HIV risk perception and behavior among medically and traditionally circumcised males in South Africa

Abstract Background In South Africa, voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) has recently been implemented as a strategy for reducing the risk of heterosexual HIV acquisition among men. However, there is some concern that VMMC may lead to low risk perception and more risky sexual behavior. This study investigated HIV risk perception and risk behaviors among men who have undergone either VMMC or traditional male circumcision (TMC) compared to those that had not been circumcised. Methods Data collected from the 2012 South African national population-based household survey for males aged 15 years and older were analyzed using bivariate and multivariate multinomial logistic regression, and relative risk ratios (RRRs) with 95 % confidence interval (CI) were used to assess factors associated with each type of circumcision relative no circumcision. Results Of the 11,086 males that indicated that they were circumcised or not, 19.5 % (95 % CI: 17.9–21.4) were medically circumcised, 27.2 % (95 % CI: 24.7–29.8) were traditionally circumcised and 53.3 % (95 % CI: 50.9–55.6) were not circumcised. In the final multivariate models, relative to uncircumcised males, males who reported VMMC were significantly more likely to have had more than two sexual partners (RRR = 1.67, p = 0.009), and males who reported TMC were significantly less likely to be low risk alcohol users (RRR = 0.72, p < 0.001). Conclusion There is a need to strengthen and improve the quality of the counselling component of VMMC with the focus on education about the real and present risk for HIV infection associated with multiple sexual partners and alcohol abuse following circumcision

Exploring meaningful rewards for pharmaceutical employees during COVID-19

Orientation: The emergence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has compelled various organisations to alter their human resource management approaches in response to a challenging work milieu. Providing meaningful rewards is imperative for maintaining employee productivity and business continuity during turmoil. Research purpose: The main objective of this research was to explore significant incentives for employees of pharmaceutical enterprises amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, this study examined the reward preferences of pharmaceutical professionals in managerial positions concerning their age and gender. Motivation for the study: Despite the extensive body of research on rewards during the COVID-19 pandemic, there exists a notable gap in the literature regarding the investigation of total rewards in the pharmaceutical industry from the vantage points of gender and age. Research approach/design and method: A qualitative research approach was followed with data collected from managerial employees in a pharmaceutical company (N = 12). Thematic analyses were applied. Main findings: Overall, the female participants exhibited a greater propensity towards all rewards than male counterparts. The COVID-19 pandemic mostly impacted female Millennials, who identified all aspects of total rewards as crucial. Male Baby Boomers were more inclined towards being incentivised by monetary remuneration than non-monetary perks. Practical/managerial implications: The findings underscore the importance of leaders prioritising human-centred values such as trust, appreciation, interpersonal connections, and collaborative teamwork. Contribution/value-add: The study’s results prompt researchers and practitioners to reconsider conventional characteristics and incentive inclinations of distinct age cohorts and gender categories, which have undergone modifications because of the COVID-19 outbreak

Predictors of unplanned pregnancies among female students at South African Technical and Vocational Education and Training colleges: Findings from the 2014 Higher Education and Training HIV and AIDS survey

Background. Unplanned pregnancies among college/tertiary female students pose a serious public health concern in South Africa (SA) and are associated with adverse health and social outcomes that impact negatively on educational progress and future career prospects.Objectives. To examine the potential predictors of unplanned pregnancy among female students at Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges in SA.Methods. This analysis used data drawn from the 2014 Higher Education and Training HIV and AIDS survey, which was a nationally representative survey of TVET college students in SA. Associations between unplanned pregnancy and the explanatory variables were assessed using bivariate analysis. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify the effect of several independent predictors of unplanned pregnancy.Results. Of 1 002 female students who responded to the question on unplanned pregnancy, 74.6% reported having had an unplanned pregnancy. Predictors significantly associated with a reduced likelihood of unplanned pregnancy among female TVET students included living with a husband (odds ratio (OR) 0.28, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.13 - 0.62; p=0.002), having two (OR 0.45, 95% CI 0.23 - 0.88; p=0.003) or three (OR 0.07, 95% CI 0.01 - 0.39; p=0.003) previous pregnancies, and not having had an abortion (OR 0.16, 95% CI 0.04 - 0.62; p=0.008).Conclusions. The high level of unplanned pregnancies is indicative of the state of women’s reproductive health services at SA TVET colleges. The findings suggest that certain groups of female students are at increased risk of unplanned pregnancy and would benefit from targeted family planning interventions tailored to their needs.

