Undergraduate Research in Health Journal
The Undergraduate Research in Health Journal (URHJ) is a bi-annual journal for health sciences students. The URHJ houses research articles, short scientific reports, letters, editorials, personal opinion on topics that were the subject of undergraduate research.
The URHJ is published under an Attribution-Non Commercial International Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY-NC 4.0) License. Under this license, authors agree to make articles available to users, without permission or fees, for any lawful, non-commercial purpose. Users may read, copy, or re-use published content as long as the author and original place of publication are properly cited.
The emerging practitioner: ‘Golden Thread’ of Health Systems Strengthening
Copyright (c) 2026 A du Plessis, Q Wessels https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Copyright (c) 2025 Claudia Naidu https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Ubuntu in action: Student societies as catalysts for collaboration and innovation in South African medical schools
Copyright (c) 2025 A Papavarnava, R De Witt, J Kok, X Nokeri https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Exploring factors contributing to late initiation of antenatal care among pregnant women at Ou Nick Health Centre, Oshana Region, Namibia
Background. Timely initiation of antenatal care (ANC), within the first 12 weeks of gestation, is critical for the early detection and prevention of maternal and perinatal complications. Despite World Health Organization recommendations, late ANC initiation remains prevalent in Namibia, particularly in rural settings. Objectives. To explore the factors contributing to late initiation of antenatal care among pregnant women at OU Nick Health Center, Oshana region, Namibia. Methods. A qualitative, exploratory-descriptive and contextual design was used. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight pregnant women who initiated ANC after 12 weeks’ gestation. Data were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using thematic content analysis. Methodological rigour was ensured through member checking, an audit trail, reflexivity, and thick description of the research context to enhance transferability. Results. Four interlocking domains of influence emerged: (i) individual-level barriers, including limited health literacy, fear of stigma, and financial hardship; (ii) interpersonal-level dynamics, particularly unsupportive or denying partners and family disapproval; (iii) community-level factors, most notably cultural norms, spiritual fears (e.g. bewitchment), and misinformation from kin; and (iv) health system-level challenges including distance, transport costs, overcrowding, and prolonged waiting times. Crucially, participants proposed actionable solutions: mobile outreach, radio-based health education, mandatory male involvement, and, innovatively, compulsory paternity testing at the first ANC contact to ensure accountability. Conclusion. Late ANC initiation is not a behavioural deficit but a rational response to structural, cultural and interpersonal constraints. Addressing it demands a multisectoral strategy – community engagement, health system strengthening, and policy reform – that centres on women’s lived realities. As the researcher observed during clinical placement, ‘“When the tummy is big” is not ignorance; it is adaptation.’
Factors contributing to late initiation of antenatal care at Ou Nick health center
Copyright (c) 2026 J S Mwaudikange,, R V Ndaikile, B T Namangolwa https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Non-pharmacological labour pain management: Knowledge and attitudes among third-year nursing students at Welwitchia University, Katima Mulilo Campus, Namibia
Background: Effective labour pain management is a critical component of respectful maternity care, yet in Namibia, only 37% women receive adequate pain relief during childbirth. Non-pharmacological labour pain management (NPLPM) offers safe, cost-effective alternatives aligned with World Health Organization recommendations. The knowledge and attitudes of nursing students, as future frontline providers, are crucial for the integration of these methods into clinical practice. Objectives: To assess the knowledge of and attitudes towards NPLPM among third-year nursing students at Welwitchia University, Katima Mulilo Campus. Methods: A quantitative, descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 48 third-year nursing students (100% response rate), selected using a simple random sampling. A structured, self-administered questionnaire was used, and data were analysed using descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentages) in Microsoft Excel®. Results: The majority of respondents (89.6%, n=43) had received formal NPLPM training. While conceptual understanding was high, 97.9% (n=47) correctly defined NPLPM and 100% (n=48) identified the nurse/midwife as the primary provider; a critical gap was noted: 8.3% (n=4) misclassified epidural anaesthesia as non-pharmacological. Attitudes were overwhelmingly positive; 87.5% (n=42) rejected the notion that labour pain should be endured naturally, and 85.4% (n=41) expressed confidence in applying NPLPM. However, 33.3% (n=16) were neutral regarding NPLPM being time-consuming in busy wards, indicating a perceived practical barrier. Conclusion. Students demonstrated strong foundational knowledge and positive attitudes towards NPLPM. However, misconceptions about pharmacological methods and concerns about clinical feasibility highlight a theory-practice gap. Enhancing practical training and addressing systemic barriers are essential to translate knowledge into consistent, competent care.
