http://hdl.handle.net/10386/1242 School of health Sciences Journal articles Sat, 04 Apr 2026 11:59:04 GMT 2026-04-04T11:59:04Z http://hdl.handle.net/10386/5190 The Gentlemen’s Club : an innovation to improve HIV counselling and testing uptake at a South African university campus Matlala, Sogo F.; Mokono, Selokela J.; Tsotetsi, Pontsho Many university students were found to be engaging in high HIV risk practices on campuses which then necessitated discovering their HIV status by participating in HIV counselling and testing (HCT) campaigns. HCT is an entry point into a comprehensive continuum of prevention, treatment, care and support services for HIV infection and AIDS. However, it was also found that many students, mostly males, did not take regular HIV tests to discover their HIV status and receive the necessary counselling and support. Objectives: The innovative Gentlemen’s Club was therefore implemented at a university campus to increase HCT uptake.The club was formed to motivate male students on behaviour and lifestyle changes so that they could become responsible men. Method: To join the club, a student was required to take a confidential HIV test and as a member he was expected to follow rules of good and responsible behaviour as prescribed by the club. Results: Club membership and attendance for meetings showed an increase after the launch of the club in 2010 because of its appeal, and there was also a notable increase in the number of male students attending HCT campaigns. Women have formed a similar club to motivate other women to take regular HIV tests as well. Conclusion: The Gentlemen’s Club was an innovative idea that increased HCT uptake by male students and served as vehicle to address health and social issues facing university students. Journal article published in African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine Tue, 01 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10386/5190 2013-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10386/4718 A case of severe endogenous endophthalmitis with orbital cellulitis post Covid-19 Letsoalo, Herold L.; Mathebula, Solani D. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a novel pandemic viral illness which may lead to severe respiratory diseases. However, its ophthalmic manifestations are still not well understood. There could be serious complications involving various organs in patients with the disease and in those who are recovering, or have recovered, from COVID-19. Endogenous endophthalmitis, was a rare occurrence in the past but has increased in the post-COVID-19 pandemic. Endogenous endophthalmitis results from hematogenous spread from a remote primary source. A 55-year-old man with confirmed COVID-19 presented to a local hospital with unilateral gradual loss of vision and swelling of the left eye that occurred 10 days after discharge from the hospital. Based on detailed ophthalmic examination, this patient with a co-morbidity, namely diabetes mellitus was placed in the intensive care unit where he was given corticosteroids and ventilation for two weeks. Most patients requiring mechanical ventilation may experience disorders of the eye, and it may be difficult to treat these occurrences while the patient remains in ICU. COVID-19 can lead to ocular complications especially in the late stages of infection. Follow-up of post COVID-19 patients is crucial to monitor possible ocular complaints including endophthalmitis as early diagnosis and treatment is essential to salvage vision. Contribution: There is a possible link between COVID-19 and endophthalmitis, which is a rare but devastating eye infection. The medical community should consider the eye when evaluating the role of anti-infectious treatment and immunomodulation. Journal article published in Journal of African Vision and Eye Health Sat, 01 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10386/4718 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10386/4705 Review of the commonly used colour vision testing methods Mathebula, S. D . Colour is an extremely important component of the information that people gather with their eyes. Most people use colour so automatically that they fail to appreciate how important it is in daily activity. Colour vision is perceived through three types of cones in the retina which are sensitive to red, green and blue colours. The purpose of this paper is to review the available and significant clinical colour vision tests in light of the need in the clinical examination of both congenital and acquired colour vision deficiency (CVD) and colour blindness. The tests are grouped and described as pseudoisochromatic plates, arrangement or matching tests, the lantern test and the anomaloscope test. The performance of each test type is described. When an individual exhibits CVD, the ability to discriminate cones diminishes under specific circumstances that could involve limitations in career choices, early education, academic, and everyday activities. Clinicians should test the colour vision of all patients with the Ishihara test. Those shown to have CVD should be evaluated with the Farnsworth D-15 and/or anomaloscope. Although there are many colour vision tests, their performances are difficult to compare. Once the results are obtained, appropriate advice should be given to the patient. Journal article published in SA Ophthalmology Journal Sat, 01 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10386/4705 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10386/4704 Repurposing antiviral phytochemicals from the leaf extracts of Spondias mombin (Linn) towards the identifcation of potential SARSCOV‑2 inhibitors Boadu, Akwasi; Agoni, Clement; Karpoormath, Rajshekhar; Soliman, Mahmoud; Nlooto, Manimbulu Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a pneumonia-like disease with a pattern of acute respiratory symptoms, currently remains a significant public health concern causing tremendous human suffering. Although several approved vaccines exist, vaccine hesitancy, limited vaccine availability, high rate of viral mutation, and the absence of approved drugs account for the persistence of SARS-CoV-2 infections. The investigation of possibly repurposing of phytochemical compounds as therapeutic alternatives has gained momentum due to their reported affordability and minimal toxicity. This study investigated anti-viral phytochemical compounds from ethanolic leaf extracts of Spondias mombin L as potential inhibitor candidates against SARS-CoV-2. We identified Geraniin and 2-O-Cafeoyl-(+)-allohydroxycitric acid as potential SARS-CoV-2 inhibitor candidates targeting the SARS-CoV-2 RNA-dependent polymerase receptor-binding domain (RBD) of SARSCoV-2 viral S-protein and the 3C-like main protease (3CLpro). Geraniin exhibited binding free energy (ΔGbind) of − 25.87 kcal/mol and − 21.74 kcal/mol towards SARS-CoV-2 RNA-dependent polymerase and receptor-binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2 viral S-protein respectively, whereas 2-O-Cafeoyl(+)-allohydroxycitric acid exhibited a ΔGbind of − 32 kcal/mol towards 3CLpro. Molecular Dynamics simulations indicated a possible interference to the functioning of SARS-CoV-2 targets by the two identified inhibitors. However, further in vitro and in vivo evaluation of these potential SARS-CoV-2 therapeutic inhibitor candidates is needed. Journal article published in Scientific Reports | (2022) 12:10896 Sat, 01 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10386/4704 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z