Conveying hypertension message: An investigation into the language and content used in primary health clinics in South Africa

Background: Hypertension is a global health burden affecting developed and developing countries, and South Africa is no exception. Aim: This article aims to highlight the language and content used in health education on hypertension in primary healthcare (PHC) by health promoters and in pamphlets. Methods: The study design was quantitative descriptive. The population comprised a purposive selected sample of 12 health promoters in 12 PHC clinics and 50 pamphlets relating to health education on hypertension. An audio recorder was used to record health education provided by health promoters. Quantitative content analysis and frequency distribution was used to analyse the data. Results: The health promoters used various South African languages mixed with English (code switching). Patients were taught about lifestyle modifications and encouraged to adhere to management therapy. The switching in language usage may affect the understanding of those who do not speak the local language and that may explain the reason for lack of hypertension-suited life modification required by health education. Conclusion: It is important that heath education on hypertension should be standardised so that the content of health education in clinic A is similar to that in clinic B. Information contained in pamphlets should be summarised and standardised to the content presented by health promoters

Evaluation of Psychological Factors in Temporomandibular Joint Pain Dysfunction Syndrome: A report of 3 cases and review of the literature

Objective: This study reports the findings from the psychological assessment of temporomandibular pain dysfunction syndrome (TMJPDS) patients and the treatment outcome following a multidisciplinary team management of this condition. Methods: Three patients suffering from TMJPDS were administered the following psychological assessment questionnaires: Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ), Symptom Distress Checklist ­ 90 (SCL - 90), Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Index of self Esteem (ISE) and Chronic Pain Grade (CPG). The completed questionnaires by the patients were analyzed by a Clinical Psychologist. Case Reports: Case 1 was a 32 years old male. Psychological assessment showed that he manifested high peak position to being anxious and high feeling of tension associated with dental treatment. He also showed an increased pain perception and disability caused by TMJPDS. Case 2 was a 61 years old female. Psychological test showed that despite her high level of trait anxiety, the feeling of tension associated with dental treatment was low. She perceived her abnormal pain and disability caused by the disease to be low. Case 3 was a 39 years old female. Psychological assessment revealed that her predisposition to being anxious was high; however, her anxiety related to dental care was low. She also reported a reduced pain perception and disability caused by the disease condition. Conclusion: This study shows that TMJPDS is often associated with psychological problems, such as anxiety, with or without tension related to dental care, abnormal pain perception and psychological disability. A multidisciplinary team approach including dentists and mental health experts in the management of patients suffering from TMJPDS is recommended