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Prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections and associated factors among food handlers in East Africa : a systematic review and meta-analysis
No full textDATA AVAILABILITY :
All data generated and analyzed during this study are included in this manuscript.BACKGROUND :
Intestinal parasitic infections are a significant public health concern, especially among food handlers, who can transmit these infections to the public through food preparation and handling. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the pooled prevalence and associated factors of intestinal parasitic infections among food handlers in the East African region.
METHODS :
A systematic review and meta-analysis on intestinal parasitic infections among food handlers involved a comprehensive search across various databases, including Scopus, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and the institution’s library registers. Forty relevant articles were identified and analyzed using STATA Software version 17.0. Sensitivity analysis, publication bias assessment with Egger’s test, and the Trim-and-fill meta-analysis for bias adjustment were conducted. Heterogeneity across the studies was assessed using Cochran’s Q statistic and I2 statistics, and subgroup analysis computed for significant heterogeneity (I2 value ≥ 50%). A random effect model was used to determine the pooled prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections.
RESULTS :
The pooled prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among food handlers was 32.27% (95% CI 27.90–36.65). The most prevalent parasites were Entamoeba histolytica/dispar 20.83% (95% CI 13.66–28%), Ascaris lumbricoides 13.84% (95% CI 10–17.68%), Giardia lamblia 8.55% (95% CI 6.03–11.06%), and hookworm 6.43% (95% CI 3.93–8.93%). Using a common knife for cutting raw meat (AOR = 2.27, 95% CI 1.21–4.31), food handler’s untrimmed fingernails (AOR = 2.14, 95% CI 1.50–2.78), and no hand washing practices with soap after using the toilet (AOR = 2.25, 95% CI 1.33–3.18) were associated with higher rates of intestinal parasitic infections among food handlers.
CONCLUSIONS :
Parasitic infections among food handlers were found to be significantly prevalent. Factors contributing to this high prevalence included food handlers’ untrimmed fingernails, poor hand hygiene practices, and using a shared knife for chopping various food items, including raw meat. These findings emphasize the need for proper personal hygiene and sanitation practices among food handlers to prevent transmitting parasitic infections to consumers.https://link.springer.com/journal/116862026-01-04hj2024Medical MicrobiologySDG-03:Good heatlh and well-bein
Incidence, severity, and risk factors for injuries in female trail runners – a retrospective cross-sectional study
Full text linkOBJECTIVES :
To determine the incidence, severity, and nature of injuries sustained by female trail runners and investigate selected training variables as risk factors for injuries.
DESIGN :
Cross-sectional, retrospective cohort study.
SETTING :
Online questionnaire (Jisc Online Surveys).
PARTICIPANTS : Female trail runners (n = 62) aged 39.1 ± 12.4 years.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES :
Training metrics (average weekly number of running sessions, mileage (km), session duration (mins), pace (min/km), ascent (m) and descent (m), number of running doubles per week, number of cross training doubles per week, type of cross training), incidence, severity and nature of trail running injuries sustained in the previous 12 months.
RESULTS :
The injury incidence was 14.3 injuries per 1000 h and mean severity score (OSTRC- H) was 80.95 ± 21.74. The main anatomical region affected was the lower limb (63.4%), primarily the ankle (13.9%), knee (13.0%) and lower leg (12.2%). The most common injury was tendinopathy (25.2%). A higher number of injuries sustained in the previous 12 months was weakly associated with a higher average duration of other (not trail) weekly running sessions (p = 0.017).
CONCLUSIONS :
Findings from this study could inform future injury prevention and treatment strategies. Prospective, longitudinal data on injuries in female trail runners is needed.https://www.elsevier.com/ptsphj2024PhysiotherapySDG-03:Good heatlh and well-bein
The derivatives debate : do derivatives disclosures add value during difficult times?
Full text linkPURPOSE :
This study investigates whether the disclosure of derivatives is value relevant in emerging markets and evaluates the effects of the 2008/2009 global financial crisis on the value relevance of derivative disclosures.
DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH :
Panel regression models using sub-samples and a crisis interaction term were applied to a sample of the 200 largest non-financial firms by market capitalization listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) from 2005 to 2017 to assess the consequences of the financial crisis.
FINDINGS :
The results suggest that the disclosure of derivatives is value relevant in the hitherto understudied context of emerging markets. The 2008/2009 financial crisis had a significant impact on derivatives use and the value relevance of derivatives disclosure by JSE-listed companies.
PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS :
Companies should reconsider both how they employ derivatives as part of their risk management practices and how they communicate derivatives use to stakeholders in the financial statements. The findings facilitate a comparative analysis across various market contexts by researchers and assist investors in better decision-making. The findings can influence regulatory practices and can help standard setters to review disclosure requirements.
ORIGINALITY/VALUE : The benefits of corporate hedging were studied from an emerging market perspective, using an original dataset and approach to investigate the effects of international financial volatility on emerging markets. The authors tested whether companies are valued differently, based on their disclosure of the use of derivatives in the financial statements, and the effect of the financial crisis on the value relevance derivatives disclosures.https://www.emerald.com/insight/publication/issn/1746-8809hj2024Financial ManagementSDG-01:No povert
Insights into dental age estimation : introducing multiple regression data from a Black South African population on modified Gustafson's criteria
Full text linkDATA AVAILABILITY :
The datasets generated during the current study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.Dental Age Estimation (DAE) is an effective instrument of the rule of law for verifying dubious age claims in living individuals. Once tooth development is complete, only degenerative dental characteristics can be used for this purpose. The influence of ethnicity on these degenerative dental characteristics has not been clarified.
Degenerative changes were examined using modified Gustafson’s criteria including secondary dentin formation, cementum apposition, periodontal recession and attrition using the Olze et al. (2012) staging scales. Orthopantomograms of 1882 black South Africans, consisting of 934 females and 948 males, from 12.00 to 40.96 years of chronological age were utilized. Two independent examiners performed the evaluations, with one of the two evaluating all radiographs twice.
The relationship between individual characteristics and chronological age was analyzed using multiple regression analysis with chronological age as the dependent variable. The resulting R2 values ranged from 0.22 to 0.35, and the standard error of estimate were between 6.6 and 7.3 years. The correlation with age was consistently lower for females compared to males. The characteristic of cementum apposition emerged as critical in this population, due to a particularly low correlation with age and observer agreements partly in the “slight” range. The formula’s values for the correlation with age were in general below the literature values for other populations. Overall, the limited precision of the age estimation by the formulae presented, especially for females, must be emphasized. The question of whether ethnicity per se exerts an influence on the characteristics in question, or whether the different socio-economic status, which encompasses factors such as nutrition and healthcare, is the determining factor, needs to be assessed in future studies.The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation). Open Access funding enabled and organized by Projekt DEAL.http://link.springer.com/journal/414hj2024Oral Pathology and Oral BiologySDG-03:Good heatlh and well-bein
A framework for developing systems engineering management for process plant acquisition projects
Full text linkDATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT :
The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author. The data are not publicly available due to privacy or ethical restrictions.South Africa has a history of poor performance on process plant acquisition projects in the process industry that apply chemical processes within large processing facilities to convert raw materials such as crude oil into fuel and by-products. The most recent failures include the highly publicized Medupi and Kusile projects. This research is based on the acquisition or expansion of large process plants within petrochemical, mining, and energy, typically Systems of Systems integration projects. A significant component of their failings can be attributed to poor systems engineering and systems engineering management capabilities. Acquisition in the context of this study refers to all processes within the stage-gate project development model from project inception to the beneficial operation of the acquired facility. Due to a lack of systems and tools to guide the development of systems engineers and systems engineering managers within the sector, this research was undertaken to develop an industry-specific framework based on the INCOSE framework to support development and recruitment processes. A conceptual model derived from a literature survey was validated and improved with qualitative data gathered using structured open-ended interviews with industry specialists and experts from organizations within the petrochemical, mining, and energy sectors. Insights regarding current recruitment practices and development processes were analyzed to validate the need for a tool and develop an appropriate model for its application. Finally, the analysis and general causes of project failures validated the contents of the framework by highlighting critical competencies and traits required to succeed within the sector.https://wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/syshj2024Graduate School of Technology Management (GSTM)SDG-09: Industry, innovation and infrastructur
Application of the workload indicators of staffing need (WISN) to assess dietetic workforce needs in South African central and tertiary public hospitals
