Staff perception on including students with physical disabilities at a South African university.

Background: International and local policy frameworks on disability promote inclusive higher education practices for students with disabilities (SWD). However, the actual application of these frameworks concerning students with physical disabilities (SWPD) in any School of Health Care Sciences (SHCS) is uncertain in South African universities. Objectives: This study aimed to explore the perceptions of academic and admission staff on the inclusion of SWPD in SHCS at a South African university. The study was carried out at a University of Health Sciences in South Africa. Method: A qualitative study in which respondents (n = 12) were interviewed in depth about their perceptions on the inclusion of SWPD in the SHCS. Thematic analysis was used in the data assessment. Results: The results revealed three main themes: policy discourse, environmental effects on inclusion and SWPD enrolment. Respondents reported the lack of a disability inclusion policy and disability unit to support SWD in general. The respondents also noted that there were environmental challenges that could potentially affect the inclusion of SWPD in SHCS study programmes. Respondents also indicated that there was no SWPD enrolment as the university's current inclusion and/or quota system does not include SWD. Conclusion: The findings of the study showed a lack of disability inclusion policy, environmental challenges and lack of SWPD enrolment. Based on the study findings, it can be concluded that inclusion of SWPD at this university may be negatively influenced. Contribution: The study findings contribute to the field of disability and the inclusion of SWPD in higher education institutions (HEIs).

Food hygiene and food safety practices of households in a township north of Tshwane, Gauteng.

Background: Foodborne illness is still a major public health concern worldwide. Most cases of foodborne illness can be traced to the home. The food safety practices of food handlers in the household are an important determining factor in food safety at the household level. Aim: To assess the food safety practices of food handlers in households in Ga-Rankuwa, Tshwane. Setting: The study was conducted in zones 1-9 and zone 16, as well as extension 25 of Ga-Rankuwa, Tshwane. Methods: A quantitative descriptive study design was used for which a structured questionnaire was administered among 339 food handlers. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis was performed in STATA 13.1. Results: The majority of food handlers reported always washing their hands before (81%) and after handling raw meat, chicken or fish; the majority of food handlers (69%) reported always washing preparation surfaces and utensils with clean, soapy water after handling raw meat, chicken or fish. Less than half (45%) of food handlers reported never thawing frozen meat, chicken or fish in a bowl of cold water. Conclusion: The food handlers reported appropriate food safety practices regarding hand washing and food preparation surfaces and utensils. However, their practices regarding the storage of meat, chicken and fish were inappropriate. Contribution: This study builds on the existing body of literature on the food safety practices of food handlers. Moreover, the study findings can serve as a basis for the development of interventions to ensure food safety at a household level.

Healthy eating perceptions of mothers and caregivers of children in South Africa.

Background: The perceptions of mothers and caregivers of children attending early childhood development (ECD) centres play a very critical role in promoting healthy eating habits in children and impact long-term health consequences. Food preferences that are developed during childhood continue into adolescence and adulthood and are difficult to change. Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the perception of mothers and caregivers of children attending ECD centres regarding healthy eating practices. Setting: The study was conducted in ECD centres in Gauteng, North West and Limpopo. Methods: A quantitative descriptive design was used to collect data among 290 respondents using a structured, researcher-administered questionnaire. Results: The findings indicated that the majority (77%) of respondents did not believe that choosing a healthy diet is a matter of knowing foods that are good and bad for health. The majority (59%) of respondents believed that the food they eat and drinks are healthy and see no need to make changes. Conclusion: The study findings showed that the majority of respondents lack awareness about choosing healthy diets. Furthermore, the current dietary patterns of respondents and their children will remain the same as long as the mothers and caregivers feel that the food they eat is healthy. Contribution: The findings of the study contribute to the appropriate measures of educating mothers and caregivers in offering healthy diets to children at home and in early childhood centres.

The Perception of Overweight and Obesity among South African Adults: Implications for Intervention Strategies.

Obesity is a public health problem, affecting more than half of the global population. Perceptions and beliefs play a significant role in preventing and managing overweight and obesity. Thus, the paper explores own perception of overweight and obesity on personal health among South African adults. This was a qualitative study in which the participants (n = 24) were interviewed in-depth on their perception of obesity and health. Thematic analysis was used in data assessment. The results revealed four main themes: perceived causes of obesity, self-perception of being obese, perception of obesity, health, and cultural beliefs. Environmental and personal factors were perceived as the leading cause of overweight and obesity. The findings further showed that body weight preference was personal and differed from individual to individual. The study provided insight into perceptions of obesity from individuals' perspectives. The misperceptions of overweight and obesity are helpful in the design of impactful intervention programmes that can be used to prevent and manage obesity in South Africa.

Views of Own Body Weight and the Perceived Risks of Developing Obesity and NCDs in South African Adults.

Obesity has become a serious public health problem worldwide and is linked to an increased risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Poor self-perception of body weight is postulated to play a negative role in curbing increased rates of obesity. This study investigated the views of own body weight and perceived risk of developing NCDs in South African adults. This was a community-based quantitative study. Descriptive statistics were used, and logistic regression analysis was conducted on the data. A total of 1050 respondents took part in the study. Of the 161 respondents who perceived themselves to be normal weight, 98.8% (n = 159) misperceived their body weight. The majority of respondents (>90%) who were overweight according to the calculated BMI perceived no risk of developing obesity-related diseases. Most of the respondents, 46% (n = 253), believed that body weight was influenced by heredity. The method used for weight loss by 57% (n = 173) of the respondents was exercising at home. There was a statistically significant association between Body Mass Index (BMI), employment status, risk of developing diabetes, and body weight misperception (p < 0.05). Misperception of body weight was common among the study respondents and may influence weight control intervention strategies. Health promotion targeting personal behaviour, such as body weight self-perception, is crucial in supporting targeted strategies to address obesity in South Africa.

Why do African Americans get more colon cancer than Native Africans?

The incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) is dramatically higher in African Americans (AAs) than in Native Africans (NAs) (60:100,000 vs. <1:100,000) and slightly higher than in Caucasian Americans (CAs). To explore whether the difference could be explained by interactions between diet and colonic bacterial flora, we compared randomly selected samples of healthy 50- to 65-y-old AAs (n = 17) with NAs (n = 18) and CAs (n = 17). Diet was measured by 3-d recall, and colonic metabolism by breath hydrogen and methane responses to oral lactulose. Fecal samples were cultured for 7-alpha dehydroxylating bacteria and Lactobacillus plantarum. Colonoscopic mucosal biopsies were taken to measure proliferation rates. In comparison with NAs, AAs consumed more (P < 0.01) protein (94 +/- 9.3 vs. 58 +/- 4.1 g/d) and fat (114 +/- 11.2 vs. 38 +/- 3.0 g/d), meat, saturated fat, and cholesterol. However, they also consumed more (P < 0.05) calcium, vitamin A, and vitamin C, and fiber intake was the same. Breath hydrogen was higher (P < 0.0001) and methane lower in AAs, and fecal colony counts of 7-alpha dehydroxylating bacteria were higher and of Lactobacilli were lower. Colonic crypt cell proliferation rates were dramatically higher in AAs (21.8 +/- 1.1% vs. 3.2 +/- 0.8% labeling, P < 0.0001). In conclusion, the higher CRC risk and mucosal proliferation rates in AAs than in NAs were associated with higher dietary intakes of animal products and higher colonic populations of potentially toxic hydrogen and secondary bile-salt-producing bacteria. This supports our hypothesis that CRC risk is determined by interactions between the external (dietary) and internal (bacterial) environments.