Experiences and Interventions by Botswana police officers in providing emergency care in road traffic collisions in the greater Gaborone region

Background Close to 500 people die annually from Road Traffic Collisions in Botswana. The country's Emergency Medical Service is limited in capacity and coverage and greatest in the region of the capital city, Gaborone. Botswana Police Service officers are often first responders to the incidents and provide first aid, however the extent of their interventions and their experiences has not been studied. Methods A questionnaire based cross-sectional survey was conducted in January 2016 on a sample of 99 officers on past pre-hospital care training, attitudes towards providing pre-hospital care for accident victims, the number of road traffic collision related deaths and injuries encountered in the last 6 months, their interventions to the victims and limitations encountered in providing care. Results The officers self-reported attending to a median of 10 injured victims (IQR = 5 ­ 20) and a median of 2 deaths (IQR = 0 ­ 4) in the preceding 6 months. The officers generally acknowledged their role and responsibility to provide pre-hospital care to the victims. Officers frequently secured accident scenes and transported injured victims to health facilities. They rarely performed haemorrhage control on victims, performed any airway manoeuvres or splint injured limbs. The major limitations to providing care were lack of first aid supplies and personal protective equipment, lack of knowledge and skills to provide care and interference from onlookers at accident scenes. Conclusion Botswana Police officers in the greater Gaborone area attend to a considerable number of traffic related injuries and fatalities. These results support many opportunities for educational interventions to add value to pre-hospital care.

Experiences and Interventions by Botswana police officers in providing emergency care in road traffic collisions in the greater Gaborone region

Background: Life expectancy in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) continues to rise, resulting in a growing geriatric population. In Rwanda, a sub-Saharan LMIC, traumatic injuries are a common cause of mortality and morbidity. However, little is known about the frequency and type of traumatic injuries among geriatric populations in Rwanda. Objective: We explored the epidemiology and outcomes of trauma for geriatric patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) of the center Hospitalier Universitaire de Kigali (CHUK) in Rwanda. Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2019 to January 2020 at the ED of CHUK. Trauma patients aged 65 and above and alive at the time of evaluation were eligible for inclusion. Demographic characteristics were collected along with triage category, mechanism of injury, transfer status, transport method to CHUK, time spent at the ED, complications, and mortality predictors. Results: For the 100 patients enrolled, the most common injury mechanism was falls (63%), followed by road traffic accidents (28%). The majority of patients spent less than 48 h in the ED (63%). The mortality rate was 14%, with most deaths resulting from injury-related complications. Triage category, Kampala Trauma Score, and Glasgow Coma Scale were significant predictors of mortality, with p-values of 0.002, <0.001, and <0.001, respectively. Conclusions: The epidemiology of geriatric trauma found in this study can inform public health and clinical guidelines. Interventions targeting falls and road traffic accidents would target the most common geriatric trauma mechanisms, and clinical protocols that take into account predictors of mortality could improve outcomes and increase life expectancy for this population.

Registrar wellness in Botswana: Measuring burnout and identifying ways to improve wellness

Background. Burnout during registrar training is high, especially in resource-limited settings where stressors are intensified. Burnout leads to decreased quality of life for doctors, poor job and patient satisfaction, and difficulty retaining doctors.Objectives. Primary: to measure burnout among registrars working at Princess Marina Hospital in Gaborone, Botswana. Secondary: to determine factors contributing to burnout and identify potential wellness interventions.Methods. The validated Maslach Burnout Inventory was used to measure the degree of emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation and personal accomplishment. Work-related difficulties and potential wellness interventions were explored through multiple-choice and open-ended questions.Results. Of 40 eligible registrars, 20 (50%) completed the survey. High levels of burnout were reported for emotional exhaustion in 65% (13/20), depersonalisation in 45% (9/20), and personal accomplishment in 35% (7/20) of registrars. A high degree of burnout was reported by 75% (15/20) of registrars in one or more domains. In the previous 7 days, registrars worked an average of 77 hours, took 1.5 overnight calls, slept 5.7 hours per night, and 53% (10/19) had ≥1 of their patients die. Five (25%) registrars considered leaving Botswana to work in another country, which correlated with those with the highest degree of burnout. The most common frustrations included insufficient salary and limited medical resources. Suggested interventions included improved mentorship and wellness lectures.Conclusions. There is a high degree of burnout, especially emotional exhaustion, among registrars. Encouragingly, most registrars have a desire to work in Botswana after training. Future research on improving registrar wellness in low-resource settings is urgently needed

