Illegal dumping challenges in West Rand District Municipalities (WRDM), South Africa

Abstract: Increased population and urban migration in the West Rand District Municipality (WRDM) have significantly contributed towards increased waste generation and associated challenges. Increased waste generation exerts pressure, difficulties and constraints in waste management in the district with regards to storage facilities, receptacles, removal services and transportation. The lack or absence of waste management services in addition to other factors are catalysts and drivers for illegal dumping. In WRDM, illegal dumping is a result of rising waste disposal tariffs, lack of storage facilities, disrupted waste collection schedules, unsafe and inaccessible dumbing sites particularly for in informal settlements. Illegal dumping is prevalent in low income and overpopulated areas. Ignorance, lack of minimum education and public awareness with regards to integrated waste management significantly contribute to illegal dumping which is threat to human life and the environment. Exploring energy and material recovery from waste opportunities plus recycling could contribute towards reduced illegal dumping

A review of waste tyre pyrolysis : a discussion and analysis

Abstract: Over the years, the prospective of end-of-life tyres as a source of fuel, a chemical feedstock and carbonaceous material through pyrolysis has been explored immensely. Through literature review evaluation and analysis, this paper aims to present and discuss the development of waste tyre pyrolysis process as well as the derived products with their possible application pathways. The various reactors that can be employed during the pyrolysis process are discussed. Furthermore, the different types of pyrolysis processes as well as their influence on product yield are highlighted. The paper drew the conclusion that the pyrolysis literature which has been continuously developed over the years emphasize the need to fully understand how operating conditions such as temperature, pressure, heating rate, retention time, feed size; material feed rate ; reactor selection and the type of pyrolysis influence the selection and optimization of product stream/s

A practice framework for the cooperative treatment of cancer between traditional health practitioners and radiation oncologists in KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa

Background: Cooperative practice between traditional health practitioners (THPs) and radiation oncologists (ROs) is crucial for the continuity of care in the treatment of patients with cancer. However, scant information exists on how to co-ordinate cooperation between these health practitioners without interrupting the treatment of the patients. Aim: The study aimed to explore the practices of THPs and ROs in cancer treatment and ultimately derive a workable practice framework between these health practitioners in the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province. Setting: The study was conducted in selected districts, namely eThekwini, uThukela, Amajuba, uMkhanyakude, iLembe, uMzinyathi and uMgungundlovu, in KZN. Methods: A qualitative study by using a descriptive phenomenological approach was conducted to collect data from 28 THPs involved in the treatment of cancer and four ROs from public oncology hospitals. Focus groups and one-on-one semi-structured interviews by using open-ended questions were conducted to collect data from THPs and ROs, respectively. Framework analysis was used for data analysis to identify themes. Results: The study found that in KZN, THPs and ROs are working in parallel and that there are problems when patients seek cancer treatment from both health practitioners. Furthermore, the THPs and ROs work in an environment where there is no relationship, respect and trust, open communication and referral of patients by ROs to THPs. Both teams indicated that patients consult both traditional medicine (TM) and allopathic medicine (AM) by moving between the two health practitioners, resulting in interruptions in treatment. In addition, the study found that cooperation between THPs and ROs is understood as the provision of continuity care, where the parties work independently but share certain information of the patient on treatment, or as already being treated by each of them. The focus was on the type of relationship, enablers and common grounds for cooperation. Conclusion: The workable cooperative practice framework could be an inclusive health system where the parties work in parallel, with the patient being the main actor in the collaboration

Prerequisites for National Health Insurance in South Africa: Results of a national household survey

Background. National Health Insurance (NHI) is currently highon the health policy agenda. The intention of this financing system is to promote efficiency and the equitable distribution of financial and human resources, improving health outcomes for the majority. However, there are some key prerequisites that need to be in place before an NHI can achieve these goals.Objectives. To explore public perceptions on what changes inthe public health system are necessary to ensure acceptabilityand sustainability of an NHI, and whether South Africans areready for a change in the health system.Methods. A cross-sectional nationally representative surveyof 4 800 households was undertaken, using a structured questionnaire. Data were analysed in STATA IC10.Results and conclusions. There is dissatisfaction with bothpublic and private sectors, suggesting South Africans are ready for health system change. Concerns about the quality of public sector services relate primarily to patient-provider engagements (empathic staff attitudes, communication and confidentiality issues), cleanliness of facilities and drug availability. There are concerns about the affordability of medical schemes and how the profit motive affects private providers’ behaviour. South Africans do not appear to bewell acquainted or generally supportive of the notion of risk cross-subsidies. However, there is strong support for income cross-subsidies. Public engagement is essential to improve understanding of the core principles of universal pre-payment mechanisms and the rationale for the development of NHI. Importantly, public support for pre-payment is unlikely to be forthcoming unless there is confidence in the availability of quality health services

AIDS crisis at South African universities

Originally published in The Boston globe, Jan. 9, 2001French version available in IDRC Digital Library: Recrudescence du SIDA dans les universités sud-africaine

