Senecio inaequidens (South African ragwort).

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tina Heger
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Health Care ◽  
South African ◽  
Arable Land ◽  
Realized Niche ◽  
Vigorous Growth ◽  
Senecio Inaequidens ◽  
Near Future ◽  
Herbaceous Perennial ◽  
Accidental Introduction

Abstract S. inaequidens is a herbaceous perennial considered native to South Africa. It has spread rapidly in North and Central Europe following its accidental introduction from South Africa in wool exports. In the absence of rigorous phytosanitary controls, it is very likely to spread further along roads and railways. As its present realized niche differs to a large extent from its equilibrium niche (Vacchiano et al., 2013), it has to be expected that the species will spread into grasslands and pastures in the near future. S. inaequidens is a prolific achene producer, has vigorous growth and is toxic. Its economic impacts are currently minimal, and so far, no environmental impacts have been observed; however, due to its toxicity, its potential to spread into arable land should be considered a serious threat for cattle and human health. This species should in no case be considered for cultivation, even though its usefulness for health care (for example) has been demonstrated.

scholarly journals Spatiotemporal modelling and mapping of cervical cancer incidence among HIV positive women in South Africa: a nationwide study

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dhokotera Tafadzwa ◽  
Riou Julien ◽  
Bartels Lina ◽  
Rohner Eliane ◽  
Chammartin Frederique ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Cervical Cancer ◽  
South African ◽  
Access To Health Care ◽  
Health Facilities ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
The South ◽  
Hiv Positive Women ◽  
Access To Health

Abstract Background Disparities in invasive cervical cancer (ICC) incidence exist globally, particularly in HIV positive women who are at elevated risk compared to HIV negative women. We aimed to determine the spatial, temporal, and spatiotemporal incidence of ICC and the potential risk factors among HIV positive women in South Africa. Methods We included ICC cases in women diagnosed with HIV from the South African HIV cancer match study during 2004–2014. We used the Thembisa model, a mathematical model of the South African HIV epidemic to estimate women diagnosed with HIV per municipality, age group and calendar year. We fitted Bayesian hierarchical models, using a reparameterization of the Besag-York-Mollié to capture spatial autocorrelation, to estimate the spatiotemporal distribution of ICC incidence among women diagnosed with HIV. We also examined the association of deprivation, access to health (using the number of health facilities per municipality) and urbanicity with ICC incidence. We corrected our estimates to account for ICC case underascertainment, missing data and data errors. Results We included 17,821 ICC cases and demonstrated a decreasing trend in ICC incidence, from 306 to 312 in 2004 and from 160 to 191 in 2014 per 100,000 person-years across all municipalities and corrections. The spatial relative rate (RR) ranged from 0.27 to 4.43 in the model without any covariates. In the model adjusting for covariates, the most affluent municipalities had a RR of 3.18 (95% Credible Interval 1.82, 5.57) compared to the least affluent ones, and municipalities with better access to health care had a RR of 1.52 (1.03, 2.27) compared to municipalities with worse access to health. Conclusions The results show an increased incidence of cervical cancer in affluent municipalities and in those with more health facilities. This is likely driven by better access to health care in more affluent areas. More efforts should be made to ensure equitable access to health services, including mitigating physical barriers, such as transportation to health centres and strengthening of screening programmes.

scholarly journals Sense (Scents) of South Africa

1999 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-5
Author(s):  
Katherine F. Shepard
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Health Care ◽  
South African ◽  
Health Care Facilities ◽  
Speech Pathology ◽  
African Society ◽  
South African Society ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
The University ◽  
Physiotherapy Education

This paper presents a brief description of some of the author’s perceptions of the land, of physiotherapy education and practice and of the struggle of the nation of South Africa acquired during a 4 week visit in late spring 1997. One week was spent in Cape Town participating in several venues at the International Congress of the South African Society of Physiotherapy. Three weeks were spent at the University of the Witswatersrand in Johannesburg presenting a course in qualitative research to health care colleagues representing the disciplines of physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology and occupational health. During the time in Johannesburg several health care facilities were visited including Baragwanath Hospital, Natal Hospital and the Wits Rural Facility and Tinswalo Hospital at Acornhoek.

