OpenUCT :: Browsing by Subject "Behavior"

Browsing by Subject "Behavior"

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Biopsying Southern right whales: their reactions and effects on reproduction
(Wiley, 2005) Best, Peter B; Reeb, Desray; Rew, Mary Beth; Palsbøll, Per J; Schaeff, Cathy; Brandão, Anabela
Collecting skin biopsies from large whales for genetic analysis is often subject to national permit, and in the case of cow-calf pairs, it may be prohibited. We present results of 906 biopsy attempts on southern right whales (Eubalaenaustralis) in South African waters between 1995 and 1997, including 147 cow-calf pairs. Our sampling success was higher for biopsy darts with a bore of 4 mm compared to 4.6 mm. Contact periods averaged 17.7 min for cow-calf pairs and 25.4 min for whales unaccompanied by calves. There were no significant differences in the short-term reactions of males and females to biopsying, but the reaction of single animals of either sex was greater than for larger groups. Cows accompanied by calves had the strongest reactions, which were significantly greater than even single females. We found evidence of sensitization to repeat biopsying (over periods of hours to 65 days) for cows but not calves (n = 20). We compared the subsequent reproductive history of 117 biopsied cows with that of 163 unbiopsied cows from the same years, and we compared the distribution of calving intervals for biopsied animals with 829 intervals recorded from 1985 to 1995. We did not detect any adverse effects on the proportion of successful reproductive cycles, and hence calf survival, or the proportion of longer-than-normal cycles, although the power of all the statistical tests was low. We concluded that any prohibition on the biopsy sampling of cow-calf pairs should be carefully reconsidered in the light of the valuable genetic insights such sampling could achieve.
Open Access
Building the field of health policy and systems research: social science matters
(Public Library of Science, 2011) Gilson, Lucy; Hanson, Kara; Sheikh, Kabir; Agyepong, Irene Akua; Ssengooba, Freddie; Bennett, Sara
The first paper in this series on building the field of Health Policy and Systems Research (HPSR) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) [1] outlined the scope and questions of the field and highlighted the key challenges and opportunities it is currently facing. This paper examines more closely one key challenge, the risk of disciplinary capture - the imposition of a particular knowledge frame on the field, privileging some questions and methodologies above others. In HPSR the risk of disciplinary capture can be seen in the current methodological critique of the field, with consequences for its status and development (especially when expressed by research leaders). The main criticisms are reported to be: that the context specificity of the research makes generalisation from its findings difficult; lack of sufficiently clear conclusions for policy makers; and questionable quality and rigour [2]. Some critique is certainly warranted and has come from HPS researchers themselves. However, this critique also reflects a clash of knowledge paradigms, between some of those with clinical, biomedical, and epidemiological backgrounds and those with social science backgrounds. Yet, as HPSR is defined by the topics and questions it considers rather than a particular disciplinary approach, it requires engagement across disciplines; indeed, understanding the complexity of health policy and systems demands multi- and inter-disciplinary inquiry [3].
Open Access
Continued follow-up of Phambili Phase 2b randomized HIV-1 vaccine trial participants supports increased HIV-1 acquisition among vaccinated men
(Public Library of Science, 2015) Moodie, Zoe; Metch, Barbara; Bekker, Linda-Gail; Churchyard, Gavin; Nchabeleng, Maphoshane; Mlisana, Koleka; Laher, Fatima; Roux, Surita; Mngadi, Kathryn; Innes, Craig
BACKGROUND: The Phase 2b double-blinded, randomized Phambili/HVTN 503 trial evaluated safety and efficacy of the MRK Ad5 gag / pol / nef subtype B HIV-1 preventive vaccine vs placebo in sexually active HIV-1 seronegative participants in South Africa. Enrollment and vaccinations stopped and participants were unblinded but continued follow-up when the Step study evaluating the same vaccine in the Americas, Caribbean, and Australia was unblinded for non-efficacy. Final Phambili analyses found more HIV-1 infections amongst vaccine than placebo recipients, impelling the HVTN 503-S recall study. METHODS: HVTN 503-S sought to enroll all 695 HIV-1 uninfected Phambili participants, provide HIV testing, risk reduction counseling, physical examination, risk behavior assessment and treatment assignment recall. After adding HVTN 503-S data, HIV-1 infection hazard ratios (HR vaccine vs. placebo) were estimated by Cox models. RESULTS: Of the 695 eligible, 465 (67%) enrolled with 230 from the vaccine group and 235 from the placebo group. 38% of the 184 Phambili dropouts were enrolled. Enrollment did not differ by treatment group, gender, or baseline HSV-2. With the additional 1286 person years of 503-S follow-up, the estimated HR over Phambili and HVTN 503-S follow-up was 1.52 (95% CI 1.08-2.15, p = 0.02, 82 vaccine/54 placebo infections). The HR was significant for men (HR = 2.75, 95% CI 1.49, 5.06, p = 0.001) but not for women (HR = 1.12, 95% CI 0.73, 1.72, p = 0.62). CONCLUSION: The additional follow-up from HVTN 503-S supported the Phambili finding of increased HIV-1 acquisition among vaccinated men and strengthened the evidence of lack of vaccine effect among women. Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov NCT00413725 SA National Health Research Database DOH-27-0207-1539
