Browsing by Author "Benade, J. G."
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- ItemAn analysis of DTP-associated reactions by manufacturer, batch, vaccinator, series number and infant weight(Health & Medical Publishing Group, 1996-10) Benade, J. G.Objectives. To determine whether two commonly used DTP batches manufactured by Rhone-Poulenc Rorer were more reactogenic than two commonly used batches manufactured by the South African Institute of Medical Research. Design. Prospective study. Setting. Six community clinics. Patients. Infants routinely scheduled for their first three DTP immunisations. Main outcome measures. Local and systemic adverse reactions following immunisation with DTP. Results. Local reactions were significantly more common with both Rhone-Poulenc Rorer products. Conclusion. All adverse reaction rates compared favourably with those reported by the Centers for Disease Control.
- ItemEndemic goitre in a rural community of KwaZulu-Natal(Health & Medical Publishing Group, 1997) Benade, J. G.; Oelofse, A.; Van Stuijvenberg, M. E.; Jooste, P. L.; Weight, M. J.; Benade, A. J. S.Objective. To quantify the prevalence of goitre and iodine deficiency. Setting. Ndunakazi, a rural community of approximately 8 000 people in KwaZulu-Natal. Design. A cross-sectional community-based survey and a school-based survey. Participants. The 127 mothers and 114 children aged 6 -11 years, selected during the cross-sectional survey, and 304 children aged 6 -14 years, from the school-based survey. Methods. Urinary iodine levels and thyroid size were determined and categorised according to guidelines proposed jointly by the WHO, UNICEF and the ICCIDD. Z-score anthropometric indicators were calculated, and mid-year exam marks of goitrous and non-goitrous pupils for Zulu and mathematics were compared. Results. In school-aged children, both surveys demonstrated a goitre prevalence in the 20 - 29.9% range and a median urinary iodine level in the 2 - 4.9 ug/dl range, indicating iodine deficiency of moderate severity. Goitrous subjects scored consistently worse in their Zulu exam papers than those without goitre. Stunting was not more prevalent than in the rest of KwaZulu-Natal. Iodised salt was not available in any of the three community shops. Conclusion. This level of iodine deficiency in children can adversely affect their neuropsycho-intellectual development. Factors contributing to deficient iodine intake in Ndunakazi are present in many rural areas, and South Africa cannot afford to be overly confident about the apparent absence of iodine deficiency as a public health problem.
- ItemA massive outbreak of food poisoning : a reminder of the importance of proper toxic waste control(HMPG, 1996) Benade, J. G.Because of rapid urbanisation in South Africa, scavenging from waste disposal sites by poor communities poses an increasing health risk. Reject cough lozenges, some of which contained larger amounts of dextromethorphan than usual, were illegally removed from a disposal site and, after resale by informal traders, caused moderately severe symptoms of toxicity in 171/540 (24%) primary school pupils. Although dextromethorphan was implicated as a cause, contributing effects of other toxins could not be excluded. Bacteriological cultures and a pesticide screen were negative. Had more toxic substances been involved, the consequences would have been disastrous. This incident supports calls for an integrated national waste management policy and waste control act to govern the management and control of waste from generation to disposal. Such a policy is necessary to prevent potentially serious incidents in the future.