Book Review: Jackie Cochran: Pilot in the Fastest Lane

Review of Jackie Cochran: Pilot in the Fastest Lane by Doris L. Ric

Cohabitation in Botswana: An Alternative or a Prelude

Given the recent increase in the prevalence of cohabiting unions in Botswana, this paper speculates on the role this type of union plays in contemporary Botswana family system. The analysis is based on the combination of qualitative and quantitative data from the 2001 Cohabitation Survey and the 1996 Botswana Family Health Survey respectively. The overall results reveal that cohabitation differs from marriage in terms of socio-legal status and the reproductive behaviour of women in cohabiting unions. The paper further presents evidence that, of the three common interpretations of cohabitation - an alternative to marriage, a temporary phase before marriage and an alternative to being single - cohabitation in Botswana can be viewed as a temporary phase before marriage. Against this evidence, the paper concludes that while the increasing prevalence of cohabitation does not threaten the institution of marriage in Botswana, it results in delays in timing of marriage.

Book Review: Global Perspectives on War, Gender and Health: The Sociology and Anthropology of Suffering

Review of Global Perspectives on War, Gender and Health: The Sociology and Anthropology of Suffering, Hannah Bradby and Gillian Lewando Hundt, editors

Restorative justice as an alternative sentencing option in South Africa: A different approach to crime

Unpublished LLM dissertationConcerns with the current criminal justice system in many countries around the world have triggered an interest in alternative methods of dispensing justice. This is because of its failure to effectively reduce crime and to meet the needs of those who are affected by crime. The search for alternative ways of dispensing justice has led to the emergence of restorative justice. Restorative justice is, in fact, not a new concept in the history of dealing with crime. It is similar to African traditional processes of justice. Restorative justice has gained popularity worldwide as an approach to justice that does not only emphasise a different response to crime, but as also having the potential to address the shortcomings of the current criminal justice system. This study examines restorative justice as an alternative sentencing option in South Africa.Criminal and Procedural La

A case for the inclusion of informal social protection in social policy theory and practice: lessons from Nigeria and Pakistan

This paper argues for the integration of informal social protection into social policy theory and practice through a comparative analysis of informal mechanisms in Pakistan and Nigeria. In developing countries, especially in Asia and Africa, where formal social protection coverage is limited, informal social protection plays a crucial role in addressing gaps in the welfare system. The findings not only contribute to a comprehensive understanding of welfare systems but also support for the cohesive integration of formal and informal social protection, providing evidence for policy improvements in developing and less developed countries

Combining work and child care: The experiences of mothers in Accra, Ghana

Work-family research has focused predominantly on Western women. Yet the forms of economic labour in which women are typically involved and the meaning of motherhood are context-specific. This paper aims to explore the experience of combining economic activity and child care of mothers with young children using urban Ghana as a case study. Semi-structured interviews (n=24) were conducted in three locations in the Accra Metropolitan Area. Transcripts were analysed using the general inductive approach. The results found women’s experience of role conflict to be bi-directional. With regard to role enhancement, economic activity allowed women to provide materially for their children. The combination of work and child care had negative consequences for women’s wellbeing. This research questions policy makers’ strategy of frequently targeting women in their roles either as generators of income, or as the primary care-takers of children by highlighting the reality of women’s simultaneous performance of these roles

Availability and accessibility of public health services for adolescents and young people in South Africa

Against the background of increasing international calls for the development and implementation of age-appropriate programmes that address both quality and access issues to improve adolescent and youth health, this paper explores the extent to which public health facilities are available and accessible to adolescents and youth in South Africa. The impetus for the study was the current evidence that there was generally poor utilisation of services offered at public health facilities by young people in the country. The overall findings are that despite the country's comprehensive legal and policy framework and commitment to improve the health of young people, there continues to be some structural and systemic factors that hamper effective provision and programming of adolescent and youth friendly services. The paper concludes with recommendations for policy and practice.http:// elsevier.com/locate/childyouth2018-03-30hb2017Sociolog

Microbiology of Urinary Tract Infections in Gaborone, Botswana

Objective The microbiology and epidemiology of UTI pathogens are largely unknown in Botswana, a high prevalence HIV setting. Using laboratory data from the largest referral hospital and a private hospital, we describe the major pathogens causing UTI and their antimicrobial resistance patterns. Methods This retrospective study examined antimicrobial susceptibility data for urine samples collected at Princess Marina Hospital (PMH), Bokamoso Private Hospital (BPH), or one of their affiliated outpatient clinics. A urine sample was included in our dataset if it demonstrated pure growth of a single organism and accompanying antimicrobial susceptibility and subject demographic data were available. Results A total of 744 samples were included. Greater than 10% resistance was observed for amoxicillin, co-trimoxazole, amoxicillin-clavulanate, and ciprofloxacin. Resistance of E. coli isolates to ampicillin and co-trimoxazole was greater than 60% in all settings. HIV status did not significantly impact the microbiology of UTIs, but did impact antimicrobial resistance to co-trimoxazole. Conclusions Data suggests that antimicrobial resistance has already emerged to most oral antibiotics, making empiric management of outpatient UTIs challenging. Ampicillin, co-trimoxazole, and ciprofloxacin should not be used as empiric treatment for UTI in this context. Nitrofurantoin could be used for simple cystitis; aminoglycosides for uncomplicated UTI in inpatients

Public perceptions, beliefs and experiences of fostering and adoption : a national qualitative study in South Africa

In South Africa, rates of adoption remain low while the number of fostered children continually rises. Little is known about the public perceptions, beliefs and experiences that inform decisions to either foster or adopt in South Africa. This qualitative research explored these issues among a national sample of childless adults, biological parents, kin and non-kin fostering parents and prospective and successful adopters. Fostering is driven predominantly by access to subsidies but is also informed by socio-cultural beliefs. Low adoption rates are influenced by an absence of subsidies, poor access to quality adoptive services and a lack of information about adoption.http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/(ISSN)1099-0860hb2016Sociolog