Background and aim: The Beery-Buktenica Developmental Test of Visual-motor Integration 6th edition . The latest editions of these three instruments have been released and are now available for use in South Africa. The Beery VMI-6 was published

Nurse managers should take responsibility for the training of staff in implementing COPE as a possible empowerment programme in Paediatric ICUs to ensure that emotional support is not neglected.

No abstract

No abstract

Background Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is a major cause of death worldwide. A large number of deaths due to ASCVD occurs among people with diabetes mellitus (DM). One of the important modifiable risk factors associated with ASCVD is dyslipidaemia and its prevalence is not known in central South Africa (SA). This study aimed to determine the pattern and prevalence of dyslipidaemia among type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients on lipid-lowering therapy. Methods This descriptive, retrospective study of patients’ records was conducted at Universitas Academic Hospital in Bloemfontein, SA. The study population included 143 consecutive T2DM patients of any age that attended the Diabetes Clinic from 1 January to 31 March 2019. The patients had to be on lipid-lowering therapy for a minimum duration of 3 months. Data were sourced from the clinic files and included the patient’s lipid profile, anthropometric and demographic data. Dyslipidaemia was defined using the 2018 SA dyslipidaemia guidelines. Results The median age of the participants was 63 years (interquartile range [IQR] 52–71 years). The majority of the participants were female (n = 92; 64.3 %). The median duration since the DM diagnosis was 18 years (IQR 13–23 years). The prevalence of dyslipidaemia was 86.7 % (n = 124). Combined dyslipidaemia, namely either triglycerides (TG) + low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) + TG or HDL + LDL, was the most common pattern (n = 51; 42.5 %) largely due to raised TG + LDL contributing 37.2 % (n = 19) to this pattern. The second and third most common patterns were isolated (either LDL, HDL or TG) and mixed dyslipidaemia (TG + HDL + LDL) at 40.8 % (n = 49) and 16.7 % (n = 20), respectively. The most frequent lipid abnormality (n = 84; 70.0 %) was LDL of ≥ 1.8 mmol/L. Of the 140 participants on statin therapy, only 5 % were on high-intensity therapy. Conclusions A high prevalence of dyslipidaemia among DM patients was observed, despite the use of lipid-lowering therapy in this small observational study. Our findings highlight the need to better educate healthcare providers regarding the intensification of lipid-lowering therapy, along with improved strategies to address poor glycaemic control and other modifiable lifestyle factors.

Objective: The socio-demography, anthropometry and food intake of women residing in rural and urban areas of Lesotho were determined. Design: Cross-sectional survey. Setting: Basotho women from four randomly selected villages in Maseru and Berea, which includes both urban and rural areas. Subjects: A total of 452 women were included in the study. Outcome measures: Socio-demographic information was collected using a structured questionnaire completed in an interview with each participant. Standard methods were used to determine anthropometric measurements, while usual food intake was determined using a short unquantified food frequency questionnaire. Results: A large percentage of participants were unemployed with a significantly higher percentage in urban compared with rural areas (65.5 vs. 49.2%; CI 6.8%; 25.4%). A higher percentage of urban than rural participants had a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m 2 (53.5 vs. 44.4%, respectively) and waist circumference ≥ 88 cm (62.7 vs. 54.1%, respectively). For both rural and urban participants, stiff maizemeal porridge was commonly consumed with all meals, often with moroho (cooked green leafy vegetables). Although a variety of vegetables (onions, cabbage, pumpkin, tomatoes, turnips and potatoes) were frequently eaten by most participants, quantities of intake were not determined. Protein sources consumed almost every day by more than 50% of all participants were dried beans. Chicken, eggs and full cream milk were consumed significantly more frequently by urban participants. Significantly more urban participants had access to a variety of fruits and vegetables, and they were also more likely to consume foods such as polony, russians (sausage containing pork and beef), sausage, sweetened drinks, mayonnaise and margarine more frequently than rural participants. Conclusions: A nutrition transition associated with the frequent intake of processed, sugary and high-fat foods was identified in urban participants. These unhealthy dietary practices may lead to an increased risk of obesity and poor health outcomes. The development of culturally acceptable and relevant interventions is thus recommended.

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is considered to be the fastest growing chronic disease in the world and thus multi-sectoral, population-based strategies and approaches are needed to address the modifiable risk factors involved in the development and treatment of T2DM. Evidence-based nutrition principles and recommendations are summarised by the Society for Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes in South Africa (SEMDSA) into guidelines for the management of T2DM. This study aimed to determine the adherence of patients with T2DM with the SEMDSA lifestyle guidelines. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a private practice (n = 50), during which an interviewer-assisted questionnaire related to socio-demographics, diet and lifestyle was completed with each participant. Participants were also weighed and measured. Results: 88% of participants were overweight (22%) or obese (66%). Diets consumed were generally high in total energy (TE) (median: 13 272 kJ), low in carbohydrates (CHO) (56% of participants consumed < 45% of CHO from TE), high in saturated fat (92% consumed ≥ 7% from TE) and high in sodium (74% of participants consumed ≥ 2 300 mg sodium daily). Exercise was not commonplace; 84% of participants did not meet the guideline for aerobic exercise and 92% did not meet the guideline for resistance training. Conclusion: The adherence of participants to the SEMDSA guidelines was poor, thus increasing the risk of long-term complications and poor glycaemic control.

Objective: The elderly living in Africa are prone to malnutrition which is complicated by the high prevalence of poverty. This study assessed the nutritional status of the elderly and factors associated with malnutrition. Method: In a cross-sectional survey, the nutritional status of 300 participants aged 65 years and older was determined using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) questionnaire consisting of 18 questions. Socio-demographic data was obtained using a questionnaire. Results: Sixty-six percent were at risk of malnutrition, while 14.6% (n = 44) were malnourished. Participants that did not use electricity as a fuel for cooking versus those that did, had higher odds of being malnourished/ at risk of malnutrition (OR = 1.85 [1.04; 3.31]). Those that did not experience psychological stress or acute disease versus those that did, had lower odds of being malnourished/at risk of malnutrition (OR = 0.33 [0.12; 0.90]). Participants that did not perceive nutritional problems versus those that did, had lower odds of being malnourished/at risk of malnutrition (OR = 0.18 [0.09; 0.34]). Similarly, those that did not perceive their health status as poor versus those that did, had lower odds of being malnourished/at risk of malnutrition (OR = 0.17 [0.08; 0.34]). Discussion: The findings indicate that the elderly with more resources, less stress, and better actual and perceived health were less likely to be malnourished. In such communities, routine screening in the elderly is required to identify those with compromised health and nutritional status.