FOCUS: THIS WEEK'S TOP STORIES
Surge in the number of C-sections around the world
October 17th, 2018 Globally, the number of babies born through caesarean section (C-section) almost doubled between 2000 and 2015 – from 12% to 21% of all births – according to a series of three papers launched at the International Federation of Gynecology and...
3D mammograms detect more invasive breast cancers
October 17th, 2018 After screening 15,000 women over a period of five years, a major clinical study in Sweden has shown that 3D mammography, or breast tomosynthesis, detects over 30% more cancers compared to traditional mammography – with a majority of the detected...
'Discrimination' appeal puts CMS spotlight on obesity surcharge
October 17th, 2018 A Council for Medical Schemes appeal accusing Spectramed of discrimination has spotlighted the 50% surcharge that that surgeons and anaesthetists can levy when operating on an obese patient, writes Moneyweb. The patient says the policy is not...BREAKING NEWS
Boycotting nursing students: 'The problem is not with us...'
Hundreds of third-year nursing students at Ann Latsky Nursing College in Johannesburg are boycotting their exams after complaining that they were not adequately prepared for the general nursing exam they wrote last week. The Times quotes a student... October 17th, 2018WEEKLY ROUNDUP
US CDC grounds Ebola experts in DRC over security concerns
The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention was forced to withdraw its Ebola experts from an out-break zone in the Democratic Republic of the... October 17th, 2018Lack of staff means OHSC dealt with only half of patient complaints
The statutory body charged with assessing the quality of hospitals and clinics is so short-staffed it cannot cope with the volume of complaints it is... October 17th, 2018Stocks of ARVs running low countrywide, says Stop Stockouts Project
Stocks of second- and third-line antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) and contraceptives are rapidly running out across the country, and some provinces have... October 17th, 2018Clicks withdraws its pregnancy test after tap water tests positive
More than two dozen women have reported that they have been misled by false-positive pregnancy tests that poisoned relationships, caused emotional... October 17th, 2018Support app helps new SA nurses become more skilled and confident
What happens when you take a bunch of newly-graduated student nurses and get them together in a WhatsApp support group? Well, an IoL report says... October 17th, 2018UK to fortify flour with folic acid to prevent birth defects
All flour in the UK is to be fortified with folic acid after ministers swung behind a plan that medical experts say will reduce the number of babies... October 17th, 2018Chinese defective vaccine campaigner goes missing
There are fears for the safety of a woman campaigning about China’s defective vaccines, with activists saying she has been missing for more than 40... October 17th, 2018DIETETICS
Many OTC diet supplements contain potentially harmful drugs
Potentially harmful pharmaceuticals not listed on product labels were found in more than 700 over-the-counter OTC) dietary supplements, researchers report. Reuters Health reports that the pharmaceuticals, which were found in so-called natural...
October 17th, 2018
HIV/AIDS
ART reduces neurocognitive impairment risk
Initiating antiretroviral therapy (ART) may reduce the risk for neurocognitive impairment in patients living with HIV, according to study results. The study included participants from the AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG) 5199 (International... October 17th, 2018Long-acting injectable implant shows promise
An ultra-long-acting, injectable, and removable formulation of dolutegravir has proved effective in animal models. A persistent challenge in HIV/Aids treatment and prevention is medication adherence – getting patients to take their medication... October 17th, 2018HIV/AIDS
PrEP prescriptions low due to unfamiliarity and attitudes
The use of PrEP remains low in primary care settings, with only 14% of residents polled at East Carolina University not even having heard of the HIV-preventive treatment. Most resident physicians surveyed at a North Carolina medical school had... October 17th, 2018Kindness and time are key factors in treatment retention in SA adolescents
Experiencing kindness from health staff, having someone to attend clinics with, and not being rushed in appointments are among a handful of factors strongly associated with adolescents in South Africa staying on HIV treatment. The findings are drawn... October 17th, 2018OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH
Sit-stand office desks appear to boost performance, psychological health
Sit-stand workstations that allow employees to stand, as well as sit, while working on a computer reduce daily sitting time and appear to have a positive impact on job performance and psychological health, finds a study. The results show that...
October 17th, 2018
ONCOLOGY
Bowel cancer in younger women linked to obesity
Obesity was associated with an increased risk of early-onset colorectal cancer (CRC) among younger women, according to a large, 14-year study by Washington University researchers. . The study, which used data from a large group of US nurses,... October 17th, 2018PSYCHOLOGY
Concern over psycho executives overblown – unless it's a man
Corporate leaders do not tend to have substantially higher levels of psychopathic tendencies, according to a meta-analysis from the American Psychological Association. However, there is a critical gender difference: Men with psychopathic...
October 17th, 2018
PUBLIC HEALTH
How healthy will people in South Africa be in 2040?
An international projection of life expectancy and major mortality risk paints two scenarios for South Africa by the year 2040: An increase in life expectancy by as much as 12.9 years in the better scenario or decrease by as much as 8.1 years in... October 17th, 2018REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE
The stigma of male infertility in SA
South Africa, where cultural beliefs can be an obstacle for men seeking health care and for the physicians who provide it, has one of the highest male infertility rates in the world and the condition is associated with deep shame, according to a... October 17th, 2018SPORT & EXERCISE MEDICINE
Vigorous exercise decreases type 2 diabetes and CVD risk in children
Physical exercise can reduce the risk factors of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease even in children, a two-year followup study from the University of Eastern Finland shows. In a two-year follow-up of primary school children, sedentary... October 17th, 2018