Open Access
Earliest stone-tipped projectiles from the Ethiopian Rift date to> 279,000 years ago
(Public Library of Science, 2013) Sahle, Yonatan; Hutchings, W Karl; Braun, David R; Sealy, Judith C; Morgan, Leah E; Negash, Agazi; Atnafu, Balemwal
Projectile weapons (i.e. those delivered from a distance) enhanced prehistoric hunting efficiency by enabling higher impact delivery and hunting of a broader range of animals while reducing confrontations with dangerous prey species. Projectiles therefore provided a significant advantage over thrusting spears. Composite projectile technologies are considered indicative of complex behavior and pivotal to the successful spread of Homo sapiens . Direct evidence for such projectiles is thus far unknown from >80,000 years ago. Data from velocity-dependent microfracture features, diagnostic damage patterns, and artifact shape reported here indicate that pointed stone artifacts from Ethiopia were used as projectile weapons (in the form of hafted javelin tips) as early as >279,000 years ago. In combination with the existing archaeological, fossil and genetic evidence, these data isolate eastern Africa as a source of modern cultures and biology.
Open Access
Effects of an electric field on white sharks: in situ testing of an electric deterrent
(Public Library of Science, 2013) Huveneers, Charlie; Rogers, Paul J; Semmens, Jayson M; Beckmann, Crystal; Kock, Alison A; Page, Brad; Goldsworthy, Simon D
Elasmobranchs can detect minute electromagnetic fields, <1 nVcm -1 , using their ampullae of Lorenzini. Behavioural responses to electric fields have been investigated in various species, sometimes with the aim to develop shark deterrents to improve human safety. The present study tested the effects of the Shark Shield Freedom7™ electric deterrent on (1) the behaviour of 18 white sharks ( Carcharodon carcharias ) near a static bait, and (2) the rates of attacks on a towed seal decoy. In the first experiment, 116 trials using a static bait were performed at the Neptune Islands, South Australia. The proportion of baits taken during static bait trials was not affected by the electric field. The electric field, however, increased the time it took them to consume the bait, the number of interactions per approach, and decreased the proportion of interactions within two metres of the field source. The effect of the electric field was not uniform across all sharks. In the second experiment, 189 tows using a seal decoy were conducted near Seal Island, South Africa. No breaches and only two surface interactions were observed during the tows when the electric field was activated, compared with 16 breaches and 27 surface interactions without the electric field. The present study suggests that the behavioural response of white sharks and the level of risk reduction resulting from the electric field is contextually specific, and depends on the motivational state of sharks.
Open Access
Factors associated with excessive body fat in men and women: cross-sectional data from Black South Africans living in a rural community and an urban township
(Public Library of Science, 2015) Okop, Kufre Joseph; Levitt, Naomi; Puoane, Thandi
Objective To determine the factors associated with excessive body fat among black African men and women living in rural and urban communities of South Africa. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional analysis of data from the Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiology (PURE) study, Cape Town, South Africa conducted in 2009/2010. The study sample included 1220 participants (77.2% women) aged 35-70 years, for whom anthropometric measurements were obtained and risk factors documented through face-to-face interviews using validated international PURE study protocols. Sex-specific logistic regression models were used to evaluate socio-demographic, lifestyle and psychological factors associated with three excessive body fat indicators, namely body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and body fat percent (BF%). RESULTS: The prevalence of excessive body fat based on BF%, WC and BMI cut-offs were 96.0%, 86.1%, and 81.6% for women respectively, and 62.2%, 25.9%, and 36.0% for men respectively. The significant odds of excessive body fat among the currently married compared to unmarried were 4.1 (95% CI: 1.3-12.5) for BF% and 1.9 (95% CI: 1.3-2.9) for BMI among women; and 4.9 (95% CI: 2.6-9.6), 3.2 (95% CI: 1.6-6.4) and 3.6 (95% CI: 1.9-6.8) for BF%, WC and BMI respectively among men. Age ≤50 years (compared to age >50 years) was inversely associated with excessive BF% in men and women, and less-than-a-college education was inversely associated with excessive BMI and WC in men. Tobacco smoking was inversely associated with all three excessive adiposity indicators in women but not in men. Unemployment, depression, and stress did not predict excessive body fat in men or women. CONCLUSION: The sex-differences in the socio-demographic and lifestyle factors associated with the high levels of excessive body fat in urban and rural women and men should be considered in packaging interventions to reduce obesity in these communities.
