Occupational therapy students’ use of social media for professional practice

Background. The use of social media for professional practice is an emerging trend for healthcare professionals; however, limited literature exists on the phenomenon. Social media usage is prevalent among students, as it is incorporated into many health professions education curricula. This poses potential ethical dilemmas.Objective. To examine the nature of social media usage and knowledge of ethical considerations by occupational therapy (OT) students for professional purposes.Methods. A quantitative, cross-sectional survey was administered to the entire cohort of OT students (N=128) enrolled at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa in 2016. Data were analysed descriptively using Microsoft Excel 2013 (Microsoft, USA).Results. The most commonly used device to access social media was mobile phones, with WhatsApp and YouTube frequently used for both general and professional purposes. Uses included accessing social media for developing professional skills and knowledge, and in fulfilling academic requirements. Ethical dilemmas were evident among students, who indicated that social media ethical considerations should be incorporated into the curriculum.Conclusion. The study highlighted that most students use some form of social media as part of their professional practice, which has the potential to be used effectively to enhance learning opportunities. Future studies of a qualitative nature could shed light on students’ perceptions of social media and practical implications for practice

Neurophysiologic, phenomenological, cultural, social and spiritual correlates of empathy experiences: integral psychological and person centered perspectives

The main objective of this research was to explore neurophysiologic, phenomenological, cultural and social correlates of recipients’ experiences of empathy within the context of Wilber’s Integral approach and Person Centered theory and practice. Thirteen psychologists participated as co-researchers in a triangulated, within subjects’ post-test experimental design in which empathy data were compared with data from control conditions of factual information processing and rest. A consistent pattern emerged from data gathered. Empathy experiences were associated with an unexpected, statistically significant increase in alpha activity, with some associated increasing trends in theta and beta activity. Expected findings were significant decreases in delta activity accompanied by decreasing  trends in gamma wave activity, muscle tension, heart and respiration rate. Individual experiences generally reflected an affective, interpersonal,  cultural, social and spiritual state of normal waking consciousness. Participant consensus was that the neurophysiologic and other correlates corresponded truthfully with typical empathic moments, insights and/or peak experiences, which are associated with effective therapeutic change in traditional and contemporary healing contexts.Key words: Neurophysiologic, phenomenological, cultural, social, spiritual, correlates, empathy experiences, integral psychology, person centered psychotherap

The influence of electrospinning parameters on polydioxanone scaffold properties

Conduits currently used to reconstruct the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) have no growth potential and require reoperations, resulting in an increased level of morbidity and mortality. This work investigates the effect of electrospinning parameters on the mechanical properties and biocompatibility of bioresorbable tubular scaffolds, as part of a program to develop a tissue-engineered valved tube for RVOT replacement. Electrospinning was used to develop tubular scaffolds of polydioxanone, with the experimental parameters systematically varied. Three electrospinning parameters (volume of liquid, flow rate, and speed of mandrel rotation) were investigated, and their effects on the mechanical properties and cellular response of the scaffolds were analysed using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, gas chromatography, uniaxial tensile tests, cell viability and cytotoxicity assays. Mechanical properties were compared to those of the native RVOT reported in the literature. Increasing the mandrel rotation speed tended to increase fibre alignment slightly, and led to more profound rises in the stress at failure and Young's modulus. An increase in flow rate also increased the rigidity of the tubes. Cell viability and cytotoxicity assays showed all the tubes produced to have excellent biocompatibility. Through variation of the processing parameters, it is possible to tune mechanical properties of medical-grade polymer tubes over a wide range. By using a mandrel rotation speed of 50 rpm and a flow rate of 20 mL/h or higher we can prepare materials with Young's modulus, strain at failure, and tensile stress close to the native tissue. Electrospinning therefore offers great promise in the development of scaffolds to match the properties of the native RVOT, paving the way to a future bioresorbable device to replace the RVOT in children

Fifteen year review on traditional leadership: a research paper

Commissioned by the Office of the Presidency, MarchThis study looks at policy and legislative issues as reflected in the government processes in the past fifteen years with reference to traditional leadership. It has looked at this through a review of policy documents, through interviews with key stakeholders in the process and through an examination of scholarly debates on traditional leadership in South Africa. The scholarly debates are quite crucial as they tend to assess current government processes as well as influence the different paradigms of the thinking on traditional leadership

Incidence and predictors of sexually transmitted infections among adult HIV-positive patients receiving antiretroviral therapy at Themba Lethu HIV clinic in Johannesburg, South Africa

