Measles outbreaks are devastating countries across the globe, linked to a massive drop in vaccination rates. The World Health Organisation has raised the alarm and ranked ‘vaccine hesitancy’ as one of the top 10 threats to public health everywhere. Is South Africa immune? HEALTH-E NEWS’ Amy Green reports.

It is believed that more than half of all birth defects can be prevented or treated, despite statistics showing that birth defects are the third highest cause of early deaths in the Western Cape.

EASTERN CAPE – Despite ongoing campaigns and intervention programmes promoting safe sex, contraceptive use remains a controversial issue for South African youth.

Lack of proper training on Long Acting Reversible Contraceptives (LARC) leads to a high rate of accidental pregnancies within the first year of use. In South Africa as many as 600 000 women experience unwanted pregnancies due to contraceptive failure. Globally the rated of accidental pregnancies is 40%. This should not have to be.