Injuries in Children and Adolescents Seen during 2006 at the Emergency Department of the National District Hospital; Bloemfontein

Background: Most children and adolescents recover fully from injuries. However; permanent disabilities may occur. The objective of the study was to investigate the prevalence and profile of injuries in children and adolescents five to 19 years of age seen at the emergency department of the National District Hospital in Bloemfontein. Methods: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted. Demographic and injury-specific information obtained from hospital records of 2006 was entered into a data-capturing form. Data were analysed by using descriptive statistics. Results: The prevalence of injuries in this age group was 20.3. Two hundred and nine records were investigated. The majority of cases were male (68.3). The median age was 15 years; and 43.5of injuries occurred in the age group 15 to 19 years. Approximately half (51.7) were Afrikaans-speaking and resided in suburban areas (50). Most injuries occurred at home (40.2) between 12h00 and 17h00 (38.7). Falls (33.7) were the most common cause of injury. Soft tissue injuries (35.9) occurred most commonly; fol lowed by lacerations (33.0) and fractures (16.7). Upper limb injuries (42.1) were seen more than lower limb injuries (27.8). Facial injuries occurred in 12of cases. X-rays were performed in 57.9of cases. Most patients (93.3) received medication; while 22were referred for specialist treatment. All cases except one were discharged from the emergency department. Parents accompanied patients in 65.6of cases. Conclusions: Optimal treatment should be given to the injured child or adolescent to avoid possible long-term injuryrelated sequelae. Preventive strategies should be formulated; enforced and evaluated

Injuries in Children and Adolescents Seen During 2006 at the Emergency Department of the National District Hospital; Bloemfontein

Background: Most children and adolescents recover fully from injuries. However; permanent disabilities may occur. The objective of the study was to investigate the prevalence and profile of injuries in children and adolescents five to 19 years of age seen at the emergency department of the National District Hospital in Bloemfontein. Methods: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted. Demographic and injury-specific information obtained from hospital records of 2006 was entered into a data-capturing form. Data were analysed by using descriptive statistics. Results: The prevalence of injuries in this age group was 20.3. Two hundred and nine records were investigated. The majority of cases were male (68.3). The median age was 15 years; and 43.5 of injuries occurred in the age group 15 to 19 years. Approximately half (51.7) were Afrikaans-speaking and resided in suburban areas (50). Most injuries occurred at home (40.2) between 12h00 and 17h00 (38.7). Falls (33.7) were the most common cause of injury. Soft tissue injuries (35.9) occurred most commonly; fol lowed by lacerations (33.0) and fractures (16.7). Upper limb injuries (42.1) were seen more than lower limb injuries (27.8). Facial injuries occurred in 12 of cases. X-rays were performed in 57.9 of cases. Most patients (93.3) received medication; while 22 were referred for specialist treatment. All cases except one were discharged from the emergency department. Parents accompanied patients in 65.6of cases. Conclusions: Optimal treatment should be given to the injured child or adolescent to avoid possible long-term injuryrelated sequelae. Preventive strategies should be formulated; enforced and evaluated

Injuries in Children and Adolescents seen during 2006 at the Emergency Department of the National District Hospital; Bloemfontein

Most children and adolescents recover fully from injuries. However; permanent disabilities may occur. The objective of the study was to investigate the prevalence and profile of injuries in children and adolescents five to 19 years of age seen at the emergency department of the National District Hospital in Bloemfontein. Methods: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted. Demographic and injury-specific information obtained from hospital records of 2006 was entered into a data-capturing form. Data were analysed by using descriptive statistics.and 43.5 of injuries occurred in the age group 15 to 19 years. Approximately half (51.7) were Afrikaans-speaking and resided in suburban areas (50). Most injuries occurred at home (40.2) between 12h00 and 17h00 (38.7). Falls (33.7) were the most common cause of injury. Soft tissue injuries (35.9) occurred most commonly; fol lowed by lacerations (33.0) and fractures (16.7). Upper limb injuries (42.1) were seen more than lower limb injuries (27.8). Facial injuries occurred in 12 of cases. X-rays were performed in 57.9 of cases. Most patients (93.3) received medication; while 22 were referred for specialist treatment. All cases except one were discharged from the emergency department. Parents accompanied patients in 65.6 of cases. Results: The prevalence of injuries in this age group was 20.3. Two hundred and nine records were investigated. The majority of cases were male (68.3). The median age was 15 years; Conclusions: Optimal treatment should be given to the injured child or adolescent to avoid possible long-term injuryrelated sequelae. Preventive strategies should be formulated; enforced and evaluated

The Prevalence and Perception of Obesity and its Association with the Lifestyle of Women at the Mangaung University Community Partnership Project Healthcare Centre; Bloemfontein

Background: This investigation was prompted by the increase of obesity in developing countries with the simultaneous increased risk of preventable noncommunicable diseases. We aimed to determine the prevalence of obesity among women serving a predominantly black peri-urban community; who visited a healthcare centre in Bloemfontein. We also wanted to establish their perceived weight status; and any correlation between obesity; level of education; employment status and monthly income.Method: A cross-sectional analytical design was used. In June 2007; clinic-attending women aged 18-50 years were selected by a systematic sampling method to participate in the study. A self-administered questionnaire investigated participants' socio-economic status; body image perception; psychological well-being; self-reported health status and physical activity. Body mass indices (BMIs) were calculated from weight and height measurements.Results: A total of 304 women completed the study; of whom 98 (32.2) were overweight and 134 (44.1) were obese; with a mean BMI of 30.1 kg/m2 [standard deviation (SD) 6.9 kg/m2]. More than half (53.4) of the obese women perceived themselves as not obese. Approximately 84 of the participants were educated to secondary level; or higher. A significant difference in the employment status of the obese and non-obese participants (26.9and 16.5 employed; respectively) was noted (p-value = 0.0013). The obese participants reported significantly less low self-esteem (29.5) than the nonobese participants (42.4) (p-value = 0.0250).Conclusion: The high prevalence of overweight and obesity; and the fact that 53.4 of the obese participants did not perceive themselves as such; poses a challenge for healthcare providers. Health-promotion strategies should aim to inform women about the health risks of overweight and obesity; and address misconceptions regarding perceived weight status

Doctors' Use of Laboratory Tests in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Patients

Abstract:The provincial health budgets in South Africa are under enormous pressure and; annually; budgets are exceeded by most hospitals and clinics. Laboratory tests requested by clinicians are contributing to the problem of over-expenditure. The aim of this study was to determine from patients' files whether doctors were using laboratory tests prudently during their treatment of patients in the outpatient department (OPD) of the National District Hospital in Bloemfontein. A descriptive study was carried out using all the files of patients who visited the OPD in a three-month period (1 July to 30 September 2005) for whom laboratory tests were requested by the attending physician. The majority (31.3) of patients for whom laboratory tests were requested presented to the OPD with cardiovascular complaints or diagnoses; followed by endocrine (27.8) and musculoskeletal (16.3) complaints or diagnoses. Between one and three tests were requested for most patients; i.e. 33 and 15; respectively. The most frequently requested tests were erythrocyte sedimentation rate (8.1); urea and electrolytes (7.7); urine microscopy; culture and sensitivity (6.4); cholesterol (6.1); full blood count (5.7) and thyroid profile (TSH 4.6; T4 2.6 and thyroid functions 2.3). In 70.4 of cases; results were documented and; in 59.1; the physician's management plans indicated the incorporation of laboratory test results into the patient's treatment regimen. Our findings indicated inappropriate documentation and application of test results. Interventions to improve physician behaviour include education; guidelines; feedback; leadership and redesign of requisition forms