Wastewater and Solid Waste Disposal Patterns of Dukem Town Households in Ethiopia

The objective of this descriptive; cross-sectional study was to assess wastewater and solid waste management by the households of Dukem; a town in Ethiopia. A total of 391 households were selected using stratified random sampling techniques. Face-to-face interviews were carried out with respondents by asking questions about wastewater and solid waste management in the households. A majority (75.1) of households used unsafe wastewater disposal methods. Approximately two thirds (67.7) of households had a temporary storage container in their compound in which to store solid waste. 53.3 of households used a safe solid waste disposal method. Only 4.9 of the households used waste as manure (compost) for home gardening. More than a quarter (28.1) of households practised burning waste on their premises. The availability of safe wastewater disposal facilities was significantly associated with private home ownership and family size (p-value 0.05). There was no significant association between the availability of safe solid waste disposal facilities and owning a private home or family size (p-value 0.05). Generally; there were inadequate domestic wastewater and solid waste disposal facilities in the studied households. Thus; there is a need for improved waste management in the households. Environmental health and health education programmes should be emphasised in order to improve practices of household waste management

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

Patient Satisfaction with the Quality of Care in a Primary Health Care Setting in Botswana

Primary health care involves a sustained partnership between patients and providers that addresses the majority of a population's health needs over time. Patients' perception of satisfaction is an aspect of healthcare quality that is being increasingly recognised for its importance. The objective of this study was to investigate the factors contributing to patients' satisfaction with and their rating of the quality of care in Extension II Clinic in Gaborone; Botswana. of them were displeased with this aspect. A total of 36.9 Method: This was a cross-sectional study in which 360 systematically selected participants completed five-point Likert scale self-administered questionnaires. Results: Overall; participants were quite satisfied (mean score = 3.75) with the services provided by the different service providers. The participants indicated that overall; the quality of care of the health care facility was good (mean score = 3.45). The pharmacy received the highest satisfaction level with a mean rating of 4.1. Thirty-eight per cent of the participants rated the services provided by the doctors as best despite giving the highest quality ratings with a mean of 3.9 to the pharmacy compared to mean ratings of 3.4 for the doctors. The participants' greatest displeasure was with the time spent at the facility; as 63.9 was most pleased with information given to them as a factor of importance. Conclusion: The participants were quite satisfied with the services provided as well as the quality of care provided by the different service providers of the health care facility. There is; however; a need for interventions in terms of time spent at the facility; which would promote good customer-focused service delivery

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

Prevalence and Profile of Injuries in Khorixas District Hospital; Namibia

The aims of this study were to identify the demographic characteristics of injury victims and the types of injury cases seen and admitted for treatment in Khorixas District Hospital; Namibia. A descriptive retrospective survey of all injuries attended to and admitted in the hospital from January 2001 to December 2004 was done using document review of patients' medical records. A total of 331 injury cases (6.8 of all admissions) were admitted. The age group 20-29 years was the most commonly affected; with 18 injured. Injury was common among the males (76). The unemployed constituted 36 of all the injuries; followed by children/infants (19). Over two-thirds (68) of the injuries were unintentional. Cuts and stabs were the most common (24) type of injury among the injury cases admitted. Motor vehicle accidents accounted for 21 of all injuries admitted. Over a third (36) of all the injuries were alcohol related. Farmers (11) constitute the most affected group among the employed. Type of injury and occupation were significantly associated (?2=107.879; p 0.001). Mass propagation of anti-violence education is needed to reduce the high rate of intentional injuries among the injuries such as cuts/stabs; assaults; human bite and gunshot injuries

Perceived Susceptibility of Cervical Cancer Screening among Women Attending Mahalapye District Hospital; Botswana

Cervical cancer is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in Botswana. Papanicolaou (Pap) cervical cytology screening has helped to reduce cervical cancer rates dramatically through early detection of premalignant lesions in countries with screening programmes that have been well implemented. The objectives of this cross-sectional study were to describe the women's perceived susceptibility to cervical cancer and the association between socio-demographic characteristics. A total of 300 participants were selected by convenience sampling techniques. Participants' mean age was 37 years (SD=11). Results indicated that cervical cancer screening rates were 39. Most of those that had ever been screened for cervical cancer (64); had been screened in the previous three years. Most of the participants (75) were aware of their perceived susceptibility to cervical cancer. There was a significant association between perceived susceptibility and screening for cervical cancer (c2=20.86; p 0.001). Among those with low perceived susceptibility to cervical cancer; 31 had screened for cervical cancer as compared to 59 screening rates among those with high perceived susceptibility to cervical cancer. Those with high perceived susceptibility were 3.2 times more likely to screen for cervical cancer (OR