Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf): Open Journal Systems
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Maxillofacial Radiology 205
Get PDFA 13-year-old male patient presented with a painless expansile swelling of the anterior mandible. Radiographic examination showed a unilocular radiolucent lesion resulting in bony expansion and teeth displacement (Figure 1). The lesion was biopsied and histological examination showed a conventional ameloblastoma. The lesion was marsupialised and was followed up over a period of 96 months (Figure 2-5). Subsequent signs of bone fill and absence of the lesion was noted for the follow-up period of 12 months (Figure 3). The lesion, however, recurred after 68 months with greater amounts of expansion compared to the initial presentation (Figure 4,5)
Knowledge, attitude and perceptions of dental professionals on patients seeking oral health care from traditional healers in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Get PDFBackgroundThe general and oral healthcare needs of communities far exceed the capacity of the current public health system of South Africa (SA). This results in patients deferring treatment or seeking alternative measures in the form of the traditional health practice. It is important for dental professionals in the health system to be aware of such oral health care seeking behaviour within rural communities to initiate joint corporate oral health education programmes and referral systems that resonate with these communities.
Aims and objectivesThe study aimed to explore the knowledge, attitude and perceptions of dental professionals (16 dentists, 25 dental therapists, 4 oral hygienists and 3 dental assistants) regarding patients seeking oral health care from traditional healers.
MethodsThis was an exploratory, cross-sectional study that evaluated dental professionals’ knowledge, attitude and perceptions on patients seeking oral health care from traditional healers. A purposive sampling technique using specific inclusion criteria was used to select 48 qualified dental professionals (oral hygienists, dentists, dental assistants and dental therapists) practising in rural KwaZulu-Natal. A self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Data related to sociodemographic variables and knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of dental professionals were recorded.
ResultsMost (77.1%) dental professionals were aware that their patients were seeking oral health care from traditional healers. They further maintained that the traditional health practice included ideas and methods from which the oral health fraternity could benefit.
ConclusionThis study revealed most of the dental professionals in rural Kwa-Zulu Natal have encountered patients who have consulted traditional health practitioners for oral health care. The dental personnel were accepting of traditional healers and believed that traditional healers could contribute positively to rural oral health care
Prevalence of dental caries among learners with disabilities attending special education schools in the eThekwini District, KwaZulu-Natal
Get PDFIntroductionIndividuals with special healthcare needs may have poororal health as a result of systemic and structural issues that make it more difficult to maintain optimal oral healthstatus. As such, these individuals may require specialised, multidisciplinary oral healthcare. Furthermore, determiningthe severity of oral conditions among these people isnecessary to establish the number of people affected and the services required to improve oral healthcare for these affected populations. Aims and objectivesTo determine the prevalence of dental caries among learnerswith disabilities attending special schools education in theeThekwini district, using DMFT/dmft and PUFA/pufa indices.DesignA cross-sectional descriptive study design.MethodsA proportional stratified random sampling method was usedto select learners from 22 special schools in the eThekwinidistrict (n=435). The sample was divided into subgroups known as strata (schools) and a systematic sampling technique was used in each school. The learners were further categorised according to the classification of Special Health Care according to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Data collection comprised an intraoral examination to determine the prevalence of dental caries (using the DMFT/dmft index) and the extent of untreated dental caries using the PUFA/pufa index. ResultsOut of the 488 students in the special schools approached, 435 consented to participate in the study giving a response ate of 89.14%. The prevalence of dental caries in the permanent and primary dentition was 53.6% and 22.5% respectively. The overall D (decayed) component recorded in permanent teeth was 740 (88%), the F (filled) component was 30 (4%) and M (missing) component was 77 (9%). Females had higher mean DMFT and PUFA scores while males had higher dmft and pufa scores. The DMFT and dmft scores recorded were highest in the 18-20 years age group at 3.70 ± 3.83 and the 6-8 years age group at 4.31 ± 4.00 respectively. The relationship between the DMFT and dmft scores and participants’ age was seen as statistically significant, as these increased with age (p <0.001). The highest caries prevalence was found in the intellectual disability group (46.4%; n=393). The “untreated caries to PUFA ratio” was 2.5 to 1, indicating that 26% of the D + d component (in DMFT/dmft) had progressed mainly to pulpal involvement. The PUFA/pufa scores were higher in the 12- 14 years age group at 0.46 ± 1.33 and 6-8 years age group at 2.06 ± 3.45 respectively when compared to the other age groups in the study sample.ConclusionThe high number of dental caries recorded in the permanent and primary dentition and the low number of restored teeth in the study sample highlight the need for promotive, preventive and restorative oral healthcare programmes within this population