Full text linkDATA AVAILABILITY : The datasets generated and/or analyzed during the current study are not publicly available due to these being the property of the South African Department of Health but are available from VNN on reasonable request and with permission and approval from the South African Department of Health and its corresponding research committees at provincial and hospital level.South Africa faces both under- and over-nutrition, highlighting the need for prioritizing nutrition services. Registered dietitians are crucial for delivering appropriate and quality nutrition services. Consequently, this case study employs the World Health Organization evidence-based Workload Indicators of Staffing Need to ascertain the requisite dietetic workforce needed at central and tertiary public hospitals in South Africa. Head dietitians from 21 of 22 central and tertiary public hospitals participated in an online survey to provide data and consensus on workload components and activity standards via Delphi technique. Data were analyzed using the World Health Organisation Workload Indicators of Staffing Need software. Dietetic staffing needs were determined based on the difference between existing and required numbers of dietitians. WISN ratio was used as a metric to gauge dietitians’ workload pressure. Majority (95%) of hospitals experienced dietetic staff shortages and few (14%) had requisite staff to cover basic health services. Majority (76%) exhibited a WISN ratio below 0.5, indicating fullfilment of less than 50% of staff requirements. Based on the Workload Indicators of Staffing Need, dietitians in South African central and tertiary public hospitals experience high workload pressures due to extreme understaffing. The results can guide future profession workforce planning to facilitate enhanced nutrition outcomes in South Africa.This study was conducted through means of the author’s (VNN) personal budget.https://www.nature.com/srephj2024Human NutritionSDG-08:Decent work and economic growt
Geometric description of a gliding grey-headed albatross (Thalassarche chrysostoma) for computer-aided design
No full textDATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT :
The data cannot be made publicly available upon publication because they contain commercially sensitive information. The data that support the findings of this study are available upon reasonable request from the authors.Albatrosses are increasingly drawing attention from the scientific community due to their remarkable flight capabilities. Recent studies suggest that grey-headed albatrosses (GHA) may be the fastest and most energy-efficient of the albatross species, yet no attempts have been made to replicate their wing design. A key factor in aircraft design is the airfoil, which remains uncharacterized for the GHA. Other critical aspects, such as wing twist and dihedral/anhedral, also remain unquantified for any albatross species. This study aimed to fill this gap in the current knowledge by extracting detailed morphological data from a GHA wing to recreate digitally. A well-preserved dried GHA wing was scanned in the presence of airflow in a wind tunnel, at conditions that represent a GHA in gliding flight. Wing cross-sections were extracted and smoothed to produce a series of airfoils along the wing span. The 3D properties such as wing dihedral/anhedral, sweep and twist were also extracted and used to build a CAD model of the wing. Variations in airfoil shape were observed along the wing span, with thicker, more cambered airfoils near the wing base. The model wing's camber was slightly higher, particularly in the arm section, but overall matched flight photographs. The body, tail, and bill were modelled based on available photographs and known dimensions from literature and merged with the wing to form the final bill-body-wing-tail model. This model is based on real GHA morphology under aerodynamic pressure, in gliding flight. Although geometric changes due to scanner interference remain a limitation of this method, the extracted geometric data still provide valuable insights into wing performance under varying conditions. The geometry can also be fully parameterized for complex simulations, aiding studies of GHA aerodynamics and engineering design, such as in aircraft or wind turbines at similar Reynolds numbers.https://iopscience.iop.org/journal/1748-31902026-02-07hj2024Mechanical and Aeronautical EngineeringSDG-09: Industry, innovation and infrastructur
A high incidence of serious life-threatening cardiovascular medical encounters during a marathon (2014-2019) calls for prevention strategies : SAFER XL
Full text linkOBJECTIVES : The aim of this study was to determine the incidence and nature (severity and type by organ system and specific diagnosis) of all medical encounters (MEs), including serious/life-threatening MEs (SLMEs) during a South African road marathon. METHODS : This descriptive study was a retrospective analysis of data collected over 6 years at the Cape Town Marathon from 2014 to 2019, which included 40 446 starters. All MEs were collected and described as per the consensus statement for mass community-based sporting events. Incidences (I; per 1000 starters; 95% CI) are described for all MEs, SLMEs, and by organ system and specific diagnosis. RESULTS : The incidence of all MEs was 8.7 (95% CI: 7.8–9.6) per 1000 starters. The largest contributor to all MEs, by organ system affected, was cardiovascular-related, with an incidence of 1.8 (95% CI: 1.4–2.2), where exercise-associated postural hypotension was the most common specific diagnosis (I = 1.3; 95% CI: 1.0–1.7). The incidence of all SLMEs was 1.0 (95% CI: 0.7–1.4) making up 11.7% (41/350) of all MEs. The incidence of SLMEs by organ system was highest in the cardiovascular system (I = 0.4; 95% CI: 0.3–0.7), with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) (I = 0.2; 95% CI: 0.1–0.4) the most common specific diagnosis. There were no sudden cardiac deaths (SCD) nor sudden cardiac arrests (SCA). CONCLUSION : There was a high proportion of cardiovascular-related medical encounters, as well as SLMEs. We recommend that event organizers and race medical directors investigate prevention strategies to mitigate against risk of SLMEs, specifically acute cardiovascular SLMEs.The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Research Centre (South Africa) at the University of Pretoria; the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) and the National Research Foundation of South Africa.https://www.tandfonline.com/journals/ipsm20hj2024Sports MedicineSDG-03:Good heatlh and well-bein
A workload indicators of staffing need (WISN) based framework and implementation tool for dietitians at South African central and tertiary public hospitals
Full text linkDATA AVAILABILITY : Data is provided within the manuscript.BACKGROUND : Quality nutrition services are dependent upon the accessibility and availability of nutrition professionals. In this study, we used the World Health Organization’s Workload Indicators of Staffing Need (WISN) methodology to develop a dietetic staffing norm framework and implementation tool for South African central and tertiary public hospitals.
