Use of traditional and alternative healers by psychiatric patients: A descriptive study in urban South Africa

2018 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 146-166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zukiswa Zingela ◽  
Stephan van Wyk ◽  
Jacques Pietersen

This study investigates the pattern of use of traditional and alternative healers among psychiatric patients in Nelson Mandela Metropole. An interview schedule was applied to 254 subjects at six sites, enquiring about consultations with traditional and alternative healers in the past year. Multivariate analysis was performed to determine predictors of consultation. Overall, 78 (31%) of respondents had consulted a healer in the past year. The ethnic distribution was: 156 (61%) Black, 53 (21%) Coloured (Mixed Race), 42 (17%) White and three (1%) Indian. The male to female ratio was 119 (46.85%):135 (53.14%). The healers gave no advice about psychiatric medication to 48 (61.5%) of consulters, 23 (29.5%) were told to continue their medication, four (5.1%) told to stop, and one (1.3%) told to stop and restart later. In multivariate models, predictors of consultation were being Black and of lower education. Although 45 (58%) of the consulters indicated that medical treatment was more helpful than the healer’s, 45 (58%) intended to consult again. Overall, 22% of consulters reported abuse by the healer.

2012 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 143-146 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naik Balachandra Ramachandra

ABSTRACT Background India constitutes more than 80% of population from the villages and are not only socially and economically deprived but also do not get medical facilities compared to small towns and cities. Newspaper says India is fastest developing country, but, in respect to medical service to her citizens at rural level, it is nil. Now, oral cavity cancer is 3rd commonest cancer, which is seen commonly in village people in both sexes. We reviewed the past studies on oral cancer and the same is compared with the present trend. Oral cancer biopsies secured 29.54% among all malignant biopsies. Male to female ratio is 1:1. Majority of patients (38.5%) got oral cancer in 4th decade, followed by 35.2% patients in 3rd decade. Buccal mucosa (57.5%) was the commonest site, followed by tongue (24.2%). Gutkha (the smokeless tobacco) is commonest cause for this cancer. Conclusion Apart from chewing habits, illiteracy, poverty, low caloric diet and nonavailability of free medical facility is the cause for rise in oral cancer incidences. How to cite this article Ramachandra NB. The Hierarchy of Oral Cancer in India. Int J Head and Neck Surg 2012;3(3):143-146.


2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 238-241 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Mathur ◽  
SN Pandey

Background There are few studies on cutaneous tuberculosis in Nepal.Objective To analyse the epidemiological, clinical and histological patterns of cutaneous TB over the past 5 years.Method Patients with cutaneous tuberculosis diagnosed from January 2010 to December 2014 at College of Medical Sciences, Chitwan, Nepal were included in the study. Chest radiography, routine investigations and screening for HIV was performed in all cases.Result A total of 47 clinical cases of cutaneous tuberculosis were diagnosed. The most commonly affected age group was 41-50 years. Male to female ratio was 1.5:1. Duration of cutaneous tuberculosis ranged from 1 month to 33 years. Lupus vulgaris was the most common clinical type (64%), followed by tuberculosis verrucosa cutis (19%). Two cases (4%) were diagnosed as papulonecrotic tuberculid. Overall, the most common site of involvement was extremities (55%) followed by head and neck, trunk, and perianal region. Histopathologic features of epitheloid cell granuloma with Langhans type giant cells were seen in 89% of cases, and in remaining 11% cases, chronic inflammatory dermatitis and nonspecific chronic dermatitis were observed.Conclusion M Tuberculosis is endemic in Nepal and the incidence of cutaneous tuberculosis at our centre was 0.1%. Lupus vulgaris was the most common type followed by tuberculosis verrucosa cutis in our study. Cutaneous tuberculosis can be accompanied by tuberculosis in internal organs and hence should be looked for. Clinicopathologic correlation is necessary to make a proper diagnosis.Kathmandu University Medical Journal Vol.12(4) 2014; 238-241


Sexual Health ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 155 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phillip Read ◽  
Christopher K. Fairley ◽  
Eric P. F. Chow

Background The epidemiology of syphilis, and therefore the population most impacted, differs between countries. Many developed countries have reported an increase in syphilis notifications among men who have sex with men (MSM) over the past decade. Methods: The rates of syphilis notifications between 2000 and 2013 in the 31 countries categorised by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) as high income were investigated. Data was taken primarily from published national surveillance reports, and a male-to-female ratio substantially greater than two in syphilis notifications was taken as a proxy for the infection being disproportionately diagnosed in MSM. Results: Data was available for 27 high-income countries. The male-to-female ratio exceeded two in all but four countries. This ratio significantly increased across all geographical areas over time. Globally, the male-to-female ratio in these countries increased from 4.1 in 2000 to 7.9 in 2013 (P = 0.001). Furthermore, the proportion of male cases reported as being among MSM increased over time from 26.8% to 55.0% between 2000 and 2013 (P < 0.001). Conclusion: These data show that in countries with high income, there is a near universal finding of increasing rates of syphilis in MSM. It is therefore clear that no country has identified an effective method to control syphilis in this population.


