MENVSC (Geography) / Department of Geography and Geo-Information Sciences / Semi-arid regions of Africa are prone to epidemics of malaria. Epidemic malaria occurs along the geographical margins of endemic regions, when the equilibrium between the human, parasite and mosquito vector populations are occasionally disturbed by changes in one or more meteorological factors and a sharp but temporary increase in disease incidence results. Monthly rainfall and temperature data from the South African Weather Service and malaria incidence data from Department of Health were used to determine the influence of meteorological variables on malaria transmission in Limpopo from 1998-2014. Meteorological influences on malaria transmission were analyzed using time series analysis techniques. Climate suitability for malaria transmission was determined using MARA distribution model. There are three distinct modes of rainfall variability over Limpopo which can be associated with land falling tropical cyclones, cloud bands and intensity of the Botswana upper high. ENSO and ENSO-Modoki explains about 58% of this variability. Malaria epidemics were identified using a standardized index, where cases greater than two standard deviations from the mean are identified as epidemics. Significant positive correlations between meteorological variables and monthly malaria incidence is observed at least one month lag time, except for rainfall which shows positive correlation at three months lag time. Malaria transmission appears to be strongly influenced by minimum temperature and relative humidity (R = 0.52, p<0.001). A SARIMA (2, 1, 2) (1, 0, 0)12 model fitted with only malaria cases has prediction performance of about 53%. Warm SSTs of the SWIO and Benguela Niño region west of Angola are the dominant predictors of malaria epidemics in Limpopo in the absence of La Niña. Warm SSTs over the equatorial Atlantic and Benguela Niño region results in the relaxation of the St. Helena high thus shifting the rainy weather to south-east Africa. La Niña have been linked with increased malaria cases in south-east Africa. During El Niño when rain bearing systems have migrated east of Madagascar ridging of the St. Helena high may produce conducive conditions for malaria transmission. Anomalously warmer and moist winters preceding the malaria transmission season are likely to allow for high mosquito survival and the availability of the breeding sites thus high population in the beginning of the transmission season hence resulting in increased epidemics. / NRF

In infected patients, the rapid identification of pathogens is critical. After a long period of slow technological improvement, the microbiology laboratory is now undergoing significant evolution. This work evaluated the contribution of recent MALDI-TOF MS technology in terms of the diagnosis and clinical management of patients and its implementation in the laboratory of tomorrow. The studies were conducted over a 3.5-year period, mostly in the iris public hospital network of Brussels. <p>First, we confirmed the accurate performance of MALDI-TOF MS in the identification of routine isolates, regardless of whether the Biotyper (92.7% correct species identification) or VITEK MS (93.2%) (n=986) commercial system was used, and demonstrated the supremacy of this technology over conventional identification techniques for fastidious bacteria, including Campylobacter and related organisms (98.3%, 72.2% and 79.9% correct species identification by Biotyper, Vitek NH Card and API Campy, respectively; n=234). <p>Second, we showed that the direct MALDI-TOF MS identification of bacteria from positive blood cultures was not only feasible but also led to an 24-h reduction in the time-to-identification. In an adult population, more than 13% of the direct identifications from positive blood cultures resulted in the faster adaptation of the antimicrobial treatment. <p>Third, we demonstrated that MALDI-TOF MS could easily be implemented in a network, which was associated with significant cost savings and reduction in the time-to-identification. Finally, our promising Blastocystis subtyping results suggest that the number of MALDI-TOF MS applications may be increased.<p>In the future, automation of the technique will make its use in clinical laboratories even easier, eliminating the use of conventional identification techniques. Improvement of the preanalytical procedures is also important to make MALDI-TOF MS a suitable instrument for resistance and toxicity mechanism detection and subtyping. <p> / Doctorat en Sciences biomédicales et pharmaceutiques / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

