Cardiovascular risk among community members in three communities in the Cape Metropole of the Western Cape.

Background:  Cardiovascular diseases pose a risk to population health in South Africa and are responsible for almost one in six deaths (17.3%).

Aim:  To determine the cardiovascular risk among community members who attended a community outreach programme.

Amoxycillin/Clavulanic acid monotherapy in complicated paediatric appendicitis: Good enough?

Background: Antibiotic choice for complicated appendicitis should be based on both microbiological effectiveness as well as ease of administration and cost especially in lower resourced settings. Data is limited on comparative morbidity outcomes for antibiotics with similar microbiological spectrum of activity. Incidence and morbidity of surgical site infection after appendectomy for complicated appendicitis was assessed after protocol change from triple antibiotic (ampicillin, gentamycin, and metronidazole) regimen to single agent (amoxycillin/clavulanic acid).