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Coaches' and parents' perception regarding special olympics' commitment to the promotion of sport for athletes with intellectual disabilities: a cross-sectional study
(John Wiley and Sons Inc, 2026) Kondowe-Chinangwa, Ivy; Mzumara, Thokozani; Young, Marie
Background: Involvement of coaches and parents in the management of sport is critical for athletes with Intellectual Disabilities (ID). Aim: The study aimed to examine coaches' and parents' views on Special Olympics Malawi's (SOM) dedication to developing sport for ID athletes. Methods: This was a qualitative descriptive study. The study was conducted among coaches and parents of athletes with ID. Data were collected via focus group discussions guided by a structured interview guide. Results: The results showed that organizations have problems in three main areas: working alone, institutions not doing their jobs well, and employees not being motivated. These themes, which came up in focus groups, show the difference between what SOM says its goal is and what it actually does. Furthermore, the results showed that leaving out important people, like teachers and parents, hurts the bond between an athlete and their coach, weakens trust, and makes it harder for athletes to prepare. Conclusion: The study findings encourage the participation of coaches and parents in key decision-making by the SOM to ensure improved participation and performance of athletes with ID in Malawi.
Towards IoT-Fog-ML integration for temperature break detection and prediction in fresh produce cold chains: a systematic review and architectural framework
(Frontiers Media SA, 2026) Taguta, Jeremiah; Nyirenda, Clement Nthambazale; Nturambirwe, Jean Frederic Isingizwe
Introduction – Globally, 1.3 billion tons of food is lost or wasted each year, negatively impacting food security, the economy, and the climate. Fresh fruits and vegetables (FFVs), with their short shelf life and temperature sensitivity, are the most affected. This study systematically evaluates the integration of Machine Learning (ML), Adaptive Learning (AL), the Internet of Things (IoT), and Fog computing for temperature-break detection and prediction in FFVs supply chains. It critically evaluates their individual and combined capabilities, identifying compounding barriers that prevent genuine real-time integration of these technologies, while assessing their performance and operational readiness for real-time cold chain monitoring. Additionally, the role of fog computing in enabling efficient ML/AL deployment at the network edge is investigated for real-time applications in dynamic environments, with an implementation framework provided. Methods – Based on the PRISMA framework, searches of Scopus, Web of Science, IEEE Xplore, ACM Digital, supplemented by citation and reference chasing, produced 830 pre?deduplication records, identifying 14 relevant studies. Results – From the 12 analysed unique-dataset studies, 7 (58.3%) collected data using Basic Sensors, 3 with WSN (25%), and 2 with IoT (16.7%). Of the 14 ML studies, 5 (35.7%) detected temperature breaks, 5 (35.7%) predicted FFVs' temperature values, 3 (21.4%) predicted internal temperature (IT) values of a cold room or container, and 1 predicted IT values and time-to-temperature breaks. None of the studies predicted temperature breaks (event occurrence) or even their causes, while a few detected these breaks and their predefined causes. Four (28.6%) studies used IoT data, but none enabled live ML inference. None of the reviewed studies includes Fog or AL. Discussion – An integrated IoT-Fog-AL framework is thus proposed to address these gaps. These areas require focus to proactively reduce temperature breaks, thereby minimising food wastage and its associated effects, while also enhancing supply chain resilience and food security.
The relationship between exposure to community violence and the development of depression in children between the ages of 11-12
(University of the Western Cape, 2001) MARTIN, ELAINE
The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between exposure to community violence and the development of depression in children, as well as to explore the impact of variables like perceived competence and social support on this relationship. Samples were drawn from the highest and lowest violence communities in the Western Cape, respectively. Data for identifying these communities was obtained from the South African Police head-office. It should also be noted that this study was done during a time when a moratorium was placed on statistics regarding crime and violence. As such the highest and lowest violence communities were identified based on 1999 statistics, which at the time were the latest statistics available to the public. The sample was composed of 300 children between the ages of 11 -12 years, with 150 coming from the highest and 150 coming from the lowest violence areas in Cape Town. A quantitative methodology was used and the data was analysed using multi-variate two groups tests. The instruments used in the study included a demographic questionnaire, the Children's' Depression Inventory, Perceived Competence Scale and the Social Support Scale. These scales were completed as a self-report inventory and they were administered to 12 groups of 25 children. Findings obtained from this study revealed that there was no significant difference in levels of depression between children exposed to high or low levels of community violence. In addition it was showed that children from the low violence school experienced signiffcantly higher levels of social support while children from the high violence school perceived themselves as significantly more socially competent, more physically competent and experienced higher levels of self-worth in comparison to children from low violence communities. The role of perceived competence was thus significant in moderating the effects of violence in terms of depression for the children who attended the high violence school. Demographic variables such as age, gender, language and parent's marital status, were found to have a significant impact on the relationship between the identified variables
Global, regional, and national burden of road injuries 1990–2023: a systematic analysis for the global burden of disease study 2023
(Elsevier Ltd, 2026) Adebiyi, Babatope Oluwadamilare; van der Lubbe, Stephanie C.C.; Moberg, Madeline E.
