ORCID Profile
0000-0002-8861-4466
Current Organisation
Deakin University
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Publisher: Academy of Science of South Africa
Date: 30-04-2021
DOI: 10.17159/2519-0105/2021/V76NO3A1
Abstract: The aim of this study was to assess the awareness of oral health care providers and dental students regarding radiation safety, protection and legislation pertaining to dental radiography in South Africa. An online questionnaire consisting of 20 structured multiple-choice questions was distributed among final year students and oral health care providers. The mean, median, standard deviation (SD) and frequencies were determined statistically to compare the number of correct answers for each responder group. In total, 189 questionnaires were analysed. The average number of correct answers was 11.6 out of 20 (58%) for all responders. Dental students presented with the highest percentage (66%) of correct answers. Higher radiation awareness was evident among the respondents who had undertaken continued education courses. Radiation awareness among oral health care providers in South Africa needs improvement. Greater emphasis should be placed on dental radiology courses to increase the knowledge and awareness. However, there is no officially established benchmark of radiation awareness in South Africa.
Publisher: AOSIS
Date: 20-12-2022
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2021
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 24-08-2023
DOI: 10.3390/APP13179586
Abstract: Background: Trail running is characterised by large elevation gains/losses and varying uneven running surfaces. Limited literature is available to help guide injury prevention strategies among trail runners. The purpose of this study was to determine the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, and related risk factors for running-related injuries (RRIs) amid trail runners who entered the 2021 Mac Mac Ultra races. Methods: Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study. Setting: 2021 Mac Mac Ultra Race. Participants: Consent for data analysis was given by 251 of 330 (76%) race entrants. Main outcome measures: Point prevalence (%), frequency (n, %), retrospective annual incidence (RRIs/100 athlete-years), characteristics (pathology type, tissue type, body area, anatomical region), and associated injury risk factors (training and demographic variables) of RRIs. Results: In the s le, the retrospective annual incidence was 19.92/100 athlete-years. The point prevalence was 4%. Injuries mostly appeared in the lower limb (95%), with the lower leg (26%), thigh (22%), ankle and foot (13%) described as the highest injured body areas. Of tissue type injuries, muscle/tendon comprised 60%. Muscle injury (36%), tendinopathy (24%), and joint sprain (9%) were the most reported pathology types. No related injury risk factors were discovered in this study. Conclusions: One in five trail runners reported one or more RRI during the 12 months before a competitive event. RRIs commonly involved the lower limb, especially the lower leg, thigh, foot, and ankle. More studies are needed to establish injury risk factors.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 28-05-2022
DOI: 10.3390/SYM14061110
Abstract: Entropy indicates a measure of information contained in a complex system, and its estimation continues to receive ongoing focus in the case of multivariate data, particularly that on the unit simplex. Oftentimes the Dirichlet distribution is employed as choice of prior in a Bayesian framework conjugate to the popular multinomial likelihood with K distinct classes, where consideration of Shannon- and Tsallis entropy is of interest for insight detection within the data on the simplex. However, this prior choice only accounts for negatively correlated data, therefore this paper incorporates previously unconsidered mixtures of Dirichlet distributions as potential priors for the multinomial likelihood which addresses the drawback of negative correlation. The power sum functional, as the product moment of the mixture of Dirichlet distributions, is of direct interest in the multivariate case to conveniently access the Tsallis- and other generalized entropies that is incorporated within an estimation perspective of the posterior distribution using real economic data. A prior selection method is implemented to suggest a suitable prior for the consideration of the practitioner empowering the user in future for consideration of suitable priors incorporating entropy within the estimation environment as well as having the option of certain mixture of Dirichlet distributions that may require positive correlation.
