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Tsunamis are one of the most devastating natural disasters, causing widespread destruction and loss of life. In recent years, advances in science and technology have led to the development of sophisticated tsunami early warning systems, with promising operational applications. However, much work remains to be done in order to further improve the accuracy and timeliness of warning systems, and for enhancing the preparedness of at-risk communities. In December 2017, the U.N. proclaimed the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030), also referred to as the Ocean Decade. The Ocean Decade Tsunami Programme (ODTP) approved by the UNESCO IOC in 2021 in response to the call to Ocean Decade action provides an excellent framework for international cooperation to enhance the end-to-end tsunami early warning and mitigation systems.The main objectives of the ODTP are (i) to develop the warning systems’ capability to issue actionable and timely tsunami warnings for tsunamis from all identified sources to 100% of coasts at risk and (ii) 100% of communities at risk to be prepared and resilient to tsunamis by 2030 through programmes like the UNESCO IOC Tsunami Ready Recognition Programme. A Research, Development and Implementation Plan is being prepared by the ODTP Science Committee highlighting the goals, status, challenges, potential solutions and implementation pathways for enhancing (i) risk knowledge, (ii) detection, analysis and forecasting, (iii) warning dissemination and communication, and (iv) preparedness and response capabilities. The plan also highlights capacity development needs, governance aspects and international cooperation in achieving the objectives of the ODTP., The 28th IUGG General Assembly (IUGG2023) (Berlin 2023)

Infonnation on deaths in Johannesburg is collected on a voluntary basis by the Johannesburg City Health Department from the Department of Home Affairs regional offices as well as state mortuaries in the area. The reliability of these routinely collected data was assessed. Records of deaths of Asians, coloureds and whites from 1 July 1989 to 31 December 1989 were included in the study. Burial orders obtained from the different cemeteries and crematoria in the area were compared with the routinely collected mortality data. Two thousand eight hundred and thirty-seven deaths were included in the study. One hundred and ninety (6%) deaths in the department's records could not be found among the corresponding burial orders while 1 019 (36%) burial order records were not found among the department's routinely collected mortality data. Underreporting of deaths was greatest among the aged (43%) and infants (39%). When this underreporting was taken into account, the corrected infant mortality rate was 19,111 000 live births as opposed to 14,1. Recommendations are made for the improvement ofthe quality of routinely collected mortality data.

Objectives. To establish the accessibility and quality of sexually transmitted disease (SID) care provided by private general practitioners (GPs) and workplace health services in South Africa.Design. Structured telephone interviews were conducted with a random national sample of 120 GPs and 244 occupational health nurses (OHNs) between May and July 1997. The interview schedules covered indicators of access (including utilisation) and processes (drug treatment, partner management, counselling and condom promotion) of STD care.Results. An estimated 5 million STD-related visits were made to private general practices in 1997. Reported treatment of STDs was assessed for effectiveness using well established syndromic case management guidelines. Only 28% of GPs reported effective treatment for urethral discharge. This dropped to 14% for genital ulcer and 4% for pelvic inflammatory disease. Fifty-five per cent of the OHNs interviewed indicated that their workplace clinics provided STD care. Nurses provided this care, with or without the support of doctors, in 87% of clinics. Reported urethral discharge and genital ulcer treatment regimens were assessed as effective in 34% and 14% of responses, respectively.Conclusions. The private sector is a major provider of STD care and is key to national efforts to achieve better STD control, thereby preventing the spread of HIV. However, the results of the research suggest that the poor quality of STD care may be underminlng attempts to control these epidemics in our society. Although a complex task, strategies need to be found to improve the quality of care provided within the private sector.

Since the first cases of HIV transmission through breastfeeding were documented, a fierce debate has raged on appropriate guidelines for infant feeding in resource-poor settings. A major problem is determining when it is safe and feasible to formula-feed, as breast-milk protects against other diseases. A cross-sectional survey of 113 women attending the programme for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, was conducted. Over 95% of women on the programme formula-fed their infants and did not breast- feed at all. Seventy per cent of women said that their infant had never had diarrhoea, and only 3% of children had had two episodes of diarrhoea. Focus groups identified the main reasons for not breast-feeding given by women to their families and those around them. Formula feeding is safe and feasible in an urban environment where sufficient potable water is available.

Sustainable design practices are a key component in ensuring that the building and civil infrastructure industry does not damage our natural environment. Green buildings - and allied initiatives in other sectors of the built environment - are a primary mover in promoting sustainable design practices. An important and dangerous inhibitor of sustainable design practices, however, is the perception among key decision-makers that the additional costs of green - or sustainably designed - buildings are too high, and that they are therefore not economically viable. This study tested what those perceptions are, and compared the results to (limited) actual cost data and found that the cost premium is less than half of what most decision-makers think it is. Recommendations are then made around the development of awareness programmes at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, the need to highlight the necessity for developing further and more accurate data related to green building costs, and the need to establish incentives to drive the take-up of sustainable design practices.

