Introduction Despite the unprecedented efforts of national governments along with various NGOs to achieve the third SDG, which is to reduce global maternal mortality to less than 70 per 100 000 live births by 2030, developing countries seem to be lagging far behind in reaching this goal (UNDP, 2016). This paper focuses on socioeconomic inequalities in the use of ANC services as an important aspect of MHC in SADC countries. Methods The data used in this study are obtained from the Demographic and Health Survey (DHS). Three mutually exclusive variables were created to assess ANC inequality, namely, 1) No ANC visits 2) Less than four ANC visits and 3) At least four ANC visits. A fourth variable that assesses the actual number of ANC visits that a pregnant woman had received was created and called 'Intensity’. ANC and SES using the wealth index were used to construct the concentration curves and indices to determine whether health care utilization is concentrated among the poor or the rich. Results Over 70% of all who lived in rural areas had '0 ANC’, with Namibia and Tanzania as the only exception to this finding. In four of the eleven countries, over 58.36% of women were married and were likely to make an adequate number of ANC visits. Namibia and Lesotho are two of the eleven countries that had a great majority of women educated up to the secondary level, 65.61% and 49.90% of which attained at least 4 ANC visits, respectively. Women who worked in agricultural settings had the least likelihood of attaining any ANC visits. Discussions and conclusion ANC use was consistently lower in women with no education, doing agricultural work and those residing in rural areas in the SADC region. Overall, marriage is inconclusive in determining ANC use. Inequality in wealth makes ANC utilization more predominant among the rich. Saving mothers and babies is ultimately saving the population and knowledge of the patterns of maternal health usage is imperative to draw relevant policies that are evidence based.

It is important to understand the experiences and perceptions of HIV research from the perspectives of persons who have either participated in or worked on HIV research in lowresource settings. Obtaining such information is important because research in low-resource settings presents several ethical challenges that result in the vulnerability of participants due to factors such as low literacy levels, high rates of food insecurity and unemployment. Conducting research on the aforementioned can help researchers to design studies that mitigate some of the ethical challenges associated with conducting HIV research in lowresource communities. This dissertation adds on to existing literature on the experiences and perceptions of HIV research participants and staff involved in HIV research in low-resource settings. This dissertation is divided into three parts. Part A (Research protocol) discusses the importance of evaluating research participants’ experiences and perceptions of HIV studies conducted in lowresource settings. The section also outlines the purpose of the study, research questions, methodology, ethical considerations, rigour, reimbursement and dissemination of results. Part B (Literature review) presents an overview of the literature on HIV research in low-resource settings, with a specific focus on: ethical challenges, factors that contribute to participants’ decisions to participate in HIV research and findings from other studies which examined experiences and perceptions of HIV research in low-resource settings. The section also identifies gaps in the existing literature. Part C (Journal article) presents the findings of the study and the implications thereof.

Background: CPR is the principal medical intervention used to reduce the high mortality associated with cardiorespiratory arrest. There is a paucity of literature on the preparedness for paediatric CPR (pCPR) amongst doctors in Cape Town. The study aimed to assess the preparedness for pCPR of doctors working in Western Cape Provincial Government primary healthcare facilities (PHCFs) in Cape Town with regard to knowledge, confidence and doctors' knowledge of equipment availability. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive-analytic study using a self-developed questionnaire to collect quantitative data from a sample of 206 doctors working in Cape Town PHCFs. Results: 173 doctors (84% response rate) completed the questionnaire. The majority (81.8%) had not done a pCPR course (Paediatric Advanced Life Support or Advanced Paediatric Life Support). 88.3% had done Basic Life Support; 28% >2 years ago. The average pCPR knowledge score was 61% (SD=20.3, range 8.3-100%). Doctors doing their community service and internship had significantly higher knowledge scores compared to Grade 3 medical officers (p = .001 and .010 respectively). 11% had performed pCPR >10 times in the past year; 20% had never performed pCPR, and 35% did not feel confident performing pCPR. More than 35% of doctors were uncertain about the availability of equipment in their facility. Conclusion: Doctors working in Cape Town PHCFs are poorly prepared to perform pCPR. Doctors' knowledge of pCPR and availability of equipment is inadequate and confidence in their ability to perform pCPR is low. Formal pCPR training and education on equipment location and availability is recommended.

The implementation of 'Option B+' has increased uptake and access to antiretroviral (ART) care. However, growing concerns exist regarding retention, especially once vertical transmission risk ceases. Considering the importance of adherence to achieve virological suppression and avoid resistance research on retention is crucial. This study compares the retention of women initiated on 'Option B+' to that of women initiating ART for their own health. Additionally possible predictors of loss to follow-up (LTFU) were explored. Women initiating ART between 1 April and 31 August 2013 were allocated to either the pregnant (n=228) or non-pregnant (n=177) cohort. Retrospective review of electronic recordkeeping systems and patient folders measured retention up to 15 months after ART initiation. Demographic data was captured to explore predictors of LTFU. To avoid outcome bias with participants transferred out, analysis included a 'worst case' scenario assuming LTFU of all these participants and a 'best case' scenario assuming continued retention in care.

Acute otitis media (AOM) is the most common reason parents bring children into the primary care physician's office. It is diagnosed by clinical symptoms of otalgia and often fever and irritability and by clinical otoscopy. Organisms common to the nasopharynx usually cause AOM. Many episodes of AOM resolve spontaneously. Because it is uncertain how many and which children will resolve without therapy, it is reasonable to treat all children with AOM with antibiotics. The first choice of antibiotics is amoxicillin. Other choices rest on a variety of factors.

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