• Title/Summary/Keyword: Africa

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Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening and Associated Factors among Older Adult Women in South Africa

  • Peltzer, Karl;Phaswana-Mafuya, Nancy
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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    • v.15 no.6
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    • pp.2473-2476
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    • 2014
  • Background: Little is known about the cancer screening prevalence and correlates in older adults from different racial backgrounds. In the context of heightened efforts for prevention and early diagnosis, we collected information on screening for two major types of cancers: cervical and breast cancer in order to establish their prevalence estimates and correlates among older South African women who participated in the Study of Global Ageing and Adults Health (SAGE) in 2008. Materials and Methods: We conducted a national population-based cross-sectional study with a multi-stage stratified cluster sample of 3,840 individuals aged 50 years or older in South Africa in 2008. In this analysis, we only considered the female subsample of (n=2202). The measures used included socio-demographic characteristics, health variables, anthropometric and blood pressure measurements. Multivariable regression analysis was performed to assess the association of socio-demographic factors, health variables and cancer screening. Results: Overall, regarding cervical cancer screening, 24.3% ever had a Papanicolaou (PAP) smear test, and regarding breast cancer screening, 15.5% ever had a mammography. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, younger age, higher education, being from the White or Coloured population group, urban residence, greater wealth, and suffering from two or more chronic conditions were associated with cervical cancer screening, and higher education, being from the White or Indian/Asian population group, greater wealth, having a health insurance, and suffering from two or more chronic condtions were associated with breast cancer screening. Conclusions: Cancer screening coverage remains low among elderly women in South Africa in spite of the national guideline recommendations for regular screening in order to reduce the risk of dying from these cancers if not detected early. There is a need to improve accessibility and affordability of early cervical and breast cancer screening for all women to ensure effective prevention and management of cervical and breast cancer.

Conservation of indigenous cattle genetic resources in Southern Africa's smallholder areas: turning threats into opportunities - A review

  • Nyamushamba, G.B.;Mapiye, C.;Tada, O.;Halimani, T.E.;Muchenje, V.
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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    • v.30 no.5
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    • pp.603-621
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    • 2017
  • The current review focuses on characterization and conservation efforts vital for the development of breeding programmes for indigenous beef cattle genetic resources in Southern Africa. Indigenous African cattle breeds were identified and characterized using information from refereed journals, conference papers and research reports. Results of this current review reviewed that smallholder beef cattle production in Southern Africa is extensive and dominated by indigenous beef cattle strains adaptable to the local environment. The breeds include Nguni, Mashona, Tuli, Malawi Zebu, Bovino de Tete, Angoni, Landim, Barotse, Twsana and Ankole. These breeds have important functions ranging from provision of food and income to socio-economic, cultural and ecological roles. They also have adaptive traits ranging from drought tolerant, resistance to ticks and tick borne diseases, heat tolerance and resistance to trypanosomosis. Stakeholders in the conservation of beef cattle were also identified and they included farmers, national government, research institutes and universities as well as breeding companies and societies in Southern Africa. Research efforts made to evaluate threats and opportunities of indigenous beef cattle production systems, assess the contribution of indigenous cattle to household food security and income, genetically and phenotypically characterize and conserve indigenous breeds, and develop breeding programs for smallholder beef production are highlighted. Although smallholder beef cattle production in the smallholder farming systems contributes substantially to household food security and income, their productivity is hindered by several constraints that include high prevalence of diseases and parasites, limited feed availability and poor marketing. The majority of the African cattle populations remain largely uncharacterized although most of the indigenous cattle breeds have been identified.

The global distribution of permanent canine hypodontia: A systematic review

  • Sivarajan, Saritha;Mani, Shani Ann;John, Jacob;Fayed, Mona M. Salah;Kook, Yoon-Ah;Wey, Mang Chek
    • The korean journal of orthodontics
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    • v.51 no.1
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    • pp.55-74
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    • 2021
  • Objective: To systematically review studies on canine agenesis prevalence in different populations and continents, based on the jaw, sex, location, and associated dental anomalies. Methods: Electronic and hand searches of English literature in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, OpenGrey, and Science Direct were conducted, and the authors were contacted when necessary. Observational studies (population-based, hospital/clinic-based, and cross-sectional) were included. For study appraisal and synthesis, duplicate selection was performed independently by two reviewers. Study quality was assessed using a modified Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology checklist, with main outcome of prevalence of canine agenesis. Results: The global population prevalence of canine agenesis was 0.30% (0.0-4.7%), highest in Asia (0.54%), followed by Africa (0.33%), and the least in Europe and South America (0.19% in both continents). Canine agenesis was more common in the maxilla (88.57%), followed by both maxilla and mandible (8.57%), and the least common was mandible-only presentation (2.86%). The condition was more common in females (female:male ratio = 1.23), except in Asia (female:male ratio = 0.88) and Africa (female:male ratio = 1). In Asia, unilateral agenesis was almost twice as prevalent as bilateral, but in Europe, the bilateral form was more common. Conclusions: The overall prevalence of canine agenesis is 0.30%, with the highest prevalence in Asia, followed by Africa, Europe, and South America. The condition is more common in the maxilla than the mandible, and in females than males (except in Asia and Africa), with unilateral agenesis being more common in Asia and the bilateral form showing a greater prevalence in Europe.

