Background: Management of oropharyngeal dysphagia within the first few days an infant’s life results in favourable breastfeeding outcomes, indicating importance investigating management practices speech-language therapists (SLTs) working this field.Objectives: Little has been published about SLTs’ low- and middle-income settings. This study explores perspectives a group experienced South African SLTs on their approach to management.Method: Qualitative data were gathered through...

Tele-intervention gained popularity, during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, prompting healthcare providers to adapt remote service delivery. Research about stuttering treatment via tele-intervention in South Africa is limited. Speech-language therapists (SLTs) require further insights deliver a well-supported approach for of using tele-intervention, despite limitations such as technological disruptions, including loadshedding, that impact reliability. The study aims explore...

To describe swallowing and oral-sensorimotor characteristics in a sample of young hospitalised children with severe acute malnutrition (SAM). The Schedule Oral-motor Assessment was used to compare skills 45 patients SAM (M = 15.98 months; SD 8.03), pairwise-matched controls 15.96 8.08). Participants were matched for age, gender, TB, HIV-status, socio-economic status including maternal education, paternal employment, housing transport access. Caregivers reported demographic information,...

Introduction of oral feeding for young children receiving high-flow oxygen has recently gained interest. With limited literature, there are varied opinions regarding the safety in this population. This study describes speech-language therapists' (SLTs) views on infants oxygen. A South African online survey study. descriptive quantitative was distributed electronically via social networking sites. Purposive and snowball sampling were used to recruit expert SLTs. Twenty-one SLTs working with...

Background: The growing ageing population requires effective management of complex medical diagnoses and healthy support within residential care facilities. However, limited access to guidelines on monitoring residents’ eating swallowing abilities has been reported. Recent research is critical for future policy development.Objectives: This study aimed compare self-perceived clinical presentation among a portion elderly residents enhance the South African context.Method: comparative,...

Purpose: To identify symptoms of oropharyngeal dysphagia (OPD) in breastfeeding neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) on therapeutic hypothermia (TH). Early identification feeding problems HIE by speech-language therapists (SLTs) may prevent secondary complications OPD such as aspiration pneumonia and death. Materials Methods: Twenty-eight full-term (mean chronological age = 4.5 days) 30 healthy term controls were prospectively recruited for this case-control study....

Background: Early identification of stroke-related oropharyngeal dysphagia (OPD) using screening by nurses can prevent adverse patient outcomes in lower middle-income countries. Nurses are essential the OPD management team and should ideally be able to screen prioritise stroke patients. Objective: The aim this research was describe nurses' practices related patients with OPD. Methods: Qualified from various healthcare levels Eastern Cape, South Africa were invited complete a previously...

Background: Specific breastfeeding and swallowing characteristics in neonates with hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) have not yet been well described the literature. Considering relatively high incidence of HIE resource-poor settings, speech-language therapists should be cognisant feeding difficulties this population during breastfeeding.Objective: To systematically describe a single case neonate diagnosed mild from admission to discharge.Method: A study 2-day old neonatal intensive...

To describe the breastfeeding characteristics of late-preterm infants (LPIs) in a kangaroo mother care (KMC) unit.In 20-bed KMC unit, 73 purposively-selected LPIs' (mean gestational age: 34.8 weeks) was observed once-off, using Preterm Infant Breastfeeding Behavior Scale. Participants' mean age 9.5 days, number days unit 3.1 and 7.5 on observation.Only 13.7% participants were directly without supplementary naso- or orogastric feeding/cup-feeding 86.3% received cup-feeding expressed breast...

Working-age adults with aphasia experience difficulties in social participation, specifically fulfilling roles and reintegrating into communities. Literature regarding participation of people (PWA) is predominantly based on studies conducted high-income countries (HIC), limiting generalisability findings. Perspectives are influenced by person, place cultural background warranting investigation heterogeneous low- middle-income (LMICs), like South Africa.Describe perspectives working-age...

There is limited description of the feeding characteristics infants with unrepaired cleft lip and palate, exposed to HIV, but not necessarily infected.To compare palate HIV-exposure, only.A two-group comparative design a validated measure, Neonatal Feeding Assessment Scale was used. The effectiveness oral skills were included as objective measure. Twelve participants HIV-exposure 13 matched according type use obturator. no differences between groups for mean age, birth weight gestation....

