DRSS communication considerations for manned space flight

A lower and an upper bound or manned space flight requirements for a data relay satellite system (DRSS) in the 1975-1980 time period are described. In all cases, the most stringent requirement is an intersatellite link to provide wideband information transfer from an overseas DRS to the Continental United States. A parametric communication analysis is made as a function of varying frequency and antenna aperture. The desirability of using a VHF frequency band for low data rates and voice relay and the requirement for frequencies of 8 and 16 GHz for video and wideband digital data relay are shown

HIV-related symptoms and management in HIV and antiretroviral therapy patients in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: A longitudinal study

Aim: The study aimed to determine the prevalence, predictors, and self-reportedmanagement of HIV- or ARV-related symptoms among HIVpatients prior to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and over three time points while receivingARTinKwaZulu-Natal, SouthAfrica. Method: A total of 735 consecutive patients (29.8% male and 70.2% female) who attended three HIV clinics completed assessments prior to ARV initiation, 519 after 6 months, 557 after 12months, and 499 after 20months on ART. Results: The HIV patients reported an average of 7.5 symptoms (prior to ART), 1.2 symptomsafter 6months on ART, 0.3 symptomsafter 12months onART, and 0.2 symptoms after 20months onARTon the day of the interview, with a higher symptom frequency amongst patients whowere not employed, had lowerCD4cell counts, experienced internalised stigma, and used alcohol. The most common symptoms or conditions identified by the self-report included tuberculosis, diarrhoea, headaches, rash, nausea and vomiting, pain, neuropathy, lack of appetite, cough, and chills. Overall, the participants reported medications as the most frequently occurring  management strategy, with the second being spiritual, and the third being complementary or traditional treatments. The use of all other management strategies decreased over the four different assessment periods from prior to ART to 20 months on ART. Conclusion: This study found a high symptom burden among HIV patients, which significantly decreased with progression on antiretroviral treatment. Several symptoms that persisted over time and several sociodemographic factors were identified that can guide symptom management. The utilisation of different symptom management strategies (medical, spiritual, complementary, and traditional) should be taken into consideration in HIV treatment.Keywords: HIV symptoms, management strategies, antiretroviral therapy, longitudinal stud

Social grants for people living with HIV and on antiretroviral therapy in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: a longitudinal study

The aim of this studywas to assess the predictorsof thereceipt of a disability grant (DG) status and the impact of theDGon health outcomesof HIV patients and on antiretroviral therapy (ART) in a longitudinal study over 20 months in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Consecutive patients, 735 (29.8%males and 70.2% females), who attended three HIV clinics completed the assessments (with a structured questionnaire and medical file review) prior to antiretroviral initiation, 519 after 6 months, 557 after 12months and 499 after 20 months on ART. The results indicate that a large number ofHIV or ART patients were found to be in receipt of a DG,which declined significantly over the time of being on ART (from 52.3% at 6months onART to 9.8% at 20months on ART). At various stages, being in receipt of aDGwas found to be associated with not being employed, higher quality of life (QoL), older age, higher alcohol use score, noformal salary as householdincome and higher subjective health status in multivariable analyses. A significant number of patients lost their DG status over the assessment period, which was not found to be associated with major health outcomes (CD4 cell counts, adherence to ART and HIV symptoms). In a multiple regression generalized estimating equation model, not being in receipt of a DG, health-related QoL, lower HIV symptoms and lower depression scores were associated with CD4 counts. HIV patients who no longer qualify for the DG and yet do not haveadequate financial means to meet basic necessities should be put on a nutritional support programme

HIV risk behaviour among public primary healthcare patients with tuberculosis in South Africa

