Maximising the efficiency of surveillance for COVID-19 in dialysis units in South Africa : the case for pooled testing

The COVID-19 epidemic in South Africa (SA) is currently in a growth phase with high incidences in most major cities. Patients who are dependent on chronic renal dialysis care, including peritoneal dialysis and haemodialysis, are chronically unwell and usually have multiple comorbidities including hypertension, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. These comorbidities are known to increase the risk of adverse outcomes for COVID-19, including hospitalisation with high care or intensive care admission, and/ or death. Haemodialysis patients throughout the country require facility-based support three times a week, and a typical dialysis visit is ~4 hours.The National Research Foundation of South Africahttp://www.samj.org.zaam2021Medical Microbiolog

Assessing data quality in survey with healthcare providers on COVID-19 and the measures for improving

Background: Social surveys have also been transformed with the advancements in research methods. However, only through appropriate methods, proper planning and procedures the data quality can be ensured.Aim: The aim of the current research is to present the measures taken up in doing survey with healthcare providers of primary health care facilities during the time of COVID-19 and to assess the data quality.Method: The survey was conducted with all 280 medical and paramedical staff in 24 primary healthcare centers of government to understand the preparedness of primary health care facilities in terms of providing a safe working environment to healthcare providers and to prevent the spread of infection while discharging duties during COVID-19. The study used mix mode of data collection by administering telephonic and self-administered questionnaire.  It is a descriptive study based on review of secondary literature and the different measures adopted in the survey to ensure data quality.Result: The variation found in responses to questions related to training, personal fears, challenges and coping mechanism was low, when asked differently in telephonic and self-administered questionnaire. It shows that the measures taken in conducting survey through mix mode of data collection at the time of COVID-19 were effective in overcoming the data quality challenges of COVID-19 to conduct face-to-face study and maintaining data quality of the survey.Conclusion: It can be concluded that proper planning, preparations and precautions were effective in ascertaining the data quality

Guidelines for the prevention, detection and management of the renal complications of COVID-19 in Africa

Africa trails the rest of the world in COVID-19 cases and deaths. However, as the pandemic spreads through the continent, we expect increases in community infection in the months ahead. Patients with kidney infection, especially those with end-stage kidney disease and those with kidney transplants, are at high risk for acquiring the disease and dying from it. While there is limited evidence for the benefit of interventions, we have the advantage of learning from the experiences of those in China, Europe and the Americas. This document sets forth guidance for dealing with our patients who have acute and chronic kidney disease, including those on renal replacement therapy and the staff involved in their care. Emphasis is placed on preparedness and prevention strategies. As evidence and experience accumulate, it is likely that updated guidance will be needed.L’Afrique suit le reste du monde en termes de nombre de cas et de décès dus à COVID-19. Cependant, alors que la pandémie se propage à travers le continent, nous prévoyons une augmentation de l’infection communautaire dans les mois à venir. Les patients atteints d’une maladie rénale, en particulier ceux atteints d’une maladie rénale chronique en phase terminale et ceux ayant subi une transplantation rénale, courent un risque élevé de contracter la maladie et d’en mourir. Bien que les preuves d’interventions soient limitées, nous avons l’avantage de tirer des enseignements des expériences de ceux qui se trouvent en Chine, en Europe et dans les Amériques. Ce document présente des conseils pour traiter nos patients atteints d’insuffisance rénale aiguë et chronique, y compris ceux sous thérapie de suppléance rénale et le personnel impliqué dans leurs soins. L’accent est mis sur les stratégies de préparation et de prévention. Au fur et à mesure que les preuves et l’expérience s’accumulent, il est probable que des directives actualisées seront nécessaires

Correction: Guidelines for the prevention, detection and management of the renal complications of COVID-19 in Africa

The authors of the article ‘Guidelines for the prevention, detection and management of the renal complications of COVID-19 in Africa’ [1] wish to acknowledge the contribution of Professor Hussein El Fishawy. Our guidelines drew on various sources, including the Egyptian Ministry of Health guidelines, portions of which were adapted and reproduced with permission from the Egyptian Ministry of Health. Two of the authors of those guidelines, Professors Elsayed and Zaki, are also coauthors of our paper. Professor El Fishawy was the third author of the Egyptian guidelines and we would like to acknowledge his contribution to our review through this source, especially with respect to the treatment algorithms for patients with kidney transplants and those with acute kidney injury. Reference1. Elsayed HM, Wadee S, Zaki MS, Were AJO, Ashuntantang GE, Bamgboye EL, et al. Guidelines for the prevention, detection and management of the renal complications of COVID-19 in Africa. Afr J Nephrol. 2020; 23(1):109-126

Guidelines for the prevention, detection and management of the renal complications of COVID-19 in Africa

CITATION: Elsayed, H. M. et al. 2020. Guidelines for the prevention, detection and management of the renal complications of COVID-19 in Africa. African Journal of Nephrology, 23(1):109-126, doi:10.21804/23-1-4097.The original publication is available at https://www.journals.ac.zaENGLISH ABSTRACT: Africa trails the rest of the world in COVID-19 cases and deaths. However, as the pandemic spreads through the continent, we expect increases in community infection in the months ahead. Patients with kidney infection, especially those with end-stage kidney disease and those with kidney transplants, are at high risk for acquiring the disease and dying from it. While there is limited evidence for the benefit of interventions, we have the advantage of learning from the experiences of those in China, Europe and the Americas. This document sets forth guidance for dealing with our patients who have acute and chronic kidney disease, including those on renal replacement therapy and the staff involved in their care. Emphasis is placed on preparedness and prevention strategies. As evidence and experience accumulate, it is likely that updated guidance will be needed. L’Afrique suit le reste du monde en termes de nombre de cas et de décès dus à COVID-19. Cependant, alors que la pandémie se propage à travers le continent, nous prévoyons une augmentation de l’infection communautaire dans les mois à venir. Les patients atteints d’une maladie rénale, en particulier ceux atteints d’une maladie rénale chronique en phase terminale et ceux ayant subi une transplantation rénale, courent un risque élevé de contracter la maladie et d’en mourir. Bien que les preuves d’interventions soient limitées, nous avons l’avantage de tirer des enseignements des expériences de ceux qui se trouvent en Chine, en Europe et dans les Amériques. Ce document présente des conseils pour traiter nos patients atteints d’insuffisance rénale aiguë et chronique, y compris ceux sous thérapie de suppléance rénale et le personnel impliqué dans leurs soins. L’accent est mis sur les stratégies de préparation et de prévention. Au fur et à mesure que les preuves et l’expérience s’accumulent, il est probable que des directives actualisées seront nécessaires.https://www.journals.ac.za/index.php/ajn/article/view/4097Publisher's versio