Exploring mental health problems and support needs among pregnant and parenting teenagers in rural areas Of Limpopo, South Africa.

BACKGROUND: Globally, teenage pregnancy is among the most social problems, affecting 21 million adolescents aged 15-19. Due to the increased responsibility of prenatal and postnatal care for their infants without support, pregnant and parenting teenagers, tend to experience mental health problems. Factors contributing to these problems among pregnant and parenting teenagers in rural African settings have hardly received scholarly attention and, therefore, are less understood. The purpose of the study was to explore mental health and challenges among pregnant and parenting teenagers,. METHOD(S): The study adopted a qualitative descriptive, exploratory, and phenomenological design. Purposive sampling was used to select 22 pregnant and parenting teenagers 18 years or older. Data were collected in ten selected clinics within the Demographic Surveillance Systems (HDSS) of DIMAMO and analysed using qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: The findings reveal that pregnant and parenting teenagers in rural areas experience various mental challenges such as depression. These challenges are caused by social problems such as stigmatisation, lack of support from families and friends, as well as parenting demands that contribute to poor progress at school or dropouts. Pregnant teens expressed concerns about the lack of spousal support resulting from abandoning their partners. CONCLUSIONS: Stress and depression were self-reported as mental problems among participants with various psychosocial implications, such as school dropout and miscarriage. There are various contributing factors to the mental health problems identified among pregnant and parenting teenagers, including inadequate family and spousal support. Access to integrated reproductive, psychosocial, and mental health services could be essential for these pregnant and parenting teenagers, to improve their mental well-being and improve the support system.

Knowledge, attitude and preventative practice of tuberculosis in rural communities of Dikgale, Mamabolo and Mothiba health and demographic surveillance system in Limpopo province, South Africa.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis continues to be a serious public health issue. To reduce the transmission of the disease, it is imperative to address the major obstacle of inadequate understanding regarding the causes, risk factors, treatments, and prevention of pulmonary TB. The study assessed knowledge, attitude, and preventative practices of tuberculosis among community members in Dikgale, Mamabolo and Mothiba (DIMAMO) Health Demographic Surveillance system, Limpopo Province South Africa. METHODS: A cross-sectional clinic-based survey involving 360 participants was conducted at clinics at Dikgale, Mamabolo and Mothiba (DIMAMO) Health and Demographic Surveillance System. A standardised questionnaire on socio-demographic, knowledge, attitude and preventative practices towards tuberculosis based on (WHO) KAP-TB template guidelines was used to collect data. Descriptive statistics on Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27.0 was used to analyse data. RESULTS: The results of the cross-sectional survey on KAP-TB illustrated that the participants have good knowledge, attitude, and perception of TB. Majority of the participants (n = 270, 75%) had good general knowledge, while (n = 90, 25%) had poor knowledge about TB. However, the study reports (n = 57, 15.6%) having knowledge of causative agents of TB. Participants showed a favourable attitude toward people who are infected with TB. 87% showed a favourable attitude while only 12.46% showed an unfavourable attitude towards TB. Participants showed a good practice of (71.7%) while (28.3%) of participants had poor practice towards TB. CONCLUSION: Health education interventions programme on TB needs to be intensified among the community members to improve TB awareness and reduce transmission. Focused educational interventions on TB aetiology and mode of transmission are required to increase TB preventative practices and improve health-seeking behaviour among community members.

Mental health needs among pregnant and parenting adolescent girls and young women in South Africa: A scoping review.

