Buffalo City Research Articles

Ecosystem Functioning, Goods, Services and Economic Benefits in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM) Eastern Cape, South Africa

Ecosystem Functioning, Goods, Services and Economic Benefits in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM) Eastern Cape, South Africa

Diagnosing Diabetes Mellitus With Glycated Haemoglobin in Newly Diagnosed HIV-positive Patients in Buffalo City Municipality, South Africa: A Cross-sectional Study

Background: The HbA1c estimates long-term glycaemic control in individuals. However, scanty data exist on the determination of Diabetes Mellitus (DM) in newly diagnosed HIV patients using the HbA1c screening tool in the South African context. Thus, this study examines the prevalence of diabetes mellitus in newly diagnosed HIV-positive patients in Buffalo City Municipality, East London, South Africa. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study of 335 newly HIV-diagnosed patients between August 2016 and July 2017. Demographic (age, gender, residence, employment status and level of education) and behavioural variables (smoking and alcohol use (past 30 days)) were by self-reporting. Information on HbA1c and other clinical variables were obtained from the medical records of the patients. Diabetes mellitus was defined based on the Society for Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes of South Africa (SEMDSA) 2017 guideline of HbA1c of above 6.5%. Weight and height were measured using standard protocols. Logistic regression analyses were applied to determine the predictors of abnormal glycated haemoglobin. Results: Majority of the participants were female (72%). The prevalence of patients with HbA1c greater than 6.5% was 6%. The multivariate analysis indicates only age (p=0.031) and race (0.019) significantly shows a correlation to increase the risk of development of DM in newly diagnosed HIV positive patients. The binary logistic regression analysis shows that age (above 46 years) (p=0.001; AOR (6.60); CI (2.08-20.9) was directly related to the development of DM. Conclusion: Consistent with other studies, the exclusive non-fasting HbA1c, which is a marker of glycaemic control, only underestimate glycemia in HIV patients with diabetes in this present study. Notwithstanding, HIV patients who are over 40 years are likely to develop DM. As such, screening older individuals diagnosed with HIV is crucial in offering a timely point of care and interventions.

Prevalence, awareness, and determinants of type 2 diabetes mellitus among commercial taxi drivers in buffalo city metropolitan municipality South Africa: A cross-sectional survey.

Undiagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus constitutes a significant threat to the health of commercial taxi drivers, safety of the passengers and other road users. This study determines the prevalence of pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus among commercial taxi drivers in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM), Eastern Cape and examines the factors associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus.A cross-sectional survey of 403 commercial taxi drivers was undertaken using the World Health Organization (WHO) STEPwise approach. Anthropometric, blood pressure, and blood glucose measurements followed standard procedure. Diabetes status was determined using the fasting blood glucose (FBG) test. Diabetes was defined as a FBG ≥7.0mmol/L or self-reported history of diabetes or current diabetes medication use (treatment), while pre-diabetes was defined as a FBG of 5.6 to 6.9 mmol/L. Awareness of diabetes was defined as a self-reported history of diabetes.The mean age of the study participants was 43.3 ± 12.5years. Prevalence of pre-diabetes and diabetes were 17% (95% CI: 13.4–20.6) and 16% (95% CI: 12.4–19.6), respectively. Of those who had diabetes (n = 63), the majority were aware of their diabetes status (n = 43) and were on treatment (n = 30). In the unadjusted logistic regression, age, ever married, hypertension, obesity, and driving for more than 5 years were independently associated with diabetes. However, only age >35 (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]= 3.65, CI: 1.17–11.32), ever married (AOR= 3.26, CI: 1.52–6.99) and hypertension (AOR= 3.23, CI: 1.56–6.69) were associated with diabetes in the adjusted logistic regression model.The prevalence of diabetes among commercial taxi drivers in this study is high, almost twice the national prevalence of diabetes in South Africa. Periodic health screening among this sub-population group is important to bridge the gap of undiagnosed diabetes in South Africa.

On-Site Evaluation of Smoking, Alcohol consumption and Physical Inactivity Among Commercial Taxi Drivers in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa

BACKGROUND: Commercial drivers have been identified as eliciting behaviours that promote non- communicable diseases and road traffic accidents. The aim of the study is to determine the prevalence and pattern of alcohol use, smoking and physical inactivity among commercial taxi drivers in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa.
 
 METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 403 commercial drivers using the face-to-face interviews method. The WHO STEPwise questionnaire was used to obtain the demographic data, self-reported rate of alcohol consumption, tobacco use and physical inactivity.
 
 RESULTS: The participants’ mean age was 43.3 ± 12.5 years. About 30% of the participants were daily smokers, 37% consumed alcohol regularly and only 18% were physically active, whilst 82% were physically inactive.
 
 CONCLUSION: The prevalence of alcohol use, smoking and physical inactivity is high among commercial drivers in East London. Workplace health education on the health effects of these lifestyles’ risky behaviours on individuals and the general public should be given to the drivers.

The Role Of Mentors In Land Reform Projects Supported Through The Recapitalisation And Development Programme: Findings From Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa

Since the beginning of South Africa’s land reform programme in 1994, much concern has been expressed about the uneven performance of newly settled farmers, which has typically been explained by weak ‘post-settlement support’. In 2009, the government launched the Recapitalisation and Development Programme (RADP) in order to assist farms that have received little or no support, especially land reform farms. One salient aspect of the RADP is that it links recipient farmers with strategic partners or mentors, often as a condition of receiving financial support. Qualitative research was conducted in the form of seven in-depth case studies of RADP-supported land reform projects, together with interviews with four RADP mentors and three government officials. Some of the challenges in the farms before RADP funding was received included little or no income, high mortality rate of livestock, and lack of skills. The study revealed that the RADP mentorship remains a vital practice to be considered in capacitating land reform beneficiaries. It is recommended that funds should be made available for mentors to have an agreement of at least three to five years in a single project. Keywords: Land Reform, Mentors, Recapitalisation

Readiness of Universities for 21st Century Digital Economies: Case of Selected Lecturers from Universities in Buffalo City Metropolitan in Eastern Cape Province South Africa

NOTE: THIS ARTICLE WAS PUBLISHED WITH THE INFORMING SCIENCE INSTITUTE. Aim/Purpose...................................................................................................................................................................................................... The purpose of this study is to expand the knowledge base on factors likely to impede implementation and adoption of web-based learning management systems to blend with traditional methods of lecturing in universities to cater for the next generation of learners in Africa and Eastern Cape Province South Africa in particular. Background........................................................................................................................................................................................................ The shift from the industrial economies to 21st century digital and knowledge-based economies, fueled by rapid Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) such as Internet, YouTube, Chartrooms, Skype, Social media networks and its introduction to the educational system not only resulted in a new teaching approach globally but also paved way to usher in new generation of learners (anytime, anywhere learners) in the higher education system. Despite the fact that universities and other institutions of higher education in developed countries and some Africa countries have since recognized that the 21st century global digital and knowledge-based economies evolution has ushered in the next generation of learners, and as a result have taken the necessary steps to blend the traditional method of lecturing in higher education with web-based learning management systems in order to accommodate these learners. However, in Africa not much research have been done on the readiness of higher education institutions in terms of blending web-based learning management systems with the traditional method of lecturing to cater for the next generation of learners. Methodology....................................................................................................................................................................................................... Quantitative and two non-probability sampling methods, namely, quota and purposive sampling was used to investigate the technological skills of selected lecturers from universities within Buffalo City Metropolitan as one of the core component to check the readiness of their faculty for the next generation of learners. Contribution........................................................................................................................................................................................................ This research will add to the growing knowledge about the blending of web-based learning management with the traditional style of lecturing in higher education in the 21st century digital economies. Findings.............................................................................................................................................................................................................. The results indicated that the participating lecturers need to be trained and sup-ported in the skills of using of the ICTs and computer programs applicable to enhance web-based learning in teaching and learning environment in higher education in order to cater for the next generation of learners associated with the 21st century digital economies. Recommendations for Practitioners................................................................................................................................................................. Much as there is a need for increased in investment in infrastructure within higher education institutions to support teaching and learning, continuous sup-port and training for academics to be technologically literate and also be abreast on rapidly evolving field of ICTs is paramount as it can expedite the teaching and learning process in higher education. Recommendation for Researchers................................................................................................................................................................... There is the need to explore in depth the other two components suggested by Mishra and Koehler (2007) which can serve as barriers for successfully integration of technology into teaching and learning by locus of knowledge. Impact on Society............................................................................................................................................................................................... The research will assist stakeholders, policy makers and agencies tasked with transforming institutions of higher learning to identify the barriers likely to hinder transformation efforts and address them accordingly. Future Research................................................................................................................................................................................................. Conducting research on technological skills of students are critical in this context.

