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The challenges that individuals with MDRTB and TB experience when returning to work after completing TB treatment in the Western Cape, South Africa
No full textBackground: Tuberculosis (TB) and multi-drug resistant (MDR) TB have been identified as one of the largest health problems in the world, and notably recognised as a major concern in South Africa. Socio-demographic factors such as poverty and unemployment has been identified as major contributing factors to the epidemic. Objective: The aim of the study was to explore the barriers and enablers of return to work (RTW) for individuals living with MDRTB and Pulmonary Tuberculosis (PTB) in the Western Cape, South Africa. The qualitative exploration was part of a larger study that resulted in a return-to-work programme for individuals with MDRTB and TB. Method: Qualitative methodology was employed for this study. Semi-structured interviews were used with 5 key informants and 4 participants diagnosed with PTB and MDR-TB. The data was analysed by means of thematic analysis. Results: The participants described the barriers and facilitators of their RTW process and the factors that were of critical importance in the resumption of the worker role. Two themes represent the barriers, and two themes represent the enablers of RTW. The four major themes were 1) A sense of disbelief in one's own potential, 2) The contextual environment influences an individual's worker role, 3) The future of Occupational Therapy (OT) services in TB rehabilitation, and 4) Engagement in activities alleviates feelings of despondency. Conclusion: The study highlighted that contextual barriers such as poor socio-economic factors negatively influenced individuals diagnosed with PTB/MDRTB from initiating and completing rehabilitation programmes. The lack of resources in public facilities were also noted as one of the main barriers described by the rehabilitation care specialists. The facilitators that supported the completion of rehabilitation programmes enhancing the life skills of and work related skills as part of the PTB/MDRTB intervention provided to clients or patients. Early engagement in work skills improvement programmes may enhance the worker roles of individuals with PTB/MDRT
The knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours of nursing staff and medical doctors in South Africa on the relationship between t2dm/dm and periodontal diseases
No full textBackground: Periodontitis is a form of periodontal disease that commonly occurs with Diabetes Mellitus. People with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing periodontitis, which can negatively impact their glycemic control. Addressing both conditions is crucial for better health outcomes. Medical professionals, particularly doctors and nurses, play a critical role in early oral health guidance, as patients are more likely to visit medical offices than dental clinics. It is therefore essential that these healthcare providers understand the link between diabetes and periodontal disease. Aim: This study aimed to assess and analyse the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors (KAB) of medical professionals (doctors and nurses) regarding the relationship between DM and PD Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a questionnaire on the REDCap® platform. Participants were recruited through email lists and professional networks. 200 responses were collected, with 167 fully completed and included in the analysis. The study evaluated participants' knowledge of the relationship between diabetes and periodontal disease (DM-PD), their attitudes toward integrating oral health into diabetes management, and their actual practices of interdisciplinary collaboration. Results: The study included 167 participants: 83 general medical doctors, 47 specialist doctors, and 37 nurse practitioners. Females represented 58.7% of the sample, with 98 females (58.7%), 64 males (38.3%), and 5 individuals (2.99%) who chose not to disclose their gender. Specialist doctors had the highest knowledge scores; however, significant gaps were observed across all groups. Nurses demonstrated the lowest engagement in knowledge and interdisciplinary practices, highlighting the need for targeted education. The report includes detailed scores on knowledge, attitudes, and practices, as well as comparisons among the different participant groups
For the Dutch-speaking students, i will translate it': code-switching as discretionary transformation of emi language policy
No full textIn the study of english-medium instruction in higher education, attention is being drawn to discrepancies between codified language policy and its enactment in classroom practice. this can be situated in a larger trend in language policy studies, in which researchers document and analyze language policy as an interactional concept, revolving around norms which guide language selection and use. in this context, i discuss how lecturers discretionarily transform institutional policy through code-switching in interactions with students, resulting in the production of a micro-level classroom language policy. the dataset consists of 23 classroom recordings which capture the interactions between six engineering lecturers and their students in two english-medium engineering programs at a belgian university. drawing on street-level bureaucracy and frame analysis, i study code-switching in lecturer-student interaction, with a specific focus on the initiation, timing, procedure, and purpose of code-switching, including whether it involves meta-pragmatic commentary and/or enactment routines which seek, grant, or presume permission. findings highlight a functional distribution of code-switching driven by pedagogical and pragmatic considerations. in conclusion, the study brings into focus how an explanation for the unfolding multilingual dynamics of the english-medium classroom necessarily appeals to both activity-specific interactional expectations and (overlaps in) individual speakers’ repertoires
