South African medical journal = Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir geneeskunde
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Childhood obesity has become a global public health problem and is a known risk factor for type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, stroke, myocardial infarction and various cancers in later adulthood.Associations between adult obesity and economic growth, technological changes, socioeconomic status and economic inequities have been reported, but limited data are available for children and adolescents in countries that are undergoing an epidemiological health transition exhibiting both under- and overnutrition. ⋯ An increase in childhood and adolescent obesity over time was observed, while trend associations between obesity and EGIs exist.
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An increasing number of girls living with perinatally acquired HIV (PHIV) are reaching adolescence and adulthood and becoming pregnant. Youth living with PHIV (YLPHIV) may have HIV-associated infections/complications, long-term exposure to antiretroviral treatment (ART), drug resistance and increased psychosocial challenges, which may adversely affect pregnancy outcomes. There is a lack of published studies on pregnancy in YLPHIV in sub-Saharan Africa. Objectives. To describe characteristics of pregnant South African (SA) YLPHIV and their pregnancy outcomes. ⋯ In recent years, the number of pregnancies in YLPHIV has increased. A considerable proportion of pregnancies occurred in YLPHIV ≤16 years old. A high proportion of pregnancies was electively terminated. The prevalence of elevated VL and poor immunological status among pregnant YLPHIV is concerning.
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Most South Africans depend on the public sector for health services. There is an increasing demand for arthroplasty in the public sector, but a paucity of academic data regarding its cost. ⋯ The study showed that clinicians need to be aware of procedural costing in the current financial climate. There are still opportunities to optimise cost containment in the state sector.
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Comment Letter Retracted Publication
Barriers to the representation of researchers from developing countries in international health and potential strategies to address these.
Letter by Haribhai on article by Moodley (Moodley K. Research imperialism resurfaces in South Africa in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic - this time, via a digital portal. S Afr Med J 2020;110(11):1068-1069. https://doi.org/10.7196/SAMJ.2020.v110i11.15285).