scholarly journals DEPRESSION, FUNCTIONAL DISABILITY, AND ACCESSING HEALTH CARE AMONG OLDER MEN AND WOMEN IN GHANA AND SOUTH AFRICA

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S77-S77
Author(s):  
Candidus C Nwakasi ◽  
J Scott Brown
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Socioeconomic Factors ◽  
South African ◽  
Functional Disability ◽  
Older Men ◽  
Mild Depression ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
South Africans ◽  
Older Men And Women

Abstract Objectives. To inform a preventive approach to mild depression among older Ghanaians and South Africans, this study will investigate the association and possible variabilities between mild depression, functional disability, accessing health care, sociodemographic, and socioeconomic factors across genders in both countries. Methods. Cross-sectional wave 1 (2007-2010) data from WHO’s Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health (SAGE) are used, and a sample of 3871 for Ghana and 3076 for South Africa are analyzed. Binary multiple logistic regression is used to identify the association between mild depression, functional disability status, socioeconomic and sociodemographic factors, and health status. Results. The proportion of mild depression (MD) is 3.78% and 8.15% for older Ghanaian men and women, and 2.29% and 11.91% for South African older men and women, respectively. At 95% CI, increased severity (mild and high levels) of functional disability are associated with increased odds of MD in Ghanaian and South African older men and women. Apart from South African older men, older people in the study who do not receive healthcare when needed have increased odds of MD. Sociodemographic and socioeconomic factors are also associated with MD. Discussion. An untreated, persistent MD may lead to worse conditions with fatal outcomes. Since, mental health care is lacking in both countries, this study recommends policies directed towards support for formal and informal long-term care, and healthcare access to reduce the risks of depression. Thus, this study’s findings may provide relevant information for managing depression among older Ghanaians and South Africans.

scholarly journals Working in partnership with communities to improve health and research outcomes. Comparisons and commonalities between the UK and South Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia Wilson ◽  
Azwihangwisi Helen Mavhandu-Mudzusi
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Community Participation ◽  
South African ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Teenage Pregnancy ◽  
Public Involvement ◽  
Working Together ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Evaluation And Monitoring

Abstract Community and public participation and involvement is an underpinning principle of primary health care, an essential component of a social justice-orientated approach to health care and a vehicle to improving health outcomes for patients, public and communities. However, influenced by history and context, there are intrinsic issues surrounding power imbalance and other barriers to partnerships between communities, public, policy makers and researchers. It is important to acknowledge these issues, and through doing so share experiences and learn from those working within very different settings. In South Africa, community participation is seen as a route to decolonisation. It is also integral to the core functions of South African Higher Education Institutes, alongside teaching and research. In the UK, there has also been a history of participation and involvement as part of a social rights movement, but notably public involvement has become embedded in publicly funded health research as a policy imperative. In this paper, we draw on our respective programmes of work in public and community participation and involvement. These include a South African community engagement project to reduce teenage pregnancy and HIV infection working through a partnership between teachers, students and university academics, and a national evaluation in England of public involvement in applied health research. We begin by highlighting the lack of clarity and terms used interchangeably to describe participation, engagement and involvement. Frameworks for partnership working with relevance to South Africa and the UK are then analysed, suggesting key themes of relationships, working together, and evaluation and monitoring. The South African project and examples of public involvement in English primary and community care research are examined through these themes. We conclude the paper by mapping out common enablers and barriers to partnership working within these very different contexts.

scholarly journals Consulting the South African experts in physiotherapeutic stroke rehabilitation

2001 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 32-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. A. Hale ◽  
C. J. Eales
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Health Care ◽  
South African ◽  
Stroke Rehabilitation ◽  
Delphi Technique ◽  
Rehabilitation Services ◽  
The South ◽  
Innovative Methods ◽  
African Health ◽  
South African Health

This paper presents the opinions of expert physiotherapists on what constitutes optimal stroke rehabilitation in South Africa. Data were collected by the use of the Delphi technique. Consensus was reached after two rounds, and the respondents’ views are summarised and discussed within the framework of South African health care. Results showed that physiotherapy was felt to be very important after stroke, and the survey created a profile of the skills that physiotherapists may require in order to work in this field. However, no new or innovative methods by which appropriate rehabilitation services could be delivered in South Africa were generated by the survey.The Delphi technique is described and its use in this survey considered.