Open Access
Gender inequitable masculinity and sexual entitlement in rape perpetration South Africa: findings of a cross-sectional study
(Public Library of Science, 2011) Jewkes, Rachel; Sikweyiya, Yandisa; Morrell, Robert; Dunkle, Kristin
Objective To describe the prevalence and patterns of rape perpetration in a randomly selected sample of men from the general adult population, to explore factors associated with rape and to describe how men explained their acts of rape. Design Cross-sectional household study with a two- stage randomly selected sample of men. METHODS: 1737 South African men aged 18-49 completed a questionnaire administered using an Audio-enhanced Personal Digital Assistant. Multivariable logistic regression models were built to identify factors associated with rape perpetration. RESULTS: In all 27.6% (466/1686) of men had raped a woman, whether an intimate partner, stranger or acquaintance, and whether perpetrated alone or with accomplices, and 4.7% had raped in the last 12 months. First rapes for 75% were perpetrated before age 20, and 53.9% (251) of those raping, did so on multiple occasions. The logistic regression model showed that having raped was associated with greater adversity in childhood, having been raped by a man and higher maternal education. It was associated with less equitable views on gender relations, having had more partners, and many more gender inequitable practices including transactional sex and physical partner violence. Also drug use, gang membership and a higher score on the dimensions of psychopathic personality, namely blame externalisation and Machiavellian egocentricity. Asked about why they did it, the most common motivations stemmed from ideas of sexual entitlement. CONCLUSIONS: Perpetration of rape is so prevalent that population-based measures of prevention are essential to complement criminal justice system responses. Our findings show the importance of measures to build gender equity and change dominant ideas of masculinity and gender relations as part of rape prevention. Reducing men's exposure to trauma in childhood is also critically important.
Open Access
Men, prostitution and the provider role: understanding the intersections of economic exchange, sex, crime and violence in South Africa
(Public Library of Science, 2012) Jewkes, Rachel; Morrell, Robert; Sikweyiya, Yandisa; Dunkle, Kristin; Penn-Kekana, Loveday
BACKGROUND: South African policy makers are reviewing legislation of prostitution, concerned that criminalisation hampers HIV prevention. They seek to understand the relationship between transactional sex, prostitution, and the nature of the involved men. METHODS: 1645 randomly-selected adult South African men participated in a household study, disclosing whether they had sex with a woman in prostitution or had had a provider relationship (or sex), participation in crime and violence and completing psychological measures. These became outcomes in multivariable regression models, where the former were exposure variables. RESULTS: 51% of men had had a provider relationship and expected sex in return, 3% had had sex with a woman in prostitution, 15% men had done both of these and 31% neither. Provider role men, and those who had just had sex with a woman in prostitution, were socially conservative and quite violent. Yet the men who had done both (75% of those having sex with a woman in prostitution) were significantly more misogynist, highly scoring on dimensions of psychopathy, more sexually and physically violent to women, and extensively engaged in crime. They had often bullied at school, suggesting that this instrumental, self-seeking masculinity was manifest in childhood. The men who had not engaged in sex for economic exchange expressed a much less violent, more law abiding and gender equitable masculinity; challenging assumptions about the inevitability of intersections of age, poverty, crime and misogyny. CONCLUSIONS: Provider role relationships (or sex) are normative for low income men, but not having sex with a woman in prostitution. Men who do the latter operate extensively outside the law and their violence poses a substantial threat to women. Those drafting legislation and policy on the sex industry in South Africa need to distinguish between these two groups to avoid criminalising the normal, and consider measures to protect women.