An Investigation into Employee Job Satisfaction and Its Impact on Organizational Effectiveness with Special Reference to the Buffalo City College

This study was aimed at investigating the impact of employee job satisfaction on organizational effectiveness at the Buffalo City College in East London, South Africa. Job satisfaction is critical in ensuring the continued growth and effectiveness of any organization. This study assessed the levels of job satisfaction among academic lecturers at Buffalo City College. A quantitative research approach was used in the study. A structured questionnaire was distributed to all the campuses of the college. The self-developed questionnaire was distributed to a population size of 100 employees. Out of the 100 questionnaires distributed, 75 were returned which puts the response rate at 75%. The findings of this study revealed that employees were dissatisfied with pay, recognition and advancement opportunities.

E-Learning and Conventional Learning in 21st Century Information Age: A Case Study Of Students from Selected Universities in Buffalo City Metropolitan Eastern Cape South Africa

NOTE: THIS ARTICLE WAS PUBLISHED WITH THE INFORMING SCIENCE INSTITUTE. Aim/Purpose................................................................................................................................................................................................. The main aim of the study is to critically examine the forces that can impede or support students to use e-learning in higher education teaching and learning environment which require not only pre-technological literacy’s but easy access to the e-learning platform and ICT devices. Background................................................................................................................................................................................................. The concept of e-learning has grown considerably in the past three or four decades, which according to Pollock and Cornford, (2003) has prompted a great deal of interest in using and integration of technology into teaching and learning environment thereby transforming the very nature of the traditional higher education system. Murphy et al (2001) have highlighted that not only does the new technologies supplement the conventional course delivery in institutions of higher learning, but they have also become a catalyst for change in higher education. South Africa as a developing nation has adopted the introduction of ICTs in the education system with the hope that it may offer some solutions to the challenges of education in South Africa. The South African Department of Education believes that developments in ICTs and its introduction to the education system creates access to learning opportunities, redresses inequalities, improve the quality of learning and teaching, and deliver lifelong learning (Department of Education, 2004). Even though internet access and ICT devices are becoming more common in South Africa, the use of them for teaching and learning purposes are limited. According to the White Paper on E-education in South Africa (SA, 2004), the Province of Eastern Cape has ranked lowest in terms of number of schools with computers for teaching and learning and as a result many students from Eastern Cape Province who enter higher education do not have adequate technological literacy levels to cope with the demands of higher education teaching and learning environment. Methodology................................................................................................................................................................................................. The design of the study was a case study and it utilized quantitative method. The number of sample units in the study was 65 students from Walter Sisulu University, University of South Africa, Pearson Institute of Higher Education (formerly called CTI) and University of Fort Hare campuses based in East London Eastern Cape Province South Africa. The data were analyzed using MS Excel spreadsheet database for conversion into percentages for the descriptive statistics. Contribution................................................................................................................................................................................................. It is essential to understand the forces that can impede or support e-learning. Possible solutions can be suggested for successfully integrating e-learning into higher education teaching and learning environment to meet 21st century students’ needs. The South Africa case study identified that a number of respondents indicated that the resources are available for e-learning on their university campuses. But these available resources are not efficiently used by most respondents to support their studies. Findings......................................................................................................................................................................................................... The results indicated that in the area of infrastructure required for e-learning, the majority of respondents indicated that the resources are available for e-learning on the campuses of the sampled universities. But these available re-sources are not efficiently utilized by respondents to support their studies. Recommendations for Practitioners............................................................................................................................................................... While universities and other institutions of higher education are encouraging integration of e-learning into the curriculum, it is also imperative that their teaching and learning strategies and policies take into account that some students are unevenly challenged in terms of technological skills and still require additional support. Recommendation for Researchers................................................................................................................................................................ There is the need to explore in depth the aspects that lead to the successful integration of e-learning into conventional lecture method of courses delivery. Impact on Society........................................................................................................................................................................................... With the dawn of 21st century digital and knowledge-based economies evolution where the integration of computers and other ICTs tools in higher education teaching and learning environments have been found to be very beneficial to students, hence not only pre-technological literacy’s of students but easy access to the e-learning platform and ICT devices are critical to higher education learning environment. Assessing students technological skills and access to e-learning platforms to which this study contributes will assist in improving quality education which has a greater impact on society. Future Research............................................................................................................................................................................................... In the context in which this study was conducted further examination of the technological skills of academic staff of the successful integration of e-learning into curriculum would be advisable.

