Monitoring biostability and biofilm formation potential in drinking water distribution systems

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Engineering. August, 2017The foremost aim of potable water treatment is to produce water that does not pose a health risk when consumed and/or otherwise used. Nevertheless, research has established that the quality of treated water deteriorates during distribution. The nature and extent of this deterioration varies from system to system and from time to time. The aim of this research study was to monitor the parameters that are known to significantly affect biostability and biofilm formation potential in drinking water distribution systems. Biweekly water samples were collected from thirteen sites, across a section of Johannesburg Water’s network, between September 2015 and August 2016. All samples were assayed for a suite of fifteen water quality parameters using standard methods. Heightened temperature, dearth of chlorine residuals, availability of biodegradable dissolved organic carbon (BDOC), and advanced water age all engendered the loss of biostability (instability). Biostability controlling parameters varied seasonally and spatially. Samples collected during spring and summer, in general, were most likely to be characterized by instability than samples collected during winter and autumn. Samples collected from sites RW80, RW81, RW82, RW83, RW104 and RW253 were more prone to instability compared to samples from other sites. From the results, it is clear that chlorine residuals ought to be kept above 0.2 mg/l, and, BDOC below 0.3mg/l to prevent the loss of heterotrophic stability in distributed water. BDOC concentrations can be decreased by, flushing the pipes, cleaning reservoirs regularly and by further treating feed water before distributing. Booster disinfection can be relied upon to ensure that chlorine residuals are maintained throughout the network. Apart from potential health risks, biological instability and biofilm growth can result in non-compliance with regulations.MT201

Nanotechnology applications in veterinary diagnostics and therapeutics

Livestock is an important component of the economy of most countries of the world, as it provides some foreign exchange earnings for social amenities and general development. Disease has been a major setback in livestock  production and new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches have evolved over time to strictly identify and treat diseases of animals for the purpose of  increased protein supply for human nutrition. In the search for improved  diagnostic methodologies, livestock disease diagnostics and therapeutics  have moved from the traditional methods to molecular and currently  nanotechnology. In this contribution, the authors identified the importance of nanotechnology in veterinary diagnostics and therapeutics and suggest that nanotechnology should be combined with molecular diagnostics and  therapeutics to boost the efficiency in the diagnosis and treatment of animal diseases for improved protein supply and food security.Keywords: Applications, Nanotechnology, Review, Veterinary diagnostics, Veterinary therapeutic

A survey of the knowledge of chronic diseases of lifestyle among members of a university community in South Africa

Background: The increase in the prevalence of chronic disease among people of different colours, religion, age group and economic status has been documented. Having adequate knowledge of chronic disease is a major impetus towards behavioural changes that lead to prevention and management of chronic diseases.Methods: This was a cross-sectional online survey that examined the knowledge of a University community on the risk factors and signs and symptoms of chronic diseases of lifestyle. Chronic disease of lifestyle assessment questionnaire was administered, online, on the Community. A list-based sampling frame survey was conducted via the emails.Results: A total of 124 (50.2%) respondents were females and 132 (53.7%) of our respondents were within 21–30 years of age. About 13.1% of our respondents were single while 41.6% completed tertiary education. Also, 26.9% were employed and vast majority of them were from black (92.2%) racial affiliation. The majority of them knew that smoking (92.2%), obesity (87.3%), alcohol consumption (84.1%) and stress (88.2%) are the causes of chronic diseases of lifestyle. More than half (52.66%) of the participants had adequate knowledge of the chronic diseases of lifestyle while 21.63% had poor knowledge of chronic diseases of lifestyle.Conclusion: The majority of the participants had good knowledge about the risk factors of chronic diseases of lifestyle but their overall knowledge was poor.Keywords: stroke, hypertension, diabetes, knowledge, chronic diseases of lifestyl

Weight Reduction for Overweight and Obese Adults: Challenges Experienced In a Nigerian Community

Prevalence of overweight and obesity in low/medium income countries is on the increase with associated co-morbidities. This qualitative study was carried out to explore various challenges and barriers experienced by overweight and obese individuals in a sub-Saharan Africa setting. Focus group discussions were conducted in 13 census enumeration areas with a purposive sample size of 83 overweight and obese individuals. The data collected was subjected to thematic analysis after going through rigorous transcriptions from the tape recorder. The three main emerging themes were lack of knowledge about the need to reduce weight and health consequences of overweight, lack of money for consultation and dietary regimen as well as lack of support and motivation from immediate family and friends. This study was able to explore various challenges that impair weight reduction among overweight and obese persons from a low income country. These challenges need to be seriously considered if the increasing tide in the prevalence of overweight and obesity is to be reduced and checked

Collaboration in implementing problem-based learning for nursing education: Nurse educators’ and managers’ views in south Africa