Open Access
The Mpumalanga Men's Study (MPMS): results of a baseline biological and behavioral HIV surveillance survey in two MSM communities in South Africa
(Public Library of Science, 2014) Lane, Tim; Osmand, Thomas; Marr, Alexander; Shade, Starley B; Dunkle, Kristin; Sandfort, Theodorus; Struthers, Helen; Kegeles, Susan; McIntyre, James A
The Mpumalanga Men's Study (MPMS) is the assessment of the Project Boithato HIV prevention intervention for South African MSM. Boithato aims to increase consistent condom use, regular testing for HIV-negative MSM, and linkage to care for HIV-positive MSM. The MPMS baseline examined HIV prevalence and associated risk behaviors, and testing, care, and treatment behaviors among MSM in Gert Sibande and Ehlanzeni districts in Mpumalanga province, South Africa in order to effectively target intervention activities. We recruited 307 MSM in Gert Sibande and 298 in Ehlanzeni through respondent-driven sampling (RDS) between September 2012-March 2013. RDS-adjusted HIV prevalence estimates are 28.3% (95% CI 21.1%-35.3%) in Gert Sibande, and 13.7% (95% CI 9.1%-19.6%) in Ehlanzeni. Prevalence is significantly higher among MSM over age 25 [57.8% (95% CI 43.1%-72.9%) vs. 17.9% (95% CI 10.6%-23.9%), P <0.001 in Gert Sibande; 34.5% (95%CI 20.5%-56.0%) vs. 9.1% (95% CI 4.6%-13.9%), P <0.001 in Ehlanzeni]. In Gert Sibande, prevalence is higher among self-identified gay and transgender MSM vs. other MSM [39.3% (95%CI, 28.3%-47.9%), P <0.01], inconsistent condom users [38.1% (18.1%-64.2%), P <0.05], those with a current regular male partner [35.0% (27.1%-46.4%), P<0.05], and those with lifetime experience of intimate partner violence with men [40.4%, (95%CI 28.9%-50.9%), P <0.05]. Prevalence of previous HIV testing was 65.8% (95%CI 58.8%-74.0%) in Gert Sibande, and 69.3% (95%CI 61.9%-76.8%) in Ehlanzeni. Regular HIV testing was uncommon [(34.6%, (95%CI 27.9%-41.4%) in Gert Sibande; 31.0% (95%CI 24.9%-37.8%) in Ehlanzeni]. Among HIV-positive participants, few knew their status (28.1% in Gert Sibande and 14.5% in Ehlanzeni), or were appropriately linked to care (18.2% and 11.3%, respectively), or taking antiretroviral therapy (13.6% and 9.6% respectively). MPMS results demonstrate the importance of implementing interventions for MSM to increase consistent condom use, regular HIV testing, and linkage and engagement in care for HIV-infected MSM.
Open Access
New experiments and a model-driven approach for interpreting Middle Stone Age Lithic Point Function using the Edge Damage Distribution Method
(Public Library of Science, 2016) Schoville, Benjamin J; Brown, Kyle S; Harris, Jacob A; Wilkins, Jayne
The Middle Stone Age (MSA) is associated with early evidence for symbolic material culture and complex technological innovations. However, one of the most visible aspects of MSA technologies are unretouched triangular stone points that appear in the archaeological record as early as 500,000 years ago in Africa and persist throughout the MSA. How these tools were being used and discarded across a changing Pleistocene landscape can provide insight into how MSA populations prioritized technological and foraging decisions. Creating inferential links between experimental and archaeological tool use helps to establish prehistoric tool function, but is complicated by the overlaying of post-depositional damage onto behaviorally worn tools. Taphonomic damage patterning can provide insight into site formation history, but may preclude behavioral interpretations of tool function. Here, multiple experimental processes that form edge damage on unretouched lithic points from taphonomic and behavioral processes are presented. These provide experimental distributions of wear on tool edges from known processes that are then quantitatively compared to the archaeological patterning of stone point edge damage from three MSA lithic assemblages--Kathu Pan 1, Pinnacle Point Cave 13B, and Die Kelders Cave 1. By using a model-fitting approach, the results presented here provide evidence for variable MSA behavioral strategies of stone point utilization on the landscape consistent with armature tips at KP1, and cutting tools at PP13B and DK1, as well as damage contributions from post-depositional sources across assemblages. This study provides a method with which landscape-scale questions of early modern human tool-use and site-use can be addressed.
