Knowledge, attitude and practices of environmental health practitioners conducting food-borne disease outbreak investigation at a local municipality in Gauteng province, South Africa

Abstract: Background: Food-borne disease (FBD) outbreaks are a common occurrence that is either not investigated or poorly investigated. According to anecdote evidence, this is because of nonuniformity to environmental health practices in South Africa. Aim: This study aimed to determine and describe the knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) of environmental health practitioners (EHPs) when conducting outbreak investigations of FBD at a local municipality. Setting: This study was conducted in three sub-districts of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM), one of five municipalities in Gauteng province, South Africa. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted to collect data using a semistructured questionnaire. Data collected were analysed using IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. Continuous variables were compared using analysis of variances, and correlation was used to determine any association..

Knowledge, attitude and practices on notifiable diseases among environmental health practitioners in the City of Johannesburg

BACKGROUND : Notifiable diseases, a public health challenge in low- and middle-income countries, require mandatory reporting and play a significant role in disease prevention and control. Environmental health practitioners are responsible for reporting and investigating notifiable diseases. AIM : The study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices on notifiable diseases among environmental health practitioners within a metropolitan municipality. SETTING : The study was conducted in the seven regions of the City of Johannesburg in Gauteng province, South Africa. METHODS : A cross-sectional and descriptive study was used. One hundred and thirty-five participants were randomly sampled. The data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire and analysed using version 27 of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software. All ethical considerations such as permissions, ethical clearance and informed consent were observed throughout the study. RESULTS : The majority of participants (n = 64; 47.4%) were aged between 30 and 39 years and had a BTech/Honours degree (n = 106; 78.5%). A total of 106 (78.5%) participants had received formal training, while 83.7% (n = 113) of the participants understood notifiable diseases. Years of experience had a significant negative correlation with the ‘need to report notifiable diseases’ (r = -0.193; p = 0.025). CONCLUSION : The results could facilitate a knowledge improvement programme that includes a structured training programme and standard operating procedures. The study results cannot be generalised to the whole country; hence, the recommendation of a national survey on similar phenomena should be considered. CONTRIBUTION : The study findings could assist in improving the role of environmental health services in reporting and investigating notifiable diseases.https://www.hsag.co.zaam2023School of Health Systems and Public Health (SHSPH

Household fuel use and prevalence of reported allergic rhinitis in rural areas of Mpumalanga, South Africa

Abstract : Household air pollution (HAP) exposure caused by burning of solid fuels during cooking and heating is associated with adverse health impacts. Such effects include respiratory allergic reactions and asthma. Most households in South Africa use mainly firewood and animal biomass for cooking. The use of traditional fuel for cooking and heating has been associated with allergic rhinitis especially in rural areas of South Africa. A cross-sectional study was conducted were 167 households were randomly selected after different locations were stratified. A questionnaire with both closed and open-ended questions adopted from International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) was used. Data was analysed using SPSS logistic regression analysis. The prevalence of household reported allergic rhinitis in the different locations were Bhubhane (64%), Mahlabatsini (53%), Masakeni (50%), Babrook (48%), KaJohn (34%) and KaDukies (23%). Allergic rhinitis was significantly associated with the use of coal, wood and kerosene. We did not find any association between allergic rhinitis and the use of charcoal and animal dung. The study showed a high prevalence of household-reported allergic rhinitis amongst children in rural areas. The findings indicate the role of particulate matter from burning traditional fuel indoors as a risk factor to allergic rhinitis

Household fuel use and prevalence of reported allergic rhinitis in rural areas of Mpumalanga, South Africa

Abstract : Household air pollution (HAP) exposure caused by burning of solid fuels during cooking and heating is associated with adverse health impacts. Such effects include respiratory allergic reactions and asthma. Most households in South Africa use mainly firewood and animal biomass for cooking. The use of traditional fuel for cooking and heating has been associated with allergic rhinitis especially in rural areas of South Africa. A cross-sectional study was conducted were 167 households were randomly selected after different locations were stratified. A questionnaire with both closed and open-ended questions adopted from International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) was used. Data was analysed using SPSS logistic regression analysis. The prevalence of household reported allergic rhinitis in the different locations were Bhubhane (64%), Mahlabatsini (53%), Masakeni (50%), Babrook (48%), KaJohn (34%) and KaDukies (23%). Allergic rhinitis was significantly associated with the use of coal, wood and kerosene. We did not find any association between allergic rhinitis and the use of charcoal and animal dung. The study showed a high prevalence of household-reported allergic rhinitis amongst children in rural areas. The findings indicate the role of particulate matter from burning traditional fuel indoors as a risk factor to allergic rhinitis

