South African Journal of Psychiatry最新文献

{"title":"Neurological and neuropsychiatric manifestations in hospitalised patients with COVID-19","authors":"Gondah Lekpeh, Muneeb Salie, Leigh L. Van den Heuvel, Soraya Seedat","doi":"10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v29i0.2112","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v29i0.2112","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Although literature globally indicates varied neurological and/or neuropsychiatric manifestations (NNM) and complications associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), information about NNM in infected hospitalised patients on the African continent remains limited.Aim: To describe the presentation of NNM and compare patients with and without NNM considering demographic and clinical profiles, treatment, and outcomes.Setting: Tygerberg Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa.Methods: Retrospective medical record review of the first 100 consecutively admitted COVID-19 patients (64 females, mean age 47.6 years) between March and June 2020.Results: Of the 98 patients included in the analysis, 56.1% had at least one NNM. The most common NNM were myalgia (32.7%), headache (21.4%), loss of smell and/or taste (15.3%), and delirium (10.2%). Patients with and without NNM did not differ with respect to demographic characteristics. Patients with NNM had significantly more constitutional symptoms (p = 0.017) and were more likely to have neurological and/or neuropsychiatric comorbid conditions (10.9% vs. 0.0%, p = 0.033) than those without NNM. Patients without documented NNM were more likely to have abnormalities on chest X-ray (p = 0.009) than those with NNM. Coronavirus disease 2019 related treatment and mortality did not differ between the groups.Conclusion: Neurological and/or neuropsychiatric manifestations were common in hospitalised patients with COVID-19. The results suggest that while COVID-19 patients with NNM may have less of a respiratory phenotype they nonetheless have equivalent mortality rates.Contribution: This study highlights the common NNM in patients with COVID-19 admitted to Tygerberg Hospital early in the pandemic and adds to the growing evidence of COVID-19 NNM.","PeriodicalId":51156,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Psychiatry","volume":"122 12","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136351879","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":"Attitudes of medical students regarding legalisation of cannabis and cannabis-education","authors":"Evan Eiselen, Kalaivani Naidu, Maryn Viljoen","doi":"10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v29i0.1948","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v29i0.1948","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Recreational and medicinal use of cannabis is topical in the light of more permissive legislation regarding the substance worldwide.Aim: The primary purpose of this study is to determine the attitudes that final-year medical students at the University of Pretoria (UP) hold about recreational and medicinal use of cannabis, as well as determining if they feel they are being adequately trained in this regard.Setting: The research was conducted at Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital, affiliated with the UP.Methods: The study follows a cross-sectional, comparative, quantitative design. Data were collected by means of a structured questionnaire. Final-year medical students were identified as participants via a convenience sampling technique. Participation was voluntary and anonymous.Results: A total of 57 valid responses were recorded. The study shows that most medical students had permissive views about cannabis and that the majority feel that they are not being adequately trained to advise patients about medical cannabis in a lecture setting (64.9%, n = 37) or clinical setting (68.4%, n = 38). Results also show that previous personal experience with cannabis led to more permissive views.Conclusion: This study illustrates the need for academic research regarding medicinal cannabis but interestingly shows that medical students want more guidance from their training institution about the topic.Contribution: This research shows that the conversation surrounding cannabis in medicine is continuous and universities should make a conscious effort to familiarise students with the topic.","PeriodicalId":51156,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Psychiatry","volume":"1 3","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135541932","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, attitudes, and help-seeking behaviour for mental illness in a Christian community","authors":"Nomthandazo Hlongwane, Vidette Juby","doi":"10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v29i0.2139","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v29i0.2139","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Christian beliefs have a role in conceptualising mental illness, which determines help-seeking behaviour and treatment choices. The topic of mental illness is controversial in many Christian circles and is often avoided because of the beliefs and teachings stemming from the Christian faith. Inadequate and inaccurate knowledge about mental illness and its causes negatively impacts the attitudes towards mental illness, the mentally ill, and ultimately help-seeking behaviour.Aim: This study aimed to explore knowledge, attitudes, and help-seeking behaviour for mental illness in a Christian community.Setting: A descriptive, quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted, comprising 300 congregants from a Pentecostal Christian charismatic church – Assemblies of God in KwaZulu-Natal.Methods: A socio-demographic tool was used to capture the relevant social, demographic, and religious information. Existing self-administered questionnaires were used to collect information in four areas: Mental Health Knowledge Schedule, the Reported and Intended Behaviour Scale, Community Attitudes Towards Mentally Ill scale and the Dimensions of Religiosity Scale to determine the degree of religiosity.Results: The population studied demonstrates high levels of mental health knowledge and a tolerant attitude towards persons who have mental illness. There is a high preference for professional treatment.Conclusion: The high knowledge in this Christian community is associated with a reduction in stigma and a positive attitude towards mental illness. If mental health awareness is encouraged, it helps to encourage positive help-seeking practices tolerance, and treatment outcomes.Contribution: This study highlights levels of knowledge and its influence on help-seeking practices and stigma in a Christian community.","PeriodicalId":51156,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Psychiatry","volume":"207 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135475825","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":"Ten game-changers in mental health for South Africa","authors":"Dan J. Stein, Gustaaf G. Wolvaardt, Nompumelelo Zungu, Olive Shisana","doi":"10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v29i0.2180","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v29i0.2180","url":null,"abstract":"No abstract available.","PeriodicalId":51156,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Psychiatry","volume":"42 4 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135635944","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, confidence, and practices of clinical associates in the management of mental illness.","authors":"Saiendhra V Moodley,&nbsp;Jacqueline Wolvaardt,&nbsp;Christoffel Grobler","doi":"10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v29i0.2074","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v29i0.2074","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Additional human resources are needed to provide mental health services in underserved areas in South Africa (SA). Clinical associates, the mid-level medical worker cadre in SA, could potentially be used to deliver these services.