Student's Journal of Health Research Africa

Assessing the prevalence of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis among Human Immunodeficiency infected patients at a hospital in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Sun, 05 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Introduction: The co-epidemic of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Tuberculosis (TB), Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis (EPTB) pose a major health issue in KwaZulu Natal (KZN) South Africa (SA). Despite improvements in HIV care, EPTB continues to affect immunocompromised individuals. Therefore, this study aimed to bridge this knowledge gap by determining the prevalence, and risk factors associated with EPTB prevalence among HIV-infected patients in KZN.

Methodology: Patient results for those tested for EPTB from January to December 2022, were examined. Key variables included demographic information including age, gender, geographic location. HIV viral load, CD4 count, and GeneXpert tuberculosis were the test results analysed. To ensure accuracy, the dataset underwent rigorous cleaning to exclude incomplete records and duplicates. Microsoft Excel 2019 facilitated descriptive and graphical analysis to illustrate trends. Spearman's correlation was used to examine associations among continuous variables, with statistical significance assessed using p-values and confidence intervals

Results: Among 609 analyzed HIV-positive patient results, 86 (14.1%) had EPTB. Most cases 382 (62.7%) originated from the uGu district, with the highest prevalence observed among males aged 40-64 years. Lymphadenitis was the most common EPTB manifestation. Additionally, detectable viral loads and moderately suppressed CD4 counts indicated advanced HIV progression, increasing susceptibility to EPTB co-infections.

Conclusion: This study shows a significant burden of EPTB among HIV-infected individuals in KZN, especially in older patients with high viral loads. Targeted interventions for early detection, screening programs, and gender-specific approaches are crucial to reducing morbidity and mortality.

Investigating the prevalence of coagulation abnormalities in hospitalized Covid-19 patients: A retrospective laboratory analysis.

Sun, 05 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Introduction
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has affected millions worldwide, with complications extending beyond respiratory illness to systemic effects, including coagulopathy. Abnormal coagulation patterns, most notably elevated fibrinogen and D-dimer levels, have been widely reported in hospitalized patients. While these abnormalities are recognized, their prevalence within different patient cohorts is not fully characterized. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of coagulation abnormalities in hospitalized patients with confirmed COVID-19.

Methods
A retrospective laboratory-based study was conducted using hospital records of adults admitted with COVID-19. Available coagulation parameters—including fibrinogen, prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), and D-dimer—were reviewed. Abnormal results were classified according to institutional laboratory reference ranges. Data were analyzed to determine the frequency and distribution of these abnormalities among the study population.

Results
A high prevalence of coagulation abnormalities was observed in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Elevated D-dimer was the most frequent finding, followed by increased fibrinogen levels. Prolonged PT and aPTT were less common but present in a subset of patients. Patterns suggested that abnormalities in D-dimer and fibrinogen were more consistently observed than alterations in clotting times.

Conclusion
Coagulation abnormalities are prevalent among hospitalized patients with COVID-19, with elevated D-dimer emerging as the most frequent laboratory finding. These results underscore the importance of routine coagulation monitoring in COVID-19 and provide a basis for future studies examining their clinical implications.

Assessing the knowledge, attitude and practice on waste management among Mangosuthu University of Technology female students residing at Beverly Hills Residence.

Gugu Mnguni, Thabiso Phungula, Sizokuhle Mokoena, Sinegugu Mkhabela — Wed, 08 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Introduction: Waste management remains a critical concern in university settings, where both domestic and sanitary waste are generated in large quantities.

Study Objective: This study aimed to explore the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of waste management among female students residing at Mangosuthu University of Technology.

Methodology: A cross-sectional qualitative study was conducted with 66 randomly selected participants using structured questionnaires. Environmental checklists assessed hygiene conditions and waste infrastructure. Data were analyzed with Microsoft Excel, and Chi-squared tests evaluated associations between knowledge and practice, and attitude and practice.

Results: Of the 66 participants, 89.39 % were aware of waste-related health risks and proper disposal methods. However, consistent practice was lacking. Only 42.42 % recognized their ethical responsibility in waste management, with some viewing it solely as the duty of caretakers. Using the Chi-squared test, no significant association was found between knowledge and practice. Conversely, a significant link was observed between attitude and practice indicating that students with stronger beliefs in proper disposal were more likely to engage in correct waste management behaviors. Environmental assessments revealed poorer hygiene conditions during weekends compared to weekdays, with overfilled waste bins highlighting gaps in maintenance and oversight.

Conclusion: Despite possessing basic knowledge and positive attitudes toward waste management, students’ practical application is inconsistent. Environmental assessments pointed to hygiene and resource gaps across floors.

Recommendations: The study recommends targeted educational initiatives, improved waste infrastructure, and policy development to enhance sustainable waste practices within university residences. These measures could support a cleaner, healthier living environment and promote long-term behavioral change.

