African Journal of Emergency Medicine最新文献

{"title":"Psychoactive substance use among psychiatric in-patients presenting to the Emergency Centre of a district hospital in Cape Town, South Africa. A retrospective descriptive study","authors":"Nardus Droomer,&nbsp;Paul Xafis,&nbsp;Philip Cloete","doi":"10.1016/j.afjem.2025.02.006","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.afjem.2025.02.006","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Mental illness and substance use are major global challenges, with their impact on Emergency Centres becoming evident, especially in South Africa. Patients facing these issues require significant resources from both hospital and community services. However, there is a lack of local data regarding the prevalence of concurrent mental health and substance use disorders. This study aims to evaluate the extent of psychoactive substance use within the psychiatric population at a District Hospital in Cape Town, South Africa.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This study is a single-centre, retrospective descriptive analysis. It includes all patients referred to the inpatient psychiatric service over six months, recorded in an electronic database. Data were statistically analysed, considering the following variables: urine drug test results to identify specific substance (s) used, sex, age, diagnosis, and repeat visits.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A total of 597 patient visits were analysed. Fifty-nine percent tested positive for at least one substance. The patients’ average age was 34 years. A greater percentage of visits were for males (58 %), with males exhibiting a higher rate of positive test results (64 %) than females (51 %). Among the 146 repeat visits, a significant association was found between the number of visits and positive test results, with 73 % of patients with ≥2 repeat visits testing positive for substances (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.001). Cannabis (60 %), methamphetamines (47 %), benzodiazepines (26 %), opioids (7 %), and cocaine (1 %) were the substances most frequently reported.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Emergency Centres in South Africa are impacted by individuals seeking mental health care, and substance use significantly exacerbates these challenges. Substance use creates serious physical, mental, and social implications for patients. As emergency care practitioners and members of the broader healthcare system, we play vital roles in addressing these issues. This study provides valuable insights into the complexities of the situation and suggests potential approaches for intervention.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48515,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Emergency Medicine","volume":"15 2","pages":"Pages 577-583"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143687700","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Vehicle extrication in road traffic crashes: a descriptive analysis of an advanced medical rescue service in South Africa","authors":"Naseef Abdullah ,&nbsp;Jaydon Rose ,&nbsp;Egnall Brown ,&nbsp;Heike Geduld","doi":"10.1016/j.afjem.2025.04.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.afjem.2025.04.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Road Traffic Crashes (RTCs) represent a significant global health challenge, with a disproportionate burden on low- and middle-income countries. Vehicle extrication is a critical Emergency Medical Service (EMS) intervention enabling early assessment and treatment of entrapped patients but remains understudied in resource-limited settings despite its potential impact on patient outcomes. This study describes the RTC extrication burden managed by a public sector EMS in the Western Cape, South Africa.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We conducted a retrospective review of Computer-Aided-Dispatch (CAD) and a paper-based rescue case record data related to the extrication practises of 97 Advanced Medical Rescuers stationed across 25 rescue stations throughout the Western Cape of South Africa. Standard descriptive statistical procedures were applied to all variables.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Of 2,587,979 EMS activations during the study period, 23,899 (0.9 %) required specialised medical rescue activations, and 11,699 (0.5 %) were for transport-related emergencies. Of these, 719 (6.1 %) cases necessitated vehicle extrication. Light motor vehicles accounted for most extrications (78.2 %, <em>n</em> = 562), while heavy motor vehicles showed higher proportional extrication rates (127.5 vs. 75.8 extrications per 1,000 RTCs). Peak rescue activations occurred between 08h00 and 20h00 (11.9 %, <em>n</em> = 1,388). The predominant extrication techniques were vehicle stabilisation (24.9 %, <em>n</em> = 501), third-door conversion (23.9 %, <em>n</em> = 482 ), and dashboard lift (13.9 %, <em>n</em> = 282). Most patients (83.1 %, <em>n</em> = 24,588) presented with routine (green) or non-urgent (yellow) acuity, though rural areas exhibited a higher proportion of high-acuity cases</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This first comprehensive analysis of the RTC extrication burden in a South African province reveals significant spatial and temporal variations in rescue needs and techniques. Our findings provide valuable extrication-related data to inform targeted training programs, standardised extrication protocols, and strategic resource allocation to enhance EMS capabilities in resource-limited settings. These insights provide a foundation for workforce planning and specialised training to improve outcomes for entrapped RTC patients in similar contexts.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48515,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Emergency Medicine","volume":"15 2","pages":"Pages 621-627"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143912895","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Knowledge, attitude, practice, and associated factors of physicians towards cardiopulmonary resuscitation at a tertiary hospital in Ethiopia","authors":"Natan Mulubrhan Alemseged ,&nbsp;Gobena Tesfaye ,&nbsp;Abera Admas","doi":"10.1016/j.afjem.2025.04.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.afjem.2025.04.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is performed on victims of cardiac arrest. It is important for health professionals to successfully perform these lifesaving skills. This study aimed to assess the CPR knowledge, attitude, practice, and associated factors of physicians working at Hiwot Fana Comprehensive Specialized Hospital Eastern Ethiopia.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>An institutional-based cross-sectional study was implemented. A stratified random sampling technique was used. A self-administered questionnaire and a manikin was used to assess CPR skills. The results are presented in the text, tables, and graphs. