Adlai Davids - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Adlai Davids

Research paper thumbnail of Standards for the reporting of sex/sexual activity of minors in a research context

South African Medical Journal, 2010

Research paper thumbnail of Risky sexual behaviors among orphaned youth in South Africa: findings of the 2017 population-based household survey

Frontiers in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

IntroductionIn sub-Saharan Africa, evidence shows that orphaned youth are exposed to more risky s... more IntroductionIn sub-Saharan Africa, evidence shows that orphaned youth are exposed to more risky sexual behaviors than non-orphaned peers, which increases the chances of contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. The fast rises in the prevalence of orphanhood are a result of the HIV/AIDS epidemic.MethodologyThe data for this secondary analysis were collected through a cross-sectional, multi-stage, stratified, cluster randomized sampling design. Multivariable backward stepwise logistic regression analysis was fitted to determine the factors associated with risky sexual behaviors among male and female adolescents and youth aged 12–24 years.ResultsOf 2,556 orphaned participants, 18.3% (95% CI: 14.3–23.0) had two or more sexual partners in the last 12 months, 31.3% (95% CI: 26.3–36.6) reported no condom use at last sex, and 98.3% (95% CI: 96.6–99.2) reported no consistent condom use. The likelihood of reporting multiple sexual partnerships was significantly lower among fe...

Research paper thumbnail of South Africa Nancy Phaswana-Mafuya1,2*, Karl Peltzer1,3, Witness Chirinda1

Self-reported prevalence of chronic non-communicable

Research paper thumbnail of What works in HIV and AIDS and the world of work initiatives in South Africa

Research paper thumbnail of Waar daar 'n wil is: Berenice se verhaal

Research paper thumbnail of The Use of EUROPEP in South Africa: An Internationally Standardised Instrument to Evaluate General Practice

Journal of Psychology in Africa, 2010

The study examined the psychometric properties of the South African (isiXhosa) version of the Eur... more The study examined the psychometric properties of the South African (isiXhosa) version of the European Task Force for Patient Evaluation of General Practice (EUROPEP) instrument. A total of 19,136 patients who visited 266 primary care practices in three districts in the Eastern Cape of South Africa completed the EUROPEP, a measure of patient satisfaction with care. The data were analyzed for reliability and construct validity. Exploratory factor analysis yielded three different sub-dimensions: medical technical content of care, patient-provider communication, and practice organisation. The reliability of the items and of the different sub-scales was high. The EUROPEP instrument can be a valuable instrument in assessing patients' evaluations of primary health care in South Africa.

Research paper thumbnail of Pushing the Boundaries: Adapting research methodology to document the COVID-19 pandemic from a socio-behavioural perspective in a low/middle level income country: the case of South Africa

International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 2021

ABSTRACT The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) resulted in South Africa’s shelter-i... more ABSTRACT The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) resulted in South Africa’s shelter-in-place lockdown. South Africa is vulnerable to the negative outcomes of COVID-19 due to health systems inequalities, high prevalence of human immunodeficiency viruses, tuberculosis and the growing burden of non-communicable diseases. Conducting scientifically validated research during lockdown, in a country that’s unequal, divided and resource poor, has resulted in researchers using diverse methodologies and innovative digital tools. These notes report on gathering data for two rapid socio-behavioural studies, conducted during the shelter-in-place lockdown, utilizing a cost-free online platform to administer quantitative questionnaires. It shows the lessons learned to improve survey uptake which include the use of paid for targeted social media boosted posts, the use of social media influencers to promote the surveys, translating the questionnaire into multiple languages and adding a home-based call centre to reach high-density communities.

