Research Output Repository (HSRC)
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Rising HIV rates in the Northern Cape: overcoming access and resource challenges
No full textDespite notable progress in antiretroviral treatment uptake and viral load suppression, the Northern Cape has experienced a rise in HIV prevalence. These findings were recently discussed at the provincial launch of the HSRC’s 2022 national household HIV survey. Attendees at the launch noted limited access and insufficient provision of HIV services in what is South Africa’s largest but most sparsely populated region.N/
Evaluating the spatiotemporal patterns of drought characteristics in a semi‐arid region of Limpopo Province, South Africa
No full textDrought is a complex phenomenon resulting from below-average rainfall and is characterized by frequency, duration, and severity, occurring at a regional scale with dire consequences, especially in semiarid environments. This study used the Reconnaissance Drought Index (RDI) to assess drought severity in two district municipalities in Limpopo Province. Rainfall and air temperature data from 12 stations covering 1970–2020 were obtained from the Agricultural Research Council. The calculation of RDI relies on the monthly accumulation ratio of total rainfall to potential evapotranspiration (PET). For this study, PET was estimated using the Hargreaves and Samani temperature-based approach. The RDI results showed a high spatial–temporal variation in drought characteristics over the study area. All stations experienced extreme drought conditions in different years, with the maximum drought severity (-3.40) occurring from 2002–2003 in the western parts of the study area, indicating extreme drought. Furthermore, the results revealed continuous drought conditions over various periods, including severe droughts between 1995 and 1998 and between 2014 and 2016, with the severity varying between mild and moderate drought conditions. The results reveal notable but nonuniform drought patterns as the climate evolves, with potential implications for water availability and livelihoods. The study’s findings underscore the significance of adopting multidimensional approaches to drought assessment that encompass meteorological and
hydrological factors to inform strategies for adaptive water management and policy formulation in the face
of a changing climate.
Gender and climate change resilience and adaptation: review of literature and policy implications
Get PDFHSRC Policy Brief, JulyClimate change (CC) has exerted mounting pressure on global resources. Consequently this had led to an increase in research spanning mitigation, adaptation and resilience (Bryan et al., 2017; Chersich & Wright, 2019; Opoku et al., 2021). CC, characterized by long-term shifts in temperature and weather patterns, has diverse effects on human settlements, agricultural productivity, the environment, human and animals' health, and energy resource-use. Despite being a worldwide phenomenon, the CC impacts are particularly pronounced in the global south due to the amplified vulnerability stemming from limited resources, inadequate infrastructure, weakened governance and institutions, and fragile economic and social systems. These factors hinder the effectiveness and slow down the adoption of interventions aimed at adapting to and building resilience against CC.N/
Petty corruption experiences and xenophobic violence in South Africa
Get PDFPast studies have shown that corruption can promote conflict and instability. However, the capacity for corruption to influence antiimmigrant violence has received little academic attention. This article examines the relationship between experiences of petty corruption and public participation in violent xenophobic behaviour. It draws on Moral Foundations Theory to argue that corruption experiences undermine the moral inhibitors that prevent an individual from engaging in violence. The study focused on South Africa (where xenophobic violence seems to have accelerated during the last two decades) and used data from the South African Social Attitudes Survey. It found a robust association between the frequency of petty corruption experience and participation (past and intentional) in xenophobic violence.
This finding holds even when controlling for variables that capture anti-immigrant sentiment, material deprivation and sociopolitical mobilisation. The article concludes by arguing that reducing xenophobic violence in South Africa will require strengthening efforts to decrease petty corruption.
Spatial heterogeneity in determinants of no condom use at first sex in South Africa
No full textCondom use, especially at first sex for unmarried people, is an important behaviour that reduces the risk of HIV transmission, and other Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs), as well as unwanted pregnancies. In reviewing the literature, little information was found to elucidate the spatial context of condom use among people who had an early sexual debut. Understanding factors that influence no condom use at first sex in different local or geographical areas can add value in addressing these risky first-sex practices and minimise the risk of getting HIV, STDs, and unwanted pregnancies in South Africa, especially among young people. Therefore, this paper aimed to determine the spatial heterogeneity of factors associated with no condom use at first sex in South Africa using Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) with Poisson distribution and local bivariate relationships. This article used data from the fifth South African National HIV Prevalence, HIV Incidence, Behaviour and Communication Survey (SABSSM V) of 2017. Spatial autocorrelation, GWR using Poisson distribution, and local bivariate relationships were undertaken using ArcGIS Pro. Geographically weighted regression using Poisson distribution results highlighted being female, being young, having never married, being unemployed, having sexual debut at a younger age, having two or more sexual partners, having no risk of being infected with HIV, and having good Self-perceived Health (SPH) to be significant factors influencing no condom use at first sex, with pseudo R2 = 0.96 and AICc = 692. Local bivariate relationships showed the relationship between no condom use at first sex and most explanatory variables to exhibit a positive linear relationship in most districts with the exception of having never married, which showed a positive linear relationship in only 18 districts, while 33 districts showed a concave relationship. These relationships were all significant with p < 0.05. This localised analytical approach may contribute to the development of geo-targeted interventions and policies tailored to specific regions within South Africa, thereby improving the effectiveness of efforts to promote safe first sexual practices. Educational programs targeting youth should be developed to further raise awareness of the risks associated with unprotected sex and the importance of condom use. More efforts should be made to break the barriers, such as sexual relationship power, gender, and sociocultural and religious influences, which tend to put young, never-married, and unemployed women at risk of no condom use at first sexual debut. It is further recommended that the type of relationship between no condom use at first sex and each explanatory factor at the local region be considered during geo-targeted interventions as this will assist in the type of intervention and duration of intervention.
