Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis technique failure in adult patients treated at a tertiary hospital in central South Africa: a retrospective analytical study.

Background: Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) is one of the kidney replacement therapy (KRT) modalities used in patients with kidney failure. It is the preferred modality in most resource-limited settings as it is more accessible and cost-effective. CAPD technique failure remains a challenge and is associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality.

A review of major reconstructive and gender-affirming surgical techniques in genital surgery and care for the transgender patient population.

The transgender community makes up a significant portion of the American population, yet there is a paucity of data available to surgeons and anesthesiologists. The purpose of this article is to provide information to surgeons, anesthesiologists, and other medical professionals. This narrative review explores the importance of medical information that healthcare professionals should be aware of ahead of gender-affirming surgeries.

The lifestyle factors of medical doctors in academic hospitals, Bloemfontein, Free State.

Background: Lifestyle factors of medical doctors are essential to their health and well-being. Previous studies omitted factors that constituted a healthy lifestyle and did not differentiate between various medical specialties or level of seniority which may expose doctors to different stress levels, workload and responsibility. The study assessed the lifestyle factors of medical doctors and compared them between departments, levels of seniority, years of experience and gender according to globally recognised health standards.

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome among adults treated at a district hospital outpatient department.

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a collection of risk factors, including hypertension, high fasting blood glucose, high fasting triglyceride and low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels that may increase the risk for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. The study aimed to determine the prevalence of MetS among adults attending a Free State district hospital's outpatient department.

Methods: A cross-sectional study included a consecutive sample of consenting patients 18 years and older from 18 October 2021 to 19 November 2021.

A clinical audit of red blood cell transfusion practices at a district hospital in South Africa.

Background: Red blood cell (RBC) transfusion is one of the most critical and expensive lifesaving treatment modalities. A clinical audit is a valuable instrument to determine whether transfusion practices align with the guidelines and identify knowledge deficiencies. The study aimed to evaluate the RBC transfusion practices and patient outcomes at the National District Hospital in Bloemfontein, South Africa, and to determine adherence to transfusion guidelines.

Colonisation with multidrug-resistant organisms among dialysis patients at Universitas Academic Hospital.

Background: While most infections with multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) affect colonised people, there is limited evidence on MDRO colonisation in South African dialysis patients.

Objectives: This study evaluated the prevalence of MDRO colonisation among dialysis patients, the resistance patterns of each MDRO and the risk factors for colonisation.

Method: Rectal and nasal swabs were collected from dialysis patients who consented to participate in a 5-month study to identify selected MDROs (April 2021 - August 2021).

High seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus in the Free State province of South Africa.

Unlabelled: The seroepidemiology of hepatitis E virus (HEV) in South Africa is limited. We investigated anti-HEV IgM and IgG, in residual hepatitis A, B, and C negative serology specimens, at our public sector Free State (FS) laboratory. Of 299 specimens (01 May-31 October 2020), 182/299 (60.

Healthcare providers' knowledge, attitudes and practices on smoking cessation intervention in the Northern Cape.

Background: Clinicians are crucial in encouraging smokers to quit through behavioural or pharmacological smoking cessation interventions. Smokers quit better with professional help. The level of healthcare providers' (HCPs) knowledge, attitudes and counselling skills related to effective smoking cessation support in the study area remains uncertain.

Medical registrars at the University of the Free State: Burnout, resilience and coping strategies.

Background: Burnout among doctors has been linked with decreased quality of patient care. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic highlighted the need to protect doctors' mental health and well-being. This study aimed to investigate burnout, resilience and coping strategies among registrars in the MMed programme of the University of the Free State (UFS) in 2020.

Comparison between ultrasound and chest X-ray to confirm central venous catheter tip position.

Background: Mechanical central venous catheter (CVC) placement complications are mostly malposition or iatrogenic pneumothorax. Verification of catheter position by chest X-ray (CXR) is usually performed postoperatively.

Objectives: This prospective observational study assessed the diagnostic accuracy of peri-operative ultrasound and a 'bubble test' to detect malposition and pneumothorax.

Knowledge, attitude and practice on screening and early diagnosis of prostate cancer of primary health care providers in the Free State.

Background: Prostate cancer is topmost in terms of incidence and mortality among men in sub-Saharan Africa, including South Africa. Prostate cancer screening is beneficial only to certain categories of men, making a rational screening approach necessary.

Aim: This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practice (KAP) regarding prostate cancer screening among primary health care (PHC) providers in the Free State, South Africa.

