Immunisation and viral disease in Transkei

An attempt was made in 1982 by the Department of Health, Transkei, to improve the vaccination programme by means of an extended Immunisation programme (EIP). Twelve hospitals were involved in the EIP at the beginning of July 1982, but only Rietvlei Hospital in the Umzimkulu district managed to complete three doses of the diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, and poliomyelitis vaccines, and to submit a partial report to the Central Unit. This report covered 11 locations and a total of 1,957 children in the under-5-year age group. The current system of notification for the monitoring of viral disease in Transkei is also commented on. Evaluation of the official notifications from 1971 to 1983 shows that viral disease represented only 2.7% of the diseases with public health impact in Transkei, and that measles and poliomyelitis are prevalent.     

Socio-demographic factors and reasons associated with delay in breast cancer presentation: a study in Nigerian women

We evaluated the effects of selected socio-demographic factors on late presentation and reasons why our breast cancer patients delay reporting for treatment. All female breast cancer patients referred to one of the general surgery out-patient clinics of Lagos State University Teaching Hospital between January 2009 and December 2010 were interviewed. Relevant socio-demographic and clinical data were obtained and reasons for patient delay documented. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to calculate odd ratio for delay. A total of 201 patients were enrolled. Mean duration of symptoms was 12.12 months (SD ± 5.18). Delay for more than 3 months before initial medical consultation was observed in 164 patients (81.6%). Increased risk of late presentation was associated with single women (OR=2.054), primary level of education (OR=3.059), negative history of benign breast disease (OR=1.648) and pre-menopause (OR=1.861). Ignorance of the nature of illness, belief in spiritual healing, fear of mastectomy and belief in herbal treatment were the leading reasons for delay. Women with higher risk of late presentation should be the target group during interventions aimed at raising breast cancer awareness. Reasons for patient delay should also be addressed.     

Immediate muscle flap coverage for repair of cardiac rupture associated with mediastinitis.

Sternal wound infection with mediastinitis is a dreaded complication of cardiac surgery. Even more devastating is perforation of the heart or great vessels secondary to advanced mediastinitis. The exsanguinating hemorrhage and presence of extensive infection usually lead to a poor salvage rate in these patients. Citations in the English literature of successful management of cardiac rupture associated with mediastinitis are, as expected, scare. Recently, the capability for immediate muscle flap coverage in the repair of associated rupture of the heart secondary to active mediastinal infection has been discussed in two reports. This article presents another report, in which bilateral pectoralis major muscle flaps were used successfully in salvage of a patient who sustained rupture of the right ventricle after debridement of an extensively purulent sternal wound and mediastinum.     

Costs and insurance coverage associated with permanent mechanical cardiac assist/replacement devices in the United States

Each year over 50,000 persons in the United States could potentially benefit from some form of permanent cardiac replacement or assistance. Approximately 7000 of these persons get on the waiting list for a transplant, and 2300 are transplanted. About 2000 patients are reportedly exposed to a mechanical cardiac assist device, most often as a bridge to transplant. The majority of persons who might benefit from cardiac replacement are never referred for treatment and, thus, the number of deaths on the waiting list is a misleading indicator of access to transplantation and overall patient mortality. The total economic burden associated with coronary artery disease and congestive heart failure now exceeds $140 billion each year, with approximately $700 million directly spent on heart transplant procedures alone. If a viable total artificial heart is devised to replace a failed heart, or a ventricular assist system to permanently assist a failing heart, direct aggregate expenditures alone are likely to be somewhere between $5.4 and $24.0 billion annually. Based on individual patient care costs, as well as aggregate national expenditures, insurers will be reluctant to pay for the permanent use of such devices, even though cost is reportedly not a consideration in coverage decisions. Today, medical benefits and added value are concepts that will shape the coverage determination process, as will increasingly liberal policies regarding payment for treatment costs in relationship to clinical trials. Nonetheless, resource allocation and rationing decisions loom large as strange "characters at play" on an international economic "stage," while being "directed" by worldwide health care needs.     