Publisher: AOSIS
Date: 12-01-2022
Abstract: Background: Mental health manifestations such as depression and anxiety disorders became more marked during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic as frontline healthcare workers struggled to maintain high-quality intrapartum care and essential health services.Aim: This study aimed to identify maternity healthcare providers’ self-perceptions of changes in their feelings of mental well-being.Setting: Ten midwife obstetric units and the labour wards of four district hospitals in Tshwane Health District, South Africa.Methods: We conducted an anonymous, cross-sectional survey amongst a convenience s le of 114 maternity healthcare workers to gauge the changes in healthcare workers’ experience and perceptions of well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. Four items measured the perceived changes on a scale of 0–10 for the periods before and during COVID-19, respectively, namely feelings of fear or anxiety, stress, depression and anger.Results: The majority of participants were professional nurses (37%) and advanced midwives (47%). They reported a significant change in well-being from before the pandemic to during the pandemic with regard to all four items (p 0.0001). The biggest ‘before-during’ difference was in perceptions of fear or anxiety and the smallest difference was in perceptions of anger. A framework was constructed from the open-ended responses to explain healthcare workers’ understanding and perceptions of increased negative feelings regarding their mental well-being.Conclusion: The observed trends in the changes in healthcare workers’ self-perceptions of their mental well-being highlight the need for further planning to build resilient frontline healthcare workers and provide them with ongoing mental health support and improved communication pathways.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 20-07-2023
DOI: 10.1007/S11547-023-01681-Y
Abstract: Accurate segmentation (separating diseased portions of the lung from normal appearing lung) is a challenge in radiomic studies of non-neoplastic diseases, such as pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). In this study, we developed a segmentation method, applicable to chest X-rays (CXR), that can eliminate the need for precise disease delineation, and that is effective for constructing radiomic models for automatic PTB cavity classification. This retrospective study used a dataset of 266 posteroanterior CXR of patients diagnosed with laboratory confirmed PTB. The lungs were segmented using a U-net-based in-house automatic segmentation model. A secondary segmentation was developed using a sliding window, superimposed on the primary lung segmentation. Pyradiomics was used for feature extraction from every window which increased the dimensionality of the data, but this allowed us to accurately capture the spread of the features across the lung. Two separate measures (standard-deviation and variance) were used to consolidate the features. Pearson’s correlation analysis (with a 0.8 cut-off value) was then applied for dimensionality reduction followed by the construction of Random Forest radiomic models. Two almost identical radiomic signatures consisting of 10 texture features each (9 were the same plus 1 other feature) were identified using the two separate consolidation measures. Two well performing random forest models were constructed from these signatures. The standard-deviation model (AUC = 0.9444 (95% CI, 0.8762 0.9814)) performed marginally better than the variance model (AUC = 0.9288 (95% CI, 0.9046 0.9843)). The introduction of the secondary sliding window segmentation on CXR could eliminate the need for disease delineation in pulmonary radiomic studies, and it could improve the accuracy of CXR reporting currently regaining prominence as a high-volume screening tool as the developed radiomic models correctly classify cavities from normal CXR.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 16-08-2022
Abstract: Climate change, bio ersity loss and large-scale environmental degradation are widely recognized as the biggest health threats of the 21st century, with the African continent already amongst the most severely affected and vulnerable to their further progression. The healthcare system’s contribution to climate change and environmental degradation requires healthcare professionals to address environmental issues urgently. However, the foundation for context-relevant interventions across research, practice, and education is not readily available. Therefore, we conducted a convergent mixed-methods study to investigate South African healthcare professionals’ knowledge, attitudes, practices, and barriers to environmental sustainability. Healthcare professionals participated in a cross-sectional questionnaire (n = 100) and in-depth semi-structured focus group discussions (n = 18). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis, respectively, and integrated to provide holistic findings. Our results confirm overwhelmingly positive attitudes and a high degree of interest in education, implementation, and taking on more corresponding responsibility, but a lack of substantial knowledge of the subject matter, and only tentative implementation of practices. Identified barriers include a lack of knowledge, resources, and policies. Further research, education, and policy development on overcoming these barriers is required. This will facilitate harnessing the extant enthusiasm and advance environmental sustainability in South Africa’s healthcare practice.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 14-07-2021
