Issues for cross-cultural psychiatric research in South Africa

South Africa's heterogenous society offers many opportunities for cross-cultural psychiatric research, but researchers in the country are subject to a number of restraints. Apart from legally enforced segregation, there are strict censorship laws and restricted access to certain types of information. The issues surrounding categorization of cultures and factors affecting publishing research from South Africa have important implications for the type of work that is done. It is a central argument of this article that the issues affecting research in South Africa are relevant to other countries as well, and parallels between the local and international context are drawn. The South African experience suggests that analysis of the research enterprise itself is a useful part of the business of cross-cultural psychiatric research.I am grateful to Beverley Jo Dickman, Terry Dowdall, Ronith Elk, Alan Flisher, Don Foster, Jane Steere and Sally Swartz for their comments on this article. Emile Boonzaaier provided a useful critique on an earlier draft. The arguments presented in this article are, however, my responsibility alone.     

660. NUYTSIA FLORIBUNDA

Summary. Nuytsia floribunda (Labill.) R.Br. ex G.Don, a monotypic arborescent root hemiparasite endemic to the Southwest Australian Floristic Region, sister to all other showy mistletoes, is described and illustrated. A review is provided of its mythological and practical use by Noongar Aborigines, its discovery and early documentation by Europeans, and its phylogeny, biology, ecology and systematics. Experiences with its cultivation and propagation before and after it was discovered to be parasitic are discussed. Nuytsia provides a useful case study for testing many hypotheses developed in OCBIL theory, which aims to explain the evolution and ecology of, and best conservation practices for, biota on very old, climatically buffered, infertile landscapes (i.e. OCBILs), found especially in regions such as the Southwest Australian Floristic Region, the Greater Cape of South Africa and the Pantepui of Venezuela.     

Species diversity and distribution of lepidopteran stem borers in South Africa and Mozambique

Country‐wide surveys of lepidopteran stem borers in wild host plants were undertaken between 2006 and 2009 in South Africa and 2005 and 2010 in Mozambique. A total of 4438 larvae were collected from 65 wild host plants in South Africa and 1920 larvae from 30 wild host plants in Mozambique. In South Africa and Mozambique, 50 and 39 stem borer species were recovered, respectively, with four new species and two new genera among noctuids. Less than 5% of the total number of species collected are considered to be economically important in Africa. These species were Busseola fusca (Fuller) (Noctuidae), Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) (Crambidae) and Sesamia calamistis Hampson (Noctuidae). Data from this study and others in East Africa on the very low abundance of stem borers in wild host plants question the putative role of wild host plants as reservoir for stem borer pests. One new host plant family (Prioniaceae), as well as 24 and 13 wild hosts from South Africa and Mozambique respectively, was added to the list of known hosts in Africa.     

Control of Babesia equi parasitemia

Infection of horses with the hemoprotozoan Babesia equi has been reported in southern Florida, US Virgin Islands, part of Asia, Russia, India, the Middle East, Europe, Africa, Australia, South America, Central America, Mexico, Philippine Islands and some Caribbean islands. The restrictions placed on the international movement of infected horses has refocused attention on potential methods to control or eliminate infection. Don Knowles here discusses the primary chemotherapeutic compounds that have been used; the current knowledge concerning immune responses that potentially contribute to control of the parasite, and the development of infection of severe combined immuno-deficient foals as a model to dissect potential mechanisms of immunological control.     

华南龙胆科植物拾零

本文对华南龙胆科植物做了修订和补充。将白花田草的名称更正为百金花;将美丽獐牙菜归并入狭叶獐牙菜;报道了新记录种5个,即：念珠脊龙胆、流苏龙胆、新店獐牙菜、峨嵋双蝴蝶、玉山双蝴蝶。     

A synopsis of the genus Cypholoba Chaudoir (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Anthiini) known to occur in the Republic of South Africa