Investigating knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of undergraduate students towards Herpes Simplex Virus-2 and diagnosis of this infection

Mr. Ntokozo Thamsanqa Shange, Dr. Ziningi Nobuhle Jaya, Mrs. Roxanne Pillay — Sun, 05 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Introduction
Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) is among the most prevalent sexually transmitted viral infections globally, with an estimated 536 million infections reported among individuals aged 15–49 years. Despite its widespread occurrence, awareness and understanding of HSV-2 remain limited in many populations. The aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs of undergraduate students at a University of Technology (UoT) regarding HSV-2 and HSV-2 testing.

Methodology
A prospective, cross-sectional study design was employed to assess variables related to knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs. The study population included undergraduate students at all levels of study at a UoT in Durban, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. Data were collected via structured surveys and analysed using Microsoft Excel to generate descriptive statistics.

Results
A total of 139 undergraduate students participated in the study, with females comprising 53.2% (n = 74) and males 46.8% (n = 65). Participants’ ages ranged from 18 to 24 years, with a mean age of 25 years. Findings revealed that accurate knowledge of HSV-2 was generally limited; only 47.5% of respondents reported awareness of HSV-2 infection, transmission, and symptoms. Attitudes and beliefs about HSV-2 testing were also varied, with many students demonstrating uncertainty regarding the importance of testing.

Conclusion
The study highlights a substantial gap in knowledge regarding HSV-2 among undergraduate students. These findings highlight the need for targeted sexual health education programs and awareness campaigns to improve understanding of HSV-2 transmission, symptoms, and testing, which could contribute to better prevention and early detection practices among young adults.

Knowledge and barriers towards cervical cancer screening among female university students in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal

Ms. Nomathemba Ndimande, Dr. Ziningi Nobuhle Jaya, Mrs. Roxanne Pillay — Sun, 05 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Cervical cancer is the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths among women globally, predominantly affecting women in low- and middle-income countries, including South Africa. Despite being preventable through early screening and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination, cervical cancer awareness and screening rates remain low. Female university students often exhibit limited knowledge and face unique barriers that impede cervical cancer screening uptake. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the level of knowledge and explore the barriers to cervical cancer screening among female students at a University of Technology in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Methods: The research was conducted among female students across various faculties and academic levels at a University of Technology in Durban, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. A quantitative, cross-sectional survey was conducted using a structured online questionnaire that examined student demographic profiles, knowledge of cervical cancer and HPV infection, and barriers to cervical cancer screening. A total of 131 female students were recruited, and data were analysed to identify knowledge gaps and barriers to screening uptake.

Results: The study found a high level of awareness of cervical cancer (90.1%) and HPV (71.8%), though significant knowledge gaps in specific risk factors and screening methods persisted. The primary barriers identified included fear of test results, lack of awareness, and logistical challenges, such as time and financial constraints. Discomfort with discussing screening results also varied, with discomfort more pronounced among younger and lower-year students.

Conclusion: Despite general awareness, significant barriers, including fear, insufficient knowledge, and logistical obstacles, limit cervical cancer screening uptake among female university students. This suggests that tailored interventions addressing knowledge gaps and providing practical support could improve screening rates and early detection, ultimately contributing to better health outcomes for young women in similar settings.

Microbial Profiles and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Patterns in Diabetic Patients Attending at a Hospital in Durban

Mr. Bongumusa Patrick Makhathini, Dr. Ziningi Nobuhle Jaya, Mrs. Roxanne Pillay — Sun, 05 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Introduction
Diabetes Mellitus is a group of metabolic disorders characterized by hyperglycaemia in the absence of treatment. Defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both accompany the heterogeneous etiopathology. The association between diabetes mellitus and various bacterial infections is proportionally increasing and further adds to morbidity linked to diabetes mellitus. The interplay between hyperglycaemia and impaired immune response makes diabetic patients more susceptible to a range of infections. This study examined the microbial profiles and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns observed in diabetic patients attending a public hospital in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Methodology:
A retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted using laboratory records of 150 diabetic patients at a public hospital in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Diabetic patients were identified using HbA1C results exceeding 7%. Results from microbiological analyses and antimicrobial susceptibility testing were used for the study to determine the type and frequencies of isolated microorganisms and their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns.

Results:
Escherichia coli was the most frequently isolated microorganism (27.3), followed by Staphylococcus spp (23.3%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (19%), and Enterobacter faecalis (11%). Antimicrobial patterns varied among the isolates, emphasizing the importance of effective and targeted therapeutic approaches, which ultimately enhance clinical outcomes and reduce infections associated with diabetes mellitus.

Conclusion
This study provides insight into the microbial profiles commonly found in diabetic patients and highlights their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns. Early detection of these bacterial infections is of critical importance to enable timeous treatment and avoid further infection-associated complications in diabetic patients.

