Showing items 281 - 300 of 567

Turnover of benthic macroinvertebrates along the Mthatha River, Eastern Cape, South Africa: implications for water quality bio-monitoring using indicator species

  • Authors: Augustine Niba , Selunathi Sakwe
  • Date: 2018
  • Language: English
  • Type: Journal Article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/4272 , vital:44058
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Twenty-four-hour oesophageal pH studies in rural Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

  • Authors: E J Ndebia , A M Sammon
  • Date: 2018
  • Language: English
  • Type: Journal Article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/4751 , vital:44186
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Violence, abuse and discrimination: key factors militating against control of HIV/AIDS among the LGBTI sector

Vulnerabilities of Coastal Tourism destinations to climate change related incidents: a case study selected holiday resorts along the wildcoast, Eastern Cape, South Africa

  • Authors: Van Der Byl, Athina
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Coastal Tourism destinations -- Wildcoast Wildcoast -- Holiday resorts -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Climate change -- Tourism
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , M Sc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/1337 , vital:32259
  • Description: Climate change is a global phenomenon with major impacts on coastlines, leaving coastal areas vulnerable to conditions such as sea level rise, flooding as well as storm surges, which results in increased damage to or loss of coastal property and infrastructure. The study examined the vulnerability of the Eastern Cape’s Wild Coast resorts to climate change related impacts. Both qualitative and quantitative methods aided by questionnaires and GIS mapping were used to identify vulnerable settlements as well as their impacts. A meta analysis of the identified vulnerabilities was studied and strategies employed to reduce the impacts was also done. Results indicated that almost 80% of the Wild Coast resorts occur within the low-lying areas of the coast and these areas were mostly affected by impacts such as sea level rise, heavy rainfall and floods accompanied by storm surges. Another alarming challenge faced by the King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality was controlling unplanned developments within these low-lying zones of the coast. Therefore, it is recommended that relevant departments provide awareness through various platforms such as workshops, programmes and campaigns to ensure that people understand the risk of climate change on low-lying areas as well as mainstreaming climate change in long term development planning. This study highlights a need for monitoring of coastal environments vulnerable to the impact of climate change along a South African coastline.
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Perceptions Of School Based Support Teams About Providing Support To Foundation Phase Teachers In Two Butterworth Primary Schools, Eastern Cape

  • Authors: Luningo, Mziwonke
  • Date: 2017-11
  • Subjects: School support teams
  • Language: English
  • Type: Doctoral theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/6668 , vital:47202
  • Description: The Policy on Inclusive Education acknowledges that all children can learn if they are given the necessary support. In order to achieve this goal, the Department of Education (DoE) introduced the establishment of School-Based Support Teams (SBSTs) whose main function is to support teaching and learning in schools. Nonetheless, there seems to be challenges on how to support learners experiencing barriers to learning among the members of the SBST. The aim of this study is to explore the perceptions of the SBSTs about providing support to the Foundation Phase (FP) teachers in two Butterworth Primary Schools in the Eastern Cape. This study used the qualitative mode of inquiry and a case study as a research design. Face-to face semi-structured interviews, observations and document analysis were used to collect the data from the SBSTs about their perceptions in providing support to the FP teachers. Data was analysed by identifying common themes. The findings revealed that the SBSTs do not have enough knowledge and skills on how to support the FP teachers. Some of the challenges they cited include inadequate training, lack of communication, overcrowding in classrooms, lack of support from the parents and from the Department of Education. In an attempt to alleviate the above raised challenges, a model has been proposed. , Thesis (D.Ed) -- Faculty of Education Sciences, 2020
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Perceptions of School Based Support Teams about Providing Support to Foundation Phase Teachers in Two Butterworth Primary Schools, Eastern Cape