Nearly one third of the described species of Cypholoba Chaudoir (Coleoptera: Carabidae) are known to inhabit the Republic of South Africa. A key and diagnostic notes are provided for their identification, as well as notes about way of life for some of the species based on observations in the Kruger National Park. Fifteen species and subspecies of the genus are recorded from the Republic of South Africa; adult specimens of each species and subspecies are illustrated and information about the distribution of each species in the Republic of South Africa is summarized and mapped: Cypholoba alstoni (Péringuey), Cypholoba alveolata (Brême), Cypholoba amatonga Péringuey, Cypholoba fritschi (Chaudoir), Cypholoba gracilis gracilis (Dejean), Cypholoba gracilis scrobiculata (Bertoloni), Cypholoba gracilis zuluana Basilewsky, Cypholoba graphipteroides graphipteroides (Guérin-Méneville), Cypholoba leucospilota semilaevis (Chaudoir), Cypholoba macilenta (Olivier), Cypholoba notata (Perroud), Cypholoba oberthueri seruana Strohmeyer, Cypholoba opulenta (Boheman), Cypholoba rutata (Péringuey), and Cypholoba tenuicollis aenigma (Dohrn).     

Bridging the gap: western rock skinks (Trachylepis sulcata) have a short history in South Africa

Phylogeographic patterns in wide-ranging species in southern Africa remain largely unexplored, especially in areas north of South Africa. Here, we investigate population structuring, demographic history, and the colonization pattern of the western rock skink (Trachylepis sulcata), a rock-dwelling species with a range extending from southwestern South Africa into Angola. Using 1056 bp from the mitochondrial marker ND2 and > 2.5 kb from three nuclear genes (EXPH5, KIF24, RAG-1), we constructed allele networks, generated extended Bayesian skyline plots and performed population clustering analyses. Analyses of historical demographic patterns show an overall southward range expansion from Northern Namibia into Southern Namibia and South Africa, although we find contrasting genetic breaks across these geographic regions using nuclear and mitochondrial data. We suggest that mtDNA has introgressed across a nuclear break corresponding to the Knersvlakte region of South Africa, a previously proposed biogeographic barrier for rupicolous species. This pattern of mitochondrial variation contrasts sharply to that of other South African taxa previously investigated, which all show significant mtDNA differentiation across the Knersvlakte region. Additionally, while other taxa show divergences dating to the Pliocene, T. sulcata appears to be a recent arrival in southern Africa, having crossed this barrier and colonized South Africa in the mid-Pleistocene. The complex phylogeographic history of T. sulcata corroborates the intricate patterns of genetic variation found in South African taxa and provides novel insight into historical processes affecting species distributed across Namibia.     

Prevalence of Arthritis in Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objective

In this systematic review, we estimate the prevalence of six types of arthritis in Africa; namely rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, juvenile arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, gout, and ankylosing spondylitis.

Methods

We comprehensively searched literature on 31 August 2014 in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library to identify eligible studies from 1975 up to 31 July 2014. Two review authors independently selected studies, extracted data, and appraised studies. We carried out random effects meta-analysis of prevalence of arthritis and assessed heterogeneity through subgroup analyses. We performed separate analyses for population- and hospital-based studies, as well as rural and urban settings.

Main Findings

We included 27 cross-sectional studies (20 population-based and 7 hospital-based) from Africa reporting on the prevalence of arthritis. The majority of the studies were from South Africa (44.4%, 12/27). Rheumatoid arthritis in urban settings ranged from 0.1% in Algeria, 0.6% in the DRC, to a meta-analysis overall prevalence of 2.5% in South Africa, and in rural settings ranged from a meta-analysis overall prevalence of 0.07% in South Africa, 0.3% in Egypt, to 0.4% in Lesotho. Osteoarthritis was the most prevalent form of arthritis and in urban settings it was 55.1% in South Africa and in rural settings, all in South Africa, ranged from 29.5%, 29.7%, up to 82.7% among adults aged over 65 years. Other results include highest prevalence of 33.1% for knee osteoarthritis in rural South Africa, 0.1% for ankylosing spondylitis in rural South Africa, 4.4% for psoriatic arthritis in urban South Africa, 0.7% for gout in urban South Africa, and 0.3% for juvenile idiopathic arthritis in urban Egypt. A third of the included studies had a low risk of bias (33.3%, 9/27), 40.8% (11/27) moderate risk, and 25.9% (7/27) had a high risk of bias.

Conclusions

In this systematic review, we have identified the paucity of latest prevalence data on arthritis in Africa. More studies are needed to address the prevalence and the true burden of this disease in Africa.     