Research paper thumbnail of Leaving no one behind during Covid-19: relief workers' concern for migrants, refugees and asylum seekers

Research paper thumbnail of Apho kukho injongo: ibali lika Berenice

Research paper thumbnail of Drinking and driving and other risk taking behaviors among university students in South Africa : health and lifestyle

African Journal for Physical, Health Education, Recreation and Dance, 2011

This study assesses the relationship between drinking and driving and other risk taking behaviour... more This study assesses the relationship between drinking and driving and other risk taking behaviours among university students in Limpopo, South Africa aged 17 to 24 years old. A purposive sample of 111 undergraduate university student drivers participated in the study after they had consented to participate. More than 50% of the respondents were pedi-speaking Christian women residing in rural areas. A structured questionnaire was completed by respondents. The results demonstrate that young people engage in risk taking behaviours. The mean scores reveal that engagement in risk behaviour was higher among respondents who had never engaged in drinking and driving (mean score =4.91) than among those who had engaged in drinking and driving (mean score =3.82). However, the independent-samples test showed that the mean score difference between the two groups was not significant (p=. 098). The data reveal that traffic violations and drinking frequency scores were significantly positively corr...

Research paper thumbnail of A multi-faceted innovative intervention to improve adherence to TB treatment at primary health care level in an urban setting: developing a photo story novella

Research paper thumbnail of Mapping the Burden of Hypertension in South Africa: A Comparative Analysis of the National 2012 SANHANES and the 2016 Demographic and Health Survey

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2021

This study investigates the provincial variation in hypertension prevalence in South Africa in 20... more This study investigates the provincial variation in hypertension prevalence in South Africa in 2012 and 2016, adjusting for individual level demographic, behavioural and socio-economic variables, while allowing for spatial autocorrelation and adjusting simultaneously for the hierarchical data structure and risk factors. Data were analysed from participants aged ≥15 years from the South African National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (SANHANES) 2012 and the South African Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) 2016. Hypertension was defined as blood pressure ≥ 140/90 mmHg or self-reported health professional diagnosis or on antihypertensive medication. Bayesian geo-additive regression modelling investigated the association of various socio-economic factors on the prevalence of hypertension across South Africa’s nine provinces while controlling for the latent effects of geographical location. Hypertension prevalence was 38.4% in the SANHANES in 2012 and 48.2% in the DHS in 2016. ...

Research paper thumbnail of Myths, misconceptions, othering and stigmatizing responses to Covid-19 in South Africa: A rapid qualitative assessment

PLOS ONE, 2020

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a new strain of virus in the Coro... more Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a new strain of virus in the Coronavirus family that has not been previously identified. Since SARS-CoV-2 is a new virus, everyone is at risk of catching the Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19). No one has immunity to the virus. Despite this, misconceptions about specific groups of people who are immune to Covid-19 emerged with the onset of the pandemic. This paper explores South African communities’ misconceptions about who is most vulnerable to Covid-19. A rapid qualitative assessment was conducted remotely in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape provinces of South Africa. Recruitment of study participants took place through established relationships with civil society organizations and contacts made by researchers. In total, 60 key informant interviews and one focus group discussion was conducted. Atlas.ti.8 Windows was used to facilitate qualitative data analysis. The qualitative data was coded, and thematic ...

Research paper thumbnail of Alcohol Outlet Density and Deprivation in Six Towns in Bergrivier Municipality before and after Legislative Restrictions

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2020

Introduction. In 2016, after the Western Cape Liquor Act was enacted, alcohol outlets were mapped... more Introduction. In 2016, after the Western Cape Liquor Act was enacted, alcohol outlets were mapped in the six towns from a previous 2008 study to determine: (1) alcohol outlet density; (2) the association between deprivation and alcohol outlet density; (3) geospatial trends of alcohol outlet densities; and (4) the impact of alcohol legislation. Methods. Latitude and longitude coordinates were collected of legal and illegal alcohol outlets, and alcohol outlet density was calculated for legal, illegal and total alcohol outlets by km2 and per 1000 persons. To determine the impact of legislation, t-tests and hot spot analyses were calculated for both 2008 and 2016 studies. Spearman coefficients estimated the relationship between alcohol outlet density and deprivation. Results. Although not statistically significant, the number of alcohol outlets and the density per 1000 population declined by about 12% and 34%, respectively. Illegal outlets were still more likely to be located in more de...

