scholarly journals Psychosocial stress in South African patients with type 2 diabetes

2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Samantha Ramkisson ◽  
Basil J. Pillay ◽  
Ben Sartorius
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Psychosocial Stress ◽  
Female Gender ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Stress Factors ◽  
North Coast ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
African Patients

Objective: Diabetes mellitus is considered an emotionally and behaviourally demanding condition which adds to the stress of a patient’s daily living. There is a paucity of literature in South Africa regarding stress and diabetes. This study therefore aims to identify the areas and contributory factors of psychosocial stress in South African patients with diabetes.Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted at two public facilities and five private medical practices on the north coast of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The Questionnaire on Stress in Diabetes – Revised was administered to 401 participants.Results: Eighteen percent of the sample reported having extreme psychosocial stress. Depression, physical complaints and self-medication/diet were the main areas which contributed to high psychosocial stress. Factors that also contributed to high levels of psychosocial stress were low educational level, unemployment, female gender, attending the public sector and high HbA1c levels.Conclusion: Psychosocial stress affects metabolic control in patients with diabetes, thereby increasing the risks of long-term complications.

scholarly journals Tooth loss in relation to serum cotinine levels - A cross-sectional study from the Belville South area in South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 76 (04) ◽  
pp. 207-215
Author(s):  
Faheema Kimmie-Dhansay ◽  
Carla C Pontes ◽  
Usuf Chikte ◽  
Rajiv T Erasmus ◽  
Andre P Kengne ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Tooth Loss ◽  
Population Sample ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Female Gender ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Tobacco Exposure ◽  
Serum Cotinine ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Public Health Challenge

Tooth loss constitutes a major public health challenge, sharing common risk factors with non-communicable diseases. To report the relationship between tooth loss and serum cotinine levels in a population sample of mixed ethnic heritage from the Belville South area in South Africa. Cross-sectional epidemiological study.Subjects were invited from 2014 to 2016 according to a consecutive sampling technique and all those who met the inclusion criteria were included. In all, 1876 individuals were included, being 1416 females (75.5%), with a combined average age of 49.5 ± 15.3 years. In total 46.7% of the sample was edentulous, with females presenting a higher proportion than males (50.7% vs. 34.1%, p < 0.001). The relative risk (RR) of being edentulous was higher for females (RR=1.8, 95% CI=1.35-2.41, p<0.001) and for participants with cotinine levels 15-299 ng/ml (RR = 1.37, 95% CI=1.02=1.83, p=0.04) and ≥300 ng/ml (RR=1.51, 95% CI=1.09-2.08, p=0.01). Maxillary incisors and mandibular molars were the most prevalent missing teeth. The burden of tooth loss is high in the studied population sample, as well their unmet needs for dental care. Female gender, tobacco exposure, and aging were associated with partial and total edentulism.

scholarly journals Prevalence and predictors of self-medication drugs to prevent or treat COVID-19: experience from a Middle Eastern country

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eman Elayeh ◽  
Amal Akour ◽  
Randa Haddadin
Keyword(s):  
General Public ◽  
Middle Eastern ◽  
Female Gender ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Healthcare Team ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Active Involvement

Background Lack of definitive cure for COVID-19 and the late introduction of a vaccine were responsible to push the general public to look for a remedy to treat or prevent COVID-19. The objective of this study was to evaluate patterns and factors that affect self-medication practices in Jordan during the pandemic. Methods This was a cross-sectional study using an online questionnaire that was developed, piloted and distributed to the general public via various social media platforms. The questionnaire assessed the type of drugs and treatments used to self -medicate, the reasons behind their self- medication, and the factors affecting their practices. Results A total of 1179 participants (females 46.4%) with a mean age of 32 (SD=12.5) completed the questionnaire. The overall prevalence of the use of at least one product to treat or prevent COVID-19 was 80.4 %. The most commonly used products to self-medicate were vitamin C (57.6%), followed by paracetamol (51.9%), zinc (44.8%) and vitamin D (32.5%). Female gender (odds ratio [OR]) = 1.603, working in the medical field (OR =1.697), and history of COVID-19 infection (OR =2.026) were variables associated with self-medication. The most common sources of participants’ information about drugs to prevent or treat COVID-19 were newspapers (n=519, 44.0%), followed by pharmacists (43.4%), friends (33.8%) and internet searching such as Google (30.7%). Conclusion This study identified the main drugs and supplements used during COVID-19 and the motives behind their use. It also identified the most influential source of information on the public during the pandemic. Self-medication can lead to worsening of the patient’s health and delay seeking medical advice from healthcare professionals. Efforts should be done to help mitigate risks of self-medications by active involvement of pharmacists and other members of healthcare team to refute false claims about drug, especially in the media.

scholarly journals ‘We are in this together’ voices of speech-language pathologists working in South African healthcare contexts during level 4 and level 5 lockdown of COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Skye N. Adams ◽  
Jaishika Seedat ◽  
Kim Coutts ◽  
Kelly-Ann Kater
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Service Delivery ◽  
South African ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Speech Language Pathologists ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Private And Public ◽  
The Impact