Teenage pregnancy and parenting pose a greater risk of developing mental health problems among pregnant and parenting adolescent girls and young women. We report on a scoping review of peer-reviewed articles to identify mental health needs and challenges among pregnant and parenting adolescent girls and young women. We adopted only five steps of the Arksey and O'Malley framework to facilitate the scoping review of 125 articles published between July 2002 and August 2022 from these databases (MEDLINE, SABINET, EBSCOhost, Science Direct) using search syntax. Major themes emerged from the thematic content analysis; challenges experienced by pregnant and parenting adolescent girls and young women and the recommended interventions, factors associated with mental health in pregnant women and parenting adolescent girls and young women, and the implications of mental health problems. Mental health challenges, among others, include depression, stress and anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorders, and suicidal thoughts. Limited mental health interventions are provided to the group, including social support, parental coaching and counselling, and guidance, which translates to an imbalance between targeted mental health interventions and mental health challenges. We recommend involvement and education of the community on social support, development of digital health programs and integration of mental health services amongst schools, clinics, and community development to support pregnant and parenting adolescent girls and young women.

The prevalence of selected non-communicable disease risk factors among HIV patients on anti-retroviral therapy in Bushbuckridge sub-district, Mpumalanga province.

BACKGROUND: The rates of non-communicable diseases (NCD's) appear to be increasing in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected people as compared to non-HIV infected people and this will have major implications for clinical care. The aim of the current study was to profile selected cardiovascular disease risk factors among HIV patients on anti-retroviral therapy (ART) in Bushbuckridge sub-district. METHODS: The current study followed a quantitative cross-sectional study design using a questionnaire which was adapted from World Health Organization STEPwise approach to Surveillance (WHO STEPS). Participants were HIV infected people on ART and data was entered into a computer software Microsoft excel, then imported to Stata 12 for analysis. DISCUSSION: The overall prevalence of overweight at the initiation of ART amongst the participants was 18.1% and obesity was 11.5% as compared to the time of the study which was 21.4% overweight and 19.6% obese. The average time of ART initiation to study period was 3.6 years. The study findings revealed a significant difference (p-value 0.006) between the baseline and current body mass index at time of study for females. Hypertension was found to be having a significant difference (p-value 0.026 and 0.038) between the baseline and current body mass index at time of study for males and females respectively. The overall prevalence of hypertension was found to be 34.6%, overweight was 21.4% obesity was 19.6%. The overall prevalence of abnormal waist circumference was 31.9% and females had a higher prevalence of 42.5% as compared to 4.4% of males. The overall prevalence of smoking 10.8% and alcohol consumption was 21.7%. Males were 22.5 times more likely to be smokers than females (p < 0.001) and older people were found to be 0.3 times less likely to consume alcohol as compared to young people. CONCLUSIONS: The high levels of selected risk factors for NCDs among adults on ART in the current study area suggest an urgent need for health interventions to control risk factors in an era of HIV with an aim of reducing multiple morbidity of chronic diseases. Occurrence of NCDs and their risk factors with an aim to achieve positive effects of the long-term ART.

Interventions for improving management of chronic non-communicable diseases in Dikgale, a rural area in Limpopo Province, South Africa.

BACKGROUND: Chronic disease management (CDM) is an approach to health care that keeps people as healthy as possible through the prevention, early detection and management of chronic diseases. The aim of this study was to develop interventions to improve management of chronic diseases in the form of an integrated, evidence-based chronic disease management model in Dikgale, a rural area of Limpopo Province in South Africa. METHODS: A multifaceted intervention, called 'quality circles' (QCs) was developed to improve the quality and the management of chronic diseases in the Dikgale Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS). These QCs used the findings from previous studies which formed part of the larger project in the study area, namely, the quantitative study using STEPwise survey and qualitative studies using focus group discussions and semi-structured interviews. RESULTS: The findings from previous studies in Dikgale HDSS revealed that an epidemiological transition is occurring. Again, the most widely reported barriers from previous studies in this rural area were: lack of knowledge of NCDs; shortages of medication and shortages of nurses in the clinics, which results in patients having long waiting-time at clinics. Lack of training of health care providers on the management of chronic diseases and the lack of supervision by the district and provincial health managers, together with poor dissemination of guidelines, were contributing factors to the lack of knowledge of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) management among nurses and community health care workers (CHWs). Consideration of all of these findings led to the development of model which focuses on integrating nursing services, CHWs and traditional health practitioners (THPs), including a well-established clinical information system for health care providers. A novel aspect of the model is the inclusion of community ambassadors who are on treatment for NCDs and are, thus, repositories of knowledge who can serve as a bridge between health care workers and community members. CONCLUSION: The model developed highlights the need for health interventions that aim to control risk factors at the population level, the need for availability of NCD-trained nurses, functional equipment and medication and a need to improve the link with traditional healers.

