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Exploring barriers to social cohesion in rural South African communities: A family-centred qualitative study
(Elsevier B.V., 2025) Olabiyi, Olaniyi Joshua; Roman, Nicolette Vanessa; Khaile, Fundiswa; Human, Anja
In South Africa, the need to strengthen social cohesion has become increasingly important considering various pressing challenges, particularly within family and community structures. Addressing these issues is crucial for promoting solidarity and inclusion among all South Africans. This study explores the barriers to social cohesion in two rural South African communities using a family-centred approach. It adopts a family centred perspective to develop targeted interventions that support communities, government officials, and policymakers in tackling critical social challenges, including trust deficits, feelings of non-belonging, family instability, and economic disparities across municipalities. The study utilized a qualitative, exploratory design, drawing on data collected from two rural communities in South Africa: Lambert's Bay in the Western Cape and Philippolis in the Free State Province. A total of 19 participants were engaged, comprising 11 parents and 8 community stakeholders. Data collection was conducted through in-depth, face-to-face interviews in participants’ preferred languages to ensure accuracy and comfort. Data analysis followed Braun and Clarke's reflexive thematic analysis approach, supported by Atlas.ti software, to systematically interpret the findings. The results identified seven key themes: family instability and domestic violence, inequality and economic disparity, lack of trust in relationships, racial discrimination, limited access to education and skills development, feelings of non-belonging and substance abuse and violence. These findings underscore the significance of family instability as a central factor in broader social cohesion. It is recommended that interventions adopt a family-centred approach. The study concludes with high-level policy and community intervention recommendations to support these efforts.
Strengthening signal detection in pharmacovigilance by using international nonproprietary name (INN) stems
(Springer Nature Link, 2025) Malan, Sarel; Balocco, Raffaella; Aronson, Jeffrey
‘Stems’, which mark pharmacological relationships between substances, form the backbone of the International Nonproprietary Name (INN) system, developed by the WHO in the 1950s. In this paper, we propose using the INN stems to enhance pharmacovigilance signal detection. After analysis of historical cases and current pharmacovigilance practices, we discuss how stem-based classification could facilitate understanding of the adverse-effects profile of each stem, to be used as a benchmark for early identification of adverse drug reactions that deviate from expected class effects, in other words signals associated with newly marketed medicines or different uses of well-known medicines. We propose a potential framework for integrating stem-based analysis into existing pharmacovigilance databases, supplemented by artificial intelligence approaches, such as machine learning. While acknowledging limitations, such as stem variability and reporting bias, we suggest that this approach offers potential advantages for regulatory authorities and healthcare professionals in post-marketing surveillance. Implementation of stem-based post-marketing surveillance could enhance signal-detection efficiency and contribute to improved patient safety through earlier identification of unexpected adverse effects and adverse reactions.
Comparison of Goslon Yardstick and cephalometric analysis in nonsyndromic unilateral cleft lip and palate individuals in the Western Cape, South Africa
(SAGE Publications Ltd, 2025) van Zyl, Albert M; Bellardie, Haydn H.
Objective: To establish correlations between skeletal jaw relationship measured on lateral cephalograms and Goslon Yardstick scores for dental arch relationship (DAR) on orthodontic study models for unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP). Design: Retrospective review of consecutive cases. Setting: Multidisciplinary cleft and craniofacial clinics at two tertiary care centers in the Western Cape, South Africa. Patients: Forty-nine consecutive patients with nonsyndromic UCLP before they received orthodontic treatment and secondary alveolar bone graft (SABG). Interventions: Fourteen cephalometric angles measured by two observers and Goslon Yardstick scores determined by three observers. Inter- and intraobserver reliability determined using Cohen's Weighted Kappa statistic. Main Outcome Measures: Age, gender, and side of cleft were recorded. Cephalometric measurements and Goslon scores compared with regression analysis to determine correlations between angle ANB (cephalometric angle indicating anteroposterior relationship between the maxilla and mandible) and Goslon scores. Results: Mean age 10.7 years; 22 males and 27 females. Thirty-four (69.4%) of the clefts were left-sided. Kappa statistics ranged from good to very good for inter- and intraobserver reliability for cephalometric measurements and Goslon scores. No statistically significant differences between genders for cephalometric measurements and Goslon scores (P > .05). Mean ANB = 0.2(2.39) indicates Class III skeletal relationships for these individuals. Mean Goslon score 2.89. There was a moderate negative correlation of r = −0.5691 (P = 0) between ANB and Goslon score. Conclusion: Moderate negative correlation between ANB and Goslon Yardstick provides evidence that Goslon scores are valid and reliable indicators of skeletal jaw discrepancy for UCLP without the errors encountered using cephalometric radiographs.
