scholarly journals Compositional Variation of the Essential Oils of Artemisia Afra Jacq. from Three Provinces in South Africa - A Case Study of its Safety

2009 ◽  
Vol 4 (6) ◽  
pp. 1934578X0900400 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adebola O. Oyedeji ◽  
Anthony J. Afolayan ◽  
Anne Hutchings
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Essential Oils ◽  
Free State ◽  
World Health ◽  
Compositional Variation ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
Compositional Variations ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Health Organization

Safety of Artemisia afar has been a controversial issue due to its high thujone content. Despite the declaration of the World Health Organization in the 1970s of the plant being unsafe for consumption, it is still commonly used in folklore medication in South Africa, especially in winter. Essential oils were isolated by hydrodistillation from the twigs of A. afra plants from different locations in the Eastern Cape, Free State and KwaZulu-Natal. Analyses of the oils by GC and GCMS revealed compositional variations in the levels of α-and β-thujone, 1,8-cineole and camphor. α-Thujone was the major component of the essential oils of A. afra from Philippolis (Free State) and Keiskammahoek (Eastern Cape) (62-74%), while the camphor content was very low (≤ 0.1-0.6%). The samples from Gqumahshe, Hogsback (Eastern Cape) and Empangeni (KwaZulu Natal) had low α-thujone contents (3.7-20.0%) while 1,8-cineole (13.0-49.5%) and camphor (13.9-21.2%) were the main components of the essential oils. It was further observed that the concentration of α-thujone increased significantly in the dry leaves when compared with the fresh leaves. This implies that fresh leaves are better used for infusion than dry leaves. This study reveals that not all A. afra contain high concentrations of α- and β- thujone.

scholarly journals South Africa and national TB control: Are we making progress?

2017 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
pp. 4
Author(s):  
Gboyega A Ogunbanjo
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
World Health Organisation ◽  
Incidence Rates ◽  
World Health ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Tb Control ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
The World

South Africa accounts for the worst global tuberculosis epidemics fuelled by the spread of HIV infection. The tuberculosis (TB) incidence increased from 300 per 100,000 people in the early 1990s to more than 950 per 100,000 in 2012.1 In addition, the country remains one of the countries with the highest TB burden globally, with the World Health Organisation (WHO) statistics giving an estimated incidence of 454,000 cases of active TB in 2015.2 This means that about 0.8% of South Africa’s population of 54 million develop active TB disease annually. Of the 454 000 TB cases in South Africa in 2015, WHO estimated that about 57% (258,000) were HIV positive. It also estimated that of 157,505 whose status was known, and who were known to be HIV positive, some 85% (133,116) were on antiretroviral therapy.3 From the same 2015 report, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape provinces had the highest incidence rates of 692, 685 and 681 per 100,000 respectively. The most notable decline was in KwaZulu-Natal where the incidence decreased from 1,185 to 685 per 100,000 over the last five years.1

scholarly journals Prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among blood donors in Northern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, and Free State provinces of South Africa in January 2021.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wendy Sykes ◽  
Laurette Mhlanga ◽  
Ronel Swanevelder ◽  
Tanya Nadia Glatt ◽  
Eduard Grebe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Blood Donors ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Free State ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
The South ◽  
Short Supply ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
Northern Cape

