Level of adult client satisfaction with clinic flow time and services of an integrated non-communicable disease-HIV testing services clinic in Soweto, South Africa: A cross-sectional study

While HIV Testing Services (HTS) have increased, many South Africans have not been tested. Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the top cause of death worldwide. Integrated NCD-HTS could be a strategy to control both epidemics. Healthcare service strategies depends partially on positive user experience. We investigated client satisfaction of services and clinic flow time of an integrated NCD-HTS clinic. Methods: This prospective, cross-sectional study evaluated HTS client satisfaction with an HTS clinic at two phases. Phase 1 (February-June 2018) utilised standard HTS services: counsellor-led height/weight/blood pressure measurements, HIV rapid testing, and symptoms screening for sexually transmitted infections/Tuberculosis. Phase 2 (June 2018-March 2019) further integrated counsellor-led obesity screening (body mass index/abdominal circumference measurements), rapid cholesterol/glucose testing; and nurse-led Chlamydia and human papilloma virus (HPV)/cervical cancer screening. Socio-demographics, proportion of repeat clients, clinic flow time, and client survey data (open/closed-ended questions using five-point Likert scale) are reported. Fisher's exact test, chi-square analysis, and Kruskal Wallis test conducted comparisons

Assessment of levels of V, Cr, Mn, Sr, Cd, Pb and U in bovine meat

Pollution of the environment with heavy metals can be a serious problem. In SouthAfrica, particularly, there are many sources of heavy metals, often due to smelter and mining activities. This has led to toxic metals in the environment that directly affect air, water and food. The presence of heavy metal residues in foodstuffs is potentially hazardous to humans and animals. Heavy metals accumulate in certain organs, particularly in the liver and kidney. The objective of this study was to determine the levels of V, Cr, Mn,Sr, Cd, Pb and U in bovine organs and tissues obtained from polluted areas of North West Province, South Africa. Bovine liver, kidney, muscle, fat and bone samples were freeze-dried, homogenized and mineralized using a microwave-assisted digestion system. The levels were quantified using dynamic reaction cell inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (DRC-ICP-MS). A bovine muscle (NIST-RM8414) and bovine liver, reference material (NIST-RM1577b), were also analyzed and results agreed with certified values. The study revealed accumulation of Sr in bone, Cd, Pb and U in kidney and bone, Mn in liver and, V and Cr in kidney tissues of cattle.Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) and National Research Fund (NRF).http://journals.sabinet.co.za/sajchem/nf201

Adaptation and pre-test of a shortened Stepping Stones and Creating Futures intervention focused on HIV for young men in rural South Africa

This is the final version. Available on open access from Public Library of Science via the DOI in this recordData Availability: All data are available via the AHRI data repository: https://data.ahri.org/index.php/home with access based on their guidelines.Men’s engagement in HIV prevention and treatment is suboptimal, including in South Africa. We sought to address this through adapting an evidence-based intervention, Stepping Stones and Creating Futures (SSCF), to strengthen its HIV content and provide a more scalable (shorter) intervention in rural South Africa. We then conducted a mixed methods pre-test of the intervention among young men aged 18–35 years. To adapt SSCF, we reviewed the current evidence base and worked with male Peer Navigators to update the SSCF theory of change (ToC) and manual. The revised intervention was ~45 hours (9 sessions) as opposed to ~63 hours and included a greater focus on HIV prevention and treatment technologies. Overall, 64% (n = 60) of men approached agreed to participate in the intervention, uptake (attending one session) among those who agreed was n = 35(58%) and retention (attending 6 or more sessions) was n = 25(71%). Qualitative data emphasized the intervention was acceptable, with young men describing it as something they liked. The qualitative data also broadly supported the intervention ToC, including the normalization of HIV in men’s lives, and the importance of health for men in achieving their life goals. However, it also highlighted the need to focus more on HIV-related stigma and fear, and the importance of HIV self-testing kits in encouraging testing. We revised the ToC and manual in light of this data. The adapted SSCF is acceptable and supports the ToC. Next steps is an evaluation to look at effectiveness of the intervention.Medical Research Council (MRC)Wellcome TrustNational Institutes of Health (NIH)South African Medical Research Counci

Revising the dark fermentative H2 research and development scenario – An overview of the recent advances and emerging technological approaches

The indiscriminate use of fossil fuels has led to several challenges such as greenhouse gas emissions, environmental degradation, and energy security. Establishment of clean fuels is at the forefront of science and innovation in today’s society to curb these problems. Dark fermentation (DF) is widely regarded as the most promising clean energy technology of the 21st century due to its desirable properties such as high energy content, its non-polluting features, its ability to use a broad spectrum of feedstocks and inoculum sources, as well as its ability to use mild fermentation conditions. In developing nations, this technology could be instrumental in establishing effective waste disposal systems while boosting the production of clean fuels. However, DF is still hindered by the low yields which stagnate its commercialization. This paper reviews the recent and emerging technologies that are gaining prominence in DF based on information that has been gathered from recent scientific publications. Herein, novel enhancement methods such as cell immobilization, nanotechnology, mathematical optimization tools, and technologies for biogas upgrading using renewable H2 are comprehensively discussed. Furthermore, a section which discusses the potential of bioenergy in Sub-Saharan Africa including South Africa is included. Finally, scientific areas that need further research and development in DF process are also presented

The Spill-Over Effects of Cryptocurrencies on Equity and Bonds Market

This study examines the extent to which crypto assets have moved to the mainstream by estimating the potential for spillovers crypto on bond and equity markets using daily data on price volatility and returns. The analysis reveals that the coefficients of the constant variance term, the ARCH and the GARCH parameters are positive and statistically significant at the 1% level across all models. In respect of the mean equation, the results suggest that the spill-over effects of bitcoin on equities and long-term bonds are ambiguous. Spillovers from price volatility of the oldest and most popular crypto asset, Bitcoin, to the S&P 500 and MSCI emerging markets indices have increased by about 12-16 percentage points since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, while those from its returns have increased by about 8-10 percentage points. This clearly indicates that the persistence of volatility shocks, as represented by the sum of the ARCH and GARCH parameter is large. Moreover, this suggests that the effect of today’s shock remains in the forecasts of variance for many periods in the future

Unusual midline neck mass

CITATION: Louw, H.B., et al. 2007. Unusual midline neck mass. South African Medical Journal, 97 (1):30-31.The original publication is available at http://www.samj.org.zaNo abstract available.Publisher's versio

Analysing factors limiting the adoption of improved maize varieties by small-scale maize farmers in Ga-Mamadila Village of Polokwane Municipality, Limpopo

The modern way of practising agriculture is moving at a snail pace among small-scale farmers despite the scientifically proven improved technology which is currently used to enhance agricultural productivity. This study was conducted in Ga-Mamadila village of Polokwane Municipality in Limpopo Province. The main aimed of the study was to analyse factors limiting the adoption of improved maize varieties (IMVs) by small-scale farmers. Data was collected through a cross-section design, using a quantitative approach. Purposive sampling method was employed and a total of 75 small-scale maize farmers (40 adopters and 35 non-adopters) were sampled based on probability proportional to sample size. Data analysis was done through descriptive inferential statistics and econometric modelling using logistic regression model. Findings show that gender was negatively significant to the adoption of IMVs at 5% level. Household income, access to extension services and membership in association were positively significant to the adoption of IMVs at 10%, 5% and 1% respectively. The study recommends that the benefits of using IMVs should be highlighted through extension agents and information sources to enhance the adoption rate of improved maize varieties. Keywords: Improved Maize Varieties, Adoption, Extension Agents, Small-scale maize farmer