Objective. To identify factors associated with HIV in tuberculosis (TB) patients in a public primary healthcare (PHC) setting in South Africa (SA).Method. Among 4 900 consecutively selected TB patients (54.5% men; women 45.5%) from 42 public PHC clinics in 3 districts in SA, a cross-sectional survey was performed to assess new TB and new TB retreatment patients within one month of anti-TB treatment.Results. The sample comprised 76.6% new TB patients and 23.4% TB retreatment patients. Of those who had tested for HIV, 59.9% were HIV-positive; 9.6% had never tested for HIV. In multivariate analysis, older age (odds ratio (OR) 5.86; confidence interval (CI) 4.07 - 8.44), female gender (OR 0.47; CI 0.37 - 0.59), residing in an informal settlement (OR 1.55; CI 1.13 - 2.12), being a TB retreatment patient (OR 0.55; CI 0.42 - 0.72), occasions of sexual intercourse with condom use (OR 1.07; CI 1.02 - 1.13) and having a sexual partner receiving antiretroviral treatment (ART) (OR 7.09, CI 4.35 - 11.57) were associated with an HIV-positive status in TB patients.Conclusion. This study revealed high HIV risk behaviour (e.g. unprotected last sexual intercourse and alcohol and drug use in the context of sexual intercourse) among TB patients in SA. Various factors were associated with HIV risk behaviour. Condom use and substance use risk reduction need to be considered as HIV-prevention measures when planning such strategies for TB patients

Helmet use and associated factors among motorcyclists in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations: Prevalence and effect of interventions

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a collaborative group of 10 countries (Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam) located in South-East Asia. In most ASEAN countries, the majority of road users are motorcyclists. Globally, among the 20 countries with the greatest rate of motorcycle deaths per 100,000 population, six ASEAN countries are included. A review found that across ASEAN countries, a significant proportion of motorcycle drivers did not wear a helmet; this ranged from 11–20% in Indonesia, 35–66% in Cambodia, 25–97% in Laos, 24.2–67.2% in Malaysia, 44.2%–56.3% in Thailand, and 10–70.1% in Vietnam, while rates of non-use of helmets were higher in motorcycle passengers, ranging from 25% in Vietnam, 38.1% in Malaysia, 48–80% in Indonesia, 72–81% in Thailand, and 91% in Cambodia. The effect of the introduction of helmetuse legislation for drivers and passengers was evaluated in Thailand and Vietnam, and in both evaluations, significant increases in helmet use were found compared to prior the legislation in both countries. Multisectoral or community intervention programmes in localised areas and schools in Laos and Thailand also lead to significant increases in motorcycle helmet use. The effectiveness of the enforcement of helmet laws in ASEAN countries was rated an average of 7.2 (on a scale of 0 to 10, where 0 is not effective at all and 10 is highly effective), with the lowest (5) in Malaysia and the highest (10) in Brunei Duressalam. Stricter enforcement of mandatory helmet laws for two-wheeler riders (both drivers and pillion-riders) are needed. Keywords: helmet use, motorcycle, prevalence, interventions, Southeast Asia

The severity of violence against women by intimate partners and associations with perpetrator alcohol and drug use in the Vhembe district, South Africa

Substance use is cited as a major contributing factor to intimate partner violence in South Africa. The aim of the study was to assess the association between the frequency and severity of several types of intimate partner violence against women, who have been granted a protection order, and the use of alcohol and illicit drug use by perpetrators. Using systematic sampling, 268 women (18 years and older), who had consecutively received a protection order in the Vhembe district in South Africa, were assessed by a research assistant. The results indicate that these women reported perpetrators 34% of whom did not have a drinking problem and no drug use in the past three months, 31.3% with problem drinking only, 4.1% drug use only, and 30.6% with problem drinking and drug use in the past three months. Multivariate logistic regression found that having a partner with problem drinking only (OR = 4.14, CI = 2.02–8.51) and having a partner with problem drinking and drug use (OR = 2.77, CI = 1.36–5.65) were associated with greater physical intimate partner violence. Having a partner with problem drinking and drug use (OR = 2.80, CI = 1.35–5.79) was associated with an increased psychological intimate partner abuse. Problem drinking and drug use among male partners is a strong determinant of physical intimate partner violence among battered women in South Africa. Intimate partner violence prevention measures should address reduction of problem drinking and drug use among men.Keywords: physical violence, psychological abuse, stalking, intimate partner, problem drinking, drug use, South Afric

