Harm reduction in an emergency response to homelessness during South Africa's COVID-19 lockdown.

Background: Caledonian Stadium, the main mass temporary shelter for homeless people in the City of Tshwane, was created as a local response to the imperatives of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) National State of Disaster lockdown in South Africa. This is a case study of the coordinated emergency healthcare response provided by the University of Pretoria's Department of Family Medicine between 24 March and 6 April 2020.

Methods: This study uses a narrative approach to restory situated, transient, partial and provisional knowledge.

Modelling cost benefit of community-oriented primary care in rural South Africa.

Background: Globally, rural populations have poorer health and considerably lower levels of access to healthcare compared with urban populations. Although the drive to ensure universal coverage through community healthcare worker programmes has shown significant results elsewhere, their value has yet to be realised in South Africa.

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the potential impact, cost-effectiveness and benefit-to-cost ratio (BCR) of information and communications technology (ICT)-enabled community-oriented primary care (COPC) for rural and remote populations.

Interpreting Mamelodi Community-Oriented Primary Care data on tuberculosis loss to follow-up through the lens of intersectionality.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is a persistent major public health challenge in South Africa. This article examines the social determinants and demographic factors associated with TB loss to follow-up through the lens of intersectionality.

Aim: The aim of this study was to describe and interpret the social determinants and demographic factors associated with TB patients lost to follow-up (LTFU).

Scaling community-based services in Gauteng, South Africa: A comparison of three workforce-planning scenarios.

Background: The introduction of community-based services through community health workers is an opportunity to redefine the approach and practice of primary health care. Based on bestpractice community oriented primary care (COPC), a COPC planning toolkit has been developed to model the creation of a community-based tier in an integrated district health system.

Aim: The article describes the methodologies and assumptions used to determine workforce numbers and service costs for three scenarios and applies them to the poorest 60% of the population in Gauteng, South Africa.

Risks associated with communication delays in infants from underserved South African communities.

Background: For optimal development young children need warm, responsive, enriched and communicative environments for learning social, language, and other skills. Infants and toddlers exposed to psychosocial risk lack enriched environments and may present with communication delays.

Aim: To investigate the relationship between psychosocial risks and communication delays in infants from underserved communities in South Africa.

Addressing the shortage of health professionals in South Africa through the development of a new cadre of health worker: the creation of Clinical Associates.

South Africa made a decision in 2002 to develop so-called mid-level medical workers, now known as clinical associates. This article describes the background to this decision, and the national process of developing the profession and its scope of practice, which was aligned with the needs of the health service, particularly those of rural district hospitals. A common national curriculum was then developed, with implementation in three faculties.

Developing generalism in the South African context.

The largest impact on the South African burden of disease will be made in community-based and primary healthcare (PHC) settings and not in referral hospitals. Medical generalism is an approach to the delivery of healthcare that routinely applies a broad and holistic perspective to the patient's problems and is a feature of PHC. A multi-professional team of generalists, who share similar values and principles, is needed to make this a reality.

Psychosocial implications of tubal ligation in a rural health district: a phenomenological study.

Background: Tubal ligation is the most popular family planning method worldwide. While its benefits, such as effectiveness in protecting against pregnancies, minimal need for long-term follow-up and low side-effects profile are well documented, it has many reported complications. However, to date, these complications have not been described by residents in Congo.

Management of district hospitals--exploring success.

Aim: The aim of the study was to explore and document what assists a rural district hospital to function well. The lessons learned may be applicable to similar hospitals all over the world.

Method: A cross-sectional exploratory study was carried out using in-depth interviews with 21 managers of well-functioning district hospitals in two districts in South Africa.