Research paper thumbnail of Community member perceptions of influences on teenage pregnancies

Journal of Psychology in Africa, 2016

This exploratory qualitative study aimed to provide insight into the factors contributing to the ... more This exploratory qualitative study aimed to provide insight into the factors contributing to the high prevalence rate of teenage pregnancy in South African communities. Focus group were conducted with 193 community members (females = 44.6%; adults = 50.8%, teenagers/youth = 44.0%) and followed by thematic content analysis to interpret the data. Several overarching themes regarding the increasingly common occurrence of teenage pregnancy emerged from the data. These included: (1) the increased acceptability of teenage pregnancy to families and communities for economic and material gain; (2) the influence of social pressure; and (3) the lack of sexual knowledge and provision of sex education. Community members perceived teenage pregnancy as an increasingly common occurrence in their communities. Community members perceived teenage pregnancy to be driven by multiple factors and to require holistic interventions at the individual, family and community level.

Research paper thumbnail of Lay Counsellors' Experiences of Delivering HIV Counselling Services in Public Health Facilities in a Eastern Cape Province District of South Africa

Journal of Psychology in Africa, 2011

The study examined experiences of lay counsellors who provide HIV counselling services to identif... more The study examined experiences of lay counsellors who provide HIV counselling services to identify potential HIV counselling needs. Qualitative and quantitative interview data were collected from 74 lay counsellors from a sample of Eastern Cape Province district's health facilities (n=74). Results indicated that lay counsellors experienced medium to high job stress, but with relatively high job satisfaction. They utilized a number of techniques and concepts in the counselling process. Lay counsellors experienced role conflicts when working in a health team and perceived to receive poor support and supervision. In addition, they reported little job training and lack of career pathing. Formalization of their role in HIV prevention and on career pathing could improve effectiveness.

Research paper thumbnail of Factors associated with female high-risk drinking in a rural and an urban South African site

South African Medical Journal, 2010

Excessive alcohol consumption is responsible for many health, psychological, sexual, social and e... more Excessive alcohol consumption is responsible for many health, psychological, sexual, social and economic problems. In South Africa in 2002, 1 7% of disability-adjusted life-years (DALYS) and 7.1% of deaths were attributable to alcohol. Alcohol consumption in South Africa has a particular historical context. There was an indigenous tradition of home brewing but, during the apartheid era, access to alcohol by the black majority was prohibited or restricted, which led to the proliferation of homebrews and widespread small-scale outlets called shebeens. 2 Another unique feature in South Africa was the dop system, whereby farm workers were paid part of their wages in the form of alcohol-invariably wine. Although illegal since 1961, the dop system was nevertheless practised on some farms until quite recently. 2 One consequence of high alcohol consumption among women is maternal drinking, leading to fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), with reported rates for Grade 1 children of 6.8-8.9% 3 and 2.7% 4 in high-risk areas of the Western Cape and Gauteng, respectively. Our study was part of a larger survey investigating the risks for FAS, in order to plan preventive interventions. We aimed to compare the extent of, and to assess factors associated with, high-risk drinking in women of reproductive age in a rural and an urban South African site. Gauteng and Western Cape sites that differ in urbanisation status and alcohol consumption tradition were purposely selected. The Gauteng site comprised adjacent, historically black, coloured, and white areas in the Tshwane Municipality. The Western Cape site was a rural, predominantly commercial and agricultural region, producing wheat, vegetables, fruit and wine. Many workers live in dwellings belonging to the owners and are in extremely dependent relationships with their employers. Others live in local towns and are employed seasonally on farms, with poor job security and benefits. Methods A cross-sectional household survey was undertaken in 2006, including females aged 18-44 years. For Gauteng, a proportional sampling of enumeration areas (EAs) was obtained from the EA listing for the area, based on the 2001 population figures. Ten households were randomly selected from each of 82 selected EAs, using aerial maps, with 1

