South African medical journal = Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir geneeskunde
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The association between human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer is well established, and cervical cancer can be prevented through HPV vaccination. Little has been reported on the association between HPV and breast carcinoma (BC) or oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) in Africa. It is possible that use of appropriate HPV vaccines against genotypes responsible for these cancers may also prevent their development. ⋯ The high prevalence of infection with multiple HPV genotypes in BC and OSCC patients, with HPV 16, 51, 70, 35 and 82 the most common genotypes in these cancers, warrants expansion of the current SA bivalent HPV 16/18 vaccine for girls to include boys, and inclusion of HPV 51, 70, 35 and 82, in order to prevent BC and OSCC as well as cervical cancer.
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Globally, >1 million new cases of curable sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are estimated to occur daily, an alarming rate that has prevailed for over a decade. Modelled STI prevalence estimates for South Africa (SA) are among the highest globally. Robust STI surveillance systems have implications for policy and planning, antimicrobial stewardship and prevention strategies, and are critical in stemming the tide of STIs. ⋯ The STI CSSS is pivotal to epidemiological monitoring and proactive management of STIs, especially in view of the high HIV prevalence in SA. CSSS processes and facility selection should be reviewed and revised to be representative and responsive to the current STI needs of the country, with biennial analysis and reporting to support evidence-based policy development and targeted implementation.
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Global surgery is developing as new discipline in many countries. Global surgery primarily aims to improve access to quality surgery in low-and-middle Income countries (LMICs). ⋯ If equity in global surgery leadership and scholarship is truly desired, steps need to be taken to ensure that more students and young clinicians in LMICs are exposed to global surgery as an academic discipline and are offered pathways to practice and leadership. This paper explores ways of ensuring this through increased exposure, increased training and increased funding.
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Background It is generally understood that the profile of spine surgery varies by setting, based on factors such as the age profile of the population, the economic context and access to healthcare. Relatively little is known about the profile of spine surgery in South Africa, although one previous report from the public healthcare sector suggested a high burden of trauma and infection-related surgery. To our knowledge, there has been no formal investigation in the private sector. ⋯ I. 1.12-1.91). Conclusion Spine surgery in South Africa's largest open medical scheme was dominated by surgery for degenerative pathology in older adults and was performed largely by neurosurgeons. This constituted a stark contrast to a previous report from the public sector and highlighted a mismatch between exposure during public sector registrar training and private practice post-specialization. The findings support the need for private-public collaboration as well as the importance of spine fellowships for all specialists intending to practice spine surgery.
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This was a cross-sectional study with the aim of characterising Naja nigricincta nigricincta's oral bacterial flora as well as accompanying sensitivities and resistance towards antibiotics. Naja nigricincta nigricincta (zebra snake) is a spitting cobra indigenous to Namibia. ⋯ Enterococcus faecalis, Proteus spp., Morganella morganii and Pseudomonas spp. were the organisms most often cultured. The antibiotic sensitivity profiles of these organisms suggest ciprofloxacin or a third-generation cephalosporin plus gentamicin or piperacillin-tazobactam as prophylactic antibiotics in case of Naja nigricincta nigricincta bites.