Factors associated with longer hospital admission in elderly patients with major neurocognitive disorder
Conclusion and contribution: 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. (Source: South African Journal of Psychiatry)
Source: South African Journal of Psychiatry - February 7, 2024 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Tarina Steenkamp, Paslius S. Mazibuko, Carla Kotz é Source Type: research

Caregiver burden among caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder
Conclusion: 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.Contribution: 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. (Source: South African Journal of Psychiatry)
Source: South African Journal of Psychiatry - February 7, 2024 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Karli van Niekerk, Venera Stancheva, Cornelia Smith Source Type: research

Clozapine monitoring at a specialised psychiatric hospital: A retrospective chart review
Conclusion: Haematological monitoring frequency and documentation of patients receiving Clozapine were not in compliance with the hospital ’s adapted guidelines and may have resulted in the termination of treatment before true neutropaenia developed. Patients developed neutropaenia at low doses of Clozapine and after many years of treatment.Contribution: These results suggest local Clozapine monitoring guidelines should be more strictly adhered to. (Source: South African Journal of Psychiatry)
Source: South African Journal of Psychiatry - February 7, 2024 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Michelle V. Daniels, Suvira Ramlall Source Type: research

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: Insights into underfunding in the private healthcare sector in South Africa
Conclusion: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is underfunded in the private healthcare sector in South Africa. Better funding models are needed or ADHD needs to be registered as a PMB condition.Contribution: Findings from this study highlight the urgency for structured and sufficient ADHD-specific funding by medical schemes. Considerations based on these findings may be applied in the National Health Insurance and in other countries around the world. (Source: South African Journal of Psychiatry)
Source: South African Journal of Psychiatry - February 7, 2024 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Johan J. Botha, Renata Schoeman Source Type: research

Neurocognitive improvement in HIV-positive patients treated with dolutegravir-based regimens
Conclusion: The trend of neurocognitive function is towards improvement in HIV-positive treatment na ïve patients who receive 3 months of dolutegravir-based ART.Contribution: The findings support the use of dolutegravir-based regimens in the treatment of patients with HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders. (Source: South African Journal of Psychiatry)
Source: South African Journal of Psychiatry - February 7, 2024 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Janine Rodrigues, Karishma Lowton Source Type: research

Assessing the prevalence of psychotic symptoms in epileptic patients at a tertiary clinic
Conclusion: The high prevalence of psychotic like experiences found suggests it is imperative to screen for psychotic disorders in epileptic patients and if required to involve neuropsychiatrists in their management.Contribution: This study highlights the importance of assessing psychotic symptoms in epileptic patients and the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in managing these complex patients. (Source: South African Journal of Psychiatry)
Source: South African Journal of Psychiatry - February 7, 2024 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Michelle M. Hungwe, Karishma Lowton Source Type: research

Psychosocial effects of gender-based violence among women in Vhembe district: A qualitative study
Conclusion: This research confirms that gender-based violence remains one of the most challenging problems associated with mental health problems in Vhembe district. It affirms the need to focus on awareness in rural areas afflicted by patriarchal attitudes, norms and stereotypes. Gender-based violence should to be viewed as human rights violation for victims ’ protection.Contribution: The study contributes to the body of knowledge on the experiences of gender-based violence among marginalised women from rural areas. (Source: South African Journal of Psychiatry)
Source: South African Journal of Psychiatry - February 7, 2024 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Rodney Rikhotso, Thinavhuyo R. Netangaheni, Nongiwe L. Mhlanga Source Type: research

HIV associated psychiatric comorbidity among attendees at a tertiary hospital, North-Eastern Nigeria
Conclusion: Majority of our HIV patients attending the clinic have undetected psychiatric morbidity. Clinicians need to be aware of the features of major psychiatric disorders and refer appropriately for improved overall outcome.Contribution: This study contributes to the body of work on unrecognised psychiatric comorbidity in people living with HIV and AIDS, especially in North-Eastern Nigeria, identifying issues which are relevant to clinical practice and buttressing the need for integration of mental healthcare services into HIV treatment and prevention services. (Source: South African Journal of Psychiatry)
Source: South African Journal of Psychiatry - February 7, 2024 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Akinbola R. Oyedun, Ganiyu O. Oluwatoyin Source Type: research

