The role of indigenous healers in treating surgical conditions in the rural Eastern Cape of South Africa.

Background: Indigenous knowledge healers (IKHs) provide alternative healthcare to formal health services in rural South Africa, but there is a gap in knowledge regarding their treatment of surgical conditions. This study evaluated IKH surgical care and described their perspective of the dual health system.

Methods: A cross sectional survey of IKHs in the Madwaleni Hospital catchment of the Eastern Cape, South Africa was conducted.

Commonalities and differences in injured patient experiences of accessing and receiving quality injury care: a qualitative study in three sub-Saharan African countries.

Objectives: To understand commonalities and differences in injured patient experiences of accessing and receiving quality injury care across three lower-income and middle-income countries.

Design: A qualitative interview study. The interviews were audiorecorded, transcribed and thematically analysed.

The role of clinical associates in South Africa as a health workforce: A scoping review.

Background:  South Africa's health care system grapples with persistent challenges, including health care provider shortages and disparities in distribution. In response, the government introduced clinical associates (Clin-As) as a novel category of health care providers.

Aim:  This study mapped Clin-As' history and practice in South Africa, assessing their roles in the health workforce and offering recommendations.

Road Traffic Injuries in South Africa: A Complex Global Health Crisis.

1.3 million people die each year as a result of Road traffic crashes. Road Traffic Injuries are a global health crisis with 90% of global deaths affecting LMICs.

Gastric cancer in Sub-Saharan Africa - a systematic review of primary data.

Introduction: Gastric cancer (GC) is the third leading cause of global cancer-related mortality. Despite the shifting burden of GC to low-and middle-income countries, the data regarding incidence, treatment, and outcomes in these settings are sparse. The primary aim of this systematic review was to aggregate all available data on GC in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) to describe the variability in incidence across the region.

An increase in electrical burns during the covid lockdown in Western Cape, South Africa.

Background: A severe Covid lockdown in South Africa may have changed burn patterns due to the downturn of the economy and stay-at-home policies. We describe the volume and type of burn admitted to a tertiary hospital before and during the Covid lockdown.

Materials And Methods: This was a retrospective study from before (April 2019-March 2020) and during (April 2020-March 2021) the Covid pandemic.

Community support for injured patients: A scoping review and narrative synthesis.

Background: Community-based peer support (CBPS) groups have been effective in facilitating access to and retention in the healthcare system for patients with HIV/AIDS, cancer, diabetes, and other communicable and non-communicable diseases. Given the high incidence of morbidity that results from traumatic injuries, and the barriers to reaching and accessing care for injured patients, community-based support groups may prove to be similarly effective in this population.

Objectives: The objective of this review is to identify the extent and impact of CBPS for injured patients.

Social Determinants of Seeking and Reaching Injury Care in South Africa: A Community-Based Qualitative Study.

Background: Timely access to quality injury care saves lives and prevents disabilities. The impact of social determinants of health on the high injury prevalence in South Africa is well documented, however, evidence of their role in accessing injury care is lacking. This study explored the social determinants of seeking and reaching injury care in South Africa.

Mapping access to care and identification of barriers for traumatic brain injury in a South African township.

Rationale: South Africa has a high traumatic injury burden resulting in a significant number of persons suffering from traumatic brain injury (TBI). TBI is a time-sensitive condition requiring a responsive and organized health system to minimize morbidity and mortality. This study outlined the barriers to accessing TBI care in a South African township.

Determining the Minimum Dataset for Surgical Patients in Africa: A Delphi Study.

Background: It is often difficult for clinicians in African low- and middle-income countries middle-income countries to access useful aggregated data to identify areas for quality improvement. The aim of this Delphi study was to develop a standardised perioperative dataset for use in a registry.

Methods: A Delphi method was followed to achieve consensus on the data points to include in a minimum perioperative dataset.

Knowledge, attitude and perception towards lower limb amputation amongst persons living with diabetes in rural South Africa: A qualitative study.

Background: South Africa has a high prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM), a leading risk factor for lower limb amputation (LLA). Lower limb amputation is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Lower limb amputation incidence can be mitigated through prompt identification and treatment of individuals at risk and engagement in self-management practices.

Colorectal Surgery Practice, Training, and Research in Low-Resource Settings.

Colorectal surgery (CRS) practice, training, and research differ between low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and high-income countries due to disparity in resources. LMIC CRS is primarily done by general surgeons due to the paucity of fully trained colorectal surgeons. The majority of colon and rectal resections are done using open techniques, and laparoscopy and robotic platforms are only available in select private or academic centers.

Disparities in Access to Trauma Care in Sub-Saharan Africa: a Narrative Review.

Purpose Of Review: Sub-Saharan Africa is a diverse context with a large burden of injury and trauma-related deaths. Relative to high-income contexts, most of the region is less mature in prehospital and facility-based trauma care, education and training, and trauma care quality assurance. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development recognizes rising inequalities, both within and between countries as a deterrent to growth and development.

Referral of District Level Operations to Regional Hospitals in South Africa.

Introduction: In South Africa, district hospitals have limited surgical capacity, and most surgical conditions are referred to higher-level facilities for definitive management. This study aims to identify the proportion, type, and volume of district-level general surgery referrals to two regional government hospitals in South Africa.

Materials And Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of secondary data collected on persons who underwent general surgery operations at two South African regional hospitals between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2018.

Coverage of diabetes complications screening in rural Eastern Cape, South Africa: A cross-sectional survey.

Background: There is a paucity of data on the coverage of diabetes mellitus (DM) complications screening in primary healthcare facilities in South Africa (SA). This study assesses the extent of screening for DM complications among individuals with type 2 DM attending primary health facilities in rural Eastern Cape (EC), SA.

Methods: The study adopted a descriptive, cross-sectional design and obtained data from 372 individuals with type 2 diabetes attending six selected primary healthcare centres (PHCs) in two EC districts.

Telemedicine in Surgical Care in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Scoping Review.

Background: Access to timely and quality surgical care is limited in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Telemedicine, defined as the remote provision of health care using information, communication and telecommunication platforms have the potential to address some of the barriers to surgical care. However, synthesis of evidence on telemedicine use in surgical care in LMICs is lacking.

Lower limb amputations among individuals living with diabetes mellitus in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review protocol.

Background: The burden of diabetes mellitus (DM) and its associated complications continue to burgeon, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Lower limb amputation (LLA) is one of the most life-altering complications of DM, associated with significant morbidity, mortality and socio-economic impacts. High-income countries have reported a decreasing incidence of DM-associated LLA, but the situation in many LMICs is unknown.

Equitable access to quality trauma systems in low-income and middle-income countries: assessing gaps and developing priorities in Ghana, Rwanda and South Africa.

Injuries in low-income and middle-income countries are prevalent and their number is expected to increase. Death and disability after injury can be reduced if people reach healthcare facilities in a timely manner. Knowledge of barriers to access to quality injury care is necessary to intervene to improve outcomes.