scholarly journals A discourse on the plight of South African women in the face of abuse and neglect

2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (spe) ◽  
pp. 1-23
Author(s):  
Omololu Fagbadebo
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Violence Against Women ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Hiv Infections ◽  
African Women ◽  
The Status ◽  
The Face ◽  
The Government ◽  
South African Women ◽  
Hiv Aids

An upsurge in the rate of violence against women has an adverse effect on women in South Africa. Sadly, many South African women who are the victims of violent sexual conduct, such as, rape and other forms of violent sexual abuse, have in part contributed to the prevalence of HIV/AIDS infection among women. Of the 7,7 million South African living with HIV/AIDS in 2018, 4,7 million were women, while another 69 000 were among the new infections. They are more vulnerable to HIV infections with 21,17 percent of women living with the disease. Using personal conversations, literature searches and documents for primary and secondary data, this article argues that value orientation that ascribes superiority to men has damaging consequences on the status of women. South African women are exposed to violent habitual actions of men that denigrate their womanhood. The article, therefore, submits that there is a need to reinforce civil society and strengthen the justice system for the protection and promotion of the rights and freedom of women. Aside from this, the government should increase its commitment to the enforcement of requisite legislative frameworks that safeguard the rights and freedom of women, and review punishments for any acts of violence against women.

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.

HIV/AIDS: South African women at risk

2002 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
L Walker ◽  
L Gilbert
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
South African ◽  
African Women ◽  
South African Women ◽  
Hiv Aids

scholarly journals Maternal miRNA-146a G/C rs2910164 variation, HIV/AIDS and nitrogen oxide pollution exposure collectively affects foetal growth

2018 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 82-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
P Naidoo ◽  
RN Naidoo ◽  
P Ramkaran ◽  
S Muttoo ◽  
K Asharam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Oxide ◽  
South African ◽  
Gestational Hypertension ◽  
Inflammatory Diseases ◽  
African Women ◽  
Black South African ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
South African Women ◽  
Pollution Exposure ◽  
Hiv Aids

Objective: Nitrogen oxide (NOx) pollution and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/AIDS intensify inflammation during pregnancy and linked with adverse birth outcomes (ABOs). MicroRNA (miRNA)-146a plays a crucial role in regulating inflammation in the NF-κB pathway. The G/C rs2910164 dampens miRNA-146a activity and linked with inflammatory diseases. The present study investigated whether HIV/AIDS and NOx exposure throughout pregnancy further intensifies ABO in Black South African women genotyped for the rs2910164. Methods: Pregnant women ( n = 300) were subdivided into low, medium and high NOx exposure groups, genotyped for the miRNA-146a G/C rs2910164 using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism, and further stratified based on HIV status. Results: Unstratified data (HIV+ and HIV− mothers combined): Mothers from the high NOx group with the variant C-allele had low blood iron levels ( p = 0.0238), and had babies with reduced birthweights ( p = 0.0283). As NOx increased, the prevalence of preterm birth and low birth weight also increased in mothers with the variant C-allele versus wildtype G-allele. HIV-infected mothers: In all NOx exposure groups, mothers with the variant C-allele had higher systolic blood pressure (low: p = 0.0386, medium: p = 0.0367 and high: p = 0.0109) and had babies with lower Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity and Respiration scores at 1 min (low: p = 0.0190, medium: p = 0.0301 and high: p = 0.0361). Conclusion: Maternal rs2910164 variant C-allele, NOx pollution and HIV/AIDS might collectively play a role in intensifying gestational hypertension and ABO.

Emancipation of South African Women in Biodiversity Conservation for Tourism

2019 ◽  
pp. 205-218
Author(s):  
Ailwei Solomon Mawela
Keyword(s):  
Biodiversity Conservation ◽  
South African ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Environmental Conservation ◽  
African Women ◽  
Tourist Attractions ◽  
Service Training ◽  
The Government ◽  
South African Women

The emancipation of women volunteering in biodiversity conservation for tourism in local communities cannot be overemphasized, particularly in developing countries. This chapter explores the views of Alexandra Township women participating in biodiversity conservation for tourism. A case study design was used. Purposive selection technique was employed to sample 10 women. The semi-structured interview was used to collect data. Findings indicated that members of the environmental organization lack substantive environmental conservation knowledge which resulted in poor biodiversity conservation for tourism. Several challenges emerged such as lack of support from the government, lack of tourist attractions, poor infrastructure, inadequate human resources, and poor profits. This study suggests the empowerment of women in local environmental organizations through in-service training in biodiversity conservation.

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