Knowledge, Attitudes, Non-Pharmacological, Labour pain Managemnt
Copyright (c) 2026 L A Simasiku, R V Ndaikile, K Ihemba https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Self-awareness before graduation: Multimodal feedback on final-year medical students
Background. Medical students are routinely evaluated through standardised measures to ensure competency in various areas, including clinical, behavioural and communication skills. Patient feedback and self-assessment can complement traditional evaluations to enhance clinical skills; however, there is a paucity of research on how students utilise multimodal feedback to guide improvement. Objectives. To provide insights into the effect of multimodal feedback on students’ identification of performance gaps and development of improvement strategies. Methods. This study retrospectively reviewed preceptor evaluations and compared them with self-evaluations of 4th-year medical students for a required course at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine (UNM SOM). As part of the student assessment assignment, students were required to obtain feedback from three patients using the Patients’ Feedback in Clinical Practice questionnaire. The data were entered into REDCap, a secure database hosted by UNM SOM, and a thematic analysis of preceptors’ and student narratives was conducted. Results. Eighty-six students completed the course between June 2024 and April 2025. Three students did not complete the self-assessment assignment, resulting in 97% of the assignments being analysed. Scores for both preceptors and students ranged from 3 to 5. The mean scores were 4.8 for preceptors and 4.7 for student self-evaluations. Twenty-six students collected patient evaluations (31%). Not every student was able to complete this portion of the assignment owing to clinic limitations. Patient feedback ratings ranged from 2.3 to 5.0. Conclusion. Incorporating patient feedback fosters self-evaluation, reveals blind spots, and strengthens clinical competence.
Assessment, feedback, medical students, medical student education, performance improvement
Copyright (c) 2026 D Hussain, A N Caglar, A Clithero - Eridon, M Ballejos https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
The integration of artificial intelligence into intravascular optical coherence tomography
Intravascular optical coherence tomography (IVOCT) is an imaging system that is used in interventional cardiology to diagnose coronary atherosclerosis. It is a tool that produces high-resolution images that are used to visualise the microstructure of the coronary arteries. However, while IVOCT produces clear and sharp images to be used in diagnoses, the data produced are complex and voluminous, requiring large amounts of time and human effort to interpret. Recently, IVOCT has seen vast improvements and important advances. The objective of this literature review is to provide a critical analysis of the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into IVOCT imaging, explore the achievements made, highlight the challenges faced, and map out the future trajectory of this technology. To fulfil this objective, several scientific studies and peer-reviewed journal articles were critically reviewed to illuminate the recent advances in AI-driven IVOCT imaging. The review focuses on addressing image pre-processing, segmentation, stent detection, plaque characterisation, stent malapposition and neointimal coverage assessment. Special considerations have also been given to the practical applications of these systems in clinical situations, especially in the South African low-resource context. The integration of AI into IVOCT imaging has powerful potential to increase the efficiency of image analysis, diagnostic accuracy, clinical reasoning and decision-making processes, thus forging a new and optimistic path for the future of cardiovascular care and precision medicine.
Copyright (c) 2026 N N Langalibalele https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Harnessing artificial intelligence for South African healthcare: Clinical applications and ethical considerations
Artificial intelligence (AI) has become a household device over the past few years. More recently, use of AI and specifically large language models has skyrocketed thanks to OpenAI’s ChatGPT and others. Many people use AI’s incredible power for mundane everyday tasks, but it has far greater potential. The adoption of AI into fields such as medicine and healthcare carries extraordinary benefits in terms of helping streamline workflows and aiding in diagnostics that have the potential to save countless lives. While there are numerous benefits there are also significant challenges, ranging from the tangible problems of data and infrastructure to the intangible problems of ethics. Some of the benefits and challenges are exacerbated by the unique context of the South African (SA) environment. This review outlines some of the key clinical applications and ethical considerations required for large-scale AI implementation in the SA health sector.
