Consensus in Action: Context-Specific Physical Activity Guidelines for Undergraduate Students at a South African University.

Physical inactivity among undergraduate university students has been considered a public health concern. To address this, researchers have utilized consensus workshop approaches to develop effective physical activity (PA) recommendations. However, the existing research has limitations: it is outdated, not context-specific to young adults, and does not account for psychosocial factors (such as mental health, motivation, and social support) that hinder or promote PA behavior, particularly in South Africa.

Relationship between Psychosocial Factors and Physical Activity among Undergraduate Students from a South African University.

Psychosocial factors such as mental health, motivation, and social support are key determinants of behavior that play a significant role in physical activity participation. Limited studies have investigated the relationship between psychosocial factors and physical activity among university students in Africa. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between psychosocial factors and physical activity participation among undergraduate university students at a historically disadvantaged university (HDU) in South Africa.

The influence of the 4th industrial revolution on family cohesion-A systematic review protocol.

Humanity may be facing untold threats and possible benefits as a result of the burgeoning 4th Industrial Revolution. New technologies introduced by the 4th Industrial Revolution have been purported to be gradually diminishing humans' capacities like compassion and cooperation. Challenges such as security, trust, liability and personal data privacy issues are also being triggered which calls for stricter regulations.

Human capabilities of South African parents who have children with developmental disabilities.

Background: Parenting a child with a developmental disability (DD) has a substantial influence on the lives of the parents or caregivers, as well as on how the family operates. This is frequently because of the adjustments in some daily practices that are crucial for parents' or caregivers' human capabilities to provide for childcare. There is not enough research done on human capabilities of parents or children with DD in South Africa.

Exodontia skills acquisition: Focusing on clinical teaching and training.

Objectives: The aim of the research was to evaluate the traditional exodontia block course. The objectives were to explore the experiences and views of students, clinical teachers and dental practitioners of the various elements of the course curriculum.

Methods: The study was a qualitative, participatory action research study using descriptive analysis.

Prevalence estimates of trafficking in persons using statistical definitions: a cross-sectional high-risk community survey in Cape Town, South Africa.

Objectives: Current research on trafficking in persons (TIP) relies heavily on legal and prosecutorial definitions. A public health approach has called for population-level assessment; however, identification of TIP victims lacks a standardised operational definition. This study applied the Prevalence Reduction Innovation Forum (PRIF) statistical definitions, developed by the US Department of State, to a community survey in Cape Town, South Africa.

Strategies and best practices that enhance participation in regular physical activities among undergraduate university students: a systematic review protocol.

Introduction: Physical activity has health benefits, including lowered obesity, diabetes and hypertension levels. However, participation in regular physical activities among undergraduate students is declining and, instead, physical inactivity sets the path for sedentarism. Strategies and best practices used to enhance participation in regular physical activities among undergraduate students are beneficial for mitigating sedentariness and promoting healthy lifestyles.

Developing an Anxiety Screening Tool for Children in South Africa: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Study.

Background: Early childhood experiences such as trauma, exposure to violence, and poverty can significantly contribute to childhood anxiety, which is viewed as the most common mental health issue among children. In South Africa, there is no uniform tool to screen for anxiety during early childhood. This study aims to develop a tool to screen for anxiety in children aged 4 to 8 years, which could be utilized by preschool and foundation phase teachers to aid in the early identification of childhood anxiety.

Enablers and barriers to effective parenting within the first 1000 days: an exploratory study of South African parents and primary caregivers in low socio-economic communities.

Background: The first 1000 days is the period between conception and a child's second birthday. Globally, research on parenting is in an advanced stage, but parenting research focusing specifically on parenting in this developmental phase is limited in South Africa. Therefore, this study explores the enablers and barriers to effective parenting within the first 1000 days through the lens of parents and caregivers in low socio-economic communities.

Recommendations to Enhance Parental Involvement and Adolescent Participation in Physical Activity.

Background: Adolescents are influenced by external factors which may impact their level of physical activity. Parents require specific strategies to become involved and to increase physical activity participation in adolescence.

Objective: Thus, the current study aimed to design recommendations to increase physical activity participation and parental involvement.

COVID-19 Daily Realities for Families: A South African Sample.

