Abstract Exposure to violence is a serious mental and public health issue. In particular, children exposed to violence are at risk for poor developmental outcomes and physical and mental health ...problems. One area that has been shown to increase the risk for poor outcomes is the use of corporal punishment as a discipline method. While researchers are starting to ask children directly about their experiences of violence, there is limited research with children about their perspectives on physical punishment, particularly in low-and middle-income countries (LMIC). This paper begins to address this gap by reporting on the spontaneous data that emerged during 24 qualitative interviews that were conducted with children, aged 8–12 in South Africa. The themes that emerged indicated that corporal punishment is an everyday experience, that it has negative emotional and behavioral consequences, and that it plays a role in how children resolve interpersonal conflicts. The study highlights the challenges for violence prevention interventions in under-resourced contexts.
Objectives
To ascertain the impact of home non-invasive ventilation (NIV) on the health-related quality of life (HRQL) of patients with moderate-to-severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ...(COPD).
Design
Systematic review.
Methods
A preliminary search of computerised databases (CINAHL, Medline, Clinical Key, Cochrane) was conducted in June 2021, without any limitations on publication date. Inclusion criteria focused on home NIV prescribed for patients with moderate-to-severe COPD. Identified papers were critically appraised for rigour and validity. Data were extracted, analysed, and a narrative synthesis completed.
Results
The review included eight studies, including five randomised controlled trials. Variations in the HRQL scores meant that the data were difficult to collate. Nevertheless, the studies did indicate an overall improved HRQL for those using NIV at home.
Conclusion
This systematic review determines that home NIV does positively impact the HRQL of those with COPD. However, the limited quality of primary studies highlights the need for more in-depth research in this area to bring about optimal standardisation of clinical practice in relation to the use of NIV at home.
Youth gang involvement is a serious public health challenge and there is limited research with adolescents on their understandings of adolescent gang involvement, particularly in low-and ...middle-income countries (LMICs). This paper reports on the key theme of adolescents' experiences of youth gangs which emerged from qualitative research exploring adolescents' experiences of daily life. Six focus groups and 10 individual interviews were conducted with adolescents aged 13–14 years. Four factors were identified as protective against gang involvement; access to resources, school achievement, positive peer influences and supportive adult relationships. These findings illustrate the multiple factors which contribute to youth gang involvement and highlight the need for interventions to take an integrated and uniform approach to reduce risk factors and increase protective factors at the individual, family, school and community level.
Invasive cancer cells utilize matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) to degrade the extracellular matrix and basement membrane in the process of metastasis. Among multiple members of the MMP family, the ...gelatinase MMP-2 has been implicated in the development and dissemination of malignancies. However, the cellular source of MMP-2 and its effect on metastatic extravasation have not been well characterized. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that active MMP-2 derived from endothelial cells facilitated the transmigration of breast cancer cells across the microvascular barrier. Gelatin zymography was used to assess latent and active MMP-2 production in conditioned media from MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells, human lung microvascular endothelial cells (HLMVEC) and co-culture of these two cells. Transmigrated cancer cells were measured during MMP-2 knockdown with siRNA and pharmacological inhibition of MMP activity with OA-HY. The results showed consistent MMP-2 secretion by the HLMVECs, whereas a low level production was seen in the MDA-MB-231 cells. Inhibition of MMP-2 expression or activity in HLMVECs significantly attenuated the transmigration of MDA-MB-231 cells across an endothelial monolayer barrier grown on a reconstituted basement membrane. The data provide evidence supporting a potential role for the endothelial production of MMPs in promoting cancer cell extravasation. We suggest that the interaction between malignant cells and peritumoral benign tissues including the vascular endothelium may serve as an important mechanism in the regulation of tumor invasion and metastasis.
Recent surveys in South Africa have demonstrated that disordered eating is equally common among black and white female students. Self-report measures have been used in these surveys to establish ...levels of disordered eating. One study in Tanzania, where a two-stage design was implemented, showed that upon interview the majority of participants did not present with disordered eating. The absence of two-stage studies in South Africa brings into question some of the findings from these surveys. In the present study, we surveyed a sample of black and white high school students in South Africa to establish the prevalence of disordered eating. In the second phase of this study, we attempted to interview those black students from one particular school who scored high on the eating disorder measures. This process proved both challenging and elucidating. While a significant number of young black females endorsed eating disorder symptoms on self-report, interviews with some participants showed that self-starvation and related symptoms had a different meaning from what we would typically expect from someone with an eating disorder. Consequently, this study highlights the need to revisit the methods typically employed in cross-cultural research in eating disorders. Careful consideration of a variety of cultural factors that may alter the meaning of standard measures is called for.
The integration of mental health services into primary health care and the shift towards community- and family-based care for chronic mental disorders has been associated with increased burden on ...households. At the same time, research investigating the impact of policies of cost recovery for basic services such as water and electricity has also indicated an increased burden on households. This study aimed to investigate the impact of these basic service reforms on households caring for a family member with a chronic mental disorder in Cape Town, South Africa. The findings indicate that factors associated with service reforms may increase the stress and burden experienced by households and in turn impact on the primary environment in which care is received.
Thesis (MA (Psychology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006.
Many researchers have argued that social factors such as poverty and urbanisation play a role in the experience of and may be risk factors ...for mental disorders. There is however a paucity of research examining this issue, particularly in developing countries, where the prevalence of mental disorders has been shown to be as high, if not higher than in developing countries.;
The present study aimed to begin to address this gap by collecting in depth exploratory data that could inform further study in the field. We conducted ten qualitative case studies consisting of semi structured interviews with family members of households caring for a member with a mental illness. The specific factors of interest were the role of structural factors, namely, municipal and health services in the experience of mental illness. Data were analysed thematically, using an adaptation of Yin’s (2003) approach.;
The findings indicate that factors associated with service delivery and cost recovery in poor urban contexts may increase stress and burden on households who are caring for a member with a mental illness. This has implications for the course and experience of mental illness and the primary environment in which care is received. These claims are tentative and further research is needed to substantiate them.
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