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 12-01-2022
DOI: 10.1136/BJSPORTS-2021-104858
Abstract: To review and frequently update the available evidence on injury risk factors and epidemiology of injury in trail running. Living systematic review. Updated searches will be done every 6 months for a minimum period of 5 years. Eight electronic databases were searched from inception to 18 March 2021. Studies that investigated injury risk factors and/or reported the epidemiology of injury in trail running. Nineteen eligible studies were included, of which 10 studies investigated injury risk factors among 2 785 participants. Significant intrinsic factors associated with injury are: more running experience, level A runner and higher total propensity to sports accident questionnaire (PAD-22) score. Previous history of cr ing and postrace biomarkers of muscle damage is associated with cr ing. Younger age and low skin phototypes are associated with sunburn. Significant extrinsic factors associated with injury are neglecting warm-up, no specialised running plan, training on asphalt, double training sessions per day and physical labour occupations. A slower race finishing time is associated with cr ing, while more than 3 hours of training per day, shade as the primary mode of sun protection and being single are associated with sunburn. An injury incidence range 0.7–61.2 injuries/1000 hours of running and prevalence range 1.3% to 90% were reported. The lower limb was the most reported region of injury, specifically involving blisters of the foot/toe. Limited studies investigated injury risk factors in trail running. Our review found eight intrinsic and nine extrinsic injury risk factors. This review highlighted areas for future research that may aid in designing injury risk management strategies for safer trail running participation. PROSPERO registration number CRD42021240832.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 30-11-2021
Abstract: Trail running involves running on varying natural terrains, often including large elevation gains/losses. Trail running has a high risk of injury, and runners often participate in remote regions where medical support is challenging. The aim of this study was to determine the epidemiology, clinical characteristic, and associated injury risk factors among trail runners. A modified Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center Questionnaire for Health Problems (OSTRC-H) was used biweekly to collect running-related injury (RRI) and training history data prospectively, among 152 participants (males n = 120, females n = 32) over 30 weeks. We report an overall injury rate of 19.6 RRIs per 1000 h and an RRI mean prevalence of 12.3%. The leading anatomical site of RRIs was the lower limb (82.9%), affecting the knee (29.8%), shin/lower leg (18.0%), and the foot/toes (13.7%). A history of previous RRI in the past 12 months (p = 0.0032) and having a chronic disease (p = 0.0188) are independent risk factors for RRIs among trail runners. Two in three trail runners sustain an RRI mainly affecting the knee, shin/lower leg, and foot/toes. A history of previous RRI in the past 12 months and a having chronic disease is independently associated with RRI among trail runners. These results could be used to develop future RRI prevention strategies, combined with clinical knowledge and experience.
Publisher: AOSIS
Date: 25-08-2022
Abstract: Background: In South Africa (SA), approximately 16 000 stillbirths occur annually. Most are classified as unexplained and occur in district hospitals. Many of these deaths may be caused by undetected foetal growth restriction. Continuous wave Doppler ultrasound of the umbilical artery (CWDU-UmA) is a simple method for assessing placental function. This screening method may detect the foetus at risk of dying and growth-restricted foetuses, allowing for appropriate management.Methods: A cohort study was conducted across South Africa. Pregnant women attending primary health care clinics at 28–34 weeks gestation were screened using CWDU-UmA. Women not screened at those antenatal clinics served as control group 1. Control group 2 consisted of the subset of control group 1 with women detected with antenatal complications excluded. Women with foetuses identified with an abnormal CWDU-UmA test were referred and managed according to a standardised protocol. A comparison between the study and control groups was performed.Results: The study group consisted of 6536 pregnancies, and there were 66 stillbirths (stillbirth rate [SBR]: 10.1/1000 births). In control group 1, there were 193 stillbirths in 10 832 women (SBR: 17.8/1000 births), and in control group 2, 152 stillbirths in 9811 women (SBR: 15.5/1000 births) (risk ratio: 0.57, 95% confidence intervals: 0.29–0.85 and 0.65, 0.36–0.94, respectively).Conclusion: Screening a low-risk pregnant population identified the low-risk mother with a high-risk foetus, and acting on the information as described was associated with a significant reduction (35% – 43%) in stillbirths. This demonstrates a step-change reduction in stillbirths and warrants screening in SA.