Visibility, voice and emancipation: suggestions for decolonising research ethics in the sociology of youth
No full textDecolonising knowledge production has a long history in drawing attention to the politics of biography and geography in authoritative knowledge that is, our assumptions about both who can produce it and where it comes from. We draw on theorists like Syed Farid Alatas (dependency), Dipesh Chakrabarty (provincializing), and Gurminder Bhambra (silencing) to describe and apply the broad critical points often raised in the politics of knowledge production to research ethics. While attention has been paid, in the arena of research ethics, to the universalizing assumptions of research, its extractive nature, and its role in silencing histories especially of those on the periphery of power, there have been few direct challenges to the central tenets of research ethics, such as informed consent, anonymity, and confidentiality. Building on these existing challenges, we examine the kind of conduct likely to meet the demands of decolonisation in its emphasis on the postcolonial condition as a context and referent for research ethics. Deploying two case studies on youth marginality in South Africa in conjunction with broader decolonial approaches to knowledge production in the current literature, we consider the demands of a decolonising research ethics, including knowledge ownership, centring marginalized voices, and dignified representations of those living in under-resourced communities. Accepting the critique that inherited ethical canons risk narrowing the content of ethical deliberation, we argue that emphasizing co-production, co-ownership, visibility, voice, and reciprocity in research ethics can aid in emancipatory and decolonising knowledge production.
Small area estimation of HIV/AIDS prevalence in South Africa using a neural method
No full textIntroduction/Background: Despite country-wide surveys and monitoring HIV/AIDS infections, the true prevalence can be hidden for areas with small population densities and lack of data, especially among vulnerable groups. Accurate estimation of HIV/AIDS prevalence is essential for tailoring effective interventions and resource allocation. Traditional survey-based methods for estimating disease prevalence often face limitations, particularly in small geographical areas where data may be sparse or unavailable.
Materials/Methods: This study applied a novel approach, leveraging a Neural method, an advanced machine learning technique for small area estimation (SAE), using the 2017 SABSSM and 2011 South Africa Census dataset. SAE was trained using both the "Neural method" and "Genetic method," and the data was split randomly on a number of different iterations (70% training - 30% training; 50% testing - 50% testing; 80% training - 20% testing) until the best and desirable output was achieved. Conclusion: By providing granular and up-to-date estimates of HIV/AIDS prevalence, this approach assists in the ongoing efforts to combat HIV/AIDS in South Africa. Keywords: Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, Health status disparities, Epidemiology, South Africa, Neural networks, Disease, Prevalence.
Results: The findings from the study highlight the feasibility of the model in obtaining reliable HIV/AIDS prevalence estimates in South Africa at the enumeration area across nine provinces, with an average correlation of 0.88 and R2 = 0.82. Overall, from all provinces, race was found to be significant in predicting HIV/ADS prevalence, followed by urban geographic location and sex.
Discussion: These results can help in identifying high HIV/AIDS prevalent areas to inform location-based or geotargeted interventions and policies to efficiently reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS in South Africa. The research contributes to the advancement of SAE techniques in the context of public health, showcasing the potential of artificial intelligence and machine learning to address pressing health challenges. By providing granular and up-to-date estimates of HIV/AIDS prevalence, this approach assists in the ongoing efforts to combat HIV/AIDS in South Africa.
Parents
No full textParents play a significant, if not essential, role in the education of their children. This role continues throughout a child's school years, where a parent's engagement with the syllabus, teachers, principals and governing bodies serves as a vital part of the school ecosystem. In turn, a parent's perception of the power they have over their child's safety and success at school, and the competence and transparency of the school's educators, play a role in the manner and extent to which a parent will engage with the schooling process. A mixedmethods study conducted by HSRC researchers outlines parents' beliefs about the safety and quality of the South African schooling system.N/
8th Annual TB Conference: HSRC experts discuss TB challenges in South Africa
No full textTuberculosis (TB), a treatable infection, continues to be one of the leading causes of death in South Africa. Despite ongoing progress towards eradicating this centuries-old disease, much work remains. In this effort, South Africa has hosted a TB Conference every two years since 2008, bringing together some of the foremost experts in TB research.N/
Africa’s youth livelihood challenge: amplifying voices through a virtual museum
No full textAs part of the HSRC’s The Imprint of Education (TIE) study, young researchers have developed the African Youth Livelihoods Virtual Museum. This digital platform features podcasts, webinars, art, and virtual reality experiences, amplifying marginalised voices and serving as a dissemination and advocacy tool. Through immersive storytelling and research, it highlights the complex challenges young Africans encounter in the attempt to secure
sustainable livelihoods. The virtual museum offers an evolving resource for understanding and addressing
youth livelihood challenges, aiming to bridge the gap between research and real-world impact while working towards sparking cross-sector dialogue and collaboration.N/