Paediatric oncology physiotherapy in Africa: International Society of Paediatric Oncology (SIOP) Global Mapping Programme.

Childhood cancer treatment in Africa has a dramatically increasing patient population resulting in greater rehabilitation needs. The International Society of Paediatric Oncology (SIOP) mapped childhood cancer services in Africa including access to physiotherapy. Irrespective of income classification, just over two-thirds of countries in Africa reported having access to physiotherapy services in paediatric oncology sites.

An interprofessional model of care for adolescents with perinatal HIV: A qualitative study.

Background And Aims: The number of perinatally HIV-infected adolescents (PHIVA) is increasing however many health care systems are not prepared for this population and their health challenges, specifically a model of care (MoC) is lacking. Thus the objective of this study was to develop and propose a MoC for PHIVA.

Methods: Through a qualitative study design, a MoC was developed and ratified with two focus groups, consisting of PHIVA and healthcare professionals.

Undernutrition in young children with congenital heart disease undergoing cardiac surgery in a low-income environment.

Background: Malnutrition (undernutrition) in children with congenital disease (CHD) is a notable concern, with preoperative and persistent growth failure post-cardiac surgery contributing to poorer outcomes. Poor growth in children with CHD in low-income environments is exacerbated by feeding difficulties, poverty, delayed diagnosis, and late corrective surgery. This study describes and compares the growth of young children with CHD undergoing cardiac surgery in central South Africa from before to 6-months after cardiac surgery.

Physical functioning in adolescents with perinatal HIV.

Perinatal HIV impacts on growth and development in childhood, with physical impairments such as growth limitations, decreased physical activity, reduced exercise tolerance and cardiopulmonary dysfunction continuing into adolescence. There is limited data on other physical functioning domains in perinatally HIV-infected adolescents (PHIVA) thus the aim of this study was to establish the physical sequelae of perinatal HIV in adolescents. This South African cross-sectional study compared PHIVA with HIV-negative adolescents, assessing anthropometry, muscle strength, endurance and motor performance.

Evaluation of a knowledge translation intervention for HIV and rehabilitation advocacy in physiotherapy in three sub-Saharan African countries.

Purpose: To evaluate a knowledge translation intervention to determine knowledge, attitudes and self-efficacy related to HIV and rehabilitation advocacy in physiotherapy students.

Methods: A pre and post-test study was conducted at three physiotherapy-training programs in Sub Saharan Africa - the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), the University of Zambia (UNZA) and Kenya Medical Technical College (KMTC). For each site, the knowledge, attitude and self-efficacy of physiotherapy students were tested pre- and post-intervention using a standardized questionnaire.

Services and interventions needed to prevent secondary health conditions throughout the life span of people with spinal cord injury, South Africa.

Background: Current evidence suggests a need for a care model that supports the prevention of secondary health conditions in people with spinal cord injury. Multiple complex factors influence the prevention of secondary health conditions. There is a need for holistic and systems-based prevention approaches, which target multiple levels.

Motor function, muscle strength and health-related quality of life of children perinatally infected with HIV.

Background: Gross motor delays are common in infants and preschool children infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). These delays persist in children of school-going age and may affect participation in classroom and playground activities; however, the extent of the problem is poorly understood in this age group.

Objectives: Our study aimed to determine the motor function, muscle strength and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in children aged 5-10 years who were perinatally infected with HIV.

Views of health care users and providers: Solutions to improve the prevention of secondary health conditions among people with spinal cord injury, South Africa.

Study Design: Explorative- qualitative study.

Objective: This study explored solutions to improve the prevention of secondary health conditions in people with spinal cord injury.

Setting: Rehabilitation hospital, South Africa.

Evaluation of submaximal endurance in young children living with HIV.

Background: There is growing concern about the long-term [a condition which is the consequence of a previous disease or injury] of perinatally acquired human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Children living with HIV (CLHIV) present with cardiopulmonary impairments and decreased physical activity which may be due to poor endurance.

Objectives: Our study aimed to investigate the sub-maximal endurance of CLHIV compared to a non-infected comparison group.

HIV advocacy: knowledge translation and implementation at three diverse sites in sub-Saharan Africa.

Purpose: To explore how the gap in knowledge translation around HIV and rehabilitation could be addressed using advocacy. This article describes and reflects on lessons learned from incorporating content on HIV and advocacy into the curricula at three diverse physiotherapy (PT) programs in sub-Saharan Africa.

Methods: A realistic evaluation approach was followed.

Pre-operative neurodevelopmental assessment in young children undergoing cardiac surgery in central South Africa: feasibility and clinical value.

Background: Pre-operative neurodevelopmental assessment in children with congenital heart disease may assist in the early identification of children at risk for or presenting with developmental delays. This study determined the pre-operative neurodevelopmental status of young children undergoing cardiac surgery in central South Africa. Feasibility and clinical value of pre-operative assessment were also evaluated.