Structuring Sustainable Universal Health Care in South Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 234-245
Author(s):  
Salimah Valiani
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Health Care ◽  
South African ◽  
Health Care Financing ◽  
Historical Sociology ◽  
Public Health Care ◽  
Universal Health Care ◽  
African Health ◽  
Analytical Tools ◽  
Universal Health

Intervening in debates around universal health care in South Africa, this article draws on class-based analytical tools from social medicine, political economy, and historical sociology. It is argued there are 3 keys to achieving sustainable universal health care in South Africa: addressing the socioeconomic roots of ill health; establishing a fully public, nonprofit health care system; and adequate investment in undervalued female workers who are the backbone of public health care. Each key is discussed with accompanying recommendations, using evidence from South Africa and other countries. Principal constraints are also identified through an analysis demonstrating the links between inequality, health care financing, and the monopoly structure of the South African health care industry.

scholarly journals Knowledge and attitudes about HIV infection and prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV in an urban, low income community in Durban, South Africa: Perspectives of residents and health care volunteers

2016 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
pp. 171-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
Firoza Haffejee ◽  
Katie A. Ports ◽  
Maghboeba Mosavel
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Hiv Infection ◽  
South African ◽  
Low Income ◽  
African Women ◽  
Hiv Education ◽  
Testing Procedures ◽  
South African Women ◽  
Hiv Aids

Background: HIV prevalence is high among South African women of reproductive age and transmission of HIV from mothers to children is a concern. This study ascertained the level of knowledge about HIV infection and prevention, particularly prevention of mother toc hild transmission (PMTCT) amongst South African women from a low income community. It also established the challenges in delivering HIV education from the perspectives of health care volunteers.Method: Female residents (n = 67) from Kenneth Gardens, a low income community in Durban, South Africa were interviewed. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 health care volunteers who were either health care workers or residents who provided some form of social support in the community.Results: The majority of respondents indicated that a mother could transmit HIV to her child but were unable to specify how. Many women had general HIV/AIDS knowledge but were unable to identify essential prevention behaviours and were not very receptive to more information on HIV/AIDS. They were supportive of routine testing procedures and child bearing amongst HIV positive women. Health care volunteers indicated a need for a community clinic in the area.They also had limited knowledge of PMTCT and indicated that there was a need for more education on HIV, particularly to encourage the youth and men to use preventative measures.Conclusion: Innovative ways to impart knowledge particularly of PMTCT and updated standards of practice are essential. It is important that the community understands how transmission occurs so that prevention can follow.

scholarly journals Cost-effectiveness of an atypical conventional antipsychotic in South Africa: An economic evaluation of quetiapine versus haloperidol in the treatment of patients partially responsive to previous antipsychotics

2004 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robin Emsley ◽  
Frederik Booysen
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Public Sector ◽  
South African ◽  
Atypical Antipsychotic ◽  
Direct Cost ◽  
Health Care Service ◽  
Total Direct Cost ◽  
Conventional Antipsychotic ◽  
Private And Public

