptive analysis and simple logistic regression. The dependent variable in this study was Diabetes Mellitus (DM); the independent variables were age, education level, smoking status, and BMI. Results: In terms of the respondents’ characteristics, individuals were mainly over 35 years of age (130 respondents, 83.87%). The highest level of education was attained by 93 respondents (60.00%). There was a correlation between respondents who were over 35 years of age, with p=0.01; prevalence ratio (PR)=5.60; 95%Cl=3.64–8.62) and the level of education (p=0.01; PR=1.69; 95%Cl=1.22–2.34) with the incidence of diabetes in urban areas in Indonesia. There was no correlation between the smoking status (p=0.55; PR=0.67; 95%Cl=0.01–2.73) and the BMI of respondents with the prevalence of diabetes in urban areas in Indonesia. Conclusion: The age and the level of education were linked to the incidence of diabetes in urban areas in Indonesia.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 2961
Author(s):  
Nafissatou Cisse Egbuonye ◽  
Ariun Ishdorj ◽  
E.L.J. McKyer ◽  
Rahma Mkuu

Malnutrition is a major public health concern in Niger. The stunting rate in children in Niger is over 50%, one of the highest in the world. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to examine children’s dietary diversity (CDD) and the maternal factors that impact CDD. A total of 1265 mother–child pairs were analyzed. Descriptive analysis was conducted to present maternal and child characteristics. To compare the mean scores of CDD in relation to the region, an independent sample t-test was conducted. A one-way ANOVA test was conducted to evaluate the CDD score by different age groups. A linear regression model was estimated to identify household, maternal and child factors that affect the CDD score. Our results indicate that most of the participants of our survey resided in rural areas and the majority (80.7%) of the mothers had no education. Factors such as region, children’s age, woman’s empowerment, vitamin A intake and wealth index were significant predictors of CDD (p < 0.05). The children residing in rural areas were more likely to have lower CDD scores (p < 0.05) than the children in urban areas, therefore becoming more susceptible to malnutrition.


Author(s):  
Vikram Narang ◽  
Maneet Luthra ◽  
Avantika Garg ◽  
Amit Dhiman ◽  
Neena Sood

Introduction: Cytogenetics has become an integral part of Multiple Myeloma (MM) diagnosis and prognostication. A combination of conventional cytogenetics and interphase Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH) is currently used to stratify tumours into high, intermediate and standard risk disease. Aim: To compare the morphological details of plasma cells with cytogenetic abnormalities. Materials and Methods: The present retrospective cross sectional study was conducted at Department of Pathology Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana in three and a half year duration (1st January 2014 to 30th June 2017). All the diagnosed MM patients in whom cytogenetic was available were included and descriptive analysis was done using Chi-Square test and relevant statistical analysis using SPSS 21 version. Correlation was done with various morphological pattern (plasmacytic, plasma blastic). Results: Cytogenetic studies were performed on 42 cases using FISH technique (n=31, 81.6%) and GTG (Giemsa) banding (n=4, 10.5%). Three (7.9%) patients were tested with both methods. In the present study, all the patients (n=2,100%) with plasmablastic morphology who got tested with cytogenetics had del13q14.3 and none of the patients with normal genome (n=22) had plasmablastic morphology. Conclusion: Morphologic patterns of plasma cells and cytogenetic studies correlate well and can together help in better prognostication of MM patients.


2019 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patience Mbola ◽  
Izanne S. Human ◽  
Paula E. Melariri

Orientation: The environmental health graduates are required to complete community service before they could be registered as independent practitioners by the Health Professions Council of South Africa. Community service programme serves as the mechanism to recruit healthcare professionals who will improve the provision of equitable and quality healthcare.Research purpose: The study aimed to explore, identify and describe the factors that had an influence on the effective selection, placement and utilisation of environmental health graduates as well as an evaluation of the effectiveness of community service.Research approach/design and method: A quantitative, cross-sectional study was conducted using self-administered questionnaires. The study included 24 environmental health practitioners who completed their community service and 10 environmental health practitioners responsible for coordinating community service in the municipal, provincial and national spheres of government in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa during 2013–2016. Purposive sample was drawn from each population. T-test and chi-square test were used to determine the statistical significant differences. The open-ended question responses from the structured questionnaire were qualitatively analysed by an independent coder.Main findings: The findings revealed major problems regarding the effective implementation of community service that included decreasing number of community service posts, inadequate material resources, lack of induction, inconsistent supervision, and a lack of evaluation of the community service.Contribution: The study findings suggest important inequalities that should deserve urgent attention. Study concludes by presenting recommendations for the improvement of the community service in the environmental health.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xin Mei ◽  
Qing Zhong ◽  
Gong Chen ◽  
Yuanxia Huang ◽  
Junlin Li

