Alcohol use among high school learners in rural areas of Limpopo province

Background: Alcohol use is a serious public health concern among youth in South Africa and worldwide.Aim: To determine the factors contributing to alcohol use among high school learners in the rural areas of Limpopo province.Setting: The Greater Marble-Hall municipality, Sekhukhune district in Limpopo province.Method: A quantitative, cross-sectional study design was conducted on 314 learners from three high schools in a rural area in Limpopo. A stratified random sampling technique was used to select learners from 11 to 25 years of age. The drinking behaviour was classified according to predetermined Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). Data were analysed using SPSS Software v23.0.Results: More than half of the respondents were consuming alcohol 169 (53.8%). Also, 173 (55.1%) of respondents had parents who consume alcohol and 204 (65%) had friends who drank alcohol. Most respondents were classified as low-risk drinkers (AUDIT score < 8) and a quarter of the respondents were classified as almost dependent on alcohol (AUDIT score > 13). Significant associations were found between learners' alcohol consumption and parents and friends who drank alcohol (p = 0.000; p = 0.000, respectively).Conclusion: Alcohol use was prevalent among high school learners in the area under investigation. Also, learners who had parents and friends who consume alcohol were more likely to consume alcohol. Further, learners who were classified as almost dependent on alcohol needed urgent intervention as their health-related quality of life was likely to be poor

La leucemie lymphoide, cause d'insuffisance renale chez l'adulte noir

L'insuffisance renale chronique consecutive a une leucemie myeloide est une entite nosologique rarement decrite dans la litterature chez l'Africain. L'age adulte; le syndrome metabolique; la Glomerulonephrite; le statut socioeconomique bas et le syndrome de Randal ont ete decrits comme facteurs de risque. Les auteurs presentent un patient qui a consulte pour alteration de l'etat general; sueur nocturne et adenopathie axillaire; inguinale et mediatisnale (avec antecedent de leucemie lymphoide et de dependance alcoolo-tabagique). Les investigations ont revele; en absence d'anticorps VIH une creatinemie de 220 mg/l; une proteinurie de 1+ sans hematurie ni glycosurie et une proteinurie de 24 heures a 0.14g. La biopsie renale a revele une infiltration lympho- plasmocytaire. Le diagnostic d'insuffisance renale chronique a ete evoque. En conclusion; un cas de leucemie lymphoide connu avec antecedent alcoolo-tabagique consultant pour alteration de l'etat general; adenopathies avec proteinurie meme minime; un diagnostic d'insuffisance renale chronique doit etre evoque

Alcohol-Related Traumatic Deaths in Transki Region; South Africa

This is a retrospective descriptive study on 105 trauma related deaths. Interviews of the family members were conducted individually before carrying out the autopsies at Umtata General Hospital (UGH). The cause of death was recorded along with the age; and personal habits such as alcohol; and tobacco smoking. This is the referral hospital for a surrounding population of about 400;000. The purpose of this study is to estimate the prevalence of alcohol among victims of traumatic deaths in the Transkei region.One hundred and five trauma victims were studied. Motor vehicle accidents caused deaths of 34(32); fatal gunshot injuries 25(24); stab injuries 18(17); blunt trauma 10(9); and miscellaneous 19(18). Majority of the victims; 71(68) were under 40 years of age. In 52(49.5) there was a history of alcohol consumption. Eighteen were between 21 and 30 years; 11 were between 31 to 40 years. Half were smokers. Twenty nine percent were laborers with low level of education. The alcohol related traumatic deaths are high in the Transkei region. There is a need to control alcohol