Repeat Auditing of Primary Health-care Facilities Against Standards for Occupational Health and Infection Control: A Study of Compliance and Reliability

Cloete, Brynt,Yassi, Annalee,Ehrlich, Rodney Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute 2020 Safety and health at work Vol.11 No.1

Background: The elevated risk of occupational infection such as tuberculosis among health workers in many countries raises the question of whether the quality of occupational health and safety (OHS) and infection prevention and control (IPC) can be improved by auditing. The objectives of this study were to measure (1) audited compliance of primary health-care facilities in South Africa with national standards for OHS and IPC, (2) change in compliance at reaudit three years after baseline, and (3) the inter-rater reliability of the audit. Methods: The study analyzed audits of 60 primary health-care facilities in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. Baseline external audits in the time period 2011-2012 were compared with follow-up internal audits in 2014-2015. Audits at 25 facilities that had both internal and external audits conducted in 2014/2015 were used to measure reliability. Results: At baseline, 25% of 60 facilities were "noncompliant" (audit score<50%), 48% "conditionally compliant" (score >50 < 80%), and only 27% "compliant" (score >80%). Overall, there was no significant improvement in compliance three years after baseline. Percentage agreement on specific items between internal and external audits ranged from 28% to 92% and kappa from -0.8 to 0.41 (poor to moderate). Conclusion: Low baseline compliance with OHS-IPC measures and lack of improvement over three years reflect the difficulties of quality improvement in these domains. Low inter-rater reliability of the audit instrument undermines the audit process. Evidence-based investment of effort is required if repeat auditing is to contribute to occupational risk reduction for health workers.

CHALLENGES OF THE LEGAL POLICY FOR SPORTS TO REALIZE THE WELFARE STATE: SITUATION, TREND AND TASK IN SOUTH AFRICA

Rian Cloete 한국스포츠엔터테인먼트법학회 2007 스포츠와 법 Vol.10 No.1

The purpose of this study is to offer brief overview of the unique challenges facing the new South Africa. It will discuss about the framework of sport in South Africa, harmonization of laws within the African Union, government policy toward sport and welfare state, transformation of sport in South Africa, the national lottery, and 2010 FIFA World Cup First, parliament, mainly through the Minister of Sport and Recreation and the Portfolio Committee on Sport and Recreation, is principally responsible for government policy and the implementation of legislation which impacts on sport in South Africa. The National Sport and Recreation Act makes provisions for the promotion and development of sport and recreation to provide for measures aimed at correcting imbalances in sport and recreation. In 2006, National Sport and Recreation Amendment Bill was drafted to provide for a unified government structure for the governance of sport in South Africa. The South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee was formed to function as the controlling body for all high performance sport in South Africa. Second, the harmonization of the law of Africa is not easy because Africa is complicated by 53 states with different legal systems. However, sports law, as a proposed focus areas, is expected to be enormous contribution to the socioeconomic development of Africa and could even be used for peace-keeping initiatives. This is supported by the UN that urged the South Africa government to use sport as an instrument towards achieving peace and stability in Africa. Third, government creates SRSA to improve the quality of life of all South Africans by promoting participation in sport and recreation in the country. The priority of SRSA is to provide funds for the creation or upgrading of basic multi-purpose sports facilities in disadvantaged areas. Some excellent examples, such as the special program for HIV/AIDS, policy pursuing more South Africans in physical activity more often, and Homeless Football World Cup held in South Africa in September of 2006, show how sport can be used to contribute to welfare. Fourth, the greatest challenge to sport in South Africa is the management of change in a way that will eliminate crude references to race, yet promote the ideals of harmonious co-existence, working together and playing together. The use of Affirmative Action in sport and greater participation of talented individuals from historically disadvantaged community show good examples. Fifth, the National Lottery plays an important role to support the development of sport. Lastly, 2010 FIFA World Cup will also create the opportunity to speed up the process in order to overcome the inequalities of South Africa's past and would make a huge contribution to South Africa's effort to improve the lives of all its people. The purpose of this study is to offer brief overview of the unique challenges facing the new South Africa. It will discuss about the framework of sport in South Africa, harmonization of laws within the African Union, government policy toward sport and welfare state, transformation of sport in South Africa, the national lottery, and 2010 FIFA World Cup First, parliament, mainly through the Minister of Sport and Recreation and the Portfolio Committee on Sport and Recreation, is principally responsible for government policy and the implementation of legislation which impacts on sport in South Africa. The National Sport and Recreation Act makes provisions for the promotion and development of sport and recreation to provide for measures aimed at correcting imbalances in sport and recreation. In 2006, National Sport and Recreation Amendment Bill was drafted to provide for a unified government structure for the governance of sport in South Africa. The South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee was formed to function as the controlling body for all high performance sport in South Africa. Second, the harmonization of the law of Africa is not easy because Africa is complicated by 53 states with different legal systems. However, sports law, as a proposed focus areas, is expected to be enormous contribution to the socioeconomic development of Africa and could even be used for peace-keeping initiatives. This is supported by the UN that urged the South Africa government to use sport as an instrument towards achieving peace and stability in Africa. Third, government creates SRSA to improve the quality of life of all South Africans by promoting participation in sport and recreation in the country. The priority of SRSA is to provide funds for the creation or upgrading of basic multi-purpose sports facilities in disadvantaged areas. Some excellent examples, such as the special program for HIV/AIDS, policy pursuing more South Africans in physical activity more often, and Homeless Football World Cup held in South Africa in September of 2006, show how sport can be used to contribute to welfare. Fourth, the greatest challenge to sport in South Africa is the management of change in a way that will eliminate crude references to race, yet promote the ideals of harmonious co-existence, working together and playing together. The use of Affirmative Action in sport and greater participation of talented individuals from historically disadvantaged community show good examples. Fifth, the National Lottery plays an important role to support the development of sport. Lastly, 2010 FIFA World Cup will also create the opportunity to speed up the process in order to overcome the inequalities of South Africa's past and would make a huge contribution to South Africa's effort to improve the lives of all its people.

