Assessment of social vulnerability to seismic events : the case of Khuma, North West Province

MA (Development and Management), North-West University, Potchefstroom CampusSeismic events are a reality in many vulnerable communities, and significantly affect people's living conditions. As these events cannot be prevented, basic measures should be taken before they occur and expose households to danger. Assessing social vulnerability using risk assessment is the fundamental concern of disaster risk reduction, which among other things looks at population growth and urbanisation. In terms of household awareness and hazard identification of vulnerable people in Khuma, the capacity to relocate people to safer living areas due to the dolomitic environment surrounding the township is important. This case study investigates the poor understanding that exists in terms of the socio-economic vulnerability of communities exposed to seismic events at local government level in South Africa, which in this case is Khuma, located in Klerksdorp, North West Province, South Africa. Studies in recent years have shown that seismic events are among the most devastating natural phenomena, leading to loss of life and damage to property in the affected areas. Social vulnerability is influenced by many aspects, and this case study explores the impact of seismic events on the poor households of Khuma. On 5 August 2014, the mining area in Orkney, a mining town situated in the Klerksdorp District in the North West Province of South Africa, experienced a strong seismic event that was felt all over the country, and even in neighbouring countries. Seismic activity impacts are usually gradual and unnoticeable on the surface; however, immense stresses can build up between tectonic plates and are likely to adversely affect poorly constructed houses. This case study should help provide a better understanding of the social vulnerability faced by households in Khuma. In these unpredictable times, it is necessary to plan and be ready to mitigate the vulnerabilities faced by households due to unexpected hazards. Therefore, the study uses the PAR model as a tool to discuss social vulnerability concepts and the root causes of social vulnerability. The findings strongly suggest that households in Khuma are socially vulnerable. This is due to the fact that the findings of the study support the PAR model in the social vulnerability concepts and the root causes that expose societies to socioeconomic vulnerabilities.Master

Respiratory function of very prematurely born infants at follow up: influence of sex. [In: Fetal and Neonatal Edition]

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that male compared with female prematurely born infants would have worse lung function at follow up. DESIGN: Prospective follow up study. SETTING: Tertiary neonatal intensive care units PATIENTS: Seventy six infants, mean (SD) gestational age 26.4 (1.5) weeks, from the United Kingdom oscillation study. INTERVENTIONS: Lung function measurements at a corrected age of 1 year. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Airways resistance (Raw) and functional residual capacity (FRC(pleth)) measured by whole body plethysmography, specific conductance (sGaw) calculated from Raw and FRC(pleth), and FRC measured by a helium gas dilution technique (FRC(He)). RESULTS: The 42 male infants differed significantly from the 34 female infants in having a lower birth weight for gestation, requiring more days of ventilation, and a greater proportion being oxygen dependent at 36 weeks postmenstrual age and discharge. Furthermore, mean Raw and FRC(pleth) were significantly higher and mean sGaw significantly lower. After adjustment for birth and current size differences, the sex differences in FRC(pleth) and sGaw were 15% and 26% respectively and remained significant. CONCLUSION: Lung function at follow up of prematurely born infants is influenced by sex

Airway resistance estimation by best fit analysis in very premature infants

Plethysmographic measurement of airway resistance (R(aw)) has been determined by single-point analysis, usually at 50% of maximum inspiratory flow (MIF). Computer-assisted (best fit) analysis, however, allows R(aw) to be calculated by applying a regression line to any portion of the plethysmograph pressure-flow loop. We determined whether the results of best fit analysis using a computer program, sampling at 200 Hz, were influenced by the portion of the inspiratory loop analysed and if best fit or single-point analysis gave more reproducible results. Twenty infants of median gestational age 26 (range 24-28) weeks, were studied at a median age of 12 (12-14) months corrected for prematurity. R(aw) was calculated by best fit analysis between 0 and 33% MIF, 0 and 50% MIF and 0 and 67% MIF and single-point analysis at 50% of MIF. Similar mean R(aw) values were obtained by best fit analysis between 0 and 33% MIF (2.79 kPa/(l/s)) and 0 and 50% MIF (3.01 kPa/(l/s)) and single-point analysis at 50% MIF (2.86 kPa/(l/s)), but best fit analysis between 0 and 67% gave higher results (3.60 kPa/(l/s)), p < 0.0001. Within the linear portion of the inspiratory loop, the mean intrasubject coefficient of variation was lowest for best fit analysis between 0 and 50% MIF. Best fit computerized analysis between 0 and 50% MIF is recommended as the analysis of choice

Plethysmograph and interrupter resistance measurements in prematurely born young children. [In: Fetal and Neonatal Edition]

BACKGROUND: Airways obstruction in premature infants is often assessed by plethysmography, which requires sedation. The interrupter (Rint) technique does not require sedation, but has rarely been examined in children under 2 years of age. OBJECTIVE: To compare Rint results with plethysmographic measurements of airway resistance (Raw) in prematurely born, young children. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Infant and Paediatric Lung Function Laboratories. PATIENTS: Thirty children with a median gestational age of 25-29 weeks and median postnatal age of 13 months. Interventions and MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The infants were sedated, airway resistance was measured by total body plethysmography (Raw), and Rint measurements were made using a MicroRint device. Further Raw and Rint measurements were made after salbutamol administration if the children remained asleep. RESULTS: Baseline measurements of Raw and Rint were obtained from 30 and 26 respectively of the children. Mean baseline Rint values were higher than mean baseline Raw results (3.45 v 2.84 kPa/l/s, p = 0.006). Limits of agreement for the mean difference between Rint and Raw were -1.52 to 2.74 kPa/l/s. Ten infants received salbutamol, after which the mean Rint result was 3.6 kPa/l/s and mean Raw was 3.1 kPa/l/s (limits of agreement -0.28 to 1.44 kPa/l/s). CONCLUSION: The poor agreement between Rint and Raw results suggests that Rint measurements cannot substitute for plethysmographic measurements in sedated prematurely born infants