Readmission of adolescent psychiatric patients to a specialised unit in Gauteng, South Africa
Conclusion: Psychiatric diagnosis and residential care could be potential risk markers for readmission. Improving the collaboration between health and social services in residential care would be beneficial.Contribution: Identifying factors that predispose adolescent psychiatric patients to readmission can inform and improve management and risk assessments. (Source: South African Journal of Psychiatry)
Source: South African Journal of Psychiatry - February 7, 2024 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Sarah-Anne Brown, Tshepiso D. Moeketsi, Alfred Musekiwa, Saiendhra V. Moodley Source Type: research

Experiences of family members of relatives admitted as state patients in a psychiatric hospital
Conclusion: The study indicated that state patients ’ family members’ mental health should be focused on to improve their understanding of mental illness.Contribution: The findings of this study call for collaboration between the family members, the police and multidisciplinary teams from the hospitals, the mental health awareness and counselling for families. (Source: South African Journal of Psychiatry)
Source: South African Journal of Psychiatry - February 7, 2024 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Seipati Malebye, Nompumelelo Ntshingila, Marie Poggenpoel Source Type: research

Assessing HIV transmission knowledge in psychiatric patients in Johannesburg, South Africa
Conclusion: Good overall HIV transmission knowledge was found in this population, albeit lower than in the general population. Statistically, correlates were found between psychiatric diagnosis, substance use, age, marital status, level of education, and employment status and basic level of HIV knowledge.Contribution: HIV knowledge remains lower in psychiatric patients than in the general population, with correlates between demographic and clinical factors, calling for psychoeducation efforts to take all these into consideration. (Source: South African Journal of Psychiatry)
Source: South African Journal of Psychiatry - February 7, 2024 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Hangwani J. Matodzi, Karishma Lowton, Prinesh Miseer Source Type: research

Predictors of burnout among resident doctors in a Nigerian teaching hospital
Conclusion: High levels of burnout are prevalent among resident doctors, comparable to international studies. Therefore, the government and other relevant stakeholders must drive legislation and formulate policies toward addressing the work-related factors associated with burnout in the Nigerian healthcare industry.Contribution: This study highlighted the determinants of burnout among Nigerian resident doctors, which necessitates targeted interventions to address them. (Source: South African Journal of Psychiatry)
Source: South African Journal of Psychiatry - February 7, 2024 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Mumeen O. Salihu1 Salihu, Alfred B. Makanjuola, Olatunji A. Abiodun, Amudalat T. Kuranga Source Type: research

Positive mental health of patients at a psychiatric hospital, Gauteng province, South Africa
Conclusion: The results of the study highlighted the multi- dimensionality of mental health and justified importance of evaluating the domains of PMH in mental health care users. Identifying the reasons for the deficits in the PMH domains and implementing coping strategies will improve the emotional and psychological well-being of patients.Contribution: Examining the PMH domains will assist healthcare workers intervene to improve the mental health of patients. (Source: South African Journal of Psychiatry)
Source: South African Journal of Psychiatry - February 7, 2024 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Satya Sai Ram Kumar Gulla, Elvera Helberg, Rajesh Vikram Vagiri Source Type: research

Costs of adult functional neurological disorders at a tertiary hospital in central South Africa
Conclusion: The daily median cost was similar for FND and other neurology-related admissions. The lower overall inpatient costs for FND patients were only related to significantly shorter durations of stay, which may reflect new diagnostic approaches resulting from changes in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5) diagnostic criteria. The prevalence of FND was similar to those reported in previous studies conducted at neurology clinics.Contribution: The study contributes towards better understanding the prevalence and cost of FND in local neurology inpatient care settings. (Source:...
Source: South African Journal of Psychiatry - February 7, 2024 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Leonriche L.C. Christopher, Paul J. Pretorius, Anand Moodley, Gina Joubert, Tracy Arendse Source Type: research

Preparedness of final year medical students in caring for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender patients with mental illness
Conclusion: Final-year medical students were not adequately prepared in caring for LGBT patients with mental illness as indicated by the LGBT-DOCSS.Contribution: This study identifies a gap in undergraduate psychiatric training in providing culturally competent mental health care for a vulnerable population. (Source: South African Journal of Psychiatry)
Source: South African Journal of Psychiatry - February 7, 2024 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Ahmed Badat, Sanushka Moodley, Laila Paruk Source Type: research