Abstract Background: Population-level estimates of prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody positivity (seroprevalence) is a crucial epidemiological indicator for tracking the Covid-19 epidemic. Such data are in short supply, both internationally and in South Africa. The South African blood services (the South African National Blood Service, SANBS and the Western Cape Blood Service, WCBS) are coordinating a nationally representative survey of blood donors, which it is hoped can become a cost-effective surveillance method with validity for community-level seroprevalence estimation.Methods: Leveraging existing arrangements, SANBS human research ethics committee permission was obtained to test blood donations collected on predefined days (7th, 10th ,12th ,15th ,20th ,23th and 25th January) for anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, using the Roche Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2 assay on the cobas e411 platform currently available in the blood services’ donation testing laboratories. Using standard methods, prevalence analysis was done by province, age and race, allowing age to be regarded as either a continuous or categorical variable. Testing was performed in the Eastern Cape (EC), Free State (FS), KwaZulu Natal (ZN) and Northern Cape (NC) provinces.Results: We report on data from 4858 donors - 1457 in EC; 463 in NC; 831 in FS and 2107 in ZN. Prevalence varied substantially across race groups and between provinces, with seroprevalence among Black donors consistently several times higher than among White donors, and the other main population groups (Coloured and Asian) not consistently represented in all provinces. There is no clear evidence that seroprevalence among donors varies by age. Weighted net estimates of prevalence (in the core age range 15-69) by province (compared with official clinically-confirmed COVID-19 case rates in mid-January 2021) are: EC-63%(2.8%), NC-32%(2.2%), FS-46%(2.4%), and ZN-52%(2.4%).Conclusions: Our study demonstrates substantial differences in dissemination of SARS-CoV-2 infection between different race groups, most likely explained by historically based differences in socio-economic status and housing conditions. As has been seen in other areas, even such high seroprevalence does not guarantee population-level immunity against new outbreaks – probably due to viral evolution and waning of antibody neutralization. Despite its limitations, notably a ‘healthy donor’ effect, it seems plausible that these estimates are reasonably generalisable to actual population level anti-SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence, but should be further verified.

scholarly journals Substance use and duration of untreated psychosis in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

2016 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Glen P. Davis ◽  
Andrew Tomita ◽  
Joy Noel Baumgartner ◽  
Sisanda Mtshemla ◽  
Siphumelele Nene ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
World Health Organization ◽  
World Health ◽  
Duration Of Untreated Psychosis ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
The World ◽  
Health Organization

<p><strong>Background:</strong> Substance use and psychiatric disorders cause significant burden of disease in low- and middle-income countries. Co-morbid psychopathology and longer duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) can negatively affect treatment outcomes.</p><p><strong>Objectives:</strong> The study assessed substance use amongst adults with severe mental illness receiving services at a regional psychiatric hospital in KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa). We describe the prevalence and correlates of lifetime substance use and examine the association between substance use and DUP.</p><p><strong>Methods:</strong> A cross-sectional survey recruited adults diagnosed with severe mental illness and assessed lifetime and past 3-month substance use using the World Health Organization Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test. Regression analyses were conducted to determine associations between lifetime substance use (other than alcohol and tobacco) and DUP as measured by the World Health Organization Encounter Form.</p><p><strong>Results:</strong> Amongst 87 participants, alcohol (81.6%), tobacco (75.6%) and cannabis (49.4%) were the most common substances reported for lifetime use. Risk of health-related problems (health, social, financial, legal and relationship) of cannabis use was associated with younger age, single marital status and lower education. Adjusted regression analyses indicated that use of amphetamines and methaqualone is associated with longer DUP.</p><p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Substance use is prevalent amongst psychiatric patients in KwaZulu-Natal and may contribute to longer DUP. Mental health services in this region should address co-morbid substance use and psychiatric disorders.</p><p><strong>Keywords: </strong>Substance Use; Psychosis; KwaZulu-Natal</p>

An evaluation of the early effects of a combination antiretroviral therapy programme on the management of AIDS-associated Kaposi's sarcoma in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

2011 ◽  
Vol 22 (11) ◽  
pp. 671-673 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Mosam ◽  
T S Uldrick ◽  
F Shaik ◽  
H Carrara ◽  
J Aboobaker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Antiretroviral Therapy ◽  
Kaposi's Sarcoma ◽  
Kaposi’S Sarcoma ◽  
World Health ◽  
Combination Antiretroviral Therapy ◽  
Chemotherapy Administration ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
Oncology Centre ◽  
Health Organization

