South African Medical Journal (SAMJ)
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Investigating blood alcohol concentrations in injury-related deaths before and during the COVID-19 National lockdown in Western Cape, South Africa: A cross-sectional retrospective review
No full textBackground. Alcohol is a significant contributor to injury-related morbidity and mortality in South Africa (SA). During the COVID-19 global pandemic, restrictions to movement and to the legal access of alcohol* were introduced in SA. This study aimed to investigate the effect of alcohol bans during the COVID-19 lockdown periods on injury-related mortality and the blood alcohol concentrations (BAC) in these deaths.
Methods. A retrospective, cross-sectional analysis of injury-related deaths in Western Cape (WC) province, SA, between 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2020 was conducted. Cases where BAC testing was performed were further examined according to the periods of lockdown (AL5-1) and alcohol restrictions.
Results. A total of 16,027 injury-related cases were admitted to Forensic Pathology Service mortuaries in the WC over the two-year period. An average decrease of 15.7% injury-related deaths in 2020 compared to 2019 was noted, as well as a 47.7% decrease in injury-related deaths during hard lockdown (April -May 2020) compared to the same period in 2019. In the injury-related deaths, 12,077 (75.4%) had blood specimens collected for BAC testing. In 5,078 (42.0%) of submitted cases, a positive BAC (≥0.01g/100 mL) was reported. No significant difference was observed in the mean positive BAC between 2019 and 2020, however in April and May 2020, the mean BACs observed (0.13 g/100 mL) was less than that in 2019 (0.18 g/100 mL). A high number of positive BACs in the 12-17-year age group (±23.4%) was observed.
Conclusion. There was a clear decrease in injury-related deaths in the WC during the COVID-19-related lockdown periods that coincided with the alcohol ban and restriction of movement and an increase following relaxation of restrictions on alcohol sales and movement. The data illustrated that mean BACs were similar between all periods of alcohol restriction compared to 2019, apart from hard lockdown in April-May, 2020. This coincided with a smaller mortuary intake during the level 5 and 4 lockdown periods.
Keywords: Alcohol; blood alcohol concentration; COVID-19; injury; lockdown; South Africa; violent death; Western Cape
* Alcohol refers to ethano
Prevalence of comorbid disease and associated risk factors among homeless people living in temporary shelters during the COVID-19 lockdown in Tshwane, South Africa
Get PDFBackground. People experiencing homelessness are among the most socially and medically vulnerable populations.
Objectives. To assess the prevalence of comorbid disease and associated risk factors among homeless people admitted to temporary shelters in the City of Tshwane during levels 4 and 5 of the COVID-19 national lockdown in South Africa.
Methods. A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used. The sample was drawn from secondary data on all individuals placed in temporary shelters constructed by Tshwane during levels 4 and 5 of the COVID-19 lockdown (26 March - 31 May 2020). Descriptive statistics were used to summarise data, and a multivariable logistic regression model was applied to determine factors associated with comorbid disease.
Results. The overall prevalence of comorbid disease among homeless people in temporary shelters in Tshwane was 28.8% (95% confidence interval (CI) 26.9 - 30.8). There was no significant difference in the prevalence of comorbid disease by illicit substance use (29.9% for users v. 29.5% for non-users; p=0.871). In adjusted analyses, being South African (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 2.06; 95% CI 1.10 - 3.88; p=0.024), being female (aOR 3.73; 95% CI 1.85 - 7.53; p<0.001), being black (aOR 3.43; 95% CI 1.12 - 10.54; p=0.031) or white (aOR 6.11; 95% CI 1.55 - 24.0; p=0.01), and injecting substances (aOR 1.68; 95% CI 1.19 - 2.37; p=0.003) were significantly associated with having comorbid disease.
Conclusion. The study found a 28.8% prevalence of comorbid disease among homeless people placed in temporary shelters in Tshwane. In adjusted analysis, being South African, being female, black and white race, and injecting substances were associated with having comorbid disease. Strengthening of public health interventions such as needle and syringe exchange programmes, family planning and access to primary care with health education could improve the healthcare of people experiencing homelessness
Factors associated with partner notification intentions among symptomatic sexually transmitted infection service attendees in South Africa
Get PDFBackground. In South Africa (SA), a client-initiated partner notification (PN) approach is implemented for the management of sexual partners of patients presenting with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or STI syndromes.Objectives. To explore the demographic, sexual behavioural and clinical characteristics associated with PN intentions among symptomatic STI service attendees at sentinel primary healthcare facilities in three SA provinces.
Methods. We analysed cross-sectional data obtained from 1 293 adults enrolled into STI aetiological surveillance during 2019 - 2020 in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape provinces. Self-reported sexual practices, PN intentions and clinical data were collected using nurse-administrated questionnaires. We assessed gender-stratified factors associated with the index case’s willingness to notify their sexual partners of their STI syndrome diagnosis. Univariable and multivariable Poisson regression models with robust error variance were used to determine factors associated with gender-stratified PN intentions.
Results. The enrolled participants comprised 887 male (68.6%) and 406 female (31.4%) STI clients. Self-reported PN intentions were higher among women than men (83.5% v. 64.4%; p<0.001). Multivariable analyses revealed that casual sex partnerships during the preceding 3-month period and enrolment at the KwaZulu-Natal site were independent barriers to PN intent among male participants. For females, enrolment at the Gauteng site was independently associated with lower PN intentions, while presenting with genital ulcer syndrome was a motivator towards PN intent. The primary reasons cited for non-disclosure across both genders were casual sexual encounters, followed by geographically distant partnerships and fear of disclosure.