Copyright (c) 2025 Y Pillay https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Infectious disease complications in children with cancer
Infectious complications in childhood cancer contribute to increased morbidity and mortality. Factors predisposing to infection include malignancy- related immune dysregulation, cytotoxic chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression, high-dose corticosteroid use, the presence of indwelling venous catheters, malnutrition, frequent and prolonged hospital stays, and coexisting HIV infection. In the southern African context, infectious complications are associated with worse clinical outcomes than in higher-income countries. More region-specific research is needed to improve patient management and increase survival rates.
Copyright (c) 2026 F Vosloo, C Downing , T Goddard , K Govender , N Kabamba , O Payne , T Toweel-Moore, I Wait , J Wylie, G Naidu https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Identifying and overcoming barriers to undergraduate research: The student voice
Barriers to undergraduate research at the Health Sciences faculty at the University of Pretoria
Copyright (c) 2026 G Lubbe, P Modipane, C Moore, J Visser, N Nkantsu, R Mokotjo https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Burden of sickle cell disease in paediatric patients admitted to Rundu Intermediate State Hospital, Namibia, over the 2-year period 2020 - 2021
Background. Sickle cell disease (SCD) originated in the malarial regions of the tropics, where carriers are protected against death from malaria and hence enjoy an evolutionary advantage. The βS mutation is the archetypal example of natural selection in humans. Of the total population of Namibia (2.46 million), 72% are living in areas of active malaria transmission. Individuals with SCD suffer from various clinical manifestations. Objectives. To document the clinical presentation and treatment outcome of paediatric patients with SCD admitted to Rundu State Intermediate Hospital in 2020 and 2021. Methods. This was a retrospective cross-sectional study using paediatric hospital records for patients admitted to Rundu Hospital. Results. Over the 2-year study period, a total of 3 168 children were admitted to Rundu Hospital, with 1 527 and 1 641 admitted in 2020 and 2021, respectively. Of these children, 103 had SCD, which constituted a prevalence of 3.3%. Many of the children with SCD were male, aged between 1 and 5 years, and suffering from vaso-occlusive crisis. Conclusion. The burden of SCD among admitted patients at Rundu Hospital was high, and vaso-occlusive crisis was the main clinical manifestation. Patients with SCD had access to adequate management. SCD should be diagnosed in newborns before the development of complications, and comprehensive care must be offered in the future in Namibia.
Copyright (c) 2025 C N Sanzila, R Mashingaidze-Mano https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
A doctor in triage: Impact on waiting times and healthcare workers’ views at Helderberg Hospital, South Africa
Background. Lengthy waiting times are a frequent challenge faced by patients seeking care in South African (SA) healthcare facilities. Placing a doctor in triage has been extensively tested in higher-income countries as a way to reduce waiting times, while also providing numerous patient care opportunities. Very little research pertaining to resource-restricted settings has been conducted, with limited results showing no significant improvement in waiting times owing to many confounding factors. Objectives. To determine whether placing a doctor in triage resulted in a decrease in patient waiting times and improved patient care in an SA setting. Methods. A mixed-methods study design was used. The quantitative arm compared the waiting times of two patient populations (1 - 31 March 2023 and 1 - 31 March 2024) before and after implementation of a doctor in triage. The qualitative arm was an online survey sent to staff members working in the emergency centre (EC) or triage during the study period, gathering their views on the system and its impact. Results. Waiting times did not decrease with the introduction of a doctor in triage. Instead, an increase of 13.4 minutes from triage to consultation time was observed, possibly owing to various confounding factors such as staff shortages, budget cuts and resource restriction. However, qualitative data indicated that the majority of the survey participants found the system to be practical, noted their observation of improved patient flow, expediting of seriously ill patients and the ability to quickly consult and discharge patients, and gave ideas for improvement of the system. Challenges included short staffing in the EC, burnout, and bottlenecks due to over-triaging. Conclusion. Placing a doctor in triage increased the waiting time for patients by 13.4 minutes, and still caused an increase of 7 minutes with a significant confounder corrected. While staff members perceived that the system may have advantages for patient care, they mentioned that it requires staff training, patient education, and the execution of standard procedures. Further research with multiple study locations, including direct opinions of patients and improved standard operating procedures, is recommended before it can be decided whether the system is advantageous.