The perceptions and perspectives of patients and health care providers on chronic diseases management in rural South Africa: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Preventive health care represents the future for health care delivery in South Africa to improve management of chronic diseases as this has been implemented for some time in several countries to tackle the increasing burden of chronic diseases. Individual person's health is unique, as they move in and out of chronic and acute health care phases, there is need to integrate chronic and acute care constructs to improve continuity of care and maximize health and improve wellbeing. The aim of this study was to determine the perceptions and perspectives of chronic patients' and nurses regarding chronic disease management in terms of barriers, facilitators and their experiences. METHODS: To meet our aim we used qualitative methods involving the collection of information by means of focus group discussions in Dikgale Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS). All data was recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using data-driven thematic analysis. RESULTS: Our study showed that chronic disease patients have a first contact with health care professionals at the primary health care level in the study area. The main barriers mentioned by both the health care workers and chronic disease patients are lack of knowledge on chronic diseases, shortage of medication and shortage of nurses in the clinics which causes patients to wait for a long periods in a clinic. Health care workers are poorly trained on the management of chronic diseases. Lack of supervision by the district and provincial health managers together with poor dissemination of guidelines has been found to be a contributing factor to lack of knowledge in nurses among the clinics within the study area. Both patients and nurses mentioned the need to involve community health workers and traditional healers and integrate their services in order to early detect and manage chronic diseases in the community. CONCLUSIONS: Nurses and chronic disease patients mentioned similar barriers to chronic disease management. Concerted action is needed to strengthen the delivery of medications at the clinics, improve the chronic disease knowledge for both nurses and patients by conducting in-service trainings or workshops, increase the involvement of community health workers and establish a link (through formal referral system) with traditional healers.

Association of carotid intima-media thickness and dyslipidaemia in patients with type 2 diabetes: a protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) often present with comorbidities such as hypertension, dyslipidaemia, insulin resistance, obesity and hyperglycaemia, which increases their risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs)-related mortality. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), a biomarker for subclinical atherosclerosis, has been associated with overall CVD, especially in type 2 DM (T2DM). Hence, this protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis aims to review existing literature on the association of CIMT and dyslipidaemia in patients with T2DM. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The proposed systematic review and meta-analysis will be conducted according to an updated Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses for Protocols guideline. A comprehensive search of peer-reviewed studies on Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct and Web of Sciences databases will be conducted up to 30 June 2023. A meta-analysis of data extracted from selected studies will be performed to explore the association between dyslipidaemia and CIMT in patients with diabetes. The effect estimates will be reported as standardised mean differences/Cohen's d and 95% CIs. A random effect model will be used in case of high heterogeneity whereas fixed-effect model will be used in the absence of heterogeneity. All statistical analysis will be performed using SPSS V.29.0 software. In cases of high heterogeneity, subgroup analysis will be performed based on study design, countries of publication and body mass index to identify potential sources of heterogeneity. Publication bias will be assessed graphically via funnel plots and statistically using Egger's regression test. Sensitivity analysis will also be performed to evaluate the stability of the overall effect size and the grading of recommendations assessment, development and evaluation will be used to grade the quality of analysed evidence. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: As the proposed study will use secondary published data, approval will not be sought from the ethics committee. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42023451731.

The Use of Non-Prescribed Medicines in Infants from Birth to Six Months in Rural Areas of Polokwane Municipality-Limpopo Province, South Africa.

