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Research Publications (Health Sciences)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://ir-dev.dut.ac.za/handle/10321/216

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    Homeopathic health care in a low-income housing estate in Durban : possibilities for a Plural Health Care Model in South Africa
    (Common Ground Publishing, 2014) Erwin, Kira; Marks, Monique Michal; Couchman, Ingrid Marcelline Stephanie
    Homeopathy is often seen in contrast to the dominant model of public allopathic medicine. A case study of a free homeopathic community clinic in a low-income housing estate in Durban, South Africa, suggests that a more productive model for addressing community health and wellness should see homeopathy as part of the solution to affordable public healthcare. Drawing on short structured interviews and clinician data, this paper analyses community responses to the clinic. In the context of South Africa’s ailing public health system, a pluralistic approach extends the benefits of choice, accessibility, affordability, and a focus on the individual as user.
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    Knowledge and attitudes about HIV infection and prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV in an urban, low income community in Durban, South Africa: Perspectives of residents and health care volunteers
    (AOSIS Publishing, 2016) Haffejee, Firoza; Ports, Katie A.; Mosavel, Maghboeba
    Background: HIV prevalence is high among South African women of reproductive age and transmission of HIV from mothers to children is a concern. This study ascertained the level of knowledge about HIV infection and prevention, particularly prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) amongst South African women from a low income commu-nity. It also established the challenges in delivering HIV education from the perspectives of health care volunteers. Method: Female residents (n ¼ 67) from Kenneth Gardens, a low income community in Durban, South Africa were interviewed. In-depth semi-structured interviews were con-ducted with 12 health care volunteers who were either health care workers or residents who provided some form of social support in the community. Results: Themajority of respondents indicated that amother could transmit HIV to her child but were unable to specify how. Many women had general HIV/AIDS knowledge but were unable to identify essential prevention behaviours and were not very receptive to more information on HIV/AIDS. They were supportive of routine testing procedures and child bearing amongst HIV positive women. Health care volunteers indicated a need for a community clinic in the area. They also had limited knowledge of PMTCT and indicated that there was a need for more ed-ucation on HIV, particularly to encourage the youth and men to use preventative measures. Conclusion: Innovative ways to impart knowledge particularly of PMTCT and updated standards of practice are essential. It is important that the community understands how transmission occurs so that prevention can follow.
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    Sources of social support and sexual behaviour advice for young adults in rural South Africa
    (BMJ, 2018-01) Harling, Guy; Gumede, Dumile; Shahmanesh, Maryam; Pillay, Deenan; Bärnighausen, Till W.; Tanser, Frank
    While young people in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are at greatest risk of HIV acquisition, uptake of HIV prevention interventions among them has been limited. Interventions delivered through social connections have changed behaviour in many settings, but not to date in SSA. There is little systematic evidence on whom young SSA adults turn to for advice. We therefore conducted an exploratory cross-sectional study from whom young rural South Africans received support and sexual behaviour-specific advice.

    Methods

    We asked 119 18-34  year olds in rural KwaZulu-Natal about the important people in their lives who provided emotional, informational, financial, physical, social or other support. We also asked whether they had discussed sex or HIV prevention with each contact named. We used descriptive statistics and logistic regression to analyse support and advice provision patterns.

    Results

    Respondents named 394 important contacts, each providing a mean of 1.7 types of support. Most contacts were relatives, same-gender friends or romantic partners. Relatives provided most informational, financial and physical support; friends and partners more social support and sexual advice. Respondents reported discussing sexual matters with 60% of contacts. Sources of support changed with age, from friends and parents, towards siblings and partners.

    Discussion

    Sexual health interventions for young adults in rural South Africa may be able to harness friend and same-generation kin social ties through which sex is already discussed, and parental ties through which other forms of support are transmitted. The gender-segregated nature of social connections may require separate interventions for men and women.