Publisher: Hindawi Limited
Date: 09-12-2018
DOI: 10.1155/2018/8357109
Abstract: Like HIV infection, smoking, which is common among HIV-infected persons, is associated with chronic, systemic inflammation. However, the possible augmentative effects of HIV infection and smoking and other types of tobacco usage on indices of systemic inflammation and the impact of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) thereon remain largely unexplored and represent the focus of the current study. Of the total number of HIV-infected persons recruited to the study ( n = 199 ), 100 were categorised as pre-cART and 99 as virally suppressed (HIV viral l o a d 40 copies/mL). According to serum cotinine levels, 144 and 55 participants were categorised as nonusers and users of tobacco, respectively. In addition to cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, and TNF- α ) and chemokines (IP-10, MIG, IL-8, MCP-1, and RANTES), other biomarkers of systemic inflammation included C-reactive protein (CRP), β 2-microglobulin, and those of neutrophil activation [ICAM-1, L-selectin, matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9)], microbial translocation (soluble CD14, LPS-binding protein), and oxidative stress (cyclophilin A, surfactant D). These were measured using multiplex bead array, ELISA, and immunonephelometric procedures. Viral suppression was associated with significant decreases in the levels of most of the biomarkers tested ( P 0.0037 -0.0008), with the exceptions of CRP, cyclophilin A, and MMP-9. With respect to tobacco usage, irrespective of cART status, circulating levels of β 2-microglobulin, cyclophilin A, and RANTES were significantly elevated ( P 0.042 -0.012) in users vs nonusers. Additional analysis of the groups of tobacco users and nonusers according to cART status revealed high levels of RANTES in pre-cART/tobacco users relative to the three other subgroups ( P 0.004 -0.0001), while more modest increases in cyclophilin A and MMP-9 ( P 0.019 -0.027) were observed in comparison with the cART/tobacco user subgroup. Notwithstanding the efficacy of cART in attenuating HIV-associated, chronic systemic inflammation, the current study has identified RANTES as being significantly and seemingly selectively increased in those with active HIV infection who use tobacco, a mechanism which may underpin augmentative proinflammatory activity.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 07-06-2021
DOI: 10.1080/00913847.2021.1932632
Abstract: Netball is a physical game with sudden direction changes, decelerations, jumping and landing, stop/start maneuvers and restrictive footwork rules exposing players to injury. Close contact play and shared facilities during tournaments, increase illness risk. 39 players sustained 46 match injuries (I = 54.76 PP = 20.31%). Lower limb injuries (I = 29.76), specifically the ankle (I = 13.10) were most common with lateral ankle ligament sprains the highest (I = 17.39). Contact injuries (I = 40.48) significantly exceeded non-contact injuries (I = 14.29 p = 0.0124). Center players sustained most injuries (n = 12 26% I = 14.29), followed by goalkeepers (n = 10 22% I = 11.90) and goal defenders (n = 8 17% I = 9.52). Injuries occurred in almost 50% of matches, and 67% did not result in time-loss. Time-loss injuries (n = 14 33%) were most frequent in the lower limb (n = 10 71%) specifically involved lateral ankle ligaments (n = 4 29%), attributable to contact (n = 11 79%) and mostly implicated center players and goal defenders (n = 4 each 29% each). 11 players contracted 11 illnesses (I = 7.64 PP = 5.72%) with respiratory tract illness contributing 36%. Most illnesses did not result in time-loss (91%). This is the first study reporting injury and illness during an NWC. Contact was the main mechanism of injury, and 2/3 of injuries did not result in time-loss. The ankle is most commonly injured and center players sustain most injuries. Non-respiratory system disease was most frequent, but upper respiratory tract infection remains the most common diagnosis. Targeted surveillance studies using similar methodology are required to develop injury and illness preventative strategies in elite netball.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 16-09-2021
DOI: 10.1002/IJGO.13917
