scholarly journals Factors associated with patients’ understanding of their management plan in Tshwane clinics

2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Leticia Fernandez ◽  
Theresa Rossouw ◽  
Tessa Marcus ◽  
Angelika Reinbrech-Schutte ◽  
Nicoleen Smit ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Continuity Of Care ◽  
Patient Participation ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Management Plan ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Factors Associated

Background: This research focused on patients’ views regarding healthcare services and identified factors associated with understanding of their management plan.Aim: To develop a baseline for patient–clinician collaboration and the extent to which patients felt included and understood their treatment plan.Setting: Tshwane district (South Africa) public health outpatient clinics.Method: Medical students interviewed 447 patients in 22 clinics in Tshwane district. Agreement was measured by the percentage of cases in which patients and clinicians were in accord about a particular aspect of the consultation.Results: About one-third of patients incorrectly answered questions on whether changes in lifestyle or diet were prescribed as part of their treatment. The likelihood that patients understood their plan was associated with seeing the same clinician three or more times;having a consultation in their same or a similar language; patient participation in the diagnosis;and feeling that the clinician had explained their health problems to them.Conclusions: There is need for greater emphasis on continuity of care, the clinicians’ ability to speak the patient’s language and involving patients in the consultation.

scholarly journals Climate Change and Health Preparedness in Africa: Analysing Trends in Six African Countries

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (9) ◽  
pp. 4672
Author(s):  
Samuel Kwasi Opoku ◽  
Walter Leal Filho ◽  
Fudjumdjum Hubert ◽  
Oluwabunmi Adejumo
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Climate Change ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Health Systems ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Basic Knowledge ◽  
African Countries

Climate change is a global problem, which affects the various geographical regions at different levels. It is also associated with a wide range of human health problems, which pose a burden to health systems, especially in regions such as Africa. Indeed, across the African continent public health systems are under severe pressure, partly due to their fragile socioeconomic conditions. This paper reports on a cross-sectional study in six African countries (Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Namibia, Ethiopia, and Kenya) aimed at assessing their vulnerabilities to climate change, focusing on its impacts on human health. The study evaluated the levels of information, knowledge, and perceptions of public health professionals. It also examined the health systems’ preparedness to cope with these health hazards, the available resources, and those needed to build resilience to the country’s vulnerable population, as perceived by health professionals. The results revealed that 63.1% of the total respondents reported that climate change had been extensively experienced in the past years, while 32% claimed that the sampled countries had experienced them to some extent. Nigerian respondents recorded the highest levels (67.7%), followed by Kenya with 66.6%. South Africa had the lowest level of impact as perceived by the respondents (50.0%) when compared with the other sampled countries. All respondents from Ghana and Namibia reported that health problems caused by climate change are common in the two countries. As perceived by the health professionals, the inadequate resources reiterate the need for infrastructural resources, medical equipment, emergency response resources, and technical support. The study’s recommendations include the need to improve current policies at all levels (i.e., national, regional, and local) on climate change and public health and to strengthen health professionals’ skills. Improving the basic knowledge of health institutions to better respond to a changing climate is also recommended. The study provides valuable insights which may be helpful to other nations in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Nutritional Status and its Correlates in Equatorial Guinean Preschool Children: Results from a Nationally Representative Survey

2008 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Estefanía Custodio ◽  
Miguel Ángel Descalzo ◽  
Jesús Roche ◽  
Ignacio Sánchez ◽  
Laura Molina ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Nutritional Status ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
World Health ◽  
Equatorial Guinea ◽  
Severe Anemia ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Who Standards ◽  
Nationally Representative

