A survey of traditional and faith healers providing mental health care in three sub-Saharan African countries.

Background: Traditional and faith healers constitute an important group of complementary and alternative mental health service providers (CAPs) in sub-Sahara Africa. Governments in the region commonly express a desire to integrate them into the public health system. The aim of the study was to describe the profile, practices and distribution of traditional and faith healers in three sub-Saharan African countries in great need for major improvements in their mental health systems namely Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria.

The perceived effectiveness of traditional and faith healing in the treatment of mental illness: a systematic review of qualitative studies.

Purpose: This work complements a quantitative review by Nortje et al. (Lancet Psychiatry 3(2):154-170, 2016) by exploring the qualitative literature in regard to the perceived effectiveness of traditional and faith healing of mental disorders.

Method: Qualitative studies focusing specifically on traditional and/or faith healing practices for mental illness were retrieved from eight databases.

Collaboration Between Biomedical and Complementary and Alternative Care Providers: Barriers and Pathways.

We examined the scope of collaborative care for persons with mental illness as implemented by traditional healers, faith healers, and biomedical care providers. We conducted semistructured focus group discussions in Ghana, Kenya, and Nigeria with traditional healers, faith healers, biomedical care providers, patients, and their caregivers. Transcribed data were thematically analyzed.

Effectiveness of traditional healers in treating mental disorders: a systematic review.

Traditional healers form a major part of the mental health workforce worldwide. Despite this, little systematic examination has been done of their effectiveness in treating mental illness or alleviating psychological distress. In this Review, we aim to fill this gap, with a focus on quantitative outcomes.

The role of global traditional and complementary systems of medicine in the treatment of mental health disorders.

Traditional and complementary systems of medicine include a broad range of practices, which are commonly embedded in cultural milieus and reflect community beliefs, experiences, religion, and spirituality. Two major components of this system are discernible: complementary alternative medicine and traditional medicine, with different clientele and correlates of patronage. Evidence from around the world suggests that a traditional or complementary system of medicine is commonly used by a large number of people with mental illness.

The role of global traditional and complementary systems of medicine in treating mental health problems.

Traditional and complementary systems of medicine (TCM) encompass a broad range of practices which are commonly embedded within contextual cultural milieu, reflecting community beliefs, experiences, religion and spirituality. Evidence from across the world, especially from low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), suggests that TCM is commonly used by a large number of persons with mental illness. Even though some overlap exists between the diagnostic approaches of TCM and conventional biomedicine (CB), there are major differences, largely reflecting differences in the understanding of the nature and etiology of mental disorders.

Voxel-Based Meta-Analytical Evidence of Structural Disconnectivity in Major Depression and Bipolar Disorder.

Background: Identification of white matter microstructure differences and similarities between major depression and bipolar disorder is a necessary step to better understand the underlying brain abnormalities in affective disorders and target more effective treatments. However, research has not yet yielded robust conclusions. We report here a meta-analysis of diffusion tensor imaging studies in these conditions.

Recruiting medical students into psychiatry in lower income countries.

There is a serious shortage of psychiatrists and poor recruitment of new psychiatry trainees worldwide. Low and middle income countries suffer disproportionately on many accounts. A negative attitude towards psychiatry is thought to contribute to poor recruitment of psychiatry trainees.

Systematic review and voxel-based meta-analysis of diffusion tensor imaging studies in bipolar disorder.

Background: Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) studies have shown changes in the microstructure of white matter in bipolar disorder. Studies suggest both localised, predominantly fronto-limbic, as well as more widespread changes in white matter, but with some apparent inconsistency. A meta-analysis of white matter alterations in adults with bipolar disorder was undertaken.

Factors affecting the impact of off-road driving on soils in an area in the Kruger National Park, South Africa.

Studies on the effects of off-road driving on soils were conducted in the Makuleke Contractual Park of the Kruger National Park. The studies were conducted on three different soils with different textures and soil compactibilities. Traffic pressure was applied with a game drive vehicle loaded with 11 sand bags, each weighing 70 kg.

Microbiological shelf life of bulk-packaged Musculus gluteus medius supplemented with dietary vitamin E.

Five Simmentaler type calves were fed diets supplemented with 500 mg vitamin E per day and five fed control diets. Rump steaks from each carcass were PVC-overwrapped and bulk packaged in 100% CO, or 20% CO(2):80% O(2). Bulk packs were stored up to 42 days at 4°C and steaks displayed up to 7 days at 4°C.

Combined effect of modified atmosphere bulk packaging, dietary vitamin E supplementation and microbiological contamination on colour stability of Musculus gluteus medius.

Ten Simmentaler type calves were fed diets supplemented with 500 mg vitamin E per day and ten fed control diets. After completion of a 100 day feeding period the cattle were slaughtered and rump steaks (M. gluteus medius) from each carcass PVC-overwrapped and subsequently bulk packaged in 100% CO(2) or 20% CO(2): 80% O(2).

Bacterial populations associated with bulk packaged beef supplemented with dietary vitamin E.

Five Simmentaler type calves were fed diets supplemented with 500 mg vitamin E per day and five fed control diets, Rump steaks from each carcass were PVC-overwrapped and bulk packaged in 100% CO2 or 20% CO2:80% O2. Bulk packs were stored up to 42 days at 4 degrees C and PVC-overwrapped samples subsequently displayed up to 7 days at 4 degrees C. After display the Aerobic Plate Count (APC) of steaks was determined and four colonies were randomly selected from the highest dilution APC plates showing growth.