The COVID-19 pandemic affected families globally. Empirical research has been explored to understand the impact of COVID-19 on families across countries, however, there are limited findings of how COVID-19 has affected the daily realities of families in South Africa. This study used an exploratory qualitative research approach to explore the experiences of COVID-19 for South African families.

Achievements and Challenges for Higher Education during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Rapid Review of Media in Africa.

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic struck globally and has affected higher education institutions (HEIs) and their operations, indirectly impacting the progress of the Sustainable Development Goal 4 achieved thus far. This article addresses HEIs achievements and challenges experienced in the wake of the pandemic. Online news media reports played a facilitative role in providing information to the HEI communities.

Lessons Learnt during COVID-19 Lockdown: A Qualitative Study of South African Families.

In a pandemic, such as COVID-19, with every single person struggling to deal with the unknown, it is often within the family that support is found but it is also within the family that circumstances, contexts and behaviours could further drive the pandemic and where they struggle to cope. This is novel research in the South African context with no known information regarding family life during and post the pandemic. This study, therefore, explores the lessons learnt during COVID-19 by South African families.

Developing a logic model of change for the determinants of parental nurturance in the first 1000 days: A mixed-method study protocol.

Background: Parents play a key role in providing nurturance and nurturing care to their child during the first 1000 days which is important for optimal child development. Various factors have been found to influence parenting but the contribution of these factors toward parental nurturance within the first 1000 days is not yet known in the South African context. This paper describes a protocol for a project that aims to develop a logic model of change for the determinants of parental nurturance in the first 1000 days in the South African context.

Exploring the Perspectives of South African Parents and Primary Caregivers Living in Low-Income Communities on What Children Need to Thrive within the First 1000 Days of Life.

The first 1000 days is recognised as a critical period for the development of children. What children need to thrive in this particular phase of development may be different from any other phase. In South Africa, parents' perception of children's needs within the first 1000 days of life could be considered as emerging.

Coping With the Experiences of Intimate Partner Violence Among South African Women: Systematic Review and Meta-Synthesis.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) continues to be a serious problem worldwide. South Africa has a high prevalence of women experiencing IPV. Although much research reports on the prevalence rates, risk factors, and consequences of IPV, fewer studies report on how women deal with the experiences of IPV.

A comparison of the relationship between parental efficacy and social support systems of single teen mothers across different family forms in South African low socioeconomic communities.

Background: Teenage parenting is recognised as one of the greatest health and social problems in South Africa. Research in South Africa has shown that by the age of 18 years, more than 30% of teens have given birth at least once. Teen mothers may feel disempowered because they are 'othered' and consequently, may develop forms of resistance which in most cases may inhibit their ability to parent.

Perspectives of nurturance within the parent-child relationship in resource-constrained families.

Background: Nurturing parents raise children in an engaged, flexible, emotionally expressive and supportive manner, which is associated with positive outcomes for children. While parenting research within the South African context is increasing, there is a lack of focus on nurturance within the parent-child relationship. Thus, this study sought to explore how parents nurture their children in resource-constrained environments in South Africa.

Using the RE-AIM framework to identify and describe nutritional feeding styles and intervention model best practices for primary caregivers in Africa: A narrative review.

Background: Current research shows that across the world people are eating poorly. This is leading to increased incidences of nutrition-related health problems.

Aim: This paper aims to provide a synthesis of research on the nutritional feeding programs and nutritional models used by primary caregivers in Africa, in order to identify best practice models, programs, and processes from the field of nutritional and feeding intervention development.

Spiritual care - 'A deeper immunity' - A response to Covid-19 pandemic.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has presented unprecedented health challenges across all strata in society throughout the world. The COVID experience has caused us to reflect on quality of life, health and well-being and, just as important, end of life. During this time, spiritual care forms a vital component of holistic health management, especially in terms of coping, coming to terms with illness, suffering and ultimately death.

The effect of legislation on the treatment practices and role of naturopaths in South Africa.

Background: In South Africa naturopaths have been practising for over half a century. Over this period, changes in legislation have resulted in different levels of training and registration processes - which has impacted on the profession in various ways. This paper explores the effect of legislation on the treatment practices and role of naturopaths in South Africa.