Background. The introduction of a new generation of atypical antipsychotic agents has raised difficult economic and ethical questions, particularly in lower-income countries. The reported tolerability and efficacy advantages of the atypical antipsy- chotics over their conventional predecessors have to be weighed against their higher acquisition costs. Pharmaco-eco- nomic studies conducted in Western countries consistently report cost advantages or cost neutrality for these new agents. However, considerable differences in health care service pro- vision make it difficult to generalise these findings to South Africa.Method. We compared the direct costs (private and public sector) of treating schizophrenia with an atypical antipsychotic quetiapine, and with a conventional antipsychotic haloperidol, by adapting a decision-analytic pharmaco-economic model for South African circumstances. The sample comprised patients partially responsive to antipsychotics, who had partic- ipated in a multinational randomised controlled trial compar- ing the efficacy and safety of quetiapine versus haloperidol. Results. The estimated total direct cost for the treatment with quetiapine in South Africa was slightly less than for haloperidol for various models in both the private and the public sectors.Conclusions. Significant differences in health care provision make pharmaco-economic studies conducted in other coun- tries invalid for South African circumstances. Previously queti- apine treatment did not result in direct cost savings in South Africa. However, the recently introduced legislation to estab- lish single exit prices for medications has resulted in the cost of quetiapine treatment declining by 36.7% and that of haloperi- dol by 13%. This has translated into an overall direct cost sav- ing for quetiapine in both the private and public sector models. This, together with additional indirect advantages of the atypi- cal antipsychotics such as improved quality of life and better social and vocational functioning, argues strongly from both an economic and ethical perspective for the use of atypical antipsychotics in treating schizophrenia in South Africa.

Do migrants lives matter? A comparison of causes of death between African migrants from SADC countries and South Africans in the post-Apartheid era (2002-2015)

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 459-468
Author(s):  
Lorena Núñez Carrasco ◽  
Abha Jaiswal ◽  
Jairo Arrow ◽  
Michel Kasongo Muteba ◽  
Bidhan Aryal
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
South African ◽  
Access To Health Care ◽  
Causes Of Death ◽  
Content Type ◽  
South Africans ◽  
African Migrants ◽  
The Impact

Purpose Migrants historically and currently form an integral part of South Africa. Their importance and contribution to the country’s economy and development are undeniable. Yet, life for African migrants in South Africa is becoming increasingly difficult. An analysis of migrants mortality until now has not been conducted. The purpose of this paper is to compare the trends of the cause of death among South African Citizens (RSA) and African migrants from countries that form part of the South African Development Community (SADC), that make up nearly 70% of the migrants in the country. Design/methodology/approach Using Stats SA data of all registered deaths in South Africa (2002-2015), this paper compares all causes of death (COD) between RSA and SADC migrants. This paper studies the patterns in COD among these population groups for the years 2002 to 2015 in deaths due to infectious diseases and unnatural causes. Logistic regression was used to quantify the odds of dying due to infectious disease and unnatural causes for each population group. This paper included a calculation of the odds of dying due to assault, as a sub-group within unnatural deaths. Findings A total of 7,611,129 deaths were recorded for the local South African population and 88,114 for SADC migrants for the period under study (2002–2015). The burden of mortality for both infectious diseases and unnatural causes was higher for SADC migrants as compared to RSA. SADC migrants were 1.22 times more likely to die from infectious diseases than RSA (P < 0.001, 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.12, 1.23). Similarly, SADC migrants were 2.7 times more likely to die from unnatural causes than South Africans (P < 0.001, 95% CI (2.17, 2.23). The odds of dying from assault was the same as that of unnatural causes. Also, it was found that women were more likely to die from infectious diseases (OR = 1.11, P < 0.001, 95% CI (1.11, 1.11) compared to men, regardless of nationality. Research limitations/implications The bias resulting from migrants who return home to die due to illness, described in the literature as the salmon bias, is present in this paper. This paper, therefore, concludes death due to infectious diseases could be higher among migrants. Practical implications The heightened mortality among SADC migrants can be related to the impact of social determinants of health such as living and working conditions and barriers to access to health care. Moreover, the higher probability of death due to unnatural causes such as assaults constitute a proxy to estimate the impact of xenophobic violence observed in the country over the past decade. Policy interventions should focus on migrant health-care systems. Also, programmes to mitigate and curb xenophobic sentiments should be carried out to address the growing disparity of preventable unnatural causes of death. Originality/value This study offers the first quantification of mortality due to infectious diseases and unnatural causes among RSA and SADC migrants.

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