Abstract: To describe risk factors and outcomes of pregnant women infected with SARS‐CoV‐2 admitted to South African healthcare facilities. A population‐based cohort study was conducted utilizing an amended International Obstetric Surveillance System protocol. Data on pregnant women with SARS‐CoV‐2 infection, hospitalized between April 14, 2020, and November 24, 2020, were analyzed. A total of 36 hospitals submitted data on 673 infected hospitalized pregnant women 217 (32.2%) were admitted for COVID‐19 illness and 456 for other indications. There were 39 deaths with a case fatality rate of 6.3%: 32 (14.7%) deaths occurred in women admitted for COVID‐19 illness compared to 7 (1.8%) in women admitted for other indications. Of the women, 106 (15.9%) required critical care. Maternal tuberculosis, but not HIV co‐infection or other co‐morbidities, was associated with admission for COVID‐19 illness. Rates of cesarean delivery did not differ significantly between women admitted for COVID‐19 and those admitted for other indications. There were 179 (35.4%) preterm births, 25 (4.7%) stillbirths, 12 (2.3%) neonatal deaths, and 162 (30.8%) neonatal admissions. Neonatal outcomes did not differ significantly from those of infected women admitted for other indications. The maternal mortality rate was high among women admitted with SARS‐CoV‐2 infection and higher in women admitted primarily for COVID‐19 illness with tuberculosis being the only co‐morbidity associated with admission.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 21-06-2019
DOI: 10.3390/FOODS8060221
Abstract: Child malnutrition remains a major public health problem in low-income African communities, caused by factors including the low nutritional value of indigenous/local complementary porridges (CP) fed to infants and young children. Most African children subsist on locally available starchy foods, whose oral texture is not well-characterized in relation to their sensorimotor readiness. The sensory quality of CP affects oral processing (OP) abilities in infants and young children. Unsuitable oral texture limits nutrient intake, leading to protein-energy malnutrition. The perception of the oral texture of selected African CPs (n = 13, Maize, Sorghum, Cassava, Orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP), Cowpea, and Bambara) was investigated by a trained temporal-check-all-that-apply (TCATA) panel (n = 10), alongside selected commercial porridges (n = 19). A simulated OP method (Up-Down mouth movements- munching) and a control method (lateral mouth movements- normal adult-like chewing) were used. TCATA results showed that Maize, Cassava, and Sorghum porridges were initially too thick, sticky, slimy, and pasty, and also at the end not easy to swallow even at low solids content—especially by the Up-Down method. These attributes make CPs difficult to ingest for infants given their limited OP abilities, thus, leading to limited nutrient intake, and this can contribute to malnutrition. Methods to improve the texture properties of indigenous CPs are needed to optimize infant nutrient intake.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 14-10-2020
DOI: 10.1136/VR.105799
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 21-03-2023
DOI: 10.3390/NU15061500
Abstract: Appropriate feeding practices are protective against malnutrition and poor growth. We compared feeding practices and growth in HIV-exposed-uninfected (HEU) and HIV-unexposed-uninfected (HUU) between 6-12 months of age in urbanized African infants in South Africa. A repeated cross-sectional analysis was used to determine differences in infant feeding practices and anthropometric measures by HIV exposure status at 6, 9, and 12 months in the Siyakhula study. The study included 181 infants (86 HEU 95 HUU). Breastfeeding rates were lower in HEU vs. HUU infants at 9 (35.6% vs. 57.3% p = 0.013) and 12 months (24.7% vs. 48.0% p = 0.005). Introduction to early complementary foods was common (HEU = 16.2 ± 11.0 vs. HUU = 12.8 ± 9.3 weeks p = 0.118). Lower weight-for-age Z-scores (WAZ) and head circumference-for-age Z-scores (HCZ) were found in HEU infants at birth. At 6 months, WAZ, length-for-age Z-scores (LAZ), HCZ, and mid-upper-arm circumference-for-age Z-scores (MUACAZ) were lower in HEU vs. HUU infants. At 9 months, lower WAZ, LAZ, and MUACAZ were found in HEU vs. HUU infants. At 12 months, lower WAZ, MUACAZ, and weight-for-length Z-scores (−0.2 ± 1.2 vs. 0.2 ± 1.2 p = 0.020) were observed. HEU infants had lower rates of breastfeeding and poorer growth compared to HUU infants. Maternal HIV exposure affects the feeding practices and growth of infants.
