scholarly journals vBack pain and its relationship to socio-demographic and psycho-social factors in a cohort of pregnant women attending a primary health care clinic in the eThekwini municipality

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Carmen Hawker
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Third Trimester ◽  
Care Clinic ◽  
The Third ◽  
Primary Health Care Clinic ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
In Pregnancy

Background: The prevalence of back pain and general discomfort is not uncommon in pregnant women, often being under-reported until it affects their daily routine. South Africa, a third world developing country has unique risk factors and demographic profile. Although many studies have previously studied the various factors relating to back pain in pregnancy, this topic is far from being exhausted as a research area. Specifically, new studies should be conducted on the prevalence of back pain in pregnancy to analyse the impact it has on women worldwide. Little research has been conducted on rural communities in Africa especially in South Africa, to assess the risk of pregnancy-related back pain. Therefore, the information obtained from this study will provide a better understanding of the demographics, physical demands and psycho-social stresses experienced by pregnant women in this understudied population. Back pain and general discomfort is not uncommon in pregnant women, but it is often under- reported and can be disabling. International studies report a high prevalence especially in the last trimester. Little is known about the prevalence of and risk factors for back pain in South African pregnant women. Thus, this study aimed to determine the relationship between socio-demographic and psychosocial factors in a cohort of pregnant women attending a primary health care clinic in the eThekwini municipality of the province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Method: A retrospective descriptive cohort design was utilized whereby 382 participants’ files were assessed for eligibility. The files consisted of a socio-demographic questionnaire, a chart review and two epidemiological questionnaires that were administered to the participants during the first and third trimester. Permission to access these files was obtained from the principle investigator of the MRC/DUT project. All participants signed consent forms for research purposes. The data relevant to this study was extracted and analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Science version 24.0 (IMB Analytics). Descriptive statistics were used to describe the data in terms of means and standard deviations or frequencies and count where appropriate. Inferential statistics allowed for relationships between the variables to be assessed. A p - value of less than 0.05 was used to indicate statistical significance. Results: The total of 303 files were included. Participants were Black Africans, mostly single (81.2%, n=229) with a mean age of 25.84 (±SD 6.04). There was a high unemployment rate (70.8%, n=199), with most having obtained a secondary education (77.1%, n=213), and 44.1% (n=122) residing in squatter camps. There was a high human immunodeficiency infection rate (40.5%, n=94). Of the 303 participant files eligible for the study only 46 returned for the third trimester follow up. The prevalence of BP in the first trimester was 12.4% (n=35) and 10.9% (n=5) in the third trimester. LBP was the most (8.5%, n=24) in the first and 10.9% (n=5) in the third trimester, followed by UBP and NP. The incidence of back pain over the duration of pregnancy was zero. Being single (p = 0.03), reporting no stress (p = 0.04), not using pain killers (p = 0.01), and no alcohol consumption in the current pregnancy (p = 0.03) were associated with a decreased risk of back pain. There were no relationships found between the variables and back pain prevalence in the third trimester. Conclusion: The women attending this primary health care clinic are relatively young, come from a low socio-economic area with low reported levels of stress and substance abuse. They reported low levels of back pain. The follow up rate at the third trimester was low and this may skew the results of this study. Further research is needed in this community and South Africa to appreciate the prevalence and impact of back pain in pregnancy.

scholarly journals Exploration of knowledge, attitudes and percepions regarding sexually transmitted infections among patients attending a primary health care clinic in Gauteng - Part 1

Curationis ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
T.J. Molapo ◽  
T.M.M. Maja ◽  
S.C.D. Wright
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Care Clinic ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Primary Health Care Clinic ◽  
Primary Health

Sexually transmitted infections are a major public health problem in South Africa. The high incidence and prevalence of sexually transmitted infections in South Africa pose a serious threat to public health for two main reasons. Firstly, the long-term consequences of these infections are a major cause of loss of health or life, and secondly, sexually transmitted infections are important co-factors in driving the human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) epidemic. The control and prevention of sexually transmitted infections has become an urgent priority. At a primary health care clinic, the nursing personnel experienced an increasing number of persons daily seeking treatment for sexually transmitted infections. The purpose of the study was therefore to investigate the knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of people seeking treatment at Stanza Bopape Clinic regarding sexually transmitted infections. The study was a contextual, quantitative survey. The population was all patients (15 years and older) who visited the clinic for a health-related problem during November 2004 to January 2005. The sampling method was convenient. The data gathering method was self-report using a structured questionnaire basic on current knowledge. The data analysis was done with descriptive statistics.

scholarly journals ’n Vergelyking van verskillende metodes om swangerskapstadiums te bepaal