Open Access
Packages of care for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in low-and middle-income countries
(Public Library of Science, 2010) Flisher, Alan J; Sorsdahl, Katherine; Hatherill, Sean; Chehil, Sonia
In the sixth in a series of six articles on packages of care for mental disorders in low- and middle-income countries, Alan Flisher and colleagues discuss the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Open Access
Patient Adherence to Tuberculosis Treatment: A Systematic Review of Qualitative Research
(Public Library of Science, 2007) Munro, Salla A; Lewin, Simon A; Smith, Helen J; Engel, Mark E; Fretheim, Atle; Volmink, Jimmy
From a systematic review of qualitative research, Munro and coauthors found that a range of interacting factors can lead to patients deciding not to complete their course of tuberculosis treatment.
Open Access
Satellite Tagging and Biopsy Sampling of Killer Whales at Subantarctic Marion Island: Effectiveness, Immediate Reactions and Long-Term Responses
(Public Library of Science, 2014) Reisinger, Ryan R; Oosthuizen, W Chris; Péron, Guillaume; Toussaint, Dawn Cory; Andrews, Russel D; de Bruyn, P J Nico
Remote tissue biopsy sampling and satellite tagging are becoming widely used in large marine vertebrate studies because they allow the collection of a diverse suite of otherwise difficult-to-obtain data which are critical in understanding the ecology of these species and to their conservation and management. Researchers must carefully consider their methods not only from an animal welfare perspective, but also to ensure the scientific rigour and validity of their results. We report methods for shore-based, remote biopsy sampling and satellite tagging of killer whales Orcinus orca at Subantarctic Marion Island. The performance of these methods is critically assessed using 1) the attachment duration of low-impact minimally percutaneous satellite tags; 2) the immediate behavioural reactions of animals to biopsy sampling and satellite tagging; 3) the effect of researcher experience on biopsy sampling and satellite tagging; and 4) the mid- (1 month) and long- (24 month) term behavioural consequences. To study mid- and long-term behavioural changes we used multievent capture-recapture models that accommodate imperfect detection and individual heterogeneity. We made 72 biopsy sampling attempts (resulting in 32 tissue samples) and 37 satellite tagging attempts (deploying 19 tags). Biopsy sampling success rates were low (43%), but tagging rates were high with improved tag designs (86%). The improved tags remained attached for 26±14 days (mean ± SD). Individuals most often showed no reaction when attempts missed (66%) and a slight reaction-defined as a slight flinch, slight shake, short acceleration, or immediate dive-when hit (54%). Severe immediate reactions were never observed. Hit or miss and age-sex class were important predictors of the reaction, but the method (tag or biopsy) was unimportant. Multievent trap-dependence modelling revealed considerable variation in individual sighting patterns; however, there were no significant mid- or long-term changes following biopsy sampling or tagging.
Open Access
Staff knowledge, attitudes and practices in public sector primary care of diabetes in Cape Town
(1997)
OBJECTIVE: To audit staff knowledge, attitudes and practices in the interest of improved public sector primary care for diabetics. DESIGN: External audit using face-to-face, private, questionnaire-based interviews. SETTING: Twelve public sector ambulatory health centres in Cape Town. SUBJECTS: Non-specialist, principal staff members (N = 35)-12 doctors, 10 primary health care nurses (PHCNs), 7 registered nurses (RNs) and 6 staff nurses (SNs). RESULTS: Staff members were long-standing employees (mean-doctors 6 years, PHCNs 8 years, RNs 5 years, SNs 12 years). Few had post-basic training (doctors 25%, PHCNs 20%, RNs 26%, SNs 83%). Knowledge of chronic diabetic complications was adequate, e.g. diabetic eye disease was mentioned by 100% of staff. There were gaps in knowledge of pathophysiology and of signs and symptoms of diabetic emergencies, e.g. < 33% knew control of hypertension to be important in the prevention of diabetic nephropathy. Knowledge of appropriate care of patients with hypoglycaemia (94% mentioned glucose administration) was better than that of hyperglycaemia (69% mentioned intravenous fluids). Problems were reported in inter-staff communication within (approximately 50%) and between (approximately 75%) disciplines by doctors, PHCNs and RNs. Staff/patient communication problems were reported by approximately 75% of staff. Solutions suggested by staff included meetings between staff members and with management, in-service training programmes and appointment systems for patients. Despite logistic, organisational and communication-related problems, most staff enjoy and believe in the value of their work. CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals deficiencies in in-service training with consequent gaps in knowledge and practice. Recommendations that would lead to improved quality of care and increased staff and patient satisfaction have been given.

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