The WHO and UNICEF recommend that only breastmilk, vitamin drops, oral rehydration solution, and prescribed medicine can go through the infant's mouth. Non-prescribed medications (NPM) include over-the-counter medications and traditional medicine and are contraindicated during infancy. Furthermore, the updated exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) indicator details that herbal fluids and similar traditional medicines are counted as fluids, and infants who consume these are not exclusively breastfed. However, the use of these items is common among caregivers for various reasons, including religious reasons, cultural beliefs, prevention of diseases, and the treatment of diseases. The practice of administering NPM before six months of age undermines exclusive breastfeeding and can result in undesirable health outcomes. METHODS: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of NPM, describe the types of medications used, and explain why caregivers use NMP in infants younger than six months of age. A quantitative approach and a facility-based cross-sectional survey were used to conduct this study. Convenience sampling was used to select clinics, and proportionality and simple random sampling were used to select 146 participants. Data were analyzed using SPSS (29). A p-value of p < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: In this study, the prevalence of NPM was 75.3%. Of the 146 participants, most were 25-35 years old (54%) and first-time mothers (36.3%). More caregivers had high school and matric (67.1%), and 84.2% of caregivers delivered in public health facilities. Almost three-quarters are unemployed (66.7%) and on a child support grant (56.4%). About 43.6% of infants received NPM within the first month of life. The main source of advice to give NPM was family members (86.4%). The main reasons for administering NPM were the treatment of the umbilical cord (57.3%) and the prevention of colic (32.7%). The results show a statistically significant association between the administration of medication and the age of the infant, p < 0.005. CONCLUSIONS: Non-prescribed medications are highly prevalent in the rural areas of Polokwane and are practiced by caregivers between the ages of 25-35 years advised by the families. Access to self-medication should be controlled, especially in the first month of life. Interventions to reduce the use of NPM should be targeted at young mothers and their families.

Determinants of central obesity in children and adolescents and associated complications in South Africa: a systematic review.

Background: Central obesity in children is a global health concern associated with cardiovascular risk factors. In 2019 the World Obesity Federation predicted that in 2025, 206 million children and adolescents aged 5 to 19 will be obese, and the number is estimated to reach 254 million by 2030. There is limited literature on the factors that are associated with the development of central obesity in children. We report a systematic review, aimed to describe the current literature on determinants of central obesity and its associated health outcomes in children and adolescents in the South African population. Methods: We searched for peer-reviewed studies in Google Scholar, PubMed, and Science Direct search engines, and about seven studies were included. This systematic review has been registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) (Registration number: CRD42023457012). This systematic review was conducted and reported according to an updated version of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline. The quality of the included studies was assessed by following guidelines from the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). The method considered three main domains: selection, comparability, and outcome across different study designs. Results: The prevalence of central obesity in children and adolescents by waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) ranged from 2.0 to 41.0%; waist-to-hip [WHR ranged from 10 to 25%; waist circumference (WC) ranged from 9 to 35%]. Central obesity was associated with age, physical inactivity, gender socio, and demographic profiles of the household. Central obesity in children was associated with cardiovascular diseases and mental health issues. Conclusion: Central obesity in children and adolescents was determined by gender, pubertal development, and age of the parents, households with high socioeconomic status, dietary practices, and overweight/obesity. Given the high prevalence of central obesity in children which can ultimately result in cardiometabolic diseases, cardiovascular risk factors, and mental health issues. This highlights the need for systems, jointly initiated by healthcare providers, policymakers, and the general society aimed at reducing the burden of central obesity such as introducing children and adolescents to health-promoting lifestyles.

Associated factors of diabetic retinopathy in type 1 and 2 diabetes in Limpopo province in South Africa.