2005 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 183-186 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lipa Bodner ◽  
Jed Goldstein ◽  
Haim Sarnat

The eruption cyst (EC) occurs within the mucosa overlying a tooth that is about to erupt. In the past EC was considered a type of dentigerous cyst (DC) occuring in the soft tissues. Twenty four patients (mean age 4.44 years, range 1.0 month - 12 years) with EC were diagnosed and treated. EC was associated with natal teeth in two (8.3%) cases, with primary teeth in 10 (41.6%) cases and with permanent teeth in 12 (50%) cases. There was a gender predilection, the male to female ratio was 2:1. The primary mandibular central incisors and the permanent first molars were the most common site affected. The clinical appearance was a raised, bluish gingival mass on the alveolar ridge. The size was variable and dependent on the size and number of the associated teeth. The type of treatment provided was one of the following: no treatment (10 cases, 42%), extraction (2 cases, 8%) and marsupialization (12 cases, 50%). All surgical specimens underwent histopathologic examination. EC should be recognized as a separate entity from DC and a conservative treatment approach is recommended.


Author(s):  
Banwari L. Meel

Background: Protection of children has been identified as a priority in South Africa. Despite a commitment to uphold children’s rights, much still needs to be done for the safety of mentally impaired children.Method: This is a record review of attendees at the Sinawe Centre from 2001 to 2005. It is the only centre in the Mthatha area that provides care for sexually assaulted persons and it is affiliated to the Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital. All mentally impaired victims of sexual assault were recorded on the register.Results: During the study period, 1,268 individuals, of whom 32 were profoundly mentally impaired, attended the Sinawe Centre following sexual assault. Of these mentally impaired individuals, 28 (87.5%) were below the age of 18 years. Two were males while the rest were females, giving a male to female ratio of 1:15. A close relative was implicated in 29 (90.6%) of the cases. Among the victims were six (18.7%) epileptics who were on treatment. One was 13 years old and pregnant. Four were HIV positive on screening.Conclusion: Over 2% of the sexual assault victims attending the Sinawe Centre were mentally impaired. Of these, 12.5% were HIV seropositive.


Angiology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 71 (7) ◽  
pp. 621-625
Author(s):  
Simon Soudet ◽  
Alexandre Le Joncour ◽  
Thomas Quemeneur ◽  
Helene Maillard ◽  
Fabien Koskas ◽  
...  

Thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO) is an inflammatory disease that usually affects small and medium-sized arteries in the upper and lower limbs of young smokers. Previous studies showed that the spectrum TAO has changed in the 80s: the male-to-female ratio decreased, older patients were diagnosed, and upper limb involvement was more common. The aim of our study was to assess the changing clinical spectrum of TAO in France during the past 40 years. All consecutive patients fulfilling TAO’s criteria between January 1967 and January 2016 were retrospectively included in 3 departments of internal medicine. We compared TAO features in patients diagnosed before and after 2002; 141 (77.5%) men and 41 (22.5%) women were included. Patients diagnosed after 2002 were older (37 [31-39] vs 34 [29-35] years P = .03), had a more frequent isolated upper limb involvement (34.3% vs 7.8% P = .001), and less frequent isolated lower limb involvement (55.7% vs 74.5%, P < .001). The clinical spectrum of TAO has changed in France since the beginning of the 21st century.


Author(s):  
Angelo V. Vasiliadis ◽  
George Charitoudis ◽  
Dimitrios Giotis

Introduction: This study was designed to determine the epidemiological profile of hip fractures among Greek population with special importance to the cause of fracture, their characteristics, the treatment instituted and to assess the incidence.   Methods: The current study conducted in a single hospital in the northern part of Greece, in the regional unit of Grevena, during the 2016 calendar year. Patients themselves, or a relative member or a caregiver, were interviewed by a questionnaire regarding to the past medical history, time and place of the fracture occurrences.   Results: The 73 patients included in the study presented a mean age of 83.5 years, with a male-to-female ratio of 1:2.17. Falling from the same level was the cause of 97.6% of the fractures. Transtrochanteric fractures accounted for 52.1% of the fractures, femoral neck fractures, 38.4% and subtrochanteric fractures, 9.6%. More fractures are seen during the summer months (32.9%), inside the house (61.6%) and during the morning (49.3%). The overall annual incidence rate was 672.2 per 100,000 inhabitants (442.6 and 882.9 per 100,000 male and female, respectively). Length of waiting time to surgery was 1.87 days and length of hospital stay was 8.46 days, without statistical significance according to the type of surgery, the age group and the associated comorbidities. Hypertension (87.7%) was the most common comorbidity, followed by heart disease (50.7%) and depression (31.5%).   Conclusion: The patients attended at this hospital presented an epidemiological profile similar to the worldwide literature. Hip fracture rates in the region of Grevena are higher than other regions in Greece, such as Athens and Crete.  