Publisher: Medpharm Publications
Date: 29-07-2020
Abstract: Although theoretical training of veterinary students is uncomplicated even for larger groups, practical training remains a challenge. Much has been said about the value of practical training in curriculum design. Yet, the impact of practical training on theoretical knowledge needs further research. A cohort of 89 students with very limited clinical practical experience completed an assessment at the end of their theoretical training in small ruminants. The scores obtained by the students were compared with those obtained by a group of 35 veterinarians who volunteered to participate in the study. In addition to comparing the scores between students and practitioners, the cognitive level of each of the questions was considered. Overall, veterinarians achieved higher test scores than did the students. The veterinarians outperformed the students in all cognitive levels except for ‘applying’ type questions where there was no difference. Different levels of experience, namely young veterinarians (n = 11), established veterinarians (n = 13) and veterinarians approaching retirement (n = 11), were evaluated against the revised Bloom’s cognitive levels. When modelling congress attendance frequency, years’ experience, proportion of time spent with ruminants and revised Bloom’s levels, congress attendance was not a significant variable, and thus, only the other three variables remained. This investigation found that practical experience has a positive effect on theoretical knowledge. The type of practical experience and where such practical experience is included in a curriculum need further research. Working for a number of years in a specific discipline will provide the best support for theoretical knowledge.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2020
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Date: 2022
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 25-06-2021
DOI: 10.3390/MATH9131493
Abstract: Entropy is a functional of probability and is a measurement of information contained in a system however, the practical problem of estimating entropy in applied settings remains a challenging and relevant problem. The Dirichlet prior is a popular choice in the Bayesian framework for estimation of entropy when considering a multinomial likelihood. In this work, previously unconsidered Dirichlet type priors are introduced and studied. These priors include a class of Dirichlet generators as well as a noncentral Dirichlet construction, and in both cases includes the usual Dirichlet as a special case. These considerations allow for flexible behaviour and can account for negative and positive correlation. Resultant estimators for a particular functional, the power sum, under these priors and assuming squared error loss, are derived and represented in terms of the product moments of the posterior. This representation facilitates closed-form estimators for the Tsallis entropy, and thus expedite computations of this generalised Shannon form. Select cases of these proposed priors are considered to investigate the impact and effect on the estimation of Tsallis entropy subject to different parameter scenarios.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 09-12-2022
DOI: 10.3390/V14122745
Abstract: Maternal HIV exposure and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) due to placental insufficiency both carry major risks to early child growth. We compared the growth outcomes of children aged 18 months who had abnormal umbilical artery resistance indices (UmA-RI), as a marker of placental insufficiency, with a comparator group of children with normal UmA-RI during pregnancy, as mediated by maternal HIV infection. The cross-sectional study included 271 children, grouped into four subgroups based on HIV exposure and history of normal/abnormal UmA-RI, using available pregnancy and birth information. Standard procedures were followed to collect anthropometric data, and z-scores computed as per World Health Organization growth standards. Lower length-for-age z-scores (LAZ) were observed in children who were HIV-exposed-uninfected (CHEU) (−0.71 ± 1.23 p = 0.004) and who had abnormal UmA-RI findings (−0.68 ± 1.53 p 0.001). CHEU with abnormal UmA-RI had lower LAZ (−1.3 ± 1.3 p 0.001) and weight-for-age z-scores (WAZ) (−0.64 ± 0.92 p = 0.014) compared to the control group. The prevalence of stunting was 40.0% in CHEU with abnormal UmA-RI and 16.0% in CHEU with normal UmA-RI (p 0.001 p = 0.016, respectively). In conclusion, maternal HIV exposure and placental insufficiency are independent risk factors for childhood stunting, with this risk potentiated when these two risk factors overlap.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 03-10-2023
