The Durban University of Technology Faculty of Health Sciences Decentralized Clinical Training Project: Protocol for an Implementation Study in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Background: The Durban University of Technology (DUT) Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, is embarking on a project to implement a Decentralized Clinical Training Program (DCTP). The DUT FHS DCTP project is being conducted in response to the growing demands of students requiring clinical service placements as part of work-integrated learning. The project is also geared toward responding to existing gaps in current practices related to the implementation of a DCTP, which has mainly been through traditional universities providing training to medical, optometry, occupational therapy, and physiotherapy students.

Fast-track interventions for HIV and AIDS epidemic control among key populations: A rapid review.

Background: Targeted interventions for key populations remain critical for realisation of epidemic control for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection because of the causal relationship between HIV infection in the general population and among key population groups.

Aim: To consolidate evidence on the fast-track interventions towards achieving HIV epidemic control among key populations.

Methods: A rapid scoping review was conducted using the methodological framework by Arksey and O' Malley.

Designing Implementation Strategies for the Inclusion of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer, and Allied and Key Populations' Content in Undergraduate Nursing Curricula in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: Protocol for a Multimethods Research Project.

Background: Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, and allied (LGBTQIA+) individuals encounter challenges with access and engagement with health services. Studies have reported that LGBTQIA+ individuals experience stigma, discrimination, and health workers' microaggression when accessing health care. Compelling evidence suggests that the LGBTQIA+ community faces disproportionate rates of HIV infection, mental health disorders, substance abuse, and other noncommunicable diseases.

A qualitative study of pharmacists' perceptions and awareness of homoeopathic medicines in Durban, South Africa.

Background: There is growing interest in the demand for and use of homoeopathic medicines by the public; however, little is known about the perspectives of pharmacists regarding the use of these medicines, particularly in the South African private health context.

Methods: A qualitative approach using an exploratory cross-sectional descriptive design was used. Data were collected from a purposive sample of 15 participants comprising pharmacy managers, pharmacists and pharmacy assistants from six different conveniently selected private pharmacy retail outlets.

Exploring the perceptions and lived experiences of family members living with people diagnosed with COVID-19 in South Africa: a descriptive phenomenological study.

Background: The incidence and prevalence of COVID-19 continues to escalate globally, with the consequence to quality of life, the economies of nations and various sectors of society. While there is substantial research on the impact and experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic, little remains known about the perceptions and lived experiences of families living with people diagnosed with COVID-19, particularly within the South African context.

Purpose: To explore the perceptions and lived experiences of family members  living with people diagnosed with COVID-19 in South Africa.

An Investigation into the Acute and Subacute Toxicity of Extracts of Stem Bark In Vivo.

The conventional use of medicinal plants is in part based on the widespread belief that plant crude extracts are non-toxic. In South Africa, traditional preparations of used to treat hypermelanosis have accordingly been regarded by many as non-toxic. Whether that is so impacts on the potential of bark extracts to be developed as a commercial drug to treathypermelanosis, given their documented capacity to inhibit tyrosinase activity.

Evaluating the effectiveness of laser hair reduction using a home use laser in comparison to a Diode laser.

Background: Lasers of different wavelengths have been developed for use in permanent hair reduction. An increase in the manufacturing of home-use laser hair removal devices allows for these treatments to be performed in the comfort of your own home at an affordable cost.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of permanent hair reduction using a Diode laser in comparison to the Silk'n™ Flash and Go Lux (475-1200 nm) home-use laser.

Exploring the Influence of Social Capital on HIV Prevention with Migrants from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Living in Durban, South Africa.

Research shows a growing attentiveness to the role of social and environmental influences on HIV risk behaviours. Moreover, the understanding of HIV risk behaviours has moved from an earlier consideration of individual risk, to ecological models, with the understanding that behaviours are rooted in the economic, environmental and social structure. To explore how social capital, specifically on a social bonding level, operates as a risk or protective factor for the spread of HIV among French-speaking migrants from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), living in Durban, South Africa.

Exploring primary healthcare practitioners' experiences regarding the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread rapidly around the world since the initial outbreak in Wuhan, China. With the emergence of the Omicron variant, South Africa is presently the epicentre of the COVID-19 pandemic in sub-Saharan Africa. Healthcare workers have been at the forefront of the pandemic in terms of screening, early detection and clinical management of suspected and confirmed COVID-19 cases.

A qualitative study to explore primary health care practitioners' perceptions and understanding regarding the COVID-19 pandemic in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a novel virus that has rapidly spread across countries globally, and has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). In South Africa, more that 1 million cases have been confirmed since case zero was detected in March 2020. South Africa is currently leading in the sub-Saharan African region in terms of COVID-19-related mortality and morbidity rates.

The development of an explanatory model for voluntary medical male circumcision in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Background: KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) remains the epicentre of the human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) epidemic in South Africa. The incidence of HIV infection in KZN necessitates cost-effective strategies to curb the spread of infection. Voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) has been adopted as an additional biomedical preventive strategy since 2010 in line with recommendations from the World Health Organization.

Healthcare providers' perceptions and understanding of voluntary medical male circumcision in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: A qualitative study.

Background: There is compelling evidence that voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) reduces the chances of heterosexual transmission of HIV infection. Healthcare workers are among the key influencers in terms of the scale-up of VMMC as they are often involved in mobilisation for uptake. There is a paucity of qualitative research on healthcare workers' experiences, understanding and perceptions of VMMC; particularly in the South African rural primary healthcare context.

Circumcised men's perceptions, understanding and experiences of voluntary medical male circumcision in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Background: KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, has rolled out voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) in response to recommendations that regions with a high human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevalence adopt VMMC as an additional HIV prevention strategy. There is a paucity of South African data on the motivators, barriers and experiences of adult male candidates regarding VMMC. This study was conducted to analyse circumcised men's perceptions, understanding and experiences of VMMC in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Healthcare workers' perceptions and experiences of implementing voluntary medical male circumcision in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Background: Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC) is an effective HIV prevention strategy prioritized by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for regions of high HIV prevalence, South Africa (SA) and in particular KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) is one of such regions. Since the roll out of VMMC in 2010 there has been little research conducted on the implementation of this service. Existing studies on the uptake of VMMC have mainly focused on service users resulting in a paucity of data on health care workers perspectives on the intervention.

Zulu Men's Conceptions, Understanding, and Experiences of Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC) is proven to reduce transmission of HIV/AIDS. Despite concerted efforts to scale up VMMC in men aged 18-49, the number of medically circumcised men in this age group remains suboptimal. Research has shown that several individual factors hinder and promote uptake of VMMC.