University Of Witwatersrand Research Articles

On the Edge: New Research on Gender and Love

A roundtable discussion featuring Serena Petrella, Associate Professor of Sociology, Gender and Women’s Studies at Brandon University, Canada; Amanda Gouws, SARChI Chair in Gender Politics at Stellenbosch University, South Africa; and Danai Mupotsa, Senior Lecturer in the Department of African Literature at the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa.<br /> Hosted by Dr Wernmei Yong Ade (Mei), formerly from Nanyang Technical University, Singapore, now living in the US; Professor Deirdre Byrne (Deirdre), University of South Africa, and Dr Kelly Gardiner (Kelly), La Trobe University, Australia. The roundtable discussion was held online and recorded on 2 February 2023.

A cluster of dysmorphologies in a male human body: The value of anatomical variants in health sciences student training

The human body is known to contain many variations in its normal structure which, while of interest to teachers of anatomy, may be vexing to health sciences students when compared to the description of “normal” anatomy in their textbooks. However, these variations, and even dysmorphologies, pose interesting and sometimes challenging learning experiences to students during dissection of the body. Such an instance occurred for undergraduate medical students in the School of Anatomical Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa, when three unrelated dysmorphologies were discovered while undertaking a full dissection of a donor’s body. An aberrant right subclavian artery was found in the thoracic cavity and two further dysmorphologies, a supernumerary kidney and accessory indentations on the diaphragmatic surface of the liver presented on dissection of the abdominal cavity. The aberrant right subclavian conformed with previous descriptions of the anomaly. However, the supernumerary kidney lacked a ureter, was lobulated and contained large blood-filled spaces, with histological evidence of urinary tubules in the intervening connective tissue. The accessory hepatic indentations varied in depth, with the deeper one forming a fissure and the less deep indentation, a sulcus. While the described dysmorphologies vary in their incidence, the occurrence of a cluster of three within one body provided a significant opportunity for the students to review the normal anatomy, and especially the complex development of the structures, as well as the clinical significance of each.

28th International Nuclear Physics Conference (INPC2022)

The 28th International Nuclear Physics Conference (INPC2022) was successfully held in Cape Town, South Africa from 11 to 16 September 2022, marking the first time the conference was held on the African continent. This event, overseen by the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP), coincided with three major scientific events: The International Year of Basic Sciences for Sustainable Development (IYBSSD), the centenaries of the Nobel Prize awarded to Niels Bohr and the establishment of IUPAP.The conference program spanned a wide range of topics across the breadth of Nuclear Physics, from hadrons to nuclei, from fundamental science to applications, covering topics such as Hadron Structure and Spectroscopy and QCD Partonic Phenomena, Hot and Dense Nuclear Matter, Nuclear Structure and Nuclear Reactions, Nuclear Astrophysics, Applications and Societal Impact, Neutrinos and Nuclei, Fundamental Interactions and Symmetries, New Facilities and Instrumentation, Outreach and Science Education, and Quantum Computing, Machine Learning, and Artificial Intelligence in Nuclear Physics.The in-person conference was the largest to bring our scientific community together since the COVID-19 pandemic, and provided an excellent opportunity for the 468 delegates to explore the latest progress in the field and reconnect with colleagues. The INPC2022 was a great success, providing an excellent platform for the delegates to share their latest research work, techniques, experiences, challenges, and innovative solutions with colleagues from around the world and provided an opportunity for over 40 African students to be exposed to the field. The conference coincided with the completion of many projects that constitute the pillars of the 2017-2022 Long-Range Plan of iThemba LABS. The delegates had the opportunity to visit the facility and appreciate the advancement and completion of many of these pillars.The INPC2022 was sponsored and supported by the South African National Convention Bureau, Department of Science and Innovation, National Research Foundation, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, University of the Witwatersrand, University of the Western Cape, University of Cape Town, Metrological and Applied Sciences University Research Unit, IUPAP, NuPECC, ACF Metals, XIA and IBA.List of Local Organizing Committee, International Advisory Committee, Session Conveners are available in this pdf.

