South African Family Practice (E-Journal)
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Mastering blood gas interpretation: A practical guide for primary care providers
No full textAccurate arterial blood gas (ABG) interpretation is essential for primary care providers (PCPs), especially in emergency and inpatient settings where timely, informed decisions can significantly impact patient outcomes. This review guides PCPs from basic to advanced interpretation through a systematic five-step approach for ABG analysis, focussing on oxygenation, pH status, and metabolic and respiratory disorders. Emphasising the recognition of complex acid-base disorders that may coexist even when pH appears normal, it incorporates tools such as delta and osmolar gap calculations to address multiple concurrent metabolic disturbances and clarify the interpretation of mixed acid-base conditions. The article also briefly considers the use of arterial and venous blood samples in clinical practice
Men undergoing medical circumcision at a community health centre: Knowledge and attitudes
No full textBackground: Human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) and/or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome remains a significant global health issue, affecting millions of individuals worldwide. Medical male circumcision (MMC) demonstrated effectiveness in decreasing the spread of HIV, more specifically through heterosexual contact with HIV-positive partners. Studies have shown a correlation between male circumcision and lower HIV prevalence, especially in regions where circumcision is a cultural practice. The purpose of the study was to determine the knowledge and attitudes of men utilising the MMC services regarding circumcision.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at a community health centre involving 164 male participants aged 18 years and above using a self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to determine means, frequencies and associations between knowledge and attitudes of men regarding male medical circumcision.Results: The median age of men seeking MMC services was 30 years, with hygiene cited as the primary reason by 88.4% of them. In addition, a majority (92%) were mindful of the advantages of circumcision in terms of lowering the risk of sexually transmitted infections and penile cancer (90%).Conclusion: Hygiene emerged as the primary reason for seeking MMC, contrasting with other studies where cultural and religious factors were more common. Despite significant knowledge levels regarding MMC’s health benefits, the overall attitudes towards the procedure were predominantly negative.Contribution: The study highlights a unique factor influencing the decision to undergo MMC in a community health setting and awareness of its health benefits
Examining the social determinants of HIV/AIDS in Madidi village in Bojanala District, North West province
No full textBackground: South Africa is experiencing a devastating human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic, with approximately 7.8 million people living with HIV. International health programs such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centres for Disease Control (CDC) have been assisting citizens in combating the epidemic, but social factors continue to contribute to its spread. The study sought to examine social factors that contribute to the transmission of HIV in Madidi Village, as little is known about this population.Methods: The study employed a qualitative design and non-probability sampling. Face-to-face, semi-structured, in-depth interviews using a schedule guide were used to obtain data. To capture all of the interviews, a tape recorder was utilised with the permission of the 12 participants with ages ranging from 18 to 49 years.Results: The study revealed that the majority of participants were aware of HIV transmission and understood that it cannot be cured. However, misconceptions about HIV transmission still exist; for example, one of the participants stated that HIV can be transmitted through Colgate, which has not been scientifically proven to be a transmitter of HIV.Conclusion: This study shows that people need to be educated more about HIV/AIDS and that the Department of Health officials should play a role in supporting rural areas like Madidi Village to curb the spread of HIV.Contribution: As women and young girls are the most vulnerable members of the society, they must be enabled to take control of their lives
Transition tips: How can we be better leaders as family physicians?
No full textNo abstract available
Knowledge and attitudes towards seizure first aid among attendees of Gateway Clinic in Bloemfontein
No full textBackground: Providing first aid during an epileptic seizure can be lifesaving; however, many individuals lack the necessary knowledge and skills because of persistent misconceptions about epilepsy. This study assessed knowledge and attitudes towards seizure first aid among attendees of the Gateway Clinic in Bloemfontein.Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted using a structured questionnaire to evaluate participants’ knowledge and attitudes regarding seizure first aid.Results: Of the 466 questionnaires distributed, 391 were included in the study. Most participants were knowledgeable, with a median score of 13.0 (interquartile range [IQR]: 9.0–16.0). Attitudes towards epilepsy were positive, with a median score of 6.0 (IQR: 3.0–9.0). A majority, 64.7% of participants, believed that an object should be placed in the mouth during a seizure, and 33.5% were unsure whether epilepsy was contagious.Conclusion: Participants at the Gateway Clinic were knowledgeable and had positive attitudes towards epilepsy and seizure first aid. Nonetheless, misconceptions persist, particularly regarding harmful practices during seizures. Public education and structured training on seizure first aid remain essential to improve safety and awareness.Contribution: This study highlights the need to strengthen community awareness and education on epilepsy and seizure first aid to reduce stigma and enhance appropriate responses during seizure events
The competency of nurses in basic life support at district hospitals in Cape Town, South Africa
