Background. The COVID-19 pandemic and responses by governments, including lockdowns, have had various consequences for lives livelihoods. South Africa (SA) was one of the countries that implemented severely restrictive lockdowns to reduce transmission limit number patients requiring hospitalisation. These interventions mixed routine health services. Objectives. To assess impact restrictions imposed viral on services in SA. Methods. Data routinely collected via District Health Information...

The World Health Organization has produced clear guidelines for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). However, ensuring that all PMTCT programme components are implemented to a high quality in facilities presents challenges.Although South Africa initiated its 2002, later than most other countries, political support increased since 2008. Operational research received more attention and objective data have been used effectively.In 2010,...

South Africa is committed to reducing under-5 mortality rates in line with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets. Policymakers and healthcare service managers require accurate complete data on number causes of child deaths plan monitor delivery health outcomes. This study aimed review nationally representative cause among children under 5 years age. We also reviewed systems that are currently used for generating these data. Child has declined substantially past decade. Under-5 2015...

Although current levels of the neonatal mortality rate (NMR) are within reach Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 12 per 1 000 live births, absolute number deaths is unacceptably high for a lower-middle-income country such as South Africa (SA). Neonatal over last decade has declined very slowly, and not commensurate with level government investment in healthcare. The recent 21 births reported by SA Demographic Health Survey major concern. This paper reviews efforts to reduce rate,...

Articles on teenage pregnancies have been proliferating in both the popular press and medical media. We analysed data available public sector database, District Health Information System, from 2017 to 2021. During this time, number of births young teenagers aged 10 - 14 years increased by 48.7% (from a baseline 2 726, which is very high developed-country standards) birth rate per 1 000 girls age category 1.1 1.5. These increases occurred year most provinces. In adolescent 15 19, 17.9% 114...

Background. Monitoring the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) programme to identify gaps for early intervention is essential as South Africa progresses from elimination HIV infection in children. Early infant diagnosis (EID) by an polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test recommended at 6 weeks age all HIV-exposed infants. The National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) performs PCR tests public health sector and stores data a corporate warehouse (CDW). Objectives. To demonstrate...

MomConnect is an mHealth initiative giving pregnant women information via SMS. We report on analysis of the compliments and especially complaints component feedback. scrutinised electronic databases containing first seventeen months operation MomConnect. During this time, 583,929 were registered MomConnect, representing approximately 46 per cent booking their pregnancy in public sector South Africa. These gave feedback services received: 4173 690 complaints. Nearly three quarters (74 cent)...

Background In 2012, South Africa set a goal of circumcising 4.3 million men ages 15–49 by 2016. By the end March 2014, 1.9 had received voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC). an effort to accelerate progress, undertook modeling exercise determine whether specific client age groups or geographic locations would be particularly impactful cost-effective. Results will inform Africa's efforts develop national strategy and operational plan for VMMC. Methods Findings The study team populated...

Background. South Africa (SA) is committed to achieving the goal of eliminating mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) HIV by 2015. To achieve this, universal coverage quality antenatal, labour, delivery and postnatal services for all women has be attained. Over past decade, prevention (PMTCT) programme been scaled up reach healthcare facilities in country. However, challenges persist 100% access programme. Objectives. We describe process undertaken National Department Health (NDoH),...

BackgroundSouth Africa has made substantial progress on child and maternal mortality, yet many avoidable deaths of mothers children still occur. This analysis identifies priority interventions to be scaled up nationally projects the potential lives saved.DesignWe modelled impact maternal, newborn using Lives Saved Tools Projections 2015 used realistic coverage increases based expert opinion considering recent policy change, financial resource inputs, observed change. A scenario was...

To describe viral load levels among pregnant women and factors associated with failure to achieve suppression (viral ≤50 copies/ml) during pregnancy.Between 1 October 15 November 2017, a cross-sectional survey was conducted 15-49-year-old attending antenatal care (ANC) at 1595 nationally representative public facilities.Blood specimens were taken from each woman tested for HIV. Viral testing done on all HIV-positive specimens. Demographic clinical data extracted medical records or...

Introduction New HIV infection during pre-conception and pregnancy is a significant contributor of mother–to–child transmission in South Africa. This study estimated incidence (defined as new within the last one year from time survey which included both infections occurred or just before pregnancy) among pregnant women described characteristics recently infected at national level. Methods Between 1 October 15 November 2017, we conducted cross–sectional aged 15–49 years old attending...

Toward elimination of mother-to-child transmission HIV in South Africa: how best to monitor early infant infections within the Prevention Mother-to-Child Transmission Program Background Africa has utilized three independent data sources measure impact its program for prevention (PMTCT) HIV.These include African National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS), District Information System (DHIS), and PMTCT Evaluation (SAPMTCTE) surveys.We compare results each, outlining advantages limitations, make...

Abstract High human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)–prevalence countries in Southern and Eastern Africa continue to receive substantial external assistance (EA) for HIV programming, yet are at risk of transitioning out aid without achieving epidemic control. We sought address two questions: (1) what extent has EA the region been programmed delivered a way that supports long-term sustainability (2) how should development agencies change operational approaches support long-term, sustainable...

Ritshidze is a large-scale community-led monitoring (CLM) system in South Africa, which has been conducting quarterly surveys of patient experiences at >400 primary healthcare facilities and community sites since 2019. This in-practice piece examines the data collected publicly reported by Ritshidze, to highlight its role as an independent, complementary source information on performance. It argues that CLM significant potential enhance health responsiveness. We provide overview...