Summary Roll-out of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) in South Africa should impact on AIDS-associated Kaposi's sarcoma (KS). Government provision began in 2003, with 23% coverage for World Health Organization (WHO) stage IVAIDS in 2006. To assess the effect of cART availability on KS management, we evaluated records from 701 KS patients seen at a tertiary oncology centre in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, from 1995 to 2006. Associations between cART use and measures of KS care were evaluated. cART availability was 0% prior to 2001, 9.6% (2001-2003) and 44% (2004-2006). Documentation of HIV status increased incrementally from 65% to 92%. cART was associated with chemotherapy administration: 56% on cART versus 17% not on cART (P < 0.001); and less loss to follow-up, 13% on cART versus 38% not on cART (P < 0.001). cART availability improves the care of AIDS-associated KS. Further increases in cART availability for this population are needed in South Africa.

scholarly journals Establishment, Distribution, and Pathogenicity of Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici in South Africa

Plant Disease ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 86 (5) ◽  
pp. 485-492 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. H. P. Boshoff ◽  
Z. A. Pretorius ◽  
B. D. van Niekerk
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Stripe Rust ◽  
Puccinia Striiformis ◽  
Free State ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
Rust Pathogen ◽  
Eastern Free State

Stripe rust, caused by Puccinia striiformis Westend. f. sp. tritici Eriks., has become an endemic disease of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in South Africa since it was first observed near Moorreesburg, Western Cape during August 1996. The main objectives of this study were to monitor the occurrence, spread, and the possible development of new variants of the stripe rust pathogen and the susceptibility of grass species to the pathogen. Results of surveys conducted during 1996 to 1999 revealed that rainfed wheat produced in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, and the eastern Free State, as well as irrigated wheat produced in KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State, are most likely to be affected by stripe rust epidemics. Pathotype 6E16A- with virulence to Yr2, Yr6, Yr7, Yr8, Yr11, Yr14, Yr17, and Yr19 and pathotype 6E22A- with added virulence to Yr25 were detected. The occurrence of pathotype 6E22A- is currently restricted to KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State. Stripe rust isolates found on Hordeum murinum L. in the Western Cape were identified as pathotype 6E16A-, and both pathotypes 6E16A- and 6E22A- were collected from Bromus catharticus Vahl (= B. unioloides H.B.K.) in the eastern Free Sate. Urediospores from infections similar to stripe rust found on the grass species Dactylis glomerata L. (Eastern Cape), Poa pratensis L. (= P. bidentata Stapf; Western Cape), and P. annua and P. triviales L. (eastern Free State) failed to infect wheat cv. Morocco seedlings in the glasshouse. The possible role of grasses in the over-summering of the stripe rust pathogen has not yet been established. Stripe rust infections, however, have been found on summer-sown wheat in the south Western Cape during 1998, volunteer wheat growing in the summer and autumn months in the eastern Free State from 1998 to 2000, and on summer-sown wheat in Lesotho.

A taxonomic study of the South African terricolous weevil genus Pentatrachyphloeus Voss (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Entiminae: Trachyphloeini)

Zootaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4574 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
ROMAN BOROVEC ◽  
JIŘÍ SKUHROVEC
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Host Plants ◽  
Free State ◽  
Taxonomic Study ◽  
Immature Stages ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
North West ◽  
Ecological Information ◽  
Kwazulu Natal