Charting the future of censuses: Insights, lessons and recommendations for the 2030 round
No full textPopulation censuses globally remain the primary source of official statistics despite the existence of sample surveys and administrative data sources, like population registers. The 2020 round of censuses was predominantly characterised by traditional approaches in about 69% of the countries, where data was obtained directly from respondents regardless of the push to explore alternative sources compelled by COVID-19. From the Babylonian times in 3800 BC to date, the principal purpose of a census has been to foster public administration. While the 1666 census in New France (now Quebec) marked the first-ever scientifically sound enumeration, it still fell short of what presently typifies a census. Besides, lack of globally standardised methods dwarfed the acceptability and comparability of results, leading to harmonisation efforts and the gradual adoption of modern censuses from the mid-1800s. Subsequently, the United Nations developed the maiden international standards on population censuses soon after World War II and established the decennial World Population and Housing Census Programme. Overtime, the census has evolved to what globally embodies universality, individual enumeration, simultaneity, periodicity and capacity to produce small area statistics. As countries transition towards the 2030 round, this paper reviews the global developments, lessons, and provides recommendations for future census implementatio
Remote sensing of land cover change dynamics in mountainous catchments and semi-arid environments: a review
No full textThis paper investigates the impacts and dynamics of land use/land cover (LULC) change dynamics in mountainous catchments in semi-arid regions, focusing on drivers, methods, and hydrological impacts. This study reviews studies using the application of remotely sensed data and spatially modified data, highlighting advancements in LULC assessments through GIS integration and predictive modelling. Key drivers include agricultural expansion, population growth, urbanisation, and infrastructure development, which transform forests and grasslands into built environments, affecting ecosystem services and biodiversity. LULC changes significantly impact hydrology, leading to increased surface runoff, poor water quality, and disruptions in the hydrological cycle. Agricultural expansion also contributes to habitat fragmentation ad biodiversity loss. This study underscores the importance of sustainable land management and informed policy decisions to mitigate negative impacts and enhance ecological resilience in semi-arid regions
Reliability generalization of the problem solving inventory: a meta-analysis of Cronbach’s Alpha with a varying-coefficient model
No full textThe current study presents a reliability generalization of the Problem-Solving Inventory (PSI), utilizing the comprehensive Reliability Generalization Meta-Analysis (REGEMA) checklist to ensure a thorough and methodical approach. The PSI, a tool designed to assess individuals’ perceptions of their problem-solving abilities, consists of a total scale and three subscales: problem-solving confidence (PSC), approach-avoidance style (AAS), and personal control (PC). Each subscale evaluates distinct facets of problem-solving appraisal. From an initial pool of 2,196 articles, 123 met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed using a varying-coefficient model to account for the dynamic nature of reliability coefficients across studies. The meta-analysis revealed that the PSI total scores consistently demonstrated excellent reliability, as did the PSC and AAS subscales. Key predictors of reliability for the PSI and PSC included standard deviation, mean age of the sample, and sample type, whereas mean age and the language of inventory administration were key predictors for the PC subscale. The AAS scale’s reliability was notably influenced by the standard deviation of the scores, sample size, and proportion of women in the sample. These insights underscore the critical role of demographic and methodological variables in evaluating an instrument’s reliability across varied contexts. The study findings reinforce the importance of a nuanced approach to psychological measurement with an awareness of how demographic, sample, and cultural factors influence the reliability of psychometric tools
Squeezing information from radio surveys to probe the primordial universe
No full textA major goal of cosmology is to understand the nature of the field(s) which drove primordial Inflation. Through future observations, the statistics of large-scale structure will allow us to probe primordial non-Gaussianity of the curvature perturbation at the end of Inflation. We show how a new correlation statistic can significantly improve these constraints over conventional methods. Next-generation radio telescope arrays are under construction which will map the density field of neutral hydrogen to high redshifts. These telescopes can operate as an interferometer, able to probe small scales, or as a collection of single dishes, combining signals to map the large scales. We show how to fuse these operating modes in order to measure the squeezed bispectrum with higher precision and greater economy. This leads to constraints on primordial non-Gaussianity that will improve on measurements by Planck, and out-perform other surveys such as Euclid. We forecast that σ(f NLloc)∼ 3, achieved by using a small subset, O(102 - 103), of the total number of accessible triangles. The proposed method identifies a low instrumental noise, systematic-free scale regime, enabling clean squeezed bispectrum measurements. This provides a pristine window into local primordial non-Gaussianity, allowing tight constraints not only on primordial non-Gaussianity, but on any observable that peaks in squeezed configurations
Validating leaf area index (lai) and canopy cover estimated from satellite imagery products with ground measurements in plum orchards, Western Cape