A review paper on traditional fuel use, indoor air pollution, and respiratory diseases : lessons for South Africa

Abstract: About 90% of the South African population have got access to electricity, yet it is believed that several households continue to rely on traditional fuels such as coal, charcoal, firewood, animal dung as their primary cooking fuels. The combustion of traditional fuels in an inefficient cookstoves results in increased Indoor Air Pollution (IAP), ill respiratory health and several cases of premature deaths. This paper summarizes studies providing evidence of an association between household energy patterns, IAP and of acute or chronic lower and upper respiratory infections in South African households. It is believed that IAP has contributed to about 1400 premature deaths and current interventions programmes to increase access to modern energy services including electricity for poor households could be failing as reports of diseases and deaths continue to be documented. Based on existing evidence, it is that recommended energy practitioners should target achievable, yet health-saving interventions targets for the poor

Dissemination of free basic electricity in rural settlements

Abstract: This paper evaluates the implementation of the Free Basic Electricity (FBE) programme in the needy South African households. A total of 5 governmental sites were used to assess the implementation of the FBE program; while 165 households were surveyed from 2016-2017 to determine the dissemination and use of FBE. The desktop survey revealed that approximately 1.8 million poor South Africans have access to FBE. Furthermore, tariff relief sets at 50 kWh based on 2001 household energy survey was found to differ per implementing agency, ranging from 20 kWh - 100 kWh. However, no data was available regarding the total number of South African who are energy poor. The survey found that 18% of households are employed, while 82% is unemployed and mainly depend on social grants. Majority of the households cannot afford electricity for cooking and heating, consequently spend over 14% of their income on energy budget which include a mixture of clean and dirty fuels such as wood, coal and paraffin. A total of 15 (9%) households are beneficiaries of FBE; while 91% indicated that they do not know about the tariff relief. Findings from this study suggest the need for an improved public communication strategy, especially in rural areas. It can be recommended that the 50-kWh tariff relief be reviewed to qualify the current household energy needs. Furthermore, enhanced community engagement is recommended in rural settlements to improve clean energy adoption strategies, either energy efficiency or FBE utilization

A study protocol to determine the association between lifetime lead exposure and violent criminal behaviour in young males in conflict with the law

Abstract: Background: Low-level lead exposure has harmful and persistent effects on behaviour. Recent studies have linked environmental lead exposure and the development of aggressive, violent and criminal behaviour. This protocol is designed to study an association between lifetime (bone) lead levels and violent criminal behaviour among young males in conflict with the law in Gauteng youth development centres. Methods: This paper describes a study to determine a link between lifetime lead exposure and violent criminal behaviour. Lifetime lead exposure will be measured using bone lead measurement, while blood lead levels will be observed for current exposure. Thereafter, criminal records of participants will be reviewed whereas violent behaviour and risk factors will be observed using a questionnaire. The study focused on young males in conflict with the law in three centres within Gauteng Provence, South Africa. After stratifying the centres, we randomly selected participants. The researcher shall adhere to ethical requirements throughout the study. Data will be analysed for descriptive and inferential analysis using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). Discussion: The study will provide a strong foundation for an improved understanding of the relationship between environmental contamination from lead exposure and aggression/violent criminal behaviour. Beyond the health sector, the study findings may be able to inform new approaches to crime prevention through environmental action with an emphasis on the role of non-health sectors

Assessment of household energy poverty levels in Louiville, Mpumalanga, South Africa

Abstract: In this paper, an assessment of the extent of household energy poverty and the implications of socio-economic status of the households in Louiville (a rural settlement in Mpumalanga province, South Africa) is made. In total 165 households were sampled over the course of two years. A survey was conducted from a sample of 165 households recording objective data of energy expenses and subjective data about households’ satisfaction with current energy sources versus what they can afford vis-à-vis their income. Using the objective approach, the results showed a high prevalence, over 84% (n= 138), resulting from both the escalation of energy prices and low household income. Among the households under the poverty threshold, high dependence on traditional fuels including wood, coal and candles was noted for cooking, heating and illumination purposes. The subjective indicator analysis showed that, although the majority of households use traditional fuels for cooking and heating, over 91% of these households are not satisfied with their current energy share owing largely to energy affordability. In conclusion, the establishment of affordable energy tariffs for the poor can address several energy inequalities in the poor settlement