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BackgroundSchools in impoverished communities on the Cape Flats experience challenges related to high levels of poverty, crime and gang violence that can adversely affect learners’ psycho-social and academic development. After-school programmes (ASPs) represent one form of intervention to address these issues.AimThis study explored the perceptions of learners, school staff and personnel from a non-profit organisation (NPO) regarding the benefits and challenges of an ASP at a no-fee-paying school in Bonteheuwel on the Cape Flats.SettingThe research was conducted at a no-fee-paying primary school in Bonteheuwel on the Cape Flats.MethodsThe study employed a case study design located within a qualitative research approach, and interviews and focus groups were used to understand the participants’ perceptions and lived experiences. The research was guided by Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Theory, and data were analysed using thematic analysis.ResultsKey findings revealed that ASPs have the potential to offer a variety of benefits for learners, such as feelings of safety and opportunities for holistic development. Challenges include resource constraints and the impact of community violence, which can affect the functioning of programmes.ConclusionThe study enhances understanding of how the various ecological systems are continually at play and offers insights into how learners, NPO staff and school personnel perceived and experienced the transactions between these systems.ContributionThe research enhances understanding of the role of ASPs in the context of no-fee schools on the Cape Flats and similar disadvantaged communities across South Africa.

Epidemiological studies have demonstrated an increased leukemia incidence following ionizing radiation exposure, but to date, the target cells and underlying mechanisms of radiation leukemogenesis remain largely unidentified. We engineered a mouse model carrying a different fluorescent marker on each chromosome 2, located inside the minimum deleted region occurring after radiation exposure and recognized as the first leukemogenic event. Using this tailored model, we report that following radiation exposure, more than half of asymptomatic CBA Sfpi1GFP/mCh mice presented with expanding clones of preleukemic hematopoietic cells harboring a hemizygous interstitial deletion of chromosome 2. Moreover, following isolation of preleukemic hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells irradiated in their native microenvironment, we identified the presence of Sfpi1 point mutations within a subpopulation of these preleukemic cells expanding rapidly (increasing from 6% to 55% in 21 days in peripheral blood in one case), hence identifying for the first time the presence of such cells within a living animal. Importantly, we also report a previously undescribed gender difference in the phenotype of the preleukemic cells and leukemia, suggesting a gender imbalance in the radiation-induced leukemic target cell. In conclusion, we provide novel insights into the sequence of molecular events occurring during the (radiation-induced) leukemic clonal evolution.

BackgroundSurvival for cardiac arrest remains poor, and the use of extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) has been suggested as a potential therapy to improve outcomes. Harefield Hospital has been performing ECPR for over a decade; however outcomes have been historically poor.MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed of all ECPR cases at Harefield Hospital between April 2018 and April 2023. A new structured system including a systematic screening process, strict exclusion criteria, assessment of resuscitation adequacy through physiological stop criteria, drilled and standardised cannulation process, post-resuscitation care and neuroprognostication was rolled out on 1 April 2023. A comparison of ECPR performed pre and post was undertaken.ResultsWith the institution of the new system, 13 patients were treated with ECPR over 1 year; of which nine (69.2%) survived with good neurological outcomes at 6 months. In the preceding 3 years, there had been 22 cases; of which, two survived (9.1%). This was a statistically significant higher survival with HR of 4.56 (CI 2.1, 10.2, p<0.05).The average length of hospital stay in the new system was 61.3 days; of which, 32.4 days were in the intensive care unit.ConclusionsThis study shows that it is possible to significantly improve outcomes in ECPR in a single centre by introducing into standard practice, a high-quality bundle of care.

Background: Partly because of the legacy of apartheid, and despite being a constitutional democracy, South Africa continues to be a deeply divided society, particularly along racial lines. In this context many people with albinism do not fit neatly into black and white categories and are likely to experience social discrimination and marginalisation.Objectives: The study endeavoured to explore the beliefs and practices regarding albinism within a South African university, and the availability of support services. Method: The research was located within an interpretive qualitative paradigm and was framed within the theories of stigma, discrimination and ‘othering’. Interviews were conducted with five students with albinism and 10 students without albinism. Results: Findings confirmed the existence of myths and stereotypes regarding albinism. Students with albinism tended to exclude themselves from the rest of the student community to avoid discrimination and stereotypes around their condition. Conclusion: People with albinism can teach us about social constructions of race, colour and relations between minority groups and the majority culture. Results have implications for schools, disability units at universities, and albinism societies in terms of opening up channels of communication between people with albinism and the general public and fostering knowledge and awareness thereof.