REGISTRATION OF CUSTOMARY MARRIAGES IN SOUTH AFRICA: A CASE FOR MANDATORY REGISTRATION
No full textDespite the enactment of the Recognition of Customary Marriages Act 120 of 1998 (the Recognition Act), many customary marriages remain unregistered. There are many reasons for non-registration. Since marriage certificates are associated with spousal benefits, people who do not expect such spousal benefits have no reason to register their marriage. These include the elderly and the widowed. The registration process is another reason for non-registration. Nevertheless, the difficulties that arise when a spouse does not have a registration certificate cannot be sustained. This article is motivation for mandatory registration of customary marriages. It briefly discusses the history of registration of customary marriages. It also studies the provisions of the Recognition Act in this regard. The difficulties that arise in the absence of a marriage certificate are also discussed. It recommends the use of traditional leaders, who receive a state salary, to facilitate the instantaneous registration of customary marriages. The benefits of involving traditional leaders are also discussed
AN ANALYSIS OF DIFFERENCE OF RELIGION AS A DISQUALIFICATION FROM INHERITING IN TERMS OF THE ISLAMIC LAW OF SUCCESSION: A SOUTH AFRICAN CASE STUDY
No full textA Muslim man can marry a maximum of four women at a time in terms of Islamic law. These women may include Muslim women, Christian women, and Jewish women. It is noted that a Christian and Jewish widow would not inherit from the intestate estate of her deceased Muslim husband in terms of the Islamic law of intestate succession. This article analyses the problems with this type of discrimination within the South African context. Interfaith marriages between Muslims and non-Muslims are looked at first. Then the disqualification of a Christian widow inheriting from her deceased Muslim husband’s estate in terms of the Islamic law of intestate (compulsory) succession and testate (optional) within the South African context is discussed. The article concludes with an overall analysis of the findings and makes a pertinent recommendation
Access to Electricity for ESTA Occupiers: TM Sibanyoni and Sibanyoni Family v Van Der Merwe and Any Other Person in Charge of Farm 177, Vaalbank Portion 13 Hendrina, Mpumalanga (LCC 119/2020) [2021] ZALCC 33 (7 September 2021)
No full textThis case note highlights the importance of access to electricity for occupiers under the Extension of Security of Tenure Act 62 of 1997 (hereafter ESTA). More importantly, the case note questions whose responsibility it is to provide ESTA occupiers with access to electricity on farmland. Moreover, it will comment on whether the Land Claims Court (hereafter LCC) got the decision right (or not). Furthermore, it provides a comment on whether the right to human dignity in section 5 of ESTA requires a dwelling on rural or peri-urban land to have access to electricity. It will also comment on whether the Sibanyoni judgment was progressive (or not) and why. The conclusion is that access to electricity is essential in modern life to enjoy adequate living conditions. A dwelling without electricity deprives an ESTA occupier of benefits such as utilising electric equipment, which is necessary for daily living. ESTA occupiers are unable to use stoves, which are crucial and safe for cooking. They are also not able to have lights, which are useful to deter criminality in their dwellings. Very importantly, ESTA occupiers' human dignity would be violated or denied to them by refusing to install electricity in their dwellings. The state therefore has a positive obligation to provide ESTA occupiers with access to electricity. Private landowners have only a negative obligation to refrain from impairing ESTA occupiers' right to access to electricity by not unreasonably refusing consent to have electricity installed by the state. The Sibanyoni judgment was progressive, among other reasons because it permitted an ESTA occupier to have electricity installed on his dwelling without the consent of the private landowner
An Analysis of the Significance of Integration of the Bride in Customary Marriages and its Potential Constitutionality
