Kathryn Chu
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View article: Current practices in caesarean section training: A cross‐sectional study comparing high‐ and low‐middle‐income countries
Current practices in caesarean section training: A cross‐sectional study comparing high‐ and low‐middle‐income countries Open
Objective This study identifies and describes global caesarean section (CS) training practices, comparing high‐income countries (HIC) and low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMIC). Methods A convergent parallel mixed‐methods study was conduc…
View article: Access to quality trauma care after injury in Pakistan: a systematic review and narrative synthesis
Access to quality trauma care after injury in Pakistan: a systematic review and narrative synthesis Open
Objectives To conduct a systematic review and narrative synthesis to identify barriers, facilitators and pre-existing interventions and describe the current status of initiatives/interventions aimed at improving access to quality trauma he…
View article: Developing and validating an appendectomy algorithm for use in a South African database
Developing and validating an appendectomy algorithm for use in a South African database Open
Background: Identifying surgical patients through administrative and clinical data can inform the quality and demand for surgical care. In South Africa, a database exists that comprises data from the public health sector. However, algorith…
View article: Regional Assessment of Lower limb Amputations in sub-Saharan Africa (RAMPs): a prospective cohort study protocol
Regional Assessment of Lower limb Amputations in sub-Saharan Africa (RAMPs): a prospective cohort study protocol Open
Introduction Major lower limb amputation, defined as an amputation above the level of the ankle joint, is a substantial cause of morbidity and mortality. Limited data exist on the burden, aetiology and outcomes of major lower limb amputati…
View article: Time to operative care for breast cancer in the Cape Metro West region
Time to operative care for breast cancer in the Cape Metro West region Open
A low proportion of women with BCA had definitive surgery within the 31-day recommended waiting period. Decentralisation of operative care allowed faster access to surgery at district hospitals for women who did not need sentinel node biop…
View article: Epidemiology and anatomic distribution of colorectal cancer in South Africa
Epidemiology and anatomic distribution of colorectal cancer in South Africa Open
CRC-AC in SA presents at an earlier age than in HICs, such as the United States of America. The majority of CRC were left-sided and rectal; thus, screening with faecal immunochemical testing and flexible sigmoidoscopy should be considered.…
View article: Barriers to accessing appendectomy in the public sector health system in the Western Cape Province, South Africa
Barriers to accessing appendectomy in the public sector health system in the Western Cape Province, South Africa Open
Participants in the study experienced, and perceived similar delays to accessing appendectomy to that reported in other African countries. Improved health literacy in communities could lead to timely healthcare-seeking behaviour for append…
View article: Building resilient surgical systems that can withstand external shocks
Building resilient surgical systems that can withstand external shocks Open
When surgical systems fail, there is the major collateral impact on patients, society and economies. While short-term impact on patient outcomes during periods of high system stress is easy to measure, the long-term repercussions of global…
View article: The role of indigenous healers in treating surgical conditions in the rural Eastern Cape of South Africa
The role of indigenous healers in treating surgical conditions in the rural Eastern Cape of South Africa Open
Background Indigenous knowledge healers (IKHs) provide alternative healthcare to formal health services in rural South Africa, but there is a gap in knowledge regarding their treatment of surgical conditions. This study evaluated IKH surgi…
View article: Laparoscopic appendectomy by surgical trainees at a public teaching hospital in Cape Town, South Africa: A retrospective, observational study
Laparoscopic appendectomy by surgical trainees at a public teaching hospital in Cape Town, South Africa: A retrospective, observational study Open
Background: The uptake of laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) for acute appendicitis is variable in resource-limited settings despite an abundance of literature demonstrating associated improved patient outcomes. In South Africa, surgical train…
View article: Commonalities and differences in injured patient experiences of accessing and receiving quality injury care: a qualitative study in three sub-Saharan African countries
Commonalities and differences in injured patient experiences of accessing and receiving quality injury care: a qualitative study in three sub-Saharan African countries Open
Objectives To understand commonalities and differences in injured patient experiences of accessing and receiving quality injury care across three lower-income and middle-income countries. Design A qualitative interview study. The interview…
View article: An analysis of referral patterns of traumatic brain injury at Groote Schuur Hospital Trauma Centre
An analysis of referral patterns of traumatic brain injury at Groote Schuur Hospital Trauma Centre Open
Background. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can result in significant morbidity and mortality if not diagnosed in a timely manner. Brain computed tomography (CT) is the diagnostic gold standard but is of limited availability in most South Afr…
View article: An African perspective of Helicobacter pylori infection: A narrative review
An African perspective of Helicobacter pylori infection: A narrative review Open
Background There is a high prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection in Africa, but data on its clinical presentation are limited. The African enigma, states that despite a high prevalence of H. pylori infection on the contin…
View article: The role of clinical associates in South Africa as a health workforce: A scoping review
The role of clinical associates in South Africa as a health workforce: A scoping review Open
As a health care provider cadre, Clin-As have been welcomed by multiple stakeholders and could potentially be a valuable resource for South Africa's health care system, but they face substantial challenges. Realising their full potential n…
View article: Equitable access to quality injury care; Equi-Injury project protocol for prioritizing interventions in four low- or middle-income countries: a mixed method study
