Describing objectively measured physical activity levels, patterns, and correlates in a cross sectional sample of infants and toddlers from South Africa
Background: Physical activity is considered to have health benefits across the lifespan but levels, patterns, and correlates have not been well described in infants and toddlers under the age of two years. Methods: This study aimed to describe objectively and subjectively measured physical activity in a group of South African infants aged 3- to 24-months […]
International child health: 10 Years of democracy in South Africa; the challenges facing children today
Decades of discriminatory apartheid policies resulted in marked racial disparity in children’s health in South Africa. In 1994, the country’s first democratically elected government prioritised maternal and child health. Ten years of democracy have yielded varied success for child health and well-being. Although excellent policies now exist, there has been less success in transforming these […]
Infant-parent psychotherapy at primary care level: Establishment of a service
Background. Access to infant and child psychiatric care in South Africa is limited. With focus on maternal and infant mental health, early identification and management of developmental, behavioural and psychosocial parent-child problems can be initiated. Objectives. To establish a mental health service for children aged 0 – 3 years, for delivery of infant-parent psychotherapy in […]
Prenatal development in rural South Africa: Relationship between birth weight and access to fathers and grandparents
Birth weight is an indicator of prenatal development associated with health in infancy and childhood, and may be affected by the family environment experienced by the mother during pregnancy. Using data from KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, we explore the importance of the mother’s access to the father and grandparents of the child during pregnancy. Controlling for […]
Bringing justice to unacceptable health care services? Street-level reflections from urban South Africa
Transforming repressive institutions into respected instruments of justice is necessary for the social reconstruction of fragile and postconflict states. Yet, little attention has been given to the role of health systems in facilitating such change. We situate South Africa’s right to access health care as part of a broader sociopolitical endeavour to ‘bring justice’ in […]
Accessibility of pregnancy-related point-of-care diagnostic tests for maternal healthcare in rural primary healthcare facilities in Northern Ghana: A cross-sectional survey
Background: Improving access to maternal healthcare in resource-limited settings plays a critical role in improving maternal health outcomes and reducing maternal deaths. However, barriers and challenges may exist in rural clinics and could affect successful implementation. This study assessed the current accessibility of pregnancy-related point-of-care (POC) diagnostic tests for maternal healthcare in rural primary healthcare […]
Mobile phone access and comfort: implications for HIV and tuberculosis care in India and South Africa
SETTING: India and South Africa shoulder the greatest burden of tuberculosis (TB) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection respectively, but care retention is suboptimal.OBJECTIVE: We conducted a study in Pune, India, and Matlosana, South Africa, 1) to identify the factors associated with mobile phone access and comfort of use, 2) to assess access patterns.DESIGN: A […]
What watching others watching can tell us: using video vignettes alongside narrative interviews to access multiple positions and embodied information in cross-cultural mother-infant research
Culturally-embedded and embodied understandings of interaction, transmitted intergenerationally, and often non-consciously through sensory and affective memory, are notoriously difficult to access. Such information is often contained in implicit memory and is not readily available for narrative explanation. Alternative methodologies that can access these models of meaning are required. While videos of mother-infant interaction have long […]
Male partners’ views of involvement in maternal healthcare services at Makhado Municipality clinics, Limpopo Province, South Africa
Background: Male partners have a strong influence on pregnant partners’ health and their access to care. Their involvement is critical in the delivery and uptake of maternal healthcare services and improving maternal and child health outcomes. Aim: The study sought to determine male partners’ views on their involvement in maternal healthcare services. Setting: The Makhado […]
Lessons learnt from enrolment and follow up of pregnant women and their infants in clinical trials in South Africa, a low-middle income country
Introduction: Infectious causes are a significant contributor to morbidity and mortality in neonates and young infants. Immunization of pregnant women to protect the mother and/or her infant is gaining momentum due to the benefits of this strategy demonstrated in numerous implemented strategies (Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus Elimination Initiative) and clinical trials.Reluctance by regulators, participants and […]
