ART Patients' Satisfaction Level Regarding Comprehensive HIV and AIDS Care Management and Antiretroviral Treatment Programme in Pretoria

The purpose of this cross- sectional study was to investigate patients' satisfaction levels regarding access to; and quality of; comprehensive human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) care management and antiretroviral treatment programme (CCMT). A total of 402 patients were selected from three hospitals by stratified random sampling techniques. A self-administered questionnaire was used to assess patients' satisfaction levels. Almost all the patients ( 93) gave positive response towards access to CCMT services; and mentioned that the doctor was kind; polite; and showed them respect; the nurse was kind; polite; and showed them respect; doctors provided full attention during consultations; and they felt comfortable talking to the healthcare provider about their problems. More than a tenth (12) of the patients were dissatisfied with regard to privacy during consultation; and another 13 regarded the receptionist or booking clerk as unkind; impolite; disrespectful and unhelpful towards them. The majority ( 90) of the patients were very satisfied; or satisfied; with obtaining medication; with the explanation on how to take it; and with the counselling and privacy. Patients were mostly dissatisfied with HIV-specific material (19); assessment of financial status (19); and explanation of laboratory results (8). Access to; and quality of; the CCMT programme in the three hospitals in the Tshwane District is excellent; and in line with what has been prescribed in the operational plan. The availability of HIV-specific material has to be strengthened in order to help educate patients; so that they can better access healthcare facilities; and especially patients on the CCMT programme

Knowledge and Utilisation of Expanded Functions of Oral Hygiene and Barriers to Successful Implementation in Public Healthcare Services in Gauteng

Dental hygiene continues to evolve as a profession. It needs greater regulation and autonomy. Since the burden of disease and demand for treatment is increasing; there is a great need for existing oral hygiene services to be utilised effectively and efficiently. The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge and utilisation of the expanded functions of oral hygiene; and also to gauge the barriers to successful implementation of these functions among dentists and dental therapists in public healthcare services in Gauteng province. The study was cross-sectional; and 51 selected dentists completed a self-administered questionnaire. More than a third (n = 19; 37) of the dentists did not know anything about the expanded functions of oral hygiene. Among dentists who did have knowledge of these functions; 66 (n = 19) identified restorative procedures as the scope of the expanded functions. Almost three-quarters (n = 37; 72) worked with oral hygienists; but only 14 delegated some of the expanded functions. Regarding non-delegation; 70 (n = 22) mentioned that the oral hygienists were too busy to carry out these functions. Seventy per cent (n = 22) of dentists indicated that the expanded functions were never used in their workplace; and 50 (n = 16) reported the lack of patient need as a barrier to utilisation of the functions in the workplace. Oral hygiene services in South Africa need to be brought in line with international expanded function standards. The full use of oral hygienists in applying these functions should be encouraged and supported

A Profile on and Medical Conditions of Patients Staying Longer Than the Set Norm at a District Hospital in South Africa

The average length of hospital stay is regarded as a key determinant of greater hospital costs. The objectives of this quantitative; retrospective; descriptive study were to determine the health status and medical conditions of patients with increased length of stay at a district hospital in Limpopo Province. A total of 609 patients' records with longer than average length of stay; from January to December 2007; were selected by stratified random sampling. The most prevalent diseases for staying longer were infectious and parasitic diseases; symptoms; signs etc; and injury; poisoning and consequences of causes yielding more than a third (36 and 12; respectively; for each classification). Neoplasm-related admissions; in which cancer was identified as the most prevalent; stayed in hospital for an average of 14.6 days. The average length of stay for all disease classifications ranged from 7.1 days to 14.6 days. The length of stay at Elim Hospital is mostly influenced by the type of health conditions which are diagnosed. Further research is needed to find influential factors that might contribute to patients staying longer than normal