Thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Nursing Science in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Stellenbosch University.
The mobile clinic health care services fulfil an essential role in delivering primary health care to the dwellers in the rural commun...ities of the Western Cape. However, occupational health and safety, as well as quality assurance are issues that need to be addressed urgently. It is thus recommended that policy makers take cognizance of the specific needs of every individual mobile clinic team.
more
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has emerged as a major public health problem all over the world. Infections caused by resistant microbes fail to respond to treatment, resulting in prolonged illness and greater risk of death. This document focuses on the mechanism to develop a practically applicable h...ospital antibiotic policy and standard treatment guidelines (STG). In addition, the document contains information on various effective strategies for implementation of STG. It also discusses various activities and information required for the development of the antibiogram, antibiotic policy and standard treatment guidelines, such as surveillance programmes, the cause and controlling strategies for AMR and HAI; performance measures of antibiogram, antibiotic policy and standard treatment guidelines. A model hospital STG for community-acquired pneumonia in adults is included.
more
El documento La carga de los trastornos mentales en la Región de las Américas, 2018 tiene como propósito mejorar la evaluación de las necesidades en materia de salud mental en la Región de las Américas al presentar un panorama actualizado y matizado de: a) la discapacidad debida a los trastorn...os mentales, por consumo de sustancias y trastornos neurológicos específicos, más la autoagresión (TMNS), tanto sola como en combinación con la mortalidad prematura; b) el desequilibrio entre el gasto en salud mental y la carga de enfermedad relacionada; y c) la asignación inadecuada de los exiguos gastos en salud mental por parte de los países de la Región
more
The pamphlet "Marijuana" explains the effects and risks of cannabis use. It describes THC, the psychoactive compound in cannabis, which binds to cannabinoid receptors in the brain, causing effects like relaxation, altered perception, and euphoria. Short-term effects include red eyes, hunger, and anx...iety, while long-term effects may involve memory loss, lung problems, and slowed brain development, especially with early and frequent use. It highlights the potential for negative impacts on mental and physical health while noting there are no direct deaths solely from marijuana use. The pamphlet provides links to resources for further information and recovery options.
more
The pamphlet "Oxycodone" provides an overview of the opioid drug class, explaining its uses, effects, and risks. It describes positive effects like euphoria and pain relief, alongside negative effects such as respiratory depression, confusion, and constipation. Withdrawal symptoms include anxiety, i...ncreased pain sensitivity, and diarrhea. Treatment options include antagonist therapy (e.g., Naloxone) and substitution therapy (e.g., Methadone or Buprenorphine). The pamphlet emphasizes the importance of emergency care in cases of overdose and encourages seeking professional help for addiction or abuse.
more
The pamphlet "Methamphetamine" provides information about methamphetamine, an illegal stimulant with high abuse potential, though it has limited medical uses for conditions like ADHD and narcolepsy. It explains short-term effects such as appetite suppression, increased heart rate and blood pressure,... and seizures, as well as long-term effects like paranoia, depression, insomnia, and "meth mouth." It also outlines the legal consequences of possession and encourages seeking help for addiction through treatment resources.
more
The pamphlet "Alcohol and Depressants" explains the effects of depressants, including alcohol. Depressants slow brain activity by increasing the release of inhibitory neurotransmitters like GABA, leading to effects such as sedation, decreased anxiety, and reduced heart rate. Alcohol, a legal depress...ant, causes short-term effects like impaired judgment, vomiting, and blackouts, while long-term use can result in alcoholism, liver disease, strokes, and cancer. Alcohol withdrawal can be life-threatening, causing seizures and heart complications. The pamphlet emphasizes the importance of safe usage and provides resources for treatment and further information.
more
The World Health Organization's fact sheet on opioid overdose highlights the significant global health issue posed by opioids, which include natural, semi-synthetic, and synthetic compounds used primarily for pain management. Misuse and unsupervised use can lead to dependence and severe health probl...ems. In 2019, approximately 600,000 deaths were attributed to drug use, with nearly 80% related to opioids; about 25% of these were due to overdose. An opioid overdose is characterized by pinpoint pupils, unconsciousness, and breathing difficulties. The fact sheet emphasizes the importance of increasing access to naloxone, an opioid antagonist that can rapidly reverse overdose effects, and advocates for training individuals likely to witness an overdose in its administration. It also underscores the need for comprehensive strategies, including preventive measures, treatment for opioid dependence, and policies to reduce opioid availability.
more
The World Health Organization (WHO) launched the SAFER initiative in 2018 to address the global health and societal challenges posed by alcohol-related harm. The initiative outlines five key strategies aimed at reducing alcohol consumption and its associated consequences. These include strengthening... restrictions on alcohol availability by implementing and enforcing policies to limit its accessibility and advancing drink-driving countermeasures, such as low blood alcohol concentration limits and random breath testing, to reduce alcohol-impaired driving incidents.
