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Maternal and neonatal outcomes after infection with monkeypox virus clade I during pregnancy in DR Congo: a pooled, prospective cohort study
(Elsevier B.V., 2026) Vakaniaki, Emmanuel Hasivirwe; Barhishindi, Isaac; Mubiala, Ange; Malembaka, Espoir Bwenge; Braunack-Mayer, Lydia; Nganga, Bruce; Sabiti Nundu, Sabin; Brosius, Isabel; Bracke, Stefanie; Bangwen, Eugene; De Vos, Elise; Colebunders, Robert; Ngale, Mireille; Kayembe, Gabriel; Tshongo, Christian; Dilu, Ali; Tshimanga, Celestin; Biampata, Jean-Luc; Bugeme, Patrick Musole; Ntamabyaliro, Nsengi; Kirenga, Bruce; Wayengera, Misaki; Siewe Fodjo, Joseph Nelson; Lupande Mwenebitu, David; Rimoin, Anne W; Wawina-Bokalanga, Tony; Vercauteren, Koen; Mukadi-Bamuleka, Daniel; Muyembe-Tamfum, Jean-Jacques; Krasemann, Susanne; Kindrachuk, Jason; Azman, Andrew S; Nussenblatt, Veronique; Crozier, Ian; Dodd, Lori E; Tshiani-Mbaya, Olivier; Ahuka-Mundeke, Steve; Amuri-Aziza, Adrienne; Makangara-Cigolo, Jean-Claude; Kinganda-Lusamaki, Eddy; Lumembe-Numbi, Raphaël; Mujula, Yves; Munganga, Papy; Tshomba, Jean-Claude; Houben, Sarah; Van Dijck, Christophe; Hoff, Nicole A; Merritt, Sydney; Peeters, Martine; Kojan, Richard; Mutimbwa-Mambo, Léandre; Munga, Jenestin Babingwa; Kitwanda, Steeven Bilembo; Mambo, Divin Mazambi; Kumbana, Franklin Mweshi; Zangilwa, James Wakilongo; Kacita, Cris; Bahizire, Esto; Bapolisi, Wyvine; Bisimwa, Bertin C; Bisimwa, Bertin C; Nyalundja, Arsene Daniel; Bbuye, Mudarshiru; Mukashyaka, Claudine; Saleeb, Marina; Jacquemyn, Yves; Kumar-Singh, Samir; Mohamed, Osama A.A; Ali, Rosine; Basika, Michael Kombozi; Kindombe, Esaie; Kisala, Mays; Ibanda, Augustin; Baudouin, Baudouin Matiba; Mukendi, Gael; Mutombo, Patrick; Lutete, Tona; Lusakibanza, Mariano; Lula, Yves; Kabuni, Patricia; Lonza, Hippy; Mulumba, Sylvain; Mutomboh, Henri; Kumuamba, Yves-Ninon; Alonga, Jules; Shosongo, Claude; Cone, Katherine; Mukika, Trust Faraja; Bugale, Patrick Kazuba; Shangula, Salomon Mashupe; Bugwaja, Levi; Ngai, Stephanie; Jackson, Jules; Low, Nicola; Katoto, Patrick D M C; Mbala-Kingebeni, Placide; Liesenborghs, Laurens
Background Monkeypox virus (MPXV) has been linked to vertical transmission, but systematic data are scarce. We aimed to describe the sociodemographic, clinical, and virological characteristics and assess the frequency and determinants of adverse outcomes in pregnant women with MPXV clade I infection. Methods In this prospective cohort study, we pooled data from three cohort studies (MBOTE-SK, PREGMPOX, and Uvira mpox) and one randomised controlled trial (PALM007) conducted in the South Kivu, Maniema, and Sankuru provinces of DR Congo between Dec 29, 2022, and June 20, 2025. Pregnant women and adolescent girls with a PCR-confirmed diagnosis of mpox were followed up throughout hospitalisation for mpox, delivery, and until discharge during the postpartum period. We extracted data on sociodemographic characteristics, MPXV exposure, clinical and obstetric presentation, and laboratory results. In a univariable analysis, we examined factors associated with the following adverse outcomes: spontaneous or missed abortion (<20 weeks of gestation), stillbirth (≥20 weeks of gestation), preterm birth (<37 weeks of gestation), live birth of a neonate with macroscopic mpox-like lesions, early (first 7 days) neonatal death, congenital anomaly, or maternal death (during pregnancy or discharge postpartum). Findings We collected data from 89 pregnant women in the first (25 [28%]), second (31 [35%]), and third (33 [37%]) trimesters across all four studies: MBOTE-SK (36 [40%]), PREGMPOX (24 [27%]), PALM007 (25 [28%]), and Uvira mpox (four [4%]). All participants recovered from mpox; no maternal deaths were reported. During hospitalisation for mpox, fetal loss was reported in 17 (19%) women. Final pregnancy outcomes were known for 69 (78%) participants; adverse outcomes were reported in 35 (51%) women (95% CI 38–63), including fetal loss in 31 (45%; 95% CI 33–57; 16 [52%] spontaneous abortions, four [13%] missed abortions, and 11 [35%] stillbirths). Of the 38 live births, four neonates had congenital mpox-like lesions; one infant died a few hours after birth. No preterm births or congenital abnormalities were recorded. MPXV infection during the first trimester was associated with a higher risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes than during the second (risk ratio [RR] 0·6 [95% CI 0·4–0·9]) and third (0·2 [0·1–0·4]) trimesters (p=0·0008). Adverse outcomes were also associated with high viral load in skin lesions (PCR cycle threshold ≤30; RR 3·5 [95% CI 1·0–12·3]; p=0·045), direct sexual contact with the index case (1·6 [1·1–2·4]; p=0·026), positive HIV status (2·0 [1·4–2·9]; p=0·0002), and the presence of genital lesions (1·9 [1·1–3·2]; p=0·025). Interpretation MPXV clade I infection in pregnancy is associated with a high risk of fetal loss and congenital infection, particularly during the first trimester. Targeted preventive and clinical strategies are urgently needed to protect pregnant women and their infants in settings that are endemic and epidemic for mpox. Funding The European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership, the Belgian Directorate-General Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid, the Swiss National Science Foundation, the Research Foundation–Flanders, the Gates Foundation, the Intramural Research Program of the National Institutes of Health, and the National Cancer Institute.
