Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a common non-communicable disease associated with significant morbidity and mortality globally. It poses a huge public health and economic challenge. People with diabetes ...need to have adequate knowledge, attitudes and practice (KAP) to prevent complications from diabetes. This study aims to evaluate the KAP towards diabetes among type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients attending primary healthcare clinics in Kimberley.
A cross-sectional analytical, quantitative questionnaire-based study was done using a convenient sampling method in Sol Plaatje Municipality, Kimberley, Northern Cape.
A total of 363 type 2 diabetic patients took part in the study. Most of the participants (62.0%) were females. Most had good knowledge (67.5%), while 64.5% of the participants showed good attitudes towards diabetes. However, only 35.8% of the participants had good practices towards diabetes. There was a significant association between the participant's level of education and (1) knowledge and (2) practice, with p-values of 0.002 and 0.0075, respectively. No significant association was found between the participant's level of education and attitudes towards diabetes (p = 0.2416).
This study demonstrated good diabetes-related knowledge and attitudes but inadequate practices among participants. Educational programmes to assist patients with diabetes to improve their practice towards diabetes should be encouraged and implemented.Contribution: This study will help to create awareness of the need for people with diabetes to improve their practices towards diabetes.
Objective
To establish the safety and efficacy of misoprostol for second‐trimester termination of pregnancy among women with one or more previous cesarean deliveries.
Methods
In a retrospective ...study, data were reviewed from women attending a reproductive health clinic in Bloemfontein, South Africa, for second‐trimester termination between 2010 and 2013. The study group, comprising women with one or more previous cesareans, was compared with a control group, comprising women with no previous cesarean or uterine scarring. Procedure‐specific information was compared, including misoprostol use, termination duration, need for other methods (e.g. oxytocin), placenta delivery, termination outcome, and bleeding.
Results
The study group comprised 268 women: 231 (86.2%) with one and 37 (13.8%) with two previous cesareans. The control group comprised 266 women. Incomplete abortion was recorded in 223 (85.4%) of 261 women in the study group and 213 (80.4%) of 265 in the control group. The number of women with retained placenta was higher in the study than in the control group (158/261 60.5% vs 146/265 55.1%; P<0.001). Severe bleeding was observed only in the control group (7/266 2.6%). No uterine rupture was observed.
Conclusion
Misoprostol was safe for second‐trimester termination among women with previous cesareans; however, the efficacy of the local regimen was reduced owing to high placental retention.
The local misoprostol regimen used for second‐trimester termination of pregnancy was found to be safe among patients with previous cesarean deliveries, but showed reduced efficacy.
Background Epilepsy is a neurological disease affecting adults and children globally. A seizure diary is one of the self-management tools for tracking seizures. This study aims to ascertain the ...experience of a new seizure diary by persons completing the diary in the Free State and Northern Cape of South Africa.Methods Adult patients with epilepsy attending Universitas Academic Hospital epilepsy clinic in Bloemfontein, clinics in Kimberley and the casualty department of Kimberley hospital (Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe hospital) received a new seizure diary. After using the diary for 6 months, participants (patients, relatives or caregivers) completed a questionnaire.Results A total of 139 epilepsy patients received a new seizure diary; 67 previously diary-unexposed participants and 33 participants who had previous exposure to a seizure diary. The majority of participants, namely 91% of previously diary-unexposed and 84.9% of participants who had previous exposure to the seizure diary, understood the new seizure diary. Participants who had previous exposure to a seizure diary were predominantly very positive about the new diary because it had more information. However, 21.2% indicated that they preferred the old one because it was easier to complete.Conclusion Patients, caregivers or relatives from both groups used the new seizure diary and provided important information about their experience with the new diary. Despite a few complaints about using the new diary, most participants who had previous exposure to a seizure diary preferred the new seizure diary.Contribution This study explored participants’ opinions of the new seizure diary.
Background Epilepsy is responsible for a significant proportion of the world’s disease burden, affecting around 50 million people globally. A seizure diary is a self-management tool for epilepsy ...focusing on self-monitoring, tracking seizures and other symptoms. This study aimed to determine the perceptions and attitudes to the seizure diary in patients with epilepsy in the Free State and Northern Cape of South Africa.Methods This cross-sectional survey method included adult patients with epilepsy attending Universitas Academic Hospital Specialist Epilepsy Clinic in Bloemfontein and local clinics in Kimberley (City, Beaconsfield and Betty Gatsewe), as well as the casualty department of Kimberley hospital (Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital). The Kimberley patients were diary-unexposed, while the Bloemfontein patients were patients who had previous exposure to the seizure diary.Results A total of 182 patients with epilepsy were recruited for the study, of whom 65 were patients who had previous exposure to the seizure diary, and 117 were unexposed. In the patients who had previous exposure to the seizure diary, 64 (98.5%) found the diary useful, but 15 (23.1%) reported having various challenges with using the seizure diary. Almost all of the patients who had previous exposure to the seizure diary, 64 (98.5%), were willing to continue to use the diary, while 112 (95.7%) of the diary-unexposed patients were also willing to use the diary.Conclusion Information from some patients using the diary confirms various challenges with its use; however, most patients support the continued usage of the diary.