Perceptions about the acceptability and prevalence of HIV testing and factors influencing them in different communities in South Africa

HIV counselling and testing (HCT) is considered important because it is an entry point to a comprehensive continuum of care for HIV/AIDS. The South African Department of Health launched an HCT campaign in April 2010, and this reached 13,269,746 people by June 2011, of which 16% tested HIV positive and 400,000 of those were initiated into antiretroviral treatment. The overall objective of this project was to gain insight into the general perceptions about HIV testing in the different South African communities. Factors influencing testing in these communities were also explored. Discussions with twelve focus groups (FG) of 8–12 participants each were  conducted with male and female participants recruited from both urban formal and informal communities in Cape Town and Durban. Participants included four racial groups represented by different age groups as follows: adolescents (12–17 years), youth (18–24 years) and adults (25 years and older). Data were analyzed using thematic coding. Among the key themes that emerged from the findings were the inaccurate perception of risk, fear of testing HIV positive, stigma and discrimination. Participants from both African and Indian FGs reported being less likely to do self-initiated HIV testing and counselling, while those from the FG consisting of young whites were more likely to learn about their HIV status through blood donations and campus HIV testing campaigns. Most FGs said they were likely to test if they understood the testing process better and also if the results are kept confidential. The present findings reiterate the importance of spreading positive messages and ensuring confidentiality for HIV testing in a society where there is still some stigma associated with people living with HIV/AIDS. This can partly be accomplished by the continuation of the national HCT campaign, which has been a considerable success in the fight against HIV/AIDS in South Africa during the past two years.Keywords: HIV Counselling and Testing, perceptions, stigma, discrimination and confidentiality, South AfricaLe conseil et le de´pistage (CDV) du VIH sont conside´re´s importants pour les programmes de soins du VIH/SIDA. Le ministe`re sudafricain de la Sante´ a lance´ une campagne de CDV en avril 2010, et a atteint 13 269 746 personnes en juin 2011, dont 16% ont e´te´ identifie´s se´ropositifs, et dont 400,000 ont commence´ le traitement antire´troviral. L’objectif global de ce projet e´tait de mieux comprendre les perceptions ge´ne´rales sur le de´pistage du VIH dans les diffe´rentes communaute´s sud-africaines. Les facteurs influenc¸ant la participation au de´pistage du VIH ont e´te´ aussi e´tudie´s. Douze groupes de discussion (GDD), consistant de huit a` douze hommes et femmes, ont e´te´ forme´s. Les participants e´taient recrute´s dans les localite´s urbaines formelles et informelles a` Cape-Town et a` Durban. Les groupes e´taient repartie en quatre sur base d’ethnicite´, repre´sentant diffe´rents groupes d’aˆge: les adolescents (12–17 ans), les jeunes (18–24 ans) et les adultes (25 ans et plus). Les donne´es ont e´te´ analyse´es en utilisant un codage the´matique. La  perception errone´e du risque, la peur du de´pistage du VIH, la stigmatisation et la discrimination e´taient parmi les principaux the`mes qui ont e´merge´. Les participants africains et indiens ont de´clare´ d’eˆtre moins dispose´s a` se faire tester pour le VIH a` propre initiative, tandis que les jeunes blancs e´taient dispose´s a` connaıˆtre leur statut VIH graˆce aux dons de sang et aux campagnes universitaires de de´pistage du VIH. La plupart des participants des DDG ont dit qu’ils e´taient dispose´s a` se laisser tester s’ils avaient une meilleure compre´hension du processus de de´pistage, et s’ils e´taient convaincus de sa confidentialite´. Les re´sultats de cette recherche ont re´ite´re´ l’importance de la diffusion de messages positifs et de la confidentialite´ des re´sultats le de´pistage du VIH dans une socie´te´ ou` il y a encore un stigmate associe´ au VIH. Cela peut eˆtre accompli en partie par la poursuite de la campagne nationale de CDV, qui a e´te´ un succe`s conside´rable dans la lutte contre le VIH/SIDA en Afrique du Sud au cours des deux dernie`res anne´es.Mots cle´s: Le conseil et le depistage du VIH, Perceptions, stigmate, discrimination, confidentialite, Afrique du Su

Measurement of atmospheric black carbon in the Vaal Triangle and Highveld Priority Areas

Atmospheric black carbon is an important atmospheric pollutant; it has impacts on human health and a strong climate impact. Black carbon particles are functionally defined by their optical properties (viz. characteristics in light absorption). As a result, black carbon particles are derived from a wide range of sources, but are largely the result of incomplete combustion processes. In order to quantify the atmospheric load of black carbon particles, multi angle absorption photometer (MAAP) instruments have been installed in 8 of the ambient air quality monitoring stations in the Vaal Triangle and Highveld Priority areas. Three of the instruments have been in operation since 2012 and the other 5 were installed in August 2013. This paper presents an analysis of the initial black carbon monitoring data. The impacts of seasonality and meteorological conditions as well as the relationship of the black carbon concentration to PM10and PM2.5 concentrations are discussed

Analysis of a period of elevated ozone concentration reported over the Vaal Triangle on 2 June 2013

