List of Titles

Preferences of resettled refugees on pictograms describing common symptoms of illness:

- Bellamy, Kim, Dowse, Roslind, Ostini, Remo, Martini, Nataly, Kairuz, Therese

Authors: Bellamy, Kim , Dowse, Roslind , Ostini, Remo , Martini, Nataly , Kairuz, Therese
Date: 2020
Language: English
Type: text , article
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/${Handle} , vital:40086 , https://0-doi.org.wam.seals.ac.za/10.1007/s10903-019-00908-3
Description: Illustrated health resources are useful for people who have limited English linguistic ability. The aim was to compare the preferences of resettled refugees from Africa and non-African countries, on pictograms describing common symptoms of illness. Data were collected in two cities in Queensland, Australia. Participants indicated their preference for three types of pictograms depicting seven symptoms. Pictogram sources included the International Pharmaceutical Federation, royaltyfree stock images, and pictograms designed in South Africa.
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Date Issued: 2020

The impact of illustrated side effect information on understanding and sustained retention of antiretroviral side effect knowledge:

- Browne, Sara H, Barford, Kirsty-Lee, Ramela, Thato, Dowse, Roslind

Authors: Browne, Sara H , Barford, Kirsty-Lee , Ramela, Thato , Dowse, Roslind
Date: 2019
Language: English
Type: text , article
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/156341 , vital:39980 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sapharm.2018.05.012
Description: Prompt management of side effects is critical to supporting adherence to antiretroviral (ARV) medication. This study examines the impact of presenting side effect information using simple text combined with pictograms on sustained knowledge of ARV side effects over three months. Previously designed side effect pictograms, combined with simple text, were incorporated into a side effects panel within an ARV information leaflet. In a randomised controlled study, 116 limited literacy HIV patients taking ARVs were randomly allocated to either control (standard care) or intervention groups (standard care plus illustrated information). Side effect knowledge was assessed at baseline, and intervention patients received the illustrated leaflet. Knowledge was re-tested at one and three months. Interpretation of side effect pictograms was evaluated at one month.
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Date Issued: 2019

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Acceptance of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in a semi-rural population in South Africa:

- Chiwanza, Farisai, Irwin, Yoland, Dowse, Roslind

Authors: Chiwanza, Farisai , Irwin, Yoland , Dowse, Roslind
Date: 2020
Language: English
Type: text , article
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/157072 , vital:40084 , DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/hsag.v25i0.1336
Description: Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring is a valuable tool that helps in providing an insight into the diagnosis and management of hypertension; however, no evidence exists of its acceptance in the diverse South African population. We assessed the acceptance of an ambulatory blood pressure monitor in patients attending public sector primary health care (PHC) clinics. Five PHC clinics in the Makana subdistrict in the Eastern Cape.
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Date Issued: 2020

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Biopharmaceutics of phenylpropanolamine

- Dowse, Roslind

Authors: Dowse, Roslind
Date: 1984
Subjects: Biopharmaceutics Pharmacokinetics Phenylpropanolamine Pharmacology High performance liquid chromatography
Language: English
Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
Identifier: vital:3818 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004915
Description: Phenylpropanolamine (PPA), a sympathomimetic amine, has been widely used over the past 40 years as a decongestant and, in much larger dosages, as an appetite suppressant. Considerable interest has recently been shown in this drug due to its increasing popularity as an over-the-counter anorectic agent. Much controversy exists concerning the unfavourable side-effects of PPA resulting from the higher doses required for appetite suppression and the potential of this drug for abuse. A literature search revealed a paucity of information concerning the determination of PPA in biological fluids and, most noticeably, on the pharmacokinetics of this drug. An original method for determining PPA in serum and urine using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) which has increased sensitivity over other published HPLC methods is presented here. The simplicity of the extraction from biological fluids and subsequent determination by HPLC, enables concentrations of PPA to be monitored after a single dose of the drug. This method is therefore readily applicable to bioavailability and pharmacokinetic studies. The dissolution profiles of 4 sustained-release formulations of PPA were determined in a modified USP rotating paddle apparatus and the samples analysed using HPLC. A mathematical equation was applied to these data which are expressed in terms of dissolution parameters. Oral test dosage forms and solutions of PPA were investigated in bioavailability trials using the developed HPLC method to analyse the urine and serum samples. Linear one body compartment kinetics were assumed and the WagnerNelson method used to transform in vivo serum data to absorption plots which were then fitted to the well known Weibull equation. In order to more appropriately characterize the kinetic processes of absorption, distribution and elimination, a more complex model was utilized which involved numerical integration of a series of differential equations. The data were fitted to these models using nonlinear regression techniques. The pharmacokinetics of PPA are shown to exhibit some evidence of nonlinearity. The absorption of the drug appears to be di scontinuous and PPA seems to favour a two body compartment model.
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Date Issued: 1984

