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Flanagan Linde posted an update 6 months ago
Exertional or exercise-induced rhabdomyolysis (ER) is a condition in which excessive and unaccustomed physical activity results in skeletal muscle damage. The ER is a relatively uncommon condition but can have very serious consequences such as acute renal failure, severe electrolyte abnormalities, acid base disturbances and death if not recognised and managed appropriately. The risk factors for rhabdomyolysis exist in our local setting, hence, it is paramount that healthcare practitioners (GPs) in our settings be made aware of ER, its prevention and symptoms. Cases of ER are often reported in sports men or women. Here, we report a case of a 33-year-old healthy female, with clinical and serological presentation, which is typical of ER following the commencement of a regimen of exercise to lose weight.
Dermatological diseases are amongst the commonest reasons for consultation at primary care level. Yet, dermatology teaching in medical and nursing curricula is inconsistent and often insufficient to enable medical and nursing professionals to manage these conditions effectively.
We tested the knowledge of 100 doctors and 195 nurses who attended dermatology training sessions held in three health districts in the province of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa, by using a quasi-experimental uncontrolled before-and-after study design. At the start of the session, participants were exposed to 15 slides representing common dermatological conditions; this was followed by a test. The participants then attended a series of short lectures followed by the same test. Pre- and post-intervention test scores were compared, and the results were analysed by professional status, health district and type of facility.
The mean (standard deviation ) pre-intervention test score was 40.6% (20.5%). Doctors scored significantention beyond this. We recommend improved prequalification training in dermatology in medical and nursing schools and an expansion of continuing professional development as well as in-service training opportunities for primary care practitioners.Despite the implementation of the Choice on Termination of Pregnancy (CTOP) Act, many women continue to procure illegal abortions in South Africa. A lack of knowledge of the CTOP Act and poor access to legal abortion in public health facilities is a big challenge. In the scope of the CTOP Act, the termination of pregnancy is a time-restricted health service, and women presented to a health care facility in the second trimester have encounter more obstacles to access the services.
Depression is a serious public health issue that has clinical, social and economic implications. Adult patients attending a primary healthcare (PHC) facility were screened in order to estimate the prevalence of depressive features and identify potential risk factors for screening positive.
This was an analytical cross-sectional study conducted at a clinic in Pretoria, South Africa. A self-administered questionnaire, which included the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) screening tool, was completed by patients attending the clinic. A PHQ-9 score of less than five was deemed as a negative screen for depressive features; with a score of five or more being considered a positive screen. A multivariate logistic regression model was developed to identify factors associated with a positive screen for depressive features.
A total of 199 patients participated and the proportion screened positive for depressive features using the PHQ-9 tool was 46.23% (n = 92). Employed participants had significantly lower odds (odds ratio = 0.48; 95% confidence interval 0.25 – 0.94) of screening positive, whilst the participants with significantly higher odds were those with co-morbidities (OR = 2.12; 95% CI 1.08 – 4.17) and a history of stressful life events (OR = 3.21; 95% CI 1.64 – 6.28).
Depression appears to be a significant problem in PHC settings in South Africa. Screening for depressive features at primary level, targeting those with chronic medical conditions, history of recent stressful life events and other known risk factors may improve detection rates, lead to earlier diagnosis and improved health outcomes.
Depression appears to be a significant problem in PHC settings in South Africa. Screening for depressive features at primary level, targeting those with chronic medical conditions, history of recent stressful life events and other known risk factors may improve detection rates, lead to earlier diagnosis and improved health outcomes.Severe asthma in South Africa (SA) is underappreciated, especially in the primary care setting. This study highlights the epidemiological context of severe asthma as a phenotypic variant. Primary care practitioners, as first-contact medical providers, need grounding in the management of severe asthma based on the precision of diagnosis and negotiated along the 10-point strategy. The underdiagnosis and undertreatment of asthma ought to inform educational programmes and research in this country.
Suicidal behaviour amongst college students constitutes a significant social and public health problem globally. This study determined the prevalence and associated factors of suicidal ideation amongst students of higher education in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM), South Africa.
In this institution-based cross-sectional study, a multistage cluster sampling of 826 participants, drawn from a college in NMBM, was conducted from January to March 2020. Data were collected with a standardised self-administered questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify the factors associated with suicidal ideation.
Participants’ ages ranged from 18 to 24 years, with a mean age of 20.49 years (standard deviation, 1.88 years). The lifetime prevalence of suicidal ideation and plans in the preceding 12 months were 24.5% and 9.6%, respectively. The odds of suicidal ideation were higher in students who experienced bullying (adjusted odds ratio , 1.89; 95% confidence interval , 1.35-2.65), mental illness (AOR, 1.89; 95% CI, 1.35-2.65), a history of sexual assault (AOR, 2.50; 95% CI, 1.20-5.21) and experience of sexual assault by or to a close family member (AOR, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.01-2.82). Selleck ODM-201 Underlying chronic illness was associated with a twofold risk for suicidal ideation in both sexes.
About a quarter of the students sampled at the college had experienced suicidal ideation and some had had suicidal plans in the preceding 12 months. Screening for the identified risk factors amongst the student population coupled with prompt interventions would mitigate the risk of suicide in the study population.
About a quarter of the students sampled at the college had experienced suicidal ideation and some had had suicidal plans in the preceding 12 months. Screening for the identified risk factors amongst the student population coupled with prompt interventions would mitigate the risk of suicide in the study population.
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