Faculty Opinions recommendation of Estimating the magnitude of pulmonary tuberculosis patients missed by primary health care clinics in South Africa.

Author(s):  
Anthony Harries ◽  
Kudakwashe C Takarinda
2007 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Norah L Katende-Kyenda ◽  
Martie S Lubbe ◽  
Jan HP Serfontein ◽  
Ilse Truter

The aim of this study was to investigate the prescribing of antimicrobials in private primary health care in South Africa. ABSTRAK Die doel met hierdie studie was om die voorskryfpatrone van antimikrobiese middels in private primêre gesondheidsorginrigtings in Suid-Afrika te ondersoek.


2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (7) ◽  
pp. 651-659 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diana Huis in ‘t Veld ◽  
Supa Pengpid ◽  
Robert Colebunders ◽  
Linda Skaal ◽  
Karl Peltzer

Alcohol use may have a negative impact on the course of HIV disease and the effectiveness of its treatment. We studied patients with HIV who use alcohol and associated socio-demographic, health and psychosocial factors. Outcomes from this study may help in selecting patients from clinical practice with high-risk alcohol use and who are likely to benefit most from alcohol reduction interventions. In a cross sectional study in three primary health care clinics in Pretoria, South Africa, from January 2012 to June 2012, patients with HIV infection were interviewed and patients’ medical files were reviewed to obtain data on levels of alcohol use (Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test), patients’ socio-demographic characteristics, HIV-related information, health related quality of life (WHOQoL-HIVBref), internalized AIDS stigma, symptoms of depression and adherence to antiretroviral therapy. Analyses consisted of descriptive statistics, bi- and multivariate logistic regression models. A total of 2230 patients (1483 [66.5%] female) were included. The median age was 37 years (interquartile range 31–43), 99.5% were black Africans, 1975 (88.6%) had started ART and the median time on ART was 22 months (interquartile range 9–40). No alcohol was used by 64% of patients, 8.9% were low risk drinkers, 25.1% of patients were hazardous or harmful drinkers and 2.0% had possible alcohol dependence. In multivariate analysis high-risk drinking was positively associated with male gender, never being married, tobacco use, a higher score for the ‘level of independence’-domain measured with the WHOQoL-HIVBref questionnaire, and with more depressive symptoms compared to low-risk drinking. This study shows a high prevalence of hazardous or harmful drinking in patients with HIV infection (especially men) attending primary health care clinics in South Africa. Routine screening for alcohol use should be introduced in these clinics and harm reduction interventions should be evaluated, taking into account associated factors.


2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Louw ◽  
De Wet Swanepoel ◽  
Robert H Eikelboom ◽  
Jannie Hugo

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Potgieter ◽  
N. T. Banda ◽  
P. J. Becker ◽  
A. N. Traore-Hoffman

Abstract Background South Africa has unique and diverse social and economic factors that have an impact on the provision of basic water, sanitation, hygiene and waste management infrastructure and practices at health care facilities in ensuring patient safety and prevent the spread of diseases. Methods The aim of this study was to evaluate water, sanitation and hygiene access and standards at 50 government owned public health care clinics in the rural region of the Vhembe district of South Africa during 2016/2017, using self-observation, an observation checklist, record reviews and interviews with clinic managers. Water quality from all available water sources on the clinic compound was analysed for Total coliform and E. coli counts using the Colilert Quanti-tray/2000 system. The prevalence of pathogenic diarrhea causing E. coli strains was established using multiplex-Polymerase Chain Reaction. Results The health care clinics in the Vhembe District generally complied with the basic WASH services guidelines according to the World Health Organisation. Although 80% of the clinics used borehole water which is classified as an improved water source, microbiological assessment showed that 38% inside taps and 64% outside taps from the clinic compounds had TC counts higher than guideline limits for safe drinking. Similarly, EC counts above the guideline limit for safe drinking water were detected in 17% inside taps and 32% outside taps from the clinic compounds. Pathogenic EAEC, EPEC, ETEC and EHEC strains were isolated in the collected water samples. Although improved sanitation infrastructures were present in most of the clinics, the sanitary conditions of these toilets were not up to standard. Waste systems were not adequately managed. A total of 90% of the clinics had hand washing basins, while only 61% of the clinics had soap present and only 64% of the clinics had adequate signs and posters reminding the staff, care givers and patients to wash their hands. Conclusions Various WASH aspects within the primary health care system in South Africa needs to be improved and corrected. A more rigorous system that is inclusive of all role players in the WASH sectors, with regular monitoring and training sessions, should be used.


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