scholarly journals Voices of torture survivors in Tanzania: A qualitative study

2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 92-103
Author(s):  
Maha Aon ◽  
Harold Sungusia ◽  
Marie Brasholt ◽  
Brenda Van Den Bergh ◽  
Jens Modvig
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Sleep Problems ◽  
Dar Es Salaam ◽  
Torture Survivors ◽  
Psychological Consequences ◽  
Public Authorities ◽  
Help Seeking Behaviour ◽  
Gun Shot

Introduction: No published research has been found on torture in Tanzania, but individual cases were documented by human rights organisations. The aim of this study was to explore the salient physical, mental and social effects of torture in the country, and help-seeking behaviour by giving voice to a group of torture survivors in Dar-es-Salaam and Zanzibar City (Zanzibar). Methods: This explorative qualitative study consisted of 14 semi-structured in-depth interviews (12 males, 2 females) of which eight took place in Dar-es-Salaam and six in Zanzibar. Informants were selected purposefully through a mix of snowball and convenience sampling. Both the Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research (SRQR) and the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) were followed. Results: Using the UNCAT definition of torture, all informants reported having been tortured within the past two years. The most common form of torture was beating with clubs to the joints. Other torture included, but was not limited to, gun shot, toenail removal and ‘poulet roti’. The most common physical consequence was persistent pain. Psychological consequences included suicidal ideation and sleep problems. Most interviewees lost their jobs as a result of the torture incident, instigating a cascade of financial and social problems. Conclusion: The findings present informants’ exposure to deliberate torture at the hands of public authorities. Informants confirmed their exposure to torture methods that had been previously reported by nongovernmental organisations. They also talked about exposure to more advanced, and previously undocumented, torture methods. Informants displayed a dire need for mental and physical health care, but had limited access to such care. Research is needed to better understand the magnitude, prevalence and context of torture in Tanzania.

scholarly journals P014 Shift work disorder and the prevalence of help seeking behaviours for sleep concerns in Australia

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. A26-A26
Author(s):  
B Brown ◽  
M Crowther ◽  
S Appleton ◽  
Y Melaku ◽  
R Adams ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Shift Work ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Management Strategy ◽  
Sleep Problems ◽  
Caffeine Consumption ◽  
Shift Workers ◽  
Standard Work ◽  
Shift Work Disorder ◽  
Help Seeking Behaviour ◽  
Seeking Help

Abstract Introduction Shift work disorder is a circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorder, defined by symptoms of insomnia and excessive levels of sleepiness resulting from work that occurs during non-standard hours. Sleep problems are common in shift workers, yet our understanding of help-seeking behaviours for sleep in shift workers is limited. Methods As a part of a national sleep health survey, data were collected on the help-seeking behaviours for sleep problems in an online sample of Australian individuals on non-standard work schedules (n=448). Of the sample of non-standard workers, 10.5% (n=41) met the criteria for probable shift work disorder (pSWD). Results Non-standard workers with pSWD did not seek help for sleep problems at higher rates than workers without SWD (p = .979). General practitioners were the most reported healthcare professional sought out for sleep problems of individuals with pSWD. Self-management was common in workers with pSWD, with a high self-reported prevalence of alcohol use (31.7%) as a sleep management strategy, and caffeine consumption (76.9%) as a sleepiness management strategy. The majority of individuals with pSWD reported the mentality of ‘accept it and keep going’ as a sleepiness management strategy, highlighting a potential barrier to help-seeking behaviour in workers with pSWD. Discussion These findings provide novel insight into the help-seeking behaviours of individuals with pSWD. There is a need for further research to understand why individuals at risk for shift work disorder are not actively seeking help, and to develop health promotion and intervention strategies to improve engagement with healthcare professionals.

scholarly journals Individual utilisation thresholds and exploring how GPs’ knowledge of their patients affects diagnosis: a qualitative study in primary care

2017 ◽  
Vol 67 (658) ◽  
pp. e361-e369 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthias Michiels-Corsten ◽  
Stefan Bösner ◽  
Norbert Donner-Banzhoff
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Family Background ◽  
Diagnostic Reasoning ◽  
Medical Attention ◽  
Diagnostic Strategies ◽  
Help Seeking Behaviour ◽  
The Media ◽  
Serious Disease

