Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf): Open Journal Systems
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Sexual Grooming of Children in Teaching as a Trust Profession in South Africa
No full textThe aim with this article is to put the sexual grooming of children in teaching as a trust profession in perspective. Because sexual grooming frequently precedes other sexual offences, targeting it can help prevent such offences. However, the author contends it should not be targeted as a preparatory offence but as an independent offence and form of sexual misconduct. This argument is supported by the fact that the institutional context and distinguishing features of schools make them unique hunting grounds for sexual groomers looking to sexually groom children. This risk is heightened by instances in which a school's institutional values, culture, traditions and practices facilitate sexual grooming. Furthermore, sexual grooming causes severe harm to a child, especially when it occurs within a trust relationship. Following a brief conceptual analysis of the offence of sexual grooming of children as set out in section 18 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act 32 of 2007 and some reflection on dilemmas in this regard, the author deliberates on the harmfulness of sexual grooming, focussing on teaching as a trust profession. The author then addresses schools as breeding grounds for sexual grooming before discussing the institutional facilitation of sexual grooming. The author concludes with recommendations on how sexual grooming in schools could be approached
Formulation of Metarhizium pinghaense and Metarhizium robertsii and the infection potential of the formulations against Pseudococcus viburni (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) after storage
No full textFormulation of entomopathogens refers to the mixing of various inert ingredients, like clays and mineral oils, with the active ingredients which are the entomopathogens. Successful formulation enhances the survival of the entomopathogen and also eases their transportation, storage, preparation and application. The aim of this study was to develop a formulation to maintain the longevity and pathogenicity of the mass-produced conidia of local Metarhizium pinghaense and M. robertsii, for above-ground future commercial field application against Pseudococcus viburni. The objectives were to develop a cost-effective protocol for formulation of infective propagules and to test their effectiveness under laboratory conditions. The conidia of both isolates were formulated using four different oils (liquid paraffin, coconut, canola and olive oils) as liquid carriers, and diatomaceous earth as a mineral carrier. Conidial viability and pathogenicity were assessed over a period of eight weeks. In the study, it was observed that the conidia formulated in oil carriers maintained a high conidial viability and survival rate of >95 % over a period of eight weeks for both isolates, relative to when formulated in mineral carriers, or when stored as dry conidial powder. The conidia in all the oil formulations were also observed to induce high mortality, ranging between 60 % and 90 % for M. pinghaense, and between 70 % and 90 % for M. robertsii, when used against P. viburni. The ability of conidia of both isolates to maintain viability and pathogenicity, following storage in the oil formulations, increased the likelihood of the local isolates being successfully integrated as biological control agents for management of P. viburni under field conditions
Impact of Climate Change on Sustainable Pastoral Livelihoods in Loima Sub-County, Turkana County, Kenya
No full textClimate change and variability have adversely affected communities’ pastoral livelihoods in Kenya. The study aimed to investigate sustaining pastoral livelihoods in a changing climate in Loima Sub-County, Turkana County, Kenya. A total of 59 pastoralists were interviewed using a questionnaire. The data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software Version 22. SPSS employed descriptive statistical techniques like frequencies, percentages, cross-tabulations and proportions, means, and standard deviation. Pie charts, graphs, figures, and tables were used to present the data analysis output. Climate has been observed to vary continuously by pastoralists. Climate hazards mostly reported were livestock diseases and the frequency of droughts. The findings also indicated that livestock keepers preferred to graze their livestock on mountains/hills. Pasture and water availability and security determine the pattern of livestock movement. Pastoralists adopted various strategies to cope with climatic changes. Some of these strategies included diverse utilisation of livestock products, controlled grazing, herd diversification, and labour distribution among household members. In conclusion, climatic change and variability effects on the livelihoods of the pastoralists are evident. However, they have diversified ways of adapting and coping with these catastrophes to sustain themselves. To avert the effects of climate change, Turkana agriculture extension officers should focus on value addition to livestock products, provision of livestock insurance schemes, veterinary services, and livestock disease surveillance. Furthermore, agriculture extension needs to develop and enforce livestock policies and develop appropriate contingency plans. Among the policies recommended are- the management of grazing areas, regulations on migratory routes, and rules governing the use of water sources