The genus Pentatrachyphloeus Voss, 1974, with two known species, is redefined and compared with related genera. An additional thirty seven new species are described here: P. andersoni sp. nov. (South Africa, Mpumalanga); P. baumi sp. nov. (South Africa, Gauteng); P. brevithorax sp. nov. (South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal); P. bufo sp. nov. (South Africa, Mpumalanga); P. endroedyi sp. nov. (South Africa, Mpumalanga); P. exiguus sp. nov. (South Africa, Mpumalanga); P. frici sp. nov. (South Africa, Limpopo); P. grobbelaarae sp. nov. (South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal); P. hanzelkai sp. nov. (South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal); P. holubi sp. nov. (South Africa, Mpumalanga); P. howdenae sp. nov. (South Africa, Mpumalanga); P. hystrix sp. nov. (South Africa, Mpumalanga); P. insignicornis sp. nov. (South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal); P. kalalovae sp. nov. (South Africa, Gauteng); P. kuscheli sp. nov. (South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal); P. laevis sp. nov. (South Africa, Mpumalanga); P. lajumensis sp. nov. (South Africa, Limpopo); P. leleupi sp. nov. (Zimbabwe, Manica); P. lesothoensis sp. nov. (Lesotho, Qacha’s Nek); P. machulkai sp. nov. (South Africa, Free State); P. marshalli sp. nov. (South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal); P. muellerae sp. nov. (South Africa, Mpumalanga); P. musili sp. nov. (South Africa, Limpopo); P. ntinini sp. nov. (South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal); P. oberprieleri sp. nov. (South Africa, Gauteng, North West); P. pavlicai sp. nov. (South Africa, Free State); P. rudyardi sp. nov. (South Africa, Limpopo); P. schoemani sp. nov. (South Africa, Limpopo); P. soutpansbergensis sp. nov. (South Africa, Limpopo); P. spinimanus sp. nov. (South Africa, Mpumalanga); P. stingli sp. nov. (South Africa, Limpopo); P. tenuicollis sp. nov. (South Africa, Mpumalanga); P. tuberculatus sp. nov. (South Africa, Mpumalanga); P. vavrai sp. nov. (South Africa, Eastern Cape); P. vossi sp. nov. (South Africa, Mpumalanga); P. vrazi sp. nov. (South Africa, Limpopo) and P. zikmundi sp. nov. (South Africa, Free State). All of the species are keyed and illustrated; ecological information is presented only where available. All species seem to be very localised, being known only from one or only a very limited number of localities. Immature stages or host plants are not known for any of the species. The species are distributed as follows: South Africa: Mpumalanga (13), Limpopo (8), KwaZulu-Natal (7), Free State (3), Gauteng (3), Eastern Cape (3), North West (1); Lesotho: Qacha’s Nek (1) and Zimbabwe: Manica (1). 

scholarly journals Investigating competencies needed by European-trained doctors in rural South African hospitals

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
James R. Barnacle ◽  
Oliver Johnson ◽  
Ian Couper
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Rural District ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Rural Medicine ◽  
Rural South ◽  
District Hospitals ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
Postgraduate Diploma

Background: Many European-trained doctors (ETDs) recruited to work in rural district hospitals in South Africa have insufficient generalist competencies for the range of practice required. Africa Health Placements recruits ETDs to work in rural hospitals in Africa. Many of these doctors feel inadequately prepared. The Stellenbosch University Ukwanda Centre for Rural Health is launching a Postgraduate Diploma in Rural Medicine to help prepare doctors for such work.Aim: To determine the competencies gap for ETDs working in rural district hospitals in South Africa to inform the curriculum of the PG Dip (Rural Medicine).Setting: Rural district hospitals in South Africa.Methods: Nine hospitals in the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga were purposefully selected by Africa Health Placements as receiving ETDs. An online survey was developed asking about the most important competencies and weaknesses for ETDs when working rurally. The clinical manager and any ETDs currently working in each hospital were invited to complete the survey.Results: Surveys were completed by 19 ETDs and five clinical managers. The top clinical competencies in relation to 10 specific domains were identified. The results also indicate broader competencies required, specific skills gaps, the strengths that ETDs bring to South Africa and how ETDs prepare themselves for working in this context.Conclusion: This study identifies the important competency gaps among ETDs and provides useful direction for the diploma and other future training initiatives. The diploma faculty must reflect on these findings and ensure the curriculum is aligned with these gaps.