Conclusion. We show that demographic and behavioural characteristics, as well as relationship dynamics, may influence the PN intentions of STI service attendees in SA. Alternative PN strategies should be considered, based on the reported barriers, to increase overall STI notification, strengthen partner management and ultimately reduce STI incidence
Issues in Medicine: Transcatheter vascular plugs for the treatment of massive haemoptysis from Rasmussen aneurysms
No full textRasmussen aneurysms are abnormalities of the pulmonary arterial system caused by tuberculosis (TB). They are associated with a highmortality rate when they cause life-threatening haemoptysis. High TB-prevalence regions have a large burden of TB-related haemoptysisbut often limited resources. This series of 25 patients who presented with life-threatening haemoptysis from current and/or previous TBwere found to have abnormal pulmonary arteries on computed tomography pulmonary angiogram (CTPA), which were judged to belikely contributors to their bleeding, either in isolation or with concomitant abnormal bronchial or systemic vasculature. These patientsunderwent transcatheter placement of Amplatzer vascular plugs in the feeder pulmonary artery. Bronchial and systemic lesions wereaddressed separately as needed. Immediate technical success was achieved in all patients, but four of them experienced intraoperativehaemoptysis related to dislodgement of the occluding platelet plug by the high-pressure automatic injector and wire. At 48 hours after theprocedure, 18 (72%) remained haemoptysis-free. Six of these experienced recurrence within 1 year of their procedure. Pulmonary arteryplacement of an Amplatzer vascular plug is a feasible option for treating bleeding Rasmussen aneurysms, but should be part of a combinedapproach to addressing suspected culprit vascular lesions in all intrathoracic vascular systems
Behavioural Medicine: Strengthening approaches to address co-morbid chronic physical and mental disorders
Get PDFSouth Africa is confronted with multi-morbid chronic physical and mental disorders. The relationships between these conditions are often multidirectional and result in a variety of adverse mental and physical health outcomes. The risk factors and perpetuating conditions in multi-morbidity are potentially modifiable through effective behaviour change. However, in South Africa, interventions and clinical care that address these co-occurring factors have traditionally functioned in a vacuum, created by a lack of formalised multidisciplinary collaboration. In high-income settings, the field of Behavioural Medicine was established in recognition of the importance of psychosocial factors in illness and assumes that the presence of physical concerns can be influenced by psychological and behavioural factors. The large body of evidence supporting Behavioural Medicine has afforded the field global recognition. Yet, it remains an emerging field in South Africa and on the African continent. The purpose of this paper is to contextualise the field of Behavioural Medicine in South Africa and present a way forward to establish the field in our context.
 
Correspondence and reply: Practising in a post-truth world: – truth revision
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Knowledge, attitudes and practices of undergraduate health sciences students on hepatitis B vaccination at a South African university highlight the need for improvement of policies, implementation and co-ordination
Get PDFBackground. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection causes nearly 300 million chronic infections globally. Healthcare workers face up to four times the risk of HBV infection through occupational exposure to contaminated blood and bodily fluids. Health sciences students (HSSs) are regarded as at an even greater risk as they embark on their clinical training journey. While chronic hepatitis B is incurable, it can be prevented by the safe and effective hepatitis B vaccine (HepB). The South African National Department of Health recommends at least three doses of vaccine (HepB3) for HSSs before patient contact. However, data on policy implementation at training institutions, vaccine coverage and HBV immunity in HSSs are lacking or limited.
Objectives. To investigate knowledge, attitudes and practices of HSSs at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in relation to international guidelines and institutional HepB programmes included in the Wits vaccination policy. Sociodemographic factors predicting HepB uptake were also investigated.
Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted between February and June 2021. An electronic, self-administered survey was emailed to all current HSSs (N=3 785). The survey included questions on sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge of and attitudes towards HepB- related international guidelines and Wits policies, and HepB uptake and vaccine practices at Wits. Descriptive statistical analyses, followed by multivariable regression modelling, were used to identify factors associated with HepB uptake.
Results. A response rate of only 7.1% yielded 269 returned surveys, of which 221 were adequate for analysis. Most respondents were female (69.2%), with a mean (standard deviation) age of 22.5 (3.5) years, and were studying a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MB BCh) degree (76.9%). Only 78% of those students who reported a history of vaccination (89.1% of study sample) reported a completed vaccine series. The only significant predictor, when adjusted for interactions, was being enrolled in MB BCh compared with other courses (odds ratio 4.69; p=0.026). Students displayed higher levels of knowledge around institutional (Wits) vaccine recommendations (94.1%) compared with international recommendations (75.6%). Most students were in favour of mandatory vaccination (91.4%), but not of serological testing following vaccination (42.5%). Half of our students received vaccinations in private facilities, but no follow-up or record was made of this by the designated Wits Campus Health and Wellness Centre.
Conclusion. Institutional HepB policies are suboptimal, with no centralised co-ordination or implementation strategy. Urgent efforts are required to create awareness around policy and management, ensure vaccination coverage in this high-risk group, and foster positive practices with adequate monitoring