Determinants of FDI in Developing Countries : comparative analysis of Asia, Africa and Latin America (개발도상국의 외국인 직접투자 결정요인 분석 : 아시아·아프리카·남미 비교)

  • Chinzorigt, Narantsetseg;Choi, Chang-Hwan
    • Korea Trade Review
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    • v.41 no.4
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    • pp.1-19
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    • 2016
  • This paper analyzed what determines affected FDI inflow of developing countries by using panel data from 65 lower-middle income and low income countries(Asia, Africa and Latin America). Empirical results showed that economic growth has a more positive impact on a middle income country than a lower one, and has a better impact on the Asian continent than others. Trade has similar effect on lower and middle income countries, respectively. ODA, however, has a negative effect on both sides, regardless of the continent. Industrial value added rate and labor force have a positive effect on FDI in low and middle income countries. Infrastructure was found to be a significant impact on FDI inflows in lower-middle income countries than in low income countries. There is no geographically significant difference except Africa.

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Mediation of Gene Flow in Tropical Trees of Sub-Saharan Africa

  • Onokpise, Oghenekome U.;Akinyele, Adejoke O.
    • Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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    • v.28 no.1
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    • pp.1-7
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    • 2012
  • Tropical forests whether fragmented or undisturbed or be they equatorial or deciduous, remain the storehouse of biodiversity for hundreds of thousands of plant and animal species. This unique characteristic continues to attract a wide range of scientists and international organizations to study and attempt to understand tropical forest ecosystems. Gene flow is mediated by pollen, seed and seedling dispersal, and factors affecting this gene flow include phenology, spatial distribution, population structures, seed predation, sexual and mating systems as well as physical and biological barriers to gene flow. Two methods are used in measuring gene flow: direct method that relies on the actual observation of seed and pollen dispersal, whereas indirect methods involve the use of genetic markers such as allozymes and DNA techniques. Political strife, extreme natural and artificial disasters, the lack of a comprehensive forestry research vision, coupled with difficult socio-economic conditions in Africa have made the environment quite difficult for sustained research activities on the part of those undertaking or wishing to undertake such studies. Gene flow studies in this region are few and far between. This review elaborates on the mechanisms of gene flow mediation in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Investigations on aerosols transport over micro- and macro-scale settings of West Africa

  • Emetere, Moses Eterigho
    • Environmental Engineering Research
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    • v.22 no.1
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    • pp.75-86
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    • 2017
  • The aerosol content dynamics in a virtual system were investigated. The outcome was extended to monitor the mean concentration diffusion of aerosols in a predefined macro and micro scale. The data set used were wind data set from the automatic weather station; satellite data set from Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer aerosol index and multi-angle imaging spectroradiometer; ground data set from Aerosol robotic network. The maximum speed of the macro scale (West Africa) was less than 4.4 m/s. This low speed enables the pollutants to acquire maximum range of about 15 km. The heterogeneous nature of aerosols layer in the West African atmosphere creates strange transport pattern caused by multiple refractivity. It is believed that the multiple refractive concepts inhibit aerosol optical depth data retrieval. It was also discovered that the build-up of the purported strange transport pattern with time has enormous potential to influence higher degrees of climatic change in the long term. Even when the African Easterly Jet drives the aerosols layer at about 10 m/s, the interacting layers of aerosols are compelled to mitigate its speed to about 4.2 m/s (macro scale level) and boost its speed to 30 m/s on the micro scale level. Mean concentration diffusion of aerosols was higher in the micro scale than the macro scale level. The minimum aerosol content dynamics for non-decaying, logarithmic decay and exponential decay particulates dispersion is given as 4, 1.4 and 0 respectively.

