BACKGROUND: A robust knowledge on the pattern of use of emergency care resources not only serves as an indicator of universal access to care but also provides a basis for quality improvement within the health system. This study was undertaken to describe the pattern of emergency room visits at Brits District Hospital (BDH) in North West province, South Africa. The objectives of this study were to determine the sociodemographic characteristics of emergency department (ED) users and other patterns of ED use. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study that was conducted at a district hospital. All patients who reported for emergency care in the ED in 2016 were eligible for the study. Data were extracted and analysed from a systematic sample of 355 clinical notes and hospital administrative records. RESULTS: The age group that visited the ED most frequently (25.3%) was 25-34 years old. A high proportion of the ED users (60%) were self-referred, and only 38% were transported by the emergency medical response services (EMRS). Few (5.6%) presentations were of a non-urgent nature. Trauma-related conditions accounted for the most frequent presentation at the ED (36.5%). CONCLUSION: Although most ED users were self-referred, their clinical presentations were appropriate and underscore the need for policy strategies to reduce the burden of trauma in the catchment population. CONTRIBUTION: The study findings may have an impact on future health policies by providing decision-makers with baseline information on the pattern of use of ED resources, ensuring better resource deployment and greater access to care.

Resumo Objetivo O reservatório Owalla, um dos maiores e mais antigos lagos artificiais do estado de Osun, fornece água potável para muitas cidades, incluindo a capital do Estado, Osogbo. Atividades de pesca também ocorrem no lago. Apesar da importância do reservatório, as informações sobre a comunidade planctônica e a qualidade físico-química da água são escassas. Portanto, este estudo investigou a qualidade da água e a composição do plâncton do Reservatório Owalla, Estado de Osun, Nigéria, de outubro de 2012 a novembro de 2013, com o objetivo de fornecer informações das características Limnológicas do reservatório. Métodos Sete estações de amostragem (designadas Estações 1-7) foram estabelecidas como representantes das zonas e regiões do reservatório e a amostragem foi realizada trimestralmente. Nas Estações 1 e 3, foram coletadas apenas amostras de água superficial, enquanto para as demais estações, foram coletadas amostra de água na superfície, em meia profundidade e próximo ao fundo. Amostras de plâncton total e qualidade físico-química da água foram analisadas usando métodos padrões. Resultados O resultado do estudo mostrou que as concentrações médias do oxigênio dissolvido (P <0,001), a demanda bioquímica de oxigênio, a condutividade elétrica, o pH (P <0,001) e a alcalinidade foram maiores na superfície do reservatório. Com relação à variação sazonal, a alcalinidade e a demanda bioquímica de oxigênio apresentaram os maiores valores médios durante o período chuvoso. Além disso, acidez, oxigênio dissolvido e pH apresentaram valores significativamente (P <0,001) maiores durante a estação chuvosa. Cento e trinta e sete (137) taxa de fitoplâncton e 39 taxa de zooplâncton foram registradas no reservatório. O padrão horizontal de variação mostrou um aumento na abundância média da maioria dos grupos de fitoplâncton da entrada para a área da barragem, enquanto a variação vertical mostrou uma diminuição na abundância média da superfície para o fundo do reservatório. Os taxas de fitoplâncton e zooplâncton foram mais abundantes durante a estação seca do que na estação chuvosa. Conclusões O estudo concluiu que todas as variáveis físico-químicas monitoradas de qualidade da água estavam dentro da faixa de nível de referência da Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS) para água potável. O Reservatório Owalla é qualitativamente rico em fitoplâncton e zooplâncton e o reservatório pode suportar uma comunidade aquática viável e uma produção pesqueira sustentável.

Abstract Aim Owalla Reservoir, one of the largest and oldest man-made lakes in Osun State supplies potable water to many towns in the state including the state capital, Osogbo. Active fishing activities also takes place in the lake. Inspite of the importance of the reservoir, information on the planktonic community and physico-chemical water quality are scarce. Therefore, this study investigated the water quality and plankton composition of Owalla Reservoir, Osun State, Nigeria, from October 2012 to November 2013 with a view to providing baseline information on limnology of the reservoir. Methods Seven sampling stations (designated Stations 1-7) were established as representatives of the zones and regions of the reservoir and sampling was conducted quarterly. At Stations 1 and 3, only surface water samples were collected while water samples were collected from the surface, mid-depth and close to the bottom at other stations. Samples for total plankton and physico-chemical water quality were analyzed using standard methods. Results The result of the study showed that mean dissolved oxygen (P<0.001), biochemical oxygen demand, conductivity, pH (P<0.001), and alkalinity were higher at the surface of the reservoir. As regards seasonal variation, alkalinity, biochemical oxygen demand had the higher mean values during the rainy season. Also, acidity, dissolved oxygen, and pH showed significantly (P<0.001) higher values during the rainy season. One hundred and thirty-seven (137) taxa of phytoplankton and 39 taxa of zooplankton were recorded from the reservoir. The horizontal pattern of variation showed an increase in the mean abundance of most of phytoplankton groups from inflow to the dam area while vertical variation showed a decrease in mean abundance from surface to the bottom of the reservoir. Most of the phytoplankton and zooplankton taxa were more abundant during the dry season than in the rainy season. Conclusions The study concluded that all the monitored physico-chemical water quality parameters were within the guide level range as of the World Health Organisation (WHO) for drinking water, Owalla Reservoir is qualitatively rich in both phytoplankton and zooplankton and the reservoir can support a viable aquatic community and sustainable fishery production.