A Gathering Storm

A Gathering Storm

Effects of knowledge management on innovation capabilities amongst small and medium enterprises in South Africa: The case of Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality

Background: South Africa is witnessing a growth in small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Given this rise in SMEs, there is a need to pay attention to those factors that influence how these enterprises perform. Aim: The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of knowledge management (KM) on innovation capabilities (IC) in SMEs with a special focus on Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality. Setting: This study is the first to investigate the effects of KM on IC in SMEs operating in South Africa. Given the scarcity of studies on KM in SMEs in the sub-Saharan region, this study contributes to the literature on the effects of KM on IC. Method: A quantitative research approach was followed in carrying out this study. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed to answer the research questions and test the hypotheses of the study. The respondents ( n = 280) were SME representatives operating in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality. Results: Knowledge management is found to exert a positive effect on SMEs’ IC. Conclusion: Findings from the study can assist various practitioners, directly or indirectly involved with development of business, to develop strategies that improve SMEs’ growth and sustainability. These practitioners include strategic management researchers, policymakers, SME owners and managers and lecturers.

Universities as city-builders: The city-campus development opportunity in East London–Buffalo City, South Africa

ABSTRACTThis article explores the city-campus dynamic in East London’s inner city in the light of international experiences and investigates the place-based opportunities for higher education institutions to play a more instrumental role in shaping the economic development and the urban built environment in this struggling former industrial city. At a wider national level, the article is intended as a case study that will allow scholars and planners to reflect on whether South Africa’s higher education and city planning policy frameworks and approaches are designed to respond effectively to recent economic change in cities and regions and are positively aligned with local place-based development challenges. The article highlights the potential for the use of both anchor and innovation district strategies in the city, but does not prescribe a particular model or solution.

Risks of Preterm Labour among Women Who Attend Public Antenatal Care Clinics

Preterm births are the leading cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Complications of prematurity are the single largest cause of neonatal death and the second leading cause of deaths among children under the age of five years. The study aimed to identify the possible causes for preterm labour among women who attend antenatal care clinics in the East London area of the Buffalo City Metropolitan Health District in South Africa. A quantitative, explorative, descriptive, and retrospective design was used. The target population was women who delivered preterm infants in the year 2014. Patient files were used to collect the data and simple random sampling was used to select patient files. The sample only included women who delivered preterm infants who received antenatal care at primary healthcare clinics. An audit tool was developed and used to collect data. The findings suggest that many of the women did not receive quality antenatal care with certain tests and procedures being omitted and underreported by nurses, leading to some conditions being poorly monitored or even undiagnosed. In conclusion, many preterm births could be prevented among women who attend antenatal care clinics, provided that they attend early, adhere to return dates and experience quality basic antenatal care services.

Adult binge drinking: rate, frequency and intensity in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa

Background: Binge drinking (BD) is a significant risk factor for several acute and chronic illnesses, including injuries. This study examines the rate, frequency and intensity of BD in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM), South Africa.Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey of 998 adults attending the three largest outpatient clinics in BCMM. Rate, frequency and intensity of BD were assessed using the WHO STEPwise questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics were carried out to determine the rate and determinants of binge drinking.Results: The overall rate of BD was 15.0%. Frequency and intensity of BD were 5.4 episodes per month and 13.4 drinks on one occasion, respectively. The study data showed that BD was commoner in males than females (24.0% vs. 10.8%). Smokers engagemore in BD than non-smokers (44.0% vs. 9.9%). In the analysis of socio-demographic variables, BD was commonest among students, age group 18–25 years, those never married and those on incomes between 2001 and 5000 Rand per month. In themultivariate logistic regression, after adjusting for confounders, only age less than 25 years (p 0.001) and male gender (p 0.001) were significant predictors of binge drinking. Also, male gender (p = 0.002) was significantly associated with frequency of BD. There was no significant gender variation in the intensity of BD. Only age and smoking were significantly associated with the intensity of BD.Conclusion: The rate of binge drinking was high among the study participants, and those who binge drink tend to do so frequently and at a high intensity. Women who binge drink also do so at a high intensity. There is a need for sensitisation campaigns and health advocacy talks on the dangers associated with binge drinking among young adults in this setting.

