The perceived role of ward-based primary healthcare outreach teams in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Background: The aim of ward-based outreach teams (WBOTs) is to improve access to primary healthcare (PHC) services including health promotion and disease prevention in South Africa. Limited information is available in South Africa on user perceptions of services provided by WBOTs in rural households.

Aim: The study aimed to explore community awareness and perception of WBOTs, as well people's motivation to engage and use WBOT services.

Evaluating the acute flaccid paralysis surveillance system in South Africa, 2005-2009--an analysis of secondary data.

Introduction: Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) surveillance was adopted by World Health Organization (WHO) to monitor progress towards poliomyelitis eradication. South Africa Department of Health (DoH) routinely collects AFP surveillance data but has no documented evidence of its epidemiological use. The study discusses the epidemiology of AFP in South Africa from 2005-9, evaluates performance of the AFP surveillance system, and identifies components that require strengthening.