Diving into the collections: Analysing two excavated Sotho-Tswana compounds in the Suikerbosrand, Gauteng Province

In this article, we set out to publish the results of extensive excavations conducted in the late 1980s and early 1990s by staff and students of the Archaeology Department, University of the Witwatersrand, at two Late Iron Age stone-walled compounds in the western foothills of the Suikerbosrand massif, near Johannesburg. While these two compounds, Sun Shadow and Boschoek, have been extensively cited in the literature, their data have never been published. Here, we analyse the distribution of their collected artefacts, in conjunction with their field maps, to better understand the spatial organisation of these two Molokwane-style stone-walled compounds. We were also interested to assess the merits of revisiting under-analysed archaeological materials housed in the University of the Witwatersrand’s collections. The results revealed frustrating gaps and shortcomings in the collections, but also shed new light on the social organisation of these settlements. Overall, we feel that the exercise was worthwhile and we encourage similar such studies in the future, allowing researchers to explore the scientific potential of the masses of buried treasure within the university’s collections.

Prevalence and correlates of alcohol use and risky drinking among undergraduate students in Johannesburg, South Africa: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundAlcohol use and risky drinking are significant public health problem globally. Young people, including university students, are among the most affected populations. We conducted the study to determine the prevalence and correlates of alcohol use and risky drinking among undergraduate students in the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study using an anonymous, self-administered online survey in REDCap. The survey questionnaire consisted of socio demographic, and alcohol use questions using the risky drinking identification screening tool (AUDIT-C). We performed descriptive statistics, bivariate and multivariable logistic regression to determine factors associated with alcohol use and risky drinking. The p-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsThe response rate was 15.7%. Most participants were female (69.6%) and majority of the participants were White (38.1%). The prevalence of lifetime use of alcohol was 79.1%, and among the lifetime users; 70.2% reported alcohol use in the last 12-months, 37.1% reported alcohol use in the last 30 days. The prevalence of risky drinking was 54.8% among lifetime drinkers. Factors significantly associated with current alcohol use were siblings alcohol use (aOR = 1.79, 95% CI: 1.02–3.15) and parents alcohol use (aOR = 2.58, 95% CI: 1.39–4.80), white race (aOR = 5.70, 95% CI: 3.12–10.41), and always or daily exposure to alcohol marketing in the media (aOR = 3.31, 95% CI: 1.07–10.24). Factors associated with risky drinking were: Indian/Asian race (aOR = 2.82, 95% CI: 1.09–7.31), White race (aOR = 2.15, 95% CI: 1.14–4.04), and exposure to alcohol marketing in the media as follows, most of the time (aOR = 3.42, 95% CI: 1.29–9.04) and Always/daily exposure (aOR = 3.31, 95% CI: 1.07–10.24).ConclusionThe reported alcohol use and risky drinking were common amongst undergraduate students at Wits university. There is an urgent need to design, pilot and adapt targeted interventions for this population group.

Physiotherapy students’ knowledge and attitudes about their role in mental health

Background: As the prevalence of mental health disorders (MHD) increases, physiotherapy students will be increasingly exposed to patients with MHD in their undergraduate studies. International research has shown that students who have mental health included in their curriculum have more knowledge and positive attitudes towards patients with MHD. In South Africa, little is known about physiotherapy students’ attitudes towards and knowledge of mental health.Objectives: To establish the knowledge of and attitudes towards the role of physiotherapy in determining the mental health attitudes.Method: In our cross-sectional, descriptive study, third- and fourth-year physiotherapy students at the University of the Witwatersrand were purposefully sampled. Online questionnaires, based on the Mental Health Knowledge Schedule (MAKS) and Mental Illness Clinicians’ Attitudes (MICA) scales were completed.Results: Thirty-four students participated in our study. Overall, all students indicated a moderate level of knowledge and a positive attitude towards mental health with mean MAKS score: 26.94 (standard deviation [s.d.]: 3.57) and MICA-4 score: 39.12 (s.d.: 16.12). Fourth-year students had more knowledge and a better attitude towards mental health when compared to the third-year students.Conclusion: Third- and fourth-year University of the Witwatersrand physiotherapy students have moderate knowledge and a positive attitude towards the role of physiotherapy in mental health.Clinical implications: The inclusion of mental health in the physiotherapy curriculum may improve students’ knowledge and attitudes towards mental health and prepare them for managing these complex patients in the future.