Curationis ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Janse van Rensburg ◽  
D. Botha ◽  
R. Nel ◽  
A. Fichardt
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
Specific Method ◽  
Second Trimester ◽  
Third Trimester ◽  
Care Clinic ◽  
The Third ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Specific Stage ◽  
Uterine Fundus

A group of 208 antenatal women at a primary health care clinic in Bloemfontein was selected for the study. Fundal height was determined by measuring the height of the fundus as well as using the uterine fundus height in relation to weeks method. The above-mentioned methods were compared with a sonar date to determine whether a specific method is more accurate in a specific stage of pregnancy. It seems as if measuring of the height of the fundus is more accurate in the second trimester. In the third trimester of pregnancy a tendency exists for both the uterine fundus height in relation to weeks method and measuring of the height of the fundus to be accurate until the 36th week of pregnancy. After the 36th week of pregnancy the uterine fundus height in relation to weeks method seems to be more accurate.

Quality of life and adherence to mediterranean diet among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients of a primary health care clinic in Hebron city, Palestine

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Manal Badrasawi ◽  
May Hamdan ◽  
Mohammad Al Tamimi
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
Mediterranean Diet ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Care Clinic ◽  
Primary Health Care Clinic ◽  
Primary Health

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a lifelong metabolic disease with a high rate of mortality and morbidity. Uncontrolled and untreated diabetes results in serious complications that subsequently cause patients’ quality of life (QoL) to deteriorate. Adherence to Mediterranean diet (MD) may relieve the complications of diabetes, thereby improving the quality of life for these patients. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the QoL of DM patients who adhered to MD. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we examined the QoL and MD data of 106 DM II patients being treated at a primary health care clinic in Hebron. We used the SF-36 questionnaire to measure the patients’ QoL and the MEDAS tool to assess their MD adherence. We also recorded their anthropometric measurements, abdominal obesity, lifestyle habits and blood biochemical results. RESULTS: The sample comprised male and female DM II patients between the ages of 35 and 72, with their mean age being 55.8±10.24. Patients’ QoL scores showed a significant relationship with three BMI categories, i.e., total QoL score, physical function, and pain domains (p <  0.05). In terms of diet, high adherence to MD had a positive impact on all domains and on patients’ total QoL with significant differences in physical functioning, emotional well-being, social functioning and pain domains. CONCLUSION: Patients’ QoL domains were relatively low and highly affected by DM II. Patients with greater MD adherence reported higher scores in all QoL domains. Significantly higher scores were noted for the physical, social and pain domains. Hence, MD is a recommended dietary pattern for DM II patients to achieve a better QoL.

scholarly journals Depression in older adults: prevalence and risk factors in a primary health care sample

2017 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
pp. 33
Author(s):  
Uschenka Padayachey ◽  
S Ramlall ◽  
J Chipps
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Subjective Health ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Geriatric Depression ◽  
Care Clinic ◽  
Primary Health Care Clinic ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Increased Risk

Background: Depression in the geriatric population has been identified as a significant problem in view of the associated negative outcomes regarding poor functioning, increased perception of poor health and increased utilisation of medical services. Significantly associated with increased morbidity and mortality, depression has been found to be an independent cause of disability as well as adding to disability due to primary physical illnesses. Early identification and treatment of depression reduces medical costs and lessens caregiver burden. Epidemiological data and prevalence rates of geriatric depression in Africa are limited, although such data are vital to mobilise and plan government mental health initiatives aimed at screening and early intervention. Objective: To determine the prevalence of depression and associated clinical and socio-demographic factors amongst older adult patients attending a primary health care clinic in the Ethekwini District in Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa. Methods: The 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale and a socio-demographic questionnaire were administered in English to 255 geriatric outpatients, randomly selected, at a local community clinic in Durban. Data analysis: Data were analysed using SPSS version 23®. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise the sample demographics and response rate and non-parametric statistics were used to test for associations and differences. Results: A Cronbach’s alpha for the GDS was calculated (p = 0.793). Some 40% of participants screened positive for depression. Female gender, widowhood and a negative subjective health status rating were significantly associated with depression and marriage appeared to be protective (p < 0.001). Participants with a poor subjective health rating were 21 times more likely to be depressed and widowhood conferred an almost fourfold increased risk of being depressed, with widows at greater risk than widowers. No association between depression and specific medical conditions was identified. Conclusion: There is a high rate of undetected depression among the elderly attending a local primary health care clinic with widowhood and poor subjective health being strong predictors of mood disorders. The findings warrant replication in bigger samples. (Full text of the research articles are available online at www.medpharm.tandfonline.com/ojfp) S Afr Fam Pract 2017; DOI: 10.1080/20786190.2016.1272250

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