Background In Equatorial Guinea, as a result of the recent growth of the oil industry, there is an opportunity to address important public health problems through public and private initiatives. To propose effective nutrition and public health strategies, it is important first to have reliable information on the nutritional status of the population and the underlying factors affecting it. Objective To assess the nutritional status and the prevalence of anemia among Equatoguinean children in a nationally representative sample and to identify the risk factors associated with the nutritional problems detected. Methods The study was a cross-sectional survey using a multistaged, stratified, cluster-selected sample. The survey included a sociodemographic, health, and dietary questionnaire and measurement of hematocrit and anthropometric features, from which nutritional indicators based on the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) reference and the World Health Organization (WHO) standards were calculated. Logistic regression models were used for the multivariate analysis. A total of 552 children aged 0 to 60 months were surveyed. Results The overall prevalence of stunting (< −2 height-for-age z-scores [HAZ]) was 29.7% based on the NCHS reference and 35.2% based on WHO standards; the risk factors associated with stunting were age ( p < .0001), low socioeconomic status ( p = .01), and fishing by a member of the household ( p = .003) The prevalence of mild anemia (hemoglobin < 110 g/L) was 69.3%, and that of moderate or severe anemia (hemoglobin < 80 g/L) was 8.3%. The only significant risk factor associated with moderate to severe anemia was low household socioeducational level ( p = .01). Conclusions Stunting and anemia are public health problems in Equatorial Guinea. Integrated strategies, including fighting poverty and improving maternal education, should be undertaken.

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

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.

scholarly journals Mental health and burnout in Nepalese medical students: an observational study

2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bikram Kafle ◽  
Yashoda Bagale ◽  
Murtaza Kadhum ◽  
Andrew Molodynski
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Early Identification ◽  
Psychiatric Illness ◽  
Screening Tool ◽  
Illicit Drug ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Factors Associated

Abstract Background Mental health problems among medical students are highly prevalent internationally. There have been very few studies however in Nepal. This study aimed to assess the frequency of mental health problems and burnout in Nepalese medical students. Results A total of 169 students responded to the questionnaire. Half (50%) of the surveyed students had some form of mental health problem according to the GHQ-12, while the OLBI showed that 85% students were disengaged and 65% were exhausted. The CAGE screening tool was positive in 14%, and 11% described illicit drug use. Sixty-four percent of students identified their academic studies as their major source of stress. Conclusions Timely recognition of mental health problems is imperative to avert psychiatric illness. Training on early identification and management of stress would be helpful. Further studies are required to identify the factors associated with poor mental health.

scholarly journals Methods of deliberate self-harm in a tertiary hospital in South Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deirdre Pieterse ◽  
Jacqueline Hoare ◽  
Kerry-Ann Louw ◽  
Elsie Breet ◽  
Michelle Henry ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Emergency Department ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Healthcare Setting ◽  
Tertiary Hospital ◽  
Deliberate Self Harm ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Self Harm

Background: Little is known about the methods of deliberate self-harm (DSH) in South Africa (SA), despite the importance of means restriction as a public health strategy to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with self-harm.Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the range of methods used in DSH and identify the socio-demographic and clinical factors associated with violent and non-violent methods of DSH among patients treated at a tertiary hospital in SA.Setting: The study was conducted at an urban, tertiary level emergency department at Groote Schuur hospital in Cape Town, South Africa.Method: Data were collected from 238 consecutive DSH patients who presented for emergency department treatment at the hospital. Logistic regression models were used to explore the factors associated with violent and non-violent methods of DSH.Results: Self-poisoning was the most common method of self-harm (80.3%). Prescription medication was the most common form of self-poison (57.6%), while a large number of patients used non-prescription paracetamol (40.9%). In the regression analysis, male gender, stating that the reason for DSH was to escape a situation and history of substance use were associated with violent method of DSH.Conclusion: Improved monitoring of prescription medications commonly used in DSH is integral to public health suicide prevention strategies in SA. This study underscores the need for substance use interventions in the healthcare setting.

scholarly journals Accelerated failure time modelling of Tuberculosis predictors in HIV/AIDS patients in Albert Luthuli Municipality of South Africa

