International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology

International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology ISSN 2326-7291 Vol. 8 (2), pp. 001-007, February, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Quality of general practitioner referral letters to a South African tertiary hospital: Determinants of quality content and good practice

Mabuza Langalibalele¹*, Maduna Patrick M. H², Mhlongo Samuel W. P¹, Ndimande John V¹ and Longo-Mbenza Benjamin³

¹Department of Family Medicine and Primary Health Care, University of Limpopo (Medunsa Campus), South Africa.

²Gauteng Department of Health, South Africa.

³Faculty of Health Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha, South Africa.

Accepted 12 January, 2019

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to describe the essential elements of information, to assess the quality of content, to audit the referral practice and to identify the determinants of both good referral and practice from the general practitioners’ referral letters received at a tertiary hospital. A cross-sectional descriptive and evaluative study was conducted at the Outpatient Department of the Dr. George Mukhari Hospital in Pretoria. A sample of 303 general practitioner (GP) referral letters was collected from 25 May to 25 June 2004. Univariate (chi-square test) and multivariate (logistic regression model) identified potential and independent determinants of Good referral and Good practice, respectively. The reason for the referral was reflected in 267 (88%) of the letters. 186 (61.3%) of the referral letters were entirely legible. Proportions of optimal referral letter and good practice were 24.9 (n=77) and 6.5% (n=20), respectively. Presence of past medical history (OR=4.2 95% CI 1.9 – 9.2; P<0.001), systemic examination (OR=13 95% CI 5.8-29.2; P<0.0001), involved system (OR=7 95% CI 3.2- 15.3; P<0.0001) and differential diagnosis (OR=11.7 95% CI 3.6 – 38.5; P<0.001) were the independent determinants of Good referral. Systemic examination (OR=4.8 95% CI 1.9 – 12.3; P<0.001) and side-room tests (OR=4.1 95% CI 1.2 – 14.6; P= 0.008) were the independent determinants of Good practice. There is an urgent need for improvement in the deficient areas to optimise patient care in Pretoria Region.

Key words: General practitioners. Dr George Mukhari Hospital, referral letters, quality, legibility.

International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology ISSN 2326-7291 Vol. 8 (2), pp. 001-004, February, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Short  Communication

Education, poor antenatal care coverage and teenage pregnancy at Kassala Hospital, Eastern Sudan

Abdel Aziem A. Ali¹*, Abdalla A. Mohammed¹ and Mohammed A. Sulaiman²

¹Faculty of Medicine, Kassala University, Kassala, Sudan

²Faculty of Economics and administrative science Kassala University, Kassala, Sudan.

Accepted 03 December, 2018

Abstract

The present study was conducted at Kassala hospital in eastern Sudan over six month’s duration (April to October, 2009) to determine antenatal care coverage, risk of anemia, obstructed labor, preterm birth and low birth weight among teenage primiparous women (<20 years) with singleton deliveries compared with the similar group of women aged 20 to 35 years. All primiparous women who delivered single babies were invited to participate in the study. Among 2115 primiparous deliveries, there were 321 teenagers (152 per 1000 deliveries). In comparison with older women, teenagers received poor antenatal care, were more likely to lack secondary education, at risk of preterm delivery and to develop obstructed labor (P value = 0.00, 0.00, 0.03 and 0.00 respectively). Health education and concept of contraception might reduce this high incidence of early motherhood and its consequences.

Key words: Education, antenatal care, pregnancy, teenage, Sudan.

International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology ISSN 2326-7291 Vol. 8 (2), pp. 001-010, February, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Are Muslim women behind in their knowledge and use of contraception in India?

Suresh Sharma*and Atika Pasha

Institute of Economic Growth, Delhi, India.

Accepted 03 January, 2019

Abstract

This paper uses District Level House Survey (DLHS) and National Family Health Survey (NFHS) data to investigate the use and knowledge of contraceptive methods within two religious communities in India, Muslim and Hindu. The obligations and tenets of their religion require Muslim women to defer from using any contraceptive method. Such commitments to one’s faith may turn out to be a deterrent in the use of contraception by this community. Given the data for Hindu and Muslims, it was found that the use and knowledge of traditional methods was significantly higher within Muslim women compared to Hindu Women. Consequently, traditional use also showed a higher prevalence among Muslims. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the factors affecting use of traditional methods. The results showed that education significantly contributed to the use of traditional contraception in India. Age, rural residence, and wanting another child were significant in the socioeconomic factors examined. The results also suggest that education does not affect traditional method use among women contraception when controlling for other factors.

Key words: Muslim women, contraceptive usage, traditional methods, trends.

International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology ISSN 2326-7291 Vol. 8 (2), pp. 001-006, February, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

The European union micro-projects program in water and sanitation and reduction in the incidence of some diseases in the rural communities of Imo State

Edmund E. Nkwocha¹* and Ralph O. Egejuru²

¹Department of Environmental Technology, Federal University of Technology, PMB 1526, Owerri, Imo State Nigeria.

²Pathology Unit, Federal Medical Center, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.

Accepted 03 January, 2019

Abstract

Many studies in the rural communities in Imo State have revealed that the levels of water and sanitation services are generally unsatisfactory. This has led to high prevalence of many diseases associated with water scarcity and poor hygiene. This study examined the role of the European Union Micro -Projects Program in water and sanitation in the reduction of the incidence of some of these diseases in the rural areas of Imo State. 540 subjects were randomly selected and interviewed in 15 rural communities that benefited from water and sanitation projects between 2003 and 2007. Impacts were evaluated in the areas of water supply and sanitation in terms of quality, quantity, incidence of diseases and their rate of reduction among the local population. Results showed considerable improvements in the quantity of water supply (62%), sanitation (52%), as well as reduction in the incidence of diseases (40%). The success recorded in this externally funded program resulted from many factors, of which the most important is the adoption of the participatory development model by the donor agency in project execution.

Key words: Diseases, donor agency, micro-projects, participation, sanitation, water.