Loss of livelihoods during COVID-19 propelled the South African Government to introduce the temporary Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant. The study compared views on the impact of social grants on livelihood strategies and household food security of 10 rural women in Benfarm Village, Limpopo who had received social grants and 10 that had received the additional SRD grant. Guided by the Sustainable Livelihoods approach, the study employed a qualitative, comparative case study design and data were collected via interviews. Participants in the group that had not received the SRD grant had mixed views on whether grants enabled the creation of livelihoods. The group that had received the SRD grant felt that this additional grant empowered households that are not receiving social grants; however, it had limited impact on livelihood strategies. Both groups felt that social grants do make a difference in low-income households. It is recommended that the SRD grant be made permanent.

Loss of livelihoods during COVID-19 propelled the South African Government to introduce the temporary Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant. The study compared views on the impact of social grants on livelihood strategies and household food security of 10 rural women in Benfarm Village, Limpopo that had received social grants and 10 that had received the additional SRD grant. Guided by the Sustainable Livelihoods approach, the study employed a qualitative, comparative case study design and data were collected via interviews. Participants in the group that had not received the SRD grant had mixed views on whether grants enabled the creation of livelihoods. The group that had received the SRD grant felt that this additional grant empowered households that are not receiving social grants; however, it had limited impact on livelihood strategies. Both groups felt that social grants do make a difference in low-income households. It is recommended that the SRD grant be made permanent.

Research on quality of life (QoL) is important for public policies and human development programmes. Given the high proportion of youth within the South African population, and the rapid expansion of informal settlements, the aim of the study was to investigate the socio-economic living conditions of youth in Zandspruit informal settlement and their perceived impact on their QoL. Guided by the Integrated Theory of Quality of Life and a blend of Honwana’s ‘waithood’ and Thieme’s ‘hustle’ theory, the research employed a qualitative, case study approach involving interviews with 20 youth between 18 and 35 years. Caught in prolonged ‘waithood’ between adolescence and adulthood, most participants were unemployed and relied on government grants or piece jobs. They acknowledged challenges that negatively affected their QoL such as lack of basic services which impacted their physical and mental health and feelings of safety. At the same time, they were able to see the benefits of living in Zandspruit such as having sporting programmes, business and job opportunities, availability of goods, and meeting people from different backgrounds. They were able to assert their agency to counter the negative environment and impact of waithood by socialising with family and friends, joining church choirs, engaging in sporting activities, helping children with homework, and persisting with job hunting. These activities represent ways of what Thieme (2017) refers to as ‘getting by’ while living in ‘waithood’. The study highlights the need to fast-track the implementation of the Upgrading of Informal Settlements Programme by providing essential services.

Although quality of life is recognised as a key area of research when assessing development, it has received little attention when studying disability in South Africa and other developing contexts. As a result we know relatively little about how people with disabilities living in developing contexts fare in comparison to their counterparts without disabilities. In this article we seek to address this gap. We draw on secondary data analysis of a national panel study to compare the outcomes of people with disabilities and those without on measures of objective and subjective indicators of quality of life. We demonstrate that on subjective indicators of quality of life, people with disabilities consistently fare worse than those without disabilities, but that these differences are related to a range of variables. This means that we need to understand the intersection of disability with other factors such as gender and age in assessing quality of life. Following this, we argue that investments in national scale interventions such as increased access to basic amenities and social services represent investments in capability enhancement. As a result such interventions have the potential to address the needs of all, including those with disabilities, and to substantially enhance their quality of life.

In view of reports in the media on the spate of crimes plaguing South African universities, a qualitative study was conducted regarding the experience of crime by students from one urban-based university. The research formed part of a group project in which fourth-year social work students each conducted five interviews with students who were not their friends. Consistent with routine activity theory, students who were interviewed appeared to be vulnerable targets with a lack of guardianship, who were preyed on by motivated offenders. The most common crimes included theft of laptops and cell phones, and robberies at their places of accommodation. In line with cognitive behavioural theory, the crime encounter had profound psychological, financial and academic consequences for students. Students endeavoured to cope with the trauma of crime by adopting a variety of cognitive and behavioural strategies. Students’ recommendations for enhancing safety included universities increasing security measures through increasing patrols and CCTV surveillance cameras, and students adopting self-protection measures such as walking in groups, being more vigilant, and not walking with headphones on. These recommendations for enhancing guardianship on the part of university protection services and police, coupled with self-protection strategies on the part of students, can potentially reduce the risks of students becoming targets of criminal offenders.

Limited evidence exists of the effectiveness of combining cash transfers and family strengthening interventions in developing country contexts. This study provides evidence from an evaluation of a bespoke family strengthening intervention for Child Support Grant beneficiaries in 10 urban communities in Johannesburg, South Africa. A qualitative pre-post design was used to assess the effectiveness of this combination intervention including a nine-month follow-up study. Participants were randomly assigned to intervention and non-intervention groups allowing for comparison between the groups over time. The intervention improved child-caregiver and family relations; strengthened networks of social support and caregiver engagement in schooling and enhanced parenting and financial capabilities. Findings were inconclusive in improving symptoms of depression and in nutritional knowledge and skills. Combination interventions of this kind have the potential to improve child and family well-being in certain domains.