Testing the suitability of portable X-Ray Fluorescence (pXRF) analysis of dried herbarium specimens to detect Ni hyperaccumulators in South Africa

Metal hyperaccumulators accumulate particular metals or metalloids in their leaves to concentrations hundreds or thousands of times greater than is normal for most plants. Globally, Ni is the most often hyperaccumulated metal, with 532 hyperaccumulator species documented to date. Hyperaccumulators have attracted much attention as potential candidates for green technologies, including phytoremediation and agromining. In South Africa, six serpentinite-associated plants in the genera Berkheya and Senecio hyperaccumulate Ni (to > 0.1% of leaf tissue dry weight). It is surprising that only six of about 70 Berkheya and 290 Senecio species native to South Africa hyperaccumulate Ni, given about ∼10–20% of taxa from each genus occur on serpentinite. While it is costly and time consuming to field collect and chemically analyze leaves of all species in these genera, a novel method (portable X-Ray Fluorescence or pXRF analysis of herbarium specimens) allows for rapid (100 s of specimens/day) and non-destructive measurement of Ni in dry herbarium specimens. We tested the accuracy of this approach on known Ni hyperaccumulators vouchered at two South African herbaria (C.E. Moss Herbarium (J) of the University of the Witwatersrand and A.P. Goossens Herbarium (PUC) from North-West University). While the absolute concentrations of Ni determined by ICP-MS and pXRF were not always directly in agreement, we had 100% success in confirming those that were known to hyperaccumulate Ni with those that did not. We propose pXRF as a cheap, effective, and efficient approach to rapidly screen herbarium specimens across South Africa to discover additional metal hyperaccumulators for much-needed remediation purposes.

Emerging Advanced Materials, Properties for Biomedical Applications

1Academic Development Unit, Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment 2University of the Witwatersrand, 1 Jan Smuts Avenue, WITS 2001, Johannesburg, South Africa School of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand 1 Jan Smuts Avenue, WITS 2001, Johannesburg, South Africa 3Department of Materials Engineering, Sunyani Technical University, Sunyani, Ghana 4Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana 5Department of Mechanical Engineering, Academic City University College, Haatso, Accra, Ghana Corresponding Author’s Email: fred.mcbagonluri@acity.edu.gh This paper is a review of recent advances and developments of medically-applicable material systems. The review focuses on three functional clusters of biomedical material systems: synthetic (metals, polymers, ceramics, and composites); naturally derived (animal and plant derived); and semi-synthetic or hybrid materials. These clusters have found various applications in healthcare. The overview highlights significant opportunities and emerging advances for these clusters of biomaterials. This is to aid the development of next generation biocompatible and biodegradable materials for medical applications. This offers scientists, engineers, and technologists tremendous potential to advance know-how in new and improved drug delivery systems, tissue engineering, wound dressing, novel antimicrobial agents, and biosensors for lab-on chip diagnostics. The implications and areas for future research directions are further discussed. Keywords: Emerging Advanced Materials, Properties, Additive Manufacturing Route, Biomedical Implants and Devices Proceedings Citation Format 1Klenam, D.E.P., 2McBagonluri, F., 3Asumadu, T.K., 4Osei, E.D., &amp; 5Osafo, S.A. (2023): Emerging Advanced Materials, Properties and the Additive Manufacturing Route for Biomedical Implants and Devices. Proceedings of the 36th iSTEAMS Accra Bespoke Multidisciplinary Innovations Conference. University of Ghana/Academic City University College, Accra, Ghana. 31st May – 2nd June, 2023. Pp 241-260. https://www.isteams.net/ghanabespoke2023. dx.doi.org/10.22624/AIMS/ACCRABESPOKE2023P22

