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Abstract Background Early detection and initiation of care is crucial to the survival and long-term well-being of children living with HIV (CLHIV). However, there remain challenges regarding early testing and linking of CLHIV for early treatment. This study examines the progress made towards achieving the 95-95-95 HIV indicators and associated factors among CLHIV

Globally, millions participate in golf, however, the likelihood of transitioning to a professional level is only 0.006%. Success as a professional golfer is uncertain, even for individuals who attain this status. This systematic review aimed to synthesize the most significant research findings identifying factors that promote professional development in golf, thereby aiding aspiring golfers in their journey toward becoming professional athletes. Following a segregated design, quantitative and qualitative research findings were analysed using meta- and thematic analyses. Electronic searches were conducted in Scopus, Google Scholar, SPORTDiscus™, Web of Science™, and EbscoHost™. Search terms included golf, athlete development, professional golfer, and golfer transition. The eligibility criteria included studies written in English from 2007 to present. The electronic search yielded 7216 records, and after evaluation, the review included 24 qualitative and 33 quantitative studies. The study identified seven main topics related to the professional development of golfers, namely the expertise of the caddie, the quality of coaching, the developmental environment of golfers, availability of funds, competition-specific training, strong psychological skillset, and physical conditioning. The review highlights the need for all stakeholders in a professional golfer’s environment to adopt a holistic approach to enhance golfers’ professional development and maximize their performance potential.

Notably, a lack of motivation appears as a significant contributing factor to physical inactivity, which raises one’s susceptibility to noncommunicable diseases. While research indicates a strong link between smartphone fitness applications (apps) and people’s motivational orientation towards physical activity and exercise, the theoretical basis of fitness app features for sustaining exercise routines remains unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the utility of fitness apps as a behaviour modification tool on people’s motivation to maintain physical activity and exercise behaviour. Using individual semi-structured interviews, we collected detailed accounts from nine active male and female fitness app users (Mage = 23.4 years, SD = 2.8). The findings of both inductive and deductive reflective thematic analysis revealed core themes emphasising that the use of fitness apps satisfies the participants’ psychological needs through fostering emotions of competence, autonomy, and relatedness. Furthermore, fitness apps make it easier to track progress, challenge oneself, and compete against other exercisers, which further motivates participants to sustain their exercise behaviours. Confirming the use of fitness apps as an effective behaviour change tool for sustaining healthy exercise routines, the findings offer valuable feedback on specific app features for fitness software and wearable device developers that could potentially enhance the functionality and impact of their apps. Further discussions include limitations and areas for future research, such as discerning the role of fitness apps in sustaining motivation among diverse age groups with specific health, sport, or lifestyle goals in varying sensory, social, and affective contexts.

Background: One variation of the atlanto-occipital joint contains a groove or crest dividing the superior articulating facet of C1 and/or the corresponding occipital condyle. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of bipartition of the facets associated with the atlanto-occipital joint and to determine the relationships between the corresponding joint surfaces, bilateral and unilateral facets as well as demographic factors in a South African sample. Materials and methods: Data about shape and bipartition found on the superior articular facets of the atlas and the occipital condyles were collected from 109 skulls and atlases from the Pretoria Bone Collection, South Africa. Shape data was categorically classified according to existing criteria from literature. Results: The results revealed the occasional occurrence of a double facet at both the superior articular facet of the atlas (15.6 %), and the occipital condyle (7.34 %). Shape and facet number of the superior articulating facet and corresponding occipital condyle were significantly correlated. The prevalence of bipartition of neither the superior articular facets nor the occipital condyles were statistically significantly different between the left and right sides. Sex and age did not statistically significantly contribute to prevalence of bipartition in this population. However, population group statistically significantly contributed to prevalence of bipartition (p = 0.019), with the White South African sample having a much higher prevalence (88.24 % superior articulating facet, 100 % occipital condyle) of bipartition compared to the Black South African sample (11.76 % superior articular facet, 0 % occipital condyle). Conclusion: Awareness of this joint variation and instances where it is more likely to occur may be valuable for neuro-vascular and orthopaedic surgeons when doing invasive treatments around the craniocervical junction, and chiropractors when assessing and treating patients.