Background Road injuries are a leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Years of international efforts have aimed to strengthen policy engagement, including the 2020 UN General Assembly's proclamation of the Second Decade of Action for Road Safety (2021–30), targeting a 50% reduction in road traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2030. The aim of this study is to provide estimates to monitor progress and identify intervention gaps. Methods As part of the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2023, we estimated incidence, mortality, and morbidity of road injuries for 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2023. Four road injury types and 47 nature-of-injury categories were examined. Morbidity and mortality data from clinical records, vital registration, and police reports were harmonised using meta-analytic techniques to ensure consistency and correct for systematic bias. Incidence was modelled with the meta-regression tool Disease Modelling-Meta-Regression version 2.1 and cause-specific mortality with the Cause of Death Ensemble model, both incorporating location-specific covariates to support interpolation. Years of life lived with disability (YLDs) were estimated from the prevalence and severity of the nature of road injury, and years of life lost (YLLs) from the number of cause-specific deaths multiplied by the standard life expectancy at the age of death. Disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) were the sum of YLLs and YLDs. All metrics were calculated with 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs). Findings In 2023, there were 50·9 million (95% UI 46·1–56·1) road injury incident cases, 1·34 million (1·04–1·58) deaths, and 75·3 million (59·8–89·2) DALYs globally. Road injuries were the leading global cause of death among males aged 10–39 years. Between 1990 and 2023, age-standardised incidence decreased by 38·3% (95% UI 36·9–39·7) and mortality decreased by 32·3% (6·1–49·0), but progress varied widely by World Bank income group. Mortality in low-income countries (43·8 [95% UI 31·7–56·0] deaths per 100 000 population) was approximately six times higher than in high-income countries (7·5 [7·1–7·9] deaths per 100 000), despite the high-income countries showing the highest age-standardised incidence rates (858·1 [95% UI 781·9–947·1] cases per 100 000).
Determinants and strategies for implementation of an adapted data to care vertical HIV prevention intervention in a South African context
(Springer, 2026) Knight, Lucia; Gomba, Yolanda; Myer, Landon
Despite progress in preventing new HIV infections in children, retention in vertical transmission prevention (VTP) remains a challenge in low-resource settings. The REMInD intervention used an adapted Data to Care (D2C) approach with tracing to support mother-infant pairs in completing VTP care. This qualitative study aimed to explore the potential implementation determinants and strategies to enhance the successful implementation of the REMInD intervention in Gugulethu, South Africa. Interviews were conducted with nurses, policy implementers, and mothers who had participated in the REMInD proof-of-concept study. We applied the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) to identify determinants that could influence future implementation. Data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Key potential implementation determinants were identified across multiple CFIR domains. Within the Inner setting domain, limited availability of human resources and infrastructure posed key barriers. Under the Individual domain, the capability to retrieve and use data reports was a central concern. The Innovation domain was reflected in the perceived complexity of data retrieval and tracing procedures, particularly in informal settlements with poor infrastructure. Finally, in the Outer setting domain, HIV-related stigma emerged as a potential barrier. To address these challenges, several strategies were proposed by participants: (i) train and give access to the intervention for all nurses to mitigate staffing shortages, (ii) partnerships with NGOs to enhance patient tracing and support service delivery, (iii) collaboration within the health system to sustain support and resource availability, and (iv) dedicated champions to drive implementation. These findings highlight intersecting systemic, contextual, and individual factors influencing REMInD and similar D2C implementation. Strategies addressing staffing, infrastructure, and tracing gaps could enhance implementation success and HIV retention in low-resource settings.