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At least 1,063 records · Page 59Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

Mechanical failures as a contributing cause to motor vehicle accidents South Africa.

Over the past decades motor vehicles became the primary mode of transportation in developing countries. At the same time an improvement in automotive engineering and manufacturing as well as the phenomena of urbanisation have resulted in more vehicles spending more time on the road at higher speeds. Invariably this leads to driving scenarios where safety critical manoeuvres have to be performed that rely on the mechanical condition of the vehicles. In developing countries, where economic realities force the population to make use of older and less reliable vehicles, the risk of accidents caused by some sort of mechanical failure increases. The casualty rate (events causing death and/or serious injuries) for road traffic accidents in South Africa is amongst the highest in the world. This trend has persisted with little variation over the years, despite the efforts of local road safety organisations and research institutes to decrease them. The main goal of this study was to establish the contribution of mechanical failures to motor vehicle accidents, and furthermore, to compare it with international trends. Data obtained from accident response units (ARU) indicate that tyres and brakes were the main contributors to mechanical failures resulting in accidents in the Pretoria region (Gauteng Province). However, the reported percentage of approximately 3% is comparable to similar statistics from developed countries. Detailed information on the condition of road-going vehicles was then collected in this area. The roadside survey (potential mechanical defect tests (PMDT)) indicated that 40% of the vehicles surveyed on the suburban road and 29% of the vehicles surveyed on the highway had mechanical defects that contravened current road and traffic regulations in South Africa and may, therefore, be at risk of causing an accident due to a mechanical failure. In the Minibus (taxi) survey, large irregularities in tyre inflation pressure were identified as a cause of concern. The main conclusion from this work is that tyres and brakes are the two most dominant components that contribute to the mechanical defects causing accidents, with overloading an additional factor to consider. It is important to acknowledge that these three factors can easily be monitored during simple roadside inspections.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed1993

Serological evidence of equine arteritis virus in donkeys in South Africa.

This paper reports the first serological evidence of exposure of donkeys to equine arteritis virus. Seven hundred and thirty-four serum samples collected between 1989 and 1992 from donkeys in different areas of South Africa were examined for the presence of antibodies against this virus by a microneutralization test. Seventeen percent of serum samples tested positive. The distribution of seropositive animals varied from none in the western Cape Province and the Transvaal Highveld to 30% in the northern Transvaal. The country-wide distribution of serologically positive donkeys suggests a longstanding presence of the virus in South Africa.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Improving quality of sexually transmitted disease case management in rural South Africa.

OBJECTIVE: To measure quality of sexually transmitted disease (STD) syndromic case management and aspects of health-seeking behaviour at baseline in an intervention trial. SETTING: Ten rural primary care clinics, Hlabisa district, South Africa. DESIGN: Simulated patients (fieldworkers trained to present with STD syndromes) made a total of 44 clinic visits; 49 STD patients were interviewed when exiting clinics; facilities were assessed for availability of necessary equipment and drugs; 10 focus group discussions were held with staff; and STD syndrome surveillance was performed in all 10 clinics. RESULTS: A total of 9% of simulated patients were correctly managed (given correct drugs, plus condoms and partner notification cards), recommended drug treatment was given in only 41% of visits, and appropriate counselling was given in 48% of visits. Among patients leaving the clinic, although 39% waited over an hour to be seen and only 37% were consulted in private, all reported staff attitudes as satisfactory or good. Only six clinics had syndromic management protocols available, three reported intermittent drug shortages, and seven lacked partner notification cards. Focus group discussions revealed good staff knowledge about STD, but showed lack of training in syndromic management and low morale. Surveillance data showed that while 75% of those presenting for care did so within 1 week of symptom onset, 27% had been treated for an STD in the preceding 3 months, and only 6% of those treated were contacts. CONCLUSIONS: Quality of STD case management was poor despite good staff knowledge and availability of most essential resources. An intervention comprising staff training and STD syndrome packets has been designed to improve quality of case management.

Case Management↗
PubMed1978

Radiology and the law in South Africa.

In terms of regulations gazetted in 1973, the Department of Health has control of the practice of medical radiology in South Africa. The regulations and the rules of the South African Medical and Dental Council that apply to radiology are discussed, and the legal position of workers is noted.

Employment↗
PubMed1998

Sexually transmitted infections among sex workers in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), among female sex workers operating at truckstops in the KwaZulu-Natal midlands of South Africa. METHODS: A total of 145 sex workers were recruited from August 1996 to March 1997. A gynecologic examination, including a speculum examination, was performed. Investigations were performed to identify gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia (infection), candidiasis, trichomoniasis, bacterial vaginosis, and HIV infection. RESULTS: A total of 50.3% of the sex workers were HIV positive. Infection with Trichomonas vaginalis was present in 41.3% of the women, Candida albicans in 40.6%, Neisseria gonorrheae in 14.3%, and Chlamydia trachomatis in 16.4%. Bacterial vaginosis was present in 71% and active syphilis in 42.1% of the women. CONCLUSION: The high prevalence of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, clearly highlights the urgent need for interventions. In addition to empowering women with methods they can use and control to reduce their risk of infection, an effective approach to control of sexually transmitted infections also needs to recognize the role of the clients, such as truck drivers, so that they also are targeted for interventions.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

South Africa: book publisher ordered to pay damages for disclosing women's HIV status.

