The aetiology of acute traumatic occupational hand injuries seen at a South African state hospital

Stewart, Aimée; Biddulph, G; Firth, GB

doi:10.17159/2309-8309/2017/v16n4a8

Cited by 12 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…In lower-to-middle income countries (LMIC), the prevalence of THI is lower with a study in Uganda, reporting the burden of hand injuries to be 5.5 per cent in trauma services 6 . However, Stewart and colleagues in their study 17 indicated that THI accounted for one-third of all traumatic injuries treated at South African public sector hospitals.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 96%

“…Both international and local literature highlights that THI's vary in severity and complexity and may severely affect a person's ability to perform daily activities [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24] . International literature highlights that THI's vary in severity and complexity and may severely affect a person's ability to perform daily activities as well as their life roles, either temporarily or permanently 7,23,24 .…”

Section: Literature Review Traumatic Hand Injuriesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Taking hold of hand trauma in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Naidoo¹,

Govender²,

Naidoo³

2021

Afr H. Sci.

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Background: Trauma in KwaZulu-Natal province in South Africa constitutes at least 17.8% of overall emergency cases, with hand trauma being common. Aim: Based on these statistics, the authors of this study aimed to identify and describe the most common traumatic hand injuries managed in the province including current trends and intervention practices of occupational therapists to inform future intervention. Methods: Using a mixed-method convergent parallel design, 41 therapists completed an online survey, and 12 therapists participated in two focus group discussions. Survey responses were analysed using descriptive statistics, and the audio-recorded and transcribed focus group discussions were analysed deductively using thematic analysis.Findings: Flexor tendon injuries (88%), extensor tendon injuries (73%), fractures (83%) and combined hand injuries (73%) were the most common injuries noted. Sufficient theoretical knowledge (95%), clinical judgement (93%), available resources (88%), relevant practical experience (83%) and surgeon hand therapy protocols (88%) were identified as essential in managing traumatic hand injuries. Challenges included having limited resources, late referrals and poor communication hindering multidisciplinary practice. Conclusion: Therapists face challenges in managing traumatic hand injuries, which inhibits optimal intervention planning. These factors may inevitably negatively influence outcomes achieved through occupational therapy for this group of patients. Keywords: Occupational therapy; traumatic hand injuries; hand rehabilitation.

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Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 96%

Section: Literature Review Traumatic Hand Injuriesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Taking hold of hand trauma in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Naidoo¹,

Govender²,

Naidoo³

2021

Afr H. Sci.

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“…In South Africa, high rates of interpersonal violence and road accidents (when compared to global statistics 14 ), are reported to contribute to a higher incidence of hand injuries 15 . Moreover, the high rates of work-related hand injuries amongst workers who engage in manual labour, the traumatic injuries seen within South African state hospitals 16,17 together with patients presenting to occupational therapy with firework injuries 6 and tendon injuries 5,7,18 imply a high prevalence of hand injuries with wounds. Wounds may include, amongst others, abrasions, bites, surgical wounds and traumatic wounds 1 .…”

Section: Prevalence Of Wounds In Hand Injuries In South Africamentioning

confidence: 99%

Examining Wound Management in Hand Therapy within the South African Context

Esterhuizen¹,

Naidoo

Govender

2021

S. Afr. j. occup. ther.

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BACKGROUND: Internationally, it is within occupational therapists' scope of practice to provide interventions for the prevention of wounds, amelioration of wounds and to address occupational dysfunction resulting from wounds. In South Africa, however, the role of occupational therapy in wound management in hand therapy is unclear AIM: This study aimed to describe current wound management practices and views of occupational therapists on their perceived role and preparedness for providing wound management to hand injured patients in South Africa METHOD: A cross-sectional survey was administered with a sample of 106 participants via non-probability convenience sampling. Frequencies and percentages are presented for quantitative data analysed with descriptive statistics. Open-ended responses were analysed via inductive thematic analysis RESULTS: Findings indicated a high prevalence of wounds in patients with hand injuries. Occupational therapists in South Africa have reported experiencing a high demand for involvement in wound management interventions. The identified role of occupational therapists includes providing interventions for the amelioration of wounds and addressing occupational dysfunction resulting from wounds, amongst others CONCLUSION: Improved guidance on the role and scope of occupational therapy in wound management is required. This is a need within the South African context due to the high prevalence of wounds in populations of hand injured patients that occupational therapists serve Keywords: wound management, hand therapy, occupational therapy, International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health.

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“…For clients who are breadwinners, the indirect costs to their family and community are extensive. In a study conducted in a tertiary hospital in South Africa, 85% of the hand injury clients interviewed earned less than 600US$ monthly (between R1,000 and R9,000 per month), despite being the breadwinners of their family 38 . It is likely that a breadwinner in South Africa who is earning minimum or close to minimum wage, will experience significant financial stress if they are unable to work for any length of time, which highlights the need for further studies to understand the value of financial compensation for breadwinners who have been injured.…”

Section: Assets and Barriersmentioning

confidence: 99%