Youth understanding of sexuality and sexual relationships in Dududu, southern KwaZulu Natal.

Thesis (M.Dev.Studies)-University of Natal, Durban, 2004.This research study aimed at investigating the understanding the rural youth have about sexuality and sexual relationships. The study begins with the literature review related to youth sexuality and sexual relationships. The main focus of the research was to gather information regarding the understanding the youth have on sexuality and sexual relationships, their sources of information, and level of comfort with the topic. An exploratory research design guided the study. A systematic random sampling procedure was used to identify twenty youth from grade ten at Zithokozise high school in the Dududu area. Three focus group discussions were conducted with the group followed by a questionnaire, which was administered to individual participants in a group setting. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used to in analysing the results from which conclusions were drawn. The findings of the study revealed that rural youth were not well informed on their sexuality and had misconceptions about sexual relationships. The youth that were sexually active were mostly not using safe sex methods. The popular informants of youth on sexuality issues were their own peers who also had inadequate information on the issues. The role of parents and educators in providing information to the youth was minimal and inadequate. Health facilities were not always available and if available were not adequately utilized. Resulting from the findings of the study a youth sexuality manual for rural schools was designed. The facilitators from the Departments of Community Health and Social Work from the University of Natal piloted the manual in the same schools that were involved in the community development projects

The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance

Investment in SARS-CoV-2 sequencing in Africa over the past year has led to a major increase in the number of sequences generated, now exceeding 100,000 genomes, used to track the pandemic on the continent. Our results show an increase in the number of African countries able to sequence domestically, and highlight that local sequencing enables faster turnaround time and more regular routine surveillance. Despite limitations of low testing proportions, findings from this genomic surveillance study underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic and shed light on the distinct dispersal dynamics of Variants of Concern, particularly Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron, on the continent. Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve, while the continent faces many emerging and re-emerging infectious disease threats. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century

Rapid epidemic expansion of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in southern Africa

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) epidemic in southern Africa has been characterised by three distinct waves. The first was associated with a mix of SARS-CoV-2 lineages, whilst the second and third waves were driven by the Beta and Delta variants, respectively1-3. In November 2021, genomic surveillance teams in South Africa and Botswana detected a new SARS-CoV-2 variant associated with a rapid resurgence of infections in Gauteng Province, South Africa. Within three days of the first genome being uploaded, it was designated a variant of concern (Omicron) by the World Health Organization and, within three weeks, had been identified in 87 countries. The Omicron variant is exceptional for carrying over 30 mutations in the spike glycoprotein, predicted to influence antibody neutralization and spike function4. Here, we describe the genomic profile and early transmission dynamics of Omicron, highlighting the rapid spread in regions with high levels of population immunity

The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: Insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance.

Investment in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing in Africa over the past year has led to a major increase in the number of sequences that have been generated and used to track the pandemic on the continent, a number that now exceeds 100,000 genomes. Our results show an increase in the number of African countries that are able to sequence domestically and highlight that local sequencing enables faster turnaround times and more-regular routine surveillance. Despite limitations of low testing proportions, findings from this genomic surveillance study underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic and illuminate the distinct dispersal dynamics of variants of concern-particularly Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron-on the continent. Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve while the continent faces many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century

The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: Insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance

INTRODUCTION Investment in Africa over the past year with regard to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing has led to a massive increase in the number of sequences, which, to date, exceeds 100,000 sequences generated to track the pandemic on the continent. These sequences have profoundly affected how public health officials in Africa have navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. RATIONALE We demonstrate how the first 100,000 SARS-CoV-2 sequences from Africa have helped monitor the epidemic on the continent, how genomic surveillance expanded over the course of the pandemic, and how we adapted our sequencing methods to deal with an evolving virus. Finally, we also examine how viral lineages have spread across the continent in a phylogeographic framework to gain insights into the underlying temporal and spatial transmission dynamics for several variants of concern (VOCs). RESULTS Our results indicate that the number of countries in Africa that can sequence the virus within their own borders is growing and that this is coupled with a shorter turnaround time from the time of sampling to sequence submission. Ongoing evolution necessitated the continual updating of primer sets, and, as a result, eight primer sets were designed in tandem with viral evolution and used to ensure effective sequencing of the virus. The pandemic unfolded through multiple waves of infection that were each driven by distinct genetic lineages, with B.1-like ancestral strains associated with the first pandemic wave of infections in 2020. Successive waves on the continent were fueled by different VOCs, with Alpha and Beta cocirculating in distinct spatial patterns during the second wave and Delta and Omicron affecting the whole continent during the third and fourth waves, respectively. Phylogeographic reconstruction points toward distinct differences in viral importation and exportation patterns associated with the Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron variants and subvariants, when considering both Africa versus the rest of the world and viral dissemination within the continent. Our epidemiological and phylogenetic inferences therefore underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic on the continent and highlight key insights and challenges, for instance, recognizing the limitations of low testing proportions. We also highlight the early warning capacity that genomic surveillance in Africa has had for the rest of the world with the detection of new lineages and variants, the most recent being the characterization of various Omicron subvariants. CONCLUSION Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve. This is important not only to help combat SARS-CoV-2 on the continent but also because it can be used as a platform to help address the many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats in Africa. In particular, capacity building for local sequencing within countries or within the continent should be prioritized because this is generally associated with shorter turnaround times, providing the most benefit to local public health authorities tasked with pandemic response and mitigation and allowing for the fastest reaction to localized outbreaks. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century