Welfare Implications of Home Gardens Among Rural Households: Evidence from Ingquza Hill Local Municipality, South Africa
No full textFood insecurity is widely recognised as a global issue that requires immediate attention using multifaceted approaches. There is a generalised consensus about the positive role of home gardens in improving household income and food security. However, there is limited empirical evidence to support the above nexus worth exploring to enhance evidence of based programming. Therefore, this study used cross-sectional survey data from Ingquza Hill local municipality in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa (n = 200) to estimate the correlation between participation in home gardening, household food security, and household income. Results revealed that income from home garden sales was the least source of income for most households in the study area, contributing an average of 10.4% to total household income. An insignificant negative correlation was confirmed between home gardens and household food insecurity access score, suggesting that home gardens fall short of addressing household food security. A positive linear significant correlation was also confirmed between home garden participation and household income. The study concludes that home gardens designed for cash crop production may have a better food security premise than those intended for home food consumption and the sale of surplus
Physical activity levels in female breast cancer patients and survivors in Ekurhuleni, South Africa
Get PDFBackground: By using complementary therapies, such as exercise rehabilitation during and after cancer treatment, breast cancer patients and survivors can improve their quality of life and overall health while also negating the deleterious effects of breast cancer and its treatment.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the physical activity levels of female breast cancer patients and survivors in Ekurhuleni, South Africa.
Methods: The International Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (2002) determined participants’ physical activity levels during work, travel and leisure. The questionnaire was disseminated to medical facilities in hard copy format and online via the Google Forms platform. Statistics were computed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) with the level of significance set at 95% (p < 0.05).
Results: One hundred female breast cancer patients and survivors with a mean age of 55 years from Ekurhuleni, South Africa participated in this study. The findings reflected that most participants (59%) were meeting the American College of Sports Medicine’s physical activity guidelines when considering activity done during work, travel and leisure. No significant difference was seen in physical activity participation between breast cancer patients and breast cancer survivors, or those attending private and public facilities.
Conclusion: For the breast cancer patient, physical activity and exercise may be a promising and effective adjuvant treatment both during and after anticancer therapies, improving quality of life, playing a role in increasing treatment tolerance, mitigating a range of symptoms and side effects brought on by cancer diagnosis and treatments and enhancing outcomes
Measuring tongue strength in adults after partial glossectomy: a review
Get PDFThe purpose of this study is to present a scoping review of the measurements of tongue strength available, particularly in adult patients, following partial glossectomy. The subsequent impact on functionality and quality of life were also explored.
Materials and methodsThis study used a scoping review and the study selection comprised two stages of screening: the review of the title and abstract followed by a full-text review. During the first stage of screening, the title and abstracts of all retrieved references were reviewed against the predetermined inclusion criteria. In the second stage of screening, all studies were reviewed at full-text level, utilising the Full-Text Screening Relevance measure. A total of 20 articles were reviewed as they met the inclusion criteria
Results The study found that subjective and quality-of-life measures may still be useful in measuring tongue strength in developing contexts as they closely approximate objective measures and are reliable as an interim measure. However, there is still a need for the development of other objective measures, should funding be available
Does providing “Compromised treatment” equate to “Compromised care” or could it be considered “Appropriatech”?