The High Court of South Africa found that a book publisher had violated the constitutional rights of three HIV-positive women by publishing their names and HIV-positive status. In their claim, the women named as defendants the book's author, a prominent journalist, the book's subject, politician Patricia de Lille, and the publisher, New Africa Book Publishers.

Disclosure↗
PubMed2004

Chasing rainbow notions: enacting community psychology in the classroom and beyond in post-1994 South Africa.

This paper discusses tensions and contradictions experienced by a group of psychologists in post-1994 South Africa as we struggled to develop an MA program in community psychology. Situating our work within the history of the subdiscipline and the historical context confronting South Africans in the "wake of apartheid," we explore models of community psychology that informed praxis under apartheid and contemporary challenges confronting a country in transition. We discuss three tensions that inform the ongoing program development. These include (1) the construction and deconstruction of Western and indigenous knowledge systems; (2) assessment and intervention at multiple levels and from differing value perspectives; and (3) paradoxes experienced by a team of university-educated, primarily White academic staff committed to challenging oppression. We conclude our discussion by suggesting that, within these shifting sands of economic, political, cultural, and institutional change community psychology must, of necessity, resist rigid self-definition and seek to position itself as a "work-in-progress." We suggest that this seemingly anomalous self-description may be suggestive for other community psychologists-in-the-making facing similar challenges within the majority world.

Community Mental Health Services↗
PubMed2003

Custody-related deaths in Durban, South Africa 1998-2000.

Custody-related deaths have become a major human rights issue in South Africa since the 1994 democratic elections and led to the formation of the Independent Complaints Directorate who, in April 2000, had recorded 2174 custody-related deaths since their inception. A 3-year retrospective descriptive study on all custody-related death cases at a Durban Medico-legal mortuary from January 1998 to December 2000 was undertaken. The study included deaths that occurred during arrest and deaths within the South African Police Services holding cells. Deaths of prisoners within the Correctional Services and psychiatric institutions were excluded. A total of 117 cases were reviewed, of which 88 (75.21%) were due to police shootings, 11 (9.40%) were due to assault by the police during arrest, and 3 (2.57%) were due to assault by police dogs. There were 102 (87.18%) "police action" related deaths and 16 (13.68%) police custody deaths, of which 7 (5.99%) were due to suicide by hanging and 2 (1.71%) due to natural causes. The results from this study differ significantly from published reports from other countries, with respect to the high numbers of deaths caused by police action. Prevention of custody-related deaths should be recognized as an area of concern and should be given greater priority by the government and the South African Police Services.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2026

Wickerhamomyces anomalus Pseudo-Outbreak Associated with Medical Lubricating Gel, South Africa, 2023-2024.

A nationwide investigation identified 426 patients with Wickerhamomyces anomalus fungal cultures in South Africa; most cases clustered during May-November 2023. Case-patients lacked evidence of infection, indicating a pseudo-outbreak. Genomic and laboratory analyses implicated contaminated sterile lubricating gel. A nationwide product recall resulted in a decline in reported cases.

South Africa↗
PubMed1998

Towards developing a national health information standards framework for South Africa.

An outline is given of the development of a health information standards framework for South Africa. The main emphasis has been in the development of data standards including coding schemes. Choices for diagnostic, procedure, and reason for encounter codes are given as well as options for personal identifiers, telemedicine, and pharmaceutical codes and messaging standards.

Computer Communication Networks↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Models of intervention for children in difficult circumstances in South Africa.

Advances in policy have helped to create interventions for children in difficult circumstances in South Africa. This article examines models addressing children suffering abuse and neglect and children affected by HIV/AIDS. The focus is on innovative local attempts to deal with these problems, rather than theoretical reflection. Larger programs are usually conducted by government agencies because they have more resources but valuable solutions have also been created by NGOs.

Child↗
PubMed1990

Inadequacies in the promotion of life before birth in South Africa.

The legal and ethical principles relating to the protection of the unborn foetus in South Africa are expounded and discussed. It is submitted that, while the law intends to be over-protective towards the unborn foetus in some respects, it is seriously deficient in others. Consideration should perhaps be given to a comprehensive consolidation of the legal principles relating to the protection of the unborn foetus within the framework of a fundamental policy in respect of the matter.

Aborted Fetus↗