DOI: 10.3390/APP131910944
Publisher: AOSIS
Date: 06-10-2021
Publisher: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Date: 31-03-2022
DOI: 10.1101/2022.03.28.22273056
Abstract: The increasing population of HIV-exposed-uninfected (HEU) infants are known to be at risk of poor nutritional status and suboptimal growth, with biological risk factors implicated, yet the cost to families of feeding infants is often overlooked. The study compared the infant feeding practices and costs and macronutrient intake of HEU vs HIV-unexposed-uninfected (HUU) six-month-old infants in the Gauteng Province of South Africa. A cross-sectional study investigated 46 HEU and 55 HUU infants aged six months and utilised a single quantified 24-hr recall and the FoodFinder™ program for meal analysis. The estimation of diet cost utilised supermarket food prices based on the 24-hr recall method. Mothers of HEU infants had significantly lower income ( p .01) and educational attainment ( p =0.03). The infant feeding practices differed between HEU vs HUU infants ( p =0.05): exclusive breastfeeding (50.0% vs 34.0%) and mixed breastfeeding (38.1% vs 64.2%). Common complementary foods for HEU versus HUU infants included commercial infant cereals (CIC) (48.7% vs 70.9% p =0.04) fruits and vegetables (33.3% vs 15.7% p =0.05) and maize meal porridge (25.6% vs 15.7% p =0.24), respectively. The mean daily cost of diet of HEU vs HUU infants was 8.55±7.35ZAR ($0.68±0.59USD) vs 10.97±7.92ZAR($0.88±0.63 USD) ( p =0.10). Regarding the complementary feeding, there were non-significant differences in protein, fat, and carbohydrate intakes ( p .05) and their costs per daily intake ( p .05) between the groups. There are no significant differences in cost, feeding and macronutrient intakes between HEU and HUU. Suboptimal breastfeeding practices remains an issue within the first six months. More sustained effort is required to support and promote exclusive breastfeeding.
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 17-04-2020
DOI: 10.1136/BJSPORTS-2019-101635
Abstract: We investigated the management of travel fatigue and jet lag in athlete populations by evaluating studies that have applied non-pharmacological interventions (exercise, sleep, light and nutrition), and pharmacological interventions (melatonin, sedatives, stimulants, melatonin analogues, glucocorticoids and antihistamines) following long-haul transmeridian travel-based, or laboratory-based circadian system phase-shifts. Systematic review Eligibility criteria Randomised controlled trials (RCTs), and non-RCTs including experimental studies and observational studies, exploring interventions to manage travel fatigue and jet lag involving actual travel-based or laboratory-based phase-shifts. Studies included participants who were athletes, except for interventions rendering no athlete studies, then the search was expanded to include studies on healthy populations. Electronic searches in PubMed, MEDLINE, CINAHL, Google Scholar and SPORTDiscus from inception to March 2019. We assessed included articles for risk of bias, methodological quality, level of evidence and quality of evidence. Twenty-two articles were included: 8 non-RCTs and 14 RCTs. No relevant travel fatigue papers were found. For jet lag, only 12 athlete-specific studies were available (six non-RCTs, six RCTs). In total (athletes and healthy populations), 11 non-pharmacological studies (participants 600 intervention group 290 four non-RCTs, seven RCTs) and 11 pharmacological studies (participants 1202 intervention group 870 four non-RCTs, seven RCTs) were included. For non-pharmacological interventions, seven studies across interventions related to actual travel and four to simulated travel. For pharmacological interventions, eight studies were based on actual travel and three on simulated travel. We found no literature pertaining to the management of travel fatigue. Evidence for the successful management of jet lag in athletes was of low quality. More field-based studies specifically on athlete populations are required with a multifaceted approach, better design and implementation to draw valid conclusions. PROSPERO registration number The protocol was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO: CRD42019126852).
No related grants have been discovered for Tanita Botha (née Cronje).