No full textFirstly, this contribution opts for the words "integration of the bride" rather than "handing over of the bride" during customary marriages. It is argued that the term "handing over of the bride" is problematic because it creates the impression that a woman is being treated as property or that she is being sold to the groom's family. The integration of the bride is a significant step in the conclusion of a customary marriage. However, this does not mean that the process carries the same importance and weight for all traditional groups in South Africa. Some groups may regard a ritual performed during the integration of the bride so important that a customary marriage cannot be concluded without it. It is therefore important for courts to focus on cultural nuances and differences between various groups when determining if certain rituals can be waived. Courts recognise an intimate relationship as a valid customary marriage even when it has not complied with an important ritual regarded as significant for the conclusion of a customary marriage. The courts should rather focus on other available avenues to protect vulnerable partners from the consequences of an intimate relationship’s not being recognised as a valid customary marriage. The courts must recognise the fact that the consent of the bride-to-be is important when determining whether a marriage was concluded. This refers to the consent of the bride to perform a ritual which is part of the ceremony of the integration of the bride. So, a marriage must not be recognised as valid if the bride did not consent to it or did not consent to a ritual performed as part of concluding a customary marriage. While the constitutionality of the integration of the bride was raised in an obiter dictum in the 2019 case of Sengadi v Tsambo, the primary consideration should be the consent of the bride. Integration should not be a problem where the bride has consented to it
Editorial: Environmental and Energy Law – Willemien du Plessis
No full textLiber amicorum is formally defined as a scholarly anthology honouring a distinguished colleague, and it would have been apt to call this special issue honouring Willemien du Plessis just that. But the special issue we present here is so much more than merely a collection of papers from long-standing colleagues and friends. The papers are deep reflections on some of the many burning issues that Willemien dedicated her life to, and they are therefore representative (although not fully) of the scope and breadth of her interests and vast academic expertise. Perhaps more importantly, they are reflective of the diversity of people spanning the globe, ranging from early career to senior scholars, from all walks of life, that have been inspired by Willemien, touched by her acumen, kindness, motivation, mentorship, curiosity and collegiality over the years
Experimental study on optimum performance of two-stage air-heated bubble-column humidification–dehumidification system
No full textAn experimental investigation of a small-scale air-heated humidification–dehumidification (HDH) desalination system with bubble-column humidification and dehumidification units was conducted. The study addressed the performance of the multistage air-heated bubble-column HDH system, which has limited coverage in the literature, by operating two bubble-column humidifiers in series for the air humidification process with air reheating. The effect of operating parameters such as airflow rate, air temperature, and saline water levels in both humidifiers on the performance metrics of the system were investigated. The product distillate rate, energy consumption, gain output ratio (GOR), and specific energy consumption (SEC) are the main indicators of performance for the proposed desalination system. Response surface methodology (RSM) was applied to the current system using the design of experiment (DoE) for the prediction of variables that greatlyaffect productivity and energy input. The airflow rate, air temperature, and water level of the second humidifier have a favourable effect on the distillate rate and GOR of the system. In contrast, the effect of the water level inside the first humidifier is insignificant. Furthermore, the RSM optimization approach was used to obtain the optimum distillate productivity. An optimized distillate rate of 0.45 L/h and a GOR of 0.4 are achieved at 1.5 SCFM (standard cubic feet per minute) of airflow rate, and 6.5 cm of water level in the second humidifier with 140°C air inlet temperature. The numerical optimization reveals the optimal operating parameters, that correspond to maximum distillate production of 0.3 L/h with minimum input energy of 0.71 kW, to be 139°C air temperature, 1.13 SCFM of airflow rate, 6.5 cm and 3 cm water levels of second and first humidifier, respectively
Extension Worker’s Views Regarding the Digital Mobile Technology Services in Addressing Climate Change Issues: A Case Study of Botswana
No full textThis study aimed to investigate the views of agricultural extension educators about digital technology services in addressing issues about climate change. This study was designed to analyse extension worker’s perceptions regarding the use of digital technologies in addressing climate issues in agriculture. The study used mixed methods involving qualitative and quantitative data. Four cohort groups comprising 32 in-service agricultural extension students, were admitted for a diploma program at the Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN).
Results showed that most (67%) of the extension workers surveyed indicated they have basic and intermediate skills rather than expert and advanced skills in digital applications. Almost half of the respondents (47.7%) indicated having smart mobile phones, and 45% showed international interest in bandwidth and secured internet systems in regions where they worked. Ninety percent (90%) of the respondents agreed with statements supporting agricultural digital revolution. The study found no significant association between gender and usage of digital mobile technology. The paper concluded that extension workers must be kept up-to-date to align with evolving technologies such as digitalisation. It is also concluded that most extension advisors own a cell phone