MYCOBACTERIUM TUBERCULOSIS RESISTANCE TO PZA

The aim of this project is to understand the mechanism of horizontal gene transfer and, more specifically, how resistance arises via mutations in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB). In particular, its resistance to the drug Pyrazinamide (PZA) will be examined. I will conduct two phases of this research. The first will be to observe horizontal gene transfer in everyday bacteria. The second phase will be to insert the mutant pncA gene that confers PZA resistance to a competent, non-virulent bacteria, E. coli, and study the rate of transfer in PZA-resistant TB. By doing this, it will be possible to better understand the mechanisms by which PZA-resistant bacteria transfer resistance and learn more about the mutations of this disease

Determinants of Sexual Activity and Its Relation to Cervical Cancer Risk among South African Women

BACKGROUND. Invasive cervical cancer is the commonest cause of cancer morbidity and mortality in South African women. This study provides information on adult women's sexual activity and cervical cancer risk in South Africa. METHODS. The data were derived from a case-control study of hormonal contraceptives and cervical cancer risk. Information on age of sexual debut and number of lifetime sexual partners was collected from 524 incident cases and 1541 hospital controls. Prevalence ratios and adjusted prevalence ratios were utilised to estimate risk in exposures considered common. Crude and adjusted relative risks were estimated where the outcome was uncommon, using multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS. The median age of sexual debut and number of sexual partners was 17 years and 2 respectively. Early sexual debut was associated with lower education, increased number of life time partners and alcohol use. Having a greater number of sexual partners was associated with younger sexual debut, being black, single, higher educational levels and alcohol use. The adjusted odds ratio for sexual debut < 16 years and ≥ 4 life-time sexual partners and cervical cancer risk were 1.6 (95% CI 1.2 – 2.2) and 1.7 (95% CI 1.2 – 2.2), respectively. CONCLUSION. Lower socio-economic status, alcohol intake, and being single or black, appear to be determinants of increased sexual activity in South African women. Education had an ambiguous effect. As expected, cervical cancer risk is associated with increased sexual activity. Initiatives to encourage later commencement of sex, and limiting the number of sexual partners would have a favourable impact on risk of cancer of the cervix and other sexually transmitted infections.National Cancer Institute (R01 CA 73985

Perceptions of clinical supervisors about their preparedness for clinical teaching at a university in the Western Cape

Magister Curationis - MCurBackground: Clinical supervision or clinical accompaniment is considered an integral part of nursing education and is crucial for the development of nursing students’ clinical competence. In order to achieve this, clinical supervision requires skilled human resources which vary from one educational institution to another and may include lecturers, clinical supervisors/facilitators and professional nurses. Clinical supervisors are required to be good educators as well as excellent clinicians. In addition, they often draw on their individual, personal and professional experiences to guide their teaching to meet the demands of both the clinical and academic contexts in which they work. However, the clinical teaching model or framework used by educational institutions is often not aligned to clinical practice activities and vice versa. This poses challenges for students due to the different expectations of educators and professional nurses in practice. Inadequately prepared clinical supervisors can have a detrimental effect on the delivery of the nursing programme that may include poor clinical teaching and inadequate integration of theory and clinical competencies, which ultimately leads to poorly trained nursing students. Aim of the study: The aim of this study was to explore the perceptions of clinical supervisors regarding their preparedness for clinical teaching. Methods: The study adopted a qualitative research approach, utilising an exploratory descriptive design. A non-probability purposive sampling method was used to select 12 clinical supervisors in the undergraduate programme. The researcher collected the data by means of semi-structured interviews with open-ended questions and analysed this data using content data analysis. Analysis of the data using ATLAS, ti 8 research software programme generated four themes and 18 categories. Findings: The findings indicated that clinical supervisors required time to adapt to their role and improve their knowledge and skills despite them having a positive experience during their orientation. Although appreciative of the support and guidance, clinical supervisors stated that not all colleagues were supportive, which in some instances had a negative impact on interpersonal relationships. The findings furthermore indicated that clinical supervisors apply all the steps of the five phases in the skills lab methodology employed by the School of Nursing at the university where the study was conducted. Clinical supervisors are required to be well informed and committed to continuing education in order to incorporate theory into practice with the latest developments and equipment in facilities. Furthermore, the findings indicated that inconsistency and failure to attend to students’ clinical learning needs can have a negative impact on student learning. Ethics: The researcher adhered to all principles of research ethics throughout the study