Entertainment

An Economic Evaluation of the Impact of Widespread Antiretroviral Treatment on Secondary Hospitals in South Africa: Case Study of the GF Jooste Hospital Antiretroviral Referral Unit

Published by: 
Health Systems Trust

This research presents a partial economic evaluation of the current and anticipated impact of widespread antiretroviral treatment on the secondary hospital system in South Africa. The evaluation encompasses the treatment and care of HIV-positive inpatients and outpatients on or preparing for highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) at the secondary level. This study was conducted based on analysis of the Antiretroviral Referral Unit at GF Jooste Hospital during March 2005, and utilises a combination of current and retrospective data sets.

Meningitis claims 2 500

Meningitis has killed more than 2 500 people this year in West and Central Africa in what could become the worst epidemic for five years, UNICEF said. Meningitis is an infection of the thin lining that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. Infection rates in Africa rise during the dry and hot period from January to May and the meningitis belt stretching from Senegal to Ethiopia is especially prone. UNICEF said in a statement that in the year to April 5, 2 519 people had died of meningitis in Nigeria, Niger, Burkina Faso and Chad, out of a total of 47 310 cases.

CD4 cell counts becoming lower soon after infection with HIV, suggests virus becoming more virulent

The initial CD4 cell counts of patients newly infected with HIV fell significantly between 1985 and 2001, US research published in the May 1st edition of Clinical Infectious Diseases has shown. This suggests that the virus may have evolved to become more virulent during this time period, which could have clinical implications, shortening the interval between infection with HIV and the need to start HIV treatment. In people with HIV, CD4 cell counts provide an important indication of the strength of the immune system, of HIV disease progression and of when to start antiretroviral treatment.

Durban moves to lead fight against cancer

Durban is planning to become the first city in the country to set up its own environmental cancer surveillance unit. The move coincides with a national process to declare cancer a reportable disease and improve data collection on the disease, which kills or disfigures several thousand South Africans every year. Ten years ago The Mercury uncovered evidence of potentially high cancer rates in children in Durban's southern industrial area. Official figures suggest that at least 50 000 new cases of cancer are diagnosed around the country every year, although these statistics are recognised as an underestimation of the true picture. The aim of the new surveillance unit (or registry) is to monitor the number and different types of cancer cases in the Durban area by gathering accurate information on where, how and why the disease occurs, and the extent to which air pollution and other environmental risks might add to the cancer burden. Siva Chetty, the deputy head of pollution control for the eThekwini Health Department, said the plan was to start collecting information on cancer cases in Durban by next year.

Linux Systems, Web and Database Administrator

Closing date: 20 April 2009
The Systems Administrator will be responsible for development, maintenance and efficient functioning of all Health Systems Trust's IT Systems and networks. This includes all mail servers, web servers, and databases as required by HST, its programmes, support sections and associate organisations. He/She will proactively manage security, perform and audit backups and manage operational IT intrastructure.

Developing Treatment Guidelines for Women of Reproductive Age

Published by: 
Health Systems Trust
In South Africa, the issues surrounding HIV/AIDS have long been contested and are, in themselves, complex. Treatment has been normalized, embraced and guided by the National HIV/AIDS and STI Strategic Plan (NSP), which is the overall guiding plan for HIV/AIDS in South Africa. The Plan is implemented in partnership with the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC). The NSP has gaps in the key areas of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), and this has been an important critique of policy guidelines. SRHR are only identified in the indicators of prevention and are absent from other provisions in the Plan. These gaps are also challenges in the Southern African region and globally. While the process of addressing SRHR in South Africa has started, these comments have the potential for wider application globally.

Cervical Cancer and HIV: The intimate connection

Published by: 
Health Systems Trust

Since 1997, over 33 000 women have died of cervical cancer in South Africa. This translates into roughly 3 000 per year. In addition, approximately 7000 women develop the disease every year. In 2000, a national cervical cancer screening policy was developed and put into place. The system uses a screening method to prevent the precancerous lesions from developing into cervical cancer through early detection and treatment. Screening takes place through pap smears with three free pap smears being offered to women in the public service at the ages of 30, 40 and 50.

RESEARCHER: 1x Human Resources Research, 1x District Health Planning

Closing date: 30 March 2009

Health Systems Trust is seeking to employ a researcher with an interest in human resources research. This appointment is particularly suitable for a public health professional who wishes to undertake health systems and epidemiological research as part of their Doctoral studies.

District Management Study - A National Summary Report

Published by: 
Health Systems Trust
A review of structures, competencies and training interventions to strengthen district management in the national health system of South Africa.

The aim of the study is to undertake a national assessment of existing district management structures, competencies and current training programmes in order to inform a national strategy and plan to strengthen district management capacity to ensure effective delivery of primary health care in South Africa.

Tuberculosis a womens health issue

Series Name: 
Nursing Update
Published by: 
Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa
Using Tuberculosis as a case study, The Centre for Public Health Research, School of Health Sciences and Social Care, Brunel University, Uxbridge, UK. (Allotey P, Gyapong M.) said that gender studies, as an area of research, have developed to address the social, cultural and contextual factors that disproportionately affect the ability of women to promote their health and treat disease. The importance of gender in health and disease is now clearly established and increasingly evident in mainstream public health, as well as in clinical and social medicine.