Showing items 1 - 11 of 11

A study protocol to determine the association between lifetime lead exposure and violent criminal behaviour in young males in conflict with the law

- Mbonane, Thokozani P., Mathee, Angela, Swart, André, Naicker, Nisha

  • Authors: Mbonane, Thokozani P. , Mathee, Angela , Swart, André , Naicker, Nisha
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Bone , Blood , Lifetime
  • Language: English
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/395889 , uj:32847 , Citation: Mbonane, T.P. 2019. A study protocol to determine the association between lifetime lead exposure and violent criminal behaviour in young males in conflict with the law.
  • Description: Abstract: Background: Low-level lead exposure has harmful and persistent effects on behaviour. Recent studies have linked environmental lead exposure and the development of aggressive, violent and criminal behaviour. This protocol is designed to study an association between lifetime (bone) lead levels and violent criminal behaviour among young males in conflict with the law in Gauteng youth development centres. Methods: This paper describes a study to determine a link between lifetime lead exposure and violent criminal behaviour. Lifetime lead exposure will be measured using bone lead measurement, while blood lead levels will be observed for current exposure. Thereafter, criminal records of participants will be reviewed whereas violent behaviour and risk factors will be observed using a questionnaire. The study focused on young males in conflict with the law in three centres within Gauteng Provence, South Africa. After stratifying the centres, we randomly selected participants. The researcher shall adhere to ethical requirements throughout the study. Data will be analysed for descriptive and inferential analysis using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). Discussion: The study will provide a strong foundation for an improved understanding of the relationship between environmental contamination from lead exposure and aggression/violent criminal behaviour. Beyond the health sector, the study findings may be able to inform new approaches to crime prevention through environmental action with an emphasis on the role of non-health sectors.
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Climatic factors in relation to diarrhoea hospital admissions in rural Limpopo, South Africa

- Ikeda, Takayoshi, Kapwata, Thandi, Behera, Swadhin K., Minakawa, Noboru, Hashizume, Masahiro, Sweijd, Neville, Mathee, Angela, Wright, Caradee Yael

Common mental health disorders among informal waste pickers in Johannesburg, South Africa 2018—a cross-sectional study

- Makhubele, Matimba, Ravhuhali, Khuliso, Kuonza, Lazarus, Mathee, Angela, Kgalamono, Spo, Made, Felix, Tlotleng, Nohlanhla, Kootbodien, Tahira, Ntlebi, Vusi, Wilson, Kerry, Naicker, Nisha

Development for children’s environmental health in South Africa: Past gains and future opportunities

- Mathee, Angela, Barnes, Brendon, Naidoo, Shan, Swart, Andre, Rother, Hanna-Andrea

Environmental health practitioners potentially play a key role in helping communities adapt to climate change

- Shezi, Busisiwe, Mathee, Angela, Siziba, Wellington, Street, Renée A., Naicker, Nisha, Kunene, Zamantimande, Wright, Caradee Y.

  • Authors: Shezi, Busisiwe , Mathee, Angela , Siziba, Wellington , Street, Renée A. , Naicker, Nisha , Kunene, Zamantimande , Wright, Caradee Y.
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Climate change , Environmental health , South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/397373 , uj:33026 , Citation: Shezi, B. et al. 2019. Environmental health practitioners potentially play a key role in helping communities adapt to climate change. BMC Public Health (2019) 19:54 https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-018-6378-5
  • Description: Abstract: Background: Vulnerable population groups in South Africa, especially those living in poverty, young children, women, the elderly and people with pre-existing diseases, are susceptible to new or exacerbated health threats resulting from climate change. Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) can play an important role in helping communities adapt to climate change health impacts, however, effective coordination of this requires further understanding of their roles in implementing climate change-related adaptation actions in communities. Methods: A cross-sectional survey using convenience sampling was undertaken at the January 2017 conference for EHPs hosted by the South African Institute of Environmental Health in Cape Town. All EHPs who attended the conference were invited to complete a study questionnaire that requested information on participant demographics, as well as climate change related-knowledge, practices and perceptions. Results: Majority of participating EHPs (n = 48; 72.8%) had received formal or informal training on climate change and health. Thirty-nine percent of EHPs indicated that they had a climate change and health-related committee / working group in their department, a policy or strategy (41.0%) and budget allocated for climate change and health-related work (51.5%). A total of 33.3% had participated in climate change-related projects. Majority (62.2%) of EHPs believed that they should play a supportive role in addressing climate change while 37.8% believed that EHPs should play a leading role. Conclusions: Recognising the need for raising awareness about climate change adaptation as well as implementing appropriate interventions to combat climate-related ill health effects, especially among vulnerable groups, EHPs are wellplaced to adopt significant roles in helping communities to adapt to climate change.
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Environmental silica dust exposure and pulmonary tuberculosis in Johannesburg, South Africa

