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Codeine, a weak opiate, requires increased pharmacovigilance relating to availability, heterogeneous nature of misuse, dependence and associated harm. A scoping review of literature on codeine was conducted using Arksey & O’Malley’s framework (1). Databases searched included PubMed, EBSCO Host, Science Direct, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Cochrane library and Medline from 1994 to 2014. Follow-up search strategies involved hand searching and searching of pharmaceutical, health, medical and drug related websites. Initial zscreening identified 3,105 articles with 475 meeting the inclusion criteria. Eight broad categories organised the literature, data charting and qualitative synthesis. This paper presents implications for practice and makes recommendations to address these issues. Themes identified relate to raising public and practitioner awareness, risk management, dispensing practices and monitoring and surveillance of codeine. Evidence to inform law enforcement, drug surveillance, public health initiatives, harm reduction approaches, pharmacy, clinical and treatment practices is warranted.

Aims: There is limited literature on the challenges encountered during household surveys on alcohol consumption in low- and middle-income countries. This paper aims to describe the problems encountered during data collection for the IAC study in South Africa and put forward recommendations for addressing identified challenges.Methods: Data on methodological and other challenges emerged from feedback sessions held with fieldworkers, supervisors, observations made of and follow up meetings with project investigators, based on the pilot and main study of 2844 adults and adolescents in Tshwane (South Africa).Results: Challenges identified included the following: delays in software development which resulted in postponement of data collection with subsequent budgetary implications; difficulties in identifying the full range of alcohol beverages during the adaptation of the questionnaire as manufacturers sometimes changed quantities and packaging to enhance sales; a resultant lengthy questionnaire which negatively impacted on participation; potential participants sometime being afraid to allow fieldworkers onto premises due to high crime rates in many participating areas and religious beliefs concerning alcohol consumption that prevented some parents from consenting to their adolescent children’s participation.Conclusion: When planning community surveys on alcohol use, it is important to anticipate and prepare for these and other challenging conditions that arise in the preparation for, and execution of fieldwork. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Misuse of codeine-containing medicines is an emerging global public health concern. The majority of research has been conducted in developed countries (European Members States, Australia, the United States). This study aimed to gain an understanding of unique individual and collective experiences of trajectories of codeine misuse and dependence in South Africa. In-depth interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of adult codeine misusers and dependents (n = 25). Narratives were analyzed using the empirical phenomenological psychological five-step method. Nine themes with 63 categories emerged, with two additional high levels of abstraction. Findings are illustrated: participant profile and product preferences, motives for use, transitioning to misuse and dependence, pharmacy purchasing and alternative sourcing routes, effects and withdrawal experiences, help-seeking and treatment experiences, and strategies for prevention. The study underscores the need for continued support for enhanced patient awareness of risk of habit forming use and related health consequences and professional pharmacovigilance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Group psychotherapy remains an under-utilised treatment modality in South Africa. Similarly, there is paucity of local research on sexual orientation and psychological well-being. This article attempts to make sense of the potential contribution of therapy groups not only to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) sector, but also to South African society more generally. Informed by a longitudinal study conducted between 1995 and 2003, this article evaluates whether a Gauteng-based therapy group that has been in existence since 1995 indeed meets the needs of its predominantly gay male members, has an impact on their well-being, and can be considered effective in empowering members to deal with various issues in their lives. The study employed a triangulation approach and combined both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. Results indicate that the therapy group, hosted under the auspices of the non-profit organisation, OUT LGBT Well-being, received high positive ratings from a purposive sample of 40 members who previously participated in the group. This study confirmed earlier findings that indicated that, due to marginalisation and the threat of discrimination, many gay individuals are prone to experiencing perceived rejection by society, self-devaluation, identity confusion, hiddenness and isolation, excessive self-reliance, lack of trust, control issues, and difficulties in familial interactions. Positive changes reported by participants as a result of their therapy group experience include increased self-acceptance and self-confidence, a heightened sense of identity, increased tolerance in relation to others, increased honesty including disclosure of sexual orientation, and social integration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]