Knowledge, attitudes and management of alcohol problems in general practice in rural South Africa

Background: There has been increasing emphasis on the role of primary health care in the prevention and management of alcohol-related harm. The aim of this study was to determine attitudes to and management of alcohol problems in general practice in rural South Africa. Methods: A total of 61 general practitioners (GPs) were interviewed with the aid of a structured questionnaire (response rate 50%) in two rural districts. Results: The results indicate that 51% of the GPs felt that alcohol is an important issue in general practice. GPs were able to discriminate accurately between cases of problem drinking and alcohol dependence. GPs who reported high levels of alcohol-related education and training were more prepared to counsel problem drinkers, expressed more therapeutic commitment in their role and reported more appropriate management of these patients than did GPs with lower levels of Continuing Medical Education (CME) experience. Alcohol problems are recognised as an important problem in general practice, and improved training could increase the identification and management of alcohol problems in primary care. GPs rated the most critical barriers to alcohol interventions as competency training, role endorsement, not being adequately reimbursed, health policy not supporting prevention and their own alcohol problem. Conclusion: Alcohol problems are recognised as an important problem in general practice, and improved training, adequate reimbursement and health policy support could increase the identification and management of alcohol problems in primary care. South African Family Practice Vol. 50 (1) 2008: pp. 66-66

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CHILD SEXUAL, PHYSICAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL, EMOTIONAL AND RITUALISTIC ABUSE AMONG HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN THE NORTHERN PROVINCE, SOUTH AFRICA

This study is an investigation into the relationship between child sexual, physical, psychological, emotional and ritualistic abuse among high school students in the Northern Province (South Africa). Gender and urban-rural differences are also examined in relation to child sexual abuse. The method of secondary data analysis was used to analyse the same data used by Madu and Peltzer (1998, 2000) and Madu, Peltzer and Mashego (1998). Logistic Regression Analysis shows that among all the participants child sexual abuse correlates positively with psychological and emotional forms of child abuse. No gender correlated significantly with child sexual abuse. Chi-Square analysis for village-urban difference shows that child sexual abuse occurs more often in the urban areas than in the villages. The authors conclude that mental health workers and social workers should take note of the above relationship in planning preventive and therapeutic strategies for victims of child abuse in the area

Prevalence of postnatal depression and associated factors among HIV-positive women in primary care in Nkangala district, South Africa

Background. The prevalence of postpartum depression in South Africa is high, but there is lack of prevalence data on postnatal depression among HIV-infected women.Aim. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of depressed mood and associated factors in postnatal HIV-positive women in primary care facilities in Nkangala district, Mpumalanga, South Africa.Methods. This cross-sectional study was carried out on 607 HIV-positive postnatal women in 48 primary health care clinics and community health centres in Nkangala district. Postnatal women were recruited by systematic sampling (every consecutive patient over a period of 2 months). Demographic and other data were obtained from all the women who responded to a questionnaire in the local language on male involvement, HIV test disclosure, delivery and infant profile, infant HIV diagnosis, stigma, discrimination, postnatal depression, attendance of support groups and social support.Results. Overall, 45.1% of women reported a depressed mood in the postnatal period. Depressed mood in a multivariable analysis was significantly associated with internalised stigma (odds ratio (OR) 1.12, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.05 - 1.19; p=0.000), discrimination experiences (OR 1.22, CI 1.03 - 1.46; p=0.023), lack of social support (OR 0.86, CI 0.74 - 0.99; p=0.037) and having had an STI in the past 12 months (OR 2.22, CI 1.21 - 4.04; p=0.010). There were no statistically significant correlations between the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) scores of the women and age, marital status, level of education, employment status and number of own children.Conclusion. Depressed mood is common among HIV-positive postpartum women. This is significantly associated with lack of social support, stigma and discrimination. Routine screening to identify those currently depressed or at risk of depression should be integrated into postnatal care settings to target those most needing intervention