The outcomes of an audiological management programme for neonates with hyperbilirubinaemia.

Background:  Hyperbilirubinaemia is a contributing condition to the prevalence of neonatal hearing loss. Because of its pathophysiology, the use of Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) and Automated Auditory Brainstem Response (AABR) testing is essential in diagnosing hearing loss. Two-tier screening models are typically used in developing world contexts; however, a combined approach to testing (using both tests) should be used for early detection.

Specialties preference by gender among medical students at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, South Africa.

Background: To determine the speciality preferences and the gender differences in the choice of speciality among medical students at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, South Africa.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among fourth- to sixth-year medical students. A structured self-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data.

Challenges faced by nurses in managing patients with foot pathologies at primary healthcare clinics in Johannesburg-South Africa.

Background: Foot health (podiatric) services remain inaccessible in many primary healthcare clinics across South Africa. As first-line contact practitioners at primary health care clinics, nurses manage all patients, including those presenting with foot pathologies. Anecdotal evidence suggests that nurses have challenges and are limited in their capability to assess the foot.

Prevalence and Risk Factors for Anxiety Symptoms among Student Nurses in Gauteng Province of South Africa.

Globally, mental disorders are common among nursing students; therefore, effective prevention and early detection are urgently needed. However, the prevalence rate of anxiety symptoms has not been investigated in South African nursing colleges. The study aimed to assess the prevalence of anxiety symptoms and their sociodemographic risk factors among nursing students in Gauteng province, South Africa.

Medical practitioners' knowledge and awareness of multiple myeloma at public hospitals, Gauteng, South Africa.

Background: Multiple myeloma (MM) is a plasma cell malignancy associated with morbidity and mortality worldwide, and most patients are referred for specialist care very late with complications. The low index of suspicion among medical practitioners is among the reasons for the delay in MM diagnosis and management. This study aimed to determine the level of awareness and knowledge of MM among medical practitioners working in public hospitals of Tshwane Municipality, Gauteng Province, South Africa.

Job satisfaction among health professionals in a District of North West province, South Africa.

Background: Job satisfaction has become an area of relevance and debate in public health as it is directly linked to staff absenteeism, retention and turnover of the workforce and as such, influences the organisational commitment of the workers and the quality of health services provided. It is therefore essential to discern what drives healthcare professionals to remain working in the public health sector.

Aim: This study aimed to determine job satisfaction and its associated factors among healthcare professionals.

Diabetic foot and lower limb amputations at central, provincial and tertiary hospitals-underscores the need for organised foot health services at primary healthcare level.

Background: Diabetic foot amputations are a devastating outcome for any diabetic patient. They are associated with various risk factors, including failure to risk stratify the diabetic foot. Early risk stratification could lower foot complications risk at the primary healthcare level (PHC).

Stability, Morphology, and Effects of In Vitro Digestion on the Antioxidant Properties of Polyphenol Inclusion Complexes with β-Cyclodextrin.

Polyphenols are inversely associated with the incidence of chronic diseases, but therapeutic use is limited by poor stability and bioaccessibility. Encapsulation has been shown to overcome some of these limitations. A selection of polyphenols (catechin, gallic acid, and epigallocatechin gallate) and their combinations were encapsulated in beta-cyclodextrin (βCD).

Geo-analysis: the distribution of community health workers in relation to the HIV prevalence in KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa.

Background: The South African Ward Based Primary Health Care Outreach Team (WBPHCOT) policy framework states that the distribution of community health workers (CHWs) should be proportional to levels of poverty and disease within the population. We aimed to describe the spatial distribution of CHWs in relation to the prevalence of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) which has itself been associated with poverty in previous studies.

Methods: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study in which secondary data was used for geospatial analysis.

The methodological quality is insufficient in clinical practice guidelines in the context of COVID-19: systematic review.

Objectives: The number of published clinical practice guidelines related to COVID-19 has rapidly increased. This study explored if basic methodological standards of guideline development have been met in the published clinical practice guidelines related to COVID-19.

Study Design And Setting: Rapid systematic review from February 1 until April 27, 2020 using MEDLINE [PubMed], CINAHL [Ebsco], Trip and manual search, including all types of healthcare workers providing any kind of healthcare to any patient population in any setting.

Abnormal cervical cytology amongst women infected with human immunodeficiency virus in Limpopo province, South Africa.

Background: Cervical cancer remains the major public problem worldwide and the most common gynaecological malignancy in the developing world, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.

Aim: To determine the prevalence of abnormal cervical cytology amongst women with and without human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and examine the association between HIV and histological grading.

Setting: The study was conducted in Limpopo province, which is the northernmost province of South Africa.

Determinants of body mass index by gender in the Dikgale Health and Demographic Surveillance System site, South Africa.

Background: The study was conducted in the Dikgale Health and Demographic Surveillance System (DHDSS) site where we have observed increasing obesity levels, particularly in women, despite evidence of high physical activity (PA) and a relatively low daily energy intake.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the socio-demographic, behavioural and biological determinants of body mass index (BMI) in adult residents permanently residing in the DHDSS.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in which socio-demographic, behavioural and biological characteristics from 1143 participants (aged 40-60 years) were collected using a paper questionnaire and standard anthropometric measures.

South African podiatry students' perceptions of feedback given as part of clinical training.