Equitable access to quality injury care; Equi-Injury project protocol for prioritizing interventions in four low- or middle-income countries: a mixed method study Open
Background Equitable access to quality care after injury is an essential step for improved health outcomes in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We introduce the Equi-Injury project, in which we will use integrated frameworks to und…
View article: An increase in electrical burns during the covid lockdown in Western Cape, South Africa
An increase in electrical burns during the covid lockdown in Western Cape, South Africa Open
Electrical burns doubled during Covid, potentially related to an increase in cable and copper wire theft, a phenomenon described during hard economic times in other settings. More studies to understand this potential relationship are indic…
View article: Community support for injured patients: A scoping review and narrative synthesis
Community support for injured patients: A scoping review and narrative synthesis Open
Background Community-based peer support (CBPS) groups have been effective in facilitating access to and retention in the healthcare system for patients with HIV/AIDS, cancer, diabetes, and other communicable and non-communicable diseases. …
View article: Development of National Surgical Plans: Benchmarking Progress and Disparities Across 194 Countries
Development of National Surgical Plans: Benchmarking Progress and Disparities Across 194 Countries Open
View article: Road Traffic Injuries in South Africa: A Complex Global Health Crisis
Road Traffic Injuries in South Africa: A Complex Global Health Crisis Open
1.3 million people die each year as a result of Road traffic crashes. Road Traffic Injuries are a global health crisis with 90% of global deaths affecting LMICs. Sustainable Development Goal 3.6 focuses on reducing road injury and death. T…
View article: Factors Contributing to Delays to Accessing Appendectomy in Low‐ and Middle‐Income Countries: A Scoping Review
Factors Contributing to Delays to Accessing Appendectomy in Low‐ and Middle‐Income Countries: A Scoping Review Open
Background Appendicitis is one of the most common emergency surgical conditions worldwide. Delays in accessing appendectomy can lead to complications. Evidence on these delays in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs) is lacking. The aim…
View article: Governance for injury care systems in Ghana, South Africa and Rwanda: development and pilot testing of an assessment tool
Governance for injury care systems in Ghana, South Africa and Rwanda: development and pilot testing of an assessment tool Open
Objectives This study aims to evaluate health systems governance for injury care in three sub-Saharan countries from policymakers’ and injury care providers’ perspectives. Setting Ghana, Rwanda and South Africa. Design Based on Siddiqi et …
View article: Community Support for Injured Patients: A Scoping Review and Narrative Synthesis
Community Support for Injured Patients: A Scoping Review and Narrative Synthesis Open
BACKGROUND Community-based support groups have been effective in facilitating access to and retention in the healthcare system for patients with HIV/AIDS, cancer, diabetes, and other communicable and non-communicable diseases. Given the hi…
View article: Developing a Pipeline of African Global Surgery Scholars
Developing a Pipeline of African Global Surgery Scholars Open
Global surgery is developing as new discipline in many countries. Global surgery primarily aims to improve access to quality surgery in low-and-middle Income countries (LMICs). Thus, ensuring appropriate LMIC representation and leadership …
View article: Impact of malnutrition on early outcomes after cancer surgery: an international, multicentre, prospective cohort study
Impact of malnutrition on early outcomes after cancer surgery: an international, multicentre, prospective cohort study Open
View article: A survey on the educational value of an mHealth referral app for orthopaedics in South Africa
A survey on the educational value of an mHealth referral app for orthopaedics in South Africa Open
BACKGROUND: A WhatsApp orthopaedic referral group (ORG) was created in 2017 by orthopaedic specialists at a district hospital to provide support to primary healthcare doctors in order to manage traumatic fractures and dislocations. This st…
View article: Social Determinants of Seeking and Reaching Injury Care in South Africa: A Community-Based Qualitative Study
Social Determinants of Seeking and Reaching Injury Care in South Africa: A Community-Based Qualitative Study Open
We found a substantial role of neighbourhood, social, and community factors in seeking and reaching injury care. Therefore, efforts aimed at improving access to injury care and outcomes must go beyond addressing healthcare factors to inclu…
View article: Mapping access to care and identification of barriers for traumatic brain injury in a South African township
Mapping access to care and identification of barriers for traumatic brain injury in a South African township Open
Rationale South Africa has a high traumatic injury burden resulting in a significant number of persons suffering from traumatic brain injury (TBI). TBI is a time‐sensitive condition requiring a responsive and organized health system to min…
View article: Determining the Minimum Dataset for Surgical Patients in Africa: A Delphi Study
Determining the Minimum Dataset for Surgical Patients in Africa: A Delphi Study Open
Background It is often difficult for clinicians in African low‐ and middle‐income countries middle‐income countries to access useful aggregated data to identify areas for quality improvement. The aim of this Delphi study was to develop a s…
View article: Knowledge, attitude and perception towards lower limb amputation amongst persons living with diabetes in rural South Africa: A qualitative study
Knowledge, attitude and perception towards lower limb amputation amongst persons living with diabetes in rural South Africa: A qualitative study Open
Background: South Africa has a high prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM), a leading risk factor for lower limb amputation (LLA). Lower limb amputation is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Lower limb amputation incidence …
View article: Colorectal Surgery Practice, Training, and Research in Low-Resource Settings
Colorectal Surgery Practice, Training, and Research in Low-Resource Settings Open
Colorectal surgery (CRS) practice, training, and research differ between low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and high-income countries due to disparity in resources. LMIC CRS is primarily done by general surgeons due to the paucity of…