- Kootbodien, Tahira, Iyaloo, Samantha, Wilson, Kerry, Naicker, Nisha, Kgalamono, Spo, Haman, Tanya, Mathee, Angela, Rees, David

Household fuel use for heating and cooking and respiratory health in a low-income, South African coastal community

- Buthelezi, Sikhumbuzo Archibald, Kapwata, Thandi, Wernecke, Bianca, Webster, Candice, Mathee, Angela, Wright, Caradee Yael

  • Authors: Buthelezi, Sikhumbuzo Archibald , Kapwata, Thandi , Wernecke, Bianca , Webster, Candice , Mathee, Angela , Wright, Caradee Yael
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Respiratory health, Indoor air pollution, Household air pollution
  • Language: English
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/396540 , uj:32931 , Citation : Buthelezi, S.A. et al. 2019. Household fuel use for heating and cooking and respiratory health in a low-income, South African coastal community
  • Description: Abstract : In low-income communities, non-electric fuel sources are typically the main cause of Household Air Pollution (HAP). In Umlazi, a South African coastal, informal settlement, households use electric- and non-electric (coal, wood, gas, paraffin) energy sources for cooking and heating. The study aimed to determine whether respiratory ill health status varied by fuel type use. Using a questionnaire, respondents reported on a range of socio-demographic characteristics, dwelling type, energy use for cooking and heating as well as respiratory health symptoms. Multivariate Poisson regression was used to obtain the adjusted Odds Ratios (ORs) for the effects of electric and non-electric energy sources on prevalence of respiratory infections considering potential confounding factors. Among the 245 households that participated, Upper Respiratory Tract Infections (URTI, n = 27) were prevalent in respondents who used non-electric sources compared to electric sources for heating and cooking. There were statistically significant effects of non-electric sources for heating (adjusted OR = 3.6, 95% CI (confidence interval): 1.2–10.1, p < 0.05) and cooking (adjusted OR = 2.9, 95% CI: 1.1–7.9, p < 0.05) on prevalence of URTIs. There was a statistically significant effect of electric sources for heating (adjusted OR = 2.7, 95% CI: 1.1–6.4, p < 0.05) on prevalence of Lower Respiratory Tract Infections (LRTIs) but no evidence for relations between non-electric sources for heating and LRTIs, and electric or non-electric fuel use type for cooking and LRTIs. Energy switching, mixing or stacking could be common in these households that likely made use of multiple energy sources during a typical month depending on access to and availability of electricity, funds to pay for the energy source as well as other socio-economic or cultural factors. The importance of behaviour and social determinants of health in relation to HAP is emphasized.
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National Health Insurance and climate change : planning for South Africa’s future

- Wright, Caradee Y., Chersich, Matthew, Mathee, Angela

Overcrowding and health in two impoverished suburbs of Johannesburg, South Africa