Exploring the knowledge, attitudes and practices of students at Mangosuthu University of Technology on hand hygiene.

Sinikiwe Dlalisa, Sphiwe Jama, Nothando Duma, Gugu Mnguni, Trishka Pillay — Sun, 05 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Background:

Hand hygiene is one of the most effective and low-cost methods to prevent infectious disease transmission, yet compliance remains suboptimal. This study aimed to compare hand hygiene knowledge, attitudes, and practices between Environmental Health (EH) and Information Technology (IT) students at Mangosuthu University of Technology.

Methodology:

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 210 students (101 EH, 109 IT) using a self-administered structured questionnaire. Data was analyzed using MS excel for descriptive statistics, t-tests, and correlation analysis.

Results:

Overall, EH students showed higher knowledge (86.9 %) and attitudes (91 %) towards daily hygiene scenarios compared to IT students which recorded 78.8 % and 81 % on knowledge and attitude respectively while practice gaps persisted in both groups. Attitude emerged as the key driver of practice. Statistical analysis showed significant differences (p<0.05) between the groups in all KAP domains. Correlation results indicated that attitude (r = 0.29) was a stronger predictor of hygiene practice than knowledge(r=0.002).

Conclusions:

EH students demonstrated superior knowledge, attitudes, and practices compared to IT students, but the knowledge did not consistently translate into behavior. Findings suggest that positive attitudes were more influential than knowledge in driving consistent hygiene practices.

Recommendations:

The study recommends integrating hand hygiene awareness into non-health curricula, improving access to soap and sanitizers, and reinforcing behavior change through student-led campaigns and institutional support.

Prevalence of Syphilis Among Adolescents Aged 15–19 Years in Durban: A retrospective analysis of 2017 data

Miss. Lindeka Tsitywa, Dr. Ziningi Nobuhle Jaya, Mrs. Krishnambal Govender — Sun, 05 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Introduction
South Africa carries one of the highest burdens of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) globally, with syphilis remaining a major public health concern. Despite being easily detectable and treatable, syphilis continues to contribute to significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. While elimination of mother-to-child transmission has been achieved in some countries, outbreaks persist in selected populations, including adolescents, where epidemiological data are often limited. In South Africa, reliable estimates of syphilis prevalence among teenagers remain scarce, despite alarming statistics that highlight the urgent need for early detection and targeted interventions.

Aim
This study aimed to determine the prevalence of syphilis among adolescents aged 15–19 years in Durban, South Africa, during the period January–December 2017. A secondary objective was to compare prevalence by sex.

Methodology
A cross-sectional study was conducted using retrospective laboratory records of adolescents aged 15–19 years tested for syphilis between January to December 2017. Both male and female patient results were included. Descriptive statistics were applied to determine overall prevalence and stratify findings by sex.

Results
A total of 224 patient records were reviewed. The overall prevalence of syphilis was 8% (18/224) among the records reviewed. The prevalence of syphilis was highest among 17- to 18-year-old individuals. Prevalence was higher among males (8.53%) than females (5.77%).

Conclusion
While the overall prevalence percentage was low, prevalence of syphilis remains ca concern, particularly among male adolescents in Durban. These findings highlight the need for broader population-based studies across KwaZulu-Natal and nationally to strengthen prevention and early detection programs to reduce the burden of syphilis among young people.

Assessing knowledge and awareness about Chlamydia trachomatis among undergraduate students at a University of Technology in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Miss. Luhle Radebe, Dr. Ziningi Nobuhle Jaya, Mrs. Kristambal Govender — Sun, 05 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Background
Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) is the leading bacterial cause of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) worldwide and represents a major public health problem. The World Health Organization estimated in 2020 that the global prevalence of CT infections had increased by 2.9%, with women disproportionately affected. Understanding knowledge and awareness levels of CT among young adults is essential to inform prevention strategies. The study aimed to assess the level of knowledge and awareness of CT among undergraduate students at a University of Technology in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Methods
A cross-sectional survey was conducted among female students. Data was collected via a self-administered electronic questionnaire consisting of four sections: demographics and practices; awareness and knowledge of STIs; knowledge of CT; and awareness of CT risk factors and screening methods. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize responses.

Results
Most participants (90%) had heard of STIs, primarily through social media, school, clinics, and community sources. However, only 20% reported ever being tested for an STI. Awareness of CT specifically was low, with only 43% recognizing the infection and its mode of transmission. Furthermore, 83% lacked knowledge of CT prevention and management. Small proportions identified abstinence (7%), testing (11%), and education/awareness campaigns as preventive measures.

Conclusion
Although general awareness of STIs was high, knowledge of CT was limited. Targeted health education and campus-based interventions are needed to improve awareness, prevention, and screening practices for specific STIs. The study was limited by its small, single-institution sample and reliance on online survey distribution, which may not have fully represented the intended student population.