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The evaluation of pharmaceutical pictograms in a low-literate South African population

- Dowse, Roslind, Ehlers, Martina S

Authors: Dowse, Roslind , Ehlers, Martina S
Date: 2001
Language: English
Type: Article
Identifier: vital:6362 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006058
Description: An inability to read and understand written medication instructions may be a major contributory factor to non-compliance in certain patient populations, particularly in countries with a high illiteracy rate such as South Africa. Twenty three pictograms from the USP-DI and a corresponding set of 23 locally developed, culturally sensitive pictograms for conveying medication instructions were evaluated in 46 Xhosa respondents who had attended school for a maximum of 7 years. Respondents were tested for their interpretation of all 46 pictograms at the first interview and again 3 weeks later. The correct meaning of each pictogram was explained at the end of the first interview. Preference for either the Local or USP pictograms was determined. At the follow-up interview, 20 of the Local pictograms complied with the ANSI criterion of ≥85% comprehension, compared with 11 of the USP pictograms. Respondents indicated an overwhelming preference for the Local pictograms.
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Date Issued: 2001

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Pictograms in pharmacy:

- Dowse, Roslind, Ehlers, Martina S

Authors: Dowse, Roslind , Ehlers, Martina S
Date: 1998
Language: English
Type: text , article
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/157048 , vital:40082 , https://0-doi.org.wam.seals.ac.za/10.1111/j.2042-7174.1998.tb00924.x
Description: This review examines the use of pictograms in health care. Well designed pictograms are simple, clear, graphic symbols able to convey their intended meaning to all patients, including those who are illiterate, elderly or visually impaired. Although some research on the effectiveness of pictograms has not supported the hypothesis that pictograms are beneficial for the acquisition and comprehension of information, most studies investigating health‐related applications of pictograms have shown them to be of benefit in the comprehension and recall of instructions on prescription and over‐the‐counter medicines. However, the success of pictograms as a communication aid in pharmacy depends first on a rigorous design process, followed by well‐designed, randomised, controlled trials using an appropriate method of evaluation. The final stage is to investigate the optimal way of using pictograms in practice and to assess their effect on behavioural outcomes, such as compliance.
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Date Issued: 1998

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Pictograms for conveying medicine instructions: comprehension in various South African language groups

- Dowse, Roslind, Ehlers, Martina S

Authors: Dowse, Roslind , Ehlers, Martina S
Date: 2004
Language: English
Type: Article
Identifier: vital:6354 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006038
Description: The comprehension of medicine instructions is essential for the safe and effective use of medicines. In cases where low literacy constitutes a possible barrier to understanding written medicine information fully, the inclusion of pictograms may facilitate comprehension. Twenty-three internationally available pictograms and 23 corresponding locally developed images were evaluated in 304 low-literate respondents from eight different South African language groups. Demographic data were collected and an English literacy test was administered to those respondents who had stated that they could read English. Interviewees were shown the 46 pictograms in random order and were asked for their interpretation. Preference for either the international or local version was assessed. Correct interpretation of individual pictograms ranged from 14% to 97%. Images which had been developed locally were more successful in eliciting correct interpretations than those obtained from an international source (USP pictograms). Only 2 of the 23 USP pictograms achieved the 85% criterion of the American National Standards Institute compared with 12 of 23 locally developed counterparts. Local pictograms were preferred over the American ones in all cases. Standard of education had a significant influence on interpretation, whereas no significant differences in interpretation could be attributed to cultural diversity between the African language groups. Almost all respondents (98%) reacted positively to the idea of having pictograms on their medicine labels. The success of the local pictograms highlighted the value of a rigorous and consultative design and test process. Results from one African language group can reliably be extrapolated to other groups in South Africa.
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Date Issued: 2004