  • Authors: Luningo, Mziwonke
  • Date: 2017-11
  • Subjects: School Support Teams
  • Language: English
  • Type: Doctoral theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/6653 , vital:47204
  • Description: The Policy on Inclusive Education acknowledges that all children can learn if they are given the necessary support. In order to achieve this goal, the Department of Education (DoE) introduced the establishment of School-Based Support Teams (SBSTs) whose main function is to support teaching and learning in schools. Nonetheless, there seems to be challenges on how to support learners experiencing barriers to learning among the members of the SBST. The aim of this study is to explore the perceptions of the SBSTs about providing support to the Foundation Phase (FP) teachers in two Butterworth Primary Schools in the Eastern Cape. This study used the qualitative mode of inquiry and a case study as a research design. Face-to face semi-structured interviews, observations and document analysis were used to collect the data from the SBSTs about their perceptions in providing support to the FP teachers. Data was analysed by identifying common themes. The findings revealed that the SBSTs do not have enough knowledge and skills on how to support the FP teachers. Some of the challenges they cited include inadequate training, lack of communication, overcrowding in classrooms, lack of support from the parents and from the Department of Education. In an attempt to alleviate the above raised challenges, a model has been proposed. , Thesis (D.Ed) -- Faculty of Education Sciences, 2017
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Mediating teaching and learning in Foundation Phase Grade 3 Life Skills classrooms: role and use of learning and teaching support materials

  • Authors: Nqabeni, Pelokazi
  • Date: 2017-04
  • Subjects: teaching strategies
  • Language: English
  • Type: Doctoral theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/9436 , vital:73535
  • Description: The study explored the role and use of learning and teaching support materials (LTSMs) to mediate teaching and learning in Life Skills Grade 3 classrooms of Dutywa District, in the province of the Eastern Cape, South Africa. It was prompted by a deep concern about the role and use of LTSMs to mediate teaching and learning in the Foundation Phase. While studies have been carried out on LTSMs in Foundation Phase, few studies have looked at the role and use of LTSMs to mediate teaching and learning in Life Skills Grade 3 classrooms. The study used a qualitative approach and is a multiple-case study of three purposively sampled schools from the rural areas. Teachers who participated in the study were Grade 3 teachers from the three schools. A pilot study was conducted in three schools with Foundation Phase, which were not used for the main study, for the purpose of validity and reliability. In this study, Cultural Historical Activity Theory (CHAT) was used as a framework to understand that actions are mediated by a complex network of socio-historical activities. I drew on the second generation of the activity theory, which has roots in Leontiev’s work on the Cultural Historical Activity Theory (CHAT), which provided both explanatory and analytical tools. I collected data using documents including journal entries, individual semi-structured interviews, and structured observations. The interviews were voice recorded with participant’s permission in order to present verbatim statements. In structured observations, I observed the role and use of LTSMs to mediate teaching and learning in Life Skills Grade 3 classrooms in the three selected schools. Content analysis guided the data analysis through themes derived from the subsidiary questions and coded for easy referencing. Data reporting took the form of thick description and verbatim quotations in line with the qualitative approach of the study. The study’s findings revealed non-availability of learning and teaching support materials in Life Skills subject. This suggests that intervention is needed by the Department of Education such as providing LTSMs which are essential in order to address the problem of not being used to mediate teaching and learning in classrooms. Language used in the role and use of learning and teaching support materials to mediate teaching and learning, lack of professional development, the effect of the non-examinable nature of Life Skills, and shortage and overcrowded classrooms were some of the aspects affecting the role and use of LTSMs to mediate teaching and learning in Life Skills Grade 3 classrooms. Based on the study findings, then I recommend that further research be conducted on strategies that could be employed to improve the role and use of LTSMs to mediate teaching and learning in Life Skills Grade 3 classrooms in a way that benefits learners. The Departmental officials including subject advisors, principals, teachers and learners should work together to improve the role and use of LTSMs to mediate teaching and learning in classrooms for quality education and to improve results in Foundation Phase. A model is proposed as the new knowledge for the existing literature on the role and use of LTSMs to mediate teaching and learning in classroom based on the theoretical framework and findings of this study. , Thesis (D.Ed) -- Faculty of Education Sciences, 2017
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Species distribution and antifungal susceptibility patterns of Candida isolates from a public tertiary teaching hospital in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