METHODS : We followed the eight step WISN methodology as a basis for this developmental study. National data on permanently employed dietitians in public hospitals were used to determine the facility type. Available working time (AWT) was determined using WISN calculations and SA labour regulations. Consensus on workload components (WC) and activity standards (AS) was achieved through a Delphi exercise. Steps 5 to 8 ended in determination of dietitian requirements based on WISN software. Similar steps were used to develop the framework and tool. The tool’s calculated outputs were compared against the WISN software.
RESULTS : Central and tertiary public hospitals were identified as the target facilities. Dietitians AWT at these facilities was calculated as 1528 h per year. A final list of 45 WC and aligned AS was obtained and provided the necessary contextualization. A WISN based framework, and a Microsoft Excel tool (calculator) resulted. Calculated average dietitians’ requirements were 24.59 and 24.23 for WISN software and the excel tool respectively.
CONCLUSION : The WISN methodology is a versatile tool that allows for the development of context and cadre specific staffing norm implementation frameworks and tools. The developed tool is valid and contextualized to determine the specific need for dietitians at SA central and tertiary public hospitals. These results will help policy makers to plan and forecast dietetic staffing needs at a macro level.https://bmchealthservres.biomedcentral.com/hj2024Human NutritionSDG-08:Decent work and economic growt
Multi-parameter investigation of Cretaceous to Palaeocene sedimentary sequences in the Anambra and Niger Delta Basins, Nigeria : organic matter characterisation, palynofacies and implications for palaeoclimate and sea-level changes
No full textDATA AVAILABITY STATEMENT: The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.The Anambra Basin of Nigeria, part of the larger West and Central African Rift System (WCARS) across Africa, contains primarily Cretaceous to Palaeocene shallow to marginal marine and freshwater sedimentary deposits. The organic-rich deposits
of the Cretaceous Nkporo and Mamu formations within the Anambra Basin and the Palaeocene Imo Formation of the Niger
Delta Basin constitute important conventional source rocks. Despite its economic significance, research on organic matter characterisation, palynofacies, sea-level fluctuations, palaeoclimate, hydrogeography, basin restriction, palaeobathymetry and the
factors controlling organic matter preservation remains largely undocumented. The here presented new inorganic and organic
geochemical and organic petrography data of the Cretaceous to Palaeocene deposits serve to refine the regional interpretation at
a basinal scale and within the supra-regional context of the WCARS. Geochemical palaeotemperature proxies suggest a warm
and humid tropical palaeoclimate during the Late Cretaceous within the study area. Furthermore, the measured TOC values indicate poor to very good organic content. Palynofacies analysis revealed high abundances of opaque and translucent phytoclasts
and low amounts of palynomorphs with negligible amorphous organic matter (AOM) in the studied mudrocks. Two palynofacies
groups suggest shallow-marine conditions in a proximal shelf setting and a heterolithic oxic basin. The palynofacies of the upper
Imo Formation reveal higher percentages of dinoflagellate cysts during the early highstand phase, with equidimensional, opaque
phytoclasts representing the maximum flooding phase, accompanied by warmer conditions. Additionally, abundant terrestrial
phytoclasts, Deltoidospora spp., Classopollis spp. and geochemical indicators collectively indicate warm tropical climatic conditions consistent with geochemical interpretations. The palaeobathymetry reconstructions suggest a shallow seaway during the
Upper Cretaceous in the Anambra Basin.The National Natural Science Foundation of China, the China-ASEAN Maritime Cooperation Fund and the University of Pretoria.https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10991034GeologySDG-07:Affordable and clean energySDG-13:Climate actio