The use of a geographical information system (GIS) to evaluate the distribution of tuberculosis in a high-incidence community

CITATION: Beyers, N. et al. 1996. The use of a geographical information system (GIS) to evaluate the distribution of tuberculosis in a high-incidence community. South African Medical Journal, 86(1):40-44.The original publication is available at http://www.samj.org.zaObjective. To determine the geographical distribution of tuberculosis in the two Western Cape suburbs with the highest reported incidence of tuberculosis. Design. Descriptive illustrative study. Setting. Two adjacent Western Cape suburbs covering 2.42 km2 with a population of 34 294 and a reported tuberculosis incidence of > 1 000/100 000. Subjects. All patients notified as having tuberculosis over a 10-year period (1985-1994). Interventions. None. Outcome measure. The geographical distribution of the cases was determined using a geographical information system (GIS) and the National Population Census (1991). Results. One thousand eight hundred and thirty-five of the 5 345 dwelling units (34.3%) housed at least 1 case of tuberculosis during the past decade and in 483 houses 3 or more cases occurred. These cases were distributed unevenly through the community, with the tuberculosis incidence per enumerator subdistrict (ESD) varying from 78 to 3 150/100 000 population. Conclusion. In a small area with a high incidence of tuberculosis, the cases are spread unevenly through the community and there are certain houses where tuberculosis occurs repeatedly. This information should be used to direct health services to concentrate on certain high-risk areas.Publisher’s versio

Dietary fat intake and red blood cell fatty acid composition of children and women from three different geographical areas in South Africa

Dietary fat intake, particularly the type of fat, is reflected in the red blood cell (RBC) fatty acid (FA) profile and is vital in growth, development and health maintenance. The FA profile (%wt/wt) of RBC membrane phospholipids (as determined by gas chromatography) and dietary intake (as determined by 24 h recall) was assessed in 2–6 y old South African children and their caregivers randomly selected from three communities, i.e. an urban Northern Cape community (urban-NC; n = 104), an urban coastal Western Cape community (urban-WC; n = 93) and a rural Limpopo Province community (rural-LP; n = 102). Mean RBC FA values across groups were compared using ANOVA and Bonferroni post-hoc test while controlling for age and gender (children); median dietary intake values were compared using a Kruskal–Wallis test. Dietary intakes for total fat, saturated FAs and polyunsaturated FAs were higher in the two urban areas compared to the rural area. Total fat intake in rural-LP, and omega-3 FA dietary intake in all three areas were lower than the South African adopted guidelines. Dietary SFA intake in both urban areas was higher than recommended by South African guidelines; this was reflected in the RBC membrane FA profile. Rural-LP children had the lowest intake of omega-3 and omega-6 FAs yet presented with the highest RBC docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) profile and highest arachidonic acid percentage. Although differences observed in dietary fat intake between the two urban and the rural area were reflected in the RBC membrane total phospholipid FA profile, the lowest total fat and α-linolenic acid (ALA) intake by rural children that presented with the highest RBC DHA profile warrants further investigation.IS

A preliminary assessment of utilizable biomass in invading Acacia stands on the Cape coastal plains

CITATION: Theron, J. M., et al. 2004. A preliminary assessment of utilizable biomass in invading Acacia stands on the Cape coastal plains. South African Journal of Science, 100(1-2): 123-125.The original publication is available at https://journals.co.zaThe biomass (woody material and foliage) of invasive Australian wattles (Acacia cyclops, A. saligna and A. mearnsii) was estimated in stands where crown cover exceeded 50% on the west coast, Agulhas and Eastern Cape coastal plains. Tree-level models were constructed to estimate biomass of the different plant components of A. cyclops and A. saligna from stem diameter at knee height. An existing volume regression equation for A. mearnsii was adapted and the estimated volumes, based on diameter at breast height, and tree height, were converted to mass. Sample plots were used to estimate mass per unit area by tree component, species and region. Satellite remote sensing conservatively estimated the densely (>50% cover) infested areas at >100 000 ha. The total green (wet) woody biomass with a minimum diameter of 2.5 cm was estimated to be almost 10 Mt or 12 million m3. This is equivalent to the annual intake of roundwood by South African pulp, paper and board mills. A substantial quantity of raw material is therefore available for charcoal, wood composites and paper. Other products could possibly be developed from bark and foliage. Large-scale utilization of biomass will be a demanding task, with potential risks. Risks include environmental damage, and the creation of a dependency, and these will need to be managed carefully.https://journals.co.za/content/sajsci/100/1-2/EJC96202?fromSearch=truePublisher's versio

Healthcareassociated infections in paediatric and neonatal wards: A point prevalence survey at four South African hospitals

Background. Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) cause substantial morbidity, mortality and healthcare costs. The prevalence of neonatal/paediatric HAI at South African (SA) district and regional hospitals is unknown.Objectives. To document HAI rates, antimicrobial use for HAI, infection prevention staffing, hand hygiene (HH) provisions and HH compliance rates in neonatal and paediatric wards in two district and two regional hospitals in the Western Cape Province, SA.Methods. An HAI point prevalence survey (PPS) was conducted in neonatal and paediatric wards at two district and two regional hospitals in the Western Cape during December 2016, applying National Healthcare Safety Network HAI definitions. HAI events and antimicrobial therapy active at 08h00 on the PPS day and during the preceding 7 days (period prevalence) were documented. Provisions for HH and HH compliance rates were observed on each ward using the World Health Organization’s HH surveillance tool.Results. Pooled point and period HAI prevalence were 9.9% (15/151; 95% confidence interval (CI) 6 - 15.8) and 12.6% (19/151; 95% CI 8 - 18.9), respectively. Hospital-acquired pneumonia (5/15, 33.3%), bloodstream infection (3/15, 20.0%) and urinary tract infection (3/15, 20.0%) were predominant HAI types. Risk factors for HAI were a history of recent hospitalisation (8/19, 42.1% v. 17/132, 12.9%; p<0.001) and underlying comorbidity (17/19, 89.5% v. 72/132, 54.5%; p<0.004). HH provisions (handwash basins/alcohol hand rub) were available and functional. HH compliance was higher in neonatal than in paediatric wards (125/243, 51.4% v. 25/250, 10.0%; p<0.001). Overall HH compliance rates were higher among mothers (46/107, 43.0%) than nurses (73/265, 27.8%) and doctors (29/106, 27.4%).Conclusions. Neonatal and paediatric HAIs are common adverse events at district and regional hospitals. This at-risk population should be prioritised for HAI surveillance and prevention through improved infection prevention practices and HH compliance.Â

The use of a geographical information system (GIS) to evaluate the distribution of tuberculosis in a highincidence community

No Abstract