Background. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among people living with HIV/AIDS can facilitate the spread of HIV.Objectives. To estimate STI incidence and identify predictors of STI acquisition among HIV-positive patients during their first 24 months of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Johannesburg, South Africa.Methods. We conducted a cohort study using prospectively collected routine data on patients who initiated ART between January 2004 and January 2015 at the Themba Lethu HIV clinic in Johannesburg. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to estimate STI incidence rates (based on evidence of laboratory diagnosis and STI syndromic treatment prescription records). STI predictors were identified using Cox regression analysis.Results. Among 26 762 adult patients on ART, there were 1 906 (7.1%) cases of STI (incidence 4.8/100 person-years; 95% confidence interval (CI) 4.7 - 5.1). Non-pregnant women were 60% more likely than men to be diagnosed with an STI (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 1.6; 95% CI 1.4 - 1.8). The risk of STI decreased with increasing baseline CD4 count (aHR 0.8, 0.5 and 0.4 for CD4 counts 101 - 200, 201 - 350 and >350 cells/µL, respectively, compared with CD4 count <100 cells/µL). Patients with advanced baseline World Health Organization (WHO) clinical stages had a higher risk (aHR 1.6 for WHO stage 4; 95% CI 1.3 - 1.9) compared with those with WHO stage 1. However, there was a 20% increase in the risk of STI among obese patients compared with underweight patients (aHR 1.3; 95% CI 1.0 - 1.7). Over 80% of obese patients diagnosed with an STI had a CD4 count <200 cells/µL.Conclusions. STIs are common in HIV-infected patients who are receiving ART. While both ART and the syndromic management of STIs are high-impact interventions for controlling the spread of HIV, closer monitoring of STI occurrences is warranted, particularly among immunologically vulnerable patients

Kriteria Penyediaan Ruang Terbuka Hijau Publik Berdasarkan Kebutuhan Oksigen di Kota Malang

Pemenuhan RTH publik 20% adalah tetapan yang dianggap kaku, sebaiknya pemenuhan RTH publik juga memperhitungkan fungsi ekologisnya yaitu sebagai produsen oksigen. Terdapat kemungkinan Kota Malang membutuhkan RTH publik kurang atau bahkan lebih dari tetapan 20%. Oleh sebab itu perlu dilakukan perhitungan kebutuhan RTH publik di Kota Malang berdasarkan kebutuhan oksigen. Untuk mengoptimalkan fungsi ekologis RTH maka perlu didapatkan kritera-kriteria penyediaan RTH publik di Kota Malang. Langkah pertama adalah menghitung luas RTH publik berdasarkan kebutuhan O2 tiap BWK Malang, kemudian menganalisis faktor-faktor yang mempengaruhi penyediaan RTH publik menggunakan metode delphi, dan merumuskan kriteria penyediaan RTH publik di berdasarkan kebutuhan O2 secara deskriptif kualitatif. Kesimpulan dari penelitian ini adalah bahwa berdasarkan fungsi ekologisnya sebagai produsen oksigen, luas RTH yang dibutuhkan Kota Malang lebih dari 20% dari luas wilayahnya

Stroke in sickle cell anemia: New concepts in diagnosis and management

Stroke is a devastating and potentially fatal complication of sickle cell disease. The highest incidence of cerebrovascular disease is in the first 10 years and especially between 2 to 5 years. Two types of stroke occur in these patients – infarctive and hemorrhagic strokes. While infarctive strokes occur frequently in children, hemorrhagic strokes occur mostly in adults. Associated risk factors include: history of transient ischemic attacks, association of acute chest syndrome, severe anemia, a high leukocyte count and a genetic susceptibility. In the presence of stroke, the main investigations are computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Primary prevention is the main axis of management. This consists of transcranial Doppler ultrasonography screening in sicklers as from 2 years of age every 6 months, and patients with abnormal velocities of or greater than 200cm/seconds should receive chronic transfusion therapy every 3 – 4 weeks. The decision to initiate transfusion should be based on careful consideration of the risks and benefits. This with the aim of averting the inherent motor and neuropsychogical impairments from stroke.L'accident vasculaire cérébral (AVC) chez le drépanocytaire est une complication grave greffée d'une mortalité élevée.L'incidence la plus élevée est dans la première décennie de la vie surtout entre 2 et 5 ans. Il existe deux types d'AVC chez le drépanocytaire – ischémique et hémorragique. Les accidents ischémiques surviennent surtout chez les enfants, et les accidents hémorragiques surtout chez les adultes. Les facteurs prédisposants sont : l'antécédent d'accident ischémique transitoire, le syndrome thoracique aiguë, l'anémie sévère, la leucocytose et une susceptibilité génétique. En présence d'AVC, les principaux examens sont : le scanner cérébral, et l'imagerie par résonance magnétique. La prévention primaire reste le principal axe du traitement. Ceci consiste à pratiquer un Doppler transcrânien chez les drépanocytaires dès l'âge de 2 ans et tous les 6 mois et les patients ayant des vitesses moyennes des artères du polygone de Willis supérieur ou égale à 200 cm/seconde bénéficieront d'un programme de transfusion périodique toutes les 3-4 semaines. La décision d'initier la transfusion ne doit être prise qu'après avoir évalué les risques et bénéfices des transfusions. Cette prise en charge permet de prévenir les séquelles motrices et neuropsychiques liées à cette affection. Keywords: Stroke - Sickle cell anemia - Risk factors - Clinical presentation - Diagnosis - Management Clinics in Mother and Child Health Vol. 3(2) 2006: pp. 585-59