Browsing by Author "Barnes, J. M."

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    Child abuse and neglect : social work experience at Tygerberg hospital
    (Stellenbosch University. Department of Social Work, 1999) Louw, H. M.; Van Schalkwyk, H. J. S.; Barnes, J. M.; Dhansay, S.; Schaaf, H. Simon
    Since the proclamation of the Child Care Act 74 of 1983 suspected cases of child abuse and neglect have been notifiable by medical personnel. This obligation to notify has recently been extended to include social workers and several other categories of people taking care of children. The objective of this study is to share the social work experience in a tertiary care hospital in response to the greater awareness of child abuse and the importance of a central register for every institution or district managing cases of child abuse. A comprehensive register of all suspected cases of abuse in children below 18 years of age and cases of severe malnutrition has been kept at the Social Work Department at Tygerberg Hospital (TBH) in the Western Cape Province since 1987. This register was surveyed for the period 1 April 1994 - 31 March 1995. Five hundred and eighty six children with suspected child abuse were referred to the Social Work Department during this time. Of these, 246 (42%) were evaluated for child sexual abuse, 213 (36%) for physical abuse and 127 (22%) for severe malnutrition and neglect. Social workers from TBH were involved for a median duration of 1-2 months for physically abused and malnourished children, and 2-3 months for sexual abuse cases. A total of 5545 hours were spent on interviews, arrangements of children's safety, completing notification and referral reports, and preparing evidence for court and preparing children for court proceedings during this period. The magnitude of serious child abuse is extensive and more than the present infrastructure can handle. More social workers functioning within well-trained and supervised teams and placed suitably in the service network, notably in the outlying areas, are urgently needed.
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    Paediatric HIV/AIDS in schools
    (Health & Medical Publishing Group, 1993) Gie, R. P.; Schaaf, H. Simon; Barnes, J. M.
    Children all over South Africa who are infected with HIV or even have full-blown AIDS will presently reach school-going age without the schools, the community - and worse, the medical professionals in the community - being ready to meet the challenge. Public hysteria about the epidemic, the widespread lack of sound information about the disease and its spread, and the insulation of many rural communities from what many erroneously perceive as an 'urban disease' will make victimisation of the child and hislher family almost inevitable, unless educational and health authorities in the community prepare themselves adequately.
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    Scombroid poisoning : case series of 10 incidents involving 22 patients
    (Health & Medical Publishing Group, 1992) Muller, G. J.; Lamprecht, J. H.; Barnes, J. M.; De Villiers, R. V. P.; Honeth, B. R.; Hoffman, B. A.
    Scombroid poisoning is a form of ichthyosarcotoxism caused by the consumption of 'spoiled' fish of the dark meat varieties. It can be considered a mild-to-moderate form of 'food poisoning' and it occurs world-wide. Ten incidents, involving 22 patients, were reported to Tygerberg Hospital Pharmacology and Toxicology Consultation Centre in the first quarter of 1990. Cape yellowtail (Seriola lalandii) was involved in all the cases. The presenting symptoms and signs (in order of frequency) were: skin rash, diarrhoea, palpitations, headache, nausea and abdominal cramps, paraesthesia, an unusual taste sensation and breathing difficulties. The patients responded well to antihistamines and, in most, the condition resolved within 12-24 hours. Although histamine plays an important role in the pathogenesis of scombroid poisoning, the exact mechanism is still unresolved. The condition should be recognised and not confused with a true seafood allergy. Health workers are urged to alert the authorities when outbreaks of suspected cases of scombroid poisoning are encountered in order to establish the possible cause and to prevent further cases.
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    Smoking among nursing staff at Tygerberg hospital, Cape Town
    (Health & Medical Publishing Group, 2003) Retief, F. W.; Prinsloo, E.; Calitz, J.; Barnes, J. M.
    A tobacco-free hospital environment sends an important signal to patients and visitors with regard to both safety and a healthy lifestyle. Today patients, staff and visitors increasingly expect an antismoking policy to be in place in hospitals and other venues where sick people are treated. Health care staff can play an important role in the implementation of an antismoking policy in their hospital.