Background: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the major cause of vision impairment or blindness in individuals who have diabetes. It has accounted for 2.6% of all cases of blindness, and 1.9% of all cases of vision impairments globally. There is a lack of data on the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy and its associated factors amongst diabetic rural populations. Hence, the current study aimed to determine factors associated with diabetic retinopathy (DR) among diabetes mellitus (DM) patients undergoing diabetic therapy. Methods: The study was cross-sectional in design and the participants were selected using convenient sampling. STATA version 15 software was used for data analysis. Chi-square was used to compare proportions. Logistic regression was used to determine the relationship between DR and associated risk factors. Results: The prevalence of DR was 35.3%, of which 32% were mild and 3.4% were moderate non-proliferative DR (NPDR). Females were more unemployed than males (32.1% versus 16.8%, p=0.0058). Males were found to drink alcohol (21.8% versus 1.9%, p<0.001) and smoke cigarettes (4% versus 0.3%, p=0.0034) more than females. Being aged ≥ 55 years (OR: 2.7, 95% CI: 1.6-4.4), with matric qualification (OR: 0.6; 95% CI: 0.4-1.0); employed (OR: 1.4, 95% CI: 1.2-1.6); having high systolic blood pressure (OR=1.4, 95%CI=1.1-1.7) were the independent determinants of DR. Conclusions: The prevalence of diabetic retinopathy was 34%. DR was determined by high systolic blood pressure, old age, and employment. Although not statistically significant, gender, hyperglycemic state, poor glycemic control, smoking, and increased body mass index (BMI) were associated with increased risk of developing DR.

Barriers and enablers to exclusive breastfeeding by mothers in Polokwane, South Africa.

Background: Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for six months, with the introduction of appropriate complementary feeding thereafter, and breastfeeding continuing for up to 2 years and beyond, is highly recommended. This could save the lives of up to 1.4 million children each year worldwide. Despite this, breastfeeding rates in South Africa remain sub-optimal, with the recommended target of 50% by the World Health Assembly (WHA) not being achieved. The study aimed to investigate the reasons influencing mothers' practice of exclusive breastfeeding in the Polokwane municipality of Limpopo province in South Africa. Methodology: A cross-sectional health facility-based quantitative and descriptive survey was conducted using a validated-structured questionnaire administered to 146 mothers. The data was analyzed using STATA. Chi-square tests were used to determine the relationship between selected demographic variables and their reasons not to breastfeed exclusively. Results: Although 94% of the mothers had initiated breastfeeding, at the time of data collection 8% had stopped. Of those who had stopped breastfeeding, 5% did so within one month of starting. Thirty- nine percent of mothers' breastfed exclusively, while 61% practiced mixed feeding. A positive association between exclusive breastfeeding practices and the age of the mother were observed, with older mothers more likely to breastfeed. The reasons mothers stopped breastfeeding were: the mother was ill (45%) or they returned to school or work (27%). Reasons for not breastfeeding were cited as: medical conditions, not enough milk, and infant refusal to breastfeed (33%). Mothers believe that HIV-positive women should breastfeed their infants (57%), and health workers were found to be the main source of HIV information to mothers (77%). Discussion: Exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months was less practiced. Infant formula and solid foods were introduced at an early age, usually within the first month of breastfeeding. This study sheds light on factors influencing the early initiation of breastfeeding and the practice of EBF as practiced in Polokwane.

Towards the elimination of malaria in South Africa: a review of surveillance data in Mutale Municipality, Limpopo Province, 2005 to 2010.

BACKGROUND: South Africa has targeted to eliminate malaria by the year 2018. Constant monitoring of malaria morbidity and mortality trends in affected subpopulations is therefore crucial in guiding and refining control interventions. Mutale Municipality in Limpopo Province is one of the areas with the highest risk of malaria in the country. This paper describes trends in malaria incidence, case fatality and household indoor residual spraying (IRS) coverage in Mutale Municipality, during the period 2005 to 2010. METHODS: A retrospective descriptive analysis was conducted on malaria data routinely collected through the Limpopo provincial malaria information system between July 2005 and June 2010. Five malaria seasons were defined. Annualized malaria incidence rates, case fatality rates (CFR) and IRS coverage rates were calculated. RESULTS: Cumulatively, 4,663 malaria cases and 21 malaria deaths were reported in Mutale between July 2005 and June 2010. Investigation of likely origin of the malaria in 3,517 patients revealed that 6.6% were imported cases, mostly from neighbouring Zimbabwe (222/231). Malaria incidence rates fell from 13.6 cases per 1,000 person-years in the 2005-2006 season to 2.7 cases per 1,000 person-years in the 2009-2010 season. The mean malaria CFR was stable between 0.3 and 0.6% during the first four seasons, and increased sharply to 2.1% in the 2009-2010 season. The median age of the 21 malaria deaths was 34 years (range: 16 to 60 years). CFRs were 0% in children below 15 years and above 0.5% in patients more than 24 years old. Regular IRS achieved coverage above 80% in all five seasons. CONCLUSION: Malaria control interventions implemented in Mutale significantly reduced the incidence of malaria in the population. In order to accurately monitor progress towards the elimination goal, the malaria control programme should strengthen the reporting and capturing of the data in the provincial malaria information system; all patients diagnosed with malaria should be investigated to determine the likely source of the malaria, and malaria related deaths should be audited to improve case detection and management. Furthermore, the country should strengthen cross border malaria control collaborations in order to minimize malaria importation.