Background: Diabetic foot sepsis (DFS) is the leading cause of lower extremity amputations and timely initiation of effective antimicrobial therapy is paramount during its management. This study investigated causative microorganisms and their antimicrobial susceptibility profile in patients with DFS. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review was conducted on patients who were 18-years and older admitted with DFS. Data collected included demographic information, comorbidities, clinical findings, types of specimens collected and results of microscopy, culture, and sensitivity (MC&S), treatment, and outcomes. Results: One hundred and sixty-eight records were found, of which 64.3% were of male patients. The median (IQR) age of males was 58 years (IQR 54–65) compared to 61 years (IQR 54–67) for females. Results of MC&S were available in 63.1% of the records, and E. faecalis was cultured in 16%, P. mirabilis in 10%, and S. aureus in 8% of cases. Amoxicillin/Clavulanic acid was prescribed in 69% of the cases. Resistance to at least one antimicrobial was shown in 88% of S. aureus and 80% of P. mirabilis species. Conclusions: The commonly cultured organisms in patients with DFS were E. faecalis 16%, P. mirabilis 10%, and S. aureus. Amoxicillin/Clavulanic was prescribed empirically in 69% of the cases despite high rates of resistance, and in 37% treatment was not preceded by collection of specimens for MC&S. We therefore recommend collection of specimens for MC&S before initiation of antimicrobial therapy in all patients with DFS.

Introduction There is growing recognition that adolescent boys and young men (ABYM) have been left behind in the HIV response and are under-represented in HIV services, leading to poor outcomes across the HIV care cascade. Improved understanding of the HIV epidemic in this population is important for engaging ABYM in the HIV response. This study examined HIV prevalence and associated factors among ABYM aged 15–24 years using the 2017 South African National HIV Prevalence, Incidence, Behaviour and Communication Survey.Methods The data were collected using a multi-stage stratified cluster randomised sampling design. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise the study sample and HIV prevalence. A multivariate backward stepwise logistic regression model was used to determine factors associated with HIV prevalence. Variables with a significance level of p

Background: Student nurse education focusses on preparing competent professionals integral to nursing teams. Aim: To develop strategic actions to include student nurses within the nursing team. Setting: A private healthcare group in South Africa. Methods: A qualitative approach in three phases was used. Thirty purposively sampled participants recorded reflective journals in phase one. Tesch’s eight steps were utilised for analysis. Phase two involved non-probability volunteer sampling of 11 participants for the nominal group technique analysis. In phase three, total population sampling recruited nine panellists for an e-Delphi technique that provided data that were open coded. Results: Phase one identified themes, including perceptions of responsibilities, support needs, recognition, conflict and communication issues. Phase two revealed five strategic actions: fair treatment, aligned work allocation, active participation, respect and acknowledgement of contributions. Phase three validated 19 strategic statements underpinning the strategic actions. Conclusion: Unit managers play a key role in fostering inclusivity, impacting student nurse retention. Contribution: Enhancing team cohesion can improve workplace wellness and patient outcomes while aiding in retention and recruitment efforts.

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No abstract available.

On 6 November 2020, the "Policy Framework for Internationalisation of Higher Education in South Africa" was promulgated. It provides high-level principles and guidelines for the internationalisation of higher education in South Africa, lays down specific rules for certain aspects of the process and aims to shape the process of internationalisation at South African higher education institutions, redressing past inequalities whilst addressing policy imperatives of higher education in a democratic South Africa. In this paper, we analyse the context and content of the Policy Framework. We first explore the context by discussing the historical background leading to the development and drafting of the Policy Framework, whereafter we analyse the substantive content of the Policy Framework. We consider its suitability for advancing the South African higher education system's internationalisation objectives, interrogate whether it can provide direction for comprehensive internationalisation of higher education in the country and provide recommendations on the way forward devoting attention to strategies for successful policy implementation.

The goal of this paper was to investigate the effectiveness of e-marketplaces for Cape Town's Small and Medium Retailers (SMRs). With the rise of e-commerce, small and medium retailers (SMRs) must find ways to stay connected to customers; geographical barriers should not be an impediment to their relationship with customers. The problem is that many South African small and medium enterprises (SMRs) have a difficult time adopting effective e-commerce trading platforms. Within a South African context, literature does not distinguish between e-commerce and e-marketplaces for SMRs. SMRs have been slow to adopt e-commerce, and an alternative to help SMRs take advantage of e-marketplaces has not been fully explored. The use of electronic marketplaces (EMs) is regarded as an easy and viable way for small and medium retailers to connect with customers and suppliers. The innovation diffusion theory (IDT) or diffusion of innovation (DOI) was used for this study. The effectiveness of electronic marketplaces as a trading platform is discussed and analysed in the literature review. In this study, a qualitative research approach was used. Based on the study's findings, analysis, and review of the literature, a framework for SMRs to evaluate the effectiveness of EMs as trading platforms was proposed. Furthermore, implementing the proposed framework necessitates a customized approach because no two SMRs are exactly alike and have different expectations from EM platforms. The study reached the conclusion that EMs are effective as trading platforms for SMRs in Cape Town.