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INTRODUCTION: Oral pseudomembranous candidiasis (OPC) is commonly associated with immunosuppression caused by HIV/AIDS and TB infections. The knowledge and beliefs about OPC among traditional health practitioners in South Africa are not well explored. PURPOSE: To investigate this concern. METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted in the rural Vhembe district of the Limpopo Province. Data were collected from 427 traditional health practitioners who were to attend training workshops on HIV/AIDS and TB diseases. An open-ended semi-structured questionnaire with an A4 colour picture of oral pseudomembranous candidiasis was presented to assess their previous exposure to, and their knowledge and beliefs about, the etiology and management of OPC. FINDINGS AND CONCLUSION: Only thirteen percent correctly identified the lesion. More than 64% were uncertain on etiology, and 24% blamed witchcraft and supernatural powers. Almost two thirds (60%) were confused about the relationship between HIV/AIDS and OPC lesions. The belief that witchcraft and ancestors could cause OPC could increase the risk of HIV infections and result in delays in seeking treatment. The outcomes of this study should be incorporated in the training of the traditional health practitioners on oral signs and symptoms of HIV/ AIDS diseases.

The paper describes work undertaken to identify the influence of the matrix structure on the metal dusting rate of stainless steel alloys. Specifically, the difference in metal dusting rate between austenitic and ferritic stainless steels of similar chromium contents was investigated. The alloys were exposed to metal dusting conditions and their performance compared by weight loss, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Raman spectroscopy. The specific gas mixture used for all the tests were 18.9% CO-79.1% H2-2% H2O at 650°C. For austenitic stainless steels, Types 304, 321, 316, and 316Ti were compared to two ferritic grades, namely Types 430 and 441. The resistance of the ferritic grades was found to be significantly better than that of the austenitic grades. This was attributed to greater permeability of chromium through the matrix structure to maintain the protective oxide scale. The results will be used in the development of novel alloys to combat metal dusting.

Cultural and ethnic identity and folk beliefs play a decisive role in perceptions, attitudes and practices regarding health care and illness. Such beliefs and practices of a community may have an influence on the causes and transmission of diseases, including sexually transmitted diseases. The purpose of the study on which this article is based, was to describe cultural beliefs of the Vhavenda on the causes and transmission of sexually transmitted infections. A qualitative research approach using grounded theory was used. In-depth interviews were held with thirteen keyinformants in the community and seven traditional healers. Snowball and theoretical sampling were used to identify the participants. The results showed that the concept “dirt” (uncleanliness) is viewed by the Vhavenda as the main cause of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The understanding of “dirt” is placed in the context of uncleanliness in the form of vaginal discharges such as menstruation, post-abortion discharges and lochia (post-partum discharges). Women are viewed as carriers of STIs. Knowledge of cultural beliefs of the Vhavenda on the causes and transmission of STIs can serve as a point of departure in providing health education about sexually transmitted infections. The initiative may assist to facilitate change in clients' health behaviour and enabling health practitioners to render culturally congruent care. Keywords: grounded theory; women; sexually transmitted infections; Vhavenda; culture; beliefs Health SA Gesondheid Vol. 12 (3) 2007: pp. 46-54

Behaviour studies of metal dusting processes and associated filamentous carbon formation were undertaken on Alloys 600, 601, and 800 using a simulated metal dusting environment of 25CO-70H2-5H2O (vol.%) at 650°C. These samples were studied visually and by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), transmission electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (TEM-EDX) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Visual examination and SEM surface observation showed that Alloy 800 suffered metal dusting attack at an early exposure reaction period. The coke deposit amounts increased significantly with reaction time from 168 hours to 336 hours in Alloys 600, 601, and 800. Alloy 800 showed pitting after 168 hours' exposure, and the degree of pitting increased after 336 hours. XRD showed all these alloys had a common austenitic phase, with Alloy 800 also having ferritic metal particles. Alloy 800 after 168 hours' exposure had a complex phase mixture on the surface, consisting of ferritic Fe and austenitic FeNi phases. For coke deposit, there were also Fe3O4, Fe3C and graphitic carbon. The existence of Fe, Ni, and Cr metal particles, and also graphitic carbon in coke deposits, was confirmed by EDX analyses.

Metal dusting is a corrosion phenomenon that occurs in strongly carburizing gas atmospheres at elevated temperatures. Reaction kinetics and product characterizations of Alloys 602CA and 800 were examined by scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM-EDX) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results showed that Alloy 602CA is more resistant to metal dusting than Alloy 800. Visual examination and SEM surface analysis showed that Alloy 800 suffered metal dusting attack after a relatively short exposure period. The amount of coke deposits increased on Alloy 800 with increased exposure from 96 to 336 hours. X-ray diffraction on the reacted surfaces identified graphite and austenite in both alloys and some iron oxides/spinel for Alloy 800.