19th international conference Recent Progress in Many Body Theory (RPMBT)

19th International Conference on Recent Progress in Many-Body Theories (MBT19)Jong E. Han1, Ki-Seok Kim21 Department of Physics, University at Buffalo SUNY, Buffalo NY 14260, USA2 Department of Physics, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, KoreaE-mail: jonghan@buffalo.eduThe 19th International Conference on Recent Progress in Many-Body Theories (MBT19) was held at the Asia Pacific Center for Theoretical Physics (APCTP) on June 25-30, 2017. The conference continued the approximately biennial series initiated in Trieste in 1978 and was devoted to new developments in the field of many-body theories, with an added focus on electron transport and nanostructures. The conference series encourages the exchange of ideas between physicists working in such diverse areas as nuclear and condensed matter physics, quantum chemistry, lattice Hamiltonians or quantum fluids. This volume includes the proceedings of the conference.Many-body theories are an integral part in different fields of theoretical physics such as condensed matter, nuclear matter that share common methodology often leading to unifying concepts. Phase transitions and macroscopic quantum effects such as magnetism, Bose-Einstein condensation, superfluidity or superconductivity have been investigated within ultra-cold gases, finite systems or various nanomaterials. Traditional equilibrium theories are now expanded to strong-field and ultrafast dynamics of condensed matter systems. The conference series on Recent Progress in Many-Body Theories (RPMBT) is devoted to foster interaction and cross-fertilization between different fields and also to discuss future lines of research.Conference photograph is available in this pdf.

Relationship between strategic planning and financial performance: The case of small, micro- and medium-scale businesses in the Buffalo City Metropolitan

Background: Arguments are made for strategic planning as an important organisational capability used to realise a firm’s goals and objectives. Despite this, conflicting views appear to emerge from the extant literature over the link between strategic planning and financial performance. Notably, within a South African context, a few studies have been conducted ascertaining this relationship especially within small, medium and micro-enterprises (SMMEs). Aim and setting: The study aimed to determine this relationship using survey responses from a sample of 225 respondents classified as owners or managers of SMMEs operating within theBuffalo City Metropolitan in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Method: Data were analysed through regression and correlation analysis. Results: Findings reveal strategic planning to have a positive relationship with the financial performance of the SMMEs. Furthermore, aspects of strategic planning (formulation, implementation, evaluation and control) were also found to have a positive relationship with financial performance. Conclusion: Suggestions for theory and practice are made based on these findings, including how the adoption and usage of strategic planning cannot only be an important organisational capability but also a basis for attaining a competitive advantage within the SMME.

GIS-based Suitability Analysis for Siting Waterfront Park in the City of Buffalo, New York

This study utilized GIS-based suitability analysis for selecting potential areas for a waterfront park and recreation facility development in the city of Buffalo, New York. The overall objective of this study was to determine areas which were suitable for new waterfront recreation facility by taking into consideration the multi-criteria set in GIS-based suitability analysis. Among the criteria incorporated in the analysis were a close distance to a waterbody, low density of existing water-based park or splash pads, small cost-distance to the nearest existing water-based park or splash pads, high population change of children per block-group (standardized), low density of existing parks/recreational facilities, and flat landscape slope. For each criterion, raster-based derived map was produced using ArcMap software. The GIS spatial analysis tools utilized to yield the derived maps were a measurement of distance, density calculation, surface analysis, and raster-based statistical analysis. The weighting of each criterion was based on current literature. The derived maps were overlaid and calculated in GIS- raster environment. The resulting composite suitability map shows the areas with higher raster scores as the most suitable sites for future potential waterfront recreation development. As a result, this study had identified four candidate locations which had the highest suitability score. Caution must be exercised in interpreting the results, due to some subjectivity issues in the GIS-suitability analysis, namely in selecting, reclassifying, and weighting the criteria. Nevertheless, this method could assist Buffalo city government in the decision-making process to identify potential locations for future waterfront park/recreation facility in the city of Buffalo.

The Effect of Housing Demolitions on Crime in Buffalo, New York

Objectives:From 2010 through 2015, the city of Buffalo demolished over 2,000 residences. This study examines whether those demolitions resulted in crime reductions. Methods:Analysis was conducted at microplaces matching demolished parcels to comparable control parcels with similar levels of crime. In addition, spatial panel regression models were estimated at the census tract and quarterly level, taking into account demographic characteristics of neighborhoods. Results:We find that at the microplace level, demolitions cause a steep drop in reported crime at the exact parcel and result in additional crime decreases at buffers of up to 1,000 feet away. At the census tract level, results indicated that demolitions reduced part 1 crimes, but the effect was not statistically significant across different models. Conclusions:While concerns over crime and disorder are common for vacant houses, the evidence that housing demolitions are an effective crime reduction solution is only partially supported by the analyses here. Future research should compare demolitions in reference to other neighborhood revitalization processes.

