146 research outputs found
Traditional eye medication and pterygium occurrence in Limpopo Province
Background. The relative importance of environmental and hereditary factors in the occurrence of pterygium in African blacks has not been reported.Aim. To investigate the relative significance of factors associatedwith pterygium occurrence.Methods. This was a prospective case-controlled study where150 pterygium patients and 150 controls participated. Interviewswere conducted, eyes examined and multivariate analysis done. Thefamilies of 51 pterygium cases and 50 controls were examined forpresence of pterygium.Results. Of 150 cases and 150 controls, 79 (52.6%) and 60 (40%)used traditional eye drops (odds ratio (OR) 2.03; p=0.009. Ten cases (6.6%) and 26 controls (17.3%) had unstable tear film (OR 0.30; p=0.007. Forty-six cases (30.6%) and 15 controls (10%) reported a positive family history (OR 3.93; p<0.001). Groups of 3 - 5 pterygium cases in a household occurred in 36 of 51 pterygium families (70.5%) v. 1 of 50 controls (2%).Conclusions. Pterygium occurrence was associated with the use of traditional eye drops, a positive family history and having groupsof diagnosed pterygium-affected relatives. However, unstable tearfilm seemed protective against pterygium occurrence
Process intensification of zinc oxide leaching process using sulphuric acid
This study investigated methods of intensifying the leaching of zinc oxide ore using sulphuric acid for the improvement of zinc recovery. The factors that were investigated in this study were agitation speed, acid concentration and the feeding mechanism of reactants into the reactor (batch and semi-batch processes). Analysis of the elemental composition of the ore was performed using XRF prior to leaching and an Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS) was used to determine the amount of zinc recovered. The results obtained, showed that increasing the acid concentration results in a significant increase zinc recovery..
Development of low content phosphogypsum waste composites modified by lime-fly ash-basic oxygen furnace slag
Abstract: The generation and disposal of phosphogypsum (PG) is a worldwide challenge, due to the environmental pollution posed by the material. The contaminants laden in the material are the major limitations for the utilisation of PG. Other materials considered as wastes such as fly ash (FA) and basic oxygen furnace slag (BOF slag) are generated by numerous industrial activities and disposed into environment. This study investigated the use of three wastes materials for the development of a composite applicable for road construction. Two types of PG were investigated, namely citric acid treated PG (TPG), for the removal of the contaminants and raw PG (RPG). Lower content PG containing 20% and 30% were investigated and modified with FA, Lime (L) and BOF slag. The effect of particle size distribution (PSD) on unconfined compressive strength development, durability of the composites and hydration products contributing to strength development were studied. Modification of PG with FA-L-BOF slag significantly improved the unconfined compressive strength of PG. The PG content of 20% for the RPG and TPG yielded the highest strengths of 7.4 MPa and 5.4 MPa, respectively when cure at elevated temperatures. Normal curing of the composites over 7 days and 28 also showed an increase in strength development. Particle size played a significant role in the unconfined compressive strength development. Kieserite, calcium aluminium sulphate and calcite were the predominant hydration products formed during the curing process
Perceptions of women diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus on the management of gestational diabetes mellitus in Limpopo province: a qualitative study
Summary.
Objectives. Gestational diabetes mellitus remains a major public health challenge. This disease has serious adverse effects on the mother and
pregnancy outcome. The objective of the study was to explore the perceptions of women diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus on how
healthcare providers in the rural province of South Africa manage it.
Methods. This qualitative study is part of a larger mixed-method study conducted in the public healthcare facilities of the Mopani district,
Limpopo Province, South Africa. Purposive sampling was used to recruit 17 eligible women diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus, and
all of them agreed to participate. Data was analysed using a thematic analysis approach.
Results. Three main themes emerged from the findings: challenges in self-management of gestational diabetes mellitus; health systems
support for gestational diabetes; and referral to a dietician.
Conclusion. In conclusion, dietary habits adjustment, self-management of prescribed medicines, and referral to a dietician for nutrition
therapy remain a concern. It is recommended that counselling and educational programs be developed and urgently improve the dietician
referral rate
Gender inequalities in morbidity : a South African investigation
International studies of gender differences in health status largely
attest that women have worse health conditions than men, which
compromise womenâs contribution to economic development. Using
the South African Demographic and Health Survey of 2003, we
investigate whether this disparity also holds in developing countries
such as South Africa. Our results concur with previous findings that
South African women are more likely to suffer from poor health than
men. They also reveal that the health gap is largely driven by a
relatively higher prevalence of health conditions among women, rather
than by the severity of the conditions that they face. Furthermore,
contrary to the common view that the health gap closes with age, we
find that the gap exhibits little variation across age groups and it
persists in old age. This suggests a need for preventive measures to
reduce the occurrence of health conditions in South Africa â which is
vital for economic development.http://www.scimagojr.comam2017School of Public Management and Administration (SPMA
Antimicrobial stewardship for outpatients with chronic bone and joint infections in the orthopaedic clinic of an academic tertiary hospital, South Africa
Bone and joint infections are associated with prolonged hospitalizations, high morbidity and complexity of care. They are difficult to treat and successful therapy requires organism specific antimicrobial therapy at high doses for a prolonged duration as recommended in standard treatment guidelines (STG). Adherence to the treatment plan is equally important, which is enhanced with knowledge of the condition as well as appropriate antibiotics. Consequently, the aim of this study was to provide antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) services to outpatients with chronic bone and joint infections presenting to the orthopaedic clinic at a public South African tertiary hospital . A total of 44 patients participated in this study. Chronic osteomyelitis was diagnosed in 39 (89%) patients and septic arthritis in 5 (11%). The majority (43%) of infections were caused by Staphylococcus aureus followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (14%). 71 antibiotics were prescribed at baseline with rifampicin prescribed the most (39%) followed by ciprofloxacin (23%). The majority (96%) of the antibiotics were not prescribed according to the South African STG; however, interventions were only needed in 31% of prescribed antibiotics (n=71) since the STG only recommends empiric therapy directed against Staphylococcus aureus. 77% of the patients obtained a high self-reported adherence score at baseline. Consequently, there is a need to improve AMS in bone and joint infections to improve future care
Cash vs. food assistance to improve adherence to antiretroviral therapy among HIV-infected adults in Tanzania.
OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the effectiveness of short-term cash and food assistance to improve adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and retention in care among people living with HIV in Tanzania. METHODS: At three clinics, 805 participants were randomized to three groups in a 3â:â3â:â1 ratio, stratified by siteâ:ânutrition assessment and counseling (NAC) and cash transfers (âŒ$11/month, nâ=â347), NAC and food baskets (nâ=â345), and NAC-only (comparison group, nâ=â113, clinicaltrials.gov NCT01957917). Eligible people living with HIV were at least 18 years, initiated ART 90 days or less prior, and food insecure. Cash or food was provided for 6 or less consecutive months, conditional on visit attendance. The primary outcome was medication possession ratio (MPRââ„â95%) at 6 months. Secondary outcomes were appointment attendance and loss to follow-up (LTFU) at 6 and 12 months. RESULTS: The primary intent-to-treat analysis included 800 participants. Achievement of MPRââ„â95% at 6 months was higher in the NACâ+âcash group compared with NAC-only (85.0 vs. 63.4%), a 21.6 percentage point difference [95% confidence interval (CI): 9.8, 33.4, Pâ<â0.01]. MPRââ„â95% was also significantly higher in the NACâ+âfood group vs. NAC-only (differenceâ=â15.8, 95% CI: 3.8, 27.9, Pâ<â0.01). When directly compared, MPRââ„â95% was similar in the NACâ+âcash and NACâ+âfood groups (differenceâ=â5.7, 95% CI: -1.2, 12.7, Pâ=â0.15). Compared with NAC-only, appointment attendance and LTFU were significantly higher in both the NACâ+âcash and NACâ+âfood groups at 6 months. At 12 months, the effect of NACâ+âcash, but not NACâ+âfood, on MPRââ„â95% and retention was sustained. CONCLUSION: Short-term conditional cash and food assistance improves ART possession and appointment attendance and reduces LTFU among food-insecure ART initiates in Tanzania
Nurturing lifelong learning in communities through the National University of Lesotho: prospects and challenges
This paper analyses one aspect of a pan-African action research project called ITMUA (Implementing the Third Mission of Universities in Africa). This particular paper draws on the data from that project to explore the National University of Lesothoâs contribution to lifelong learning in its communities. It provides background information on the ITMUA initiative and analyses interview and focus group responses to two case studies in terms of their contribution to lifelong learning. It uses, as its analytical framework, a modified version of Mbigiâs African perspective on the four De Lorsâ âpillarsâ, by adding a fifth pillar, courtesy of Torres. The paper argues that community engagement is a two-way process between universities and their wider constituencies with opportunities for mutual lifelong learning. But there are also challenges of understanding and process which must be addressed if the full range of these lifelong learning pillars is to be accommodated within African contexts. The paper provides an introduction to the history of community engagement in Africa as a university mission, followed by a brief discussion of lifelong learning within African perspectives. After describing the particular context of Lesotho, the concept of community service and community engagement in contemporary African contexts introduces the action research project and the case studies. The final part of the paper presents and discusses the research findings
Revival of the magnetar PSR J1622-4950: observations with MeerKAT, Parkes, XMM-Newton, Swift, Chandra, and NuSTAR
New radio (MeerKAT and Parkes) and X-ray (XMM-Newton, Swift, Chandra, and
NuSTAR) observations of PSR J1622-4950 indicate that the magnetar, in a
quiescent state since at least early 2015, reactivated between 2017 March 19
and April 5. The radio flux density, while variable, is approximately 100x
larger than during its dormant state. The X-ray flux one month after
reactivation was at least 800x larger than during quiescence, and has been
decaying exponentially on a 111+/-19 day timescale. This high-flux state,
together with a radio-derived rotational ephemeris, enabled for the first time
the detection of X-ray pulsations for this magnetar. At 5%, the 0.3-6 keV
pulsed fraction is comparable to the smallest observed for magnetars. The
overall pulsar geometry inferred from polarized radio emission appears to be
broadly consistent with that determined 6-8 years earlier. However, rotating
vector model fits suggest that we are now seeing radio emission from a
different location in the magnetosphere than previously. This indicates a novel
way in which radio emission from magnetars can differ from that of ordinary
pulsars. The torque on the neutron star is varying rapidly and unsteadily, as
is common for magnetars following outburst, having changed by a factor of 7
within six months of reactivation.Comment: Published in ApJ (2018 April 5); 13 pages, 4 figure
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