The aim of this study was firstly to determine the current profile of strength and agility skills of Grade 1-learners in the North-West Province and, secondly, to establish whether there was gender differences with regard to these skills. The study included 816 Grade 1-learners (419 boys and 397 girls). The Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor-Proficiency, second edition (BOT-2) was used to evaluate the children’s strength and agility skills. The results showed meaningful gender differences with respect to the strength skills of the learners, since boys performed better in the standing long jump (p=0.001) and push-ups (p=0.001) and girls did better in the wall-sit (p=0.044). Gender differences were found also when considering agility skills. Boys performed significantly better in the 15m-shuttle run (p=0.001) and the girls did significantly better in the sideways step over a balance beam, and one-legged and two-legged sideways hops. Grade 1-learners exhibit sufficient strength and agility skills while gender differences were noticeable in the strength and agility skills of these learners.Key words: Motor proficiency; Bruininks-Oseretsky Test; Speed; Agility; Strength; Grade 1-learners.

Netball involves rapid acceleration, deceleration and directional changes exerting considerable force on articular and peri-articular structures, resulting in a high risk of injuries. Preventing injuries to the ankle and knee joints of netball players is of particular concern. Improvement in core stability, neuromuscular control (NMC) and biomechanics have been proven to reduce knee injuries within the sporting population. Improvement in proprioception is effective in reducing ankle injuries. Playing surfaces with higher friction values seem to elevate the rate of injuries. The aim of this study was to assess participation in preventative training modalities to reduce joint injuries that occur most frequently in a cohort of elite South African netball players (N=1280). The effect of the playing surface on injury rates was also assessed. Subjects participated in three elite netball tournaments in South Africa. By means of a questionnaire it was found that between 51.7% and 59% of injured netball players did no exercises to improve their core stability, NMC or proprioception. The cement playing surface delivered a 1.9 times higher injury rate than the synthetic surface. Netball coaches should be educated on the value and implementation of exercise modalities that could limit injuries to the ankle and knee joints of netball players.Key words: Netball injuries; Injury prevention; Playing surface.

This study aimed to determine the extent of neuro-motor impairments in 7 to 8 year-old children with barriers to learning and the possible relationship of such impairment to specific learning areas. Sixty-eight learners with a mean age of 7.5 years (SD=0.43) (45 boys; 23 girls) were selected to represent a group (n=31) experiencing learning barriers (BL-group) and a group without barriers to learning (n=37). The BL-group (21 boys; 10 girls) received learning support in Grade 1 and was in Grade 2 during the data collection. The Quick Neurological Screening Test II (QNST-II) and the Sensory Input Systems Screening Test were used as assessment instruments. The independent t-test was used to analyse differences between the groups (p

We explore the history of the School of Public Health at the University of Cape Town and its relationship to changes in the understanding of the role of public health both nationally and internationally. We draw from primary and secondary sources to trace the emergence, growth and development of the School, and to situate these processes within the socio-political, clinical and public health contexts in South Africa and internationally

Tuberculosis (TB) and HIV care in Khayelitsha, and in South Africa as a whole, has overcome numerous obstacles in the past three decades. This article highlights what has been achieved in Khayelitsha, describes the key clinical programme and policy changes that have supported universal coverage for HIV and TB care over the last 10 years, and outlines the challenges for the next decade.

Cross-contamination is not uncommon in mycobacteriology laboratories of high-income countries, as documented by bacterial genotyping. The extent of this problem in low-income countries is largely unknown, where this method is impractical. To estimate the rate of cross-contamination in a high-volume tuberculosis (TB) laboratory in South Africa. Simulated sputum specimens labelled with false names were sent from a TB clinic, interspersed with patient samples, and processed for culture and microscopy. Results were interpreted in the context of the observed proportion of samples with positive microscopy and culture results. With microscopy, 6/190 (3.2%) simulated specimens were positive (estimated specificity = 96.8%). Considering the 881 positive microscopy results in 6093 clinical samples, we extrapolate that 19.3% (95%CI 7.0-42.8) of positive smears were false-positives. On culture, 2/190 (1.1%) of the simulated specimens were positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (estimated specificity = 98.9%). Considering the 1862 positive cultures from 6093 clinical samples, we estimate that 2.4% (95%CI 0.3-8.8) of positive cultures were false-positives. Simulated specimens offer a simple means of estimating the proportion of false-positive results, providing information on all sources of potential error from the clinic, through the laboratory and to reporting of results