By Dr Nontsikelelo Manzini-Matebula and Dr Andile Dube The onset of menstruation means a new phase – and new vulnerabilities – in the lives of adolescents. Yet, many adolescent girls face not only physical changes and menstrual pain, but are…
While anyone can be affected by mental health conditions, experts believe that unemployment and not being able to provide financially for their families bring about depression and anxiety for most men. Toby Fricker, Chief of Communications and Partnerships at UNICEF,…
With at least 13% of women in developing countries bearing children while they are still kids themselves, four global health giants have joined forces to end this scourge of teenage pregnancies. To counter this, the 2gether4SRHR programme, together with UNAIDS,…
Health professionals are often targeted by formula milk companies, given their strong influence on mothers and infant feeding attitudes and practices. To counter their often aggressive marketing campaigns, a local expert believes health science students can act as agents of…
Breastfeeding is a relationship between two people in a thrilling new, highly vulnerable position: a mother and her newborn. It’s a bonding experience shaped by physiology, emotion and the good and bad realities of life. It is far more than…
Food insecurity is becoming a problem for more South African women who head up the majority of single-person households. Statistics released in 2021 reveal that almost a quarter of SA households are run by one individual. According to a survey…
Young boys and men, who are victims of sexual abuse, choose to rather suffer in silence than seek help or speak up. The fear of being ridiculed or labelled ‘weak’ is a step too far for them and they often…
An expert believes that South Africa’s low rate of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) will remain a concern until new mothers are offered more support and education. Katinka Lategan, a certified lactation consultant, said mothers face several challenges because they are not…
Children will pay the ultimate price as inequalities continue to drive the HIV epidemic, warns UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore. Last year 120,000 children died from Aids-related illnesses. And 300,000 children were newly infected. This is according to UNICEF’s latest…
The majority of mothers in low-income communities in South Africa face many barriers such as high levels of stress which is believed to undermine their ability to produce breast milk of acceptable quality and quantity. This trend has seen South…
Washing your hands with soap is a simple but critical step in fighting infectious diseases, like Covid-19. But access to clean water and soap remains a luxury for over two billion people around the world, including millions of South Africans.…
