The Realities of Caring for a Person with a Mental Disorder in Rural and Remote Capricorn District of South Africa: A Qualitative Study.

In rural African communities, family caregivers shoulder the responsibility of caring for loved ones with mental disorders, often without professional support. This qualitative explorative study, conducted in Limpopo Province, South Africa, aimed to explore the realities of caring for a family member with a mental disorder in rural and remote Capricorn District, in order to uncover insights that can inform support systems, the academic community, interventions, and policies. Non-probability purposive sampling was used to ensure the reproducibility and validity of the results by focusing on participants who are actively involved in caregiving, living in the rural and remote of Capricorn District, in order to provide a comprehensive understanding of their experiences, and this resulted in 15 participants (13 females, 2 males).

Barriers and enablers for implementation of digital-linked diagnostics models at point-of-care in South Africa: stakeholder engagement.

The integration of digital technologies holds significant promise in enhancing accessibility to disease diagnosis and treatment at point-of-care (POC) settings. Effective implementation of such interventions necessitates comprehensive stakeholder engagements. This study presents the outcomes of a workshop conducted with key stakeholders, aiming to discern barriers and enablers in implementing digital-connected POC diagnostic models in South Africa.

Community Health Risk Awareness and Knowledge of Air Pollution in Annadale, Polokwane Local Municipality, Limpopo Province, South Africa.

Background: Exposure to air pollution has detrimental effects on the elderly, women, people with pre-existing medical conditions, people living in poverty and children. The aim of the study was to investigate the extent of community awareness and knowledge on the health risks associated with exposure to air pollution. The study was conducted at Annadale residential area locally known as Ladanna surrounded by industrial areas and located in Polokwane Local Municipality under Capricorn District Municipality in Limpopo Province, South Africa.

Lived experiences of students with virological failure on antiretrovirals at a university in Limpopo.

Background:  Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive students at a rural university in Limpopo province are followed-up according to the national guidelines for the treatment of HIV. Blood monitoring revealed that some students on antiretroviral (ARV) treatment were not virologically suppressed despite adherence and compliance being emphasised at every visit.

Objectives:  The study sought to identify the students' experiences that were hindering the viral load from improving.

Checklists for interpreting chest radiographs: a scoping review protocol.

Introduction: What is known about checklists for interpreting chest radiographs? The question will guide the development of the inclusion criteria for the scoping review. Breaking down the scoping review question will allow the evaluation of inclusion and exclusion criteria for the protocol. The eligibility of the proposed research question will be assessed using the Population or Participants, Concept and Context (PCC) framework.

High prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in pregnant women after the second wave of infections in the inner-city of Johannesburg, Gauteng Province, South Africa.

Objectives: After South Africa's second wave of COVID-19, this study estimated the SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among pregnant women in inner-city Johannesburg, South Africa.

Methods: In this cross-sectional survey, 500 pregnant women who were non-COVID-19-vaccinated (aged ≥12 years) were enrolled, and demographic and clinical data were collected. Serum samples were tested using the Wantai SARS-CoV-2 spike antibody enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Roche Elecsys® anti-SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid antibody assays.

Forensic radiography services: The experiences of radiographers and forensic pathologists in Nigeria.

Introduction: Radiographers can play an essential role within forensic teams and contribute by producing high quality images. There are several aspects of forensic imaging, these commonly include but are not limited to imaging as part of post-mortem investigations, evaluation of non-accidental injuries and the identification of the presence of illicit drugs. In some countries radiographers perform post-mortem imaging before conventional autopsy, a practice that needs to be advanced in less developed countries.

Perceptions of radiographers regarding establishing a self-regulatory body for radiation safety in Eswatini.

Introduction: Eswatini remains one of the countries in Southern Africa without a regulating authority for radiation safety in the radiography departments. Quality control (QC) tests and radiation protection practices are unmonitored. This study sought to explore radiographers' perceptions regarding establishing a self-regulatory body that will formulate, implement and monitor compliance of standardised guidelines for radiation safety.

Exposure to secondhand smoke in health institutions and sources of knowledge: a cross-sectional study from the city of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.

Introduction: annually, many people die due to being exposed to secondhand smoke (SHS) which they experience at a number of premises that include health institutions. Scientists agree that there is no safe exposure level to SHS, however, in the City of Bulawayo many people are exposed to SHS. There are great expectations from communities for health professionals to reduce SHS exposure-related morbidity and mortality.

The experiences of teleradiology end users regarding role extension in a rural district of the North West province: A qualitative analysis.

Background: Teleradiology was implemented across South Africa, to provide reporting services to rural healthcare institutes without a radiologist. This is guided by standard operating procedure manuals (SOP) which standardise the quality of services provided. From observation, end users, namely, the radiographer and referring clinician, experience challenges in fulfilling the roles extending beyond the SOP.

Experiences of nurses on the critical shortage of medical equipment at a rural district hospital in South Africa: a qualitative study.

Introduction: Medical equipment is an essential health intervention tool used by nurses for prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease and for rehabilitation of patients. However, access to functioning medical equipment is a challenge in low- and middle-income countries. The World Health Organization estimated that 50 to 80 percent of medical equipment in developing countries is not working, creating a barrier to the ability of the health system to deliver health services to patients.

Medical waste disposal at a hospital in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa: Implications for training of healthcare professionals.

Background: Healthcare professionals (HCPs) produce various types of waste in the course of rendering healthcare services. Each classification of waste must be disposed of according to the prescribed guidelines. Incorrect disposal of waste may pose a danger to employees, patients and the environment.

Efavirenz-induced gynecomastia in a prepubertal girl with human immunodeficiency virus infection: a case report.

Background: Prepubertal gynecomastia is a rare condition and most frequently classified as idiopathic. In HIV-infected adults gynecomastia is a recognised but infrequent side-effect of antiretroviral treatment (ART) and mostly attributed to efavirenz use. Gynecomastia should be distinguished from pseudogynecomastia as part of the lipodystrophy syndrome caused by Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NRTIs) to avoid incorrect substitution of drugs.