Publications by authors named "Melvin Draaijer"

Unlabelled: Evaluation of guidelines in actual practice is a crucial step in guideline improvement. A retrospective evaluation of the Dutch guideline for children with fever without an apparent source (FWS) showed 50% adherence in young infants. We prospectively evaluated adherence to the Dutch guideline and its impact on management in current practice.

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Article Synopsis
  • Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a significant global issue, especially for long-distance truck drivers in South Africa, who face increased risks due to their sedentary lifestyle and night shift work.
  • A study involving 607 male truck drivers found high rates of CVD risk factors like hypertension, obesity, and abnormal lipid levels, regardless of whether they worked day shifts or a combination of day and night shifts.
  • The research concluded that while both groups exhibited considerable CVD risk, no significant differences in overall CVD risk measures were noted between those working only day shifts and those working both shifts.
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Background: Long-term retention of research participants in studies is challenging. In research in sub-Saharan Africa, phone calls are the most frequently used method to distantly engage with participants.

Objective: We aimed to get insight into the effectiveness of phone calls to retain contact with participants and evaluated determinants of reachability.

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Article Synopsis
  • This study investigates the health status and risk factors of long-distance truck drivers in South Africa, focusing on their lifestyle, working conditions, and prevalence of diseases.
  • A total of 614 male truck drivers participated, primarily from Zimbabwe, with data collected on demographics, health behaviors, and medical assessments, including cardiac and mental health evaluations.
  • Key findings revealed high rates of sexual activity, significant health issues such as obesity and depression, with notable occurrences of HIV and other health risks linked to their working conditions.
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