Background: As part of their clinical training podiatry students spend time in clinical settings treating patients under the supervision of qualified podiatrists. The role and purpose of feedback during such clinical training is to improve students' knowledge, skills and behaviour. Feedback is an integral part of the learning process that should enhance students' clinical learning experiences.

Anatomical variation of the Dorsalis pedis artery in a South African population - A Cadaveric Study.

Background: The dorsalis pedis artery is responsible for blood supply to the dorsal aspect of the foot and is vital in the clinical assessment of the arterial supply thereof. Clinical assessment should consider anatomical variations of dorsalis pedis artery. Clearly, a thorough understanding of the potential variations of the vasculature in the area is important for a precise clinical assessment of arterial supply to the foot.

The mutagenic and antimutagenic activity of Sutherlandia frutescens extracts and marker compounds.

Background: Sutherlandia frutescens (L.) R. Br is endemic to Southern Africa where it has been traditionally used for cancer and diabetes.

Geographical distribution and profile of medical doctors in public sector hospitals of the Limpopo Province, South Africa.

Background: The shortage and unequal distribution of medical doctors in low- and middle-income countries continues to be a public health concern.

Objective: To establish the geographical distribution and demographic profile of medical doctors in public sector hospitals of the Limpopo Province, South Africa.

Method: The PERSAL system was used to obtain information on the number of medical doctors employed in public sector hospitals of the Limpopo Province.

Risk factors for PTSD and depression in female survivors of rape.

Objective: To investigate association of the sociodemographic factors, characteristics of rape and social support to the development of depression and posttraumatic stress disorder at 6 months after the rape.

Method: A cross-sectional survey with female survivors of rape was carried out in 3 provinces of South Africa 6 months after the rape.

Results: One hundred female survivors s of sexual assault were interviewed.

Prevalence and associated risk factors of hypertension amongst adults in a rural community of Limpopo Province, South Africa.

Background: Hypertension is problem already faced by urban populations of South Africa, but little is known about its prevalence and risk factors in rural areas.

Aim: To assess the prevalence of and risk factors associated with hypertension amongst adults in a rural community in South Africa.

Setting: Dikgale Health and Demographic Surveillance Site, Limpopo Province, South Africa.

An Outbreak of Lymphocutaneous Sporotrichosis among Mine-Workers in South Africa.

Background: The largest outbreak of sporotrichosis occurred between 1938 and 1947 in the gold mines of Witwatersrand in South Africa. Here, we describe an outbreak of lymphocutaneous sporotrichosis that was investigated in a South African gold mine in 2011.

Methodology: Employees working at a reopened section of the mine were recruited for a descriptive cross-sectional study.

The role of heredity in pterygium development.

Several risk factors, which include heredity, ultra-violet (UV) light and chronic inflammation, contribute to pterygium development. However, there is no report integrating these factors in the pathogenesis of pterygium. The aim of this review is to describe the connection between heredity, UV, and inflammation in pterygium development.

Young patient's age determines pterygium recurrence after surgery.

Background: It is not clear whether demographic or pterygium characteristics or limbal stem cell deficiency determine pterygium recurrence after surgery.

Purpose: To determine whether the demographic, pterygium characteristics, or limbal stem cell deficiency determine pterygium recurrence after excision.

Methods: Of 190 patients operated and followed-up for 6 months, 101 and 89 underwent free conjunctival autotransplant (CAT) or limbal conjunctival autotransplant (LCAT) respectively.

Midwifery workforce profile in Limpopo Province referral hospitals.

Background: In sub-Saharan Africa including South Africa, maternal mortality rates remain unacceptably high due to a shortage of registered nurses with advanced midwifery diplomas.

Objective: To determine the profile of registered nurses (RNs) involved in maternity care in public referral hospitals of the Limpopo Province, South Africa.

Method: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in all maternity units of Limpopo's public referral hospitals.

Epidemiologic Investigations into Outbreaks of Rift Valley Fever in Humans, South Africa, 2008-2011.

Rift Valley fever (RVF) is an emerging zoonosis posing a public health threat to humans in Africa. During sporadic RVF outbreaks in 2008-2009 and widespread epidemics in 2010-2011, 302 laboratory-confirmed human infections, including 25 deaths (case-fatality rate, 8%) were identified. Incidence peaked in late summer to early autumn each year, which coincided with incidence rate patterns in livestock.

Chronic inflammatory cells and damaged limbal cells in pterygium.

Background: Chronic inflammation in pterygium occurrence has not been explained. Whether damaged limbal basal epithelial cells are associated with pterygium occurrence in black Africans is not clear.

Objective: To explain chronic inflammation in pterygium, and to clarify whether damaged limbal basal epithelial cells were associated with pterygium occurrence in black Africans.

Causes of deaths in children under-five years old at a tertiary hospital in Limpopo province of South Africa.

Objective: Accurate and timely information on the causes of child deaths is essential in guiding efforts to improve child survival, by providing data from which health profiles can be constructed and relevant health policies formulated. The purpose of this study was to identify causes of death in children younger than 5 years-old in a tertiary hospital in South Africa.

Methods: Death certificates from the Pietersburg/Mankweng hospital complex, for the period of January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2010, were obtained for all patients younger than 5 years and were retrospectively reviewed.