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>The study explored the self-reported knowledge, confidence, and current practices of clinical associates related to mental health assessment and management.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong>South Africa.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional study was conducted. The link to the electronic questionnaire was distributed to clinical associates via databases and social media. Data were analysed with Stata v17.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of the 209 participants, 205 (98.1%) indicated they had training on management of patients with mental illness during their undergraduate degree and 192 (91.9%) had a mental health rotation. Few (10.7%) had any additional mental health training. Most participants rated their knowledge of priority mental disorders as 'good' or 'excellent'. Only 43.2% of the participants felt quite or very confident to perform a mental health examination. Participants who felt quite or very confident to manage patients presenting with suicide risk, aggression, and confusion were 44.9%, 46.9% and 53.1%, respectively. Factors associated with a confidence score of 75% and higher were male gendered, working in Gauteng or Northern Cape provinces, and in a rural area. The majority of participants were already involved in mental health assessment and management in their current work.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Clinical associates have a contribution to make in mental health service provision, but this may need to be supplemented by additional practical training.</p><p><strong>Contribution: </strong>Potential gaps in training have been identified.</p>","PeriodicalId":51156,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Psychiatry","volume":"29 ","pages":"2074"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10623624/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"71488643","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":"Acknowledgement to reviewers","authors":"Editoial Office","doi":"10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v29i0.2201","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v29i0.2201","url":null,"abstract":"No abstract available.","PeriodicalId":51156,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Psychiatry","volume":"12 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135113281","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":"Post-traumatic stress symptoms in mental healthcare workers during the COVID-19 outbreak.","authors":"Allison K Human,&nbsp;Nadira Vahed,&nbsp;Belinda Marais","doi":"10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v29i0.2098","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v29i0.2098","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>In the context of disease outbreaks, healthcare workers are exposed to multiple physical and psychological stressors, which may result in severe mental health outcomes. Although existing literature explores this impact, it is focused on frontline workers, with limited evidence exploring the mental well-being of mental healthcare workers (MHCWs).</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>To explore post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and associated factors among MHCWs within the context of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong>Four academic hospitals in the Gauteng province, South Africa, with specialised psychiatric units.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional study design was used. Participants were selected using a simple random sampling technique and invited to participate in structured interviews. Measurement tools included a demographic questionnaire, the post-traumatic stress disorder checklist for DSM-5 and the Brief Resilient Coping Scale.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 120 MHCWs participated. The prevalence of PTSS was 11.7%. The MHCWs' profession was a significant predictor of the occurrence of PTSS (<i>p</i> = 0.046), with nurses being the most affected. Other socio-demographic, employment, COVID-19-related factors and coping skills were not predictors of PTSS.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>An elevated prevalence of PTSS has been found and was significantly associated with the profession of the MHCW. It is recommended that existing employee wellness programmes be strengthened to promote mental well-being and improve resilience among MHCWs, particularly vulnerable employee groups.</p><p><strong>Contribution: </strong>This study provides insight into the prevalence of PTSS among MHCWs following the COVID-19 outbreak, as well as associated factors.</p>","PeriodicalId":51156,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Psychiatry","volume":"29 ","pages":"2098"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10623589/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"71488644","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":"Burnout in emergency department staff: The prevalence and barriers to intervention.","authors":"Reshen Naidoo,&nbsp;Renata Schoeman","doi":"10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v29i0.2095","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v29i0.2095","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Burnout impacts patient care and staff well-being. Emergency department (ED) staff are at an elevated risk for burnout. Despite an acceleration in burnout research due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, there is limited data on the nature and prevalence of burnout in the South African emergency medicine setting.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>This study determined the prevalence of burnout in ED staff (doctors, nurses and non-clinical staff) at Tygerberg Hospital and explored staff awareness and utilisation of interventions.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong>The study was conducted at Tygerberg Hospital, South Africa.