Some neural and behavioural aspects of electrical and mechanical stunning in ostriches.

Different electrical and mechanical stunning procedures were studied in ostriches to determine the effectiveness of the method. Fifty-eight South-African Black ostriches were equipped with EEG electrodes and stunned with three different electrical head-only methods and with a new captive needle pistol, using air pressure. The first stunning procedure consists of two trials.

Effects of electrical and mechanical stunning methods on meat quality in ostriches.

The effect of electrical and captive needle air pressure stunning methods on some meat quality parameters was examined in ostriches under practical conditions. One hundred and fifteen ostriches were used in three experiments. The ostriches were stunned either electrically (head only) or by using a captive needle with air pressure.

Influence of aging treatment on the bacterial quality of South African springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis marsupialis) wholesale cuts.

The left sides of 20 springbok carcasses were aged with the skin on (treatment 1), while the right sides were aged without the skin (treatment 2). Another 20 carcasses were skinned, halved and cut into wholesale cuts. The loin and leg cuts from the right sides were deboned before vacuum packaging (treatment 3), while the loin and leg cuts from the left sides were vacuum packed with the bone in (treatment 4).

Incidence of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli in Ground Beef, Broilers and Processed Meats in Pretoria, South Africa.

Three types of processed meats (vienna sausages, shoulder ham, and cervelat), ground beef and broilers were purchased from 17 different supermarkets in the Pretoria area (South Africa) during 1991. The 232 samples were analyzed for the presence of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus , with total aerobic plate counts (APCs) also being determined. Escherichia coli was found in 74.

Centralised bulk pre-packaging of fresh pork retail cuts in various gas atmospheres.

A centralised bulk pre-packaging technique (laboratory method), utilising various gas mixtures (c. 100% CO(2); c. 75% CO(2):25% N(2); c.

The Incidence of Listeria in Processed Meats in South Africa.

Three types of processed meats, vienna sausages, ham, and cervelat, were purchased from 17 supermarkets on three occasions in the Pretoria area (South Africa) during spring 1990. The 134 samples were monitored for Listeria , with total plate counts also being determined. Listeria occurred in 11 (8.

The influence of different centralised pre-packaging systems on the shelf-life of fresh pork.

The influence of different centralised pre-packaging systems (PVC, modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), 25% CO(2) and 75% O(2), vacuum skin packaging (VSP) and the mother bag concept, 100% CO(2)) on the shelf-life (0, 7, 14 and 21 days at 0°C) of fresh pork was determined using microbiological, colour, odour and acceptability characteristics. All the packaging treatments were equally efficient for the first 4 days of retail display. In the extended shelf-life study (7, 14 and 21 days) the mother bag centralised packaging system gave the most promising shelf-life results (21 days) and was also judged superior in terms of odour.

A Quantitative Survey of a Meat Production Chain to Determine the Microbial Profile of the Final Product.

Samples from carcasses, personnel surfaces, equipment, and minced meat, packaged and displayed in cabinets were taken at a city abattoir, a wholesaler, and 10 different supermarkets. Bacteria enumerated were 1) psychrotrophs; 2) Enterobacteriaceae ; 3) enterococci; 4) micrococci; 5) Pseudomonas spp; and 6) Brochothrix thermosphacta . The non integrated production system of abattoirs, wholesalers, and retailers yielded psychrotrophic and enterococci counts at retail which compared fairly well with those reported in literature, while the Enterobacteriaceae and micrococci counts were higher.

The Influence of Incubation Temperature on Bacterial Counts in a Meat Production System.

Samples for microbial evaluation were taken from various surfaces including those on carcasses, and equipment at an abattoir, a wholesaler, and 10 different supermarkets. Samples were also taken of minced meat in retail display cabinets. These surfaces were monitored by means of a modified agar sausage technique.

The aerobic psychotrophic populations on meat and meat contact surfaces in a meat production system and on meat stored at chill temperatures.

At a city abattoir, a wholesaler and 10 different supermarkets, surface microbiological samples were taken of carcasses, hands and apron fronts of members of staff and equipment (mincers and saws). In addition, minced meat, packaged and displayed in chilled cabinets, was also sampled. Carcasses, personnel surfaces and equipment were monitored by a modified agar sausage technique.

A microbiological survey of fresh meat in the supermarket trade. Part 2: beef retail cuts.

An assessment was made of the microbiological quality of the final product (different retail cuts), produced by two different retail supermarket groups (A & B). The influence of sanitary conditions on the microbiological quality of the final product was evaluated, and the possible influences on shelf life were determined. Supermarket group A (Sup group A) received carcasses with significantly lower surface counts of micro-organisms than supermarket group B (Sup group B), while the latter had a more efficient overall sanitation programme than supermarket group A.

A microbiological survey of fresh meat in the supermarket trade. Part 1: Carcasses and contact surfaces.

Sanitary conditions were monitored at eleven supermarkets (from two major chains, Sup groups A & B) in the South African butcher industry. The variables measured were the temperature of carcasses and environments, the muscle pH of carcasses and the microbiological status of carcasses and human or personal and equipment contact surfaces (chillers-three surfaces, delivery trucks-five surfaces, cutting rooms-16 surfaces). All supermarkets, except one, received beef carcasses, distributed by one of two wholesale organizations from the same abattoir.