: Great progress has been made in reducing early mother to child transmission of HIV in the country. A study by the Medical Research Council (MRC) shows that the national HIV mother to child transmission rate was approximately two point seven percent in 2011.
An international team of researchers examined the current understanding of why some people are more physically active than others.
Researchers have identified various successful and promising interventions from around the world that could be used to improve opportunities for regular physical activity and encourage more people to be physically active.
Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi says it'€™s time that the country focuses on family planning programmes to reduce the scourge of maternal and child mortality. The minister was speaking at the opening of a new health facility whose primary purpose is child and maternal health.
With maternal health being one of the priority areas for health improvement, it'€™s important for primary health care facilities to improve care for pregnant mothers. The Witkoppen Health and Welfare Centre in Fourways, north of Johannesburg, says it'€™s trying to improve on these health indicators.
The lack of proper sanitation, poor access to health services, malnutrition and HIV/AIDS are all contributing factors to early childhood deaths. Maternal deaths are also increasing, mainly due to HIV infection. This is according to studies done by the United Nations Children'€™s Fund (UNICEF).
Almost 5 000 women died while pregnant or within 42 days of giving birth in South Africa between 2008 and 2010, more than in any of the previous years.
There is something upsetting about the way politicians trouped to the scene and family of the young woman whose gang rape shocked our country so profoundly several weeks ago. The hyperbole, crocodile tears and feet stamping felt more like politicians who feel duty bound to be seen to respond to a tragedy than genuine grief. It is hard to feel sympathy with their sympathy because in the management of their political portfolios many councillors, MPs and Ministers overlook the circumstances that place young girls at daily risk.
As many young women are now developing cervical cancer and more are at risk of cancer of the cervix because of HIV infection, new and simpler methods of diagnosis are needed. Now, scientists have discovered that vinegar is useful in diagnosing cervical cancer.
Having survived cervical cancer Emily Monchojana now spends her time educating women in her community about the importance of looking after the health of their cervix to help protect them from the cancer. Ayanda Mkhwanazi of Health-e News Service, caught up with her during one of these educational sessions.
New international HIV testing guidelines are encouraging couples to test together and for immediate initiation on antiretrovirals for the one testing positive.
Healthy eating coupled with regular physical exercise can go a long way in prolonging your life. The World Health Organisation'€™s (WHO'€™s) recent recommendation is for people to take, at least, 30 minutes exercising five days a week.
HIV is mostly a sexually transmitted infection, yet many people shy away from expressing sexuality or speaking openly about the very fact and act that may result in HIV infection. But that could change if Phindile Sithole-Spong, a young Johannesburg-based woman has her way.
A few weeks ago, on 8 March, the world celebrated International Women'€™s Day, which serves as a clarion call to honor girls'€™ and women'€™s contributions to their families, communities and nations. As our global population swells to over 7 billion, we must heed this call by working to ensure that every girl and woman lives a long, healthy and happy life. By Dr. Jotham Musinguzi.
Every year, hundreds of thousands of women around the world die during childbirth because they lack access to the medical assistance they need. On International Women'€™s Day, March 8, MSF is releasing a report, Maternal Death: The Avoidable Crisis, that details the profound, life-saving impact quality emergency obstetric care can have for pregnant women who are trying to endure acute and chronic humanitarian crises. Read the report here.
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