scholarly journals Allergy and Household Living Conditions among Adolescents Living near Gold Mine Tailing Dumps in the Gauteng and North West Provinces of South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 122
Author(s):  
Abike O. Olajide-Ibiejugba ◽  
Vusumuzi Nkosi ◽  
Funzani Takalani-Rathogwa ◽  
Joyce Shirinde ◽  
Janine Wichmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Multiple Logistic Regression Analysis ◽  
International Study ◽  
Living Conditions ◽  
Mine Tailing ◽  
Gold Mine ◽  
Buffer Zones ◽  
North West ◽  
Tailing Dumps

This quantitative exploratory baseline study aimed to investigate whether allergy among adolescents was associated with household living conditions, including living near gold mine tailing dumps in South Africa. A questionnaire based on the International Study of Asthma and Allergies was used to collect information on allergy and household risk factors among adolescents (n = 5611). A chi-square test was applied to determine the relationship between community (exposed/unexposed) and confounding variables. Crude and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using univariate and multiple logistic regression analysis (LRA) to estimate the likelihood of having doctor-diagnosed allergies. The overall prevalence of doctor-diagnosed allergies was 25.5%. The exposed communities had a higher prevalence of doctor-diagnosed allergies (26.97%) compared with the unexposed (22.69%) communities. The study found an association between doctor-diagnosed allergy and having fungus in the house, being female, currently having pets in and around the house, residing in the community for more than three years and living in communities located close to gold mine tailing dumps. Actions to implement buffer zones between gold mine tailing dumps and communities would support Sustainable Development Goals 3 (health) and 11 (sustainable cities and communities), while failing to address the current potential identified risk factors may pose a significant public health challenge. Local policymakers should also apply the precautionary principle to protect the health of children, especially with the location of human settlements relative to air pollution sources.

scholarly journals Rupture process of the 2014 Orkney earthquake, South Africa

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (4B) ◽  
pp. 75-81
Author(s):  
Okubo Makoto ◽  
Artur Cichowicz ◽  
Hiroshi Ogasawara ◽  
Osamu Murakami ◽  
Shigeki Horiuchi
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Strong Motion ◽  
Rupture Process ◽  
Gold Mine ◽  
Distribution Analysis ◽  
S Wave ◽  
Aftershock Distribution ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
Initial Rupture

An earthquake has occurred at 10:22:33 UT on 5 August 2014 in the Klerksdorp district, the North West province of South Africa. Its hypocenter is located beneath an Orkney town, where more than 10 gold mines exist. The Council for Geoscience (CGS) in South Africa reported that the magnitude and depth was ML5.5 and 4.7 km, respectively. CGS has been operating 17 surface seismic acceleration stations with 10 km interval in average, and obtained continuous acceleration seismograms through the time of the earthquake and following aftershocks. Using these seismograms, we analyzed the mainshock rupture process of this earthquake. Analyzing these seismograms, we found the ‘initial rupture’ with a Richter scale approximately 4 has occurred 0.3 sec before mainshock. Furthermore, by applying detailed aftershock distribution analysis, we found most of aftershocks occurred surrounding upper and southern part of mainshock rupture area, including initial rupture hypocenter. In order to understand detailed rupture process of this event, we surveyed for strong motion generating area (SMGA) of mainshock by applying Isochrones backprojection method (IBM) to the mainshock S wave waveforms. SMGA distribution seems to fill the vacant space of the aftershock distribution and initial rupture’s hypocenter. And we also found that a horizontal layered seismic vacancy exists between aftershocks with gold mine blastings. This fact implies mainshock rupture did not extent up to gold mine.

scholarly journals The nutrition and health transition in the North West Province of South Africa: a review of the THUSA (Transition and Health during Urbanisation of South Africans) study

2005 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 480-490 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hester H Vorster ◽  
Christina S Venter ◽  
Marié P Wissing ◽  
Barrie M Margetts
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Nutrition Status ◽  
Health Transition ◽  
Nutrition And Health ◽  
North West ◽  
South Africans ◽  
The North ◽  
North West Province