BackgroundOne of the tenets of general practice is that continuity of care has a beneficial effect on patient care. However, little is known about how continuity can have an impact on the diagnostic reasoning of GPs.AimTo explore GPs’ diagnostic strategies by examining GPs’ reflections on their patients’ individual thresholds for seeking medical attention, how they arrive at their estimations, and which conclusions they draw.Design and settingQualitative study with 12 GPs in urban and rural practices in Germany.MethodAfter each patient consultation GPs were asked to reflect on their diagnostic reasoning for that particular case. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of consultations and interview content were undertaken.ResultsA total of 295 primary care consultations were recorded, 134 of which contained at least one diagnostic episode. When elaborating on known patients, GPs frequently commented on how ‘early’ or ‘late’ in an illness progression a patient tended to consult. The probability of serious disease was accordingly regarded as high or low. This influenced GPs’ behaviour regarding further investigations or referrals, as well as reassurance and watchful waiting. GPs’ explanations for a patient’s utilisation threshold comprised medical history, the patient’s characteristics, family background, the media, and external circumstances.ConclusionThe concept of an individual threshold for the utilisation of primary care would explain how GPs use their knowledge of individual patients and their previous help-seeking behaviour for their diagnostic decision making. Whether the assumption behind this concept is valid, and whether its use improves diagnostic accuracy, remains to be investigated.

High and variable use of primary care in prison. A qualitative study to understand help‐seeking behaviour

2008 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 146-155 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean‐Marc Feron ◽  
Lac Hong Nguyen Tan ◽  
Dominique Pestiaux ◽  
Vincent Lorant
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Help Seeking Behaviour

Help-seeking for sleep problems among psychiatric outpatients

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S603-S604
Author(s):  
S. Chang ◽  
E. Seow ◽  
Y.W. Lau ◽  
S.A. Chong ◽  
M. Subramaniam
Keyword(s):  
Help Seeking ◽  
Sleep Disturbances ◽  
Sleep Problems ◽  
Psychiatric Patients ◽  
Professional Help ◽  
Patient Profile ◽  
Help Seeking Behaviour ◽  
Competing Interest ◽  
Daytime Impairment ◽  
Do So

IntroductionThough sleep disturbances are common among psychiatric patients, some patients may trivialize their problem and not discuss it with their doctors. This study thus aimed to assess patient profile that is associated with help seeking for sleep problems among psychiatric patients.MethodsOutpatients from a tertiary psychiatric hospital were recruited for this study (n = 400). The pittsburgh sleep quality index was administered to identify cases of probable insomnia, and daytime impairment due to sleep disturbances was recorded. Participants were asked if they have ever consulted a doctor or any health professionals for their sleep problems. Sociodemographic information was recorded and clinical profile was obtained from the patient's medical records. Multivariate logistic regression was used to examine correlates of help-seeking behaviour among patients with probable insomnia.Results275 cases of probable insomnia were identified. Among this group of patients, 38.9% had never sought help for their sleep problems. Participants who were single were less likely to seek help as compared to those who were widowed/separated/divorced (OR= 0.319, P = 0.023). Having a comorbid psychiatric condition was independently associated with increased odds of help seeking (OR= 1.952, P = 0.027). Participants who perceived greater daytime impairment due to sleep problems were more likely to seek help (OR= 1.465, P = 0.007).ConclusionsThe majority of psychiatry patients with sleep problems sought professional help, though there remained a substantial group that did not do so. There is a need to educate and create awareness of potential sleep problems among psychiatric patients, and to inform them of the availability of treatment.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

scholarly journals Symptom perceptions and help-seeking behaviour prior to lung and colorectal cancer diagnoses: a qualitative study

2015 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 568-577 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah McLachlan ◽  
Gemma Mansell ◽  
Tom Sanders ◽  
Sarah Yardley ◽  
Daniëlle van der Windt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Help Seeking Behaviour
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