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Pharmacokinetics of phenylpropanolamine in humans after a single dose study

- Dowse, Roslind, Haigh, John M, Kanfer, Isadore

Authors: Dowse, Roslind , Haigh, John M , Kanfer, Isadore
Date: 1987
Language: English
Type: Article
Identifier: vital:6363 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006059
Description: The pharmacokinetics of phenylpropanolamine have been studied in healthy human volunteers following the oral administration of an aqueous solution of the drug (50 mg/200 ml). Blood and urine samples collected throughout the trial were assayed using HPLC with UV detection. The drug was shown to be rapidly absorbed with a mean tmax of 1.47 ± 0.49 h and a mean elimination half-life of 4.0 ± 0.5 h. Phenylpropanolamine is predominantly excreted via the kidney with a mean renal clearance of 0.646 ± 0.089 liter/kg/h and 90.2 ± 1.7% excreted unchanged in the urine. The data were not well described using conventional one or two body compartment models. However, the incorporation of a discontinuous absorption phase into the models resulted in an improved overall fit with better characterisation of the absorption phase.
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Date Issued: 1987

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Outpatient compliance with theophylline and phenytoin therapy:

- Dowse, Roslind, Futter, William T

Authors: Dowse, Roslind , Futter, William T
Date: 1991
Language: English
Type: text , article
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/157059 , vital:40083 , https://europepmc.org/article/med/1745939
Description: Poor compliance with prescribed medication is a significant problem in chronic disease states and is often responsible for the apparent failure of therapy. The determinants and extent of non-compliance are commonly incorrectly perceived by doctors. During routine therapeutic drug monitoring of epileptic and asthmatic outpatients at a local day hospital, non-compliance was identified as a significant problem. A compliance study was conducted on 80 epileptic and asthmatic patients to determine the nature and extent of this problem. Non-compliance was measured using four different methods, which were then compared using chi 2 tests.
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Date Issued: 1991

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In vitro-in vivo evaluation of a sustained release phenylpropanolamine oral dosage form

- Dowse, Roslind, Haigh, John M, Kanfer, Isadore

Authors: Dowse, Roslind , Haigh, John M , Kanfer, Isadore
Date: 1982
Language: English
Type: Article
Identifier: vital:6360 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006052
Description: There is increasing interest in measuring pharmacokinetic parameters of phenylpropanolamine (PPA), a sympathomimetic amine used in over-the-counter nasal decongestants and anorectic formulations. A high pressure liquid chromatographic (HPLC) procedure was developed to enable direct ultraviolet detection of PPA, after extraction from serum and urine, without prior derivatization of the drug. This method was used to assay samples obtained from a bioavailability study of BUBtained-releasePPA tablets. The mean serum and urine profiles obtained are presented. The sustained-release tablets were subjected to dissolution testing utilizing the United States Pharmacopoeia (USP XIX) rotating basket method. An internal standard was incorporated into the dissolution fluid to enable direct analysis of the samples by HPLC. A comparison of three different dissolution fluid regimens was carried out to determine if release of the drug was affected by the change in pH of the medium and to select the most convenient method for the final dissolution studies. Some preliminary observations relating to correlations between rate of drug release from the sustained-release dosage form and percent drug absorbed are presented.
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Date Issued: 1982

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Determination of phenylpropanolamine in serum and urine by high performance liquid chromatography

- Dowse, Roslind, Haigh, John M, Kanfer, Isadore

Authors: Dowse, Roslind , Haigh, John M , Kanfer, Isadore
Date: 1983
Language: English
Type: Article
Identifier: vital:6361 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006056
Description: A high-performance liquid chromatographic analysis of phenylpropanolamine in human serum and urine without prior derivatization is presented. Using direct UV detection the method is sufficiently sensitive to detect 25 ng of drug/ml of serum or urine; the coefficients of variation at 25 ng/ml and 500 ng/ml were 5.16 and 2.12, respectively, in serum. The method involves serum and urine extraction at a basic pH with chloroform, a single back-extraction, and chromatography on a reverse-phase column. Serum and urine data following administration of a single 150-mg sustained-release tablet of phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride in 6 healthy volunteers demonstrates the suitability of the analytical method.
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Date Issued: 1983

