Burden of fetal alcohol syndrome in a rural West Coast area of South Africa

Background. Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is common in parts of South Africa; rural residence is a frequently cited risk factor. We conducted a FAS school prevalence survey of an isolated rural community in a West Coast village of Western Cape Province, so obtaining the first directly measured rate, focusing specifically on a South African rural area, of FAS and partial FAS (PFAS). Methods. The study area (Aurora village), a community of about 2 500 people in a grain-producing region, has one primary school. All learners were eligible for study inclusion. Initial anthropometry screening was followed by a diagnostic stage entailing examination by a dysmorphologist for features of FAS, neurodevelopmental assessment, and an interview assessing maternal alcohol consumption. Results. Of 160 learners screened, 78 (49%) were screen-positive, of whom 63 (81%) were clinically assessed for FAS. The overall FAS/PFAS rate among the screened learners was 17.5% (95% confidence interval 12.0 - 24.2%), with 16 (10.0%) children having FAS and 12 (7.5%) PFAS. High rates of stunting, underweight and microcephaly were noted in all learners, especially those with FAS or PFAS. Five (18%) mothers of affected children were deceased by the time of assessment. Conclusion. We describe very high rates of FAS/PFAS in an isolated rural part of the Western Cape that is not located in a viticultural region. Our study suggests that the prevalence of FA S may be very high in isolated communities, or in particular hot-spots. It adds to the growing evidence that FAS/PFAS is a significant, and underestimated, health problem in South Africa. Expanded screening and surveillance programmes, and preventive interventions, are urgently needed

International Trade Performance of the South African Fish Industry

In an effort to gain a better understanding of the trade in fish products by South Africa a starting point is examining South Africa's current trade in fish products. Useful tools in this regard, the Gini-coefficient, used to examine the degree of concentration for fish exports, and the intra-industrial trade coefficient (IIT), and used to examine the balance of international fish trade by South Africa. The Gini-coefficient for fish exports shows that fish export by South Africa is highly concentrated. The trend in concentration appears to have remained constant, and therefore the South African fisheries industry may boast a competitive advantage. However, cognisance should be taken of the fact that such a high level of concentration may render the South African fisheries industry vulnerable to exogenous changes. The IIT analysis shows that, after 1985, the fisheries industry underwent substantial changes in that it has increased exportable surpluses, probably as a result of increased specialization and competitiveness. The analysis conducted does not pertinently explain the factors that sustain the levels of concentration, nor does it highlight specific factors that may underpin the competitiveness of the industry, and hence further analysis in this regard is necessary.International Relations/Trade,

Anaemia – a pale ale?

Despite some modest improvements described recently, anaemia remains a significant global public health concern affecting both developed and developing countries. It affects a quarter of the global population, including 293 million (47%) children who are younger than five years of age. A prevalence of 42% and 30% has been described in pregnant and non-pregnant women, respectively. Children and women of reproductive age are at high risk, partly because of physiological vulnerability, followed by the elderly. Africa and Asia are the most heavily affected regions, accounting for 85% of the absolute anaemia burden in highrisk groups. According to the World Health Organization global database on anaemia (1993–2005), this disorder was considered to be a moderate public health problem in South African preschool children, pregnant women and non-pregnant women of reproductive age

Insiders’ profits in the Australian Equities Market

In this paper we investigate if directors of Australian companies earn persistent profits on their reported trades, if these abnormal profits are significant enough to be mimicked by outsiders, and if these insider trades have an effect on returns of other investors. We find that insiders take advantage of their private information in stocks of larger corporations, but generally do not in medium and small capitalization firms, indicating that they insiders are attracted to the liquidity and a greater presence of uninformed traders in large stocks. Insiders appear able to determine the value of their information in by trading larger volume and larger portion of their holdings when they have access to valuable information. We find that outsiders can make profitable trades by following insider’s trades in large firms, but abnormal returns mimicking insiders in small and medium size firms are limited to insiders’ sell trades only, and otherwise result in losses for outsiders. Implications on market fairness and integrity are discussed and conclude that market quality can be improved with public access to good quality aggregated data on reported director insider trade

"The difference that makes a difference": highlighting the role of variable contexts within an HIV Prevention Community Randomised Trial (HPTN 071/PopART) in 21 study communities in Zambia and South Africa.