Additionally, SAFER emphasizes facilitating access to screening, brief interventions, and treatment for individuals with alcohol use disorders, ensuring that healthcare systems are equipped to provide effective support. Another core strategy is enforcing comprehensive bans or restrictions on alcohol advertising, sponsorship, and promotion to minimize its influence, particularly on vulnerable populations such as youth. Finally, the initiative advocates raising alcohol prices through excise taxes and pricing policies to make it less affordable and thereby reduce consumption.
By implementing these evidence-based, cost-effective measures, the SAFER initiative aims to reduce the global burden of alcohol-related deaths and disabilities, fostering healthier societies worldwide.
more
The article "Capacity-Building in Community-Based Drug Treatment Services" by Michael J. Cole focuses on the global challenges in providing adequate community-based drug treatment services. It highlights the gaps in availability, quality, and accessibility of evidence-based care. The article discuss...es the principles and strategies for capacity-building at three levels: individual, organizational, and service sector. It emphasizes using an empowerment model, engaging community stakeholders, and creating sustainable practices. The paper also addresses the need for systematic planning, assessment, and collaboration to strengthen drug treatment systems globally.
more
This document describes the essential interventions in mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) that should be developed on an intersectoral basis in countries and communities. Its frame of reference is the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) intervention pyramid for MHPSS services. The pyr...amid shows different levels of support, ranging from social considerations, safety, and basic needs, to the provision of specialized services for the management of more severe conditions, as well as the probable volume of demand at each established level.
Available in Spanisch, Portuguese and English
more
MhGAP-IG – это примерное руководство, поэтому крайне важно адаптировать его в соответствии с уникальной национальной или местной ситуацией. Пользователи могут выбра...ь свои варианты приоритетных состояний или мер по адаптации и реализации Руководства в зависимости от имеющихся в наличии и преобладающих ресурсов.
more
Цей посібник повністю відповідає рекомендаціям Міжвідомчого постійного комітету (IASC) та «Операційним рекомендаціям щодо психічного здоров’я та психосоціальної ...підтримки під час планування роботи з біженцями», які вимагають багатосекторної відповіді, спрямованої на вирішення проблем у сфері психічного здоров’я та соціальних наслідків гуманітарних надзвичайних станів і переміщення. Він також підтримує досягнення основної мети Комплексного плану дій ВООЗ у сфері психічного здоров’я на 2013–2020 рр., а саме — надання комплексних, інтегрованих спільнотних послуг у сфері психічного здоров’я та соціальної допомоги, які легко інтегрувати в поточну систему.
more
Бюро ВОЗ в Украине инициировало написание этого отчета для оценки развития
интегрированных услуг для людей употребляющих наркотики в рамках ответа Украины на эп...демию ВИЧ. После комплексной оценки работы украинских программ интегрированной помощи в 2009 году, три сайта в Днепропетровске, Кривом Роге, и Симферополе были определены как отвечающие высоким стандартам, и на примере работы которых смогут научиться другие программы. Они еще далеки от совершенства, однако каждый сайт показал выдающийся прогресс во внедрении интегрированных услуг. Целью данной публикации является представление опыта этих реальных практических моделей для Украинского правительства и неправительственных
организаций, работающих над развитием интегрированного подхода в других учреждениях.
more
The pharmaceutical sector of any nation is responsible for providing society with quality medicines and other pharmaceutical services. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Pharmaceuticals may constitute as much as 40% of the national health budget in developing countries, yet portions o...f the population may lack access to the most essential medicines; while the limited funds available for health are spent on unnecessary, ineffective and even dangerous medications.
more
У цьому модулі описано основні принципи медичної допомоги людям, які її потребують, зокрема людям з ПНПР-розладами, а також їхнім доглядачам.
У першому підрозділі ...ього модуля подаються загальні принципи клінічної практики.
more