Media, Ethnicity and Electoral Conflicts in Kenya

Journal Article Book Review Get access Media, Ethnicity and Electoral Conflicts in Kenya, by Jacinta Mwende Maweu. London, United Kingdom: Lexington Books, 2022. v+128 pp., $90 (hardback). ISBN 978-1-7936-1235-9. Albert Sharra Albert Sharra University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa albertsharra2@gmail.com Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar African Affairs, adad016, https://doi.org/10.1093/afraf/adad016 Published: 22 June 2023 Article history Received: 12 June 2023 Accepted: 12 June 2023 Corrected and typeset: 22 June 2023 Published: 22 June 2023

Knowledge, attitudes and practices of undergraduate health sciences students on hepatitis B vaccination at a South African university highlight the need for improvement of policies, implementation and co-ordination

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection causes nearly 300 million chronic infections globally. Healthcare workers face up to four times the risk of HBV infection through occupational exposure to contaminated blood and bodily fluids. Health sciences students (HSSs) are regarded as at an even greater risk as they embark on their clinical training journey. While chronic hepatitis B is incurable, it can be prevented by the safe and effective hepatitis B vaccine (HepB). The South African National Department of Health recommends at least three doses of vaccine (HepB3) for HSSs before patient contact. However, data on policy implementation at training institutions, vaccine coverage and HBV immunity in HSSs are lacking or limited. To investigate knowledge, attitudes and practices of HSSs at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in relation to international guidelines and institutional HepB programmes included in the Wits vaccination policy. Sociodemographic factors predicting HepB uptake were also investigated. A cross-sectional study was conducted between February and June 2021. An electronic, self-administered survey was emailed to all current HSSs (N=3 785). The survey included questions on sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge of and attitudes towards HepB- related international guidelines and Wits policies, and HepB uptake and vaccine practices at Wits. Descriptive statistical analyses, followed by multivariable regression modelling, were used to identify factors associated with HepB uptake. A response rate of only 7.1% yielded 269 returned surveys, of which 221 were adequate for analysis. Most respondents were female (69.2%), with a mean (standard deviation) age of 22.5 (3.5) years, and were studying a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MB BCh) degree (76.9%). Only 78% of those students who reported a history of vaccination (89.1% of study sample) reported a completed vaccine series. The only significant predictor, when adjusted for interactions, was being enrolled in MB BCh compared with other courses (odds ratio 4.69; p=0.026). Students displayed higher levels of knowledge around institutional (Wits) vaccine recommendations (94.1%) compared with international recommendations (75.6%). Most students were in favour of mandatory vaccination (91.4%), but not of serological testing following vaccination (42.5%). Half of our students received vaccinations in private facilities, but no follow-up or record was made of this by the designated Wits Campus Health and Wellness Centre. Institutional HepB policies are suboptimal, with no centralised co-ordination or implementation strategy. Urgent efforts are required to create awareness around policy and management, ensure vaccination coverage in this high-risk group, and foster positive practices with adequate monitoring.

Interrupting gender and intersectional microaggressions and active bystander training to counter gender-based violence to improve security and learning environments at The University of the Witwatersrand

Interrupting gender and intersectional microaggressions and active bystander training to counter gender-based violence to improve security and learning environments at The University of the Witwatersrand

HIV self-testing: a cross-sectional survey conducted among students at a tertiary institution in Johannesburg, South Africa in 2020.