Patients with sexually transmitted diseases at the Alexandra Health Centre and University Clinic

The profile of patients with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) attending a sex health education programme at the Alexandra Health Centre and University Clinic for the period 1 August 1989 - 31 July 1990 is reported. During the study period 5.195 (10%) of the total of 51,858 patients seen in the adult outpatients department were referred to the sex health education unit with an STD. Data on 5,017 STD patients (97%) are available and also information on a further 505 contacts of STD patients. A practice profile on all patients attending the adult outpatients departments was also collected. Data for the month of August 1990 were analysed and stratified according to either a STD diagnosis or any other diagnosis. Groups were then compared according to age, socio-economic classification, numbers of sexual partners, presence of ulcers, etc.     

Asthma prevalence in 1973, 1988 and 2003

BACKGROUND: A study was undertaken to see whether the prevalence of asthma has changed since a survey was conducted in 1988, using the same methods that showed an increase during the previous 15 years. METHODS: A survey of 12 year old children was conducted in schools in South Wales where surveys had taken place in 1973 and 1988. The survey comprised a parentally completed questionnaire and an exercise challenge test, performed when no bronchodilator had been recently used. RESULTS: In 1973, 1988, and 2003, questionnaires were obtained for 817, 965 and 1148 children, respectively; the exercise test was performed by 812, 960 and 1019 children, respectively. The prevalence of reported wheeze in the last year rose during each 15 year period (9.8%, 15.2%, 19.7%), with an even steeper rise in reported asthma ever (5.5%, 12.0%, 27.3%). There was a continued increase in wheeze attributed to running, in terms of all children (5.8%, 10.5%, 16.0%) and also as the proportion of those with a history of wheeze (34.1%, 47.0%, 57.3%). The use of inhaled corticosteroids (not available in 1973) increased fourfold between 1988 and 2003. The prevalence of exercise induced bronchoconstriction rose between 1973 and 1988 but had declined by 2003. CONCLUSIONS: The rise in the prevalence of asthmatic symptoms has continued since 1988. This appears to conflict with a reported recent decline, unless asthma prevalence peaked in the 1990s. The decline in exercise induced bronchoconstriction is probably attributable to better control of the disease as more children are now using inhaled corticosteroids as preventive treatment.     

Developing a health information system for a primary health care centre in Alexandra, Johannesburg

The development of a health information system, which went through 6 overlapping phases, appropriate for a primary health care centre at the Alexandra Health Centre and University Clinic (AHC) is reviewed. The three essential concepts were data, information and indicators. The system at the AHC moved from unused data to unused information and to operational indicators. It also moved from a concern with data and information to one concerned with communication of information. The way a health information system evolves is, to a large extent, a reflection of the information needed by the group that is planning the system. In the AHC information needs were initially felt by senior management and attempts to involve other staff failed because of lack of timely feedback and a lack of management skills at all levels. In the process of trying to involve people and of getting to the correct type and amount of information, it became obvious that a health information system is complex and involves data as the major outputs, with people being the common thread of the system.     

Declining mortality in patients with acute renal failure, 1988 to 2002

Despite improvements in intensive care and dialysis, some experts have concluded that outcomes associated with acute renal failure (ARF) have not improved significantly over time. ARF was studied in hospitalized patients between 1988 and 2002 using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample, a nationally representative sample of discharges from acute-care, nonfederal hospitals. During a 15-yr period, 5,563,381 discharges with ARF and 598,768 with ARF that required dialysis (ARF-D) were identified. Between 1988 and 2002, the incidence of ARF rose from 61 to 288 per 100,000 population; the incidence of ARF-D increased from 4 to 27 per 100,000 population. Between 1988 and 2002, in-hospital mortality declined steadily in patients with ARF (40.4 to 20.3%; P < 0.001) and in those with ARF-D (41.3 to 28.1%; P < 0.001). Compared with 1988 to 1992, the multivariable-adjusted odds ratio (OR) of death was lower in 1993 to 1997 (ARF: OR 0.62, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.61 to 0.64; ARF-D: OR 0.63, 95% CI 0.59 to 0.66) and 1998 to 2002 (ARF: OR 0.40, 95% CI 0.39 to 0.41; ARF-D: OR 0.47, 95% CI 0.45 to 0.50). The percentage of patients who had ARF with a Deyo-Charlson comorbidity index of 3 or more increased from 16.4% in 1988 to 26.6% in 2002 (P < 0.001). This study provides evidence from an administrative database that the incidence of ARF and ARF-D is rising. Despite an increase in the degree of comorbidity, in-hospital mortality has declined.     

Knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about AIDS in township school students in Cape Town

Students (N = 377) from four Cape Town township high schools were surveyed to obtain information on their knowledge of and attitudes towards the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), and on their sexual behaviour. The study was undertaken to provide information for planning an AIDS education intervention. Three-quarters of students reported that they had had sexual intercourse. Most students had heard of AIDS, and the majority of these knew that it was infectious. More than half of the students were confused or lacked knowledge about the modes of transmission. Two-thirds of the students believed AIDS could be prevented, but knowledge of prevention strategies was superficial. Of the sexually active students only 11.4% had ever used a condom, and of all students 39.6% stated that they would use a condom in the future. Two-thirds of the students were not aware that there is no cure for AIDS. Students did not acknowledge that AIDS could affect them directly, and attributed the problem to prostitutes and 'promiscuous' people in 36.4% of responses, and to 'white' people in 23.8% of responses. Students expressed intolerance, fear and rejection of people with AIDS, and only 6.4% would accept an affected person into their class. Almost all the students wanted AIDS education at school, and most of these requested that the school nurse facilitate this education. It is concluded that appropriate AIDS prevention education is urgently required for both high school and junior school students.     

Child abuse in Alexandra. A clinic-based study and a community programme

During a 21-month period 140 cases of child abuse were seen at the Alexandra Health Centre and University Clinic. The most common form of abuse was sexual abuse (81.5%), followed by physical abuse (9.3%) and neglect (7.1%). Combined abuse was seen in 2.1% of cases. Age, sex, presentation and perpetrator are discussed and a community programme recommended.     

Clinical statistics on outpatients, inpatients and operations in 1988

Statistical studies were made on 1,766 outpatients, 657 inpatients and 687 operative procedures at our department in 1988. The most frequent diseases among the outpatients were urogenital infections followed by anomalies, tumors and stones. The major diseases among the inpatients were congenital urethral stenosis, hypospadias, vesicoureteral reflux, benign prostatic hypertrophy and bladder tumor. A total of 687 operations were performed. The five major operations were optic internal urethrotomy, hypospadias repair, transurethral resection of prostate, ureterocystoneostomy and transurethral resection of bladder tumor.     

Dialysis treatment in Australia, 1982 to 1988

The incidence of new dialysis-dependent patients in Australia increased rapidly from 1982, due mainly to acceptance for treatment of more elderly patients. In 1988, 21% of patients beginning dialysis were 65 to 74 years old, and a further 26% were 55 to 64 years. Consequently, the prevalence of dialysis-dependent patients increased considerably during the same period, particularly in the age range 55 to 74 years. Diabetes-induced renal failure accounted for a constant low proportion of new patients, approximately 10%, which contrasted with the experience in some other countries. Hemodialysis (HD) was the more common method of treatment compared with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) in 1988 (70% v 30%, respectively). Home dialysis treatment, HD or CAPD, supported 50% of all dialysis-dependent patients. Patient survival at 1, 2, and 5 years after initiating treatment was 89%, 78%, and 48%, respectively. Age and method of dialysis significantly influenced survival; the elderly and diabetic had a lower expectation of survival. The difference in survival of HD compared with CAPD increased with the duration of treatment, reaching 20% at 5 years (5-year survival, 59% HD; 39% CAPD). There was no evidence of increasing mortality among patients beginning treatment recently. Withdrawal from treatment represented 16% of deaths during 1988; 19% of the deaths were in the age group 65 to 74 years. The influence of the morbidity and mortality of dialysis on provision of such treatment for end-stage renal failure in the elderly population warrants an objective review of both the benefits to the individual and the availability of health care to the whole society.