South African medical journal = Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir geneeskunde
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The South African Constitution provides that children have the right to healthcare, as well as all other rights. Furthermore, in all matters affecting them, their best interests must be 'of paramount importance'. ⋯ It can be argued instead that the burden has shifted to the parents to apply to court for an order to overrule the decision of doctors, by proving to the court that alternative choices are available. Guidance is given for situations, particularly in the public sector, where alternative choices are not available.
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The intersection of violence exposure and mental health problems is a public health crisis for South African (SA) adolescents. Understanding the impact of community violence on adolescent mental health can inform future interventions. ⋯ This cross-sectional study sheds new light on the possible pathways from witnessing community violence to mental health problems among SA adolescents. Identifying factors that drive and mitigate psychological distress in the context of persistent community violence is critical to SA's future and can inform the selection and delivery of appropriate and targeted evidence-based interventions.
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Multicenter Study
Point-of-care CD4+ technology implementation in Free State, South Africa, was associated with improved patient health outcomes.
Point-of-care (POC) CD4+ technologies have the potential to increase patient access to treatment and care through rapid testing and result delivery at or close to where patients seek care. South African (SA) guidelines suggest the use of CD4+ testing to prioritise patients most in need of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and to support identification of patients with advanced HIV disease and opportunistic management of patients on ART. Understanding the patient impact of implementing POC CD4+ testing in the intended setting and operated by lower cadres of healthcare worker or non-professional healthcare facility staff will provide valuable insight into the appropriate use and placement of POC CD4+ technologies throughout SA. ⋯ Introduction of the Alere Pima POC CD4+ technology in the Free State, operated by nurses and lay counsellors, was associated with positive patient outcomes across all parameters analysed. While this study highlighted an effective conventional laboratory network, a full costing and affordability analysis coupled with patient impact and access data from this study will provide further insight into the potential deployment strategies of POC CD4+ technologies in SA.
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South Africa (SA) has one of the lowest deceased organ donor rates in the world (1.4 donors per million population), with thousands of patients awaiting solid-organ transplantation. In order to improve access to transplantation we have to clearly define the reasons for the low deceased donation rate, specific to the population we serve. ⋯ Donor referral patterns have changed over time, with a notable increase in medical and extended criteria donors. Despite the increase in possible and eligible donors, the consent rate has declined. Further qualitative and quantitative research studies are required to understand and address this trend.