Knowledge and attitudes towards electroconvulsive therapy in an academic psychiatric department.

Background: Negative attitudes towards electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) among health professionals have been attributed to a lack of knowledge, despite advancements in its administration and evidence of its efficacy in certain psychiatric conditions.

Aim: This study assesses knowledge and attitudes towards ECT among psychiatry and clinical psychology professionals.

Setting: The University of the Witwatersrand, Department of Psychiatry, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Substance use patterns in an adolescent psychiatric unit in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Background: Substance use among adolescents carries a significant public health and socioeconomic burden with potential long-term consequences for the adolescent substance user (SU). Adolescents with mental health challenges are vulnerable to substance use and substance use worsens outcomes in this population.

Aim: This study aimed to describe the substance use patterns among inpatients admitted to a specialised tertiary adolescent inpatient unit in Johannesburg over a 4-year period.

Contraceptive use in women with mental illness in Soweto, South Africa.

Background: The psychosocial and medical implications of unplanned pregnancy in women with mental illness (MI) are vast. International guidelines make clear recommendations about family planning for women with MI, particularly those exposed to known human teratogens; however, there is limited research related to contraceptive usage among women with MI.

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of consistent contraceptive use and family planning education (FPE) among a population of women of childbearing age with MI.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) with ketamine induction for catatonia in an HIV positive patient.

Introduction: The successful use of ECT as treatment for catatonia, in the context of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection, has been described previously. Ketamine has been used as an anaesthetic induction agent for ECT, although not considered the induction agent of choice. There are also case reports suggesting that ketamine may be an alternative treatment specifically for catatonia.

An assessment of voting knowledge and related decisions amongst hospitalised mental healthcare users in South Africa.

Background: The South African Constitution protects the right to vote for every citizen. The (No. 73 of 1998) limits registration on the voter's roll on the basis of being declared of 'unsound mind' or 'mentally disordered' by the high court or detention under the (No.