  • Authors: Mnge, P , Okeleye, B I , Vasaikar, S D , Apalata, T
  • Date: 2017-03-14
  • Subjects: Candida Candida species , Antifungal agents Antifungal susceptibility
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/6817 , vital:49389 , http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1414-431X20175797
  • Description: Candida species are the leading cause of invasive fungal infections, and over the past decade there has been an increased isolation of drug resistant Candida species. This study aimed to identify the species distribution of Candida isolates and to determine their unique antifungal susceptibility and resistance patterns. During a cross-sectional study, 209 Candida isolates (recovered from 206 clinical samples) were collected and their species distribution was determined using ChromAgar Candida. The Vitek-2 system (Biomerieux, South Africa) was used to determine minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) to azoles (fluconazole, voriconazole), echinocandins (caspofungin, micafungin), polyenes (amphotericin B) and flucytosine. Four species of Candida were isolated, of which C. albicans was the most frequent, isolated in 45.4 percent (95/209) of the isolates, followed by C. glabrata: 31.1 percent (65/209). The MICs of the different antifungal drugs varied amongst the species of Candida. From the 130 isolates tested for MICs, 90.77 percent (112/130) were susceptible to all antifungal drugs and 6.9 percent (9/130) of the isolates were multi-drug resistant. C. dubliniensis (n=2) isolates were susceptible to all the above mentioned antifungal drugs. There was no significant difference in species distribution amongst clinical specimens and between patients’ genders (P40.05). An increase in MIC values for fluconazole and flucytosine towards the resistance range was observed. To our knowledge, this is the first report on surveillance of Candida species distribution and antifungal susceptibility at a public tertiary teaching hospital in Eastern Cape, South Africa.
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An approach to anaemia diagnosis – concerns in primary care

  • Authors: D O’Mahony , M Mntonintshi
  • Date: 2017
  • Language: English
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/5616 , vital:44615
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An ethnobotanical survey of plants used traditionally to treat tuberculosis in the eastern region of O.R. Tambo district, South Africa

  • Authors: B. Madikizela , L. Kambizi
  • Date: 2017
  • Language: English
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/5526 , vital:44596
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An update on the management of breast cancer in Africa

  • Authors: Vanderpuye, V , Grover, S , Hammad, N , Prabhakar, Pooja , Simonds, H , Olopade, F , Stefan, D C
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Africa Cancer--Treatment
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/6048 , vital:45108 , DOI 10.1186/s13027-017-0124-y
  • Description: There is limited information about the challenges of cancer management and attempts at improving outcomes in Africa. Even though South and North Africa are better resourceds to tackle the burden of breast cancer, similar poor prognostic factors are common to all countries. The five-year overall Survival rate for breast cancer patients does not exceed 60% for any low and middle-income country (LMIC) in Africa. In spite of the gains achieved over the past decade, certain characteristics remain the same such as limited availability of breast conservation therapies, inadequate access to drugs, few oncology specialists and adherence to harmful socio-cultural practices. This review on managing breast cancer in Africa is authored by African oncologists who practice or collaborate in Africa and with hands-on experience with the realities. A search was performed via electronic databases from 1999 to 2016. (PubMed/Medline, African Journals Online) for all literature in English or translated into English, covering the terms "breast cancer in Africa and developing countries". One hundred ninety were deemed appropriate. Breast tumors are diagnosed at earlier ages and later stages than in highincome countries. There is a higher prevalence of triple-negative cancers. The limitations of poor nursing care and surgery, inadequate access to radiotherapy, poor availability of basic and modern systemic therapies translate into lower survival rate. Positive strides in breast cancer management in Africa include increased adaptation of treatment guidelines, improved pathology services including immuno-histochemistry, expansion and upgrading of radiotherapy equipment across the continent in addition to more research opportunities. This review is an update of the management of breast cancer in Africa, taking a look at the epidemiology, pathology, management resources, outcomes, research and limitations in Africa from the perspective of oncologists with local experience.
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Antecedents of Blackboard Adoption by Lecturers at a South African Higher Education Institution – Extending GETAMEL

