Unpaid community volunteers – effective providers of directly observed therapy (DOT) in rural South Africa

Objective. To illustrate successes and difficulties for the South African National Tuberculosis Progranune in a rural area.Design. Prospective cohort study.Setting. Sekhukhuneland, Provincial Health Service Southern Region, Northern Province, South Africa.Subjects. All patients diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB) in thecatchment area of four rural hospitals between January 1997 and June 1999,Main outcome measures. Standard outcomes for TB treatment as defined by the World Health Organisation. Treatment failure, treatment interruption and death were grouped as poor outcomes.Results. One thousand four hundred and seventy-six people were diagnosed with TB. The majority (76%) had smearpositive pulmonary disease. Treatment was given by directly observed therapy (DOT) throughout in all but 15 instances. Excluding 10 subjects with known multidrug-resistant TB (MDRTB), 723 (66%) were cured, 68 (6%) completed treatment, 73 (7%) interrupted treatment, 37 (3%) failed treatment, 66 (6%) transferred out, and 134 (12%) died. Of the 920 initially smear-positive patients who survived the first 2 months to receive DOT in the community, 693 (75%) were supervised by unpaid community volunteers. Poor outcomes were no more common among patients supervised by these volunteers than among patients supervised by professional health care workers. Male gender (odds ratio 1.38,95% confidence interval 1.02, 1.87) was significantly associated with a poor outcome.Conclusion. Although there were difficulties, the national progranune was successfully applied with no additional funds or facilities. Explanations for the high death rate and poor outcomes for men need to be found. Great efforts will be required to preserve the quality of the TB programme if it is devolved to primary care level

Status and Pathways to Sustainable Development of Growth Centres: Lessons from Makhado Biaba, South Africa

Growth centers are a common and prevalent phenomenon that have been in existence for a very long time, particularly in Sub-Saharan African countries. While some growth centers have been developing, physically, economically and socially, others have not been performing well. Although several reasons have been attributable to declining or stagnant growth centers, very little is known about the effective and efficient pathways to developing these centers. For instance, amidst faltering growth centers in South Africa, very few studies have been conducted to determine the appropriate strategies and approaches to developing these spaces sustainably in the country. It has been observed that, the pathways to developing growth centers in South Africa have not been documented in a clear and convincing manner. Consequently, this paper explores the pathways to establishing and developing growth centers in South Africa. The work adopted a mixed methods research approach, which employs both quantitative and qualitative research approaches. A case study research design where Makhado Biaba growth center in South Africa was studied to get insights on the influence of rural growth centers on local economic development and the impact it has on the livelihoods of the people in and around Makhado Biaba area. The growth center was aimed to attain a positive livelihoods outcome through creating a balanced socio-economic development of an area thus, spill over effects covering more than just economic growth. Questionnaires survey and key informative interviews was applied as primary data collection methods, and excel and thematic analysis were employed for data analysis respectively. Findings shows that some parts of the communities lack services because the local municipality cannot meet the service demands. Hence, some areas will remain poor, as social services are necessary for socio-economic growth. Insufficient and inadequate stall structures are a handicap to informal traders in the growth center as in the raining and cold season it becomes both uncomfortable and unprofitable to them. The paper concludes that the level and nature of the services provided confirm that social growth and economic empowerment will have to take on a different shape as some areas still lack access to services. Therefore, the paper ends by recommending policy planning to make innovative adjustments to create more inclusive and advantageous environments for the informal street traders. Borrowing strategies’ in organisational networks to create access to economical and livelihoods, which requires the establishment of networks with surrounding growth centres to “tap into” some of the benefits they offer and “borrow” some of their “strategies”. Future studies are necessary for evaluating growth centers as a toll in creating a balanced socioeconomic development for rural areas

Dietary intake and barriers to dietary compliance in black type 2 diabetic patients attending primary health-care services

OBJECTIVE: To determine the dietary intake, practices, knowledge and barriers to dietary compliance of black South African type 2 diabetic patients attending primary health-care services in urban and rural areas. DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey. Dietary intake was assessed by three 24-hour recalls, and knowledge and practices by means of a structured questionnaire (n = 133 men, 155 women). In-depth interviews were then conducted with 25 of the patients to explore their underlying beliefs and feelings with respect to their disease. Trained interviewers measured weight, height and blood pressure. A fasting venous blood sample was collected from each participant in order to evaluate glycaemic control. SETTING: An urban area (Sheshego) and rural areas near Pietersburg in the Northern Province of South Africa. SUBJECTS: The sample comprised 59 men and 75 women from urban areas and 74 men and 80 women from rural areas. All were over 40 years of age, diagnosed with type 2 diabetes for at least one year, and attended primary health-care services in the study area over a 3-month period in 1998. RESULTS: Reported dietary results indicate that mean energy intakes were low ( or = 30 kg m(-2)) was prevalent in 15 to 16% of men compared with 35 to 47% of women; elevated blood pressure (> or = 160/95 mmHg) was least prevalent in rural women (25.9%) and most prevalent in urban men (42.4%). CONCLUSIONS: The majority of black, type 2 diabetic patients studied showed poor glycaemic control. Additionally, many had dyslipidaemia, were obese and/or had an elevated blood pressure. Quantitative and qualitative findings indicated that these patients frequently received incorrect and inappropriate dietary advice from health educators