Enquiry into what frustrates the efficacy of preferential public procurement as a policy tool for black economic empowerment
(University of the Western Cape, 2011) Beukes, Soraya; Fredericks, Izak
Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) has been a topic of discussion since the dawn of democracy in April 1994. Due to the entrenched inequalities of the past, economic empowerment is very important for the economic growth of the majority of South Africa's citizens. However, significant economic enrichment of black people has not been made, despite, economic success, legislation, state policies and programme interventions. This economic growth is to be realised through the use of preferential procurement as a policy tool for BEE. Whilst sufficient legislation has been enacted to regulate preferential procurement, to favour black people, much still seems to be lacking in the enforcement of the laws in public procurement. Central to the challenges of preferential procurement is the disharmony between the Framework legislation governing preferential procurement and BEE.
The retention factors of call centre agents at a financial institution in the Western Cape
(University of the Western Cape, 2013) Barnes, Nina; Oliver, Rozario
Past employment relationships based on mutual commitment between employer and employee are no longer the norm in the workplace. Instead of a predictable linear rise up an organisation's hierarchy, careers are now characterised by a 'protean' model of movement between many organisations during the course of individuals' working lives (Coetzee & Gunz, 2012; Schreuder & Theron, 2001). This phenomenon adds to the historical concern of staff retention as it is identified as a factor that directly jeopardizes organisational objectives (Campion, 1991). While this is a concern in many industries (du Plooy & Roodt, 2013), Lee (2008) claims that staff turnover has been even more of a dilemma within the call centre environment. iii A worldwide study conducted by Lee (2008) indicated that on average, call centres lose up to 61 % of their agents annually. The situation seems to be no different for South African call centres. Kgomo and Swarts (2010) found unacceptably high levels of staff turnover in the South African industry. De Vos and Meganck (2009) argue that the traditional response of organisations in relation to staff retention is reactive in nature, since they try to decrease the desire of staff to leave (de Vos & Meganck, 2009; Williams, 2008). This approach, however, is seldom successful - once people have expressed the desire to leave, efforts to retain them may already be too late (Milner, Russell & Simers, 2010; Mosley & Hurley, 1999). Simultaneously, organisations need to recognise that the workforce for the first time contains four generations, all with their unique generational characteristics, values, attitudes, ways of operating and skills (Tulgan, 2004). Literature agrees that this confluence of generations holds immediate strategic implications for management in the workplace (Twenge, Campbell, Hoffman & Lance, 2010). The changing competitive landscape, together with the changing and diverse workforce necessitates a different approach to staff retention if organisations want to succeed and prosper in the long term and that a one-size-fits-all approach is not a viable option. iv The aim of the study was to identify the retention variables highlighted as most important by call centre agents at a financial institution in the Western Cape. In addition, to assess which of the independent variables they place more importance on; and to determine whether differences exist between the retention variables highlighted as most important by the respective age and gender groups. The population group used in this study includes call centre agents at a financial institution in the Western Cape. The total population size is estimated at approximately N=66, from which a sample of n=43 was drawn. The formal company protocol was followed to enter the organisation, while a non - probability sampling technique was identified as an appropriate sampling procedure, by means of a convenience sampling method. The accessibility and availability of the respondents, as well as the fact that the technique is more economical in terms of cost and time constraints, contributes to the motivation for selecting this sampling technique. A self-administered questionnaire developed by Birt, Wallis and Wintemitz (2004) was used as the measurement instrument.