Estimating the magnitude of pulmonary tuberculosis patients missed by primary health care clinics in South Africa.

The present study was conducted at 20 randomly selected primary health clinics across Buffalo City Metropolitan Health District, a high TB burden district in South Africa. To estimate the proportion of TB patients missed by primary health clinics. We enrolled 1255 TB-symptomatic individuals exiting primary health clinics between March and December 2015. Participants were interviewed and asked to provide sputum for Xpert® MTB/RIF testing. Clinic staff screened 79.1% of participants seeking care for TB-related symptoms and 21.9% of those attending a clinic for other reasons (P < 0.001). Of those screened by clinic staff, 21.5% reported submitting sputum, although only 9.8% had available results. Study staff tested sputum from 779 participants not tested by clinic staff. Of these, 39 (5.0%) individuals tested positive for TB, three of whom were rifampicin-resistant; 15/39 (38.5%) were never screened and 24/39 (61.5%) were screened but not tested by clinic staff. We estimate that the health system missed 62.9-78.5% of TB patients attending primary health clinics for TB-related symptoms and 89.5-100% of those attending a clinic for other reasons. Low rates of TB screening and testing by the health system resulted in missed TB patients. Universal TB screening and testing of symptomatic individuals should be instituted in high TB burden communities in South Africa.

Reasons for Discontinuation of Implanon among Users in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Early discontinuation of implanon, a long-acting, reversible contraceptive among reproductive age women in South Africa is a serious public health concern. The aim of this study was to examine the reasons for discontinuation of implanon among its previous users. This descriptive cross-sectional study involved 188 consecutively selected participants in two large family planning clinics in Buffalo Metropolitan Municipality, East London, South Africa. Descriptive statistics was conducted using SPSS version 22.0. The mean duration of use was 11.2±7.1 months. Side effects such as heavy bleeding, severe headache and painful arm were the main reasons for discontinuation of implanon (71.3%). Some participants discontinued implanon because they were receiving other medical treatments: 24 participants on the anti-retroviral drugs, one on antipsychotic and antituberculosis drugs, respectively, necessitating removal. Few participants reported wrong positioning (3.2%) and desire for more pregnancies (4.3%) as reasons for discontinuation. The side effects of implanon were the reason for early discontinuation of implanon among women who still needed contraception. Pre-insertion counselling should empower women towards making informed decision on discontinuation and transition to other options.

Suitability of 'Guidelines for Screening of Prosthetic Candidates: Lower Limb' for the Eastern Cape, South Africa: A qualitative study.

BackgroundMajor lower limb amputation has a severe impact on functional mobility. Mobility can be salvaged with a prosthesis, but this is not always the best option. It is often difficult to decide whether to refer someone for a prosthesis or not. A prosthetic screening tool ‘Guidelines for Screening of Prosthetic Candidates: Lower Limb’ was developed and is used for prosthetic prescription in parts of the Western Cape province of South Africa.ObjectivesThis study aimed to explore the suitability of the tool ‘Guidelines for Screening of Prosthetic Candidates: Lower Limb’ for use in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa.MethodA qualitative study was conducted with conveniently sampled occupational therapists (OTs) (n = 10), physiotherapists (PTs) (n = 12) and prosthetists (n = 6) in government employment in the Buffalo City Metro Municipality. Participants were trained in the use of the tool and used it for four weeks with patients. Their experiences of the tool were assessed through three focus group discussions with emergent themes being identified during inductive data analysis.FindingsParticipants indicated that the tool could assist with prosthetic prescription, goal setting, communication and teamwork. They thought that the tool was multidisciplinary in nature, comprehensive and practical. Findings showed a lack of teamwork in this study setting. Resistance to change and a lack of time might also hamper implementation of the tool.ConclusionThe tool can assist with managing the backlog for prostheses and to guide prosthetic prescription in the Eastern Cape province.Clinical implicationsA prosthesis can help to salvage functional mobility after lower limb amputation. However, not all people who had above knee amputation manage to walk with a prosthesis. The tool reported on in this article provides information that can guide prosthetic prescription and rehabilitation goals.