Antibacterial activity of crude extracts of some South African medicinal plants against multidrug resistant etiological agents of diarrhoea

Antipsychotic use in a resource-limited setting: Findings in an Eastern Cape psychiatric hospital

  • Authors: Ingrid Eloff
  • Date: 2017
  • Language: English
  • Type: Journal
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/5685 , vital:44630
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Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles from Acacia mearnsii De Wild stem bark and its antinociceptive properties

  • Authors: Avoseh, Opeyemi N , Oyedeji, Opeoluwa O , Aremu, Olukayode , Nkeh-Chungag, Benedicta N , Songca, Sandile P , Oyedeji, Adebola Omowunmi , Mohan, Sneha , Oluwafemi, Oluwatobi S
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Metal nanoparticles , Acacia mearnsii , Nociceptive pain
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/1528 , vital:37774 , https://doi.org/10.1080/17518253.2017.1287310
  • Description: The biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) using the hydrosol extract of the dry stem bark of Acacia mearnsii as reducing and capping agents, and their antinociceptive properties are hereby reported. By varying the temperature and reaction time, the temporal evolution of the optical and morphological properties of the as-synthesized material was investigated. The NPs were characterized by UV–visible absorption spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and x-ray diffractometry (XRD) The optical analyses show that the position of the maximum surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peak is red-shifted as the reaction temperature decreased. The TEM micrographs show that the as-synthesized Ag-NPs are spherical while the X-ray diffraction shows that the material is highly crystalline with face-centered cubic structures. The anti-inflammatory efficacy, analyzed by the formalin model, indicates that the as-synthesized Ag-NPs are very effective, with an inhibition rate of about 76%.
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Calcium supplementation commencing before or early in pregnancy, or food fortification with calcium, for preventing hypertensive disorders of pregnancy