The relationship between emotional intelligence and burnout amongst social workers in the north and south regions of the Western Cape
(University of the Western Cape, 2013) Barkley, Elethea; Jano, Rukhsana
There are many difficulties and challenges in the workplace, especially during recent years as the pace of work in organisations has rapidly increased. There are various factors which contributed to this phenomenon occurring today, which could have included changes in the economy, sustaining a competitive edge, changes in organisational structures and technological advances (Nel, Werner, Poist, Sono, Du Plessis & Ngalo, 2011). Organisational stressors could have had a major impact not only on employees but organisations as well. Prolonged stress can develop into burnout, which is a phenomenon which has been on the rise for the past two to three decades (Brotheridge & Grandey, 2002). Findings by Brotheridge and Lee (2003) have increased the interest in the role of emotions in trying to understand how increased interpersonal reactions in a job may have contributed to an employee developing burnout.
Levels of inflammatory mediators associated with periodontitis in preeclampsia
(University of the Western Cape, 2025-05-11) Aborass, Marwa; Chetty, Manogari; Peck, Thabit; Keyster, Marshall
Background: Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease triggered by bacterial infection, which can lead to the destruction of the tooth-supporting tissues, including the gingiva, periodontal ligament, and alveolar bone. If untreated, it can result in tooth mobility, impaired chewing function, and eventual tooth loss. Beyond the oral cavity, periodontitis can act as a persistent source of infection and inflammation, contributing to systemic inflammation that may increase the risk of pregnancy complications. Preeclampsia (PE) is a complex multisystem disorder affecting both maternal and foetal health. It continues to be a major contributor to maternal and perinatal illness and death. particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Growing evidence suggests a possible link between maternal periodontitis and the development of PE, likely mediated through inflammatory pathways. However, most existing studies have been conducted in high-income settings. In South Africa, where both periodontitis and PE are prevalent, there is an urgent need for local, context-specific research to better understand this relationship and inform preventive healthcare strategies. Aim: To determine whether there is an association between periodontitis, the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and PE among pregnant women in the Western Cape, South Africa. Objectives: To compare the periodontal status and levels of specific inflammatory mediators between preeclamptic and normotensive pregnant women, and to examine the relationship between these inflammatory markers and periodontal status in relation to PE. Additionally, the study sought to assess whether periodontitis is linked to a higher risk of PE. Methods: This case-control study included 294 pregnant women: 141 with a confirmed PE diagnosis at enrolment (cases) and 153 normotensive pregnant women (controls) admitted to the Gynaecology and Obstetrics departments of tertiary hospitals in the Western Cape, South Africa. All participants were evaluated by a qualified dental clinician, who performed the clinical periodontal examination. Periodontitis was defined as the presence of two or more sites with a PPD > 4 mm, CAL > 3 mm, and positive BOP. Serum levels of Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and E2-E4 (PGE2-E4), Interleukin 1-β (IL-1), IL-6, IL-8, and Tumour Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α) were determined using 2.5 ml of blood collected from each participant in a PAX gene Blood RNA Tube. RNA extraction and gene expression using SYBR Green quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) on the Quant Studio 12K Flex Real-Time PCR System.