Sport and recreation participation preferences in the Botswana Defence Force

Sport and recreation are used as vehicles to create military readiness. Botswana Defence Force (BDF) soldiers are constantly deployed to border posts and other areas where their missions involve anti-poaching activities, disaster management and foreign peace-keeping. When not deployed, they reside with their families in military barracks where they participate in sport and recreation activities. Sport and recreation are pracitised in military settings in residential and occupational capacity. Literature suggests that participation in sport and recreation in military settings is mainly focused on promoting and maintaining military efficiency and morale. This study aimed at determining the preferences of sports and recreation activities of military staff. This study utilised a survey design using self-administered questionnaires to determine participation in and preferences of sport and recreation activities within the BDF. Using a convenient sampling technique and eight hundred and fifty seven (857) respondents participated in the study. The results of this study indicated that participants preferred individual as well as team sport and recreation activities. The five most preferred activities were soccer (47.1%), running (33.6%), shooting (29.7%), volleyball (24.6%) and obstacle training (21.2%). This study emphasizes that individual activities were preferred and a change in preferences regarding participation in team sport and recreation activities was observed. This information is valuable to the management of sport and recreation at the BDF regarding sports and recreation interests of the soldiers and their families.http://www.ajol.info/journal_index.php?jid=153&ab=ajpher

Purification and Characterization of Organic Solvent and Detergent Tolerant Lipase from Thermotolerant Bacillus sp. RN2

The aim of this study was to characterize the organic solvent and detergent tolerant properties of recombinant lipase isolated from thermotolerant Bacillus sp. RN2 (Lip-SBRN2). The isolation of the lipase-coding gene was achieved by the use of inverse and direct PCR. The complete DNA sequencing of the gene revealed that the lip-SBRN2 gene contains 576 nucleotides which corresponded to 192 deduced amino acids. The purified enzyme was homogeneous with the estimated molecular mass of 19 kDa as determined by SDS-PAGE and gel filtration. The Lip-SBRN2 was stable in a pH range of 9–11 and temperature range of 45–60 °C. The enzyme was a non metallo-monomeric protein and was active against pNP-caprylate (C8) and pNP-laurate (C12) and coconut oil. The Lip-SBRN2 exhibited a high level of activity in the presence of 108% benzene, 102.4% diethylether and 112% SDS. It is anticipated that the organic solvent and detergent tolerant enzyme secreted by Bacillus sp. RN2 will be applicable as catalysts for reaction in the presence of organic solvents and detergents

Characterization of bacterial operons consisting of two tubulins and a kinesin-like gene by the novel Two-Step Gene Walking method

Tubulins are still considered as typical proteins of Eukaryotes. However, more recently they have been found in the unusual bacteria Prosthecobacter (btubAB). In this study, the genomic organization of the btub-genes and their genomic environment were characterized by using the newly developed Two-Step Gene Walking method. In all investigated Prosthecobacters, btubAB are organized in a typical bacterial operon. Strikingly, all btub-operons comprise a third gene with similarities to kinesin light chain sequences. The genomic environments of the characterized btub-operons are always different. This supports the hypothesis that this group of genes represents an independent functional unit, which was acquired by Prosthecobacter via horizontal gene transfer. The newly developed Two-Step Gene Walking method is based on randomly primed polymerase chain reaction (PCR). It presents a simple workflow, which comprises only two major steps—a Walking-PCR with a single specific outward pointing primer (step 1) and the direct sequencing of its product using a nested specific primer (step 2). Two-Step Gene Walking proved to be highly efficient and was successfully used to characterize over 20 kb of sequence not only in pure culture but even in complex non-pure culture samples

The role of the church in the diaconal care of orphans : a pastoral study with focus on the orphans in the Limpopo Province, Vhembe district

Thesis (M.Th. (Pastoral))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006.Because of HIV/AIDS and many related diseases, parents are dying and leaving their children in trouble and without care. This is a stark reality that certainly applies to rural areas, including the area of Vhembe district in the Limpopo Province. In this region many children and families are living along or below the poverty line. Some children are not so privileged as to be provided with basic necessities such as food, clothing and proper education. The contribution of the church is of paramount importance in this regard. Chapter 2 includes reference to the following principles: Firstly, God is revealed as a God who cares for the fatherless. He relieves and defends them and works through people to take care of the orphans. Secondly, God exhorts the state to do justice to the orphans and to protect them. Thirdly, God commands his society to treat orphans fairly and with respect. Fourthly, God instructs families to adopt orphans and treat them like their own children. Fifthly, God bids the church to get involved in the needs of the orphans, by taking responsibility of giving care to the orphans and seeing to it that they are cared for. Finally, God promises judgment before Christ to all who mistreat orphans and poor people, and blessings to all who take care of them. The principles were identified after studying the Scriptural portions in the Old Testament (Exodus 22:21-24; Deuteronomy 14:22-29, 24: 19-22, Esther 2:7; Psalm 94:6; Psalms 146:9; Proverbs 22: 9; Isaiah 10:1-4; Jeremiah 22:3; Zechariah 7:10.) and in the New Testament (Matthew 25:31-46, James 1 :27). Chapter 3 reflects information gained by a literature study in conjunction with the empirical study. The State, together with other NGOs and some individuals are concerned about the orphans' plight. There is also a need for the church to extend a hand, because the number of orphans is growing and growing. Chapter 4 gives the practical guidelines on how the Reformed Churches in the Vhembe district can take part regarding the care of orphans. In chapter 5 concluding remarks and recommendations are summarised.Master

An investigation into challenges faced by Thohoyandou Correction Centres in managing the correction of offenders, and monitoring parolees and its impact to the community

Oliver Tambo Institute of Governance and Policy StudiesMP