  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: South Africa Pregnancy Journal article
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/6187 , vital:45261 , xlink:href="https://DOI:10.1002/14651858.CD011192.pub2"
  • Description: Background Pre-eclampsia is considerably more prevalent in low- than high-income countries. One possible explanation for this discrepancy is dietary diKerences, particularly calcium deficiency. Calcium supplementation in the second half of pregnancy reduces the serious consequences of pre-eclampsia and is recommended by the WorldHealthOrganization (WHO) for women with low dietary calcium intake, but has limited eKect on the overallrisk of pre-eclampsia. It is important to establish whether calcium supplementation before and in early pregnancy has added benefit. Such evidence would be justification for population-level fortification of staple foods with calcium. Objectives To determine the eKect of calcium supplementation or food fortification with calcium, commenced before or early in pregnancy and continued at least until mid-pregnancy, on pre-eclampsia and other hypertensive disorders, maternal morbidity and mortality, as well as fetal and neonatal outcomes. Search methods We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Trials Register (10 August 2017), PubMed (29 June 2017), ClinicalTrials.gov, the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) (10 August 2017) and reference lists of retrieved studies. Selection criteria Randomised controlled trials of calcium supplementation orfood fortification which include women of child bearing age not yet pregnant, or in early pregnancy. Cluster-RCTs, quasi-RCTs and trials published in abstract form only would have been eligible for inclusion in this review but none were identified. Cross-over designs are not appropriate for this intervention. The scope of this review is to consider interventions including calcium supplementation with or without additional supplements or treatments, compared with placebo or no intervention. Data collection and analysis Two review authors independently assessed trials for inclusion and risk of bias, extracted data and checked them for accuracy. Main results This review is based on one RCT (involving 60 women) which looked at calcium plus additional supplements versus control. The women (who had lowantioxidant status)were in the early stages of pregnancy.We did notidentify any studieswhere supplementation commenced pre-pregnancy. Another RCT comparing calcium versus placebo is ongoing but not yet complete. We did not identify any studies looking at any of our other planned comparisons. Calcium plus antioxidants and other supplements versus placebo We included one small study (involving 60 women with low antioxidantlevels) which was conducted in an academic hospital in Indondesia. The study was at low risk of bias for all domains with the exception of selective reporting, for which it was unclear. Women in the intervention group received calcium (800 mg) plus N-acetylcysteine (200 mg), Cu (2 mg), Zn (15 mg), Mn (0.5 mg) and selenium (100 mcg) and vitamins A (1000 IU), B6 (2.2 mg), B12 (2.2 mcg), C (200 mg), and E (400 IU) versus the placebo control group of women who received similar looking tablets containing iron and folic acid. Both groups received iron (30 mg) and folic acid (400 mcg). Tablets were taken twice daily from eight to 12 weeks of gestation and then throughout pregnancy. The included study found that calcium supplementation plus antioxidants and other supplements may slightly reduce pre-eclampsia (gestational hypertension and proteinuria) (risk ratio (RR) 0.24, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.06 to 1.01; low-quality evidence), but this is uncertain due to wide confidence intervals just crossing the line of no eKect, and small sample size. It appears that earlypregnancy loss before 20 weeks' gestation (RR 0.06, 95% CI 0.00 to 1.04; moderate-quality evidence) may be slightly reduced by calcium plus antioxidants and other supplements, but this outcome also has wide confidence intervals, which just cross the line of no eKect. Very few events were reported under the composite outcome, severe maternal morbidity and mortality index and no clear diKerence was seen between groups (RR 0.36, 95% CI 0.04 to 3.23; low-quality evidence). However, the included study observed a reduction in the composite outcome pre-eclampsia and/or pregnancy loss at any gestational age (RR 0.13, 95% CI 0.03 to 0.50; moderate-quality evidence), and pregnancy loss/stillbirth at any gestational age (RR 0.06, 95% CI 0.00 to 0.92;moderate-quality evidence)in the calcium plus antioxidant/supplement group. Other outcomes reported (placental abruption, severe pre-eclampsia and preterm birth (less than 37 weeks' gestation)) were too infrequent for meaningful analysis. No data were reported for the outcomes caesarean section, birthweight less 2500 g, Apgar score less than seven at five minutes, death or admission to neonatal intensive care unit (ICU), or pregnancy loss, stillbirth or neonatal death before discharge from hospital. Authors' conclusions The results of this review are based on one small study in which the calcium intervention group also received antioxidants and other supplements. Therefore, we are uncertain whether any of the eKects observed in the study were due to calcium supplementation or not. The evidence in this review was graded low to moderate due to imprecision. There is insuKicient evidence on the eKectiveness or otherwise of pre- or early-pregnancy calcium supplementation, or food fortification for preventing hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Furtherresearch is needed to determine whether pre- or early-pregnancy supplementation, orfood fortification with calcium is associated with a reduction in adverse pregnancy outcomes such as pre-eclampsia and pregnancy loss. Such studies should be adequately powered, limited to calcium supplementation, placebo-controlled, and include relevant outcomes such as those chosen for this review. There is one ongoing study of calcium supplementation alone versus placebo and this may provide additional evidence in future updates
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Calcium supplementation commencing before or early in pregnancy, or food fortification with calcium, for preventing hypertensive disorders of pregnancy

