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Conversations with deviant website developers: a case study of online shopping fraud enablers
(SAGE Publications Ltd, 2025) Lazarus, Suleman; Whittaker, Jack M; McGuire, Michael R
This study explores the experiences and challenges faced by Cameroonian website developers involved in creating non-delivery fraud websites. Through semi-structured interviews with 14 developers, four key themes were identified: (1) the psychological impact of the Ambazonian crisis, including heightened stress and anxiety due to ongoing civil conflict; (2) infrastructure disruptions, such as frequent power outages and Internet blackouts, which hinder their work and increase operational risks; (3) the influence of spiritual beliefs on decision-making, where concerns about offending ancestral spirits deter developers from direct fraud involvement; and (4) cultural perceptions of cybercrime, particularly the glorification of the “Big Boy” image, which normalises fraudulent activities as symbols of success. The study suggests that redirecting these developers’ skills towards legitimate tech employment opportunities in Cameroon and internationally could help reduce cyber deviance and contribute to economic growth in affected regions.
The juxtaposition of invalidation and “inviting in”: a qualitative study of bisexual identity in South Africa
(Routledge, 2025) Petinger, Charné; Jackson, Kyle; Andipatin, Michelle
Understanding one’s sexual orientation plays a significant role in contributing to one’s sexual identity and developing a coherent sense of self. Misconceptions and prevailing prejudices make it difficult for bisexual individuals to navigate their sexual identities in many societies. Disclosure of one’s identity is accompanied by certain risks depending on how the information is received. However, disclosing one’s identity can also be positive, especially as it assists in fostering relationships. This article derives from a descriptive study involving 14 semi-structured interviews with young adults aged 18–24 who identified as bisexual. Data were subjected to a reflexive thematic analysis. Themes of invalidation, belongingness and reclaiming through ‘inviting in’ were identified. By processing the feelings of invalidation regarding their bisexual identities which were placed upon them by their respective cultural groups, and society in general, participants were able to develop a sense of agency and reclaim their power. Findings highlight the need for further research on bisexuality, particularly in South Africa, and the need to understand how bisexual identity development occurs in interaction with other sexual and gender identities.
Using the resilience theory to understand and address migrant pandemic precarity among South African migrant populations
(BioMed Central Ltd, 2025) Adebiyi, Babatope; Mukumbang, Ferdinand
Introduction: “Migrant pandemic precarity” describes the specific consequences and vulnerabilities experienced by migrants during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite their precarity, migrants adopted some resilient behaviors. Utilizing the resilience theory, our study explored how migrants in South Africa managed to cope with heightened vulnerabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic and how these resilient behaviors can provide insights into addressing the health inequities experience by this population. Methods: We conducted an interpretive phenomenological analysis study to understand the key challenges of migrant populations in South Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic (2019–2022) and how resourceful they became in overcoming these challenges. Using a purposive sampling approach, we conducted 20 semi-structured interviews with migrants from other African countries, including asylum seekers, refugees, permit holders, and undocumented migrants in two South African provinces. Results: Three interconnected aspects of migrant pandemic precarity were revealed: financial insecurities, food insecurities, and health concerns. Social connectedness and resource provision ensured inclusivity and supported these migrant populations in navigating the difficulties posed by migrant pandemic precarity. Conclusions: The South African government should implement migrant-inclusive approaches and empower structures and programs that enhance migrants’ resilience to future crises. We argued that to reduce health inequities among migrant populations in South Africa, these resilience approaches can be harnessed in three ways. (1) the South African government should create mechanisms and processes to identify and integrate migrants with critical skills into their workforce. (2) enhancing collaborations between civil society organizations, local governments, and international organizations, such as the International Organization for Migration, to address food insecurities among the migrant population. (3) enforcing their constitutional mandate to provide free basic health care services to all migrants in South Africa by removing barriers such as health care provider attitudes toward migrants’ access to health care services.
The prevalence of falls among older adults living in long-term care facilities in the City of Cape Town
(Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI), 2025) Ebrahim, Nabilah; Ras, Jaron; November, Rucia; Leach, Lloyd
Falls are a prevalent health concern with a multi-factorial origin and causing numerous complications for older adults, especially those in low- and middle-income countries, such as South Africa. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of falls among older adults living in different types of long-term care facilities in the City of Cape Town. A total of 258 males and females aged between 60 and 95 years were recruited. Data collection occurred from September 2021 to January 2022. Participants were categorized into low, moderate, or high fall risk using the fall-risk assessment tool. Descriptive statistics summarized participant characteristics and fall prevalence. The chi-squared test determined significant associations between facility type, marital status, and educational level, and their relationship to falling. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient assessed associations between fall occurrence and various risk factors. Findings indicated that the prevalence of falls was 32.6%. Falls were significantly associated with behaviors such as agitation or confusion, and other unmentioned risk factors. Participants living in facilities run by non-profit organizations, and who had a lower education level or were single or widowed, had a higher fall prevalence. The use of anti-depressant and anti-diabetic medications was significantly linked to increased fall risk. These findings can inform future research and the development of strategies to prevent falls among older adults, particularly in LTC facilities.
Synthesis, in silico and antimicrobial activity study of substituted aromatic imines and their corresponding amines
(Elsevier B.V., 2025) Abbo, Hanna; Holman, Darin Edward; Hendricks, Mohamed-Deen; Salubi, Christiana Abimbola; Keyster, Marshall; Titinchi, Salam
The antimicrobial properties of Schiff bases and their corresponding amines were assessed by exploring the impact of substituent variations on these activities. The present study involved the synthesis of Schiff base compounds and their corresponding sec-amines, characterization, antibacterial testing, and molecular docking studies. These compounds featured diverse structural components, including alkyl chains, phenyl and methoxy groups. Three of the synthesized compounds are new, viz. N-[(2,3-dimethoxyphenyl) methylene]-1-propanamine (1), N-[(2,3-dimethoxyphenyl)methyl]-1-propanamine (2) and N-[(2,3-dimethoxyphenyl)methylene]-1-butanamine (3). The assessment of antibacterial properties targeted two strains recognized as opportunistic pathogens. Notably, all Schiff base compounds possessing the −C=N moiety exhibited good antibacterial activity against P. aeruginosa and P. agglomerans. Specifically, 1 and 3 demonstrated exceptional effectiveness against the tested bacterial strains, showcasing promising antibacterial capabilities. Furthermore, binding energy calculations revealed that compounds 1 and 3 exhibited binding energies of −3.9, −4.1, and −3.8, −3.9 kcal/mol with respect to P. agglomerans and P. aeruginosa candidate proteins, respectively. This underscores the strong interaction between the synthesized compounds and the bacterial strains, further supporting their potential as potent antimicrobial agents. P. aeruginosa and P. agglomerans were found to be sensitive to both compounds 1 and 3, as well as the standard control ampicillin. The MIC values for P. aeruginosa were 10 mM for 1, and 6 mM for 3. While for P. agglomerans, the MIC values were 6 mM for both 1 and 3.