Occupancy of two forest specialist birds in the Southern Mistbelt Forests of KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape, South Africa

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
S. THOBEKA GUMEDE ◽  
DAVID A. EHLERS SMITH ◽  
YVETTE C. EHLERS SMITH ◽  
SAMUKELISIWE P. NGCOBO ◽  
MBALENHLE T. SOSIBO ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Camera Trap ◽  
Habitat Requirements ◽  
Stem Density ◽  
Grass Cover ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Mature Trees ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Kwazulu Natal

Summary Establishing the specific habitat requirements of forest specialists in fragmented natural habitats is vital for their conservation. We used camera-trap surveys and microhabitat-scale covariates to assess the habitat requirements, probability of occupancy and detection of two terrestrial forest specialist species, the Orange Ground-thrush Geokichla gurneyi and the Lemon Dove Aplopelia larvata during the breeding and non-breeding seasons of 2018–2019 in selected Southern Mistbelt Forests of KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape, South Africa. A series of camera-trap surveys over 21 days were conducted in conjunction with surveys of microhabitat structural covariates. During the wet season, percentage of leaf litter cover, short grass cover, short herb cover, tall herb cover and saplings 0–2 m, stem density of trees 6–10 m and trees 16–20 m were significant structural covariates for influencing Lemon Dove occupancy. In the dry season, stem density of 2–5 m and 10–15 m trees, percentage tall herb cover, short herb cover and 0–2 m saplings were significant covariates influencing Lemon Dove occupancy. Stem density of trees 2–5 m and 11–15 m, percentage of short grass cover and short herb cover were important site covariates influencing Orange Ground-thrush occupancy in the wet season. Our study highlighted the importance of a diverse habitat structure for both forest species. A high density of tall/mature trees was an essential microhabitat covariate, particularly for sufficient cover and food for these ground-dwelling birds. Avian forest specialists play a vital role in providing ecosystem services perpetuating forest habitat functioning. Conservation of the natural heterogeneity of their habitat is integral to management plans to prevent the decline of such species.

scholarly journals Adolescent mothers’ utilisation of reproductive health services in the Gauteng province of the republic of South Africa

Curationis ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
VJ Ehlers ◽  
T Maja ◽  
E Sellers ◽  
M Gololo
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Adolescent Mothers ◽  
Termination Of Pregnancy ◽  
World Health ◽  
Reproductive Health Services ◽  
Gauteng Province ◽  
Emergency Contraceptive ◽  
The Republic ◽  
Health Organization

A financial grant was received from the World Health Organization (WHO) during 1998 to establish whether adolescent mothers (aged 19 or younger at the birth of their babies) utilized contraceptive, emergency contraceptive and termination of pregnancy (TOP) services in the Republic of South Africa (RSA). This report refers to data obtained from 111 questionnaires completed by dolescent mothers between January 2000 and May 2000 in the Gauteng Province; 61 in the Pretoria and 50 in the Garankuwa areas, and excluding the 12 completed questionnaires used foi pretesting the research instrument. The biographic data of the 111 adolescent mothers indicated that the minority were married, employed or earned sufficient income to care for themselves and their babies. However, the minority used contraceptives prior to conception, none used emergency contraceptives or termination of pregnancy (TOP) services. The minority attended ante-natal clinics five or more times during their pregnancies, and a negligible number indicated that they had ever been treated for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). These findings indicate that the 111 adolescent mothers in Gauteng who participated in this survey did not make optimum use of the available reproductive health (RH) care services. Education about sex, pregnancy and contraceptives should commence at the age of 10, but no later than the age of 12 as the majority of respondents did not have the necessary knowledge to make informed decisions about their futures. The accessibility of contraceptive, emergency contraceptive and TOP services for adolescents should be investigated in specific areas and attempts made to enhance such accessi- bility. This might necessitate offering these services over weeker| ds or during evenings when school girls could attend without fear of meeting their mothers, aunts or teachers at these clinics.

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