Thesis (M.Med. (Paediatrics and Child Health)) -- University of Limpopo, 2019 / Objectives To determine the prevalence and survival rate; and to assess the maternal risk factors as well as complications of prematurity, associated with the mortality of very low and extremely low birth weight infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Mankweng Hospital. Materials and Methods A retrospective descriptive study was conducted at the NICU of Mankweng Hospital for a 7-month period from 1st January to 31st July 2015. The patient medical records and the Perinatal Problem Identification Programme (PPIP) data were used for the study. Results Prevalence of prematurity was 23%, Infants weighing between 500g-1499g represented 6.3% of the total live births and 25% of the admissions to the NICU; of which 4.9% were classified as extremely low birth weight (ELBW). Overall 77% of the study population survived until discharge. From the medical records, the survival to discharge of infants with weight 500g - 999g was 52%; and 84% for those with weight 1000g-1499g. Multivariable analysis found that improved survival was associated with an increase in gestational age (p <0.001), as well as birth weight (p <0.001) and prolonged length of stay. Variables associated with poor survival were spontaneous preterm labour (p = 0.031), low Apgar score at 1 and 5 minutes (p <0.001), sepsis (p = 0.001), respiratory distress syndrome (p <0.001), pulmonary hemorrhage (p <0.001), hypothermia (P = 0.005), resuscitation at birth (p = 0.002) and necrotising enterocolitis (p =0.044). Antenatal steroids were not associated with survival (p =0.111), however this was not documented in 53%(134/252) of the records, so the non-significance to outcome in this study may not be a true reflection. The use of NCPAP or SiPAP only was associated with improved survival of up to 69% and high mortality rates were recorded in babies who required invasive ventilator support. Multi-organ immaturity was found to be the most common cause of death, followed by sepsis. Conclusion: The prevalence and survival rates of very low and extremely low birth weight, found in this study are comparable to those found in other tertiary hospitals in South Africa. The survival rate of ELBW babies is low and must be improved. Reliable data and further research should address effective steps to prevent preterm labour, extreme prematurity and hypothermia. The documentation and provision of antenatal steroids is encouraged. KEY CONCEPTS: Prematurity, Extremely low and Very low birth weight, Risk factors, Prevalence, Survival, Neonatal mortality rate.

Thesis (MPH.) -- University of Limpopo, 2021 / Background: Chronic illnesses, including non-communicable diseases (NCDs), continue to be a public health concern, globally, and contribute to the high burden of diseases. These health challenges have led to the introduction of community health workers (CHWs) in both developed and developing countries as a way of dealing with these challenges. It is more than five years since ward-based outreach teams (WBOTs) were introduced into the Julesburg area in order to respond to the needs of the community, based on the government’s focus on quadruple burden of diseases. The researcher is aware of the increasing workload, unclear roles and responsibilities, different approaches to CHWs’ work taken, and the ever-changing focus of their work, based on the community needs and diseases that the community faces at a particular time. It is for this reason that the researcher is interested in understanding the CHWs’ experiences and the manner in which they cope with challenges when working in their ever-changing environment, workload, work focus and roles and responsibilities. Methods: A qualitative exploratory, descriptive and contextual study approach was used; data was collected using focus group discussions with CHWs and one-on-one interviews with key informants, using their supervisors to gather more information that could not have been shared by CHWs. Result: The findings from the focus group discussions revealed that the CHWs have a high workload, while receiving stipend and are not permanently employed. CHWs have had experiences that make them feel unimportant and not needed, as well as enduring poor working conditions without sufficient personal protective equipment (PPE). Even though they experience dissatisfaction, they are passionate about continuing with their community-based work for many years, evidenced by those who have up to 22 years of service.

Over the past decade, and accelerated due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been increasing adoption of decentralized diagnostic testing, where the testing is brought closer to the patient. This trend has largely been fueled by the development of more accurate diagnostic tools and faster and more reliable data connectivity. Decentralized testing has been shown to greatly reduce turnaround times while increasing accessibility to users in remote regions. However, there are challenges that limit its widespread adoption. In this dissertation, we detail the development of tools and technologies to overcome these barriers and expedite the shift towards decentralized diagnostic testing. First, we demonstrate the ability to develop point-of-care (POC) diagnostic tests with performance that rivals that of traditional lab-based methods. We developed a rapid, multiplexed, microfluidic serological test for Lyme disease, a tick-borne disease caused by the Borrelia burgdorferi bacterium. The recommended testing, the standard 2-tiered (STT) approach, is not sensitive for early-stage infections, is labor-intensive, has long turnaround times, and requires the use of two immunoassays (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the Western Blot). We developed a standalone multiplexed sandwich ELISA assay and adapted it to the mChip microfluidic platform. We validated the assay on a rigorously characterized panel of human serum samples and demonstrated that our approach outperforms the STT algorithm on sensitivity while matching its specificity. The form factor of this technology is amenable to use in physician’s offices and urgent care clinics. We also showed exploratory work towards adapting the mChip platform for diagnosis of Zika disease, a mosquito-borne disease caused by the Zika virus, and acute kidney injury, a syndrome characterized by loss of kidney excretory function. Next, we worked on increasing the adoption of rapid diagnostic tests for self- and partner-testing designed to be used in at-home settings. We developed a smartphone application to be used alongside the INSTI Multiplex test for detecting HIV and syphilis infections. The application was designed to provide users with i) instructions on running the test, ii) an automated deep-learning-based image interpretation algorithm to interpret the rapid test results from a smartphone image, iii) a way to save test results and display/share them, and iv) resources for follow-up care. We adopted a user-centered, iterative design process where we worked with a cohort of study participants composed of men who have sex with men and transgender women at high risk for contracting sexually transmitted infections. We then field tested the application with 48 participants over a duration of three months and found high acceptability for the application, both in terms of functionality and helpfulness. Finally, we sought to address a key limitation with deep-learning-based image classification techniques, specifically, the requirement for large numbers of annotated images for training. We developed a deep-learning image interpretation algorithm that could be quickly adapted to new rapid test kits using only a fraction of the images that would otherwise be needed for training the model. The interpretation algorithm followed a three-step, modular process. First, the rapid test kit and the membrane were extracted from the smartphone image. Second, the constituent zones were cropped from the extracted membrane. Finally, a classifier detected the presence or absence of a line in the individual zones. Fast adaptation was demonstrated by adapting a base model, trained using images of a single COVID-19 rapid test kit, to four different rapid test kits, each with different form factors, using few-shot domain adaptation. After training with 20 or fewer images, the classification accuracies of all the adapted models were > 95%. This approach can provide a digital health platform for improved pandemic preparedness and enable quality assurance and linkage to care for consumers operating new LFAs in widespread decentralized settings. Together, these methods provide a suite of tools that could expedite the shift towards decentralized, POC testing.