A peak in the ambient ozone concentration was observed at three of the six ambient air quality monitoring stations in&nbsp;the Vaal Triangle Airshed Priority Area on the second of June 2013. The ozone peak was associated with elevated&nbsp;concentrations of particulate matter, including PM10, PM2.5 and black carbon, but not sulphur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, carbon monoxide nor benzene. Back trajectory analysis using Hysplit showed that the air masses&nbsp;containing the high levels of ozone passed over areas influenced by coal fired power stations in the Waterberg, metal&nbsp;processing in the Bojanala region and high intensity fires 30km to 50km upwind of the stations

Determinants of excellent/good self-rated health among HIV positive individuals in South Africa: evidence from a 2012 nationally representative household survey

Background: In South Africa, HIV is increasingly becoming a chronic disease as a result of advances in HIV treatment and prevention in the last three decades. This has changed the perception from a life threating to a potentially manageable disease. However, little is known about self-perceived health status of HIV-infected individuals. Self-rated health (SRH) has been shown to be a sensitive indicator of health-relatedchanges directly linked to HIV, but can also be influenced by differences in social and material conditions. The aim of this paper was to identify determinants of excellent/good SRH among HIV-infected individuals using socio-demographic, life style and health related data. Methods: The study used data from the nationally representative 2012 South African population-based household survey on HIV prevalence, incidence and behaviour conducted using multi-stage stratified cluster sampling design. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to identify determinants of SRH among HIV-infected individuals. Results: Out of a total of 2632 HIV positive participants 74.1% (95% CI: 68.4-74.2) reported excellent/good SRH. Increased likelihood of reporting excellent/good SRH was significantly associated with being Black African [OR= 1.97 (95%CI: 1.12-3.46), p = 0.019] and belonging to least poor household [OR= 3.13 (95%CI: 1.26-7.78), p = 0.014]. Decreased likelihood of reporting excellent/good SRH was significantly associated with those aged 25 to 34 years [OR= 0.49 (95% CI: 0.31-0.78), p = 0.003], 35 to 44 years[OR= 0.27 (95% CI: 0.17-0.44), p < 0.001], 45 to 54 years [OR= 0. 20 (95% CI: 0.12-0.34), p < 0.001], and those 55 years and older [OR= 0.15 (95% CI: 0.09-0.26), p < 0.001], hospitalization in the past twelve months [OR= 0.40 (95% CI: 0.26-0.60), p < 0.001]. Conclusion: To have positive health effects and improve the perceived health status for PLWH social interventions should seek to enhance to support for the elderly HIV-positive individuals, and address the challenge of socioeconomic inequalities and underlying comorbid conditions resulting in hospitalization

Basic characteristics of atmospheric particles, trace gases and meteorology in a relatively clean Southern African Savannah environment

We have analyzed one year (July 2006–July 2007) of measurement data from a relatively clean background site located in dry savannah in South Africa. The annual-median trace gas concentrations were equal to 0.7 ppb for SO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;, 1.4 ppb for NO&lt;sub&gt;x&lt;/sub&gt;, 36 ppb for O&lt;sub&gt;3&lt;/sub&gt; and 105 ppb for CO. The corresponding PM&lt;sub&gt;1&lt;/sub&gt;, PM&lt;sub&gt;2.5&lt;/sub&gt; and PM&lt;sub&gt;10&lt;/sub&gt; concentrations were 9.0, 10.5 and 18.8 μg m&lt;sup&gt;&amp;minus;3&lt;/sup&gt;, and the annual median total particle number concentration in the size range 10–840 nm was 2340 cm&lt;sup&gt;&amp;minus;3&lt;/sup&gt;. During Easterly winds, influence of industrial sources approximately 150 km away from the measurement site was clearly visible, especially in SO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; and NO&lt;sub&gt;x&lt;/sub&gt; concentrations. Of gases, NO&lt;sub&gt;x&lt;/sub&gt; and CO had a clear annual, and SO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;, NO&lt;sub&gt;x&lt;/sub&gt; and O&lt;sub&gt;3&lt;/sub&gt; clear diurnal cycle. Atmospheric new-particle formation was observed to take place in more than 90% of the analyzed days. The days with no new particle formation were cloudy or rainy days. The formation rate of 10 nm particles varied in the range of 0.1–28 cm&lt;sup&gt;&amp;minus;3&lt;/sup&gt; s&lt;sup&gt;&amp;minus;1&lt;/sup&gt; (median 1.9 cm&lt;sup&gt;&amp;minus;3&lt;/sup&gt; s&lt;sup&gt;&amp;minus;1&lt;/sup&gt;) and nucleation mode particle growth rates were in the range 3–21 nm h&lt;sup&gt;&amp;minus;1&lt;/sup&gt; (median 8.5 nm h&lt;sup&gt;&amp;minus;1&lt;/sup&gt;). Due to high formation and growth rates, observed new particle formation gives a significant contribute to the number of cloud condensation nuclei budget, having a potential to affect the regional climate forcing patterns