Strategy In South Africa Research Articles

Health and economic impacts of Vaccae vaccination incorporating active case finding in India and South Africa: a modelling study

IntroductionTuberculosis (TB) is a major global health issue, particularly, in India and South Africa. We aim to evaluate the potential of the new TB vaccine, Vaccae, to enhance TB control...

Hybrid retirement strategy in South Africa

Background: Many retirees in South Africa face the challenge of either outliving their retirement savings or living below their means. Studies suggest a ‘safe’ withdrawal rate of between 4% and 5%, which is below the average fund size-weighted drawdown rate of approximately 6.66%.Aim: To provide a scientific basis for the success rate of a ‘hybrid’ retirement strategy, whereby a retiree invests a proportion of their savings in a life annuity and the remaining proportion in a living annuity, to increase the success rate for South African retirees.Setting: Historical asset class returns (equities, bonds and inflation) for South Africa were sourced for the period 1900–2020.Method: Bootstrap sampling of historical asset returns was employed to simulate 10 000 random scenarios to investigate the success rate of various compositions of the ‘hybrid’ retirement strategy.Results: The success rate of all ‘hybrid’ portfolio compositions is significantly greater than the success rate of a pure living annuity when the withdrawal rate is less than 8%.Conclusion: In a South African context, a ‘hybrid’ retirement portfolio increases the probability of success for retirees withdrawing less than 8% from their portfolio – which constitutes approximately 50% of the current annuatised population – and may increase the inheritance of a retiree’s heir.Contribution: Where other studies have focussed solely on the success rate of a living annuity, we have shown that a ‘hybrid’ retirement strategy increases a South African retiree’s likelihood of retiring successfully when the withdrawal rate is less than 8%, which is approximately 50% of the annuatised population.

Infusing Climate Change Education into Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) as a Resilience Strategy in South Africa: Towards a Theory of Change

Infusing Climate Change Education into Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) as a Resilience Strategy in South Africa: Towards a Theory of Change

Square Pegs in Round Holes? An Assessment of State-Led Poverty Alleviation Strategies in South Africa

Square Pegs in Round Holes? An Assessment of State-Led Poverty Alleviation Strategies in South Africa

Engaging communities as partners: policing strategies in Johannesburg

PurposeThis paper aims to explore police perspectives on community engagement strategies within the context of crime prevention in South Africa, focusing on Johannesburg metropolitan police stations. The study’s objective is to scrutinise the effectiveness and challenges of community policing strategies.Design/methodology/approachThrough a qualitative research approach, this study conducted unstructured interviews with station commanders and visible policing officers across 10 Johannesburg metropolitan police stations.FindingsThe findings reveal that community policing strategies, such as community–policing forums, sector policing, street patrollers and social media utilisation, can effectively engage communities as partners in crime prevention. However, certain challenges such as resource limitations and difficulties in policing-specific regions, were also identified.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the broader understanding of community–policing partnerships and the practical implications of community–policing strategies in South Africa, suggesting areas for improvement and adaptation to the unique South African context. This knowledge can help optimise efforts to foster stronger relationships between police and communities, bolster public trust and ultimately improve crime prevention outcomes.

Responses to Mixed Fear and Pro-social Emotional Appeal Covid-19 Health Communication Strategies in South Africa: A Reflection

Since the advent and global spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, several governments used emotional appeals as mechanisms to influence public behavioural change in a bid to combat spread of the then novel Coronavirus. Research shows that the uptake of health messaging is often, partly influenced by audience responses to emotional appeal techniques employed in such messages. This study intended to assess responses by South African audiences to COVID-19 emotional appeal messages from March 2020. The Extended Parallel Process Model (EPPM) is applied. A quantitative study analysed responses of over 1000 participants. Results indicate that government officials used a tailored and phased communication strategy mirroring fear and pro-social appeal messages to the intensity of COVID-19 waves. Results indicate that the most recurring emotional responses by participants were concern, worry and sadness. The least experienced emotions were gloom and surprise. Participants held mixed perceptions towards messages about their experiences regarding government COVID-19 message clarity. Majority of the participants, 72-76% expressed intentions to continue engaging in positive behavioural measures in response to government containment strategies. The recurring multiple waves of COVID-19 infections globally, necessitated tailored and mixed multi-phased messaging by the South African government provoking mirrored responses. This study could provide insight into effective, audience-responsive messaging for longstanding health crises by health promotion organisations including governments.