El presente trabajo de investigación tiene como objetivo evaluar la deseabilidad, factibilidad comercial y la viabilidad financiera de crear e implementar un restaurante especializado en comida saludable para personas que necesiten cuidar su alimentación para controlar enfermedades no trasmisibles (diabetes, hipertensión, obesidad y otros). El plan de negocio contiene el análisis de mercado teniendo en cuenta las tendencias mundiales que muestran un crecimiento sostenido por el interés de mantener una vida saludable a través de una alimentación sana. El restaurante va dirigido a personas con enfermedades no transmisibles con NSE A y B, mayores de 18 años con poder adquisitivo, modernas, progresistas y sofisticadas que priorizan su alimentación con cuidados nutricionales. Adicionalmente, se realizó un sondeo de mercado a fin de poder identificar información necesaria que valida y ayuda definir el modelo de negocio. El restaurante estará ubicado en Miraflores, el cual funcionará brindando almuerzos y cenas. La carta será diseñada y supervisada por un Chef altamente calificado y un nutricionista especializado. Para el inicio de las operaciones se necesitará una inversión de s/ 541,073 dicho monto se utilizará en la compra de equipos y capital de trabajo. La estructura de capital estará distribuida con 60% de deuda y 40% de capital propio teniendo una relación D/E de 1.5. Finalmente, luego de realizar el análisis financiero se obtiene un VAN de s/ 271,680 y una TIR de 32% considerando una tasa de descuento del 13.65%, por lo que se concluye que el proyecto es rentable, viable y genera valor. / The present research work aims to evaluate the desirability, commercial feasibility and financial viability of creating and implementing a restaurant specialized in healthy food with special attention to people who want to take care of their diet to control non-communicable diseases (diabetes, hypertension, obesity and others). The proposed business contains the market analysis considering world trends that show sustained growth in the interest of maintaining a healthy life through healthy eating. The restaurant is aimed at people with non-communicable diseases with NSE A and B, over 18 years of age with purchasing power, modern, progressive and sophisticated who prioritize their diet with nutritional care. In addition, a market survey was carried out in order to identify necessary information that validates and helps define the business model. The restaurant will be in Miraflores, which will operate providing lunch and dinner. The menu will be designed and supervised by a highly qualified Chef and a specialized nutritionist. For the start of operations, an investment of s / 541,073 will be needed. This amount will be used for the purchase of equipment and working capital. The capital structure will be distributed with 60% debt and 40% equity, having a D / E ratio of 1.5. Finally, after carrying out the financial analysis, a NPV of s / 271,680 is obtained and an IRR of 32% considering a discount rate of 13.65%, which is why it is concluded that the project is profitable, viable and generates value. / Trabajo de investigación

