Infant feeding practices of teenage mothers attending a well-baby clinic in a public hospital in Umlazi, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Objective: This study aimed to determine the breastfeeding practices of urban, predominantly isiZulu speaking, South African teenage mothers, and to examine factors associated with breastfeeding.Study Design and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 73 mothers (aged 15 to 19 years) who were attending a well-baby clinic for their infant’s scheduled 14-week immunisation visit. A face-to-face interview was conducted with each mother in isiZulu (n = 66) or English (n = 7) by a trained research assistant. Close ended questions included; socio-demographic characteristics; obstetric history; and, breastfeeding practices while open-ended questions explored reasons for early cessation of breastfeeding, and perceptions of how the family, health care workers, and the school could support teenage mothers with breastfeeding.Results: All 73 mothers had initiated breastfeeding; however, by the time of the interview, 31.5% had stopped breastfeeding. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to predict the likelihood of early breastfeeding cessation. The odds ratio of early breastfeeding cessation for teenage mothers below the age of ≤ 17 years was 17.3% higher compared to teenage mothers older than 17 years (OR 1.17, 95% CI:0.617–2.269); 8.6% higher for teenage mothers who completed their grade 11 and above compared those who did not complete grade 11 and above (OR 1.17, 95% CI:0.617–2.269); and, 79.5% (OR 1.795, 95% CI:0.565– 5.739) higher for teenage mothers who experienced breastfeeding problems compared to mothers without breastfeeding problems. However, since the 95% CI for these odds ratios spanned the null value (1.0), the increased odds were not statistically significant.Conclusion: The elevated odds of early breastfeeding cessation were associated with a young maternal age (≤ 17 years) and experiencing breastfeeding problems. This highlights the importance of targeting adolescent mothers for support and promotion of breastfeeding, noting the influence of society and peer pressure. It is also clear that the healthcare workers, schools and communities have an important role to play in supporting breastfeeding teenage mothers, especially in providing accurate information and support for the prevention of breastfeeding problems.Keywords: infant feeding practices, teenage mothers, well-baby clini

Chemical composition of three herbaceous tropical forage legumes grown successfully in Zimbabwe

A scientific study on animal- feed nutrition for better stock production in Zimbabwe.Desmodium uncinatum, Stylosanthes guianensis and Macroptilium atropurpureum, grown at the University of Zimbabwe Farm, were harvested serially in the early (December), mid (February) and late (April) growing season in 1992/93 and oven-dried. Field-cured hays were also made from the legumes in April 1993 and 1994. The legumes differed in phenological development which, in turn, influenced crude protein (CP) levels. The CP content of S. guianensis (132 to 167 g/kg dry matter) was the least and first rose and then fell, that of D. uncinatum (195 to 234 g/kg DM) decreased, while that of M. atropurpureum (189 to 229 g/kg DM) increased with the season. Neutral detergent fibre (NDF) was higher in the early (364 to 440 g/kg DM) than in the mid to late season (470 to 559 g/kg DM). S. guianensis was the most fibrous in April, while D. uncinatum contained the most lignin across the season (148 to 159 g/kg DM). The legumes, especially M. atropurpureum, were rich in calcium (9.8 to 20.4 g/kg DM) and phosphorus (1.8 to 3.3 g/kg DM). Hay making was associated with loss of quality (e.g., 14 to 31 percent less CP and 12 to 51 percent more NDF) that was attributable to leaf loss. D. uncinatum hay contained the most fibre, lignin and acid detergent insoluble nitrogen and the least minerals. It is concluded that, overall, M. atropurpureum was chemically the most nutritious legume

Modelling pension fund asset allocation in the UK: An empirical analysis - Volume 1

In this thesis I examine UK pension fund asset allocation and stock selection processes, with the main aim of identifying portfolio bias determinants and particularly to investigate excessive home asset, home equity and large-cap investment. The second motive is to analyse the management structure influence on the above phenomena. The third and final motive is to explore for any significance of differences in the financial characteristics between the fund invested stocks and those they do not disclose investing in. The research reflects on risk, portfolio monitoring capabilities, costs and sentimentality; traits that impact on investment attractiveness. The overconfidence premium imbedded within the popular stocks reduces potential returns. Such portfolio construction practices are interesting for various reasons. First, extensive home bias has been comprehensively documented. It is also widely reported that while funds concentrate in large fund managers, stock selection is large-cap biased. It is also widely acknowledged that diversification eliminates risk and enhances return and that intensely held stocks under-perform. In this study, I use data of about 2000 UK pension funds and analyse the asset allocation of each fund over the period 1994 to 2000. At the aggregate level, I find significant UK bias, dominated by extreme large-cap UK equity investment. I find slightly significant differences between the financial characteristics of fund invested and stocks in which they do not disclose investing. However, I doubt whether the bias levels enjoyed by the former are warranted. I therefore, hypothesize that fund asset allocation and stock selection processes are not entirely driven by portfolio efficiency requirements in the Modem Portfolio Theory context