  • Authors: Hofmeyr, Georges Justus , Manyame, S
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: South Africa Pregnancy Computer File
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/6215 , vital:45282 , "https://DOI:10.1002/14651858.CD011192.pub2"
  • Description: Background Pre-eclampsia is considerably more prevalent in low- than high-income countries. One possible explanation for this discrepancy is dietary diKerences, particularly calcium deficiency. Calcium supplementation in the second half of pregnancy reduces the serious consequences of pre-eclampsia and is recommended by the WorldHealthOrganization (WHO) for women with low dietary calcium intake, but has limited eKect on the overallrisk of pre-eclampsia. It is important to establish whether calcium supplementation before and in early pregnancy has added benefit. Such evidence would be justification for population-level fortification of staple foods with calcium. Objectives To determine the eKect of calcium supplementation or food fortification with calcium, commenced before or early in pregnancy and continued at least until mid-pregnancy, on pre-eclampsia and other hypertensive disorders, maternal morbidity and mortality, as well as fetal and neonatal outcomes. Search methods We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Trials Register (10 August 2017), PubMed (29 June 2017), ClinicalTrials.gov, the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) (10 August 2017) and reference lists of retrieved studies. Selection criteria Randomised controlled trials of calcium supplementation orfood fortification which include women of child bearing age not yet pregnant, or in early pregnancy. Cluster-RCTs, quasi-RCTs and trials published in abstract form only would have been eligible for inclusion in this review but none were identified. Cross-over designs are not appropriate for this intervention. The scope of this review is to consider interventions including calcium supplementation with or without additional supplements or treatments, compared with placebo or no intervention. Data collection and analysis Two review authors independently assessed trials for inclusion and risk of bias, extracted data and checked them for accuracy. Main results This review is based on one RCT (involving 60 women) which looked at calcium plus additional supplements versus control. The women (who had lowantioxidant status)were in the early stages of pregnancy.We did notidentify any studieswhere supplementation commenced pre-pregnancy. Another RCT comparing calcium versus placebo is ongoing but not yet complete. We did not identify any studies looking at any of our other planned comparisons. Calcium plus antioxidants and other supplements versus placebo We included one small study (involving 60 women with low antioxidantlevels) which was conducted in an academic hospital in Indondesia. The study was at low risk of bias for all domains with the exception of selective reporting, for which it was unclear. Women in the intervention group received calcium (800 mg) plus N-acetylcysteine (200 mg), Cu (2 mg), Zn (15 mg), Mn (0.5 mg) and selenium (100 mcg) and vitamins A (1000 IU), B6 (2.2 mg), B12 (2.2 mcg), C (200 mg), and E (400 IU) versus the placebo control group of women who received similar looking tablets containing iron and folic acid. Both groups received iron (30 mg) and folic acid (400 mcg). Tablets were taken twice daily from eight to 12 weeks of gestation and then throughout pregnancy. The included study found that calcium supplementation plus antioxidants and other supplements may slightly reduce pre-eclampsia (gestational hypertension and proteinuria) (risk ratio (RR) 0.24, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.06 to 1.01; low-quality evidence), but this is uncertain due to wide confidence intervals just crossing the line of no eKect, and small sample size. It appears that earlypregnancy loss before 20 weeks' gestation (RR 0.06, 95% CI 0.00 to 1.04; moderate-quality evidence) may be slightly reduced by calcium plus antioxidants and other supplements, but this outcome also has wide confidence intervals, which just cross the line of no eKect. Very few events were reported under the composite outcome, severe maternal morbidity and mortality index and no clear diKerence was seen between groups (RR 0.36, 95% CI 0.04 to 3.23; low-quality evidence). However, the included study observed a reduction in the composite outcome pre-eclampsia and/or pregnancy loss at any gestational age (RR 0.13, 95% CI 0.03 to 0.50; moderate-quality evidence), and pregnancy loss/stillbirth at any gestational age (RR 0.06, 95% CI 0.00 to 0.92;moderate-quality evidence)in the calcium plus antioxidant/supplement group. Other outcomes reported (placental abruption, severe pre-eclampsia and preterm birth (less than 37 weeks' gestation)) were too infrequent for meaningful analysis. No data were reported for the outcomes caesarean section, birthweight less 2500 g, Apgar score less than seven at five minutes, death or admission to neonatal intensive care unit (ICU), or pregnancy loss, stillbirth or neonatal death before discharge from hospital. Authors' conclusions The results of this review are based on one small study in which the calcium intervention group also received antioxidants and other supplements. Therefore, we are uncertain whether any of the eKects observed in the study were due to calcium supplementation or not. The evidence in this review was graded low to moderate due to imprecision. There is insuKicient evidence on the eKectiveness or otherwise of pre- or early-pregnancy calcium supplementation, or food fortification for preventing hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Furtherresearch is needed to determine whether pre- or early-pregnancy supplementation, orfood fortification with calcium is associated with a reduction in adverse pregnancy outcomes such as pre-eclampsia and pregnancy loss. Such studies should be adequately powered, limited to calcium supplementation, placebo-controlled, and include relevant outcomes such as those chosen for this review. There is one ongoing study of calcium supplementation alone versus placebo and this may provide additional evidence in future updates
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Central obesity and normal-weight central obesity among adults attending healthcare facilities in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa: a cross-sectional study