Background: SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) has had a significant impact on every South African but more specifically healthcare professionals, including speech-language pathologists (SLPs). In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, South Africa implemented a nationwide lockdown as confirmed cases continued to rise. Understanding the impact of COVID-19 on SLPs has a three-fold purpose: to re-evaluate service provision, service delivery platforms and to identify the need for support to SLPs during a time of crisis. It is also crucial in guiding how policies and interventions need to be modified.Objectives: The study aimed to better understand how the workspace of SLPs in hospitals was impacted by COVID-19, how they experienced this process and the implications for them as healthcare professionals in both the private and public sector throughout South Africa.Methodology: An exploratory cross-sectional study design was used to meet the aims of the study. Thirty-nine SLPs from different provinces in South Africa, working in government and private hospitals during COVID-19, responded to the online survey. Results were analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic content analysis.Results: SLPs’ roles, responsibilities and service delivery were impacted by COVID-19. It was necessary for typical outpatient therapy services to be modified; there were changes to the role of the SLP in the hospital and inpatient services were curtailed.Conclusion: This study provides insightful information to SLPs employed in hospitals to know that they are experiencing similar challenges. It also confirms the resilience of healthcare professionals, including SLPs, when faced with novel and unprecedented situations.

Factors associated with professional stress at the teachers

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S417-S417 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Halouani ◽  
F. Smaoui ◽  
C. Derbel ◽  
R. Naoui ◽  
J. Alouloi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
Occupational Stress ◽  
Female Gender ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Stress Factors ◽  
Stress Profile ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
High School Degree ◽  
Competing Interest

IntroductionTeaching, as a profession, is recognized as demanding and stressful.Objectives(1) Evaluate the professional teacher stress, (2) Identify possible factors associated with it.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional study, descriptive and analytical, conducted among teachers of high school Mahmoud Magdich in Sfax. (Tunisia). Participants were asked to complete the anonymous form detailing the socio-demographic, professional characteristics and any work stressors.The evaluation of occupational stress was evaluated by the scale of “Karasek”.ResultsThirty-six teachers replied to the questionnaires. The sex ratio (M/F) was 0.38. The mean age was 48.77 years. The average number of years of exercise was 23.20 years and the average number of hours worked per week was 16.25 hours. The participants stress profile according to the scale of “Karasek” was: 55.6% stressed, 27.8%, assets, 11.1% liabilities, and 5.6% relaxed. The main stress factors mentioned were respectively: the inadequate salary (58.3%), difficult working conditions (52.8%), problems with students and parents (25%) and lack of organization at work (22.2%). Factors correlated with the profile “stressed” were: female gender (P = 0.026), lack of pastime practice (P = 0.034), teaching high school degree (P = 0.04), feeling that they work “too hard” in their work (P = 0.005), they are “the end” at the end of the working day (P = 0.015) and low social support (P = 0.005).ConclusionThe occupational stress among teachers was quite important. Knowing how to identify factors and taking action would be interesting for the guarantee development for teachers. Students would be the ultimate beneficiaries.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

scholarly journals Contraceptive practices among women seeking termination of pregnancy in one public hospital in Eastern Cape, South Africa

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ebenezer O. Oluwole ◽  
Linda Skaal
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Public Hospital ◽  
Unplanned Pregnancy ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Termination Of Pregnancy ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Chi Square Test

Background: There is significantly high contraceptive knowledge in South Africa, but the uptake of contraceptives is average to low with resultant soaring of unplanned pregnancy and rising statistics of termination of pregnancy (TOP) services. This study aimed to establish the contraceptive practices among women in the South African population seeking TOP in one public hospital in Eastern Cape, South Africa.Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among women seeking TOP in a women’s clinic. Self-administered questionnaires were used as data collection tool, and the data collected were entered into SPSS software for analysis, using descriptive statistics to calculate frequencies and percentages while chi-square test was used to determine the associations between the socio-demography and contraceptive practices of the participants.Results: Majority of the women were aged between 20 and 29 years, had secondary education, unemployed, single and resided in townships. Contraceptive uptake prior to termination of pregnancy (CTOP) among them was 44.1%, but 85.8% had good contraceptives knowledge. Their contraceptive practices are determined by partner’s opinion, source and availability of contraceptives, previous CTOP, side effect of contraceptives and having children. Age group, educational level and employment status were found to be related to the contraceptive practices of the participants but were not statistically significant.Conclusion: To reduce unplanned pregnancies and subsequent number of women seeking CTOP, the socio-economic factors associated with contraceptive practices as well as the programmes, policies and guidelines of contraceptives need to be improved on for any improvement on the factors determining contraceptive practices.

scholarly journals Identifying co-occurrence and clustering of chronic diseases using latent class analysis: cross-sectional findings from SAGE South Africa Wave 2