- Nkosi, Vusumuzi, Haman, Tanya, Naicker, Nisha, Mathee, Angela

  • Authors: Nkosi, Vusumuzi , Haman, Tanya , Naicker, Nisha , Mathee, Angela
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: Overcrowding , Health , South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/464906 , uj:41553 , Citation: Vusumuzi, N., Haman, T., Naicker, N. & Mathee, A. 2020. Overcrowding and health in two impoverished suburbs of Johannesburg, South Africa.
  • Description: Abstract: Background: Rapid urbanization, unmatched by an associated supply of housing, has resulted in overcrowding in the cities of many developing countries, including in Johannesburg, South Africa. Household overcrowding has been associated with a range of ill-health outcomes, including acute respiratory infections and diarrhoeal diseases. The aim of this study was to describe the levels of household crowding, and examine associations with respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms in selected two low-income neighbourhoods in Johannesburg. Methods: Questionnaire data from a panel study conducted over an 11-year period between 2006 and 2016 were extracted to conduct the analyses. Structured questionnaires, designed to collect information on housing conditions, socio-economic and health status were administered to adult representatives of households occupying the primary dwelling on pre-selected study sites. Results: Over the 11-year study period, levels of overcrowding remained unchanged. Around 57.6% of dwellings in the study neighbourhoods were determined to be overcrowded in relation to international guidelines. Results from the multiple logistic regression analyses indicated that crowded dwellings were associated with elevated levels of acute respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms, as well as fever/chills. Conclusion: Respondent perceptions varied from objective measures of overcrowding. Crowded dwellings were associated with elevated reports of acute respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms, as well as fever/chills.
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Prevalence of respiratory health symptoms among landfill waste recyclers in the City of Johannesburg, South Africa

- Tlotleng, Nonhlanhla, Kootbodien, Tahira, Wilson, Kerry, Made, Felix, Mathee, Angela, Ntlebi, Vusi, Kgalamono, Spo, Mokone, Moses, Du Preez, Karen, Naicker, Nisha

Socio-economic, infrastructural and health-related risk factors associated with adverse heat-health effects reportedly experienced during hot weather in South Africa

- Wright, Caradee Yael, Dominick, Friederike, Kapwata, Thandi, Bidassey-Manilal, Shalin, Engelbrecht, Jacobus Christoffel, Stich, Heribert, Mathee, Angela, Matooane, Mamopeli

  • Authors: Wright, Caradee Yael , Dominick, Friederike , Kapwata, Thandi , Bidassey-Manilal, Shalin , Engelbrecht, Jacobus Christoffel , Stich, Heribert , Mathee, Angela , Matooane, Mamopeli
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Climate change , Environmental health , Heat
  • Language: English
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/403710 , uj:33840 , Citation: Wright, C.Y. et al. 2019. Socio-economic, infrastructural and health-related risk factors associated with adverse heat-health effects reportedly experienced during hot weather in South Africa. , DOI:10.11604/pamj.2019.34.40.17569
  • Description: Abstract: Introduction: poor urban communities are likely to bear the brunt of climate change impacts on health and well-being. The City of Johannesburg, South Africa, is predicted to experience an average increase in ambient temperature of 4°C by 2100. Focusing on the urban environment, this study aimed to determine socio-economic, infrastructural and health-related risk factors for heat-related adverse health effects. Methods: this was a crosssectional study. Data of interest were collected using a pretested and validated questionnaire administered to parents of children attending schools participating in a school heat study. Information related to demographic, socio-economic and household-level determinants of health, which has an impact on the individual prevalence of adverse heat-health effects associated with hot weather, was collected for 136 households and 580 individuals. Results: sweating (n = 208 individuals; 35%), headache and nausea (n = 111; 19%) and weakness, fatigue and dizziness (n = 87; 15%) were the most common heat-health effects reportedly experienced by individuals (n = 580) during hot weather. Individuals who suffered from hypertension (OR = 2.32, 95% CI: 1.34 - 4.05, p = 0.003) and individuals older than 60 years (OR = 1.81, 95% CI: 1.27-1.99, p < 0.001) compared to other age groups were more likely to experience 'any heat-health effects'. Living in government-sponsored detached housing and in houses with asbestos roofs were associated with an increase in reported experience of 'any heat-health effects' compared to living in other housing types. Conclusion: heathealth awareness campaigns should target people suffering from pre-existing diseases and the elderly, as these groups are especially vulnerable to heat. Focus should also be given to appropriate roofing and insulation in government-sponsored housing since summertime temperatures are projected to increase.
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