Biofilm and the effect of sonication in a chronic Staphylococcus epidermidis orthopedic in vivo implant infection model.

Background: In diagnosing chronic orthopedic implant infections culture of sonicate represents a supplement to tissue cultures. However, the extent to which biofilm forms on implant surfaces and the degree of dislodgement of bacteria by sonication remains unclear. In this in vivo study using a low bacterial inoculum, we aimed to determine whether a variable effect of sonication could be observed in a standardized in vivo model.

"I will find the best method that will work for me": navigating contraceptive journeys amongst South African adolescent girls and young women.

Background: Given that South Africa has one of the highest rates of pregnancy amongst adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) globally, the provision of contraceptives to this group has been a key focus in recent years. Pregnancy prevention involves an on-going continuum of decision-making around contraceptive method choice, uptake, use, experience, continuation, and discontinuation.

Methods: This paper presents analysis of data from a cross-sectional survey with 2376 AGYW, as well as qualitative in-depth interviews (IDIs) with 54 AGYW, inclusive of contraceptive journey narratives.

Adolescent girls and young women's (AGYW) access to and use of contraception services in Cape Town: perspectives from AGYW and health care providers.

Background: Access and use of contraception services by adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) remains suboptimal, exposing AGYW to early and often unexpected pregnancy. Unexpected pregnancies are a public health concern, associated with poor neonatal and maternal health outcomes, as well as school dropout, which may result in economic hardships. This study aimed to explore (a) AGYW perceptions and experiences of receiving contraception services from health care providers and (b) health care providers' perceptions and experiences of providing contraception services to AGYW.

Factors Associated with COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake among Schoolgoing Adolescent Girls and Young Women in South Africa.

(1) Background: By October 2022, vaccination rates with at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine were low among adolescent girls aged 12-17 (38%) and young women aged 18-34 (45%) in South Africa. This study aimed to measure and identify barriers to and facilitators of motivation to take up, access to, and uptake of COVID-19 vaccines among schoolgoing adolescent girls and young women in two districts in South Africa. (2) Methods: Using the theory of the HIV prevention cascade, we conceptualised the relationship between motivation, access, and uptake of COVID-19 vaccines, and associated barriers.

Using prevention cascades to investigate coverage of contraception services among young women enrolled in a large-scale combination HIV prevention program in South Africa.

Objectives: We investigated the coverage of contraception services (excluding condoms) to prevent unintended pregnancy among young women and girls aged 15 to 24 years who were beneficiaries of one of the two largest combination HIV and pregnancy prevention program in South Africa.

Study Design: We invited 2160 randomly sampled beneficiaries who were living in six of the 12 program districts across six provinces to participate in a telephone survey. We created pregnancy prevention coverage cascades and conducted univariate and multivariable analyses to identify key barriers and facilitators associated with each step of the cascade.