AbstractObjectiveTo describe how urbanisation influences the nutrition and health transition in South Africa by using data from the THUSA (Transition and Health during Urbanisation of South Africans) study.DesignThe THUSA study was a cross-sectional, comparative, population-based survey.SettingThe North West Province of South Africa.SubjectsIn total, 1854 apparently healthy volunteers, men and women aged 15 years and older, from 37 randomly selected sites. Pregnant and lactating women, those with diagnosed chronic diseases and taking medication, with acute infections or inebriated were excluded but screened for hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Subjects were stratified into five groups representing different levels of urbanisation in rural and urban areas: namely, deep rural, farms, squatter camps, townships and towns/cities.Outcome measures and methods: Socio-economic and education profiles, dietary patterns, nutrient intakes, anthropometric and biochemical nutrition status, physical and mental health indicators, and risk factors for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) were measured using questionnaires developed or adapted and validated for this population, as well as appropriate, standardised methods for the biochemical analyses of biological samples.ResultsSubjects from the rural groups had lower household incomes, less formal education, were shorter and had lower body mass indices than those in the urban groups. Urban subjects consumed less maize porridge but more fruits, vegetables, animal-derived foods and fats and oils than rural subjects. Comparing women from rural group 1 with the urban group 5, the following shifts in nutrient intakes were observed: % energy from carbohydrates, 67.4 to 57.3; from fats, 23.6 to 31.8; from protein, 11.4 to 13.4 (with an increase in animal protein from 22.2 to 42.6 g day-1); dietary fibre, 15.8 to 17.7 g day-1; calcium, 348 to 512 mg day-1; iron from 8.4 to 10.4 mg day-1; vitamin A from 573 to 1246 μg retinol equivalents day-1; and ascorbic acid from 30 to 83 mg day-1. Serum total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and plasma fibrinogen increased significantly across groups; systolic blood pressure >140 mmHg was observed in 10.4–34.8% of subjects in different groups and diabetes mellitus in 0.8–6.0% of subjects. Women in groups 1 to 5 had overweight plus obesity rates of 48, 53, 47, 61 and 61%, showing an increase with urbanisation. Subjects from group 2 (farm dwellers) showed the highest scores of psychopathology and the lowest scores of psychological well-being. The same subjects consistently showed the lowest nutrition status.ConclusionsUrbanisation of Africans in the North West Province is accompanied by an improvement in micronutrient intakes and status, but also by increases in overweight, obesity and several risk factors for NCDs. It is recommended that intervention programmes to promote nutritional health should aim to improve micronutrient status further without leading to obesity. The role of psychological strengths in preventing the adverse effects of urbanisation on health needs to be examined in more detail.

scholarly journals Age at the onset of tobacco smoking in South Africa: a discrete-time survival analysis of the prognostic factors

2020 ◽  
Vol 78 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Adeniyi Francis Fagbamigbe ◽  
Rachana Desai ◽  
Ronel Sewpaul ◽  
Ngianga-Bakwin Kandala ◽  
Derrick Sekgala ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Survival Analysis ◽  
South African ◽  
Tobacco Smoking ◽  
Age At Onset ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
North West ◽  
Health And Nutrition ◽  
Associated Risk Factors

Abstract Background While knowledge of onset of smoking tobacco, and associated risk factors can aid the formulation of evidence-based policy and interventions, such information is scarce in South Africa. We assessed age at onset of tobacco smoking in South Africa and identified its risk factors. Methods We analysed data of 15,316 respondents aged 15–98 years from the 2012 South African National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Descriptive statistics and survival analysis techniques were used alongside weighted percentages. Results Overall lifetime prevalence of smoking was 20.5%. Among the 3360 ever-smoked respondents, the overall median age at smoking onset was 18 years (Inter-quartile range (IQR) =5) with 2% starting before age 10 while 60% had smoked before age 20. Likelihood of tobacco smoking was higher among adolescents (<=20 years) and those aged 20–29 years than those aged > = 60 years, thrice higher among males, 29% higher among urban dwellers and thrice higher in Western Cape and Free State than in North West Province. The onset of tobacco smoking was earlier among males, wealthier and “coloured” people from Northern and Eastern Capes. Conclusion The onset of tobacco smoking peaked at 15–22 years and varied by province, sex, location, race and other characteristics. The age restrictions on smoking in South Africa has changed over time, coupled with the recent open and electronic advertisement of tobacco, and social media could have influenced the earlier onset of tobacco smoking in South Africa. Stricter regulations on tobacco-related advertisement and sales should be implemented.