Research paper thumbnail of A Multi-faceted Innovative Intervervention to improve Adherence to TB treatment at Primary Health Care Level in an Urban Setting- Developing a Photo Story Novella

A multi-faceted, innovative intervention to improve adherence to TB treatment at primary health c... more A multi-faceted, innovative intervention to improve adherence to TB treatment at primary health care level in an urban setting - developing a photo story novella Ebrahim Hoosain, Adlai Davids & Marise Taljaard Background: Non-adherence to treatment is a major challenge for TB control. Innovation to improve TB treatment adherence through patient-centred care is required. TB patients experience a unique treatment journey which offers an opportunity to improve TB treatment adherence. Methods: The novella uses lay-actors and familiar scenes. The positive role-model in the story, and a treatment diary, encourages treatment completion. The novellas will be given to newly-diagnosed TB patients as one component of a four-pillar intervention. Results: The novella includes TB denial, ignorance, social pressure, (self) stigma, thoughts of non-adherence, enlightenment, and support of family, friends and a DOT supporter en route to being cured of TB. The central novella characters are typical of...

Research paper thumbnail of Self-reported prevalence of chronic non-communicable diseases and associated factors among older adults in South Africa

Global Health Action, 2013

Introduction: Little is known about the prevalence and predictors of chronic non-communicable dis... more Introduction: Little is known about the prevalence and predictors of chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) of older adults in South Africa. This study aims to investigate the self-reported prevalences of major chronic NCDs and their predictors among older South Africans. Methods: We conducted a national population-based cross-sectional survey with a sample of 3,840 individuals aged 50 years or above in South Africa in 2008. The outcome variable was the self-reported presence of chronic NCDs suffered, namely, arthritis, stroke, angina, diabetes, chronic lung disease, asthma, depression, and hypertension. The exposure variables were sociodemographic characteristics: age, gender, education, wealth status, race, marital status, and residence. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine sociodemographic factors predictive of the presence of chronic NCDs. Results: The prevalence of chronic NCDs was 51.8%. The prevalence of multimorbidity (]2 chronic conditions) was 22.5%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that being female, being in age groups 60Á79 and 70Á79, being Coloured or Asian, having no schooling, having greater wealth, and residing in an urban area were associated with the presence of NCDs. Conclusion: The rising burden of chronic NCDs affecting older people places a heavy burden on the healthcare system as a result of increased demand and access to healthcare services. Concerted effort is needed to develop strategies for the prevention and management of NCDs, especially among economically disadvantaged individuals who need these services the most.

Research paper thumbnail of Liquor outlet density, deprivation and implications for foetal alcohol syndrome prevention in the Bergriver municipality in the Western Cape, South Africa

South African Geographical Journal, 2014

Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is the most common preventable birth defect in the world, and some ... more Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is the most common preventable birth defect in the world, and some South African communities have amongst the highest reported rates. In August 2008, Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) were used to collect data on legal and illegal alcohol outlets in the Bergriver municipality. Onehundred and twelve outlets were recorded and towns with the densest distributions (outlet/km2) were Piketberg and Eendekuil. Spearman coefficients were used to estimate the relationship between alcohol outlet distributions within the study area and the South African Index of Multiple Deprivation (SAIMD). Although not statistically significant, the data are suggestive of an inverse relationship between legal alcohol outlets and deprivation-less deprived areas had higher density of legal alcohol outlets-while the opposite relationship applied for illegal alcohol outlets. GIS provides spatial documentation of determinants of FAS risks amenable to geographically-based prevention strategies, as well as providing baseline data to evaluate the effectiveness of liquor legislation aimed at controlling access to alcohol. Results are being repurposed into health education materials that encourage community action to address the social determinants of health outcomes such as FAS.