I Sverige lever 44 procent av befolkningen med en kronisk sjukdom. En kronisk sjukdom definieras som ett långt sjukdomstillstånd eller livslång sjukdom, exempelvis typ 1-diabetes. Till varje person som lever med typ 1-diabetes finns anhöriga som blir delaktiga i sjukdomen. För anhöriga kan det väcka känslor som rädsla, ilska samt hjälplöshet. Trots detta är anhöriga åsidosatta av vården och lämnade med ett behov av stöd, information samt kontakt. Följaktligen väcktes en nyfikenhet hos författarna kring hur sjuksköterskan kan stödja anhöriga vilket gav upphov till studiens syfte. Studiens syfte är att belysa anhörigas behov av stöd utifrån deras upplevelse av att leva med en person med typ 1-diabetes. Studien är en litteraturöversikt där författarna har studerat tio vetenskapliga artiklar vilka svarade mot studiens syfte. Vidare analyserades artiklarna enligt Fribergs analysprocess, varav nio artiklar var kvalitativa samt en var kvantitativ. Analysen av artiklarna formade ett tema; En tillvaro präglad av förändring och att vara i ständig beredskap. Vidare påvisas detta tema med fem inkluderande subteman som innefattar behov av stöd i att bearbeta känslor, behov av strategier för att hantera vardagen, behov av kunskap, behov av strategier för att hantera oro samt behov av stöd vid olika skeenden samt tidpunkter i livet. I diskussionen sker en fördjupning av resultatet med stöd från ny forskning. Slutligen sammanfattas studien med kliniska implikationer samt förslag på fortsatt forskning. / In Sweden, 44 percent of the population lives with a chronic illness. A chronic illness is defined as a long-term illness or lifelong illness, for example type 1-diabetes. For every person living with type 1-diabetes, there are relatives who become involved in the disease. For relatives, it can arouse emotions such as fear, anger and helplessness. Despite this, relatives are ignored by the care and left with a need for support, information and contact. According to this curiosity was aroused with the authors about how the nurse can support relatives, which gave rise to the purpose of the study. The purpose of the study is to shed light on relatives' need for support based on their experience of living with a person with type 1 diabetes. The study is a literature review where the authors have studied ten scientific articles that answered the purpose of the study. Furthermore, the articles were analyzed according to Friberg's analysis process, of which nine articles were qualitative and one was quantitative. The analysis of the articles formed a theme; A life marked by change and being on constant alert. Furthermore, this theme is demonstrated with five sub-themes that include the need for support in processing emotions, the need for strategies for dealing with everyday life, the need for knowledge, the need for strategies for dealing with anxiety and the need for support at different events and times in life. In the discussion, there is an in-depth look of the results with support from new research that is being highlighted. Finally, the study is summarized with clinical implications and suggestions for further research.

Many infectious diseases are spread through interactions between susceptible and infectious individuals. Keeping track of where each exposure to the disease took place, when it took place, and which individuals were involved in the exposure can give public health officials important information that they may use to formulate their interventions. Further, knowing which individuals in the population are at the highest risk of becoming infected with the disease may prove to be a useful tool for public health officials trying to curtail the spread of the disease. Epidemiological models are needed to allow epidemiologists to study the population dynamics of transmission of infectious agents and the potential impact of infectious disease control programs. While many agent-based computational epidemiological models exist in the literature, they focus on the spread of disease rather than exposure risk. These models are designed to simulate very large populations, representing individuals as agents, and using random experiments and probabilities in an attempt to more realistically guide the course of the modeled disease outbreak. The work presented in this thesis focuses on tracking exposure risk to chickenpox in an elementary school setting. This setting is chosen due to the high level of detailed information realistically available to school administrators regarding individuals' schedules and movements. Using an agent-based approach, contacts between individuals are tracked and analyzed with respect to both individuals and locations. The results are then analyzed using a combination of tools from computer science and geographic information science.

This study investigated caregivers' perceptions with regard to vaccine-preventable diseases in terms of six constructs of the Health Belief Model. A qualitative research design that is explorative, descriptive and contextual in nature was employed in order to understand and describe the perceptions influencing access and utilisation of services that lead to missed immunisation opportunities and consequently outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases. The data-collection techniques were individual unstructured in-depth interviews, field notes and clinical records. The sample consisted of twenty two (N=22) caregivers who volunteered to be interviewed. The study has highlighted that caregivers' perceptions or cognitive factors play an important role for having children in completing immunisation schedule to protect the public from vaccine-preventable diseases. It is recommended that mass media programmes are needed to address the role of vaccines in reducing high morbidity and mortality rates caused by vaccine preventable diseases and improvement in access to immunisation services. / Health Studies / MPH (Health Studies)

Obesity and obesity-related diseases – such as type 2 diabetes – have become the most crucial indicators of population health in the 21st century. Formerly understood as ‘diseases of affluence’, obesity is now prevalent in the Global South posing serious risk to socioeconomic development. This is particularly true for rapidly developing countries where nutrition transitions are most apparent. There are many factors which impact on risk of obesity (e.g. gender, culture, environment, socioeconomic status, biological determinants). The problem is further aggravated within small island developing states where food security is exacerbated by factors associated with globalization and development. The thesis examines the surge of obesity and type 2 diabetes within Caribbean populations, using Barbados as a case study. A holistic approach was applied using an ecological health model. Moving away from the lifestyle model, the theoretical framework underpinning included sub-theories (e.g. social constructivism, feminism, post-colonial theory, concepts of memory and trauma).