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Simple, illustrated medicines information improves ARV knowledge and patient self-efficacy in limited literacy South African HIV patients:

- Dowse, Roslind, Barford, Kirsty-Lee, Browne, Sara H

Authors: Dowse, Roslind , Barford, Kirsty-Lee , Browne, Sara H
Date: 2014
Language: English
Type: text , article
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/156698 , vital:40039 , DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2014.931559
Description: Few studies have investigated antiretroviral (ARV) knowledge and self-efficacy in limited literacy patients. Using a randomized controlled study design, we investigated the influence of a simple pre-tested patient information leaflet (PIL) containing both text and illustrations on HIV- and ARV-related knowledge and on self-efficacy over six months in a limited literacy African population. The recruited patients were randomly allocated to either control (standard care) or intervention group (standard care plus illustrated PIL). HIV and medicines-related knowledge was evaluated with a 22-question test at baseline, one, three, and six months. Self-efficacy was assessed using a modified version of the HIV Treatment Adherence Self-Efficacy Scale.
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Date Issued: 2014

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The limitations of current health literacy measures for use in developing countries:

- Dowse, Roslind

Authors: Dowse, Roslind
Date: 2016
Language: English
Type: text , article
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/156607 , vital:40030 , DOI: 10.1080/17538068.2016.1147742
Description: Health literacy measures have largely emanated from developed countries, reflecting the characteristics of their economies, populations, and health systems. In contrast, it is disconcerting that health literacy appears to be so under-researched in developing countries (DCs), despite the likelihood of inadequate health literacy being endemic. In this commentary, I highlight some challenges when using existing health literacy measures in DCs and conclude with a summary of considerations when using/developing a tool for these populations.
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Date Issued: 2016

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Reflecting on patient-centred care in pharmacy through an illness narrative:

- Dowse, Roslind

Authors: Dowse, Roslind
Date: 2015
Language: English
Type: text , article
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/156687 , vital:40038 , https://0-doi.org.wam.seals.ac.za/10.1007/s11096-015-0104-5
Description: Patient-centred care (PCC) is rapidly adopting a central position in discussions on the quality of healthcare, with patient-centredness deemed essential to transforming the healthcare system. PCC speaks to the quality of patient-provider relationships and has been defined as an approach to providing care that is respectful of and responsive to individual patient preferences, needs, and values, while ensuring that patient values guide all clinical decisions. However its place within pharmacy practice is unclear and is as yet undefined, particularly in relation to pharmaceutical care. Through my personal illness narrative, I briefly explore the visibility and evidence of PCC in the pharmacy literature as well as from personal experience of pharmacy care, and find it lacking. I conclude that an integrated, seamless understanding of PCC and the use of shared language within the health professions is essential in successful teamwork with both the patient and with other health professions.
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Date Issued: 2015

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Developing visual images for communicating information aboutantiretroviral side effects to a low-literate population:

- Dowse, Roslind, Ramela, Thato, Barford, Kirsty-Lee, Browne, Sara H

Authors: Dowse, Roslind , Ramela, Thato , Barford, Kirsty-Lee , Browne, Sara H
Date: 2011
Language: English
Type: text , article
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/156769 , vital:40048 , https://doi.org/10.2989/16085906.2010.530172
Description: The side effects of antiretroviral (ARV) therapy are linked to altered quality of life and adherence. Poor adherence has also been associated with low health-literacy skills, with an uninformed patient more likely to make ARV-related decisions that compromise the efficacy of the treatment. Low literacy skills disempower patients in interactions with healthcare providers and preclude the use of existing written patient information materials, which are generally written at a high reading level. Visual images or pictograms used as a counselling tool or included in patient information leaflets have been shown to improve patients’ knowledge, particularly in low-literate groups. The objective of this study was to design visuals or pictograms illustrating various ARV side effects and to evaluate them in a low-literate South African Xhosa population. Core images were generated either from a design workshop or from posed photos or images from textbooks. The research team worked closely with a graphic artist. Initial versions of the images were discussed and assessed in group discussions, and then modified and eventually evaluated quantitatively in individual interviews with 40 participants who each had a maximum of 10 years of schooling.
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Date Issued: 2011

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