Background:  Problem based learning is advocate as teaching strategy for development of the 21st century health care practitioners. Collaborative partnerships are much-touted values in organizational life today Purpose: To explore and describe the perceptions of nurse educators and manager on collaboration in implementing PBL in nursing education in South African context Methodology: An exploratory sequential mixed method was used to collect data from purposively recruited participants from three of the five South African universities implementing PBL in nursing education and three North-West Provincial hospitals where PBL students are place for clinical learning. Ethical clearance certificate is NWU-00033-11-A9 Results: Both qualitative and quantitative data indicated the need for various types of collaboration; benefits of collaboration to staff, students, organizations and health care users; factors to successful collaboration in implementing PBL Conclusions: Successful implementation of PBL can be achieved through collaboration of clinical spaces. The strategic management and leadership should be committed to the collaboration by offering support and commitment of time, energy and resources.   Recommendations For practice, the strategic management and leadership should be committed to the collaboration by offering support, commitment of time, energy and resources. Effective communication should be to promote participation in the collaboration. Further research on collaboration in implementing PBL at different levels of operations; cultural influences on collaboration; criteria to assess effectiveness of collaboration is necessary

Clinical Supervision and Support: Exploring Pre-registration Nursing Students’ Clinical Practice in Malawi

Background: Supervised clinical practice plays a significant role in the nursing profession, as it has an influence on the students’ clinical learning. Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore how the pre-registration nursing students find their experience on clinical supervision in the clinical placements. Methods: The study used both quantitative and qualitative approach to collect data through focus groups (n = 144) and self-administered questionnaires (n = 590) from nursing students of various programmes in selected colleges in Malawi. Results: About 75% (n = 443) of the participants indicated that they received supervision from both clinical staff and Nurse Educator. However, qualitative results indicated that students received inadequate clinical supervision. Themes that emerged from the discussion included lack of human resources, learning support, availability of instructors yet not supporting learning, job insecurity and lack of remuneration as reasons for lack of supervision, role models and student guidance despite pressure and self-directed. Conclusion: There is a need for clear policies regarding clinical supervision as well as a structured and well monitored process.<p

The UEFA model in identification of types, severity and mechanism of injuries among professional footballers in the Nigerian Premier League

Background. Association football, otherwise known as soccer, is the most popular sport in the world. The increase in the popularity of the game and the expectations from players make injury risk in football high.Objective. To describe the types, severity, prevalence and mechanism of injuries among professional footballers in the Nigeria Premier League (NPL).Methods. The Union of European Football Association (UEFA) Injury Study Questionnaire was used for data collection. A total of 240 footballers from 11 clubs, who participated in the 2011/2012 NPL premiership season, was selected through proportionate stratified random sampling technique, and the participants were studied using a prospective cohort study design for 6 months. Descriptive statistics of means, percentages and frequency distributions were used to answer the research questions.Results. The mean (standard deviation) age, height and weight of the injured footballers was 22.9 (3.4) years, 1.69 (0.05) m and 71.3 (3.9) kg, respectively. There was a high injury prevalence (78%) associated with actual league games, whereas the incidence rate per 1 000-hour exposure was 300.2 exposure-hours from 19 games within 6 months. Sprain (32%) was the predominant type of injury recorded. The tackle event (34%) was the predominant mechanism of injury recorded, and 63% of the injuries led to 1 - 3 days of player absence from football activities. Most of the injuries were recurrent injuries (63%).Conclusion. This study showed a high occurrence of injuries in the NPL, in particular associated with league (competitive) games. The findings of this study will serve to guide the development and implementation of injury prevention strategies in the NPL

Chronic diseases of lifestyle risk factor profiles of a South African rural community

Globally, chronic diseases of lifestyle account for millions of dollars spent annually on health. These diseases share similar risk factors including: physical inactivity, obesity, cigarette smoking, and hypertension among others. This study sought to assess risk factors for chronic diseases of lifestyle of a rural community in South Africa. This study used a survey design with data randomly collected using the WHO STEPS Instrument for Chronic Disease Risk Factor Surveillance from participants who attended routine checks from February to October 2018 from a trained healthcare practitioner. Informed consent was sought from all participants before the administration of the instrument. The research setting was the community Primary Health Center. About 54.0% of participants presented with no family history of hypertension but 19.7% had a family history of type II diabetes mellitus. More women were found to be hypertensive, with the majority (93.4%) monitoring their blood pressure. The study revealed that more men were current smokers. A large number of participants were engaged in a sedentary lifestyle with about one-third of the participants reported being obese. Physical inactivity, sedentary lifestyle, and hypertension were among the lifestyle-related risk factors for chronic diseases among residents of this rural community