Recrudescence du SIDA dans les universités sud-africaines

Version anglaise disponible dans la Bibliothèque numérique du CRDI: AIDS crisis at South African universitiesPublié originalement dans The Boston globe, 9 jan. 200

Dual HLA B*42 and B*81-reactive T cell receptors recognize more diverse HIV-1 Gag escape variants

Closely related HLA alleles presenting similar HIV-1 epitopes can be associated with variable clinical outcome. Here the authors report their findings on CD8+ T cell responses to the HIV-1 Gag-p24 TL9 immunodominant epitope in the context of closely related protective and less protective HLA alleles, and their differential effect on viral contro

Allopathic medicine practitioners’ experiences with non-disclosure of traditional medicine use

Background: A pertinent issue impacting patient treatment outcomes is the nondisclosure of traditional medicine (TM) use to Allopathic medicine practitioners (AMPs). For years, TM has been a controversial practice, with patients often using it alongside allopathic medicine without disclosing their use. It is imperitive to learn and understand the experiences of AMPs regarding the disclosure of TM use in Gauteng province to enable them to provide the best possible treatment outcomes for patients who use TM. Aim: This study aimed to explore the experiences of AMPs regarding non-disclosure of TM use in Gauteng province. Setting: This study was conducted in four district hospitals where outpatient care and services are rendered in Gauteng Province. Methods: An interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) design was followed. Fourteen purposefully sampled AMPs participated in face-to-face, one-on-one, and semi-structured interviews. Interpretive phenomenological analysis in Atlas.ti was conducted. Results: Three themes emerged: bedside manner of AMPs; stigmatising TM use; and individual belief systems. The belief of patients’ disclosure hesitancy because of fear of judgment by the AMPs underpinned these themes. Conclusion: Allopathic medicine practitioners are aware that patients who use TM could feel guilty and stigmatised. They acknowledged that patients use TM because of cultural and ethnic reasons, which should not be disregarded. Contribution: The study highlighted that patients do not disclose their TM use because of AMPs’ attitudes, stigmatising TM use, and their prejudices against the cultural beliefs of patients. Allopathic medicine practitioners should establish good communication with patients by providing patient-centred communication to facilitate disclosure of TM use

Challenges in recruiting children to a multidrug-resistant TB prevention trial

BACKGROUND: Recruitment to randomised clinical trials can be challenging and slow recruitment has serious consequences. This study aimed to summarise and reflect on the challenges in enrolling young children to a multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) prevention trial in South Africa. METHODS: Recruitment to the Tuberculosis Child Multidrug-resistant Preventive Therapy Trial (TB-CHAMP) was tracked using an electronic recruiting platform, which was used to generate a recruiting flow diagram. Structured personnel questionnaires, meeting minutes and workshop notes were thematically analysed to elucidate barriers and solutions. RESULT: Of 3,682 (85.3%) adult rifampicin (RIF) resistant index cases with pre-screening outcomes, 1597 (43.4%) reported having no children under 5 years in the household and 562 (15.3%) were RIF-monoresistant. More than nine index cases were pre-screened for each child enrolled. Numerous barriers to recruitment were identified. Thorough recruitment planning, customised tracking data systems, a dedicated recruiting team with strong leadership, adequate resources to recruit across large geographic areas, and excellent relationships with routine TB services emerged as key factors to ensure successful recruitment. CONCLUSION: Recruitment of children into MDR-TB prevention trials can be difficult. Several MDR-TB prevention trials are underway, and lessons learnt from TB-CHAMP will be relevant to these and other TB prevention studies

Renewable energy potential of anaerobic monoand co-digestion of chicken manure, goat manure, potato peels and maize pap in South Africa

Abstract: The energy sector is an essential part of a country’s economy – it drives innovation and advances industrialisation. Coal is the primary source of energy in South Africa. Coal contributes 95% of energy production; coal-fired power also contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, and is thus a hazard to human health and the environment. This calls for an energy mix that is renewable, sustainable, and affordable and that is carbon neutral (climate action). We investigated the potential of anaerobic monoand co-digestion of goat manure, chicken manure, potato peels, maize pap, and cow manure inoculum for mesophilic recovery of renewable energy using the biomethane potential test. The substrates were characterised through proximate and ultimate analyses to determine the composition preferable for mono- and co-digestion. The key considerations in the determination of both the yield and production rate of methane from digestion of biomass are the substrate composition and characterisation. A high percentage of volatile solids favoured optimum biomethane production as highly volatile components provide microbes with balanced nutrients that enhance metabolic processes to produce biomethane. The mono-digestion process produced lower biomethane than did co-digestion. Higher production of biomethane by co-digestion was due to the balance of the micronutrients and macronutrients that favoured microbial metabolism and regulation of pH. Significance: • The results highlight the need for appropriate techniques in combining energy and waste management. Biogas could provide solutions for some of South Africa’s energy necessities, particularly in rural areas that have abundant biogas substrates in the form of waste from goats and chickens, as well as from kitchen waste