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

Food safety regulations : an overview of the compliance process

Abstract: The growing interest in Food Safety Regulations is not only in the nature of the regulations but also in the process by which the regulations are enforced to ensure compliance. This is because non-compliance to food safety regulations poses a threat to the health of the consumer and should be recognised by authorities as early as possible for intervention. The local authority system has however raised a number of criticisms. The research followed a descriptive design, using quantitative method, to determine the compliance process that Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) follow in cases where food premises within City of Johannesburg do not comply with food safety regulations. The sample population included 110 EHPs selected using purposive sampling due to their role in enforcing food safety regulations. Each EHP further provided 5 document records of non-compliant food premises, selected using simple-random sampling, giving a total of 550 document records. Data was collected using self-administered questionnaires and data collection forms. The questionnaire was completed by EHPs and the researcher concurrently collected data by reviewing document records of food premises using a data collection form. The findings of the study allowed for a clear compliance process to be outlined, however not to the latter of the legislation requirements to ensure rectification of non-compliance. The study shows an existing record management system in need of reform. The outcome of the study indicated the need for the training of EHPs in law enforcement procedures and the necessity to have guidelines specific to enforcement of food safety regulations.M.Tech. (Environmental Health

Stakeholders initiative in reducing mortality rates in traditional initiations schools in South Africa : a reflection paper

Abstract: This paper reflects the joint role of government, parents and the traditional custodians in reducing the high rates of mortality in the traditional initiation schools of South Africa. The main argument raised by this paper is that, traditional initiation schools are very important as they symbolize and signifies the traditional teachings and education employed when initiating young boys to manhood. Many authors recognize that accurate custom practices in initiation could reduce high number of deaths especially in the AmaXhosa clan. However, the solution towards problem in question should be applied across different clan where initiation schools are common in South Africa, and such include the involvement of government to support with legislative framework, traditional custodian to provide guidance and parents to provide necessary support where it is deemed essential for children to attend initiation schools

A study protocol to evaluate the impact of a personal and domestic hygiene intervention on lead exposure in a community next to a mine dump

BACKGROUND: Lead has been associated with adverse health effects, especially neurocognitive and behavioural effects, in children. Communities living close to mining land are at risk of elevated exposure to lead. METHODS: This paper outlines a before and after intervention study protocol to evaluate the impact of a personal and domestic hygiene intervention on lead exposure in a community located adjacent to a mine dump. In each participating household, parents or guardians will be interviewed using a structured questionnaire to obtain information on socio-demographic characteristics, living conditions, domestic hygiene practices and potential alternative sources of exposure to lead. A registered nurse will collect hand wipe samples from children aged one to five years, for whom parental consent and where possible child assent has been obtained. Environmental dust samples will be collected from the floors and/or windowsills of children's dwellings for lead content analysis. Soil samples will be collected from yards to determine lead content. An educational intervention will then be applied to the intervention group, including the engagement of households or guardians in an educational discussion on the sources, pathways of exposure, health effects of lead exposure and protective measures, with the aid of a specially designed educational brochure. Data will be analysed for descriptive and inferential statistics using Stata version 16. DISCUSSION: The study will determine whether the intervention led to a reduction in indoor dust lead levels, and if shown to be effective, will inform the development of an awareness campaign to reduce lead exposure in communities located in close proximity to mine dumps.http://www.biomedcentral.com/bmcpublichealthSchool of Health Systems and Public Health (SHSPH