A Study of the Characteristics of Ethnic Fashion by Type (에스닉 패션의 유형별 특성에 관한 연구)

  • Choi, Hae-Joo;Oh, Se-Hee
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Costume
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    • v.60 no.2
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    • pp.144-158
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    • 2010
  • The concept and the typical characteristics of ethnic fashion were studied. 267 fashion designs from pret-$\grave{a}$-porter collections in Milan and New York from 2001 S/S to 2005 F/W were analyzed. The major conclusions of the study are as the following: The major types of ethnic fashion are Africa, American Indian, Japan, India, China, and Inca. Among these types, the first volume is Africa, the second is American Indian and others are Japan, India, China and Inca in order. Ethnic fashion changes in years showed reduction from 2001 to 2004, but much rise in 2005 showed more than 30% from 2001. Much more ethnic fashion designs were presented in S/S seasons than in F/W seasons. Africa ethnic fashion designs were more popular in S/S seasons. India ethnic fashion designs were more popular in F/W seasons. In the comparison of the Milan and New York collection, ethnic fashion designs appeared more in Milan collections than in New York from 2001 to 2003. But ethnic fashion designs appeared more in New York collections than in Milan in the year of 2005.

A Case of Plasmodium ovale wallikeri Infection in a Chinese Worker Returning from West Africa

  • Li, Yuchun;Wang, Guangze;Sun, Dingwei;Meng, Feng;Lin, Shigan;Hu, Ximin;Wang, Shanqing
    • Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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    • v.51 no.5
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    • pp.557-562
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    • 2013
  • In contrast to the gradual reduction in the number of locally transmitted malaria cases in China, the number of imported malaria cases has been increasing since 2008. Here, we report a case of a 39-year-old Chinese man who acquired Plasmodium ovale wallikeri infection while staying in Ghana, West Africa for 6 months in 2012. Microscopic examinations of Giemsa-stained thin and thick blood smears indicated Plasmodium vivax infection. However, the results of rapid diagnostic tests, which were conducted 3 times, were not in agreement with P. vivax. To further check the diagnosis, standard PCR analysis of the small-subunit rRNA gene was conducted, based on which a phylogeny tree was constructed. The results of gene sequencing indicated that this malaria is a variant of P. ovale (P. ovale wallikeri). The infection in this patient was not a new infection, but a relapse of the infection from the one that he had contracted in West Africa.

Study of enhanced physical and pervaporation properties in composite membrane

  • RajiniKanth, Vanarch;Ravindra, Sakey;Madalageri, Priya M;Kajjari, Praveen B.;Mulaba-Bafubiandi, Antoine F
    • Membrane and Water Treatment
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    • v.8 no.5
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    • pp.483-498
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    • 2017
  • Novel mixed matrix membranes of Sodium Alginate (NaAlg) were developed by the incorporation ofunmodified, modified Phosphomolybdic acid (PMA) then cross-linked with glutaraldehyde externally. These membranes were prepared by the solution casting technique. Pervaporation (PV) experiments have been performed with pure NaAlg, unmodified NaAlg-PMA5, NaAlg-PMA10, modified NaAlg-mPMA5, and NaAlg-mPMA10 (wt. % of PMA 5 and 10) at 30, 40 and $50^{\circ}C$, to separate water-isopropanol feed mixtures containing 10-30 wt. % of water. Pervaporation results of NaAlg-mPMA10 produced a highest separation factor of 9028 with a flux of $0.269kg/m^2.h$ for 10 wt. % of water containing feed mixture. Both separation factor and flux for water increased significantly with increasing content of mPMA into NaAlg; a significant improvement in PV performance was observed for NaAlg-mPMA5 and NaAlg-mPMA10 membranes when compared to pure NaAlg& PMA-5, PMA-10 membrane.

Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Acceptability among Female University Students in South Africa

  • Hoque, Muhammad Ehsanul;Ghuman, Shanaz;Van Hal, Guido
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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    • v.14 no.8
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    • pp.4865-4869
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    • 2013
  • Background: The objectives of this present study were to assess the awareness of cervical cancer and its risk factors among female undergraduates in South Africa, and to determine the their level of acceptability of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in March 2013 among 440 full time undergraduate female students. Results: Of those students who never had sex (n=163), 96 (58.9%) had ever heard of cervical cancer and only 12 students (12.5%) knew that HPV causes cervical cancer. More than a third (35.4%) of the students correctly said that sexual intercourse before age of 18 years is a risk factor for cervical cancer and 55.2% of the students knew about the Pap smear test which is used for screening cervical cancer. The majority (77.3%) were willing to accept HPV vaccination. Results revealed that students who knew about the Pap smear test, and were aware that having multiple sex partners, sexual intercourse before the age of 18 years, smoking and having contracted any STDs are risk factors for cervical cancer were more likely to accept HPV vaccination compared to other groups. Conclusions: The general knowledge of South African female university students about cervical cancer is not sufficient but they have positive attitudes toward getting vaccinated with the HPV vaccine.