Modelling pension fund asset allocation in the UK: An empirical analysis - Volume 2

In this thesis I examine UK pension fund asset allocation and stock selection processes, with the main aim of identifying portfolio bias determinants and particularly to investigate excessive home asset, home equity and large-cap investment. The second motive is to analyse the management structure influence on the above phenomena. The third and final motive is to explore for any significance of differences in the financial characteristics between the fund invested stocks and those they do not disclose investing in. The research reflects on risk, portfolio monitoring capabilities, costs and sentimentality; traits that impact on investment attractiveness. The overconfidence premium imbedded within the popular stocks reduces potential returns. Such portfolio construction practices are interesting for various reasons. First, extensive home bias has been comprehensively documented. It is also widely reported that while funds concentrate in large fund managers, stock selection is large-cap biased. It is also widely acknowledged that diversification eliminates risk and enhances return and that intensely held stocks under-perform. In this study, I use data of about 2000 UK pension funds and analyse the asset allocation of each fund over the period 1994 to 2000. At the aggregate level, I find significant UK bias, dominated by extreme large-cap UK equity investment. I find slightly significant differences between the financial characteristics of fund invested and stocks in which they do not disclose investing. However, I doubt whether the bias levels enjoyed by the former are warranted. I therefore, hypothesize that fund asset allocation and stock selection processes are not entirely driven by portfolio efficiency requirements in the Modem Portfolio Theory context

Assessment of Health-promoting lifestyle behaviour (HPLB) of University workers in Nigeria

Objective: Lifestyle, high cost of medical care and limited resources in many national health systems should be an inducement for everyone to practice health-promoting lifestyle, knowing its benefits. This study examined the health-promoting lifestyle behaviour (HPLB) of university staff.Methodology: This is a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted among 280 university staff in Nigeria. Self-administered health-promoting lifestyle profile II questionnaire was used for data collection. Data were analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics via IBM-SPSS version 25.Results: Self-actualization subscale had the highest mean score of 3.35±0.65; interpersonal relations (2.94±0.65); nutrition (2.81±0.48); stress management (2.72±0.62); physical activity (2.21±0.64); health responsibility (2.19±0.62) and Health-promoting lifestyle profile (HPLP) (2.74±0.46). Age; study location; religion and type of marriage had significant association with self-actualization lifestyle while gender and type of marriage had significant association with HPLP. Lastly, socio-economic factors had a statistically significant influence on HPLP of workers.Conclusion: The respondents practiced HPLB moderately. Strategies need to be put in place to motivate university staff to practice all the subscales of HPLP effectively.Keywords: Health-promoting lifestyle profile, Health-promoting lifestyle behaviour, health promotion model, university staff, Nigeri

Significance of HbA1c levels in diabetic retinopathy extremes in South Africa

Background. Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the leading causes of blindness in sub-Saharan Africa and globally, placing a huge disease burden on patients and the public health system. DR varies in severity from non-proliferative to proliferative DR (PDR). Objectives. Using a monitor of medium-to long-term blood glucose control, to determine the association between glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels in patients with PDR and those with no DR. Methods. A prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted at McCord Provincial Eye Hospital in Durban, South Africa. We studied only patients diagnosed with diabetes mellitus (DM) for >1 year who had either PDR or no DR, and compared their HbA1c levels. Patients with non-proliferative DR were not included. Results. Patients with PDR had significantly higher HbA1c levels than those with no DR. Patients with type 1 DM had higher HbA1c levels than patients with type 2 DM in both the PDR and no-DR groups. Older patients (>70 years) had lower HbA1c levels than younger patients. Gender, race and duration of diabetes had no influence on HbA1c levels. Conclusions. PDR was associated with higher HbA1c in type 2 DM in all races and age groups and was independent of duration of disease. The trend was the same for type 1 DM, but significance could not be reached, probably because of small numbers in this subset of patients