Despite the growing evidence for reasonable acceptance and the willingness to use HIV self-testing (HIVST), South Africa has not yet fully explored HIVST. This study's objective was to determine knowledge, attitudes, and practices for HIVST among students aged 18 to 29 years from the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. An online cross-sectional self-administered survey was used to collect data from 01 January 2020 to 31 June 2020. Chi-squared test was used to determine the contribution between categorical variables and HIVST outcomes at a P-value of ≤0.05. Logistic regression was performed to analyze the association between categorical variables with HIVST at a 95% confidence interval. A total of 227 students were included and more than half were females and 68% were between 20 and 24 years of age. Only 15% reported prior access to HIVST. Almost all students (99%) indicated that they would confirm self-test results if positive. Age group 25-29 (aOR 3.43; 95% CI 1.7-77) was associated with HIVST access compared to ≤19 and 24-29 age groups. HIVST awareness was generally high among this study population. Of concern is the extremely low number of students who had previously used HIVST, as well as those who were unaware of HIVST's existence. Our findings highlight a necessity for HIVST advocacy in South Africa that provides information on where and how HIVST kits can be accessed to potentially upscale HIV testing - essential for achieving UNAIDS targets towards the elimination of HIV/AIDS epidemic as a public health threat.

Evaluation of a knowledge translation intervention for HIV and rehabilitation advocacy in physiotherapy in three sub-Saharan African countries

Purpose To evaluate a knowledge translation intervention to determine knowledge, attitudes and self-efficacy related to HIV and rehabilitation advocacy in physiotherapy students. Methods A pre and post-test study was conducted at three physiotherapy-training programs in Sub Saharan Africa – the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), the University of Zambia (UNZA) and Kenya Medical Technical College (KMTC). For each site, the knowledge, attitude and self-efficacy of physiotherapy students were tested pre- and post-intervention using a standardized questionnaire. Results Students’ knowledge improved with regard to being able to describe the challenges faced by their patients, knowing what resources are available and understanding their role as an advocate. In terms of self-efficacy, they felt more confident clinically, as well as being a resource person to colleagues and an advocate for their patients. Conclusion: This study highlights the need to contextualize knowledge translation interventions to meet the unique needs of individual academic sites. Students who have clinical experience working with people living with HIV are more likely to embrace their role as advocates in the area of HIV and rehabilitation. Implications for Rehabilitation The knowledge translation process used in this study gives a concrete example of how to use research evidence on HIV knowledge in rehabilitation applied within the advocacy process. Applying the principles of advocacy translates to understanding the management of HIV practically. Clinical experience in managing people living with HIV strengthens knowledge and improves the attitude of physiotherapy students Physiotherapy students need guidance in realizing their potential as advocates for holistic rehabilitation care for people living with HIV.

Hepatitis B virus immunity prior to and after administration of a ‘booster’ dose of vaccine among health-care students at a South African university

BackgroundHealth-care students (HCSs) are at risk of occupational exposure to hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection despite an effective hepatitis B vaccine (HepB) being available. The majority of current HCSs are born after HepB was introduced into the South African Expanded Programme on Immunisation in 1995. Thus, it is assumed that having received HepB in infancy, a single ‘booster’ dose would suffice. This study aimed to investigate HBV immunity prior to and after administration of a HepB ‘booster’ dose. MethodsHepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) levels were determined in first year HCSs at the University of the Witwatersrand, before and after receiving the ‘booster’. Participant demographics and HepB history were captured using a structured questionnaire. ResultsBefore receiving the ‘booster’, 56% (101/180) had anti-HBs < 10 mIU/mL and were non-immune. A further 35% had anti-HBs levels of 10 – 99 mIU/mL, and 9% had ≥100 mIU/mL. <30% of HCSs self-reported completion of a three-dose primary series, which was significantly associated with higher baseline anti-HBs levels compared to those with a partial schedule (p = 0.045). Following vaccination, 39% (71/180) returned for follow-up with a significant median (IQR) increase of 476 (151 – 966) mIU/mL (p < 0.001). Of the 45 students who had non-immune baseline levels, 73% (33/45) responded with ≥100 mIU/mL, 16% (7/45) with 10 – 99 mIU/mL and 11% (5/45) remained non-immune. Levels of ≥100 mIU/mL were achieved by 100% of students with baseline levels ≥10 mIU/mL (n = 26). ConclusionMore than half of the HCSs were not immune to HBV prior to receiving the recommended ‘booster’ vaccine. Following vaccination, 7% (5/71) remained unprotected. This study highlights that in the absence of vaccination records and without confirming the immune status of HCSs, it cannot be assumed that HCSs will be protected following a ‘booster’. Policy reform and inclusion of serological tests for immunity prior to HCSs initiating clinical exposure are recommended.