APPLICATION OF NANOTECHNOLOGY IN ANTIMICROBIAL COATINGS IN THE WATER INDUSTRY

M. DE KWAADSTENIET,M. BOTES,T. E. CLOETE 성균관대학교(자연과학캠퍼스) 성균나노과학기술원 2011 NANO Vol.6 No.5

Biofouling is a concern in the water industry due to the impact it has on maintainence of system functioning and the cost involved for prevention. Mechanical and chemical methods such as the application of biocides currently used to control biofouling are not always effective. The need for alternative methods for the prevention of biofouling therefore exists. Self-cleaning and antimicrobial surfaces, such as antimicrobial and antifouling coatings, have already shown the potential to control biofouling. A new contribution to this field is the application of nanotechnology in the design and fabrication of coatings. Nanomaterials may prohibit biofouling either by repelling microorganisms through hydrophobic nanostructures or killing of microorganisms in direct contact with surfaces containing nanobiocides. This review focuses on the different approaches and techniques to fabricate antimicrobial polymeric surfaces, the application of specific nanoparticles and nanomaterials, and nanoenabled antimicrobial coatings such as paints.

Annealing-Induced Softening of Copper and Molybdenum for High Strain Rate Deformation

R. E. Kroon,S. Cronjé,W. D. Roos,T. J. Cloete 대한금속·재료학회 2011 METALS AND MATERIALS International Vol.17 No.4

The effect of annealing on the high strain rate deformation properties of copper and molybdenum was studied. Samples were extracted using spark erosion and were annealed under various conditions. High strain rate stress-strain curves at ~700 s^(−1) and 1500 s^(−1) were measured using a split Hopkinson pressure bar. Recrystallization occurred for the copper and molybdenum at annealing temperatures of 300 °C and 1200 °C, respectively,and resulted in a significant softening of the samples compared to their unannealed state. Generally,copper and molybdenum are annealed at much higher temperatures and it is suggested that lower temperature annealing may provide cost savings during the manufacturing processes.

Investigation of trace elements in incisor and molar teeth from two different geographical areas in Sudan using micro-particle induced x-ray emission (μ-PIXE)

M. E. M. Eisa,J. A. Mars,S. Naidoo,R. A. Shibrain,K. J. Cloete,M. Maaza 한국분석과학회 2023 분석과학 Vol.36 No.2

Trace elements (TEs) have significant effects on both dental health and human health. Toxic effects are caused by deficiency or excess of TEs. This study was performed to determine levels of toxic and trace elements in incisor and molar teeth sampled from male and female participants residing in the north and south regions of Sudan. The tooth enamel of 18 extracted human teeth was analyzed using particle-induced x-ray emission (μ-PIXE) to determine its elemental profile and distribution. GeoPIXEII software package was used for the analysis of μ-PIXE data. The main elements determined were Na, Mg, P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Zn, Co, and Sr which were homogeneously distributed in the areas of the tooth enamel mapped with micro-PIXE.