scholarly journals Waterbird flight initiation distances at Barberspan Bird Sanctuary, South Africa

Koedoe ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Carina Coetzer ◽  
Hindrik Bouwman
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Conservation Management ◽  
Buffer Zones ◽  
North West ◽  
Approach Distance ◽  
America South ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Flight Initiation

With tourism in South Africa expanding, the number of avitourists increases. The increase in infrastructure and human activities in protected areas, if not managed properly, can be harmful to birds. Flight initiation distances (FID) can be used as a method to monitor habituation to disturbances. This study was performed at the Barberspan Bird Sanctuary, North West province, South Africa, to determine the levels of habituation among waterbirds and make appropriate recommendations regarding the management of the reserve. Our results indicated a 0.29 m increase in FID per gram reported mean biomass. Compared with conspecific or congeneric birds from Australia, Europe and North America, South African birds have relatively larger FIDs to human disturbance, which may indicate lower habituation. We also calculated buffer zones based on the maximum FID of the waterbirds for three mass groups. These buffer zones were then matched with the spatial distribution of the birds along the shoreline. We recommend that the mean FID for the blacksmith lapwing, Vanellus armatus (62 m), can be used as approach distance outside the breeding season in areas where the birds are sparsely distributed and 104 m during the breeding season in breeding areas. A large buffer of 200 m is suggested for areas with threatened, sensitive and skittish species. However, it is still preferable for avitourists to use the bird hides along the shores.Conservation implications: This study provides information for conservation management at Barberspan, based on typical birder activity. Smaller birds would need smaller buffer zones, while larger birds need much greater distances from observers to minimise disturbance. Similar studies can be applied elsewhere.

scholarly journals Environmental Silica Dust Exposure and Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Johannesburg, South Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (10) ◽  
pp. 1867 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tahira Kootbodien ◽  
Samantha Iyaloo ◽  
Kerry Wilson ◽  
Nisha Naicker ◽  
Spo Kgalamono ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Pulmonary Tuberculosis ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Significant Risk Factor ◽  
Mine Tailing ◽  
Dust Exposure ◽  
Second Hand Smoke ◽  
Gold Mine ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Silica Dust

Background: Occupational crystalline silica dust exposure is associated with an elevated risk of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). However, there is less evidence for an association with environmental silica dust exposure. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 310 participants was conducted in an exposed community living within 2 km of gold mine tailings and an unexposed population residing more than 10 km from the nearest gold mine tailing. Chest radiographs (n = 178) were read for PTB, past or current, by three readers. Results: Past or current PTB was radiologically identified in 14.4% (95%CI 9.2–21.8) in the exposed and 7.5% (95%CI 2.8–18.7) in the unexposed groups. Multivariate logistic regression models suggested that PTB prevalence was independently associated with exposure to second-hand smoke (OR = 8.13, 95%CI 1.16–57.22), a lower body mass index (OR = 0.88, 95%CI 0.80–0.98), previous diagnosis and treatment of PTB (OR = 8.98, 95%CI 1.98–40.34), and exposure to dust in the workplace from sand, construction, and/or mining industries (OR = 10.2, 95%CI 2.10–50.11). Conclusion: We found no association between PTB and environmental exposure to gold mine tailing dust. However, workplace silica dust exposure is a significant risk factor for PTB in South Africa, and PTB patients of working age should be screened for silica exposure.

scholarly journals YOUNG GUNS: Children in organised armed violence

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheryl Frank
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Early Warning ◽  
Cape Town ◽  
International Study ◽  
Armed Violence

The problem of gangs is not new to South Africa. This is one of the reasons that Cape Town has been included in an innovative international study that has identified the phenomenon of ‘children in organised armed violence’. Given the youthfulness of South Africa’s population, as well as levels of poverty and unemployment, the risk factors for children’s involvement in armed gangs as recorded by the international study should serve as an early warning to us.

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