Lived experiences of students with virological failure on antiretrovirals at a university in Limpopo.

BACKGROUND:  Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive students at a rural university in Limpopo province are followed-up according to the national guidelines for the treatment of HIV. Blood monitoring revealed that some students on antiretroviral (ARV) treatment were not virologically suppressed despite adherence and compliance being emphasised at every visit. OBJECTIVES:  The study sought to identify the students' experiences that were hindering the viral load from improving. METHOD:  A two-phase qualitative, explorative, descriptive study design was followed. Convenience purposive sampling methods were taken on. By means of a semi-structured interview guide, face-to-face interviews were directed. Thematic content analysis was applied. RESULTS:  Non-disclosure, noisy ARV packaging, stigma, and service delivery played a role in determining levels of student adherence and compliance with ARVs in the study sample. CONCLUSION:  Study findings suggest practical recommendations to improve compliance among students on ARVs: provision of HIV education to all students to help reduce stigma and make it easier to disclose HIV status; use of user-friendly noise-free packaging by pharmaceutical companies to enclose medication, such as blister packs; a supermarket approach in service delivery points to reduce the stigmatising effects of consulting rooms for ARV services.Contribution: There is scope to examine the relevance of these findings for other students in the country, to compare them, and to use material from larger studies to guide targeted interventions that could improve adherence among young people.

Evaluation of drug-resistant tuberculosis treatment outcome in Limpopo province, South Africa.

BACKGROUND: South Africa has the second-highest tuberculosis (TB) incidence globally. Drug-resistant TB (DR-TB) treatment has less successful treatment outcomes as compared with susceptible TB, and it hinders TB control and management programmes. AIM: This study aimed to evaluate drug-resistant TB treatment outcomes and factors associated with successful treatment outcomes. SETTING: The study was conducted in five districts in Limpopo province. METHODS: The study design was retrospective and descriptive. Patients' demographic data, data on clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes data were extracted from the electronic drug-resistant tuberculosis register (EDRWeb) database system for the period, 2010-2018, in Limpopo province. Frequency, percentages and bivariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to analyse data using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 27.0. The significance difference was determined at a 95% confidence interval and p 0.05. RESULTS: A total of 385 drug-resistant records were included in this study. The treatment success rate was 223 (57.9%). A total of 197 (51.2%) patients were cured, 26 (6.8%) completed treatment, 19 (4.9%) treatment failure, 62 (16.1%) died, 78 (20.6%) were recorded as the loss to follow-up, 1 (0.3%) moved to another country and 2 (0.5%) were transferred out. CONCLUSION: The treatment success rate was 57.9%, which is still below targets set by National Strategic Plan in South Africa and World Health Organization End TB targets.Contribution: The findings of the study reveal that to achieve successful DR-TB control programme and attain End TB targets, monitoring of treatment outcomes is crucial.

Prevalence and factors associated with anaemia among pregnant women attending antenatal care in a district hospital and its feeder community healthcare centre of the Limpopo Province, South Africa.