Research paper thumbnail of Standards for the reporting of sex/sexual activity of minors in a research context

South African Medical Journal, 2010

Research paper thumbnail of Risky sexual behaviors among orphaned youth in South Africa: findings of the 2017 population-based household survey

Frontiers in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

IntroductionIn sub-Saharan Africa, evidence shows that orphaned youth are exposed to more risky s... more IntroductionIn sub-Saharan Africa, evidence shows that orphaned youth are exposed to more risky sexual behaviors than non-orphaned peers, which increases the chances of contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. The fast rises in the prevalence of orphanhood are a result of the HIV/AIDS epidemic.MethodologyThe data for this secondary analysis were collected through a cross-sectional, multi-stage, stratified, cluster randomized sampling design. Multivariable backward stepwise logistic regression analysis was fitted to determine the factors associated with risky sexual behaviors among male and female adolescents and youth aged 12–24 years.ResultsOf 2,556 orphaned participants, 18.3% (95% CI: 14.3–23.0) had two or more sexual partners in the last 12 months, 31.3% (95% CI: 26.3–36.6) reported no condom use at last sex, and 98.3% (95% CI: 96.6–99.2) reported no consistent condom use. The likelihood of reporting multiple sexual partnerships was significantly lower among fe...

Research paper thumbnail of South Africa Nancy Phaswana-Mafuya1,2*, Karl Peltzer1,3, Witness Chirinda1

Self-reported prevalence of chronic non-communicable

Research paper thumbnail of What works in HIV and AIDS and the world of work initiatives in South Africa

Research paper thumbnail of Waar daar 'n wil is: Berenice se verhaal

Research paper thumbnail of The Use of EUROPEP in South Africa: An Internationally Standardised Instrument to Evaluate General Practice

Journal of Psychology in Africa, 2010

The study examined the psychometric properties of the South African (isiXhosa) version of the Eur... more The study examined the psychometric properties of the South African (isiXhosa) version of the European Task Force for Patient Evaluation of General Practice (EUROPEP) instrument. A total of 19,136 patients who visited 266 primary care practices in three districts in the Eastern Cape of South Africa completed the EUROPEP, a measure of patient satisfaction with care. The data were analyzed for reliability and construct validity. Exploratory factor analysis yielded three different sub-dimensions: medical technical content of care, patient-provider communication, and practice organisation. The reliability of the items and of the different sub-scales was high. The EUROPEP instrument can be a valuable instrument in assessing patients' evaluations of primary health care in South Africa.

Research paper thumbnail of Pushing the Boundaries: Adapting research methodology to document the COVID-19 pandemic from a socio-behavioural perspective in a low/middle level income country: the case of South Africa

International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 2021

ABSTRACT The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) resulted in South Africa’s shelter-i... more ABSTRACT The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) resulted in South Africa’s shelter-in-place lockdown. South Africa is vulnerable to the negative outcomes of COVID-19 due to health systems inequalities, high prevalence of human immunodeficiency viruses, tuberculosis and the growing burden of non-communicable diseases. Conducting scientifically validated research during lockdown, in a country that’s unequal, divided and resource poor, has resulted in researchers using diverse methodologies and innovative digital tools. These notes report on gathering data for two rapid socio-behavioural studies, conducted during the shelter-in-place lockdown, utilizing a cost-free online platform to administer quantitative questionnaires. It shows the lessons learned to improve survey uptake which include the use of paid for targeted social media boosted posts, the use of social media influencers to promote the surveys, translating the questionnaire into multiple languages and adding a home-based call centre to reach high-density communities.

