ABSTRACT
Abstract Objective: Epidemiological studies indicate that methamphetamine (MA) abuse poses a major challenge to health in the Western Cape. The objectives of this study were to retrospectively assess the trends, clinical characteristics and treatment demand of MArelated admissions to a psychiatric ward in this region. Method: The clinical records of patients admitted to an acute psychiatric admission ward at Tygerberg Hospital from 1 January 2002 to 30 June 2002 and 1 January 2006 to 30 June 2006, were retrospectively reviewed. Admission numbers including those of adolescent and adult substance users were compared for both study periods. Study samples comparing demographic profile, admission status, length of stay, psychopathology, treatment requirements and referral pattern to other disciplines between MA users and non-users were collected for the 2006 period. Results: There was a significant (p <0.01) increase in adolescent substance user admissions between the study periods. A significant (p <0.01) increase in adolescent and adult MA user admissions was also noted. MA users were significantly (p = 0.04) younger than non-MA users, whilst the former presented mainly with psychotic features associated with aggression, requiring involuntary admission of an average of 8 weeks. MA users required significantly (p = 0.007) more benzodiazepines compared to non-MA users. Conclusion: Although MA use is relatively recent to the Western Cape, its adverse psychiatric effects and consequences have become a major challenge. These effects in both adolescent and adult patient populations and the associated impact on psychiatric services demand urgent intervention strategies as well as prospective study
Subject(s)
Methamphetamine , Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms , Patient Admission , Psychiatric Department, Hospital , ReviewABSTRACT
"Background: Despite the official precautionary measures against percutaneous injuries; incidents still occur. Consequently; it is possible that healthcare workers could contract infections like HBV; HCV; HGV (hepatitis B; C and G viruses) and HIV (human immune deficiency virus). The most serious problem lies in the fact that percutaneous injuries are often underestimated; resulting in non-reporting of the incident. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of percutaneous injuries in doctors in the School of Medicine at the University of the Free State (UFS); whether the incidents were reported; and the reasons for non-reporting. The use of gloves during procedures was also evaluated. Methods: A mainly descriptive study design was used. Questionnaires were administered from October 2006 through January 2007 to collect information. Participants were selected randomly; and the respondents were divided into surgical and non-surgical groups. Results: The respondents fulfilled the following roles and/or functions in their respective departments of employment: 35 (67.3) were registrars; 12 (23.1) were specialists/consultants; four (7.7) were medical officers; and one (1.9) was exclusively involved in student training. Two of the respondents did not indicate their roles and functions in their respective departments. A total of 82 incidents of percutaneous injuries occurred. Although the surgical groups handled sharp objects more frequently per week than the non-surgical groups (p-value = 0.04); more incidents occurred in the non- surgical groups (p-value = 0.02). Only 39 (47.6) of the incidents were reported; while 44.4of the respondents were aware of the correct reporting procedures. The reasons given for the non-reporting of these incidents were ""too busy"" (58.1); ""did not think it was serious"" (48.8); and ""was not aware of the reporting procedures"" (7). Only 13.7of the respondents indicated that they always used gloves when drawing blood; 17.4used them when injections were administered; and 22.4used gloves during intravenous cannulation. However; 86.8of the respondents wore gloves when they used a scalpel or any other incision object. The respondents (n = 51) suggested that the three most important precautionary measures to take into consideration when working with sharp objects were (i) the use of gloves (23/51; 45.1); (ii) never recapping a needle (9/51; 17.6); and (iii) keeping the container for disposing of sharp objects close at hand (6/51; 11.8). Conclusions: Despite the risk of percutaneous injuries; non-reporting still occurs. Although the rate of reporting these incidents could be compared with international findings published in the literature; it remains too low. Drastic measures should be taken to ensure that physicians are informed of the hazards of percutaneous injuries; as well as of the appropriate mechanisms of reporting these incidents."