Diseño de un espacio de acogida como estrategia de cuidados avanzados en enfermería en un servicio de pediatría / Designing a hosting area as an advanced nursing care strategy in a pediatric nursing ward

Antecedentes: las necesidades de confort más relevantes para los cuidadores tienen relación con mejorar las condiciones de permanencia, a través de salas de espera más cómodas, un lugar donde dormir, un baño con ducha, alimentación para el acompañante y un lugar seguro para guardar sus pertenencias. Objetivo: implementar un modelo de cuidado a través de un espacio de acogida, para satisfacer las necesidades de confort de los padres que no cuentan con alojamiento durante la hospitalización de sus hijos. Metodología: estrategia innovadora en la entrega de cuidados avanzados en enfermería, basados en el modelo teórico de Kolcaba el que nos permite llevar la disciplina de enfermería a la práctica asistencial en directo beneficio de los pacientes. Resultados: con la implementación de un espacio de acogida, se espera un aumento en la percepción de confort de los padres durante hospitalización, lo que conllevará a un incremento en el estado de alerta de los padres, participación efectiva en los cuidados de su hijo, mejoría en la respuesta frente a las intervenciones educativas y vinculación efectiva con el equipo de salud. Conclusiones: un espacio de acogida para padres de niños hospitalizados, diseñada para satisfacer las necesidades de confort más relevantes identificadas en la literatura y contextualizadas en la teoría de Kolcaba, contribuiría a implementar el cuidado avanzado en enfermería, rescatando la esencia de la enfermería en el Servicio de Pediatría del Hospital Clínico de la Universidad Católica.

Background: The most important comfort needs for caregivers are related to improving their hospital stay conditions, with more comfortable waiting rooms, a place to sleep, a toilette with shower, food and a safe place where to leave their belongings. Objective: To implement a hosting area that meets the comfort needs of parents who do not have their own accommodations during the hospitalization of their children. Methodology: Innovative strategies in providing advanced nursing care based on the theoretical model of Kolcaba, which allows us to bring the discipline of nursing care into practice, in direct benefit of patients. Results: We expect an increase in comfort perception of parents during hospitalization, which will lead to increased alertness of parents, effective participation in child care, improved response to educational interventions and effective linkages with the caring team. Conclusions: A hosting area for parents of hospitalized children, designed to meet the most important comfort needs reported in the literature and contextualized according to Kolcaba’s theory, can contribute to implement advanced nursing care, recovering the essence of nursing at the Pediatrics Service of the UC Hospital.

Prevalencia de patología oftalmológica en prematuros menores de un año de edad / Prevalence of ocular pathology in premature children under one year of age

Objetivo: Reportar hallazgos oftalmológicos en niños prematuros examinados antes del año de edad gestacional corregida (EGC). Pacientes y Método: Revisión retrospectiva de fichas clínicas de una serie de prematuros ([peso nacimiento (PN) < 1 500 g y/o < 32 sem edad gestacional (EG)] nacidos en CAS entre 2006-2009, examinados antes del año de EGC. Se consignó EG, PN, antecedente de retinopatía del prematuro (ROP), EGC al examen, refracción, anisometropia y estrabismo. Resultados: De 149 prematuros nacidos en el período, 100 tuvieron examen oftalmológico antes del año de edad (67,14 por ciento); el promedio de EG y PN fue 29,3 (rango 2336) semanas y 1217 (343-2190) g, respectivamente. El 29 por ciento presentó ROP, requiriendo tratamiento el 4 por ciento. La EGC promedio al examen oftalmológico fue 6,4 (3-11,5) meses. El equivalente esférico fue +1,34D (-1,75 a +5,75), presentando anisometropia >1D el 2,2 por ciento(95 por ciento IC, -0,82-5,26). El 3,3 por ciento (95 por ciento IC, -0,38-7,04) presentaba indicación de lentes según recomendaciones internacionales y el 4 por ciento (95 por ciento IC, 0,16-7,84) presentó estrabismo. Conclusiones: La baja prevalencia de factores de riesgo para ambliopia detectada en esta cohorte comparada con la reportada para prematuros con ROP severa podria explicarse por la baja prevalencia de ésta última en la presente serie.

