The Prevalence of Childhood Asthma, Respiratory Symptoms and Associated Air Pollution Sources Among Adolescent Learners in Selected Schools in Vhembe District, South Africa.

Unlabelled: This study investigated the prevalence of childhood asthma and respiratory symptoms with their associated air pollution sources among adolescents aged 13-14 years residing in a Malaria-endemic region.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 2855 adolescents from fourteen (14) selected schools in communities exposed to high levels of air pollution from indoor residual spraying (IRS) that is used for malaria vector control in the Vhembe region. Data were collected using a self-administered standardized International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire.

Respiratory conditions and health symptoms associated with air pollution amongst children aged six years and below in Melusi Informal Settlement, Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Respiratory conditions and health symptoms associated with air pollution in children are a major public health concern, as their immune systems and lungs are not yet fully developed. This study aimed to assess self-reported respiratory conditions and health symptoms associated with air pollution sources amongst children aged six years and below in Melusi informal settlement, Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa.

Methods: With a quantitative cross-sectional study design, parents/caregivers of children aged six years and below (n = 300) from eight Early Childhood Development Centres were invited to participate in the study.

Dietary patterns and risk of developing asthma among pre-schoolers.

Background: Early childhood dietary patterns have been identified as potential factors that can influence the development of asthma in children. The objective of the study was to determine the association between dietary patterns, identified through principal component analysis (PCA), and asthma in pre-schoolers.

Methods: This unmatched case-control study used data from 3145 pre-schoolers participating in the parent population-based observational study conducted in a District Municipality, Province.

Perceptions and views of key implementers on the implementation of the health-promoting school programme in the City of Tshwane, South Africa.

Background: The health-promoting school programme has been associated with numerous benefits for school communities where it is well implemented. In Tshwane, the implementation processes have not been evaluated.

Objective: A qualitative research approach based on grounded theory was used to investigate the experiences of 27 health-promoting school programme implementers across Tshwane.

Insights into prostate cancer awareness and perceptions among men in Tshwane.

Background: Globally, prostate cancer (PCa) accounts for 6.6% of deaths, while in South Africa (SA), PCa accounts for 13% of deaths in males, with over 4 000 SA men diagnosed with PCa annually. This may be attributed to the inadequate availability of screening, early detection and possibly other socioeconomic and lifestyle factors.