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pepukai Bengura ◽  
Principal Ndlovu ◽  
Mulalo Annah Managa
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Failure Time ◽  
Accelerated Failure Time ◽  
Aids Patients ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Aft Model ◽  
Accelerated Failure ◽  
Hiv Aids

Abstract Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the most common opportunistic diseases and leading cause of death among Human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) patients. There has been a drastic rise of TB infection associated with the pandemic occurrence of HIV/AIDS infection in South Africa and other resource-limited countries world-wide. South Africa faces an immense burden on health care systems posed by diagnostic and therapeutic challenges resulting from the concomitant HIV and TB epidemics. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and the factors associated with TB and HIV co-infection for patients attending clinical care at rural public health facilities in Albert Luthuli municipality of South Africa. Methods: A cohort of HIV/AIDS patients was retrospectively followed from inception in 2010 to 2017 until TB was diagnosed or until the end of the study. Accelerated Failure Time (AFT) model was used to analyse survival data on HIV/AIDS patients. Factors associated to TB were modelled using log-logistic AFT model and further analysis of the significant factors was done using Kaplan-Meier, log-rank and hazard ratios. Results: From 357 HIV/AIDS patients, 65 patients (18.2%) had TB. Out of the 65 HIV/AIDS patients with TB, 15 (23.1%) of them died. Thus, of the 41 HIV/AIDS patients who died during the follow-up period, 15 of them (36.6%) had TB. Log-logistic AFT model determined factors associated with TB at significance level of 0.05 as: hospital, WHO stage, treatment (regimen 1), ART adherence, follow-up CD4 count, baseline haemoglobin, follow-up white blood cell count, baseline viral load, baseline sodium and follow-up alanine transaminase. Discussion: Although antiretroviral therapy is effective in reducing the risk of developing TB, the overall burden of TB in HIV/AIDS community may not substantially diminish.Conclusion: TB/HIV co-infection is one of the serious public health problems in Albert Luthuli municipality. Collaborative TB/HIV activities in form of early diagnosis of both TB and HIV need a holistic approach in order to reduce drug resistance, drug toxicity, co-morbidities and mortalities which are associated with TB/HIV co-infection.

scholarly journals Factors associated with unintended pregnancy among women attending a public health facility in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

2017 ◽  
Vol 60 (3) ◽  
pp. 79-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Firoza Haffejee ◽  
Laura O’Connor ◽  
Nalini Govender ◽  
Poovendhree Reddy ◽  
Maureen Nokuthula Sibiya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Health Facility ◽  
Unintended Pregnancy ◽  
Public Health Facility ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Kwazulu Natal

scholarly journals Investigating Medical Student's Preferences for Internet-Based Healthcare Services: A Best-Worst Scaling Survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Huan Xu ◽  
Ling-ming Zhou ◽  
Eliza Lai-yi Wong ◽  
Dong Wang
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Medical Education ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Clinical Medicine ◽  
Decision Aids ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Clinical Service ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Best Worst Scaling

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the importance of providing Internet-based healthcare services based on the preference of a sample of medical students in China.Methods: An online best-worst scaling (BWS) survey with Case 1 design was conducted. Balanced independent block design generated 12 choice task profiles for each participant to answer. Descriptive analysis was used to describe the respondents' characteristics; Multinomial and mixed logit regression methods were used to investigate the importance of Internet-based services based on respondents' preferences.Results: A total of 1,296 students completed the online survey and rated “Clinical Service,” “Decision Aids,” and “Public health” as the three most important services that should be provided through an Internet-based healthcare system. Providing “Medical Education” via the Internet was chosen as the least important service by the respondents. Subgroup analysis indicated that students studying clinical medicine and non-clinical medicine considered providing “Medical Education” and “Public Health,” respectively, as more important services than others.Conclusions: This BWS study demonstrated that providing “Clinical Service,” “Decision Aids,” and “Public Health” through the Internet are the three most important services based on medical students' preferences in China. Further research is needed to investigate how to improve medical students' skills in using internet-based healthcare services in medical education programs.

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