Objective: To report ocular abnormalities in premature infants examined before one year of Corrected Gestational Age (CGA). Patients and Methods: Retrospective review of medical records of a number of premature infants ([birth weight (BW) < 1 500 g and/or < 32 week gestational age (GA)] born between 2006 and 2009 and examined before one year of CGA. GA, BW, retinopathy of prematurity (RQP), CGA examination, refraction, anisometropia and strabismus information were recorded. results: Out of the 149 premature infants born during the period, 100 had eye exam before one year of age (67.14 percent), the mean GA and BW was 29.3 (range 23-36) weeks and 1217 (343-2190) g, respectively. 29 percent had ROP, 4 percent required treatment. The mean CGA at the time of ophthalmologic examination was 6.4 (3 to 11.5) months. The spherical equivalent was +1.34 D (-1.75 to +5.75), 2.2 percent presented anisometropia > 1D (95 percent CI, -0.82 to 5.26). 3.3 percent (95 percent CI, -0.38 to 7.04) were in need of glasses according to international recommendations and 4 percent (95 percent CI, 0.16 to 7.84) had strabismus. Conclusions: The low prevalence of risk factors for amblyopia detected in this population compared with that reported for premature infants with severe RQP could be explained by the low prevalence of the latter in this study.

Caracterización psicométrica, motora y funcional en niños con parálisis cerebral / Psychometric, motor and functional description in children with cerebral palsy

Introduction: Cerebral Palsy (CP), the most frequent cause of chronic motor disability among children, is often associated to other alterations of cerebral function, among them cognitive function. International publications show up to 70 percent of children with CP have normal intelligence (IQ). Objective: Determine IQ and motor function in a group of children with CP. Methodology: Prospective descriptive study of 34 children with CP, classified according to type. Psychometric and motor tests were applied. Results: Of these children, 44 percent presented tetraparetic CP, 21 percent diparetic, 35 percent hemiparetic. Among tetraparetic children, 33 percent showed normal IQ, 14 percent mild Mental Retardation (MR), 53 percent severe MR. Among diparetic children, normal IQ, mild MR, severe MR showed in a frequency of 57 percent, 14 percent y 29 percent respectively. Children with hemiparesis showed normal IQ in 92 percent and mild MR in 8 percent. Motor function was usually proportional to IQ. Conclusion: In the full population studied, 59 percent of children showed normal IQ. Children with hemiparetic CP present better IQ, those with tetraparetic CP showed worst cognitive levels. Children with better IQ presented better motor function.

Introducción: La Parálisis Cerebral (PC), causa más frecuente de discapacidad motora crónica en la infancia, se asocia frecuentemente a otras alteraciones de la función cerebral, entre ellas alteraciones cognoscitivas. Publicaciones extranjeras describen que hasta un 70 por ciento de los niños con PC tienen coeficiente intelectual (CI) normal. Objetivo: Determinar CI y Función Motora en un grupo de niños con PC. Metodología: Estudio prospectivo descriptivo de 34 niños con PC. Se les clasificó según tipo de PC, se aplicó test psicométrico y se realizó medición del grado de función motora. Resultados: 44 por ciento tenían PC tetraparética, 21 por ciento diparética y 35 por ciento hemiparética. Los niños con tetraparesia tenían en un 33 por ciento CI normal, 14 por ciento RM leve y 53 por ciento RM severo; los niños con diparesia: CI normal, RM leve y RM severo en 57 por ciento, 14 por ciento y 29 por ciento respectivamente; los niños con hemiparesia tenían CI normal en el 92 por ciento y RM leve en 8 por ciento. En cuanto a función motora, los niños con mejor CI tenían mejor grado de función motora. Conclusión: El 59 por ciento del grupo estudiado presentó CI normal. Los niños con PC hemiparética tienen mejor CI y los niños con PC tetraparética tienen peor CI. Los niños con mejor CI tienen mejor grado de función motora.