Perceptions of South Africa’s master of public health graduates on the degree’s contribution to their leadership at work and in society
(Frontiers Media SA, 2025) Schaay, Nikki; Tshitangano, Takalani; Zweigenthal, Virginia
Introduction: Integrating public health functions into national health systems is essential to enhance population health. The Master of Public Health (MPH) degree is an important foundation for public health practice in low-and middle-income countries such as South Africa. However, insufficient evidence on individual motivations for undertaking the MPH and the perceptions of graduates on the utility of the degree at work and in society and its contribution to their leadership skills informed this study. Methods: A consortium of academics from eight South African universities developed a self-administered questionnaire to measure inter alia the socio-demographic characteristics, motivations, career paths, perceptions of the utility of the degree, and its contribution to their professional and personal development. The study population comprised the 2012–2016 cohort of MPH graduates from eight universities. Following informed consent, eligible graduates completed an online survey via REDCap. The data were analyzed using Stata. Results: A total of 221 graduates completed the survey. The mean age of respondents was 35 years, and the majority were from South Africa (53.2%) or other African countries (43.2%). The majority (91.1%) completed the MPH to improve their skills or to promote their personal development for senior management and leadership roles. Approximately 75% used identified leadership skills at work, but only half these skills were obtained from the MPH. Over 80% of respondents positively impacted on their workplace and in society, using skills mostly derived from the MPH in all domains. Discussion: This cohort of MPH graduates exercised leadership in different settings, but many stated that these skills were not obtained from the MPH programs. The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the need for public health leaders skilled in communication, collaboration, and crisis management, amidst considerations of social justice and equity. Hence, leadership skills need to be intentionally included in MPH programs in South Africa.
Biogenic silica derived from sugarcane bagasse as a precursor material for unmodified SBA-15: physicochemical properties and their use in biodiesel production from spent oil
(John Wiley and Sons Ltd, 2025) Matthews, Tatum; Seroka, Ntalane Sello; Khotseng, Lindiwe
Sustainable energy production requires innovative approaches to decrease the dependence on nonrenewable resources and reduce environmental impacts. In this proof-of-concept study, we investigated green Santa Barbara Amorphous 15 (SBA-15) catalysts using sugarcane bagasse ash (SCBA) as a silica source and incorporating organic acids and bases to create an eco-friendly synthesis pathway. These catalysts were applied in the transesterification of waste sunflower oil (WSO) to produce biodiesel. Although the overall biodiesel yields were relatively low, peaking at 5.603% FAME with the L-cysteine-modified SBA-15 catalyst (Lcys-500), the main objective of this study was to establish the feasibility of employing green SBA-15 materials as effective catalysts, rather than to optimise reaction parameters or maximise yield. Catalyst characterisation was carried out using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM–EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), confirming that the green SBA-15 retained key structural properties of conventional SBA-15, including ordered mesoporosity (p6mm symmetry) and spherical morphology with some variation in pore structure and thermal behaviour. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) was employed solely for biodiesel product analysis. FTIR spectra of the biodiesel confirmed successful transesterification, as indicated by characteristic C=O and C–O stretching bands. However, issues such as solidification of the CA-500-derived biodiesel and the low yield from the OP-after calcination sample (0.178%) underscore the need for further refinement. Importantly, catalyst modification strategies, such as surface functionalisation or metal doping, were beyond the scope of this initial study. Overall, the results support the feasibility of producing functional mesoporous SBA-15 catalysts from agricultural waste through green chemistry approaches. This study lays the groundwork for the development of environmentally friendly silica-based catalysts, with future research focussed on surface functionalisation to improve catalytic performance ecologically.