Methods of condom distribution as a possible barrier to condom uptake : a study among sexually active clients at Settlers Hospital Grahamstown

Thesis (MPhil (Industrial Psychology. Africa Centre for HIV/AIDS Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2011.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study examines the methods of condom distribution as a potential barrier to condom uptake among sexually active clients at the out-patient unit of Settlers hospital. This study was quantitative and it utilised a self-administered questionnaire. A total of 60 sexually active clients comprising of 30 women and 30 men all aged 18 years and above with a prior HIV/AIDS prevention knowledge at the out-patient unit of Settlers hospital formed part of the study. Data was analysed using descriptive analysis and chi square. The responses given by the participants provide an understanding of the perceptions about the methods of condom distribution as a potential barrier to condom uptake and use. Evidently the methods of condom distribution have an impact on the likelihood of condom uptake at the out-patient unit of Settlers hospital and a certain method of condom distribution (placement of condoms in private spaces) is also preferred to another ( condom display in the waiting area). Although the study sample (n=60) was too small to make a representative and definite conclusions, the findings seem to suggest the method of condom distribution is important in condom promotion for increased uptake. Despite the high level of HIV/AIDS prevention knowledge among the study participants there seems to be real barriers to condom uptake and use. However there is a need for policy-makers and stake-holders to ensure that effective condom distribution methods are encouraged and implemented. Finally it would be useful to invest further in research to not only identify more barriers to condom uptake at the hospital but also establish barriers to condom uptake and use in the society where our people live. This was beyond the scope of this study.AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie vors die verspreidingsmetodes na wat die beskikbaarheid van kondome vir seksueel-aktiewe pasiënte van die buitepasiënt-afdeling by die Setlaars-hospitaal op Grahamstad moontlik kan kortwiek. Die studie was kwantitatief van aard en is deur middel van 'n self-geadministreerde vraelys uitgevoer. Sestig (60) seksueel-aktiewe pasiënte – 30 vroue en 30 mans – van 18 jaar en ouer, by die buitepasiënt-afdeling van bovermelde hospitaal, wat almal voor hulle deelname aan die studie voorkomingskennis van MIV/Vigs opgedoen het, het deel aan die studie gehad. Data is geanaliseer deur gebruikmaking van beskrywende analise en “chi-square.” Die deelnemers se antwoorde bied begrip oor die persepsies rondom die verspreidingsmetodes as moontlike belemmering vir die beskikbaarheid en gebruik van kondome. Klaarblyklik het die metodes van kondoomverspreiding by die Settlers-hospitaal se buitepasiënt-afdeling 'n impak op die waarskynlike gebruik daarvan. 'n Spesifieke verspreidingsmetode – die plaas van kondome in privaatruimtes – word verkies bo 'n ander waar kondome in die wagarea van die hospital se buitepasiënt-afdeling beskikbaar gestel en as't ware uitgestal word. Hoewel die studiemonster (n=60) te klein was om verteenwoordigende en klinkklare gevolgtrekkings te formuleer, dui afleidings daarop dat die metode van kondoomverspreiding belangrik is vir die bevordering en bekendstelling van kondoomgebruik. Ondanks die hoë vlak voorkomingskennis oor MIV/Vigs onder deelnemers aan die studie, wil dit voorkom of daar besliste hindernisse bestaan wat betref kondoombeskikbaarheid en –gebruik. En daar is beslis 'n heersende behoefte dat beleidmakers en betrokkenes behoort te verseker dat doeltreffende kondoomverspreidingsmetodes bevorder en toegepas word. Ten slotte kan dit nuttig en raadsaam wees om verder in navorsing te belê, nie alleen om nog hindernisse rondom kondoomgebruik by die bovermelde hospital te identifiseer nie, maar ook maatreëls in plek te stel ter bevordering van kondoombeskikbaarheid en –gebruik in die gemeenskappe waar ons mense hulleself bevind. Laasvermelde was nie binne die raamwerk van hierdie studie nie

Evolutionary Responses of Marine Organisms to Urbanized Seascapes

Many of the world\u27s major cities are located in coastal zones, resulting in urban and industrial impacts on adjacent marine ecosystems. These pressures, which include pollutants, sewage, runoff and debris, temperature increases, hardened shorelines/structures, and light and acoustic pollution, have resulted in new evolutionary landscapes for coastal marine organisms. Marine environmental changes influenced by urbanization may create new selective regimes or may influence neutral evolution via impacts on gene flow or partitioning of genetic diversity across seascapes. While some urban selective pressures, such as hardened surfaces, are similar to those experienced by terrestrial species, others, such as oxidative stress, are specific to aquatic environments. Moreover, spatial and temporal scales of evolutionary responses may differ in the ocean due to the spatial extent of selective pressures and greater capacity for dispersal/gene flow. Here, we present a conceptual framework and synthesis of current research on evolutionary responses of marine organisms to urban pressures. We review urban impacts on genetic diversity and gene flow and examine evidence that marine species are adapting, or are predicted to adapt, to urbanization over rapid evolutionary time frames. Our findings indicate that in the majority of studies, urban stressors are correlated with reduced genetic diversity. Genetic structure is often increased in urbanized settings, but artificial structures can also act as stepping stones for some hard‐surface specialists, promoting range expansion. Most evidence for rapid adaptation to urban stressors comes from studies of heritable tolerance to pollutants in a relatively small number of species; however, the majority of marine ecotoxicology studies do not test directly for heritability. Finally, we highlight current gaps in our understanding of evolutionary processes in marine urban environments and present a framework for future research to address these gaps

Macrosomia: maternal and fetal outcome

This retrospective case--control study analyses the prevalence and outcome of macrosomia in a part of the underdeveloped world. Out of 6,093 deliveries at a large tertiary care centre, 234 (3.8%) were macrosomic. Maternal risk factors associated with the condition included age over 35, obesity, grand multiparity, postmaturity and impaired glucose tolerance. Operative deliveries were more common as was shoulder dystocia, birth trauma, fetal distress, the need for neonatal intensive care and perinatal loss