No full textBackground: Cardiac arrest (CA) is a leading cause of mortality, and survival rates are low; however, basic life support (BLS) can improve these rates. Nurses play a crucial role in the prevention, recognition, and response to CA, making BLS competency essential. Little is known about BLS competency among nurses in district hospitals. The study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, skills and attitudes of nurses regarding BLS in district hospitals in Cape Town, South Africa.Methods: A multi-centre, observational cross-sectional study was conducted. An existing self-administered questionnaire was adapted and validated. Stratified quota sampling selected 243 nurses. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences.Results: Only 3.0% of nurses scored above 80% on the knowledge test, while 15.9% scored that high on the skills test. Professional nurses, those with a bachelor’s degree, and nurses with any form of BLS training had significantly higher competency scores (p 0.001). Basic life support certification rates were low at 50.8%, and certificates had expired in 52.5% of nurses. Furthermore, neither greater work experience (r = 0.025, p = 0.702) nor more frequent BLS performance (p = 0.083) was associated with higher competency scores.Conclusion: Nurses working in district hospitals demonstrated positive attitudes, but they had insufficient knowledge and poor BLS skills.Contribution: Nurses with higher-level qualifications and prior training in BLS achieved better competency scores. Attention should be directed towards CA registries, quality improvement systems, decentralised training at scale, performance management systems and an improved nurse staffing mix
Physical activity in rehabilitation practice: Policy, infrastructure and development perspectives
No full textBackground: Integrating physical activity (PA) into rehabilitation practice is critical for promoting patient recovery and high quality of life. However, policy gaps, infrastructure constraints and resource limitations often hinder its effective implementation, particularly in public health care settings.Methods: An inductive thematic analysis of virtual individual semi-structured interviews with therapists was conducted via NVivo. Participants (N = 10) shared insights on their perspectives of integrating PA into rehabilitation practices regarding policy, infrastructure and development.Results: Ten subthemes emerged related to policy (two subthemes), infrastructure (four subthemes) and development (four subthemes) of PA in rehabilitation practice.Conclusion: While PA is essential for holistic patient care, therapists face systemic barriers that require policy reforms, interprofessional collaboration and investment in resources and infrastructure. Creative strategies currently mitigate these challenges but remain limited in scope of practice.Contribution: This article documents the need for policy development and resource allocation to better integrate PA into rehabilitation, whilst addressing key developmental and infrastructure gaps
We are treated differently: Experiences of men who have sex with men in South African clinics
No full textBackground: Men who have sex with men (MSM) are regarded as a key population that needs specialised healthcare services to address their healthcare needs. This is because of their sexual practices. Men who have sex with men encounter positive and negative experiences when accessing healthcare services in public health care facilities. This study explored and described the experiences of MSM about accessing healthcare services in public healthcare facilities. The study was conducted in Ekurhuleni district, situated in the East of Gauteng province, South Africa.Methods: A descriptive, explorative, qualitative approach was employed to investigate the experiences of MSM about accessing healthcare services. In-depth interviews were conducted with 17 MSM aged 18 years and above.Results: Overall, MSM had both negative and positive experiences when accessing healthcare services. However, mainly the negative in the public healthcare facilities, whereas positive were experienced in the private healthcare facilities.Conclusion: The negative experiences of MSM, the judgemental and discriminatory attitudes of healthcare workers towards them and the scarcity or unavailability of resources and healthcare services to address their specific healthcare needs in healthcare facilities have created interpersonal and structural barriers, which prevent MSM from accessing healthcare services.Contribution: These findings suggest the need for the training of healthcare workers to be truly caring, the allocation of resources and healthcare services to addressing MSM-specific healthcare needs in healthcare facilities and the creation of an accommodating environment for them
Factors associated with non-adherence to antiretroviral therapy among adolescents in Oshikoto Region, Namibia
No full textBackground: In Namibia, the Omuthiya Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) Clinic has indicated that nine older adolescents (15–19 years) out of 125 adolescents active on ART have defaulted and become lost to care. This represents an 89% retention rate among older adolescents compared to a 97% retention rate for the adult population in the same facility. There is a lack of information on the extent of ART adherence among older adolescents, particularly in terms of viral suppression rates. This study aims to measure the level of adherence to ART treatment among adolescents enrolled at the Omuthiya ART Clinic in the Oshikoto Region, Namibia.Methods: From November to December 2020, a cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV) at the Omuthiya ART Clinic. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and analysed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression.Results: The study found that 24% of adolescent patients on ART treated at the Omuthiya ART Clinic are non-adherent to treatment. A significant association found was between education level and adherence (p = 0.008), alcohol use and adherence (p = 0.022) and memory aids use and adherence (p 0.001).Conclusion: Adolescents’ adherence to ART at the Omuthiya ART Clinic is influenced by educational level, alcohol use, and memory aid use. Further research is needed to explore other potential factors influencing adherence.Contribution: These findings may be used to develop ongoing strategies and targeted interventions that prioritise a patient-centred care approach, recognising the autonomy of adolescents. In addition, they highlight the importance of a supportive family environment in managing HIV and improving ART adherence