Clinical review of stroke care at National District Hospital, Bloemfontein.

Background: Stroke is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality affecting sub-Saharan Africa. Studies show that dedicated stroke units improve patient outcomes. National District Hospital (NDH) manages strokes, with the potential of becoming a dedicated stroke unit in Bloemfontein, South Africa.

Knowledge, beliefs and intentions of African men in the Free State about prostate cancer screening.

Background: African men are less likely to participate in prostate cancer (PCa) screening, which may be beneficial to some of them. Gaps in knowledge, cultural factors and beliefs are associated with their screening intentions.

Aim: To determine the knowledge, cultural factors and screening intentions of African males regarding PCa screening.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus patients' knowledge, attitude and practice of lifestyle modifications.

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a significant health burden globally, with uncontrolled DM often resulting in short- and long-term complications. Unfortunately, healthcare providers have little control over patients' necessary lifestyle modification practices outside the consultation room.

Aim: To determine the level of knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of lifestyle modifications among patients with T2DM attending the National District Hospital Outpatient Department, Bloemfontein, and identify possible barriers to lifestyle modifications experienced by patients.

Clinical review of the clinical necessity of lumbar punctures performed on adults at National District Hospital Emergency Department.

Background: Previous studies have found that indications for lumbar punctures (LPs) are managed differently, which raises the question of whether all LPs performed are clinically necessary. This study aimed to determine whether unnecessary (clinically not indicated) LPs were being performed at a district hospital in the Free State, South Africa.

Method: This was a retrospective descriptive study.

Respiratory technologists in the frontlines against COVID-19.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic overwhelmed healthcare resources globally, but especially those of resource-limited countries. Strategies to supplement the number of healthcare workers attending COVID-19 patients had to be implemented. Several institutions used non-respiratory clinicians to work in COVID-19 wards.

The epidemiological profile of meningitis among adults in a South African district hospital.

Introduction: understanding the epidemiological profile of a disease in a particular region allows for proper planning of public health resources for prevention, early diagnosis and treatment. In this present study, we describe the epidemiological profile of viral, fungal, tuberculous and bacterial meningitis among adults at National District Hospital (NDH), Free State province, over three years period (January 2017 to December 2019).

Methods: a retrospective, observational study of all adult meningitis cases, managed at the National District Hospital (NDH) Bloemfontein, Free State Province, South Africa between January 2017 and December 2019.

A comparison of the effectiveness of QCPR and conventional CPR training in final-year medical students at a South African university.

Introduction: High-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) saves lives. Training on basic first aid manikins allows students to practice manoeuvres and provides realistic resistance to chest compressions. Conventional CPR has no real-time feedback to observe the quality of CPR.

Knowledge, attitudes and practices of men in a South African rural community in relation to exclusive breastfeeding.

Background: Several lifelong maternal, child and societal health benefits have been associated with exclusive breastfeeding (EBF). However, despite all the potential advantages, EBF rates have been consistently low in developing countries, including South Africa. It has been suggested that the knowledge, attitudes and practices of male partners in relation to EBF are amongst the important factors that contribute to the success of EBF practices.

Comparison of T-cell immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) and nucleocapsid (N) protein using an in-house flow-cytometric assay in laboratory employees with and without previously confirmed COVID-19 in South Africa: nationwide cross-sectional study.

Aims: To compare specific T-cell responses between laboratory employees in South Africa with and without previously diagnosed SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Methods: Employees at a private pathology laboratory in South Africa were invited to participate in a nationwide cross-sectional study. T-cell proliferation to SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid (N)-proteins and spike (S)-proteins was measured by flow cytometry and compared between participants.

Perioperative Considerations for Person-Centered Gender-Affirming Surgery.

With more than 1 million people identifying as transgender in the United States alone, the likelihood of encountering a transgender patient and their family of choice in the perioperative setting is very high. A lack of data exists to equitably inform transgender-specific issues, as well as the associated morbidity during the transgender reassignment perioperative period. Anaesthesiologists should actively acquire the knowledge and skills needed to inclusively and respectfully manage these patients and be aware of their unique physiological and psychosocial needs.

A framework for the use of biological medicines in the free state province, South Africa.

Purpose: The use of biological medicines (BM) has increased worldwide owing to their effectiveness in the treatment of many chronic diseases. However, in South Africa, access to BM remains limited, hence, there is a need to develop strategies that will enable timely access to BM by all patients who need them.

Objective: To develop a framework for the use of BM in South Africa.