Distribution of cancer mortality rates by province in South Africa

IntroductionCancer mortality rates are expected to increase in developing countries. Cancer mortality rates by province remain largely unreported in South Africa. This study described the 2014 age standardised cancer mortality rates by province in South Africa, to provide insight for strategic interventions and advocacy.Methods2014 deaths data were retrieved from Statistics South Africa. Deaths from cancer were extracted using 10th International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes for cancer (C00-C97). Adjusted 2013 mid-year population estimates were used as a standard population. All rates were calculated per 100 000 individuals.ResultsNearly 38 000 (8%) of the total deaths in South Africa in 2014 were attributed to cancer. Western Cape Province had the highest age standardised cancer mortality rate in South Africa (118, 95% CI: 115–121 deaths per 100 000 individuals), followed by the Northern Cape (113, 95% CI: 107–119 per 100 000 individuals), with the lowest rate in Limpopo Province (47, 95% CI: 45–49 per 100 000). The age standardised cancer mortality rate for men (71, 95% CI: 70–72 per 100 000 individuals) was similar to women (69, 95% CI: 68–70 per 100 000). Lung cancer was a major driver of cancer death in men (13, 95% CI: 12.6–13.4 per 100 000). In women, cervical cancer was the leading cause of cancer death (13, 95% CI: 12.6–13.4 per 100 000 individuals).ConclusionThere is a need to further investigate the factors related to the differences in cancer mortality by province in South Africa. Raising awareness of risk factors and screening for cancer in the population along with improved access and quality of health care are also important.     

Compatibility of codling moths Cydia pomonella (Linnaeus) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) from South Africa with codling moths shipped from Canada

The sterile insect technique (SIT) has been successfully applied against codling moth Cydia pomonella (Linnaeus) (Lepidoptera; Tortricidae) in British Columbia since 1992 where the mass‐rearing facility produces between 15 and 16 million moths per week. Due to the seasonality of this pest, the facility is only fully utilized for part of the year. The time and expense of implementing SIT against codling moth in South Africa may be substantially reduced if moths from Canada were sexually compatible with those from South Africa. In addition, because the pome fruit‐growing season in both countries is opposite, the programme in Canada might benefit by maintaining moth production year‐round and selling moths to South Africa. Semi‐field studies in small cages and release‐recapture studies were conducted in an unsprayed apple orchard in South Africa to assess mating compatibility of laboratory‐reared codling moth from Canada and wild codling moths from South Africa. The results suggest that Canadian codling moth males were equally attracted to calling Canadian and South African females despite the fact that Canadian moths had been transported (from Canada to South Africa) for 48 h as both pupae and adults. The data also suggest that at lower field temperatures Canadian moths were more active than South African moths. Results from the release‐recapture field trials indicated that Canadian and South African males were equally attracted to Canadian and South African females. These results suggest that codling moths from Canada and South Africa are fully compatible and indicate that Canadian moths can be used for SIT studies in South Africa. As these studies were conducted with moths from two very different climatic and time zones, it is proposed that populations of codling moth in other pome fruit production areas may also be compatible with the Canadian moths.     

Guides to the Freshwater Invertebrates of Southern Africa. Volume 9: Diptera

February 2003, Water Research Commission, Pretoria, South Africa. Ring-bound, soft cover, 200 pages. WRC Report No. TT 201/02; ISBN 978-1-86845-900-1; price R100.00 (South Africa), US$50.00 (international). Obtainable from the Water Research Commission, Private Bag X03, Gezina, Pretoria 0031, South Africa, or orders@wrc.org.za     

Descriptions of Tachygonetria africana n. sp. and T. pretoriensis n. sp. and redescriptions of two other species of Tachygonetria Wedl, 1862 (Nematoda: Pharyngodonidae), all parasitic in Geochelone pardalis (Testudinidae) from South Africa

Two new species of Tachygonetria, T. africana n. sp. and T. pretoriensis n. sp. are described. Both are parasites of Geochelone pardalis (Bell) from South Africa. In addition, two subspecies, T. longicollis fitzsimmonsi Petter, 1966 and T. macrolaimus macrolaimus (Linstow, 1899), also parasites of Geochelone pardalis (from Pretoria Zoo, South Africa), are redescribed and new information on their morphology is presented. On the basis of their morphology, these subspecies are raised to full specific level.     