Research paper thumbnail of Leaving no one behind during Covid-19: relief workers' concern for migrants, refugees and asylum seekers

Research paper thumbnail of Apho kukho injongo: ibali lika Berenice

Research paper thumbnail of Drinking and driving and other risk taking behaviors among university students in South Africa : health and lifestyle

African Journal for Physical, Health Education, Recreation and Dance, 2011

This study assesses the relationship between drinking and driving and other risk taking behaviour... more This study assesses the relationship between drinking and driving and other risk taking behaviours among university students in Limpopo, South Africa aged 17 to 24 years old. A purposive sample of 111 undergraduate university student drivers participated in the study after they had consented to participate. More than 50% of the respondents were pedi-speaking Christian women residing in rural areas. A structured questionnaire was completed by respondents. The results demonstrate that young people engage in risk taking behaviours. The mean scores reveal that engagement in risk behaviour was higher among respondents who had never engaged in drinking and driving (mean score =4.91) than among those who had engaged in drinking and driving (mean score =3.82). However, the independent-samples test showed that the mean score difference between the two groups was not significant (p=. 098). The data reveal that traffic violations and drinking frequency scores were significantly positively corr...

Research paper thumbnail of A multi-faceted innovative intervention to improve adherence to TB treatment at primary health care level in an urban setting: developing a photo story novella

Research paper thumbnail of Mapping the Burden of Hypertension in South Africa: A Comparative Analysis of the National 2012 SANHANES and the 2016 Demographic and Health Survey

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2021

This study investigates the provincial variation in hypertension prevalence in South Africa in 20... more This study investigates the provincial variation in hypertension prevalence in South Africa in 2012 and 2016, adjusting for individual level demographic, behavioural and socio-economic variables, while allowing for spatial autocorrelation and adjusting simultaneously for the hierarchical data structure and risk factors. Data were analysed from participants aged ≥15 years from the South African National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (SANHANES) 2012 and the South African Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) 2016. Hypertension was defined as blood pressure ≥ 140/90 mmHg or self-reported health professional diagnosis or on antihypertensive medication. Bayesian geo-additive regression modelling investigated the association of various socio-economic factors on the prevalence of hypertension across South Africa’s nine provinces while controlling for the latent effects of geographical location. Hypertension prevalence was 38.4% in the SANHANES in 2012 and 48.2% in the DHS in 2016. ...

Research paper thumbnail of Myths, misconceptions, othering and stigmatizing responses to Covid-19 in South Africa: A rapid qualitative assessment

PLOS ONE, 2020

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a new strain of virus in the Coro... more Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a new strain of virus in the Coronavirus family that has not been previously identified. Since SARS-CoV-2 is a new virus, everyone is at risk of catching the Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19). No one has immunity to the virus. Despite this, misconceptions about specific groups of people who are immune to Covid-19 emerged with the onset of the pandemic. This paper explores South African communities’ misconceptions about who is most vulnerable to Covid-19. A rapid qualitative assessment was conducted remotely in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape provinces of South Africa. Recruitment of study participants took place through established relationships with civil society organizations and contacts made by researchers. In total, 60 key informant interviews and one focus group discussion was conducted. Atlas.ti.8 Windows was used to facilitate qualitative data analysis. The qualitative data was coded, and thematic ...

Research paper thumbnail of Alcohol Outlet Density and Deprivation in Six Towns in Bergrivier Municipality before and after Legislative Restrictions

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2020

Introduction. In 2016, after the Western Cape Liquor Act was enacted, alcohol outlets were mapped... more Introduction. In 2016, after the Western Cape Liquor Act was enacted, alcohol outlets were mapped in the six towns from a previous 2008 study to determine: (1) alcohol outlet density; (2) the association between deprivation and alcohol outlet density; (3) geospatial trends of alcohol outlet densities; and (4) the impact of alcohol legislation. Methods. Latitude and longitude coordinates were collected of legal and illegal alcohol outlets, and alcohol outlet density was calculated for legal, illegal and total alcohol outlets by km2 and per 1000 persons. To determine the impact of legislation, t-tests and hot spot analyses were calculated for both 2008 and 2016 studies. Spearman coefficients estimated the relationship between alcohol outlet density and deprivation. Results. Although not statistically significant, the number of alcohol outlets and the density per 1000 population declined by about 12% and 34%, respectively. Illegal outlets were still more likely to be located in more de...