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with levels of competency. The adjusted odds ratio with the corresponding 95 % confidence interval was calculated to show the strength of the association.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>This study revealed that 63.7 % [95 % CI 57 % -71 %] of the physicians had good knowledge, and their overall competency in CPR was found to be 63 % [95 % CI 54 % - 72 %]. They have a positive attitude regarding the importance of CPR and a willingness to provide CPR. Physicians who took resuscitation training (adjusted odds ratio 11.8 [4.29–32.42]) and a specialist (adjusted odds ratio 7.99 [1.87–34.27]) were more competent than their counterparts.</div></div><div><h3>Discussion</h3><div>The results demonstrate suboptimal CPR competency among physicians’ representatives at a tertiary hospital in Eastern Ethiopia. Taking CPR training and being a specialist were found to have an effect on being competent in CPR. Participants reported positive attitudes toward doing CPR. A system of regular, updated refresher training for physicians should be implemented to maintain CPR competencies. Hospitals should also be equipped with materials and drugs needed for CPR.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48515,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Emergency Medicine","volume":"15 2","pages":"Pages 607-612"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143892374","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Global health research abstracts: January ‘25","authors":"Jonathan Kajjimu","doi":"10.1016/j.afjem.2025.02.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.afjem.2025.02.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The African Journal of Emergency Medicine, in partnership with several other regional emergency medicine journals, publishes abstracts from each respective journal. Abstracts are not necessarily linked to open access papers however, all abstracts are accessible without subscription.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48515,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Emergency Medicine","volume":"15 2","pages":"Pages 592-594"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143815725","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Global health research abstracts: February ‘24","authors":"Dr. Jonathan Kajjimu","doi":"10.1016/j.afjem.2024.10.234","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.afjem.2024.10.234","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The African Journal of Emergency Medicine, in partnership with several other regional emergency medicine journals, publishes abstracts from each respective journal. Abstracts are not necessarily linked to open access papers however, all abstracts are accessible without subscription.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48515,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Emergency Medicine","volume":"15 1","pages":"Pages 548-549"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11783391/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143081305","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Global health research abstracts: August ‘24","authors":"Dr. Jonathan Kajjimu","doi":"10.1016/j.afjem.2024.10.227","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.afjem.2024.10.227","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The African Journal of Emergency Medicine, in partnership with several other regional emergency medicine journals, publishes abstracts from each respective journal. Abstracts are not necessarily linked to open access papers however, all abstracts are accessible without subscription.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48515,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Emergency Medicine","volume":"15 1","pages":"Pages 558-560"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11783437/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143081304","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Global health research abstracts: December ‘24","authors":"Jonathan Kajjimu","doi":"10.1016/j.afjem.2024.10.228","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.afjem.2024.10.228","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The African Journal of Emergency Medicine, in partnership with several other regional emergency medicine journals, publishes abstracts from each respective journal. Abstracts are not necessarily linked to open access papers however, all abstracts are accessible without subscription.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48515,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Emergency Medicine","volume":"15 1","pages":"Pages 537-538"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11770515/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143053915","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Empowering emergency nursing in Africa through research","authors":"Petra Brysiewicz","doi":"10.1016/j.afjem.2025.01.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.afjem.2025.01.002","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":48515,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Emergency Medicine","volume":"15 1","pages":"Pages 563-564"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11787576/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143081083","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Global Health research abstracts: Jul ‘24","authors":"Jonathan Kajjimu","doi":"10.1016/j.afjem.2024.10.232","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.afjem.2024.10.232","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The African Journal of Emergency Medicine, in partnership with several other regional emergency medicine journals, publishes abstracts from each respective journal. Abstracts are not necessarily linked to open access papers however, all abstracts are accessible without subscription.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48515,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Emergency Medicine","volume":"15 1","pages":"Pages 543-544"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11783455/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143081309","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Global Health research abstracts: March ‘24","authors":"Jonathan Kajjimu","doi":"10.1016/j.afjem.2024.10.223","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.afjem.2024.10.223","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The African Journal of Emergency Medicine, in partnership with several other regional emergency medicine journals, publishes abstracts from each respective journal. Abstracts are not necessarily linked to open access papers however, all abstracts are accessible without subscription.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48515,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Emergency Medicine","volume":"15 1","pages":"Pages 550-552"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11783396/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143081337","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}