Health services--needs of the elderly in two black urban areas of the Cape Peninsula.

The availability and utilisation of essential social and health services were studied in two urban areas, Langa, an established township well within the city boundaries, and Khayelitsha, a newly established and fast-growing township on the margin of the city. They are approximately 10 km and 30 km respectively from the central business district of Cape Town. Random cluster samples were drawn of 195 residents in Langa and of 170 in Khayelitsha (age range 59-89 years). Respondents' knowledge and use of the following services were ascertained: social, shopping, transport, doctors, clinics and services centres for the aged. The questionnaire was adapted from the widely used Duke Older American Resources and Services strategy and Gurland's Comprehensive Assessment and Referral Evaluation. Most of the elderly in both areas know where to obtain health and social services and transport. Residents of Langa have been in Cape Town much longer and therefore have fewer problems in using the services when needed. The people in Khayelitsha use the social worker services much more than the Langa residents.

Frail aged persons residing in South African homes for the aged who require hospitalisation. Part I. Urban areas.

The numbers and characteristics of white residents identified by medical and nursing staff as requiring more staff time and/or expertise and/or medical equipment than is available in homes for the aged were assessed. Only 27 out of 2,447 (1.1%) extremely infirm aged persons resident in 93 homes for the aged would, in the opinion of institutional staff, benefit by admission to a long-term care hospital catering for chronically ill. The conditions affecting these residents are described and recommendations relating to their management made.

Frail aged persons residing in South African homes for the aged who require hospitalisation. Part II. Rural areas.

The numbers and characteristics of white residents identified by medical and nursing staff to require more staff time and/or expertise and/or medical equipment than was available in rural homes for the aged in the Orange Free State were assessed. In the opinion of institution staff, 12.6% of extremely infirm aged persons would benefit by admission to a hospital catering for the chronically ill. The conditions affecting these residents are described and recommendations relating to their management are made.

[A study of the health services and needs of the elderly (SENSORG)]. / Ondersoek na die gesondheidsdienste en behoeftes van bejaardes (SENSORG).

Our department was approached by various welfare organisations who experienced problems with the placing of the frail elderly in suitable homes. The SENCARE project was planned to ascertain the health needs of the white and coloured elderly living in old-age homes and in the community and to identify the existing health services available to them by using the questionnaire method of measurement. The study was done in 3 phases: phase I in an urban area, phase II in a large rural town and phase III in 5 small rural towns. In the urban area too many healthy white elderly people live in old-age homes. The availability of services is poorer in the rural areas. In all 3 phases social and economic impairment is the major cause of dependence in both the white and coloured elderly population groups.

Trends in adolescent pregnancies at Tygerberg Hospital, 1976-1980.

This study was undertaken to highlight trends relating to pregnancies among females aged less than 21 years seen at Tygerberg Hospital, Parowvallei, CP, during the 5-year period 1976-1980 inclusive. There was a fairly steady decline in the pregnancy rate for Coloured adolescents over this period. The rate for Black adolescents increased after a 3-year decline, and that for Whites also increased after a 2-year drop. The caesarean section rate increased after a marked drop in 1978, both in White adolescents and in the White group as a whole, possibly due to an increase in the instrumental delivery rate in 1978. The caesarean section rate has increased steadily among non-Whites, while the forceps delivery rate for non-Whites declined to below the normal level of 15% and that for Whites fell after a steep increase in 1978. Vacuum extractions appeared to be very popular during the first 3 years, but the rates declined rapidly towards 1979-1980, particularly in the White group. Pre-eclamptic toxaemia remains a problem among White adolescents. Among both Whites and non-Whites 1978 seems to have been a disastrous year as far as the outcome of pregnancies is concerned, with an increase in the incidence of miscarriage. A drop in the non-White stillbirth rate in 1978 was followed by a sharp rise in 1979-1980. The incidence of abruptio placentae and placenta praevia rose in 1978, but in 1979-1980 dropped to below 10% for Whites and to below 15% for non-Whites. Premature deliveries are still common among non-Whites, with average incidences of 23% for the 5-year period for non-Whites and 8,5% for Whites. Pregnancy rates for unmarried Coloured and Black adolescents remain high, and the rate for Whites increased slightly over the 5-year period.