Integrated Primary Care (Family Medicine)
Copyright (c) 2026 R van Zyl, M L Allen https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Breaking silos: A call for interprofessional education and collaboration amongst the School of Medicine and the School of Healthcare Sciences
Interprofessional Education and Collaboration
Copyright (c) 2026 C L Moore, T Buys https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
A South African male cadaver with an azygos lobe on the right lung: a case report
Background. The azygos lobe is a rare anatomical variation of the right lung. This lobe is formed during embryological development but is not a true lobe, since it does not have a separate secondary bronchus. The prevalence of the azygos lobe in South African (SA) cadaveric populations has been reported as 0.5%. Objectives. In this case report, we describe the presence of an azygos lobe in an 81-year-old white SA male who had died of pneumonia. This variation has important clinical significance and can be associated with other congenital abnormalities. Conclusion. Knowledge of anatomical variations of the lung, such as the azygos lobe, is of great importance to prevent misdiagnosis, or complications during surgical interventions.
Copyright (c) 2025 W Maritz, A Scheepers, L Prigge https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia: Mechanisms, resistance, and the evolution of targeted immunotherapy
Anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have been the gold standard in the treatment of B-cell malignancies since their inception, most notably in the case of rituximab and related chimeric antibodies. However, a particular subtype of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL), chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), has shown comparatively poor outcomes. Its slow-paced, indolent nature makes diagnosis difficult, while its evasive nature complicates therapy. The rise in the incidence of CLL, in South Africa in particular, has emphasised the need for ongoing research. Despite the availability of revolutionary therapies that have transformed outcomes in other NHL subtypes, treatment of CLL remains largely experimental. A comprehensive and systematic literature review was therefore conducted to illustrate the impact of anti-CD20 and to explore potential avenues for improvement in the field. Studies illustrate that the treatment landscape has grown considerably, from the introduction of newer mAbs such as obinutuzumab to altogether different modalities such as bispecifics, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells, and even a combination of these immunotherapy regimens. However, the largely experimental nature of these strategies and the ability of CLL to manufacture its tumour microenvironment continue to limit progress. It is evident that although great strides have been made, future breakthroughs via exploitation of the molecular pathways and mutations driving CLL will be essential to refine therapeutic approaches and advance the treatment of CLL and B-cell malignancies more broadly.
Copyright (c) 2025 A Sambo https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Curiosity does not kill the cat ... it cultivates the clinician
Copyright (c) 2025 A Papavarnava https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Balancing the Scales of Ethics and Empathy: Kantianism and Moral Sentimentalism in Practice
Copyright (c) 2026 M-Y Wadee https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Research ethics in Medical and Health Science: A responsibility beyond results. As future healthcare professionals and scientists, undergraduate medical and health science researchers occupy a unique space at the intersection of curiosity, compassion and responsibility. In this space, research ethics is not just a guideline - it’s a commitment to integrity that underpins every experiment, survey and clinical study. In health science research, the stakes are high. Our work has the potential to influence clinical practice, affect patient outcomes and shape public health policy. That’s why ethical conduct in research is not optional - it’s essential.
Copyright (c) 2025 O Vainio https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Incidence of anaesthesia-related complications following gynaecological surgery at a tertiary hospital in Pretoria, South Africa
Background. Anaesthesia-related postoperative complications vary widely in severity, ranging from mild issues to those causing permanent disability or death. Contributory factors include comorbidities, anaesthetic technique, and medications administered perioperatively. Objectives. To determine the incidence and nature of anaesthesia-related complications in patients undergoing gynaecological surgery at a South African tertiary hospital. Methods. This was a prospective, descriptive cross-sectional study. Patients undergoing gynaecological surgery who met the inclusion criteria were recruited for the study. The complications were sorted in descending order according to frequency of occurrence. Stata version 18 was used to analyse the data. Results. A total of 149 patients were interviewed, but two were excluded because they had undergone non-gynaecological procedures. All eligible patients were recruited. Their mean (standard deviation) age was 43.7 (12.42) years. HIV infection and hypertension were the most common comorbidities. Of the 147 patients, 54.4% (n=80) had an abdominal hysterectomy under general anaesthesia. An endotracheal tube was used in 88.4% of the patients (n=130). The most common complication reported was a sore throat, followed by hoarseness of voice and nausea. None of the patients experienced intraoperative awareness. Conclusion. Sore throat was the complication most often reported. This can be attributed to intubation, since almost all the patients had general anaesthesia with an endotracheal tube inserted. None of our patients reported accidental awareness. Future studies should document airway management variables such as tube size, cuff pressure and intubating stylet use to identify modifiable risk factors.
