Research Output Repository (HSRC)
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Aligning Artificial Intelligence with human challenges and values
No full textFollowing the broad claims about the socioeconomic impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) that emerged in the media during 2023, this chapter examines such claims. Further, the chapter recognizes and examines the
dangers associated with AI. The claimed redistributive powers of AI need to be understood in light of significant possible risks related to job losses and increasing inequality. Through a structured debate between the chapter’s authors, who weigh these risks and benefits, the authors seek to find common ground between these perspectives and identify how AI advancement could be aligned with human values. Potentially, there are
benefits in the education, healthcare, justice, governance and other sectors.
Improving tuberculosis diagnosis in South Africa’s private sector: the results of a pilot public-private mix intervention in eThekwini health district
Get PDFWhile tuberculosis (TB) is primarily addressed in South Africa’s public sector, people with TB also present to private sector General Practitioners (GPs), where TB may be missed or treatment delayed. We introduced a pilot project in a high-TB burden health district to connect private GPs to free public sector TB testing. We aimed to gauge GPs’ willingness to participate and describe TB patterns in the private sector. GPs practicing in metropolitan eThekwini from May 2021-March 2022 were invited to participate. Recruited GPs were provided sputum specimen jars, specimen transportation, and access to free TB testing through the National Health Laboratory Service for clients with TB-like symptoms. A customized electronic form on an established medical referral application (Vula) was developed to record client information, initiate specimen transport, share real-time test results, and communicate management guidance. Of the 313 eligible GPs, 158 (50.5%) agreed to participate, among whom 61 (38.6%) submitted at least one client specimen (median=6, IQR=2-12). Specimen yield (17.6%) and quality (99.7%) were high. One-hundred- seven clients were diagnosed with TB, 39.3% were female and 48.6% were living with HIV. Three clients (2.9%) were diagnosed with drug-resistant TB. One hundred people with TB (93.4%) were linked to treatment, 96.0% in the public sector, in an average of two days (IQR 1-5), with 88/100 completing treatment in a median 182 days (IQR=170- 194). Two people with TB died before diagnosis by culture and six died during treatment, resulting in 7.5% case fatality (8/107). User-prompting to check HIV status significantly improved the frequency with which GPs enquired about HIV compared to a previous study (88.4% versus 25.7%, p<0.0001). One-fifth (19.5%) of GPs submitted specimens without monetary incentives and helped link 100 clients to TB treatment expeditiously, suggesting a successful pilot and a workable model for improving TB management in South Africa’s private sector.
Reimagining technical and vocational training in the digital age
No full textAs South Africa embraces the fourth and fifth industrial revolutions (4IR/5IR), its technical and vocational education and training (TVET) colleges are undergoing a major digital transformation. An HSRC study investigated how COVID-19 and the technological shifts brought on by 4IR/5IR have reshaped the education, training and development sector. This article focuses on how these dynamics affect private and public TVET colleges.N/
Hidden superfoods: increasing traditional greens in Johannesburg
No full textAmid food insecurity in urban South Africa, a new HSRC collaborative study finds that Johannesburg’s migrants desire the traditional leafy greens and fruit with which they grew up. However, patchy supply chains, steep prices and shrinking know-how keep these nutrient-rich staples off city plates. Strengthening cross-border trade and youth education, researchers argue, could help close the nutritional gap.N/
Gender differences in knowledge about COVID-19 among youth in post-secondary education and training institutions in South Africa
Get PDFEvidence shows that improved understanding of knowledge about COVID-19 transmission, symptoms, and prevention is crucial for effective epidemic preparedness and management. Given gender differences in vulnerability and the different ways that young people responded to the pandemic, this paper investigated gender differences in COVID-19-related knowledge among youth in post-secondary education and training institutions in South Africa. Data from 6,681 respondents showed that the youth correctly answered 65.1% questions about COVID-19. The respondents’ overall knowledge of COVID-19 transmission (82.6%) and preventive practices (75.6%) was relatively high, compared to their knowledge about symptoms (57.5%). Females (65.8%) were marginally more knowledgeable than males (64.3%), and the difference was statistically significant (p = 0.021). The knowledge levels differed by gender, with females more knowledgeable about COVID-19 than males. The findings suggest that information and awareness campaigns aimed at improving public health knowledge should be tailored, taking gender, age, and other sociodemographic variables into consideration.
Innovation trends in the computer and related activities sector, 2019-2021
Get PDFThis brief examines how much innovation happened in the computer and related activities sector from 2019 to 2021, including the types of technologies computer-related businesses used, the innovation challenges they faced, and the outcomes of their innovations
Introduction: parent and caregiver involvement in South African education
No full textThis book is an edited collection of chapters that focus on parent and caregiver involvement in South African schools, bringing together research and practice. The authors explore research, experiences, and lessons about
parental and caregiver involvement across the education system, from early childhood development to basic education. The chapters move across times, places, and themes, raising questions for the future of educational
research on parent and caregiver involvement in South African schools. While there is a strong emphasis on educational research, there is also concern for interventions and prospective futures more broadly. The book
is therefore relevant for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers
Investigating multi-dimensional well-being among the homeless: a Cape Town metropolitan perspective
No full textIn South Africa, homelessness figures are on the increase. One of the risks associated with being homeless is food insecurity. The objective of this study was to investigate the multi-dimensional well-being of the chronically
homeless population in Cape Town, in terms of food insecurity, poverty and employment. A purposive heterogeneous sampling method was used in the study. Semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions (FGD) were held with homeless individuals living on the streets in Cape Town, South Africa and those making use of transition shelter facilities in the area. Key informant interviews and FGDs were held with service providers and community members who interact with the homeless. Self-reported hunger was used as an indicator of food insecurity in this research project. This study showed that most of the sample of chronically homeless individuals who reside in transition shelter facilities and on the streets had gone to sleep hungry during the previous
12 months. A multi-dimensional approach is recommended as a response to the plight of the homeless population in the area studied and to understanding their complex needs.
From research to policy: leveraging science diplomacy for healthy longevity in Africa
No full textPaper presented at International Longevity Summit, Durban, 10-11 Septembe
Ubuntu and the willingness to sacrifice human rights during the COVID-19 pandemic
No full textThe COVID-19 pandemic and the government-imposed lockdown measures temporarily restricted several constitutionally protected rights, and as such, the rights of all of those living in South Africa experienced unprecedented limitations to some of their human rights. These restrictions had significant socioeconomic and
psychosocial consequences. Yet, despite this, data from the UJ/ HSRC COVID-19 Democracy survey, a cross-sectional online survey conducted between 2020 and 2021, demonstrate that over threequarters of the adult population were willing to make these sacrifices. This article uses Ubuntu as a sociological concept and
constitutional value to demonstrate how Ubuntu values of a people-centered approach, which includes interconnectedness, care, collective values, harmony, respect, and responsiveness, and a concern for the sanctity of life, can be seen to inform the willingness of the population to sacrifice their human rights. The
article demonstrates that when analyzed by gender, age, and class, there were high levels of social solidarity with little variation in the support for human rights sacrifice. However, there are some important variations by race, as white adults demonstrated lower willingness to sacrifice human rights in comparison to other groups, reflecting a stronger emphasis on individualism over collective well-being. Despite this variation, the article
demonstrates that Ubuntu values were central to how citizens navigated the pandemic and demonstrates the utility of deploying Ubuntu as a sociological concept and constitutional value as reflected in the jurisprudence of the Constitutional Court of South Africa.