Abstract Background In recent years, research on health literacy has become increasingly focused on the health care system and public health. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate health literacy and analyse the risk factors that affect health literacy in Wuhan, China. Methods Multistage stratified random sampling was used to select 5304 urban and rural residents aged 15 to 69 years from 204 monitoring points in 15 districts of Wuhan. Using the Chinese Citizen Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ) (2018 edition), a face-to-face survey was conducted from November to December 2018. Risk factors that may affect health literacy were assessed using the Chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression models. Results The knowledge rate of health literacy was relatively low (19.3%). The knowledge rate of health-related behaviour and lifestyle (BAL, 17.3%) was the lowest of the three aspects of health literacy, and the knowledge rate of chronic diseases (CD, 19.0%) was the lowest of the six dimensions of health literacy. Respondents who lived in urban areas, had higher education levels, worked as medical staff, had a higher household income and did not suffer from chronic diseases were likely to have higher health literacy. Conclusions The health literacy levels of citizens in Wuhan are insufficient and need to improve.


2017 ◽  
Vol 70 (2) ◽  
pp. 265-270 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Cláudio Garcia Lira Neto ◽  
Mayra de Almeida Xavier ◽  
José Wicto Pereira Borges ◽  
Márcio Flávio Moura de Araújo ◽  
Marta Maria Coelho Damasceno ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Objective: to identify the prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome and its components in a population of patients with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Method: a cross-sectional study was conducted with 201 diabetic patients. A descriptive analysis and Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests ( p <0.05) were performed. Results: the majority of participants were females and overweight, with a mean age of 63.1 years and a low level of education, and categorized as physically inactive. Of all individuals investigated, 50.7% were diagnosed with Metabolic Syndrome and 92% had at least one of the syndrome components with values beyond those recommended. Conclusion: it is essential to take preventive actions and develop studies that help to identify the factors associated with this syndrome.


2013 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
pp. 527-531 ◽  
Author(s):  
Flávio Fernando Demarco ◽  
Marcus Cristian Muniz Conde ◽  
Caroline Ely ◽  
Eliana Nascimento Torre ◽  
José Ricardo Souza Costa ◽  
...  

This study evaluated the preferences of general dentists regarding vital and nonvital tooth bleaching therapies and investigated whether the time of clinical practice and post-graduate training influence these options. A cross-sectional study was conducted using a questionnaire with closed questions applied to dentists (n=276) of a mid-sized city of the southern Brazil (Pelotas, RS). Information was collected regarding sociodemographic variables, level of specialization and time since graduation. In addition, options regarding bleaching therapies including the first choice of material, technique and clinical practice for vital and nonvital tooth bleaching therapies were included. Data were submitted to descriptive analysis and the associations were evaluated using chi-square and Fisher exact tests (α=0.05). The response rate was 68% (n=187). At-home bleaching therapy was broadly preferred (78.1%) over in-office (21.9%) bleaching. For at-home bleaching, most dentists answered to use 10% carbamide peroxide (CP) (40.2%) and >30% hydrogen peroxide (HP) (31.7%) for nonvital therapies. The majority of dentists with post-graduation training preferred at-home bleaching techniques (p=0.003). At-home bleaching therapy was also more indicated by younger dentists. No association was found between the choice for nonvital bleaching therapies and time since graduation (p=0.532) or continuous education (p=0.083). In conclusion, at-home bleaching was preferred over in-office therapies; 10% CP and >30% HP were chosen as first option agents to treat discolored vital and nonvital teeth, respectively. The time in clinical practice and the level of specialization affected dentists' choices only for vital tooth bleaching treatment.