Fourth Industrial Revolution in South Africa: Challenges Confronting Health Care and a Health Care-focused Strategy

This article explores challenges in developing a Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) health strategy in South Africa against the background of the country’s ailing public health care system, on which around 80% of the population is dependent. This situation presents a problem of inequities in access to health care which, if not addressed, may be made worse as technological innovations increase. As such, a deliberate approach regarding 4IR is essential. The article is a desk research that utilises a qualitative approach by collecting and analysing data from various secondary sources in both published and unpublished literature. It considers theoretical literature on policy formulation, design and tools, as well as literature on the challenges of the country’s health system. The article finds that while there is a need for a 4IR health-focused policy, the South African state of health makes it a challenge to do so. Access to and implementation of the 4IR in the health sector need greater engagement with the problems in health care, as opposed to the implementation in a developed world. Further, until the NHI is fully implemented, a 4IR health strategy may not only be difficult to formulate, but to implement as well. The article contributes to the scholarship on policy formulation in South Africa and identifies the key features of what a South African health-focused 4IR strategy may contain. It further helps us to appreciate the challenges that confront an African health care system, particularly in view of the 4IR.

Developing Indicators to Measure the Implementation of the Western Cape Alcohol Harms Reduction Strategy in South Africa

This manuscript describes a process to develop a set of indicators to monitor and evaluate the implementation of the Western Cape Alcohol-Related Harms Reduction (AHR) White Paper in South Africa and provide a final set of indicators. Drawing on the framework in Andréasson et al. (2009), a logic model with categories and types of indicators (i.e. prevention, determinants, consumption, and alcohol-related harms) was used to develop an initial set of 255 indicators. The methodological process followed involved a) scoping of a large electronic database maintained by the South African Medical Research Council, b) a comprehensive literature review and, c) reaching out to18 international key informants. Iterative communications with stakeholders from diverse government entities via email, telephone calls and individual and multi-person face-to-face meetings, together with a consensus process involving the study team was used to refine the indicators. The final set included 176 indicators; 108, (61.4%) of these were “core” indicators, and 68 (38.6%) were “expanded” indicators, meaning they added to the core indicators in given areas which would be useful to have but are of a lower priority or are likely to be less easy to obtain. Of the core indicators, 45 (42.4%) were deemed by policy makers/researchers in the Premier’s office as “high-level indicators,” denoting that they were the most essential. This manuscript demonstrates that it is possible to develop evidence-based, location-specific indicators to evaluate policy implementation.

Patients’ Perceptions on the Factors Contributing to Non-conversion after Two Months of Tuberculosis Treatment at Selected Primary Healthcare Facilities in the Ekurhuleni Health District, South Africa

Background: Tuberculosis patients’ non-conversion is one of the factors impeding the ‘End TB’ strategies in South Africa. Several reasons have been recognised as contributing to patients with TB non-conversion, including TB illiteracy, denial of TB infection, reluctance to honour follow-up visits, and an unwillingness to take prescribed treatment for six months. Objective: In light of this, this study aimed at exploring and describing factors contributing to patients with pulmonary TB non-conversion at two and three months of treatment at selected primary healthcare facilities in the Ekurhuleni Health District, Gauteng province. Methods: A qualitative, explorative and descriptive research design was adopted with eight purposively sampled patients receiving TB care from five selected primary healthcare facilities. Semi-structured interviews were utilised to collect data from eight purposively sampled participants, who were interviewed on what they perceived to be factors contributing to patients with TB non-conversion at two and three months of treatment. Results: The study found that patients with TB attending the selected primary healthcare facilities experience psychosocial problems, such as shortage of food and lack of family support, as well as insufficient patient healthcare literacy. Conclusion: The study recommends that enhanced patient education be given from the time a patient starts TB treatment. The involvement of multi-disciplinary teams and other stakeholders is important in the management of patients with TB. Furthermore, the outreach team must provide health education to patients with TB family members, so that they can support the patients with TB to comply with treatment. Family support must be emphasised because it encourages patients with TB to comply with the course of treatment.

Knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of a patient population on the COVID-19 vaccine rollout.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had dire effects on South Africa. Vaccines against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are critical in the fight against COVID-19. This study is necessary to optimise vaccine acceptance. To determine the knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of a patient population in South Africa on the COVID-19 vaccine rollout. This study was conducted via a retail pharmacy in Merebank, Wentworth and Bluff (Ward 68), which is in the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality in the KwaZulu-Natal province. A quantitative study was conducted using an online self-administered questionnaire between April 2021 to September 2021. There were a total of 430 participants. Data were collected on Google Forms, recorded in Microsoft Excel and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Knowledge of COVID-19 in the population was 81.86%. A total of 65% of participants stated that they would definitely take the COVID-19 vaccine, and 33.7% stated that they were hesitant to receive the vaccine. Reasons for hesitancies included concerns surrounding side effects of the vaccines, its safety and efficacy and the fast-tracking of the vaccine. Education campaigns need to be customised to provide the population with reliable and vetted vaccine information and address specific concerns or hesitancies present. Health care workers and the government need to work with religious leaders to improve public trust and confidence in the vaccine. To reach herd immunity and prevent increased morbidity rates, there needs to be a rise in vaccine acceptance across South Africa and globally. With the intention of ensuring a successful COVID-19 vaccine rollout strategy in South Africa, it is of great importance to address the reasons for vaccine hesitancy and to determine the knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of the population on the COVID-19 vaccines. This study will therefore aid in developing strategies aimed at improving vaccine education and awareness, thereby resulting in a greater uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine by the population.

Decentralisation of Authority and its Implications for Inclusive Economic Development strategies in South Africa: A critical review

Decentralisation of Authority and its Implications for Inclusive Economic Development strategies in South Africa: A critical review

Estimating the changing burden of disease attributable to alcohol use in South Africa for 2000, 2006 and 2012.

Alcohol use was one of the leading contributors to South Africa (SA)'s disease burden in 2000, accounting for 7% of deaths and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) in the first South African Comparative Risk Assessment Study (SACRA1). Since then, patterns of alcohol use have changed, as has the epidemiological evidence pertaining to the role of alcohol as a risk factor for infectious diseases, most notably HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis (TB). To estimate the burden of disease attributable to alcohol use by sex and age group in SA in 2000, 2006 and 2012. The analysis follows the World Health Organization (WHO)'s comparative risk assessment methodology. Population attributable fractions (PAFs) were calculated from modelled exposure estimated from a systematic assessment and synthesis of 17 nationally representative surveys and relative risks based on the global review by the International Model of Alcohol Harms and Policies. PAFs were applied to the burden of disease estimates from the revised second South African National Burden of Disease Study (SANBD2) to calculate the alcohol-attributable burden for deaths and DALYs for 2000, 2006 and 2012. We quantified the uncertainty by observing the posterior distribution of the estimated prevalence of drinkers and mean use among adult drinkers (≥15 years old) in a Bayesian model. We assumed no uncertainty in the outcome measures. The alcohol-attributable disease burden decreased from 2000 to 2012 after peaking in 2006, owing to shifts in the disease burden, particularly infectious disease and injuries, and changes in drinking patterns. In 2012, alcohol-attributable harm accounted for an estimated 7.1% (95% uncertainty interval (UI) 6.6 - 7.6) of all deaths and 5.6% (95% UI 5.3 - 6.0) of all DALYs. Attributable deaths were split three ways fairly evenly across major disease categories: infectious diseases (36.4%), non-communicable diseases (32.4%) and injuries (31.2%). Top rankings for alcohol-attributable DALYs for specific causes were TB (22.6%), HIV/AIDS (16.0%), road traffic injuries (15.9%), interpersonal violence (12.8%), cardiovascular disease (11.1%), cancer and cirrhosis (both 4%). Alcohol remains an important contributor to the overall disease burden, ranking fifth in terms of deaths and DALYs. Although reducing overall alcohol use will decrease the burden of disease at a societal level, alcohol harm reduction strategies in SA should prioritise evidence-based interventions to change drinking patterns. Frequent heavy episodic (i.e. binge) drinking accounts for the unusually large share of injuries and infectious diseases in the alcohol-attributable burden of disease profile. Interventions should focus on the distal causes of heavy drinking by focusing on strategies recommended by the WHO's SAFER initiative.

