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Biomedical subjects

M Kau

Publications and source records attributed to M Kau.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1994

Knowledge, attitudes and practice in regard to AIDS: the case of social science students at the University of Bophuthatswana.

The necessity of AIDS educational campaigns is to reduce the spread of HIV infection by changing attitudes and practices related to high-risk behaviours. However, before such programmes are implemented a needs assessment should be conducted. This includes the existing knowledge and attitudes and sexual practices of the specific risk-group. In this study the risk-group were social science students at the University of Bophuthatswana. The majority of the respondents showed a general knowledge about AIDS in terms of its main symptoms, common modes of transmission and the non-availability of a cure. They, however, expressed the need for more information about AIDS. Lack of enough knowledge was shown by their negative attitudes towards those who had already contracted the disease and the number of sexual partners they had. Furthermore, despite the realization of the necessity to use condoms during sexual intercourse, the majority of them did not use them. The study also revealed the minimal role parents, teachers and lecturers play in the dissemination of information about AIDS. The findings call for more AIDS educational programmes to clear away misconceptions about the transmission of the HIV/AIDS virus; and the need to involve parents, schools and universities actively in the dissemination of information about AIDS.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1993

[Neutropenic enterocolitis].

Neutropenic enterocolitis is a necrotising colitis, which most often develops in the setting of severe neutropenia. The symptoms are non-specific and among the differential diagnoses are appendicitis, ischaemic colitis and pseudomembranous enterocolitis. In practice neutropenic enterocolitis is seen in oncological, especially haematological, patients during chemotherapy induced neutropenia. The condition has a potentially lethal course and both medical and surgical treatment is possible; clinically controlled investigations on methods of treatment have not been available. Two cases are reported.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Sexual behaviour and knowledge of adolescent males in the Molopo Region of Bophuthatswana.

Teenage pregnancy is one of the many public health problems facing the community in Bophuthatswana and neighbouring areas. Health professionals have attempted to address the problem yet little has been done to determine the role of the adolescent male in the prevention of this community problem. This study addresses the male adolescent's sexual behaviour, his attitude towards contraception, contraceptive use and premarital pregnancy. The study revealed that most of the respondents commenced sexual practices at about 12 years of age. These young men believed that girls should prove their fertility before marriage, although they viewed contraception as a joint responsibility between the two partners. The respondents were found to have a positive attitude towards contraception and contraceptive use, yet when they were asked what method of contraception they used since they were sexually active, only 24.5% reported use of a condom. Ignorance about reproduction and the effects of contraceptives was confirmed when 48% of the respondents indicated that they were unaware of the fact that pregnancy could result from first coitus, and they also believed that oral contraceptives had dangerous side effects. The study further revealed that parents did not discuss teenage pregnancy and contraception with their children, instead this subject was discussed among friends at school. Respondents expressed fear when asked why the subject was never discussed with parents, some actually stated that their parents would 'flog' them if they initiated the subject on sex and related matters. The urgent need for formalized sex education in Bophuthatswana was expressed by 77% of the respondents.

Adolescent↗