South African medical journal = Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir geneeskunde
-
Prospective case-series analysis of haematological malignancies in goldmining areas in South Africa.
South Africa (SA) has a long history of goldmining that has resulted in locally high levels of environmental contamination from uranium and its decay products (radium-226 and radon-222) from the mine tailings. Populations living around mine tailings of the Witwatersrand goldfields may be exposed through various pathways, raising concern about potential health risks associated with haematological malignancies (HMs), for which evidence is inconclusive. ⋯ We identified potential environmental uranium exposure pathways (occupational, lifestyle related and domestic) among patients with HMs that could have resulted in increased uranium exposure. HIV is common among patients with HMs. Together with the results from a previous retrospective case series of HMs at CHBAH (2004 - 2013), our findings suggest that further research on environmental uranium exposure in mining areas and HM risk in residents is warranted.
-
A recent fatal case of confirmed nosocomial tuberculosis (TB) transmission to a neonate in a kangaroo mother care (KMC) unit highlighted the infection risk to hospitalised neonates in South Africa, a high-burden TB setting. The index case was a 9-week-old infant who presented to another hospital's intensive care unit with severe respiratory distress shortly after discharge from the KMC unit. ⋯ We describe the subsequent process of tracing other TB-exposed infants and mothers, the difficulty in confirming TB infection/disease in pregnancy, and the provision of isoniazid preventive therapy in this cohort. We discuss the practical implementation of TB screening approaches in maternity and neonatal wards in high-burden TB settings.
-
Observational Study
HIV self-screening distribution preferences and experiences among men who have sex with men in Mpumalanga Province: Informing policy for South Africa.
Current research suggests that HIV self-screening (HIVSS) is a feasible and acceptable approach to increase HIV testing among men who have sex with men (MSM). However, few data are available to shape policy around dissemination and implementation. Gaps in knowledge include preferences for distribution of HIVSS kits, potential social harms and benefits of their use, and how much test users would be willing to pay for the kits. ⋯ We observed no social harms, and there were multiple social benefits. Consequently, we recommend immediate free or low-cost distribution of HIVSS kits to MSM through community-based initiatives. Future research should continue to assess optimised linkage to care.
-
Observational Study
The incidence of melanoma in South Africa: An exploratory analysis of National Cancer Registry data from 2005 to 2013 with a specific focus on melanoma in black Africans.
Melanoma is an aggressive skin cancer with poor survival when diagnosed late. There are important differences in clinical and histological features of melanoma and disease outcomes in people with darker skin types. ⋯ This study provides up-to-date NCR incidence and demographic data on melanoma and highlights the neglected research gaps in relation to melanoma in black Africans to provide evidence needed to address health disparities in overlooked population groups.