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This cross-sectional study used the Maslach Burnout Inventory to assess burnout via a self-administered electronic survey in a convenience sample of 109 ED staff. Quantitative data were analysed with descriptive and inferential statistics. Qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 46 participants (45.10%) experienced burnout, with 73 participants (71.57%) at high risk for emotional exhaustion or depersonalisation. The prevalence of burnout in doctors was 57.89%, non-clinical staff was 25.93%, and nursing staff was 50.00%. Burnout was higher in doctors and nursing staff compared to non-clinical staff, with high emotional exhaustion and depersonalisation found in interns and specialist professional nurses. The level of intervention awareness was 41.8% and the level of intervention utilisation was 8.82%. Thematic analysis identified awareness, accessibility and reactive utilisation as barriers to utilisation with opportunities to reduce burnout and enhance resilience.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Coordinated health system and organisational efforts are required to optimise intervention strategies to reduce burnout.</p><p><strong>Contribution: </strong>Guidance on the design and planning of intervention strategies considering at risk groups, intervention-related factors, and non-clinical staff.</p>","PeriodicalId":51156,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Psychiatry","volume":"29 ","pages":"2095"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10623583/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"71488639","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":"Factors associated with longer hospital admission in elderly patients with major neurocognitive disorder.","authors":"Tarina Steenkamp,&nbsp;Paslius S Mazibuko,&nbsp;Carla Kotzé","doi":"10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v29i0.2078","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v29i0.2078","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Major neurocognitive disorder presents many challenges to patients, families and healthcare systems, especially when a patient requires admission to a psychiatric hospital.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>To identify characteristics of older patients with major neurocognitive disorder at risk of prolonged admission in a psychiatric hospital.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong>A tertiary psychiatric hospital in Gauteng province, South Africa.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The authors conducted a retrospective review of the hospital database and clinical files. Clinical and demographic data were collected from the files of 50 inpatients, 60 years and older, who were diagnosed with major neurocognitive disorder and admitted between 2015 and 2019. Anonymised data from patient records were captured on an electronic spreadsheet and analysed using <i>T</i>-tests and analysis of variance (ANOVA) to investigate the relationship between patient characteristics and length of hospital admission.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The mean duration of admission was 18.29 months. Involuntary admission status (<i>β</i> = 0.239, <i>p</i> = 0.049), level of assistance required (moderate level of assistance [<i>β</i> = 0.378, <i>p</i> = 0.005]; high level of assistance [<i>β</i> = 0.336, <i>p</i> = 0.015]), availability of social support (<i>β</i> = -0.319, <i>p</i> = 0.016) and the presence of behavioural or psychological problems (<i>β</i> = 0.437, <i>p</i> = 0.002) were significantly correlated with longer admission. Using a stepwise regression model, the only significant variable associated with a shorter length of stay was the presence of social support (<i>β</i> = -0.512, <i>p</i> = 0.009). Age, type of major neurocognitive disorder and number of comorbidities were not correlated with the duration of admission (<i>p</i> > 0.005).</p><p><strong>Conclusion and contribution: </strong>Social support plays an important role in the management of patients with major neurocognitive disorder. The findings in this study highlight healthcare shortages and a need for adequate placement facilities in South Africa for patients who have no other form of support.</p>","PeriodicalId":51156,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Psychiatry","volume":"29 ","pages":"2078"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10623590/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"71488642","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":"Caregiver burden among caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder.","authors":"Karli van Niekerk,&nbsp;Venera Stancheva,&nbsp;Cornelia Smith","doi":"10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v29i0.2079","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v29i0.2079","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with deficits in social communication and interaction, restricted and repetitive patterns of behaviour, interests and activities. Autism spectrum disorder is associated with multiple comorbidities. As a result, caregivers of children with ASD experience increased levels of burden and poor quality of life. However, there is a paucity of information on the burden.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>The study aimed to describe the sociodemographic profiles and determine the extent of the burden experienced by caregivers of children and adolescents with ASD.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong>The Child, Adolescent and Family Unit (CAFU) outpatient services at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (CMJAH).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional study was done. Two self-administered questionnaires were used: a sociodemographic questionnaire and the 12-item Zarit Burden Interview questionnaire.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The questionnaires were completed by 77 caregivers, of which the majority were female (<i>n</i> = 56 or 72.3%), mothers to children with ASD (<i>n</i> = 49 or 64.3%) and identified as Christian (<i>p</i> < 0.001). Most had completed secondary school or had a tertiary education (<i>p</i> = 0.003) and were employed (<i>p</i> < 0.001). Among the caregivers, 41.6% experienced mild to moderate burden, 33.8% experienced high burden and only 24.9% reported no to mild burden.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Caregivers of children and adolescents with a diagnosis of ASD are mostly mothers and experience mild to moderate levels of caregiver burden, suggesting the need for improved screening and psychosocial support programmes.</p><p><strong>Contribution: </strong>This study highlights the burden experienced by primary caregivers of children with ASD and is one of the few comprehensive studies on this issue within the context of South Africa.</p>","PeriodicalId":51156,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Psychiatry","volume":"29 ","pages":"2079"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10623632/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"71488640","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}