Research paper thumbnail of Community member perceptions of influences on teenage pregnancies

Journal of Psychology in Africa, 2016

This exploratory qualitative study aimed to provide insight into the factors contributing to the ... more This exploratory qualitative study aimed to provide insight into the factors contributing to the high prevalence rate of teenage pregnancy in South African communities. Focus group were conducted with 193 community members (females = 44.6%; adults = 50.8%, teenagers/youth = 44.0%) and followed by thematic content analysis to interpret the data. Several overarching themes regarding the increasingly common occurrence of teenage pregnancy emerged from the data. These included: (1) the increased acceptability of teenage pregnancy to families and communities for economic and material gain; (2) the influence of social pressure; and (3) the lack of sexual knowledge and provision of sex education. Community members perceived teenage pregnancy as an increasingly common occurrence in their communities. Community members perceived teenage pregnancy to be driven by multiple factors and to require holistic interventions at the individual, family and community level.

Research paper thumbnail of Lay Counsellors' Experiences of Delivering HIV Counselling Services in Public Health Facilities in a Eastern Cape Province District of South Africa

Journal of Psychology in Africa, 2011

The study examined experiences of lay counsellors who provide HIV counselling services to identif... more The study examined experiences of lay counsellors who provide HIV counselling services to identify potential HIV counselling needs. Qualitative and quantitative interview data were collected from 74 lay counsellors from a sample of Eastern Cape Province district's health facilities (n=74). Results indicated that lay counsellors experienced medium to high job stress, but with relatively high job satisfaction. They utilized a number of techniques and concepts in the counselling process. Lay counsellors experienced role conflicts when working in a health team and perceived to receive poor support and supervision. In addition, they reported little job training and lack of career pathing. Formalization of their role in HIV prevention and on career pathing could improve effectiveness.

Research paper thumbnail of Factors associated with female high-risk drinking in a rural and an urban South African site

South African Medical Journal, 2010

Excessive alcohol consumption is responsible for many health, psychological, sexual, social and e... more Excessive alcohol consumption is responsible for many health, psychological, sexual, social and economic problems. In South Africa in 2002, 1 7% of disability-adjusted life-years (DALYS) and 7.1% of deaths were attributable to alcohol. Alcohol consumption in South Africa has a particular historical context. There was an indigenous tradition of home brewing but, during the apartheid era, access to alcohol by the black majority was prohibited or restricted, which led to the proliferation of homebrews and widespread small-scale outlets called shebeens. 2 Another unique feature in South Africa was the dop system, whereby farm workers were paid part of their wages in the form of alcohol-invariably wine. Although illegal since 1961, the dop system was nevertheless practised on some farms until quite recently. 2 One consequence of high alcohol consumption among women is maternal drinking, leading to fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), with reported rates for Grade 1 children of 6.8-8.9% 3 and 2.7% 4 in high-risk areas of the Western Cape and Gauteng, respectively. Our study was part of a larger survey investigating the risks for FAS, in order to plan preventive interventions. We aimed to compare the extent of, and to assess factors associated with, high-risk drinking in women of reproductive age in a rural and an urban South African site. Gauteng and Western Cape sites that differ in urbanisation status and alcohol consumption tradition were purposely selected. The Gauteng site comprised adjacent, historically black, coloured, and white areas in the Tshwane Municipality. The Western Cape site was a rural, predominantly commercial and agricultural region, producing wheat, vegetables, fruit and wine. Many workers live in dwellings belonging to the owners and are in extremely dependent relationships with their employers. Others live in local towns and are employed seasonally on farms, with poor job security and benefits. Methods A cross-sectional household survey was undertaken in 2006, including females aged 18-44 years. For Gauteng, a proportional sampling of enumeration areas (EAs) was obtained from the EA listing for the area, based on the 2001 population figures. Ten households were randomly selected from each of 82 selected EAs, using aerial maps, with 1