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Qiaozhu Zeng ◽  
Jingyuan Gao ◽  
Xinyu Zhang ◽  
Aichun Liu ◽  
Zhenfan Wang ◽  
...  

AbstractWe aimed to compare the demographic, clinical and laboratory characteristics between IgG4-related kidney disease (IgG4-RKD+) and extrarenal IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RKD−) in a large Chinese cohort, as well as describing the radiological and pathological features of IgG4-RKD+. We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 470 IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) patients at Peking University People’s Hospital from January 2004 to January 2020. The demographic, clinical, laboratory, radiological and pathological characteristics between IgG4-RKD+ and IgG4-RKD− were compared. Twenty IgG4-RD patients who had definite etiology of renal impairment including diabetes, hypertension and etc. were excluded. Among the remained 450 IgG4-RD patients, 53 were diagnosed with IgG4-RKD+ . IgG4-RKD+ patients had older age at onset and at diagnosis. Male to female ratio of IgG4-RKD+ patients is significantly higher. In the IgG4-RKD+ group, the most commonly involved organs were salivary gland, lymph nodes and pancreas. It was found that renal function was impaired in approximately 40% of IgG4-RKD+ patients. The most common imaging finding is multiple, often bilateral, hypodense lesions. Male sex, more than three organs involved, and low serum C3 level were risk factors for IgG4-RKD+ in IgG4-RD patients. These findings indicate potential differences in pathogenesis of these two phenotypes.


BJS Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Apoorva Khajuria ◽  
Tuba Rahim ◽  
Mariam Baig ◽  
Kai Leong ◽  
Apoorva Khajuria

Abstract Introduction Despite perianal abscess being a common presentation, certain aspects of its management remain controversial, especially the routine use of intra-operative swab cultures. Methods A retrospective review of patients that underwent incision and drainage procedures for a perianal abscess over a six-month period was undertaken. Results Over 6 months, 50 patients were identified. The male to female ratio was 3:1 and median ASA score was 1. Only 6/50 patients presented with recurrent abscess and 1 patient had history of inflammatory bowel disease. On the basis of operative findings, 39 patients (78%) had uncomplicated abscess (not associated with cellulitis, sinus or fistula); swab cultures were performed in 26 (67%) of these patients. All patients were discharged on the same day; microbiology reports did not impact the treatment and no patients were followed up in clinic post-operatively or presented with recurrence. The number of unnecessary microbiology swabs undertaken in this cohort equates to approximately 52 unnecessary swabs a year. The cost of one swab is £10.10p, which means £520 could potentially be saved annually. Conclusion Routine intra-operative swab cultures do not impact management decisions, add to unnecessary costs and therefore should not be undertaken in uncomplicated or first presentation of peri-anal abscesses.


2021 ◽  
Vol 09 (07) ◽  
pp. E997-E1000
Author(s):  
Ronald Mbiine ◽  
Cephas Nakanwagi ◽  
Olivia Kituuka

Abstract Background and study aims Dyspepsia is the most common presenting symptom in the gastrointestinal clinic of Mulago National Referral hospital. The etiology is essentially not fully described in our patient population. This study was therefore conducted to establish the causes of dyspepsia based on endoscopic diagnosis among patients with dyspepsia seeking care at the National Referral hospital of Uganda. Patients and methods This retrospective study conducted in the endoscopy unit of Mulago hospital reviewed 356 patient endoscopy reports spanning January 2018 to July 2020 with a focus on those with a referral indication of dyspepsia. Age and sex were the independent variables of interest while the endoscopy findings as reported by the endoscopist were the outcome variable of interest. Results Of the 356 endoscopy reports reviewed, 159 met the inclusion criterion of dyspepsia as the indication. Participant mean age was 47.7 years (± 16.53) with the majority (25.79 %) in the fifth decade while the male to female ratio was 1. The majority of patients had organic dyspepsia (90.57 %) while the commonest finding was gastritis 69 (43.4 %). Gastroesophageal cancers represented (18) 11.32 % of all findings. There was a positive association between age > 50 years with gastroesophageal cancers (7.639) as well as age < 50 years and functional dyspepsia (2.794); however, all these were not statistically significant (P = 0.006 and (P = 0.095, respectively). Conclusions Organic/structural dyspepsia comprises over 90 % of investigated dyspepsia with 11 % comprising cancer among patients seeking endoscopy at the National Referral Hospital of Uganda.


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