The spatial relationship between tuberculosis and alcohol outlets in the township of Mamelodi, South Africa

Background: The availability of alcohol in society is known to increase the risk of a range of negative health outcomes. Objectives: The aim of this research is to determine if there is a spatial association between tuberculosis and alcohol outlets in Mamelodi, South Africa. We also aim to examine whether the socio-economic characteristics of the neighbourhood in which an alcohol outlet was located was related to the magnitude of tuberculosis in the immediate vicinity of the alcohol outlet. Methods: Location quotient analysis is used to compare the extent of tuberculosis within a series of buffer intervals (100m, 200m, 300m) immediately surrounding alcohol outlets with tuberculosis across the township of Mamelodi as a whole. Results: The density of tuberculosis around alcohol outlets in Mamelodi at all buffer distances was found to be substantially higher than across the township as a whole. These findings indicate that the risk of tuberculosis in Mamelodi is higher around alcohol outlets. Alcohol outlets located in more deprived areas of Mamelodi were significantly associated with higher density of tuberculosis relative to alcohol outlets located in more affluent neighbourhoods. Conclusion: Despite alcohol outlets forming an integral part of the urban landscape in townships in South Africa, they may facilitate the transmission of tuberculosis.

Spatial Epidemiology Risk Assessment for Rehabilitated Former Asbestos Mining Areas in Limpopo Province; South Africa; Using Remote Sensing and Conventional Analytical Methods

Abstract:The aim of this study was to conduct a comparative analysis using remote sensing and conventional sample analysis to assess asbestos pollution in rehabilitated former asbestos mining areas. The study focused on the Mafefe and Mathabatha areas of Limpopo Province; South Africa. Field-based remote sensing techniques were used to spectrally differentiate various types of asbestos minerals in order to determine their efficacy in assessing asbestos pollution. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy were employed for the identification and characterisation of traces of asbestos minerals in soil and water samples collected from the rehabilitated areas. The samples were also examined using in situ remote sensing. An Analytical Spectral Devices field spectrometer was used for spectral analysis of asbestos minerals and that of soil and water samples to compare and validate reflectance spectroscopy findings with laboratory results. Results show that in situ remote sensing techniques are able to reveal traces of asbestos minerals on rehabilitated dry surface areas; suggesting that they can play a significant role in monitoring the distribution of the asbestos minerals for epidemiological risk assessment. However; the spectral characteristics of asbestos minerals in the water medium were not as distinct as compared to laboratory methods. Overall; the results show potential for using remote sensing techniques in spatial epidemiology studies