Prevalence of Refractive Errors in the INK Area, Durban, South Africa.

Purpose: To determine the prevalence and types of refractive errors in persons aged 35 years and older in the Inanda, Ntuzuma, and KwaMashu (INK) area of Durban, KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa.

Methods: Refractive error data were obtained by autorefraction (Retinomax K-Plus; Nikon, Tokyo, Japan), retinoscopy, and subjective refraction. Refractive error was defined using spherical equivalents as myopia (<-0.

Prevalence of presbyopia and spectacle coverage in an African population in Durban, South Africa.

Purpose: To assess the prevalence of near vision impairment caused by uncorrected presbyopia and to determine the spectacle coverage for presbyopia in Durban, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa.

Methods: A cross-sectional community-based survey was conducted to determine the prevalence of presbyopia in Durban. Eighteen clusters were randomly selected from the suburbs of Durban--Inanda, Ntuzuma, and KwaMashu.

Seven years of regional malaria control collaboration--Mozambique, South Africa, and Swaziland.

The Lubombo Spatial Development Initiative is a joint development program between the governments of Mozambique, Swaziland, and South Africa, which includes malaria control as a core component of the initiative. Vector control through indoor residual spraying (IRS) was incrementally introduced in southern Mozambique between November 2000 and February 2004. Surveillance to monitor its impact was conducted by annual cross-sectional surveys to assess the prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum infection, entomologic monitoring, and malaria case notification in neighboring South Africa and Swaziland.

Enhancing malaria control using a computerised management system in southern Africa.

Background: Malaria control programmes utilising indoor residual spraying are only effective if a high coverage of targeted structures is achieved and an insecticide that is effective against the specific mosquito vector is correctly applied. Ongoing monitoring of spraying operations is essential to assure optimal programme performance and early corrective action, where indicated.

Methods: Successful development and application of a computerised spraying operations management system in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa during 1998 resulted in its adaptation and introduction in neighbouring Maputo Province, southern Mozambique during 2000.

The use of a GIS-based malaria information system for malaria research and control in South Africa.

The paper aims to outline the innovative development and application of a Geographical Information System based Malaria Information System for malaria research and control in South Africa. This system is a product of collaboration between the Malaria Control Programmes and the Malaria Research Programme of the Medical Research Council of South Africa. The ability of such a system to process data timeously into a usable format is discussed, as well as its relevance to malaria research, appropriate malaria control measures, tourism, and social and economic development.