Evaluating the Impacts of a Research Ethics Training Course on University Researchers

Training in research ethics is an essential part of professional development for graduate students and academic and research staff at universities and other research institutions. Certificated training in research ethics has been offered at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa, since 2019. This training comprises a 4 h content-based workshop followed by a written assignment with attendees who are mainly graduate students and academic staff of the University. This study presents the results of an anonymous online survey that evaluated the impacts of the ethics training on researcher professional activities, in particular where their research deals with human participants. Those invited to take part in the survey were the successful attendees who had attained a Certificate of Competence in Research Ethics. Results (n = 92) showed that the majority of respondents were satisfied with the nature, format and depth of content of the training, and reported that it has a positive impact on their development as researchers. Specifically, this included thinking through their project design, and developing critical thinking and problem solving skills related to their project. Overall, the results highlight the importance of research ethics training in researcher development, as well as engendering critical reflection on ethical issues in different research contexts. It also shows the importance of ethics training in a ‘live’ session where participants are able to ask questions, engage in debate, and undertake a written assessment that tests their application of ethics concepts.

A Hermeneutics of Life and Death, Liberation and Mourning

This roundtable was first convened as part of the 6th Es’kia Colloquium hosted by the Department of African Literature at Wits University, South Africa on the 15th and 16th September 2022. The discussion engages questions regarding knowledge production, method and (inter)textualities in relation to the book, Sacred Queer Stories: Ugandan LGBTQ+ Refugee Lives and the Bible (2021), co-authored by Adriaan van Klinken and Johanna Stiebert with Brian Sebyala aand Fredrick Hudson.

Contesting and Curating the Queer African Archive with Sacred Queer Stories

This roundtable was first convened as part of the 6th Es’kia Colloquium hosted by the Department of African Literature at Wits University, South Africa on the 15th and 16th September 2022. The discussion engages questions regarding knowledge production, method and (inter)textualities in relation to the book, Sacred Queer Stories: Ugandan LGBTQ+ Refugee Lives and the Bible (2021), co-authored by Adriaan van Klinken and Johanna Stiebert with Brian Sebyala aand Fredrick Hudson.

Sacred Queer Stories

This roundtable was first convened as part of the 6th Es’kia Colloquium hosted by the Department of African Literature at Wits University, South Africa on the 15th and 16th September 2022. The discussion engages questions regarding knowledge production, method and (inter)textualities in relation to the book, Sacred Queer Stories: Ugandan LGBTQ+ Refugee Lives and the Bible (2021), co-authored by Adriaan van Klinken and Johanna Stiebert with Brian Sebyala aand Fredrick Hudson.

Balancing an Unequal Partnership for Studying Ugandan Queer Refugees’ Appropriation of Bible Stories

This roundtable was first convened as part of the 6th Es’kia Colloquium hosted by the Department of African Literature at Wits University, South Africa on the 15th and 16th September 2022. The discussion engages questions regarding knowledge production, method and (inter)textualities in relation to the book, Sacred Queer Stories: Ugandan LGBTQ+ Refugee Lives and the Bible (2021), co-authored by Adriaan van Klinken and Johanna Stiebert with Brian Sebyala aand Fredrick Hudson.

O.O.3.4 - Considerations for student-led telepractice in paediatric speech-language therapy during COVID-19: Presenter(s): Jennifer Watermeyer, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa

O.O.3.4 - Considerations for student-led telepractice in paediatric speech-language therapy during COVID-19: Presenter(s): Jennifer Watermeyer, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa