E.A.M. Prinsloo

High school students' attitudes, practices and knowledge of contraception in Jozini, KwaZulu-Natal

Abstract This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes and practices of contraception and sexual awareness amongst high school pupils in rural KwaZulu-Natal. Two hundred males and 200 females from five high schools in the Jozini district completed confidential, self-administered questionnaires in isiZulu. Almost two-thirds (61%) of the males and only 34.5% of the females indicated that they had girlfriends or boyfriends. Many more males (61.6%) than females (27.8%) indicated that they had engaged in sexual intercourse. The average age of first sexual intercourse was 15.4 years for the males and 16.4 years for the females. The most common contraceptive used among the males was a condom (81.4%) and among females it was the injection (65.4%). There was a high rate of unprotected sexual activity among the respondents, with 75.2% of the males and 61.5% of the females indicating that they had had sex without contraception. Most respondents received contraceptive information from the media. The preferred source of information was a doctor (45% male, 36.5% female). Only 29.1% of the males and 26.4% of the females indicated that their parents had discussed contraception with them. The high level of sexual activity and low contraceptive use put these adolescents at risk of pregnancy and STD infections. This study indicates that adolescents want to receive information on sexuality and contraception from their doctors.

Is pregnancy termination being used as a family planning method in the Free State

Abstract Background: This study determined the profile of women seeking termination of pregnancy (TOP) in the Free State and whether TOP was used as a family planning method. Methods: Seven hundred and fifty women (15–47 years old) seeking TOP at the Reproductive Health Unit of the National Hospital in Bloemfontein were included in this cross-sectional study. The women who gave verbal consent completed a questionnaire during counselling. Results: The median age of the participants was 24 years and 77.3% were single. Most participants (73.3%) were not using any family planning method at the time of the study. One-fifth (19.1%) had previously had at least one TOP, while for 80.9% of the participants it was their first visit. Some participants (16.6%) considered TOP a family planning method, 39.7% were unsure and 43.7% indicated that TOP is not a family planning method. Thirty-nine women failed to answer this question. When asked the reason for TOP, 3.5% chose the option “contraceptive method”. Conclusions: The relatively high percentage of participants who consider TOP a contraceptive method or are unsure, associated with the fact that most were young, single, not using contraception and had applied for induced abortion just because the conception represented an unwanted pregnancy, implies that some of our population is not aware that termination of pregnancy is not a family planning method.

Injuries in children and adolescents seen during 2006 at the emergency department of the National District Hospital, Bloemfontein

Abstract Background: Most children and adolescents recover fully from injuries. However, permanent disabilities may occur. The objective of the study was to investigate the prevalence and profile of injuries in children and adolescents five to 19 years of age seen at the emergency department of the National District Hospital in Bloemfontein. Methods: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted. Demographic and injury-specific information obtained from hospital records of 2006 was entered into a data-capturing form. Data were analysed by using descriptive statistics. Results: The prevalence of injuries in this age group was 20.3%. Two hundred and nine records were investigated. The majority of cases were male (68.3%). The median age was 15 years, and 43.5% of injuries occurred in the age group 15 to 19 years. Approximately half (51.7%) were Afrikaans-speaking and resided in suburban areas (50%). Most injuries occurred at home (40.2%) between 12h00 and 17h00 (38.7%). Falls (33.7%) were the most common cause of injury. Soft tissue injuries (35.9%) occurred most commonly, fol lowed by lacerations (33.0%) and fractures (16.7%). Upper limb injuries (42.1%) were seen more than lower limb injuries (27.8%). Facial injuries occurred in 12% of cases. X-rays were performed in 57.9% of cases. Most patients (93.3%) received medication, while 22% were referred for specialist treatment. All cases except one were discharged from the emergency department. Parents accompanied patients in 65.6% of cases. Conclusions: Optimal treatment should be given to the injured child or adolescent to avoid possible long-term injury-related sequelae. Preventive strategies should be formulated, enforced and evaluated.

Use of traditional medicine versus use of the community-based primary health care clinic by the San community at Platfontein

Abstract Introduction: Working amongst a San community led to the observation that, despite the availability of modern healthcare, high mortality and morbidity associated with disease, such as dehydration, malnutrition and tuberculosis, still prevailed. This study aimed to determine how traditional beliefs and customs influenced the utilisation of Western medicine. Methods: An observational-descriptive study was conducted. Consenting patients, facilitated by interpreters, completed questionnaires during consultations conducted by nurses and the principal investigator at the Platfontein primary health care (PHC) clinic. Results: Of the 113 participants, two-thirds were female. The median age was 40 years; 56.7% lacked formal education; 42.5% conversed only in their native tongue. The initial use of the PHC facility was high (71.4%), even though 37% of the participants visited a traditional healer in the preceding year. Circumcision was the condition for which traditional healers were consulted most commonly (28.8%). Conditions preferably requiring clinic visitation were coughing (51.4%), pain (35.1%) and diarrhoea (34.2%). Of the participants leading mostly a traditional lifestyle (n = 48), 30.6 % indicated that they did not use traditional medicine or healers; 72.9% indicated that illness could be caused by a spell. Of the participants not leading a traditional lifestyle (n = 41), 85.4% indicated that they did not use traditional medicine; 41.4% indicated that illness could be caused by a spell. Conclusion: The assumption that the mortality and morbidity observed for certain conditions were due to the preference for traditional medicine in this community could not be confirmed. Doctors working amongst isolated communities or in multicultural environments, however, should recognise that traditional medicine still plays a role in the health care of their patients.

Knowledge of sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS symptoms of women receiving termination of pregnancy, Bloemfontein

In 2002, we conducted a cross-sectional study to determine the profile of women seeking termination of pregnancy (TOP) in the Free State and to find out whether TOP was being used as a family planning method. The participants’ contraceptive use and termination of pregnancy profile have been described elsewhere. This letter describes the knowledge of STD and HIV/AIDS symptoms of women seeking TOP.

Blood pressure control in a general practice

Extracted from text ... SA Fam Pract 2005;47(7) 45 Scientific Letter Blood pressure control in a general practice To the Editor: The main aim of the prevention and treatment of hypertension is to prevent or minimise target organ disease, and thus decrease morbidity and mortality. In the latest version of the consensus document of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC VII, May 2003)1, normal hypertension is defined as systolic blood pressure less than 120 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure less than 80 mmHg. Pre-hypertension is systolic pressure of 120-139 mmHg and/or diastolic pressure of ..