Browsing by Author "De Villiers, P. J. T."

Now showing 1 - 6 of 6
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    The development of passive health surveillance by a sentinel network of family practitioners in South Africa
    (Health & Medical Publishing Group, 1998) De Villiers, P. J. T.; Geffen, L. N.
    Objective. For the South African Sentinel Practitioner Research Network (SASPREN), a volunteer network of family practitioners in South Africa, to develop a health surveillance system through the surveillance of important health events. Motivation. The incidence of important preventable diseases and the burden of disease are not reliably known in South Africa, both in the public and private sector. Incidence rates determined at primary care level could help with planning and delivery of appropriate health services and monitoring of the impact of intervention programmes. Methods. Altogether 183 sentinel practitioners were recruited in nine provinces, from 2478 doctors invited to participate. Of these 120 were active in reporting all their new cases of 13 selected health events to the study centre on mailed postcards. After data-capturing, incidence rates were calculated for defined periods. Feedback was given to the sentinels through a newsletter and personalised reports. Results. A network of sentinel family practitioners has been established in South Africa, and can provide incidence rates for both diseases and interventions through a simple and cheap surveillance system. The calculated rates demonstrated periodic trends for certain events, as well as inter-provincial, -gender and -population group differences. Conclusions. As the validity of the dataset and its generalisation to the whole population is uncertain, its usefulness as point estimates of incidence rates is unknown. This information serves as an important pointer for further research. The trends of these rates may provide a valuable tool for monitoring the impact of public health policies.
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    An experience with misoprostol for the introduction of first trimester abortions in a secondary hospital in South Africa
    (Medpharm Publications, 2000) Fuchs, J.; De Klerk, H.; De Villiers, P. J. T.; Atzl, C.
    Background: Misoprostol is a prostaglandin analogue with uterotonic properties. Administered orally or vaginally, it is an effective agent for induction of first trimester abortions. Aim: To establish the effectivenes and complications arising within the first week following the administration of Misoprostol for termination of pregnancy (TOP) in the first trimester of pregnancy. Setting: A regional hospital in the Helderberg basin of the greater Cape Town area, serving both as district and secondary hospital. Methods: Prospective descriptive study of patients using Misoprostol as induction agent in the first trimester of pregnancy. Success rate, side effects and complications were monitored over three visits, up until one week after termination Results: 105 patients were enrolled into the study. Following the intake of Misoprostol, 70% reported a successful induction within 48 hours. The evacuation of the uterus was found to be uncomplicated in 64% of these patients. g% received a repeat dose of Misoprostol,3% required a third medical induction. In 1 patient with an unsuccessful induction, an ectopic pregnancy was diagnosed. In 4 women the uterus had been surgically perforated, without need for further surgery. Conclusion: The use of Misoprostol for the induction of termination of pregnancy in the first trimester proved to be effective and acceptably safe.
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    Missed opportunities for anti-smoking education at community health centres in the Cape Metropolitan Area
    (Medical & Pharmaceutical Publications( Pty )Ltd -- Medpharm Publications (Pty) Ltd, 2000) Pather, M. K.; De Villiers, P. J. T.; Barnes, J.
    Objectives: To determine the extent of missed opportunities regarding antismoking education for people l5 years and older, who attend Community Health Centres (CHC) in the CapeTown Metropolitan Area for reasons unrelated to smoking cessation. Methods: A Descriptive Cross- sectional Survey was conducted using 6 randomly selected CHC. A sample of 1358 patients was selected of whom 850 were smokers.
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    Prevalence and characteristics of erectile dysfunction in black and mixed race primary care populations of the Cape Flats and Helderberg Basin area of the Western Cape, South Africa
    (AOSIS, 2003) De Klerk, H.; De Villiers, P. J. T.; Isaacs, S.
    There is a growing awareness amongst primary care workers that male erectile dysfunction (ED) may be important in Black and Mixed Race South African populations. Both groups have a high incidence of hypertension. heart disease, diabetes mellitus and mental diseases and many of these diseases are associated with ED either directly or as a consequence of their treatment. The effect of ED on the patient is frequently not only embarrassing but also debilitating as far as mental health is concerned. The development of treatment guidelines and new modes of treatment, e.g. safe and effective drugs such as sildenafil intra-cavernous and intra-urethral alprostadil and other methods of treatment have become commonplace in the management of ED, offering new hope to a large percentage of affected men.
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    Rural medicine : a specialty in its own right?
    (Health & Medical Publishing Group, 1992) De Villiers, P. J. T.; Erasmus, R. J. E.; Jaques, P. H.
    In the rural areas, where more than 50% of the South African population still lives, there is a severe shortage of adequately trained medical personnel.
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    Theatre and emergency services rendered by generalist medical practitioners in district hospitals in the Western Cape
    (AOSIS, 2003) De Villiers, M. R.; De Villiers, P. J. T.
    District hospitals play an important role in the rendering comprehensive health services to communities. The district hospital is an integral part of the district health system providing not only level-one hospital services but also outreach and support to primary health care services. District hospitals are staffed by generalist medical practitioners who are required to perform a wide range of clinical duties and procedures. A situation analysis to identify the range of duties performed by medical practitioners in rendering emergency and theatre services at the district hospital in the Western Cape was conducted in 2001. Data was collected from the casualty register, theatre register, routine monthly report, a medical officer questionnaire and a questionnaire collecting general information about all the district hospitals in the Western Cape Province.