Get PDFTeeth are sensory structures that play a part in many different aspects of a patient’s life, including mastication, speech, smiling and aesthetics. As such they can affect both their functional and psychosocial wellbeing and quality of life. Unfortunately, these vital components can be lost due to caries, periodontal disease, dental trauma or iatrogenic damage. Dental practitioners should aim to provide treatment that will save and/or restore compromised or diseased teeth whenever possible. This may include direct or indirect restorations, endodontics, periodontal therapy and even reimplantation or autotransplantation in specific cases.1 Despite the wide range of treatment possibilities, oral rehabilitation is often not available, accessible or affordable to all patients.2 To try to “provide treatment for the many”, cost-effective procedures may need to be considered. However, this cost-cutting cannot be achieved by “ignoring sound prosthodontic principles” and needs to have some form of quality control.2 This paper will give a brief review of the controversial cervical margin relocation technique. It will then use this as an example for how a clinician can debate whether the provision of “compromised treatment” equates to inferior care, or if it could be considered appropriate for the given situation. They need to also ensure that the chosen treatment is safe, adheres to evidence-based principles and still provides quality of care
LIMITATION OF PARENTAL CONSENT IN RESPECT OF VACCINATIONS IN SOUTH AFRICA: GUIDANCE FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM AND THE UNITED STATES
No full textFor decades, immunisation has saved millions of lives in South Africa and prevented countless illnesses and disabilities in South Africa. Vaccination is the most important thing we can do to protect ourselves and our children against ill health. One example is paediatric immunisation, which prevents approximately three million child deaths worldwide each year and saves 750 000 more from disability. In addition to alleviating suffering and the prevention of infectious diseases by vaccination, it is also more cost-effective than treatment of infectious diseases once contracted. Nonetheless, the current vaccine climate is polarised, with some vaccine hesitancy in the population. Another conundrum that arises is the vaccine gauntlet between parent and child. The Department of Health announced in 2021 that children are to be vaccinated in South Africa with or without parental consent. In the context of our law and the requirements of informed consent, a child as young as 12 years of age can be vaccinated, unassisted. Several issues and concerns arise in the given circumstances: in one instance there might be an implied threat that a parent’s wish will be undermined and circumvented by the Department of Health and, in another, that a child’s own wish to be vaccinated or not will be ignored. This article examines the conflict over parent and child consent in relation to the Covid-19 vaccination. The current legal framework regarding minors’ consent in South Africa is discussed. Thereafter, the article analyses the consent in respect of children required for the Covid-19 vaccination in the United Kingdom and the United States. The article concludes by exploring recommendations to bridge the divide that exists between parent and child when they have opposing views on vaccinations in certain instances
LEGAL GYMNASTICS: AN EVALUATION OF THE JUDGMENT IN Z v Z [2022] ZASCA 113
No full textThe South African Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) recently considered an appeal (Z v Z [2022] ZASCA 113) against an order of the Eastern Cape Division of the High Court, Port Elizabeth (ECD). The ECD upheld a special plea and confirmed that a parent lacks locus standi in judicio to claim maintenance from the other parent, for and on behalf of adult dependent children, during divorce proceedings (Z v Z supra par 2). The SCA, however, reasoned that the obligations of a divorce court set out in section 6 of the Divorce Act (70 of 1970) (the Act) by implication made provision for a parent to apply on behalf of an adult child for maintenance. The SCA, accordingly, dismissed the special plea and the appeal was upheld with costs.The SCA judgment is noteworthy as several previous High Court judgments found that adult dependent children must pursue claims for maintenance against their parents in their own name. Interestingly, most courts of first instance have reasoned that adult dependent children should be before the court when applying for maintenance. However, the SCA did not share the same position. In its reasoning, the SCA emphasised convenience and stressed that all the matters relevant to the divorce, including maintenance of dependent children, should and could be disposed of at the hearing of the main action. The SCA confirmed that both parents have a duty to maintain their dependent children and that this duty, at times, persists after the child attains majority age. The SCA further commented that children, including adult children, should be removed from the conflict between the divorcing parents as far as possible. The SCA, therefore, held that the requirements of section 6 of the Act provide the basis for admitting a claim by a parent for maintenance for and on behalf of an adult dependent child. It is submitted that the reasoning of the SCA and the precedent created could undermine the ability of a court to make an order of parental support for adult dependent children, and may ultimately result in outcomes that do not effectively provide for the needs of the adult child. This case note evaluates the facts of the matter together with the reasoning of the High Court and the SCA. The previous judgments on parents representing their adult dependent children during divorce proceedings are then evaluated. The specific intent of the case note is to establish whether section 6 of the Act confers locus standi on a parent to apply for maintenance for and on behalf of their adult dependent children during divorce proceedings. The benefits and challenges of conferring locus standi on parents of adult children are also considered. The last relevant issue that is evaluated, and on which the courts did not have to adjudicate, relates to the termination of a parent’s duty to provide financial support for their adult children. This case note ultimately aims to establish what obligations and powers are inherent in the application of section 6 of the Act and what procedures may, therefore, be employed by a Divorce Court when an adult dependent child applies for parental support