Research paper thumbnail of A Multi-faceted Innovative Intervervention to improve Adherence to TB treatment at Primary Health Care Level in an Urban Setting- Developing a Photo Story Novella

A multi-faceted, innovative intervention to improve adherence to TB treatment at primary health c... more A multi-faceted, innovative intervention to improve adherence to TB treatment at primary health care level in an urban setting - developing a photo story novella Ebrahim Hoosain, Adlai Davids & Marise Taljaard Background: Non-adherence to treatment is a major challenge for TB control. Innovation to improve TB treatment adherence through patient-centred care is required. TB patients experience a unique treatment journey which offers an opportunity to improve TB treatment adherence. Methods: The novella uses lay-actors and familiar scenes. The positive role-model in the story, and a treatment diary, encourages treatment completion. The novellas will be given to newly-diagnosed TB patients as one component of a four-pillar intervention. Results: The novella includes TB denial, ignorance, social pressure, (self) stigma, thoughts of non-adherence, enlightenment, and support of family, friends and a DOT supporter en route to being cured of TB. The central novella characters are typical of...

Research paper thumbnail of Self-reported prevalence of chronic non-communicable diseases and associated factors among older adults in South Africa

Global Health Action, 2013

Introduction: Little is known about the prevalence and predictors of chronic non-communicable dis... more Introduction: Little is known about the prevalence and predictors of chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) of older adults in South Africa. This study aims to investigate the self-reported prevalences of major chronic NCDs and their predictors among older South Africans. Methods: We conducted a national population-based cross-sectional survey with a sample of 3,840 individuals aged 50 years or above in South Africa in 2008. The outcome variable was the self-reported presence of chronic NCDs suffered, namely, arthritis, stroke, angina, diabetes, chronic lung disease, asthma, depression, and hypertension. The exposure variables were sociodemographic characteristics: age, gender, education, wealth status, race, marital status, and residence. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine sociodemographic factors predictive of the presence of chronic NCDs. Results: The prevalence of chronic NCDs was 51.8%. The prevalence of multimorbidity (]2 chronic conditions) was 22.5%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that being female, being in age groups 60Á79 and 70Á79, being Coloured or Asian, having no schooling, having greater wealth, and residing in an urban area were associated with the presence of NCDs. Conclusion: The rising burden of chronic NCDs affecting older people places a heavy burden on the healthcare system as a result of increased demand and access to healthcare services. Concerted effort is needed to develop strategies for the prevention and management of NCDs, especially among economically disadvantaged individuals who need these services the most.

Research paper thumbnail of Liquor outlet density, deprivation and implications for foetal alcohol syndrome prevention in the Bergriver municipality in the Western Cape, South Africa

South African Geographical Journal, 2014

Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is the most common preventable birth defect in the world, and some ... more Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is the most common preventable birth defect in the world, and some South African communities have amongst the highest reported rates. In August 2008, Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) were used to collect data on legal and illegal alcohol outlets in the Bergriver municipality. Onehundred and twelve outlets were recorded and towns with the densest distributions (outlet/km2) were Piketberg and Eendekuil. Spearman coefficients were used to estimate the relationship between alcohol outlet distributions within the study area and the South African Index of Multiple Deprivation (SAIMD). Although not statistically significant, the data are suggestive of an inverse relationship between legal alcohol outlets and deprivation-less deprived areas had higher density of legal alcohol outlets-while the opposite relationship applied for illegal alcohol outlets. GIS provides spatial documentation of determinants of FAS risks amenable to geographically-based prevention strategies, as well as providing baseline data to evaluate the effectiveness of liquor legislation aimed at controlling access to alcohol. Results are being repurposed into health education materials that encourage community action to address the social determinants of health outcomes such as FAS.