Background: Pregnancy anaemia is a significant public health concern in South Africa (SA), particularly in rural areas, but little is known about its prevalence and risk factors in rural areas. The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence and identify risk factors of pregnancy anaemia in the public health facilities of Limpopo Province (LP), SA. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among a consecutive sample of 211 pregnant women attending antenatal care at Seshego Hospital and its feeder health centre (May to June 2019). Anaemia was defined as haemoglobin (Hb) <11 g/dL and classified as mild (10-10.9 g/dL), moderate (7-9.9 g/dL) and severe anaemia (<7 g/dL). A multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictors of anaemia. Results: The mean age of the women was 28.4 ± 5.7 years (range from 18 to 41 years). Over half (52%) had secondary education, 65% were unmarried, 72% were unemployed, 34% were nulliparous, 15% were human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected and 67% were in the third trimester. The anaemia prevalence was 18.0% and was significantly associated with parity, HIV status and body mass index (BMI) in a multivariate logistic regression analysis. Conclusion: This study found that less than one-third of pregnant women were affected by anaemia, associated with parity, HIV infected and BMI. It is essential to promote routine screening for anaemia, health education and prompt treatment of infections to reduce this burden. In addition, further studies on risk factors for anaemia during pregnancy in both urban and rural communities should be conducted to strengthen these findings.

Risky sexual behaviors and associated factors among adult patients on antiretroviral treatment at Mankweng Hospital in Limpopo Province, South Africa.

Background: Worldwide, it is estimated that 38 million people are HIV-positive and that over 36 million people have died from the virus. In South Africa, the prevalence of HIV was reported to be 20.6% with Limpopo Province having 17% HIV. Given the high rate of new HIV infection in Limpopo, there is therefore a need to assess factors promoting risky sexual behavior among people living with HIV in order to help design and develop behavioral interventions aimed at reducing risky behaviors among people living with HIV. Methods: This was a quantitative cross-sectional prospective study, conducted in Mankweng Hospital. The study consisted of 116 participants of which 40 were males and 76 were females aged 18 years and above. The participants were selected using purposive sampling. The data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 27. A comparison of proportions was performed using Chi-Square. The association between risky sexual practice and sociodemographic factors was analyzed using multivariate logistic regression. Results: The proportion of risky sexual practices in the total population was 48.3%. Participants who were married, those aged 35-44, and those with tertiary qualifications were more likely to engage in risky sexual practices. Multivariate logistic regression showed widowed participants were less likely to practice risky sexual practices. Conclusion: The present study reported a high prevalence of risky sexual practices of 48.3%. Risky sexual behavior was determined by age, marital status, and level of education. The proportion of married participants was higher in risky sexual behavior. Based on the findings of the present study, it is recommended that targeted interventions and educational programs should be implemented to reduce risky sexual behavior among married individuals, individuals aged 35-44, and individuals with tertiary qualifications.

Exploring Roles of Stakeholders in Combating Substance Abuse in the DIMAMO Surveillance Site, South Africa.

Background: The increasing prevalence of substance abuse in rural areas of Limpopo Province is a concern for most stakeholders including the families, South Africa Police Service, and social workers. Combating Substance Abuse requires the active roles of various stakeholders in the rural community, due to limited resources for prevention, treatment, and recovery. Purpose: To report on the roles of stakeholders in tackling Substance Abuse during the awareness campaign conducted in the deep rural community of Limpopo Province, DIMAMO surveillance area. Methods: Qualitative narrative design was adopted to explore the roles of stakeholders in combating Substance Abuse during the awareness campaign conducted in the deep rural community. The population consisted of different stakeholders who play an active role in reducing Substance Abuse. The triangulation method was used for data collection (interviews, observations, and taking field notes during presentations). Purposive sampling was used to select all the available stakeholders who actively combat substance abuse in the communities. Thematic narrative analysis was used to analyze the interviews conducted with and content presented by the stakeholders to generate the themes. Results: The prevalence of Substance Abuse among the youth in the Dikgale community is high with a growing trend of Crystal Meth, "nyaope," and Cannabis(marijuana). The prevalence is worsened by the diverse challenges experienced by the families and stakeholders which impact the strategies targeted to combat Substance Abuse. Conclusion: The findings indicated the need for strong collaborations among the stakeholders (including school leadership) to successfully combat Substance Abuse in rural areas. The findings demonstrated a need for a well-capacitated healthcare services with adequate rehabilitation centers and well-trained healthcare providers for combating Substance Abuse to minimize victim stigmatization.