Copyright (c) 2025 L Mmethi; K Makhubela; A Nkosi, N Hlophe, L Mdluli, N Mazibuko, M E Allan, M Motiang https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Exploring waste disposal knowledge and practices of pharmacists and nurses at a selected hospital in South Africa
Background. The correct disposal of healthcare waste is vitally important to protect the environment and public health. Improperly disposed of medical waste can endanger health by polluting the environment, affecting the quality of water resources and transmitting disease. Objectives. To explore the knowledge and practices of pharmacists and nurses regarding waste disposal at a selected hospital in South Africa. Methods. A quantitative design was used for the study. A stratified random sampling method was adopted to select participants, and convenience sampling was used to select the hospital. Data were obtained using a closed-ended questionnaire. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics with percentages and frequencies, which were presented in graphs and tables. A total sample size of 280 healthcare workers was used. Results. A total of 280 nurses and pharmacists participated in the study, with a response rate of 100%. Most of the participants were female. The majority (n=112; 40.0%) were aged between 30 and 39 years. Most (n=252; 90.0%) understood that medical and general waste should be disposed of separately; to prevent injuries, 244 (87.1%) would dispose of injection syringes in a sharps disposal container, 274 (97.9%) would dispose of injection needles in a sharps disposal container, and 218 (77.9%) would dispose of empty medicine vials in a sharps disposal container; and 278 (99.3%) understood proper disposal of gloves contaminated with blood to prevent infections. Conclusion. Most of the participants understood that medical and general waste should be disposed of separately, and they understood and identified proper sharps disposal methods to prevent injuries. Overall, waste disposal knowledge and practice were satisfactory. However, ongoing education and training are recommended to close any gaps in knowledge and encourage consistent practice.
General waste gloves, infection waste, injection needles, medical waste, nurses, pharmacists, sharp waste, vials, waste disposal
Copyright (c) 2025 D A Mello, M F Masocha, I N Lubisi, M K Mokobane, M P Mushasha, N L Shabangu https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Assessment of attitudes on medication adherence among patients with epilepsy at the Kilifi Neurology Clinic, Kenya
Background. Attitude plays a critical role in determining patient medication adherence. Medication adherence is an integral aspect of treatment and affects the effectiveness of managing epilepsy. Approximately 50 million people worldwide supper from epilepsy, with 80% of these cases in low- and middle-income countries. It is described as the most common and problematic neurological disorder. Epileptic seizures can be controlled by taking antiepileptic medication as prescribed. Objectives. To determine the influence of attitudes on medication adherence among patients with epilepsy at the Kilifi Neurology Clinic, Kenya. Methods. A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used. Patients with epilepsy attending the Kilifi Neurology Clinic who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were recruited to participate in the study. Attitude and adherence to treatment were evaluated using a researcher-administered questionnaire and the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale-4 (MMAS). Results. A total of 89 patients with epilepsy participated in the study. The largest age group was <18 years, comprising 37 participants (41.6%), of whom the youngest was 7 years old and the oldest 17. Forty-seven of the patients (52.8%) were male and 42 (47.2%) were female. Perceptions of social stigma regarding their condition and its effect on medication adherence were reported as extreme by 33 of the 89 participants (37.1%). Societal misconceptions also affected medication adherence, with 46 individuals (51.7%) reporting a significant impact. The impact of personal beliefs and values on medication adherence varied among participants. The majority (n=85; 95.5%) had a low level of adherence, reflected in total MMAS scores of 3 or 4. Three participants (3.4%) had a moderate adherence level, with total scores of 1 or 2. Only one participant (1.1%) showed a high level of adherence. Conclusion. The stigma associated with epilepsy produces shame or embarrassment, which can result in reduced health-seeking behaviour. The fear that brews from stigma can further lead patients to skip doses or stop medication completely. The role of attitude in shaping medication adherence cannot be over-emphasised. The study concluded that attitudes influence adherence to epileptic medication in this population group.