CHALLENGES AND COPING STRATEGIES OF THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED ADULTS: A BRIEF EXPLORATORY SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW

People, unlike most animals are born vulnerable, and they need to be nurtured and raised in a safe environment to thrive and survive. Human development is holistic and complicated. Much of development is dependent on learning through senses such as sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell. People need all these senses to learn the world around them. Worldwide about 253 million people have visual impairment (VI) problem (WHO, 2018). Depending on the type of visual problem (congenital or adventitious), VI makes life difficult for people infected compared to sighted people. People with VI face challenges such as unemployment, injuries through falling and accidents, low-self-esteem, isolation, depression, and difficulty in mobility within communities. The purpose of this literature study was to congregate relevant information on VI and coping strategies in South Africa. Articles reviewed were identified through search engines such as JSTOR, Google Scholar, Boloka-NWU Institutional Repository (NWUIR), ProQuest, EBSCOHost, Scopus, Science Direct and Web of Science were the databases and search engines used in the search. The data collected was then further presented and analysed using Atlas Ti-version 8.4.23 software. The results of this literature study found that people with VI face psychological challenges such as depression, low self-esteem, loss of self-worth and emotional distress. The results further point out that physical challenges are also experienced such as frequent falls, lack of societal resources, inability to perform daily living activities such as cooking, and transportation and mobility. Lastly people with VI also experienced social challenges and environmental challenges such unemployment, unable to use technology and poor quality of life. To cope with challenges, people with VI utilize strategies such strategic planning, meaning making, engage in mind stimulating activities, avoidance coping, substance abuse, family acceptance and optimism.

Solar Ultraviolet Radiation, Skin Cancer and Photoprotective Strategies in South Africa†.

The most recent data relating to the incidence of, and mortality from, the three commonest forms of skin cancer, namely basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and cutaneous melanoma (CM), in the Black African, Colored, Asian/Indian and White population groups in South Africa are reviewed. While exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation is the major environmental risk factor for BCC in all four groups, for SSC in the White and Asian/Indian groups and for CM in the White group, this is unlikely to be the case for most SCCs in the Black African group and for most CMs in the Black African and Asian/Indian groups. Strategies for practical personal photoprotection in South Africa are discussed with particular emphasis on people at heightened risk of skin cancer including the White population group, those with HIV or oculocutaneous albinism and outdoor workers.

