100 DAYS OF COVID-19: RISK FACTORS AND CONFIRMED CASES IN 19 AFRICAN COUNTRIES.

Background: The trail of the transmission of COVID-19 in Africa needs to be understood and conceptualized. With the limited response time to curb the transmission, the pandemic is already in 52 countries in Africa. There is much anxiety about the devastating potential of this scourge in Africa, justifiably so because of the weak health systems, high levels of poverty, and overcrowded cities. Therefore, this report examined the association between the confirmed cases at 100 days of COVID-19 and some significant risk factors in 19 African countries that had at least 100 confirmed cases as of 09/04/2020. Methods: In this report, we evaluated four major risk factors associated with COVID-19 confirmed cases in 19 African counties with over 100 cases in 100 days after the official declaration of COVID-19 by WHO. Results: Three of the four risk factors (total population in urban areas, population age, and international exposure) correlated positively. In contrast, one (public health system) correlated negatively with the confirmed cases in the countries under study. International exposure was initially the main transmitter, but community transmission now becomes the driver of COVID-19 infections on the continent. Conclusion: Identification of confirmed cases, quick contact tracing with self-isolation, community engagement, and health systems measures are all-necessary to prevent the potentially harmful ramifications of an epidemic on the continent. There is, therefore, the need for a comprehensive and integrated approach between the government and society

Food-borne disease prevalence in rural villages in the Eastern Cape, South Africa

Background: The highest burden of food-borne diseases is in Africa. Despite this, food safety does not seem to be a major concern in many African countries. There is also a lack of concern within rural areas of South Africa. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of food-borne diseases in rural areas in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, by comparing data obtained from a cross-sectional survey and clinic records. Setting: The study was conducted in Ncera, Mpongo and Needscamp villages in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Methods: In the first phase of the study, a random sample of household heads (n = 87) were interviewed to determine the prevalence of food-borne diseases between 2012 and 2014. In the second phase, registers from clinics serving the villages were screened for food-borne disease cases during the same time period. Results: A total of 109 (27.3%) household members fell ill because of food-borne diseases. Half (n = 56; 51.3%) of the respondents who fell ill because of food-borne diseases did not seek medical treatment for their illness. Of those who sought treatment, 19 (46%) attended primary health care clinics. However, examination of the clinic registers showed only four recorded cases of food-borne diseases. Conclusion: The prevalence of food-borne diseases in rural villages in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, was reported as high but the records in clinic registers are low, indicating a gap in the health care system. Monitoring of these diseases needs to improve

Circulating soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1, soluble endoglin and placental growth factor during pregnancy in normotensive women in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Background: Based on the increased pre-eclampsia and HIV antenatal incidence in South Africa, we determined the angiogenic profiles due to its mechanistic link in preeclampsia development, throughout uncomplicated pregnancies in HIV positive and negative women.Objective: To determine the angiogenic profiles throughout uncomplicated pregnancies in HIV positive and HIV negative women. We explored possible correlations between angiogenic serum levels and selected maternal characteristics (HIV status, gestational age, maternal factors, and pregnancy outcomes).Method: This study was conducted at a primary health care facility in Durban, South Africa. Forty-six pregnant women aged 18-45 years, were enrolled at 10-20, 22-30 and 32-38 weeks’ gestation, respectively through convenient sampling. Serum samples were collected and quantitatively evaluated using ELISAs. Clinical and epidemiological data were analysed using STATA (version 14). A probability level of p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: Of those enrolled, 28.3% were nulliparous, 82% were HIV positive and none developed pre-eclampsia. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure increased slightly throughout pregnancy. Fluctuating angiogenic and anti-angiogenic levels were demonstrated during pregnancy.Conclusion: This study contributes to the current angiogenic knowledge in normotensive pregnancies, and may assist as a reference range against which these factors may be compared in HIV complicated pregnancies.Keywords: sFlt-1, PlGF, sEng, pregnancy, HIV

Circulating soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1, soluble endoglin and placental growth factor during pregnancy in normotensive women in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Background: Based on the increased pre-eclampsia and HIV antenatal incidence in South Africa, we determined the angiogenic profiles due to its mechanistic link in preeclampsia development, throughout uncomplicated pregnancies in HIV positive and negative women. Objective: To determine the angiogenic profiles throughout uncomplicated pregnancies in HIV positive and HIV negative women. We explored possible correlations between angiogenic serum levels and selected maternal characteristics (HIV status, gestational age, maternal factors, and pregnancy outcomes). Method: This study was conducted at a primary health care facility in Durban, South Africa. Forty-six pregnant women aged 18-45 years, were enrolled at 10-20, 22-30 and 32-38 weeks\u2019 gestation, respectively through convenient sampling. Serum samples were collected and quantitatively evaluated using ELISAs. Clinical and epidemiological data were analysed using STATA (version 14). A probability level of p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Of those enrolled, 28.3% were nulliparous, 82% were HIV positive and none developed pre-eclampsia. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure increased slightly throughout pregnancy. Fluctuating angiogenic and anti-angiogenic levels were demonstrated during pregnancy. Conclusion: This study contributes to the current angiogenic knowledge in normotensive pregnancies, and may assist as a reference range against which these factors may be compared in HIV complicated pregnancies. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ahs.v19i2.4 Cite as: Ogunlola M, Reddy P, Sibiya MN, O\u2019Connor L, Borg D, Haffejee F, Ghuman S, Ngxongo T, Govender N. Circulating soluble fmslike tyrosine kinase-1, soluble endoglin and placental growth factor during pregnancy in normotensive women in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Afri Health Sci.2019;19(2): 1821-1832. https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ahs.v19i2.

