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Retention in care of people on antiretroviral therapy who inject drugs in South Africa
(AOSIS (pty) Ltd, 2025) Mngomezulu, Phumzile C; van Wyk, Brian E; Roomaney, Rifqah A
Background: Retention of people who inject drugs (PWID) on antiretroviral therapy (ART) is critical for viral suppression. However, PWID, a key population, traditionally have poor retention in care (RiC). Objectives: To determine the prevalence of and factors associated with RiC at 6 months, following ART initiation in three South African districts. Method: Data of 333 PWID (adults 18+ years), who commenced ART between July 2022 and March 2023, were retrieved from TIER.Net electronic database. Results: RiC after 6 months on ART was 40% (n = 132). Bivariate analysis showed higher retention among those on Opioid Substitution Therapy (OST) with treatment support compared to those without support (95% vs 39%; P < 0.001); and lower RiC among those with unstable housing compared to those with stable housing (12% vs 75%; P < 0.001). In the survival analysis, PWID with unstable housing had a 5-fold increased risk of poor RiC (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR] = 4.94; 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 2.35–10.35), while those in OST had a 75% decreased risk of poor RiC (AHR = 0.25; 95% CI: 0.10–0.60). Conclusion: PWID face significant challenges in remaining engaged in ART care, particularly those experiencing unstable housing. OST uptake can facilitate improved RiC and health outcomes, highlighting the need for expanded harm reduction strategies. Addressing unstable housing remains urgent to strengthen HIV treatment outcomes for PWID in South Africa.
Habitat modification by grazing lawns reduces soil mite diversity in a South African National Park
(John Wiley and Sons Inc, 2026) Grootboom, Claire; Samuels, Igshaan; Engelbrecht, Adriaan
Soil mesofauna are an integral part of the functioning of an ecosystem. They are relatively small in body size, occur in varying habitats and operate in a range of ecological niches. Soil mites are quite sensitive to changes in their environment and contribute to several important ecosystem services in their environments. This investigation aimed to determine how soil mite communities change in and around lawns in the Bontebok National Park (BNP). Sites that were sampled were categorised into lawns, ecotones and natural vegetation. Soils were collected to analyse physio-chemical parameters and to evaluate species composition of soil dwelling mites. Shannon and Simpson indices were used to determine species diversity of the different zones sampled and soil properties were used to generate PCAs and boxplots. There were changes in mite populations and community structure that were noticed in and around grazing lawns in the park, with a great reduction in diversity in lawns and the highest diversity seen in the ecotones. Lawns had higher proportions of macro and micronutrients, in addition to higher heavy metal content, which affected the oribatid mite populations inhabiting those areas. The establishment of lawns in the BNP had a negative impact on the mite populations in the park. This can be a major concern to soil mite communities in the park as they act as a vital component of the ecosystem, and contribute importantly to the overall functioning of their environment.
Interventions directed at reducing high risk-taking behaviour in adolescents: a RE-AIM framework review
(Taylor and Francis Ltd., 2025) Mate, Rumbidzai Kangira; Erasmus, Charlene; Yassin, Zeenat
This study presents a systematic review of existing literature on interventions aimed at reducing high risk-taking behaviour among adolescents. A RE-AIM systematic review methodology was applied to search electronic databases and journals, including Academic Search Complete, Medline, ERIC, African Journals Online, PsycArticles, JSTOR, and Sage Journals, covering the period from January 2010 to December 2024. Included studies were peer-reviewed, full text, and in English; they focused on adolescents aged between 9 and 19 years and employed quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods approaches to examine interventions directed at reducing high risk-taking behaviour in adolescents. The review process followed four steps: Identification, Screening, Eligibility, and Inclusion. A descriptive meta-synthesis analysis was conducted to extract and integrate the findings.
Breaking the chains: justice and support mechanisms for survivors of gender-based violence among trafficked persons in South Africa
(Routledge, 2026) Assim, Usang M.; Dinbabo, Mulugeta F.; Belebema, Michael N.
Gender-based violence (GBV) among trafficked persons in South Africa remains a critical human rights concern, further marginalizing an already vulnerable population. Despite existing laws and international commitments, justice and support mechanisms often fail in practice, leaving survivors without adequate protection or recourse. Challenges in victim identification, reporting, and prosecution hinder justice delivery, while inadequate support services, such as shelter, healthcare, and psycho-social assistance, limit survivors’ recovery. This paper examines systemic gaps in addressing GBV among trafficked persons, analyzing legal frameworks, case studies, and policy inefficiencies. It highlights barriers to access, socio-economic drivers of trafficking, and the shortcomings of current interventions. A holistic, survivor-centered approach is essential, integrating interagency coordination, community-based strategies, and specialized training for law enforcement, judicial personnel, and service providers. By proposing targeted reforms, this paper advocates for a more effective justice and support system that prioritizes sensitivity, competence, and survivor empowerment. Strengthening institutional responses and fostering collaboration can disrupt cycles of exploitation, ensuring trafficked persons receive the justice and care required to rebuild their lives with dignity.
Hydrothermal synthesis parameter engineering and mass loading of polyaniline electrodes for high-performance supercapacitors
(Elsevier B.V., 2026) Mishra, Ajay Kumar; Bulla, Mamta; Kumar, Vinay
The increasing demand for compact, portable, and cost-effective energy storage fuels advancements in supercapacitors, where achieving high capacitance at elevated mass loadings and excellent rate capability with materials like polyaniline (PANI) is key to enhancing energy density without compromising high power density. This study investigates the effect of synthesis temperature of PANI over a range of 60 °C–140 °C and reaction time (3, 5 and 7 h), to enhance its electrochemical performance. Among the various conditions tested, PANI synthesized at 80 °C for 5 h (P-80 °C (5 h)) demonstrated optimal performance. The optimized sample was further evaluated at high mass loadings ranging from 1 to 10 mg cm−2, exhibiting a specific capacitance of 356 F g−1 at 1 mV s−1 for a 1 mg cm−2 mass. Notably, at 7 mg cm−2, the electrode achieved an impressive areal capacitance of 1172 mF cm−2 and a specific capacitance of 167.4 F g−1. A symmetric supercapacitor device configured as PANI//PANI, with a total active mass of 7 mg, employing a hydrogel electrolyte (H2SO4), delivered an areal capacitance of 812 mF cm−2 and a specific capacitance of 117 F g−1 at a scan rate of 1 mV s−1. Furthermore, the device retained 76.2% of its initial capacitance after 5000 charge-discharge cycles at a current density of 10 mA cm−2. These findings highlight the promise of hydrothermally synthesized PANI and hydrogel electrolytes for advancing high-performance supercapacitors.