Older persons' knowledge of HIV and AIDS prevention in a province of South Africa.

Background:  Population ageing and access to antiretroviral therapy have resulted in an increase in the proportion of older people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). However, scant knowledge is available to inform the design of educational programmes to target these persons in low- and middle-income countries.

Aim:  This study aimed to examine how persons aged ≥ 50 years view their risk of contracting HIV, and the extent to which they are supported in preventing infection and are impacted by the HIV or acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) epidemic.

HIV and AIDS prevention: knowledge, attitudes, practices and health literacy of older persons in the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal Provinces, South Africa and in Lesotho.

Background: Population ageing and access to anti-retroviral therapies in South Africa have resulted in ageing of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, which has implications for policy, planning and practice. Impactful interventions on HIV/AIDS for older persons require knowledge on effects of the pandemic on this population. A study was undertaken to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of HIV/AIDS, as well as health literacy (HL) level of a population aged ≥ 50 years.

Older persons' experience with health care at two primary level clinics in Cape Town, South Africa: a qualitative assessment.

Background: Efficient methods of assessing older persons' healthcare needs are required in busy public sector primary healthcare clinics in South Africa. These clinics are the main points of entry into the healthcare system. This study was part of a larger study to test the local applicability and adaptability of the World Health Organization's (WHO) Age Friendly Primary Care Toolkit for assessing and managing chronic diseases and common geriatric syndromes.

Does social support effect knowledge and diabetes self-management practices in older persons with Type 2 diabetes attending primary care clinics in Cape Town, South Africa?

Background: In South Africa with one of the most rapidly ageing populations in Africa despite the demographic impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, diabetes is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Self-management is challenging for all those with the condition but is likely to create a higher demand for those who may have existing co-morbidities associated with age, and long-standing chronic diseases.

Objective: To determine the relationship of social support, especially that of family and friends with their self-management.

Methodological challenges in a study on falls in an older population of Cape Town, South Africa.

Background: Falls are a major cause of disability, morbidity and mortality in older persons, but have been under researched in developing countries.

Objective: To describe challenges encountered in a community-based study on falls in a multi-ethnic population aged ≥65 years in a low-income setting.

Methods: The study was conducted in four stages: A pilot study (n=105) to establish a sample size for the survey.

Chronic Noncommunicable Diseases in 6 Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Findings From Wave 1 of the World Health Organization's Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health (SAGE).

In this paper, we examine patterns of self-reported diagnosis of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and prevalences of algorithm/measured test-based, undiagnosed, and untreated NCDs in China, Ghana, India, Mexico, Russia, and South Africa. Nationally representative samples of older adults aged ≥50 years were analyzed from wave 1 of the World Health Organization's Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health (2007-2010; n = 34,149). Analyses focused on 6 conditions: angina, arthritis, asthma, chronic lung disease, depression, and hypertension.

Use of physical restraint in hospital patients: A descriptive study in a tertiary hospital in South Africa.

Background: The use of physical restraint in patient management is a common and emotive issue, and has legal and ethical dimensions.

Objective: To document the prevalence of physical restraint use, patient characteristics associated with physical restraint use, and nurses' and doctors' knowledge and perceptions towards the practice.

Methods: A cross-sectional study of 572 patients, of whom 132 were physically restrained, was conducted in acute wards of a tertiary hospital.

Risk factors for falls in older adults in a South African Urban Community.

Background: Studies on falls in older adults have mainly been conducted in high income countries. Scant, if any, information exists on risk factors for falls in the older population of sub-Saharan African countries.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey and a 12-month follow-up study were conducted to determine risk factors for falls in a representative multi-ethnic sample of 837 randomly selected ambulant community-dwelling subjects aged ≥65 years in three suburbs of Cape Town, South Africa.

Falls and fall prevention programmes in developing countries: environmental scan for the adaptation of the Canadian Falls prevention curriculum for developing countries.

Problem: Falls in older persons in developing countries are poorly understood, and falls prevention and health promotion programmes for this population are largely lacking.

Methods: A systematic review was carried out of relevant literature on falls and prevention programmes, and falls prevention education, and a scan undertaken of health promotion programmes for older persons in a representative country - South Africa.

Results: Studies on the risk and prevalence of falls are largely retrospective and hospital-based, with varied methodology, including study period, sampling method and sample size.

Profile and management of patients at a memory clinic.

Increasing longevity and a growing older population are being accompanied by a higher prevalence of dementia and concomitant demand for care. In this connection, the University of Cape Town/Groote Schuur Hospital (UCT/GSH) Memory Clinic provides a valuable service to patients, families and health professionals. High levels of behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia need expert tertiary level assessment and management.

Does multidisciplinary stroke care improve outcome in a secondary-level hospital in South Africa?

Background And Purpose: The improved outcome (survival and function) of stroke patients admitted to multidisciplinary stroke units (SU) in developed countries has not been replicated in developing countries in sub-Saharan Africa. This study documents the outcome of patients admitted to the first multidisciplinary SU opened at a secondary hospital in Cape Town, South Africa.

Methods: Patient outcomes including in-hospital mortality, resource utilization (length of hospital stay, CT brain scans performed, and tertiary hospital referral), and access to inpatient rehabilitation were recorded for all patients admitted to the hospital for 3 months before initiating multidisciplinary stroke care and for 3 months after implementing multidisciplinary stroke care.

Management of older patients presenting after a fall--an accident and emergency department audit.

Background: It is common for older patients to present to accident and emergency (AE) departments after a fall. Management should include assessment and treatment of the injuries and assessment and correction of underlying risk factors in order to prevent recurrent falls.

Objectives: To determine management of older patients presenting after a fall to the AE department of Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town, South Africa.