Identifying the prevalence and correlates of multimorbidity in middle-aged men and women: a cross-sectional population-based study in four African countries.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of multimorbidity, to identify which chronic conditions cluster together and to identify factors associated with a greater risk for multimorbidity in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). DESIGN: Cross-sectional, multicentre, population-based study. SETTING: Six urban and rural communities in four sub-Saharan African countries. PARTICIPANTS: Men (n=4808) and women (n=5892) between the ages of 40 and 60 years from the AWI-Gen study. MEASURES: Sociodemographic and anthropometric data, and multimorbidity as defined by the presence of two or more of the following conditions: HIV infection, cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, asthma, diabetes, dyslipidaemia, hypertension. RESULTS: Multimorbidity prevalence was higher in women compared with men (47.2% vs 35%), and higher in South African men and women compared with their East and West African counterparts. The most common disease combination at all sites was dyslipidaemia and hypertension, with this combination being more prevalent in South African women than any single disease (25% vs 21.6%). Age and body mass index were associated with a higher risk of multimorbidity in men and women; however, lifestyle correlates such as smoking and physical activity were different between the sexes. CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence of multimorbidity in middle-aged adults in SSA is of concern, with women currently at higher risk. This prevalence is expected to increase in men, as well as in the East and West African region with the ongoing epidemiological transition. Identifying common disease clusters and correlates of multimorbidity is critical to providing effective interventions.

Diabetes care cascade and associated factors in 10 700 middle-aged adults in four sub-Saharan African countries: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated progression through the care cascade and associated factors for people with diabetes in sub-Saharan Africa to identify attrition stages that may be most appropriate for targeted intervention. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Community-based study in four sub-Saharan African countries. PARTICIPANTS: 10 700 individuals, aged 40-60 years. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome measure was the diabetes cascade of care defined as the age-adjusted diabetes prevalence (self-report of diabetes, fasting plasma glucose (FPG) ≥7 mmol/L or random plasma glucose ≥11.1 mmol/L) and proportions of those who reported awareness of having diabetes, ever having received treatment for diabetes and those who achieved glycaemic control (FPG <7.2 mmol/L). Secondary outcome measures were factors associated with having diabetes and being aware of the diagnosis. RESULTS: Diabetes prevalence was 5.5% (95% CI 4.4% to 6.5%). Approximately half of those with diabetes were aware (54%; 95% CI 50% to 58%); 73% (95% CI 67% to 79%) of aware individuals reported ever having received treatment. However, only 38% (95% CI 30% to 46%) of those ever having received treatment were adequately controlled. Increasing age (OR 1.1; 95% CI 1.0 to 1.1), urban residence (OR 2.3; 95% CI 1.6 to 3.5), hypertension (OR 1.9; 95% CI 1.5 to 2.4), family history of diabetes (OR 3.9; 95% CI 3.0 to 5.1) and measures of central adiposity were associated with higher odds of having diabetes. Increasing age (OR 1.1; 95% CI 1.0 to 1.1), semi-rural residence (OR 2.5; 95% CI 1.1 to 5.7), secondary education (OR 2.4; 95% CI 1.2 to 4.9), hypertension (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.0 to 2.4) and known HIV positivity (OR 2.3; 95% CI 1.2 to 4.4) were associated with greater likelihood of awareness of having diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: There is attrition at each stage of the diabetes care cascade in sub-Saharan Africa. Public health strategies should target improving diagnosis in high-risk individuals and intensifying therapy in individuals treated for diabetes.