Exploring male condom use among women in South Africa: a review of the literature

The male condom is the most cost-effective method for prevention of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), yet in high-burden countries, promotion of its use remains difficult to achieve, especially among high-risk individuals. This review reports on women’s perspectives of male condom use and identifies outcome measures that will assist in understanding barriers to male condom use in a South African setting. The Boolean search method was used to retrieve literature, from which 18 studies met the inclusion criteria. The use of the male condom was generally low and inconsistent. Use was higher among women who engaged in transactional sex. Most women had difficulty in negotiating condom use with their partners, particularly if they were in male-dominated relationships or were financially dependent on their partner. Women with higher education levels were able to negotiate use more easily.  Interventions for assertive negotiation skills were useful. However, the stigma of infidelity and HIV infection are barriers to condom use. Incorrect use further reduces protection. This review emphasises that women are a vulnerable group who are not always able to control their own protection. Further implementation of the health policies promoting interventions for condom use are required to assist women in taking control of their own protection. Intervention measures should be adapted to include the male population sothat they understand and accept condom use. Education to address unequal gender dynamics within relationships is also essential. Much work is required to make women feel less vulnerable in their relationships. Keywords: behavioural intervention, contraception, female sexual behaviour, HIV prevention, sexual intercours

The prevalence of physical activity among South African Indians residing in Durban

The Indian population in South Africa has been reported to lead a sedentary lifestyle, however, their physical activity participation levels are rarely reported. This study aimed to determine the level, types and barriers of physical activity among South African Indians residing in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal Province of South Africa. A cross sectional study, was conducted at the Durban beachfront in whichrespondents (n = 411) self-completed the global physical activity questionnaire (GPAQ) that included supplementary questions on demographics, specific activities and exercise history. . Over a third (34.3%) of the respondents were moderately active and 38% were highly active. The most common physical activities were walking (n = 187, 45.5%), weight lifting (n = 125, 30.4%) and jogging (n = 104, 25.3%). Younger participants were more involved in high intensity acitivities, while those over the age of 50 years preponderantly engaged in moderate intensity activities (p < 0.001). Both genders reported various intensities of physical activity (OR = 0.94; 95% CI = 0.83 – 1.17, p = 0.33); nevertheless levels were higher in males than in females (p = 0.03). There was no substantial relationship between physical activity and BMI (p = 0.34). Diagnosis of health conditions did not increase the likelihood of exercising (p = 0.39). Barriers to physical activity included lack of time (n = 92, 69.7%), post exercise pain (n = 43, 32.6%) and physical ailments (n = 16, 12.1%). We conclude that less than half of the study population meet the required levels of physical activity and that intervention strategies, such as time management and encouragement from medical professionals are required to improve the levels of physical activity among this population.Keywords: Exercise, physical activity, Indian population, South Afric

Physical activity differences among pregnant women in public and private health care settings in eThekwini Municipality, Durban, South Africa

Physical activity reduces pregnancy-related complications such as gestational diabetes and preeclampsia. In South Africa, some conditions affect women from different socio-economic strata disproportionately. For instance, the prevalence of pre-eclampsia is higher in women from lower socio-economic strata but gestational diabetes is is relatively more prevalent in women from higher socio-economic strata. Furthermore, women from different socio-economic strata utilise health care facilities within the country that vary in terms of facilities and quality of services. This study compared the physical activity levels among pregnant women at public and private sector health care settings in KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa. A cross-sectional quantitative survey was conducted among 344 pregnant women (Mean age: 27.65 ± 5.3 years), attending either of these facilities in eThekwini municipality of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) was used to quantify the participants’ physical activity, which was subsequently converted to metabolic equivalent scores (METs). More than half of the women from the private (60.3%, n = 117) and public (52.7%, n = 77) health care facilities reported exercising during pregnancy (p = 0.163). However, only 49.0% of women from the private facility and 56.2% of those from the public sector engaged in high levels of physical activity during pregnancy (p < 0.001). Walking was the preferred activity among the pregnant women from both groups. More women from the private sector health care settings were involved in recreational physical activity compared to those from the public sector settings whose physical activities related to household chores and transport. More women from the public health care climbed stairs daily (p = 0.044).The odds of climbing stairs were higher in those women who exercised during pregnancy (OR = 1.9, 95% CI: 1.36 – 3.06; p = 0.003) or prior to pregnancy (OR = 1.8, 95% CI: 1.2 – 2.8, p = 0.009). Regardless of health care setting, the pregnant women need to be more physically active to derive optimal health benefits. Competently supervised interventions are required to increase physical activity participation among the pregnant women

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

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 to child 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

Perceptions of students regarding the effects of the implementation of the tobacco control act of 1999 on a South African University campus

Background: Smoking among adolescents is high. In order to curb the habit, restrictions on use of tobacco products in public places were implemented in South Africa. This study aimed to explore students’ perceptions of whether the implementation of smoking restrictions and no-smoking signs have had any effects on smoking behaviours on campus. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted amongst university students, who completed a self-administered questionnaire. Results: Students were aware that smoking causes disease and that second-hand smoke is dangerous. The majority were pleased that there was a smoking regulation in effect, but disagreed that it created a healthier atmosphere. Many would like a total ban enforced in restaurants, clubs, bars and university campuses. They felt that there were insufficient non-smoking signs in public areas. Many smokers stated that they ignored regulations and only a minority stated that the policy encouraged smokers to quit. Conclusion: Smoking among students has decreased over the years. This has been accompanied by an increase in knowledge of the harmful effects of smoking. Regulations have thus had a positive effect; however, additional efforts are required to motivate more people to quit smoking altogether and to prevent young people from taking up the habit. (Full text of the research articles are available online at www.medpharm.tandfonline.com/ojfp) S Afr Fam Pract 2017; DOI: 10.1080/20786190.2016.125493