Processes and challenges in training community members to deliver CHAMP SA

Paper presented at the NIMH Conference on the role of families in preventing and adapting to HIV/AIDS, Atlanta, USA, 19-23 Jul

Techno-Economic Analysis of the Reclamation of Drinking Water and Valuable Minerals from Acid Mine Drainage

The concept of circular economy in wastewater treatment has recently attracted immense interest and this is primarily fueled by the ever-growing interest to minimise ecological footprints of mining activities and metallurgical processes. In light of that, countries such as the Republic of South Africa, China, Australia, and the United States are at the forefront of water pollution due to the generation of notorious acid mine drainage (AMD). The disposal of AMD to different receiving environments constitutes a severe threat to the receiving ecosystem thus calling for prudent intervention to redress the prevailing challenges. Recent research emphasises the employment of wastewater treatment, beneficiation and valorisation. Herein, the techno-economic evaluation of the reclamation of clean water and valuable minerals from AMD using the Magnesite Softening and Reverse Osmosis (MASRO) process was reported. The total capital expenditure (CAPEX) for the plant is ZAR 452,000 (USD 31,103.22) which includes ZAR 110,000 (USD 7569.37) for civil works on a plant area of 100 m2. The operational expenditure (OPEX) for the pilot is 16,550,000 ZAR (South African Rand) or USD 1,138,845.72 in present value terms (10 years plant life). The plant reclaimed drinking water as specified in different water quality standards, guidelines, and specifications, including Fe-based minerals (goethite, magnetite, and hematite), Mg-gypsum, and calcium carbonate. These minerals were verified using state-of-the-art analytical equipment. The recovered valuables will be sold at ZAR 368/kL (USD 25.32), ZAR 1100/t (USD 75.69), and ZAR 2000/t (USD 137.62) for water, gypsum, and limestone, respectively. The project has an NPV of ZAR 60,000 (USD 4128.75) at an IRR of 26%. The payback period for this investment will take 3 years. The total power consumption per day was recorded to be 146.6 kWh, and 103,288 kWh/annum. In conclusion, findings of this work will significantly contribute to improving the sustainability of the mining sector by proposing economically feasible solutions for wastewater streams treatment, beneficiation, and valorisation

Techno-Economic Analysis of the Reclamation of Drinking Water and Valuable Minerals from Acid Mine Drainage

The concept of circular economy in wastewater treatment has recently attracted immense interest and this is primarily fueled by the ever-growing interest to minimise ecological footprints of mining activities and metallurgical processes. In light of that, countries such as the Republic of South Africa, China, Australia, and the United States are at the forefront of water pollution due to the generation of notorious acid mine drainage (AMD). The disposal of AMD to different receiving environments constitutes a severe threat to the receiving ecosystem thus calling for prudent intervention to redress the prevailing challenges. Recent research emphasises the employment of wastewater treatment, beneficiation and valorisation. Herein, the techno-economic evaluation of the reclamation of clean water and valuable minerals from AMD using the Magnesite Softening and Reverse Osmosis (MASRO) process was reported. The total capital expenditure (CAPEX) for the plant is ZAR 452,000 (USD 31,103.22) which includes ZAR 110,000 (USD 7569.37) for civil works on a plant area of 100 m2. The operational expenditure (OPEX) for the pilot is 16,550,000 ZAR (South African Rand) or USD 1,138,845.72 in present value terms (10 years plant life). The plant reclaimed drinking water as specified in different water quality standards, guidelines, and specifications, including Fe-based minerals (goethite, magnetite, and hematite), Mg-gypsum, and calcium carbonate. These minerals were verified using state-of-the-art analytical equipment. The recovered valuables will be sold at ZAR 368/kL (USD 25.32), ZAR 1100/t (USD 75.69), and ZAR 2000/t (USD 137.62) for water, gypsum, and limestone, respectively. The project has an NPV of ZAR 60,000 (USD 4128.75) at an IRR of 26%. The payback period for this investment will take 3 years. The total power consumption per day was recorded to be 146.6 kWh, and 103,288 kWh/annum. In conclusion, findings of this work will significantly contribute to improving the sustainability of the mining sector by proposing economically feasible solutions for wastewater streams treatment, beneficiation, and valorisation