  • Authors: Owolabi, Eyitayo Omolara , Ter Goon, Daniel , Adeniyi, Oladele Vincent
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Computer File , Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa , Central obesity , Overall obesity , Waist circumference , Waist-to-hip ratio , Waist-to-height ratio , NICE BMI-WC composite index , Health risks , Abdominal obesity
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/5887 , vital:44664 , https://DOI10.1186/s41043-017-0133-x
  • Description: Background Central obesity (CO) confers a significant threat on the cardio-metabolic health of individuals, independently of overall obesity. Disparities in the measures of fat distribution lead to misclassification of individuals who are at risk of cardio-metabolic diseases. This study sought to determine the prevalence and correlates of central obesity and normal-weight central obesity among adults attending selected healthcare facilities in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM), South Africa, assess their health risk and examine the association between central obesity and cardio-metabolic diseases among adults with normal weight, measured by body mass index (BMI). Methods A cross-sectional survey of 998 adults was carried out at the three largest outpatient clinics in BCMM. Overall and central obesity were assessed using BMI, waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and waist-to-height ratio (WHTR). The WHO STEPwise questionnaire was used for data collection. Blood pressure and blood glucose were measured. Normal-weight central obesity was defined as CO among individuals with normal weight, as assessed by BMI. Health risk levels were assessed using the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) BMI-WC composite index. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to determine the prevalence of CO, normal-weight central obesity and the predictors of CO. Results The mean age of participants was 42.6 (± 16.5) years. The prevalence of CO was 67.0, 58.0 and 71.0% by WC, WHR and WHTR, respectively. The prevalence of normal-weight central obesity was 26.9, 36.9 and 29.5% by WC, WHR and WHTR, respectively. About 41% of the participants had a very high health risk, 13% had increased risk or high risk and 33% had no health risk. Central obesity was significantly associated with hypertension but not associated with diabetes among those with normal weight (by BMI). Female sex, age over 30 years, marriage, secondary or tertiary level of education, non-smoking status, diabetes and hypertension significantly predicted central obesity among the study participants. Conclusion The prevalence of central obesity among the study participants is high, irrespective of the defining criteria. One in three adults of normal weight had central obesity. Body mass index should therefore not be used alone for clinical assessment by healthcare workers in the study setting.
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Challenges of information and communication technology policy implementation in rural South Africa

  • Authors: Chisango, Grasia , Lesame, Carol
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Information society , Digital inclusion , Education
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/5592 , vital:44611 , https://doi.org/10.18820/24150525/Comm.v22.4
  • Description: While the South African government has implemented an information and communication technology (ICT) policy to address issues of universal access and service, questions remain about the effective implementation of this policy in rural areas. This article explores the extent to which ICT policy and regulation were implemented in rural South Africa, with specific reference to the Eastern Cape province. Focus group interviews and in-depth face-to-face interviews were conducted to collect qualitative data from 28 high school learners, two local municipal mayors and two women support group leaders in the Chris Hani District Municipality. A theme analysis indicated that the Universal Service and Access Agency of South Africa (USAASA) is failing to fulfil its mandate of promoting universal access and service. It is recommended that the provincial government in the Eastern Cape design an ICT strategy for its municipalities and that there should be easy access to Thusong Service Centres in rural areas.
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Continuous support for women during childbirth (Review)

  • Authors: G Justus Hofmeyr2
  • Date: 2017
  • Language: English
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/5658 , vital:44621
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