Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 1995. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 70-86).

Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2006. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains xi, 191 p. : ill. (some col.). Vita. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 179-191).

For several years scientific research has provided ample evidence to support the fact that the health of an individual is dependent on more than merely the absence of the symptoms of disease. This is the view that has been accepted by the World Health Organisation and therefor it was included in its definition of health. In the field of practiced psychology, a lot of attention was drawn to the relation between the psyche and physical health, of which various researchers have found that psychological well-being has an influence, and is influenced by, the health of the individual. From the pharmaceutical dimension of health management, it is clear that disease symptoms correlate with the drug utilisation of patients, although only completely in those cases in which the economic considerations do not play a role. As mentioned earlier there is existing evidence indicating the relationship between psychological well-being and health. This relation might influence, in another dimension, the drug utilisation of the individual. Drug utilisation studies may be the ideal tool to reveal evidence that will enable someone to improve the health of SAPS members, as well as members of the economically disadvantaged South African public. The general objective of this study was to determine the drug utilisation and psychological well-being of South African Police Service members. This empirical study can be classified as a one-shot cross sectional design, and consisted of two phases. In the first phase, a random sample of 170 SAPS participants from a specified rural area was requested to complete questionnaires including a Demographic questionnaire, Sense of Coherence Scale (Antonovsky, 1987), Affectometer II (Kammann & Flett, 1983) and Satisfaction With Life Scale (Diener et al., 1985). The data from the questionnaires were processed and statistically analysed. In the second phase, the study population consisted of all polmed® patients stationed in the specified area. The medical data of the participants, extracted from the polmed® database, was processed and statistically analysed. It was concluded that the level of psychological well-being, in particular the affect balance, of the SAPS members is distressfully low, and that this is mainly due to their working environment. Further it was found that the doctor visits of the SAPS members occur very frequently and are accompanied with high costs. In the inquiry to the medication usage of polmed® members, 8 medication groups were implicated as high frequency and cost groups (in particular medication that work in on the central nervous system), regardless of gender or age. The specified groups represented the most of the products used by the study population. It was found that the majority of products used, are patent or brand name products. Finally, results have indicated that the hospitalisation of SAPS members is very frequent and therefore very costly. Recommendations for further research, as well as the practice, were formulated. / Thesis (M.Pharm.)--Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education, 2002.

Thesis (M.Pharm.)--Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education, 2002.

For several years scientific research has provided ample evidence to support the fact that the health of an individual is dependent on more than merely the absence of the symptoms of disease. This is the view that has been accepted by the World Health Organisation and therefor it was included in its definition of health. In the field of practiced psychology, a lot of attention was drawn to the relation between the psyche and physical health, of which various researchers have found that psychological well-being has an influence, and is influenced by, the health of the individual. From the pharmaceutical dimension of health management, it is clear that disease symptoms correlate with the drug utilisation of patients, although only completely in those cases in which the economic considerations do not play a role. As mentioned earlier there is existing evidence indicating the relationship between psychological well-being and health. This relation might influence, in another dimension, the drug utilisation of the individual. Drug utilisation studies may be the ideal tool to reveal evidence that will enable someone to improve the health of SAPS members, as well as members of the economically disadvantaged South African public. The general objective of this study was to determine the drug utilisation and psychological well-being of South African Police Service members. This empirical study can be classified as a one-shot cross sectional design, and consisted of two phases. In the first phase, a random sample of 170 SAPS participants from a specified rural area was requested to complete questionnaires including a Demographic questionnaire, Sense of Coherence Scale (Antonovsky, 1987), Affectometer II (Kammann & Flett, 1983) and Satisfaction With Life Scale (Diener et al., 1985). The data from the questionnaires were processed and statistically analysed. In the second phase, the study population consisted of all polmed® patients stationed in the specified area. The medical data of the participants, extracted from the polmed® database, was processed and statistically analysed. It was concluded that the level of psychological well-being, in particular the affect balance, of the SAPS members is distressfully low, and that this is mainly due to their working environment. Further it was found that the doctor visits of the SAPS members occur very frequently and are accompanied with high costs. In the inquiry to the medication usage of polmed® members, 8 medication groups were implicated as high frequency and cost groups (in particular medication that work in on the central nervous system), regardless of gender or age. The specified groups represented the most of the products used by the study population. It was found that the majority of products used, are patent or brand name products. Finally, results have indicated that the hospitalisation of SAPS members is very frequent and therefore very costly. Recommendations for further research, as well as the practice, were formulated. / Thesis (M.Pharm.)--Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education, 2002.

Thesis (MNursing (Advanced Practice))--University of South Australia, 1996

Thesis (MNursing (Advanced Practice))--University of South Australia, 1996

Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2003. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains xi, 124 p. : ill. (some col.) Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 94-104).

Research report submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witswatersrand, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Public Health in the field of Hospital Management / Background: Use of drugs in maternity unit plays a major role in maternal health service delivery. Therefore, drug use during pregnancy requires close monitoring which includes prescription of appropriate medication to their diagnosis, correct doses, and adequate period of time. Drugs are also one of the major cost drivers in health facilities. Although maternal health services are receiving increasing attention in South Africa, very few systematic studies have been done to analyze this important component (prescribing patterns and costs of drugs) of maternal health care services in a district hospital setting. Aims: The overall aim of the study is to assess the drugs utilized in a maternity ward at Pretoria West District Hospital (A district hospital in the Tshwane District in the Gauteng Province) and the factors that might influence its use and their cost over a period of one year. Methodology: Cross-section study design was used. Retrospective review of hospital records was undertaken for 2087 maternal patient deliveries during one year study period (01 January to December 2009) and no primary data was collected. Data was extracted for variables used in the study (quantity and cost of drug used, profile of patients). The study commenced after obtaining necessary approval from the Gauteng Department of Health and Social Development and University of the 2 Witwatersrand “Human Research Ethics Committee (Medical)’. Results: The study found that all the patients were prescribed iron supplements. The second most commonly prescribed drugs are uterotonics. Besides these two items other prescription drugs were prescribed to 7% of patients. Postnatal contraceptives were seldom used. The most commonly used antibiotic was Ceftriaxone. Bezylpenicillin was prescribed only for one RPR positive patient during one month. Only 13% HIV positive received antiretrovirals which is too low as compared to number of mothers delivered. The study found underprescription of anti-hypertensive drugs. Low use of parenteral analgesics signifies that probably patients were not given adequate pain relief during labour and this policy should be reviewed. The quantity of biological vaccines (BCG and oral polio) was prescribed routinely for all the newborn babies. However, the antiretrovirals (Zidovudine and Nevirapine syrups) were prescribed for fewer newborn babies (n= 51), in comparison to total number of babies born to a HIV positive mothers (n=266) and of concern. Total cost for the drugs used during one year study period was R 113,664.56. The average costs per mother and newborn babies were R 39.40 and R 15.08 respectively. Routine availability of affordable and effective drugs is one of the key indicators of quality health. The study showed that affordable and effective drugs were readily available in the Unit. Conclusion: This is probably the first study that documented the use of drugs in the maternity unit in a district hospital. Further prospective study would be able to provide more information in this important subject.

Thesis (PhD) -- University of South Australia, 1998.