ABSTRACT
Background: Up to 8 000 South Africans commit suicide annually. This study aimed to investigate the profile of suicide cases in Bloemfontein and the southern Free State province. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was performed. Suicides in the Bloemfontein and southern Free State areas (Xhariep and Motheo districts) investigated at the state mortuary in Bloemfontein in 2003 to 2007 were included. Data were collected retrospectively by using a specially designed data-capturing form. Results: A total of 469 suicide cases were included in the study. The estimated suicide rate for this part of the Free State province was 10.9/100 000 of the population per year. The majority (82.1) of the victims were men. In total; 338 (72.1) of the victims were black; 122 (26.0) were white; five (1.1) were coloured and three (0.6) were Indian. The most common methods were hanging (262; 55.9); shooting (99; 21.1) and overdosing on pills (43; 9.2). Most cases (57.8) occurred in victims 21 to 40 years of age. Five (1.1) victims were children younger than 11 years of age; while 12 (2.6) were older than 65 years. More than half (267 cases; 56.9) of the suicide victims were unemployed. The majority (43.1) of suicides occurred in January to April of each year; with the highest incidence (67 cases; 14.3) in January. Conclusion: The rate of suicide and the profile of victims with regard to the variables investigated corresponded to findings reported from other studies. The information obtained could make a meaningful contribution to suicide-prevention programmes
Subject(s)
Cause of Death , Data Collection , SuicideABSTRACT
Objective: To analyze changes in the operative experience of Urology registrars at Tygerberg Hospital; an academic training hospital attached to the University of Stellenbosch; South Africa. Materials and Methods: Computerized analysis of 32;703 operating room cases (60;096 procedures) performed or assisted by 30 registrars in the period January 1975 to December 2002. Results: The average total number of procedures/registrar decreased by 32(from 1752 to 1163) for those who started training in the period 1990-99 compared with 1975-90 (p=0.0005); largely due to a 35reduction in bed numbers and theatre time resulting from budgetary restrictions. Comparison of the period 1994-2002 with 1976-84 showed a 4-fold increase in percutaneous nephrolithotomy; radical prostatectomy and inguinal herniotomy; with a moderate (50) increase in bladder rupture repair (54); circumcision (89); orchidopexy (105); insertion of peritoneal dialysis catheter (274); laparotomy (54) and surgical debridement (215). There was a 50decrease in nephrectomy (57); renal exploration for trauma (75); open kidney stone surgery (87); pyeloplasty (44); reimplantation of the ureter (60); ureterolithotomy (66); suprapubic cysto-tomy (71); transurethral resection of the prostate (54); open prostatectomy (90); urethral dilatation (78); internal urethrotomy (54); urethroplasty (72); varicocelectomy (62); and creation of arteriovenous fistula for dialysis (58). Conclusions: There have been substantial changes in the spectrum of surgical procedures performed or assisted by Urology registrars in the period 1975 to 2002. The significant decrease in the total number of procedures per registrar in the past decade is a reason for concern; although it remains unknown what the minimum number of any given urological procedure should be in order to ensure adequate operative training