Health Conditions and Support Needs of Persons Living in Residential Facilities for Adults With Intellectual Disability in Western Cape Province.
Health conditions and support needs of persons living in residential facilities for adults with intellectual disability in Western Cape Province.
S Afr Med J. 2013; 103(7): 481-484
McKenzie JA, McConkey R, Adnams CM
Background. Intellectual disability (ID) is a relatively high-incidence disability, with an increased risk of poor physical and mental health. Persons with ID also have lifelong support needs that must be met if they are to achieve an acceptable quality of life. Little is known about these health conditions and support needs in the African context. This study examines persons over the age of 18 years with ID in residential facilities in Western Cape Province.Objective. To analyse the health conditions and support needs of persons with ID in Western Cape Province.Method. A survey of residents’ health conditions and support needs was conducted in face-to-face interviews with the managers of 37 out of 41 identified facilities.Results and conclusion. The survey comprised 2 098 residents (54% of them female), representing less than 2% of the estimated population of persons with ID in the province. The survey suggests that such persons experience a wide range of health conditions (notably mental health and behavioural issues) but have limited access to general health care and rehabilitation services. Furthermore, the daily living supports required for an acceptable quality of life are limited. The findings highlight the need for better health and support provision to persons with ID. HubMed – rehab
Successful repair of flayed tissue in a degloving injury of the hand by arteriovenous anastomosis.
J Plast Surg Hand Surg. 2013 Jun 26;
Chin T, Ono S, Hyakusoku H
Abstract We report the case of a 43-year-old man who had a degloving injury of the left hand from a printer machine. There was no response to a pin prick test over the peripheral portion of the degloved skin, so a branch of a digital artery was selected for anastomosis to a subcutaneous vein, which resulted in survival of the degloved tissue with no signs of congestion. Postoperative care and rehabilitation were straightforward, and functional results.were satisfactory. HubMed – rehab
Understanding physical activity in spinal cord injury rehabilitation: translating and communicating research through stories.
Disabil Rehabil. 2013 Jun 26;
Smith B, Papathomas A, Martin Ginis KA, Latimer-Cheung AE
Abstract Purpose: The purpose of this article is to develop an evidence-based resource for knowing and communicating the complexities involved for both males and females in implementing and sustaining a physically active lifestyle shortly after spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods: Synthesizing a set of qualitative and quantitative studies with over 500 spinal cord injured people, the article represents research utilizing the genre of ethnographic creative non-fiction. This genre of representation holds enormous potential for researchers in terms of disseminating their findings to diverse audiences beyond the academy, and having real impact. Results: The ethnographic creative non-fictions show together for the first time the barriers, determinants, benefits, trajectories, emotions, fears, preferred methods and messengers for delivering important physical activity information to men and women with a SCI. Conclusion: The article contributes to knowledge by showing the embodied complexities involved when in rehabilitation for both males and females in implementing and sustaining a physically active lifestyle shortly after SCI. It also makes a contribution to practice by providing researchers, health care professionals and disability user-groups with a theory and evidence based resource to assist in informing, teaching and enabling people living with SCI to initiate and maintain a physically active lifestyle. Stories may be a highly effective tool to communicate with and to influence spinal cord injured people’s activity. Implications for Rehabilitation The findings of this research showed the many benefits and barriers to developing and sustaining a physically active lifestyle shortly after spinal cord injury. The preferred methods and messengers for delivering physical activity information as well as the activity types, intensities and durations of physical activity for men and women were also shown. Within rehabilitation, spinal cord injured people need to be offered accessible knowledge about how to implement and sustain a physically active lifestyle over the life course. Stories may serve as a unique and powerful means to achieve this. HubMed – rehab