South African medical journal = Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir geneeskunde
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Contrary to the World Health Organization's internationally recommended medical certificate of cause of death, the South African (SA) death notification form (DNF) does not allow for the reporting of the manner of death to permit accurate coding of external causes of injury deaths. ⋯ The official cause-of-death data for injuries in SA in 2017 differed substantially from findings from the NCoDV 2017/18 study and IMS 2017. Accurate data sources would ensure that public health interventions are designed to reduce the high injury burden. Inclusion of the manner of death on the DNF, as is recommended internationally, is critically important to enable more accurate, reliable and valid reporting of the injury profile.
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Maternal death is a tragic event. Of maternal deaths worldwide, 99% occur in low- and middle-income countries. Perinatal outcome is related to maternal wellbeing. Maternal death has a negative impact on fetal and neonatal outcome in the short and long term. ⋯ Women who experience maternal death have babies with very poor perinatal outcomes, with a very high SBR, ENND rate and PMR. The health of the mother has a direct and significant effect on fetal and neonatal outcomes.
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People experiencing homelessness are among the most socially and medically vulnerable populations. ⋯ The study found a 28.8% prevalence of comorbid disease among homeless people placed in temporary shelters in Tshwane. In adjusted analysis, being South African, being female, black and white race, and injecting substances were associated with having comorbid disease. Strengthening of public health interventions such as needle and syringe exchange programmes, family planning and access to primary care with health education could improve the healthcare of people experiencing homelessness.