Attitudes; Medication adherence; Epileptic
Copyright (c) 2025 M Mshilla Mwaluma, P Kubende, M Mutua https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Sleep quality among undergraduate medical students at a South African university: a cross-sectional study
Background: Poor sleep quality among medical students may affect their overall well-being and academic performance. This study aimed to determine sleep quality among a cohort of undergraduate medical students at one institution during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was done using the validated Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index in the second half of 2021 at one medical school in South Africa. Demographic information (gender, age, marital status, pre-clinical/clinical years of study and living arrangements) were obtained. An email with a link to an online survey was sent to all registered students in the undergraduate medical programme. Results: Data from 164 participants were analysed (response rate 19.0%), with a median age of 20.5 years. The population were mainly female (68.5%) and included pre-clinical (26.9%) and clinical (13.0%) students. The overall sleep quality index was poor among 64.5% of participants, with a median sleep duration of six hours per night. Anxiety and stress were the most common reasons reported for sleep disturbances. No statistically significant differences in sleep quality were found between pre-clinical and clinical students. Conclusion: Poor sleep quality may lead to impaired academic performance and poorer mental health among medical students. This should be addressed by including sleep education when planning interventions to improve the overall well-being of future healthcare professionals.
sleep quality; sleep problems, well-being, undergraduate medical students, academic performance
Copyright (c) 2025 LJ van der Merwe, C van Rooyen, M du Toit, H Geldenhuys, R Human, O Matshediso, R Rodriguez, B van der Vyfer, C van der Merwe, A Uys https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Knowledge of, attitudes towards and perceptions of COVID‑19 vaccination mandates and vaccine uptake among students attending a tertiary institution
Background. In South Africa, vaccinations were made voluntary to the public. At the University of the Western Cape, a hard mandate policy for the COVID-19 vaccine was imposed on all clinical disciplines, which was aligned to the country’s policy. Failure of students to be vaccinated resulted in them not being enrolled for the academic year. Objective. The research project explored the impact and effectiveness on implementing COVID-19 vaccine hard mandate among tertiary students at a time when COVD-19 infection rate was reduced, and the demand for vaccines were low. Method. An online questionnaire was distributed to clinical and non-clinical students, the control group, to assess whether implementing a hard mandate contribute to an increase in vaccine uptake. Clinical students were from the faculties of Dentistry and Community Health Sciences. Non-clinical students were from the faculties of Arts and Law. A 46% response rate was achieved from clinical and non-clinical students. Results. Majority of the participants (88%) were vaccinated. Still, some doubt on the need for vaccination against COVID-19 has been displayed as well as the belief that misinformation was spread. Thus, the results indicated that vaccine hesitancy may have impacted its intake even when it was strongly advised. Conclusion. Imposing mandates does not remove the need for effective messaging to overcome vaccine hesitancy. This indicates that there is a need for proper education regarding the benefits as well as possible risks of vaccination against COVID-19 especially in the health care setting.
COVID-19; vaccines; vaccination; hard mandate; tertiary students
Copyright (c) 2025 NM Lovell, EL Louw, Y Larney, A Madula, K Maharaj, S Khan https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Exploring the knowledge and attitudes of final- year medical students regarding sexual and gender minorities at a South African institution
Background. SGMs continue to face systemic prejudice and discrimination, including within healthcare, despite global strides towards acceptance and equality. This reality is especially problematic in the context of the SA Constitution, which provides for the protection of the SGM community and their healthcare needs. Research suggests that the healthcare needs of SGMs are either inadequately, or not, addressed, in the medical curriculum which contributes to the continuation of the marginalisation of SGM healthcare. Objective. To explore the knowledge and attitudes of final-year medical students towards SGM healthcare education in the medical curriculum at a South African medical school in 2021. Methods. This cross-sectional study was conducted as an anonymous online survey using Qualtrics and included 5-point Likert scale and open- ended questions. The survey underwent face (n=10 students) and content validation (n=3 clinical staff members), showing acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach’s α=0.94). Results. Most participants felt that their training on SGM-specific healthcare was insufficient and lacked an understanding of key SGM terms, which suggests a foundational knowledge gap in the SGM-specific content within the curriculum. Potential barriers to a more inclusive curriculum were identified as: a content-heavy curriculum, SGMs being a minority group with little curricular attention, lack of reform in the institutional culture and insufficient SGM representation in the learning environment. Although the low response rate (12.5%) limits the generalisability of the results, these findings offer preliminary insights for further investigation. Conclusion. Our findings suggest a gap in the SGM curriculum, though this conclusion is limited by the low response rate. More research is needed to fully characterise this gap, but the results highlight areas for improvement during curricular review. Given the importance of equitable healthcare, we advocate for the inclusion of SGM healthcare education within the medical curriculum as a formal component to strengthen its teaching, learning and assessment.