Background: The prevalence of neonatal oropharyngeal dysphagia (OPD) in high-risk infants lower-middle-income countries is unknown. Objectives: To determine the and associated risks for OPD neonates order to allow timely intervention OPD, minimising negative outcomes. Method: A prospective cross-sectional observational study was conducted an urban hospital South Africa. Clinical feeding assessments were using Neonatal Feeding Assessment Scale with all available care. Results: sample 81 (mean...

Aim To describe feeding characteristics (such as breast and complementary feeding) determine the nature of difficulties infants in a primary health‐care clinic (PHC) South Africa. Methods A total 200 aged 6–12 months (mean = 8.54, standard deviation 2.18) received screening by speech–language therapist at PHC semi‐urban area using Montreal Children's Hospital‐Feeding Scale (MCH‐FS). Children who failed underwent further clinical evaluation Schedule Oral Motor Assessment. Results The sample...

Abstract Background: Prevalent environmental risk factors place infants in lower-middle-income countries (LMICs) at an increased for feeding and developmental difficulties. Aim: This study aimed to determine the relationship between outcomes infants, as early difficulties may have a cascading effect on vice versa. Methods: Data 144 infants’ development [mean age (standard deviation) = 8.8 months (2.2)] from primary health care clinic Gauteng, South Africa were retrospectively analysed....

Purpose: The study aimed to explore the practices of a sample South African speech-language pathologists (SLPs) in providing psychosocial care people with aphasia. People aphasia are at risk adverse disruptions and access appropriate support may be particularly challenging for individuals compromised communication abilities. considered multilingual multicultural context Africa. By understanding current practices, direction improved clients as well SLPs is highlighted.Method: A 20-item...

Background: Normative information on the breastfeeding of term newborns may guide clinicians in early identification difficulties and oro-pharyngeal dysphagia (OPD), support optimal practices. Objective: To describe skills newborn infants a South African hospital, lower-middle-income setting, investigate associations between infants’ feeding other factors.Method: One session each 71 healthy full-term (mean chronological age=1.9 days; mean gestation=39.1 weeks) was evaluated using Preterm...

Background. Infants in neonatal intensive care are at risk of swallowing difficulties, particular oropharyngeal dysphagia (OPD) and oesophageal (OD). OPD is treated by speech-language therapists while OD managed doctors. Diagnosis a challenge as equipment for instrumental evaluations not readily available. Additional information to guide clinical assessment may be valuable. Objective. To determine whether profiles infants (≥32 weeks' gestation) unit (NICU) diagnosed with or were distinctly...

Purpose To describe the evolution of swallowing and feeding abilities neonates with hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) during hospitalisation.Method A longitudinal cohort study was used. Twenty-nine participants (median age 39.0 weeks [IQR = 2.0 weeks]) mild (n 7), moderate 19) severe 3) HIE were included. Clinical assessments conducted at introduction oral feeds discharge using Neonatal Feeding Assessment Scale (NFAS). Videofluoroscopic swallow studies (VFSS) supplemented NFAS before...

Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) is associated with cognitive and motor deficits. Little known about the swallowing, feeding communication characteristics of hospitalised toddlers SAM, limiting abilities speech-language therapists to provide effective early intervention. To explore background, SAM during in-patient nutritional rehabilitation. An exploratory, prospective, collective case-study was conducted three who were 12-18 months old independently diagnosed at least 1 week after...

Studies related to tube feeding in people with dementia (PWD) remain a contested topic, neglecting the importance of speech-language therapists' (SLTs) role dysphagia management. Furthermore, SLT practices and beliefs regarding advanced an upper-middle-income country, such as South Africa, are unexplored. This study aimed determine SLTs Africa placement PWD. A self-compiled online survey was distributed using social media platforms completed by 83 African experience swallowing management...

Background: Oral feeding practices of young patients on high-flow oxygen (HFO 2 ) have been controversial. Limited literature exists this topic, but new studies suggest introducing oral feeds. Objective: This study aims to describe the changes in swallowing and a group children HFO . Method: Twelve participants (mean age 34.17 months [s.d. = 3.97]) were assessed clinically at bedside using Schedule Motor Assessment. Assessments conducted twice determine change characteristics: upon approval...