Author(s):  
Mahdieh Momayyezi ◽  
Parisa Peigan ◽  
Hossein Fallahzadeh

Introduction: Understanding the epidemiological pattern and causes of poisoning is the first step to prevent and reduce complications and mortality due to poisoning in children. Given that no study has been conducted on this subject in Yazd, this study aimed to determine the epidemiology pattern of poisoning in children admitted to the referral teaching hospitals in Yazd and Taft cities during 2014-2019. Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 238 children under the age of 15 who have been admitted to Shahid Sadoughi hospital in Yazd and Shahid Beheshti hospital in Taft city during 2014-2019. The data were analyzed by SPSS version 20.0 using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and Chi-square. In all the statistical analyses, a P-value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: The results showed that the frequency of poisonings was higher in girls (58%), in summer (31.1%), and in urban areas (82.8%). Most cases of poisoning aged less than 15 years (75.1%). The main cause of poisoning in children was drug poisoning (60.5%), followed by cleansing products (10.1%). The most common clinical manifestations included neurological signs (33.6%). During 2014-2019, the frequency of drugs and pesticide poisonings decreased; while poisoning due to drug-opioids and cleansing products increased (P = 0.04). Also, 3 deaths occurred due to poisoning during this period. Conclusion: The higher prevalence of drug and cleansing products poisoning in children under the age of 15 indicates involuntary poisoning in this group. Therefore, proper storage of these substances and more parental care can reduce poisonings in children.


Author(s):  
Alireza Javidmehr ◽  
Yagoob Garedaghi ◽  
Amir Babak Sioufi

Introduction: Cryptosporidiosis is a worldwide zoonotic disease that is caused by Cryptosporidium species and leads to acute or chronic diarrhea and vomiting in patients. Due to the suitable conditions of East Azerbaijan province for parasite transmission, the present study was performed to evaluate the prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection in patients with gastroenteritis referred to hospitals and reference laboratories of East Azerbaijan province during 2018-2019. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was performed on patients with diarrhea who referred to hospitals and reference laboratories of East Azerbaijan province during 2018-2019. In this study, 180 fecal samples were collected from patients with gastroenteritis by cluster-random sampling. Stool samples were stored in 10% formalin and transferred to a parasitology laboratory and examined for parasite contamination by modified acid-fast staining (Modified Ziehl-Neelsen) method. Data were analyzed by chi-square test using SPSS. Results: Out of 180 samples, the highest number of diarrhea samples belonged to the age group over 40 years (35.5%) and the lowest belonged to the age group of 10-20 years (7.7%). Additionally, 56% of subjects were male and 44% were female. Of these patients, 57.7% lived in urban areas and 42.3% in rural areas. Cryptosporidium was observed in 1.6% (3 cases) of patients with gastroenteritis. There was a statistically significant relationship between Cryptosporidium infection and the age of patients with diarrhea (P<0.05). Conclusion: In the present study, a lower prevalence of cryptosporidiosis has been determined in comparison with previous studies in East Azerbaijan province. However, Cryptosporidium and other parasitic infections in the feces of patients with diarrhea referred to hospitals or reference laboratories need to be carefully diagnosed by appropriate parasitological methods.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Gleiser Arias-Vásquez ◽  
◽  
María Espinoza-Salcedo ◽  

Objective: To determine the levels of depression, anxiety, and stress in dentists working in the northern region of Peru in times of COVID-19. Material and Methods: 310 dentists working in the northern region of Peru in times of COVID-19 were evaluated by means of an observational and cross-sectional study. Subjects were asked to give their informed consent and answer a virtual questionnaire containing 21 items based on the DASS-21 Scale that assesses depression, anxiety, and stress. A descriptive analysis was carried out with frequencies; for the variables of gender and years of work experience the Chi square test (p<0.05) was used. Results: It was found that 291 (93.87%) of the dentists suffered from some type of psychological disorder: stress (35.74%), anxiety (35.05%), depression (29.21%). Mild stress was the most prevalent accounting for 49.04% (51); mild depression with 45.88% (39), and moderate anxiety with 40.20% (41). A higher prevalence was found in females and in those dentists who had less than 5 years of work experience. Conclusion: 93.87% of dentists working in the northern region of Peru in times of COVID-19 presented some type of psychological disorder, a higher frequency of mild stress was found, followed by mild depression, and moderate anxiety.


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