A Systematic Review of Climate Change Risks to Communal Livestock Production and Response Strategies in South Africa

Livestock offers substantial opportunities for food security and sustainable development with appropriate adaptation to climate change. Nowadays, climate change is among the critical problems facing less privileged rural people directly depending on livestock to survive. This paper aimed to analyse the existing literature and identify knowledge gaps about climate change impacts and response strategies in rural livestock production of South Africa. The study utilized a systematic literature review with key search terms such as “climate change” (weather, variability), “livestock” (monogastric*ruminants), “impact” (heat stress; feeds; pasture; production; reproduction; health; vector-diseases), and “adaptation” (strategies; vulnerability; risks; resilience). The search was run through scientific databases such as Google scholar, Science direct, Cab direct, Sabinet and Sematic scholar, targeting titles, abstracts and keywords. From the 62 suitable peer-reviewed publications examined in the current paper, five limitations were discovered, namely: (1) limited contextual studies of South Africa’s rural livestock farming communities; (2) a silo approach to investigations on impacts and adaptation in rural livestock production; (3) drawbacks on mixed crop-livestock systems as an effective response to climate change; (4) limited studies on monogastric livestock in rural communities; and (5) geographic underrepresentation of research progress in different provinces within the country. The study recommended improving geographic coverage of literature and inclusion of non-ruminants exposed to different climatic shocks. It is further advised that to gain effective responses to climate change impacts, mitigation strategies should be context-specific and holistic to improve livestock production in rural farming communities.

Particulate Matter (PM2.5) Characterization, Air Quality Level and Origin of Air Masses in an Urban Background in Pretoria.

Several sources have been identified as contributing to the concentration of ambient fine particulate matter, which has been associated to a variety of health issues. The chemical characteristics and sources of trace elements in PM2.5, as well as the air quality index, were investigated in this study. Twenty four-hour fine aerosol particles were collected in an urban area in Pretoria, South Africa, from April 2017 to April 2018. Eighteen trace elements were determined using an XEPOS 5 energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) spectrometer, while black and organic carbon were estimated using an optical transmissometer from the samples collected. The HYPLIT model (version 4.9) was used to estimate air mass trajectories. Health risk was calculated by comparing it to the World Health Organization's air quality index (AQI). The overall mean PM2.5 concentration of the collected sample equals 21µg/m3. Majority of PM2.5 exceedances were reported during mid-autumn and winter seasons, as compared to daily WHO guidelines and South African standards. S had the highest concentrations, greater than 1µg/m3. Ni, Se, Br and Sb showed they were extremely enriched, (EF > 10) and suggestive of anthropogenic or non crustal origin The 24-h PM, soot, BC and OC were significantly different by the geographical origin of air masses (p < 0.05). The AQI showed that 70% of the samples showed levels above the AQI range of good and healthy air. The findings include details on the concentration, composition, and potential sources of fine PM2.5, which is essential for policy formulation and mitigation strategies in South Africa's fight against air pollution.

Smallholder sheep farmers’ perception of production constraints and competitiveness strategies in South Africa

Sheep production in South Africa has experienced some growth though very slow, and as such production cannot meet demand in the local market. This study aimed to determine the factor influencing the competitiveness of smallholder sheep farmers’ and constraints faced by sheep farmers in South Africa. A farm-level cross-sectional data of 217 smallholder livestock farmers in South Africa were used to identify the factors influencing the competitiveness of smallholder sheep farmers in South Africa. The Porter's Diamond Model Framework was used to measure the competitiveness of sheep production in the study areas and principal component analysis was applied to assess the constraints faced by sheep farmers. The study results found that smallholder sheep farmers in the study area are faced with numerous production constraints, which inhibit their productivity and competitiveness. The most severe constraints include marketing, stock theft, lack of capital, diseases and parasite, and high feed cost. The study suggest that smallholder sheep farmers in the study areas can be competitive and experience growth through the creation of agribusiness enabling environments by promoting policies and strategies that will boost investments in sheep production across the value chain.