Copyright (c) 2024 B Swart, L Niemand, C Gordon, W Cordier https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
The impact of language diversity on South African occupational therapy undergraduate students
Copyright (c) 2025 D van den Berg, T Buys https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Advocating for a More Inclusive Environment for LGBTQ+ Learners in Schools
Copyright (c) 2024 J Goulding, T Buys https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
The manifestation of spinal tuberculosis and associated vertebral level at Windhoek Central Hospital, Namibia
Background. Tuberculosis (TB) is a major public health concern, especially in developing countries such as Namibia, where spinal TB accounts for 50% of all skeletal TB cases. Objective. To determine the clinical manifestations and most common identifiable radiological features of spinal TB, and to identify the most frequently affected vertebral level. This will aid in future diagnoses and prompt treatment regarding spinal TB cases in Namibia. Method. A retrospective cross-sectional study design was adopted to review patient records of individuals diagnosed with spinal TB in 2019 at Windhoek Central Hospital (Namibia). Non-probability sampling was used, and patient demographics, clinical presentation and radiological features were recorded and analysed. Results. Thirty patients (17 female and 13 male) were included in this study. Weight loss was the main clinical complaint (53%), while local tenderness (30%) was the most common physical examination finding. Eighteen of the 30 patients (60%) had varying degrees of neurological deficits. The most common imaging technique used was computed tomography (CT) (n=29, 97%), followed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (3%). Intervertebral disk space/disk involvement was the most common radiological feature identified on imaging (57%), followed by abscess formation (50%). Vertebral lesions involved the lumbar (50%) and the thoracolumbar spine (23%). L1 and L2 were most commonly affected (48% and 44%, respectively), followed by T12 and L3 (32% each). Conclusion. Early stage diagnosis of spinal TB is highly challenging. Patients are often misdiagnosed and/or mismanaged. Thus, it is essential to enhance screening techniques and educate healthcare professionals on common signs, symptoms and radiological features of spinal TB. This will allow prompt detection and help to prevent debilitating complications associated with the disease to manifest.
Copyright (c) 2024 R E Potgieter, A van der Horst, Q Wessels https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Wound complications after vulvar surgery in HIV-positive women treated at a teaching hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa
Vulvectomy is commonly done for vulvar squamous cell cancer. The type of surgery done is also associated with varying rates of wound complications. In the South African medical literature, there is a lack of studies reporting on post vulva surgery wound complications and organisms cultured after vulva wound sepsis in HIV positive individuals. We conducted a descriptive, retrospective, and case control study to determine the incidence of wound complications (primary outcome). The secondary outcome was to determine the nature of the cultured microbial organisms. The study was approved by the Wits Human Research Ethics Committee (M220938). The post-operative complications of vulva surgery were increased in the HIV positive compared to the HIV negative group: higher rates of sepsis (17.9%); wound breakdown (15.9%); flap necrosis (1.1%) and lymphocysts (1.1%).. The organisms cultured in the HIV positive group in descending order of prevalence were Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis, and equal prevalence of Morganella morganii, Klebsiella pneumonia, Enterococcus faecium, and Candida albicans. This study may warrant a review of the choice of prophylactic and empiric antibiotics used on HIV positive patients pre- and post-operatively for vulva surgery to improve patient outcomes.
Copyright (c) 2025 T M Kabamba, L Mbodi , L Kgomo, D Odendaal, K-J Rose, M Tshishonga, S Moodley, V Salem, A Chikandiwa https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Copyright (c) 2024 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0