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. e041604
Author(s):  
Glory Chidumwa ◽  
Innocent Maposa ◽  
Barbara Corso ◽  
Nadia Minicuci ◽  
Paul Kowal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Latent Class Analysis ◽  
South African ◽  
Latent Class ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Relative Risk Ratio ◽  
Adult Health ◽  
Class Analysis ◽  
Cross Sectional

ObjectivesTo classify South African adults with chronic health conditions for multimorbidity (MM) risk, and to determine sociodemographic, anthropometric and behavioural factors associated with identified patterns of MM, using data from the WHO’s Study on global AGEing and adult health South Africa Wave 2.DesignNationally representative (for ≥50-year-old adults) cross-sectional study.SettingAdults in South Africa between 2014 and 2015.Participants1967 individuals (men: 623 and women: 1344) aged ≥45 years for whom data on all seven health conditions and socioeconomic, demographic, behavioural, and anthropological information were available.MeasuresMM latent classes.ResultsThe prevalence of MM (coexistence of two or more non-communicable diseases (NCDs)) was 21%. The latent class analysis identified three groups namely: minimal MM risk (83%), concordant (hypertension and diabetes) MM (11%) and discordant (angina, asthma, chronic lung disease, arthritis and depression) MM (6%). Using the minimal MM risk group as the reference, female (relative risk ratio (RRR)=4.57; 95% CI (1.64 to 12.75); p =0.004) and older (RRR=1.08; 95% CI (1.04 to 1.12); p<0.001) participants were more likely to belong to the concordant MM group, while tobacco users (RRR=8.41; 95% CI (1.93 to 36.69); p=0.005) and older (RRR=1.09; 95% CI (1.03 to 1.15); p=0.002) participants had a high likelihood of belonging to the discordant MM group.ConclusionNCDs with similar pathophysiological risk profiles tend to cluster together in older people. Risk factors for MM in South African adults include sex, age and tobacco use.

scholarly journals Freedman-Bernstein musculoskeletal competence testing of South African intern doctors: is there a difference between health science faculties?

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
KP Coetzee ◽  
NW Gibson
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Test Scores ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Health Science ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Basic Competency ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Bernstein Test

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Basic competency in musculoskeletal medicine is necessary for all graduating doctors due to the growing burden of disease. Globally and nationally research has shown deficiencies in musculoskeletal knowledge according to the Freedman-Bernstein test. In South Africa, different health science faculties show different approaches to training; this article considers if any of these demonstrate adequate training and whether significant differences exist between the faculties' results. The aim of the study is to determine whether there are significant differences between musculoskeletal learning outcomes between graduates from different health science faculties METHODS: A multi-centre, cross-sectional study was performed in which medical interns completed the Freedman-Bernstein test after graduation and prior to commencing their formal two-month block in orthopaedics. Data was then analysed to determine whether significant differences existed between the test scores of the eight health science faculties' graduates RESULTS: A total of 259 completed tests were analysed. The mean score was 46% (range 4-88%, 95% CI 44-48%), and 244 of the 259 interns failed the test (94% failure rate). The lowest and highest mean scores, by health science faculty, was 34% (95% CI 28-40%) and 60% (95% CI 55-64%) respectively. An ANOVA test indicated statistically significant differences between test scores of the different health science faculties (p<0.001 CONCLUSION: We have demonstrated competency scores consistent with previous literature from South Africa and shown that there are statistically significant differences between the health science faculties based on Freedman-Bernstein test scores. This evidence suggests differing levels of musculoskeletal knowledge attained at health science faculties in South Africa, and no improvement in undergraduate education in the last decade Level of evidence: Level 4 Keywords: musculoskeletal, competence, Freedman-Bernstein, undergraduate training

Postictal headache in South African adult patients with generalised epilepsy in a tertiary care setting: A cross-sectional study

Cephalalgia ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 30 (12) ◽  
pp. 1495-1501 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanus Schmidt Botha ◽  
Clara-Maria Schutte ◽  
Steve Olorunju ◽  
Mandisa Kakaza
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
International Headache Society ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Neurology Clinic ◽  
Pain Duration ◽  
And Control

Postictal headache (PIH), although it occurs in 34–59% of epilepsy patients, has not been adequately studied. This study aims to describe clinical characteristics and associations of PIH in generalised epilepsy in a South African tertiary neurology clinic. Methods: Two-hundred consecutive adults with generalised epilepsy underwent semi-structured interviews, dividing them into study (with PIH) and control patients (no PIH), and data was statistically analysed. Results: PIH occurred in 104/200, with 63% having headache after every seizure. Pain duration was 4–24 hours in 43% and pain intensity severe in 55%. The criteria of the International Headache Society (2004), International Classification of Headache Disorders, second edition (ICHD-II) classified 47% as migraine, 38% tension-type and 15% unclassified (but 13% probable migaine). Self-medication occurred in 81% and interictal headache was significantly associated with PIH—present in 64% of study patients versus 5% of control patients. Conclusion: PIH occurs commonly in generalised epilepsy, mostly as migraine headache, with interictal headache a specific risk factor. PIH is underdiagnosed and undertreated, leading to self-medication. Optimal management should be elucidated in future studies.

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