A Cross-Sectional Survey on the Lifestyle and Healthseeking Behaviour of Basotho Patients with Diabetes

Objectives: The objectives of the study were to determine the level of practice of a healthy lifestyle; to assess the health education provided to patients with diabetes and to determine the prevalence of obesity among Basotho patients with diabetes. Design: A cross-sectional study enrolled 192 patients between November 2004 and July 2005. Descriptive statistics on demographic; socio-economic and lifestyle data were computed. Weight; waist circumference and hip circumference measurements were taken to compute body mass index (BMI); waist-to-hip ratio (WHpR) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR). Setting and subjects: Patients with diabetes attending three hospitals in Lesotho were recruited in the study. Outcome measures: These included obesity indices; the quality and quantity of physical exercises; the quality and quantity of provided health education and the frequency with which the subjects sought medical help. Results: The participants' mean age was 54.73 years. The prevalence of smoking (14.6) was higher than that of drinking (9.4). Only 20.8 of the participants participated in recommended physical exercise. Most participants (95) consulted their physicians on a regular basis. The Health Education Quantity Index was very low: 49.9. The prevalence of obesity measured by BMI; WHpR and WHtR was 67.7; 69.8 and 95.3 respectively. Conclusion: The practice of a healthy lifestyle was suboptimal; but help-seeking behaviour was satisfactory among participants. It is recommended that health education and the promotion of a healthy lifestyle are encouraged; that diabetes education is rendered by accredited educators or healthcare providers trained in communicating health messages; and that the fight against obesity is made a priority

The Profile of Maternal Deaths in a District Hospital: A Five-Year Review of Maternal Deaths from 2006-2010

Objectives: The objectives were to determine the clinical and demographic profile of maternal deaths; determine the most common primary causes of maternal deaths at district hospital level; compare the causes of deaths at district hospital; provincial and national level; and to investigate the quality of care that was provided to maternal deaths patients and to make recommendations.Design: The design was a cross-sectional retrospective chart review.Setting and subjects: Subjects were all reported maternal deaths between January 2006 and December 2010 at Northdale Hospital; KwaZulu-Natal.Outcome measures: Outcome measures were the common characteristics and causes of maternal deaths; avoidable maternal deaths and quality of care.Results: The mean age of the 61 maternal deaths was 28 years. Thirty-three patients attended antenatal clinics. Of these; 57.6 booked at ? 20th week. Of the 28 (45.9) who died in the postpartum period; seven delivered at home and three died of anaesthetic complications. Thirty-nine patients (63.9) tested positive for human immunodeficiency virus. Only 10 were on highly active antiretroviral therapy. The five leading causes of deaths were non-pregnancy-related sepsis; miscarriage; acute collapse; pregnancy-related sepsis and anaesthetic complications. Thirty patients (49.3) received substandard care.Conclusion: The profile of maternal deaths at this district hospital differs from the national profile published in 2005-2007 Saving Mothers Report. While there was an increase in maternal deaths at national level; maternal death numbers decreased at this district hospital. Non-pregnancy-related sepsis remained the leading cause of deaths at national and facility level; but the other four major causes at the hospital level differed from those at the national level