Phase-only Digital Encryption using a Three-pass Protocol

Abstract—This paper considers an application of phase-only digital encryption to the three-pass protocol leading to a new ‘nokey- exchange algorithm’. After providing a study on the theoretical background to the method, an algorithm is presented on a step-by-step basis together with three examples of cryptanalysis. A prototype MATLAB function is provided for validation of the approach and for further development by interested readers

Significance of HbA1c levels in diabetic retinopathy extremes in South Africa

Background. Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the leading causes of blindness in sub-Saharan Africa and globally, placing a huge disease burden on patients and the public health system. DR varies in severity from non-proliferative to proliferative DR (PDR).Objectives. Using a monitor of medium- to long-term blood glucose control, to determine the association between glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels in patients with PDR and those with no DR.Methods. A prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted at McCord Provincial Eye Hospital in Durban, South Africa. We studied only patients diagnosed with diabetes mellitus (DM) for >1 year who had either PDR or no DR, and compared their HbA1c levels. Patients with non-proliferative DR were not included.Results. Patients with PDR had significantly higher HbA1c levels than those with no DR. Patients with type 1 DM had higher HbA1c levels than patients with type 2 DM in both the PDR and no-DR groups. Older patients (>70 years) had lower HbA1c levels than younger patients. Gender, race and duration of diabetes had no influence on HbA1c levels.Conclusions. PDR was associated with higher HbA1c in type 2 DM in all races and age groups and was independent of duration of disease. The trend was the same for type 1 DM, but significance could not be reached, probably because of small numbers in this subset of patients

Determining the burden of fungal infections in Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe currently faces several healthcare challenges, most notably HIV and associated infections including tuberculosis (TB), malaria and recently outbreaks of cholera, typhoid fever and COVID-19. Fungal infections, which are also a major public health threat, receive considerably less attention. Consequently, there is dearth of data regarding the burden of fungal diseases in the country. We estimated the burden of fungal diseases in Zimbabwe based on published literature and 'at-risk' populations (HIV/AIDS patients, survivors of pulmonary TB, cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma and patients receiving critical care) using previously described methods. Where there was no data for Zimbabwe, regional, or international data was used. Our study revealed that approximately 14.9% of Zimbabweans suffer from fungal infections annually, with 80% having tinea capitis. The annual incidence of cryptococcal meningitis and Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in HIV/AIDS were estimated at 41/100,000 and 63/100,000, respectively. The estimated prevalence of recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC) was 2,739/100,000. The estimated burden of fungal diseases in Zimbabwe is high in comparison to other African countries, highlighting the urgent need for increased awareness and surveillance to improve diagnosis and management

Market food diversity mitigates the effect of environment on women's dietary diversity in the Agriculture to Nutrition (ATONU) study, Ethiopia.

OBJECTIVE: In Ethiopia, women's dietary diversity is low, primarily due to poor food availability and access, both at home and market level. The present study aimed to describe market access using a new definition called market food diversity (MFD) and estimate the impact of MFD, crop and livestock diversity on dietary diversity among women enrolled in the Agriculture to Nutrition (ATONU) trial. DESIGN: Baseline cross-sectional data collected from November 2016 to January 2017 were used for the analysis. Availability of foods in markets was assessed at the village level and categorized into nine food groups similar to the dietary diversity index for women. Bivariate and multivariate mixed-effects regression analyses were conducted, adjusted for clustering at the village level. SETTING: Chicken-producing farmers in rural Ethiopia.ParticipantsWomen (n 2117) aged 15-49 years. RESULTS: Overall, less than 6 % of women met the minimum dietary diversity (≥5 food groups) and the most commonly consumed food groups were staples and legumes. Median MFD was 4 food groups (interquartile range: 2-8). Multivariate models indicated that women's dietary diversity differed by livestock diversity, food crop diversity and agroecology, with significant interaction effects between agroecology and MFD. CONCLUSIONS: Women's dietary diversity is poor in Ethiopia. Local markets are variable in food availability across seasons and agroecological zones. The MFD indicator captures this variability, and women who have access to higher MFD in the highland agroecological zone have better dietary diversity. Thus, MFD has the potential to mitigate the effects of environment on women's dietary diversity