Background Epilepsy is a chronic and debilitating condition affecting people of all ages in many nations. Healthcare practitioners look for effective ways to track patients’ seizures, and a seizure ...diary is one of the methods used. This scoping review sought to identify current norms and practices for using seizure diaries to manage epilepsy.Method A scoping review was performed by screening relevant studies and identifying themes, categories and subcategories.Results A total of 1125 articles were identified from the database; 46 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility, of which 23 articles were selected. The majority (48%) of the studies were prospective studies. The majority (65%) of the articles were studies conducted in the United States. The themes identified were types of seizure diaries used in clinical practice, contents and structure of a standardised seizure diary, the use and efficacy of seizure diaries in medicine and challenges relating to using a seizure diary for patient management.Conclusion The study revealed that a seizure diary remains a relevant tool in managing epilepsy. The two forms of diaries in use are electronic and paper-based diaries. The high cost of data and the expensive devices required to access electronic diaries make it unsuitable in a resource-limited setting. Despite its disadvantages, imperfections and inadequacies, the paper-based diary is still relevant for managing patients with epilepsy in resource-limited settings.Contribution This study reviewed the literature to find the current norms and practices in using seizure diaries. The benefits of the different formats were emphasised.
Clinicians are crucial in encouraging smokers to quit through behavioural or pharmacological smoking cessation interventions. Smokers quit better with professional help. The level of healthcare ...providers' (HCPs) knowledge, attitudes and counselling skills related to effective smoking cessation support in the study area remains uncertain.
The study aimed to determine HCPs' knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) on smoking cessation intervention strategies in the Sol Plaatje district, Northern Cape.
Sol Plaatje's 13 district municipality clinics, Kimberley, Northern Cape.
A descriptive, cross-sectional analytical study involving healthcare workers in the above setting.
A total of 165 HCPs, including medical officers, professional nurses, enrolled nurses and assistant-enrolled nurses working in primary healthcare clinics, were invited to participate in the study, with 156 completing the questionnaires. About 53.9% had no knowledge of South African tobacco smoking cessation guidelines, while 87.2% knew the importance of counselling patients about smoking and its impact on quitting. The majority of them did not know the medicines recommended for tobacco treatment in South Africa. About 89.7% expressed that smoking cessation counselling is an important part of their jobs. However, less than half indicated that they make follow-up arrangements for those attempting to quit.
The study revealed gaps in KAP regarding smoking cessation among the respondents, necessitating the need for continuing education on the existing smoking cessation guidelines among these HCPs.
The results of this study will help to improve smoking cessation intervention knowledge among health providers.
Background Prostate cancer (PCa)-related incidence is on the increase, with black South African men presenting disproportionately with aggressive disease. Recent studies show a greater net benefit of ...prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening of black men compared with the general population. This scoping review provides an overview of available research on strategies that have enhanced PCa screening awareness and practice in the African setting.Methods Relevant databases were searched to identify 2010–2021 studies. Following scoping review guidelines, data were extracted, summarised and quantitatively analysed.Results Of the 21 articles included, 19 were from the United States. Nine were published within the last five years and 14 were pre-test/post-test. Most articles evaluated the effect of health-promoting strategies on awareness and practice of PCa screening among black men. Community-oriented strategies enhanced awareness and practice of PCa screening. Healthcare providers and community members, including PCa survivors, participated in the strategies’ planning, development and implementation. Topics that improve PCa knowledge and clear cultural misconceptions were addressed, targeting public spaces unique to these men. Prostate cancer health education methods were diverse, comprehensive, user friendly and culturally sensitive.Conclusion More research on strategies to enhance PCa screening awareness and practice among African men is needed, as this is scarce. Strategies enhancing PCa screening awareness and practice among African men are community oriented and entail health education methods, topics, presenters and venues. These strategies can be adopted in the South African setting.Contribution This study recommends strategies to enhance the awareness and practice of PCa screening among African men.
Background Prostate cancer (PCa) ranks high in terms of morbidity and mortality, especially in Africa. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening remains a practical method of screening for and ...thereby detecting PCa early, especially among African men who are more negatively affected. Modifiable risk factors for PCa are mostly behavioural and lifestyle. Understanding community-specific determinants is important when developing health promotion interventions.Objective This study aimed to determine the profile of African men with PCa in the Free State, South Africa.Method A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted using case record information and self-administered questionnaires among 341 African men with PCa attending the oncology and urology clinics of a tertiary hospital.Result Participants’ median age at diagnosis was 66 years. Only 76 (22.3%) participants had ever heard of PCa prior to being diagnosed with the disease, 36 (47.4%) of whom had ever had screening performed. The majority (n = 298, 87.4%) were symptomatic;<50% sought medical help within six months. At diagnosis, 133 (39.0%) men presented with stage T3 or T4 disease, 75 (22.0%) with metastatic disease and 84 (24.6%) with Gleason score ≥ 8. Factors associated with advanced and high-grade disease included smoking, decreased sunlight exposure and physical activity, relatively increased ingestion of dairy products and red meat. Factors associated with early stage and low-grade disease included relatively increased ingestion of fruits, vegetables and fish.Conclusion Advanced and high-grade PCa disease is not uncommon among men ≥ 60 years in this study setting. Certain modifiable risk factors associated with advanced disease were established in this study. The majority had lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) prior to PCa diagnosis, but they were of poor health-seeking behaviour. Although there seems not to be a systematic delay in the definitive diagnosis and initiation of treatment for PCa, there is a need to improve on health education and awareness in the study setting.