Environmental factors influencing the prevention of secondary health conditions among people with spinal cord injury, South Africa.

Background: The environment where people live, work or play can influence health and disability outcomes. People with spinal cord injury are at risk for secondary health conditions, with this increasing readmission rates and decreasing quality of life. Studies on preventative care for secondary health conditions and factors influencing the prevention of secondary health conditions are scarce in low to middle-income countries.

Physical sequelae of growing into adolescence with perinatally acquired HIV: a scoping review protocol.

Objective: This scoping review aims to identify and describe the physical sequelae experienced by adolescents with perinatally acquired HIV.

Introduction: Perinatally acquired HIV is a prevalent condition affecting adolescents. It results in neurocognitive dysfunction and mental health challenges.

'I forget to do pressure relief': Personal factors influencing the prevention of secondary health conditions in people with spinal cord injury, South Africa.

Background: Across the lifespan, people with spinal cord injury (SCI) may experience preventable secondary health conditions (SHCs) such as pressures sores, muscle spasms and urinary tract infections (UTIs). Some factors influencing prevention of SHCs include social support, poor access to care and the prevention style of individuals. There is limited research on these factors.

Neurodevelopment in early treated HIV-infected infants participating in a developmental stimulation programme compared with controls.

Background: Neurodevelopmental stimulation programmes can improve developmental outcomes. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) started soon after birth potentially limits the invasion of HIV into the central nervous system. A combination of developmental stimulation and early ART initiation may reduce developmental delays in children with perinatally acquired HIV infection.

Predictors for the academic success of first-year physiotherapy students at a South African university.

Background: Numerous factors may influence academic performance and success in undergraduate physiotherapy programmes. Understanding these factors could assist with student selection and design of support structures.

Objectives: The objective of our study was to explore the amount of variance explained by the National Benchmark Test (NBT) and the National Senior Certificate (NSC) in passing the first year of study and to explore the association between the NBT performance bands and first-year progression outcome.

Developmental status of human immunodeficiency virus-exposed uninfected premature infants compared with premature infants who are human immunodeficiency virus unexposed and uninfected.

Background: There is growing concern about the developmental outcome of infants exposed to HIV in utero. HIV-infected women are at greater risk of premature delivery which poses a further developmental risk factor.

Objectives: To determine whether there is a difference between the development of premature infants born at 28-37 weeks gestational age that are HIV exposed but uninfected (HEU) compared with HIV-unexposed uninfected infants (HUU).

A description of early neurodevelopment in a cohort of HIV-exposed uninfected children.

: Successful strategies preventing mother-to-child HIV transmission have resulted in increasing numbers of uninfected children exposed to maternal HIV and ART in-utero, and while breastfeeding. Some reports describe exposure as impacting neurodevelopment. : This cross-sectional analysis included 49 of the 70 HIV-exposed uninfected (HEU) birth-enrolled children as the control arm of an observational cohort study of early treatment in HIV-infected infants in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Prevention care for secondary health conditions among people living with spinal cord injuries: research protocol.

Objective: People living with spinal cord injuries are at a high risk to experience preventable secondary health conditions in their lifetime, which can lead to rehospitalisation and death. Given the fact that spinal cord injury is a long term disability requiring on-going care, there is need to strengthen prevention of secondary health conditions. This study aims to establish factors influencing prevention care for secondary health conditions among people living with spinal cord injuries in a metropolitan area in order to develop a prevention model of care.

The effect of the Hambisela programme on stress levels and quality of life of primary caregivers of children with cerebral palsy: A pilot study.

Background: Caregivers of children with cerebral palsy (CP) are at risk of having high stress levels and poor quality of life (QOL) which could have a detrimental effect on themselves and their children. Taking caregivers' well-being into consideration is therefore important when providing rehabilitation to children with CP. Interventions to mediate primary caregiver stress and QOL using an educational tool have not been tested in this population in South Africa.

The physical sequelae of perinatally acquired HIV in adolescents: a research proposal.

Objectives: As the global access of antiretrovirals for HIV-infected infants improves, so the body of perinatally HIV-infected adolescents (PHIVA) grows. The neurological and physical complications of HIV, both in children and in adults, are well established, however there is a paucity of data pertaining to PHIVA, a group of people who have had a lifetime exposure to the virus and to antiretrovirals. There has been a resounding call for further research in this area, as well as for the development of policies and programmes for this population.

The perceived barriers and facilitators in completing a Master's degree in Physiotherapy.

Background: Participating in postgraduate study is daunting and as yet there is a dearth of literature on what students' experiences are when obtaining their Master's degree in Physiotherapy.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to gain insight into the perceived barriers and facilitators in completing a Master's degree in Physiotherapy.

Method: Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with 10 physiotherapists who had completed a Master's degree in Physiotherapy from a university in South Africa, representative of coursework and dissertation Master's degrees, completed within the stipulated time period as well as taking longer to complete the degree.