Schizophrenia among Sesotho speakers in South Africa

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the clinical presentation of schizophrenia among Sesotho speakers. Method: A sample of 100 participants diagnosed with schizophrenia was evaluated using the Psychiatric Interview Questionnaire. Results: Core symptoms of schizophrenia among Sesotho speakers do not differ significantly from other cultures. However, the content of psychological symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations is strongly affected by cultural variables. Somatic symptoms such as headaches, palpitations, dizziness and excessive sweating were prevalent among the Sesothospeaking participants suffering from schizophrenia. Conclusion: In South Africa, as is the case throughout the African continent, health professionals are still trained in Western models, especially DSM-IV-TR and ICD-10. Certain changes should be made to these models to account for cultural differences that were found in this research.Keywords: Culture; Schizophrenia; clinical manifestations; symptom

Depression among Sesotho speakers in Mangaung, South Africa

Objective: Depression will be the most common mental disorder by 2020, and it is also expected to be the second leading cause of disability, after cardiac diseases. Moreover, depression is likely to be a major public health burden in the future. This study evaluates the influences of culture on the symptoms of depression among Sesotho speakers. Method: An evaluation of a sample of 100 participants diagnosed with depression was conducted, using the Psychiatric Interview Questionnaire. Results: It was found that depression among Sesotho speakers is manifested in three areas: somatic symptoms, perceptual disturbances and disturbances of the thought processes. Conclusion: Since it has become clear, on the basis of the investigation, that depression is a culturally diverse phenomenon, the authors also recommend that research in this regard should be conducted from a multidisciplinary perspective, so that other paradigms, including those of sociology and anthropology, can also be included.African Psychiatry Review Vol. 11 (1) 2008: pp. 35-4

Delays in seeking an abortion until the second trimester: a qualitative study in South Africa

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Despite changes to the South African abortion legislation in 1996, barriers to women accessing abortions still exist. Second trimester abortions, an inherently more risky procedure, continue to be 20% of all abortions. Understanding the reasons why women delay seeking an abortion until the second trimester is important for informing interventions to reduce the proportion of second trimester abortions in South Africa.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Qualitative research methods were used to collect data. Twenty-seven in-depth interviews were conducted in 2006 with women seeking a second trimester abortion at one public sector tertiary hospital and two NGO health care facilities in the greater Cape Town area, South Africa. Data were analysed using a grounded theory approach.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Almost all women described multiple and interrelated factors that influenced the timing of seeking an abortion. Reasons why women delayed seeking an abortion were complex and were linked to changes in personal circumstances often leading to indecision, delays in detecting a pregnancy and health service related barriers that hindered access to abortion services.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Understanding the complex reasons why women delay seeking an abortion until the second trimester can inform health care interventions aimed at reducing the proportion of second trimester abortions in South Africa.</p

Removal of Fe and Mn from polluted water sources in Lesotho using modified clays

This paper reports the use of unfunctionalized and phenylalanine functionalized clays as an alternative cost effective, environmental friendly and efficient sorbent for the removal of Mn and Fe from polluted drinking water sources in Lesotho. The Mn and Fe metals were adsorbed on two different clays (clay Aa black clay and clay Ba yellow clay) collected from Ha-Teko in Maseru (clay A) and Phoqoane in Mafeteng district (clay B). Comprehensive batch test studies were performed to assess the effect of pH, stirring time and initial concentration of Mn and Fe. The adsorption of the metals was greater at higher pH and equilibrium was reached at pH 8 after 30 min of stirring. The phenylalanine functionalized clays displayed improved adsorption efficiency of up 100% (Fe adsorption using clay A in 30 min) while the unfunctionalized clays gave relatively low adsorption of up to 70% (Fe and Mn adsorption using clay A). The clays, which are present in abundance in Lesotho, can be effectively used for the removal of Fe and Mn from drinking water sources