This paper explores contextual heterogeneity within a community randomised trial HPTN 071 (Population Effects of Antiretroviral Treatment to Reduce HIV Transmission) carried out in 21 study communities (12 Zambian, 9 South African). The trial evaluates the impact of a combination HIV prevention package (including household-based HIV counselling and testing and anti-retroviral treatment (ART) eligibility regardless of CD4-count) on HIV incidence. The selection, matching and randomisation of study communities relied on key epidemiological and demographic variables and community and stakeholder support. In 2013, following the selection of study communities, a "Broad Brush Survey" (BBS) approach was used to rapidly gather qualitative data on each study community, prior to the implementation of the trial intervention. First-year process indicator intervention data (2014-2015) were collected during the household-based intervention by community lay workers. Using an open/closed typology of urban communities (indicating more or less heterogeneity), this qualitative inquiry presents key features of 12 Zambian communities using a list of four meta-indicators (physical features, social organisation, networks and community narratives). These indicators are then compared with four intervention process indicators in a smaller set of four study communities. The process indicators selected for this analysis indicate response to the intervention (uptake) amongst adults. The BBS qualitative data are used to interpret patterns of similarity and variability in the process indicators across four communities. We found that meta-indicators of local context helped to interpret patterns of similarity and variability emerging across and within the four communities. Features especially significant for influencing heterogeneity in process indicators include proportion of middle-class residents, proximity to neighbouring communities and town centre, the scale of the informal economy, livelihood-linked mobility, presence of HIV stakeholders over time and commitment to community action. Future interdisciplinary analysis is needed to explore if these patterns of difference continue to hold up over the full intervention period and all intervention communities

Die problematiek rondom die lied van die NG Kerk: enkele bevindings vanut 'n sosiaal - wetenskapleke invalshoek

This article investigates viewpoints regarding the hymn of the Dutch Reformed Church over the lase few decades by way of a document analysis of polemics from Die Kerkbode, the official publication of the DRC. Historically, there has always been conflict around the hymnic tradition of the Dutch Reformed Church, manifesting specifically as resistance against the official church-hymn. The longing for a simpler, experience-oriented hymn was stimulated especially by rhe influence of 19rhcentury Revival hymnody, a tendency still applying roday. An analysis of the polemics involved reveals that the duality within the hymnic practice of the DRC has co do particularly with two clashing types of devoutness within the church. Those opposing the official church-hymn are particularly burdened by the "unsingabilicy" of the melodies, as well as the fact char these hymns are foreign to the field of experience of the 20th-century person. The thesabilicy of an ecclesiastical identification with contemporary secular culture is however a complex question which also involves controversy regarding the retention of the true reformed nature of the church

Voeding van die voorskoolse en laerskoolse kind

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Leipoldt in 1980*)

Oor Leipoldt se veelsydigheid hoef daar nie veel gésê te word nie. Hy was digter, dramaturg, romanskrywer, joemalis, geneesheer, kos- en wynkenner, filantroop, wêreldburger, maar bly tog vir ons in die eerste plek digter. Ons beeld van Leipoldt so oeuvre kan verander - daar is vanjaar al twee “nuwe” werke van hom ontdek - maar as daar iets van Leipoldt behoue sal bly, sal dit eerder sy poësie as sy drama, prosa, joemalistieke werk of kookboeke wees; so lyk dit altans op die oomblik. Daarom beperk ek my to t sy poësie en sal ek nie probeer om u totaalbeeld van sy ryk maar erg ongelyke oeuvre te gee nie

Founder effect in 20 Afrikaner kindreds with pseudoxanthoma elasticum

The pedigrees of 20 families with pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) were investigated. The analyses involved 13 generations up to and including the initial settlers, who arrived in the Cape before 1660. Four settler surnames predominate in these pedigrees. Because of the marriage patterns of the settlers' descendants it was necessary to classify the four surnames Into two groups. It is suggested that these two groups are the founder groups of present-day PXE patients. Similar genealogical studies have been performed on kindreds with familial polyposis, familial heart block and familial hyper. cholesterolaemia, among other disorders. Due to geographical isolation, political developments and cultural factors in the Afrikaner, these investigations are feasible and often lead to the identification of founder origin

The central noradrenergic system: an overview

The central noradrenergic system belongs to a group of brainstem neuromodulatory systems previously referred to as the ascending reticular activating system. In this article a heuristic model is presented of the central noradrenergic system depicting the major projections to other cerebral areas, its interactions with other neuromodulatory systems, mechanisms through which it can influence cerebral function, as well as the major functions and disorders associated with alterations in central noradrenergic activity. It is not the aim of this paper to provide fine detail on the various aspects, but rather to provide a concise overview where structure and function, as well as the interactions with other systems are brought together. The contents of the paper are summarized in a diagram. Keywords: Central noradrenergic system; Neuromodulatory; Brainstem African Journal of Psychiatry Vol. 10 (3) 2007: pp. 135-14