Key role-players’ perceptions of the current salt legislation in South Africa: opportunities and challenges

Objective: A study was undertaken to determine the perceptions of key role-players regarding challenges and opportunities to move the South African salt-reduction strategy forward. Design: The study had a qualitative, exploratory design using in-depth, semi-structured interviews. Setting: South Africa. Subjects: A total of 12 participants from various fields within the salt-reduction strategy environment, including academia, government and policy-related institutions, research sector and non-governmental organisations, took part. Outcome measures: Consumer knowledge, consumer education programmes, multi-sectoral collaboration, research efforts and strategy recommendations were noted. Results: Overall perceptions of the current salt-reduction strategy in South Africa were positive. Most of the participants agreed that the current strategy is the best approach to reduce the salt intake of the South African population. Participants strongly believed, however, that the strategy is not currently reinforced and that the initial momentum is lost. Concerns were raised regarding the absence of consumer-awareness campaigns, the population’s lack of knowledge regarding salt intake and its relation to health, and the challenges around the monitoring of salt/sodium in processed foods. Participants also highlighted the lack of current studies in this field as well as existing data to be used for baseline studies. Conclusions: South Africa’s current salt-reduction strategy is the correct approach to decrease the population’s salt intake. The initial phase of implementing the strategy has been successful, but the current perception is that government is not following through with this strategy. Several key areas that are needed for this strategy to succeed are being neglected.

Femicide Prevention Strategy Development Process: The South African Experience

Despite surveys to measure the magnitude of femicide, civil action to garner public recognition and, government commitment to respond effectively to femicide, South Africa lacked a comprehensive strategy to inform femicide prevention. This essay outlines the process South Africa followed to develop a femicide-specific prevention strategy and argues for an evidence and practice informed approach in a context where femicide prevention is limited. The strategy for South Africa was developed using a phased, research-driven and consultative approach over six months. Its development was informed by expert review of a previous draft strategy, key multi-sectoral stakeholder consultations and literature on femicide, leading to an evidence-based socio-ecological model of the drivers of femicide and a robust theory of change. A country-level definition of femicide was developed. Subsequently, five (5) key strategic objectives were prioritized: strengthening of legislation and policy; leadership and accountability; building evidence and practice informed femicide prevention; and institutional strengthening. However, successful implementation of the femicide prevention strategy is underpinned by reliance on evidence, practice and contextual relevance; urgency to develop and test prevention innovations; intergovernmental collaboration to ensure effective case management from investigation to sentencing; and political leadership to address challenges and conflicts pertaining to government performance targets and policies.

Review of energy modelling, energy efficiency models improvement and carbon dioxide emissions mitigation options for the cement industry in South Africa

The cement sector in South Africa contributes approximately 1 % to the South African national greenhouse gas inventory. In line with the country’s GDP increasing which will cause population to increase, the demand for housing, public and private structural infrastructures continues to increase. It is assumed that the demand for cement will also increase proportionally as well as its associated CO2 emission. The purpose of this study is to firstly; review previous energy modelling strategies in South Africa and specifically in the cement industry if any in order to examine the alignment of the cement industry’s strategies with that of the South African government since becoming part of the Paris agreement signatories. Previous studies of energy efficiency, modelling, and GHG emissions were analyzed and reviewed for the understanding of the readiness of South Africa’s cement industry to tackle her energy and global warming issues. South Africa is in a position to tackle the energy efficiency and GHG emissions problem through redesigning and consolidated critical data collection will, driven by the government and responsible stakeholders. Secondly; if any previous strategies are in place but in isolation, to examine the potential for long-term energy efficiency strategies and CO2 mitigation options for the cement sector in South Africa; as these two elements have a distinguishable link. Cement production is an energy-intensive process that consists of combustion-and process-related emissions. This study will employ-two modelling frameworks to examine strategies for reducing cement sector energy demand and associated CO2 emission for the period 2015 to 2050 (35 years) with 5-year intervals parallel to the Paris agreement. After reviewing energy models, the study will employ the low emissions analysis platform (LEAP) to model possible energy saving methods in the combustion process and other forms of energy supply in the context of South African cement sector. The existing reviewed methods and results will be compared and the LEAP will provide a second set of comparable results in order to influence policy and inform decision-making. For process-related emissions in the sector, the study will develop an excel-based model to examine possible strategies for reducing CO2 emission in the sector. The results will be examined in terms of cumulative energy savings, GHG emissions, and marginal abatement cost of carbon.