No full textSustainable fruit production increasingly depends on precise monitoring of crop performance, where accurate estimation of the Leaf Area Index (LAI) plays a central role in linking canopy structure to productivity. LAI is not only a key indicator of crop development and yield potential but also a critical input in biophysical and climatic models. However, direct measurement of LAI remains laborious, costly, and impractical for large or remote orchards, making remote sensing an attractive alternative for large-scale monitoring. The specific objectives were: (i) To recommend the best technique for measuring LAI and canopy cover with the LAI-2200 Plant Canopy Analyzer in plum orchards, (ii) To analyze LAI and canopy cover changes over time and during different ages of plum orchards, and different cultivars, and (iii) To validate satellite-derived LAI measurements with ground-based measurements. LAI ground data were collected using the LAI-2000 Plant Canopy Analyzer at the Wellington and Robertson plum orchards, with operators shielded using view caps to minimize sensor interference. Satellite data were sourced from FruitLook and Copernicus. Validation employed statistical metrics including the coefficient of determination (R²), Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), Mean Absolute Error (MAE), and Willmott’s Index of Agreement (d). Results showed that a single above-canopy reading effectively captured sky reference, while multiple below-canopy measurements improved precision. Measurements taken facing away from the sun at midday or in the afternoon minimized reflectance errors. ANOVA tests revealed no significant LAI and canopy cover differences between the two sites. In Wellington, FruitLook full-bearing orchards (R² = 0.49) performed better than non-bearing orchards (R² = 0.37), while Copernicus achieved R² = 0.40. In Robertson, correlations were lower (R² = 0.32 and R² = 0.23, respectively), though Fortune showed the highest cultivar correlation (R² = 0.42). Copernicus yielded moderate accuracy (RMSE = 3.54; MAE = 3.42). Mesh nets in orchards reduced measurement precision, contributing to weaker correlations. The study highlights that integrating ground-based and high-resolution satellite data, supported by improved algorithms to distinguish canopy and cover crops, can significantly enhance LAI monitoring accuracy. Such improvements will strengthen precision orchard management and contribute to sustainable fruit production
Preventative interventions for early adolescent substance use in Sub-Saharan Africa: A scoping review
No full textSubstance use among adolescents remains a significant public health concern globally, with far-reaching implications for physical health, psychological wellbeing, and academic achievement. While there is a growing emphasis on preventative interventions, there is limited literature that addresses early adolescents (ages 10-14), particularly within Sub-Saharan Africa, due to contextual, legal, and health-related constraints. Given the vulnerabilities associated with this developmental phase, early adolescence presents a critical window for implementing prevention efforts and building long-term resilience. This study aimed to map out existing literature on preventative interventions for early adolescent substance use in Sub-Saharan Africa, with an objective to identify gaps and assess the applicability of these interventions within the South African context. A scoping review was employed as the research design and methodology, and the research question was developed using the PCC (population, concept, context) mnemonic. Literature searches were conducted on the University of the Western Cape’s library system, Ukwazi, which is freely accessible to students registered at the university, and Covidence was used as an online data management application to manage the search process and enhance the rigour of the study. Ethics approval for the study was obtained from the Humanities and Social Science Research Ethics Committee (HSSREC) at the UWC (HS24/7/3). A total of 2128 references were retrieved, of which eight studies met the inclusion criteria and were analysed using Popay’s et al. (2006) narrative synthesis framework. The findings revealed three key themes: school-based interventions; family-structured strategies; and mass-media campaigns
Thyroid cancer pathology: Insights from a developing region
No full textBackground. The South African (SA) health sector and laboratories comprise a dual system that includes public and private providers. SA studies illustrate diverse thyroid cancer incidence across provinces, with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) more prevalent in urban provinces than follicular thyroid cancer (FTC) and anaplastic thyroid carcinoma. Objectives. To provide a deeper insight into the geographic intricacies of thyroid cancer types from public and private provider perspectives. Methods. This study investigated thyroid cancer pathology in SA between 2015 and 2019, overall and by province and facility type (private, public). Laboratories provided data in different formats, requiring manual processing. The data extracted included date of birth, sex, province, specimen type and final histology results. Results. A total of 14 157 reports were included, of which 3 235 were thyroid cancers. Multiple challenges were experienced in terms of data processing. The public sector contributed 53.6% of thyroid cancer cases. Preoperative cytology was performed in 19.8% of thyroid cancers, and was diagnostic in 23.6%. There was significantly more FTC in the public sector (20.8% v. 5.6%), and more PTC in the private sector (87.1% v. 55.2%). T3 tumours were most prevalent in the public sector (52.3%), and T1 tumours in the private (38.8%). Conclusion. The dual SA health system and the geographical distribution of the population appear to influence the pathological landscape of thyroid cancer. Standardised thyroid cancer reporting across all public and private laboratories in the form of a prospective national thyroid registry would allow for a more accurate evaluation of thyroid disease, ultimately improving thyroid cancer care in SA