Parasitoid assemblage associated with a North American pine weevil in South Africa

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Comparative use patterns of plant resources in rural areas of South Africa and Zimbabwe

Documentation of use patterns of plants across national boundaries is of relevance in understanding the importance of plant resources to livelihood strategies of different ethnic groups. Plant resources have gained prominence as a natural asset through which families derive food, firewood, income, medicines and timber, enabling particularly poor communities to achieve self-sufficiency. The objective of this study was to investigate the trends in plant usage in South Africa and Zimbabwe. An ethnobotanical investigation was conducted between January 2012 and January 2013 in the Limpopo Province, South Africa and the Midlands Province, Zimbabwe. The study used questionnaire surveys and interviews with a total of 143 participants to explore plant use patterns in South Africa and Zimbabwe. A total of 98 plant species were identified, with Zimbabwe contributing 70 species and 47 species from South Africa. The uses were classified into 15 categories, major use categories were firewood, food plants, medicine and timber. Food plant was a major plant use category in Zimbabwe, contributing 55.1%, followed by medicinal plants (36.8%), firewood (35.7%) and timber (31.6%). In contrast, firewood was the major plant use category in South Africa, contributing 18.4%, followed by food plants (17.3%), medicinal (14.3%) and timber (1.0%). Comparison of the two countries demonstrated remarkable differences in plant use patterns. The results showed that rural households in Zimbabwe were more reliant on plant resources than their counterparts in South Africa. Such a trend could be attributed to a close relationship between the local people, and their natural and agricultural environment leading to a rich knowledge base on plants, plant use and related practices. This comparative analysis strengthens the firm belief that utilization of plant resources represents an important shared heritage, preserved over the centuries, which must be exploited in order to provide further new and useful body of ethnobotanical knowledge.     

Comparison of LCI studies in South Africa and Germany

This article investigates the possibilities for and potential applications of Life Cycle Assessments (LCA’s) and specifically of Life Cycle Inventories (LCI’s) in developing countries (e.g. South Africa). The situation in South Africa is compared to that prevailing in Germany, a highly developed country. Although South Africa is unique concerning the different degrees of development within the industry, most of the principles discussed in this article can be applied similarly to other developing countries. No significant full LCI studies have yet been performed in South Africa. Although the immediate local needs for the South Africa enonomy are solving labour problems, creating jobs, building houses, the industries should seriously consider performing LCA and related studies for their products. The concept of quality should be extended to include the environmental performance of a product, process or service.     

Guides to the Freshwater Invertebrates of Southern Africa. Volume 6: Arachnida and Mollusca

June 2002, Water Research Commission, Pretoria, South Africa

Ring-bound, soft cover, 141 pages

WRC Report No. TT 182/02; ISBN 978–1-86845875–2; price R100.00 (South Africa), US$50.00 (International)

Obtainable from the Water Research Commission, Private Bag X03, Gezina, Pretoria 0031, South Africa. or orders@wrc.org.za     

Book Reviews

Book reviewed in this article:
The Demography of Tropical Africa. William Brass, Ansley J. Coale, Paul Demeny, Don F. Heisel, Frank Lorimer, Anatole Romaniuk, and Etienne Van De Walle.
The Population of Tropical Africa. John C. Caldwell and Chukuka Okonjo, eds.     

A re-examination of levels and differential in fertility in South Africa from recent evidence

The final estimate of South Africa's population as of October 1996 from the first post-apartheid census by Statistics South Africa was lower (40.6 million) than expected (42 million). The expectation of a total population of 42 million was largely based on results of apartheid projections of South Africa's population. The results of the last apartheid census in South Africa in 1991 had been adjusted such that it was consistent with results modelling the population size of South Africa. The discrepancy between the final estimate of the 1996 census and that expected from the modelling described above, and the departure by Statistics South Africa from previous practice of adjusting the census results to be consistent with demographic models, has generated controversies regarding the accuracy of the final results from the 1996 census. This study re-examines levels and differential in fertility in South Africa from recent evidence in order to assess whether or not the fertility inputs in projections of South Africa's population during the apartheid era overestimated fertility.