The intersection of corruption and gender-based violence: Examining the gendered experiences of sextortion during migration to South Africa

Sextortion, a gendered form of corruption where sexual favours are the means of exchange, frequently occurs during migration.While the consequences of surviving sextortion are devastating, sextortion remains relatively understudied. Hence, this paper explores the experiences of sextortion of African migrants migrating to South Africa. Based on interviews with experts on migration, corruption, and gender in South Africa, this paper answers the research question: "What are the experiences of sextortion for African migrants migrating to South Africa and how are they gendered?". The results confirm irregular, female migrants are most vulnerable to experiencing sextortion both during their journeys and in South Africa. This is alarming as there are various psychical, mental, and sexual health consequences like trauma, STIs, pregnancies, and stigmatisation. These consequences have both short- and long-term consequences and will continue to exist without adjusted policy frameworks, improved support systems for survivors, and a broader discussion on gender norms. (Afr J Reprod Health 2022; 26[6]:45-54).

Distinguishing trans women in men who have sex with men populations and their health access in East Africa: A Tanzanian study

Background: Few data are available on the presence and characteristics of transgender populations in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), which makes the provision of health services for key populations difficult. Aim: This study aimed to ascertain the presence and characteristics of trans women in seven cities in Tanzania, East Africa.Setting: Tanzania, East Africa. Methods: Outreach to men who have sex with men (MSM) in seven large cities in Tanzania was carried out by non-governmental organisation (NGO) staff familiar with this community. Survey questions administered via interviews were used to identify participants who self-identify as trans. From the self-identification data, an estimate of the relative size of the trans women population in this sample was calculated. Results: In the sample of 300 participants, 17.0% of participants were identified as 'transsexual or transgender' (survey wording); 70.1% of these trans participants indicated that they identify themselves as a woman. Of those identifying themselves as transsexual or transgender, 43.1% reported living part- or full-time as a woman and eight (15.0%) reported hormone use. The highest percentage of hormone use (40.0%) was found in those living as a woman full-time. Notably, there was significant ignorance amongst the sample of the terms 'transsexual and transgender' or their explanation in Swahili, reported by interviewers. Conclusion: In this study, it is clear that trans women populations exist in Tanzania, with high levels of stigmatisation and threats to their lives. They should be included in health outreach and services to key populations. One in six self-identified as trans women, although the lack of knowledge of this concept in Swahili or English may have inaccurately represented numbers.

Gender disparities in pulmonary hypertension at a tertiary centre in Cameroon

Background. Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a potent cause of heart failure and has been little investigated in the African setting.Objective. To investigate the effects of gender on the clinical presentation, echocardiographic features and outcomes of patients with PH in Douala, Cameroon.Methods. A prospective cohort study was conducted from March 2012 to December 2013 as part of the Pan African Pulmonary Hypertension Cohort study. PH was diagnosed by echocardiography and defined as a right ventricular systolic pressure >35 mmHg in the absence of acute right heart failure. Patients were followed up for a maximum of 12 months for primary endpoint mortality.Results. In total, 130 patients with PH were recruited; 71 (54.6%) were women. The median age was 59.2 years for men and 58.3 years for women (p=0.76). Active smoking and alcohol use were more frequent in men than women (both p<0.001), but women had greater exposure to indoor cooking fumes than men (p<0.001). Previous tuberculosis infection (11.3% v. 1.7%) and S3 gallop rhythm (30.9% v. 11.9%) were more common in women (both p<0.03). Women had a significantly higher mean systolic blood pressure (134 mmHg v. 125 mmHg; p=0.04) and pulse pressure (53.8 mmHg v. 44.9 mmHg; p=0.01) and a lower mean haemoglobin concentration (10.4 g/dL v. 12.4 g/dL; p<0.05) compared with men. Echocardiographic left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction was more frequent in men: mean LV ejection fraction 42.6% v. 51.5% (p=0.01) and mean fractional shortening 21.4% v. 28.6% (p=0.01). The overall mortality rate was 20.3%, and rates were similar in the two groups (Kaplan-Meier log rank 1.1; p=0.30).Conclusions. Despite differences in baseline characteristics including cardiovascular risk factors, mortality rates on follow-up were similar in men and women in this study. However, these different baseline characteristics probably suggest differences in the pathogenesis of PH in men and women in our setting that need further investigation

Valeurs de reference de la puissance anaerobie alactique des bantous congolais de 8 a 20 ans

Evaluer les valeurs de reference de la force explosive et la puissance anaerobie alactique des melano-africains Bantous au cours de la croissance. Methodes : Sept cent quatre vingt (780) eleves negro-africains; bantous Congolais; ages de 8 a 20 ans; dont 390 garcons et 390 filles; ont ete soumis a deux tests de terrain d'evaluation de la force explosive et de la puissance anaerobie alactique des membres inferieurs ; il s'agissait des sauts; horizontal et vertical sans elan. Tous le sujets ne pratiquaient aucune activite physique et sportive de maniere reguliere; a l'exception des cours d'education physique. Pour apprecier le niveau de la croissance staturo-ponderale; les mesures anthropometriques prises. Les valeurs de la puissance anaerobie alactique ont ete exprimees en valeurs absolues (W); puis rapportees au poids corporel (W/kg). Resultats : Les valeurs moyennes de la puissance anaerobie alactique (PAmax) croissent en fonction de l'age civil; et elles sont toujours superieures chez les garcons par rapport aux filles; particulierement a partir de 14 ans (p0001). Par ailleurs la puissance musculaire anaerobie alactique (pAmax) varie en fonction de la longueur des segments corporels et du poids maigre. Nos resultats sont similaires a ceux des autres ethnies humaines. Les differences entre les sexes s'expliquent par la superiorite de la masse musculaire et de la longueur des segments corporels chez les garcons a la puberte; tandis que celles des differentes ethnies humaines sont d'ordre genetique. Conclusion : Nos resultats confirment que les sujets melanodermes ont des caracteristiques musculaires superieures aux autres ethnies humaines; notamment le metabolisme anaerobie alactique

Alcohol and its association with sexual abstinence; condom use and risky behaviour among unmarried young people aged 18-24 years in uganda

The study establishes the level of association of alcohol consumption with sexual abstinence; condom use and risky behaviour among young unmarried people aged 18-24. The data were obtained from a multi-country study on Gender; Alcohol and Culture (GENACIS) in which Uganda participated. The dependent variables were age at first sex; number of partners in previous one and two years and condom use at last sex. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyse correlation of alcohol on the three outcomes of interest. Alcohol consumption was not significantly associated with abstinence and condom use but it was associated with risky behaviour. Results on risky behaviour re-affirm dangers of alcohol consumption among young people. Policy and programmes should include control of alcohol consumption among young people