The Acting President of the South African Medical Research Council (MRC), Dr Muhammad Ali Dhansay, visited Liesbeeck primary School in Mitchells Plain, Cape Town to participate in early Youth Day 2010 commemorations.

Dr Dhansay joined the Web and Media Technologies (WMT) of the MRC and a delegation from the Western Cape Department of Education at the Youth Day event held on 14 May 2010. He used the opportunity to speak to the learners, educators and community members about the role of health research amongst the youth of South Africa.

The event at Liesbeeck Primary School formed part of the Zisukhanyo Schools Project’s aim to educate learners of three schools in Mitchells Plain about healthy sexual choices and the prevention of HIV and AIDS. The other two participating schools in this project are Eastville Primary school and Mitchell Heights Primary school. The WMTP is one of the partners in the project and facilitates the HIV educational component of the project.

In an interview with the WMT prior to the event, Dr Dhansay said: “There appears to be a reduction in risky sexual behaviour amongst learners compared to 2002 and a reduction in their number of sexual partners, and positively, an increase in condom use”. This is based on the recent findings of the 2nd South African National Youth Risk Behaviour Survey conducted by the MRC’s Health Promotion Research and Development Unit. 

Dr Dhansay further mentioned the dangers of smoking the hookah pipe as revealed by the Environment and Health Research Unit of the MRC. “The evidence, in a way, shows that the hookah pipe causes more harm than normal cigarette smoking,” and added: “The unit has also conducted research on paint used on toys which led to legislation withdrawing certain paints”. Certain paints contain dangerously high levels of lead and can decrease cognitive functions, paralysis and cerebral palsy.

The next WMT managed event will take place at Mitchell Heights Primary school on 6 August 2010 to celebrate Women’s Day. The Acting Deputy President of the MRC, Professor Petro Terblanche and the role-model of the Zisukhanyo Project, Julian Naidoo will “join hands” and talk to the learners about the importance of women in reducing the HIV epidemic in South Africa.

By: Janus Snyders

Resources:

Podcast of interview with Dr Mohammad Ali Dhansay

2nd South African National Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2008

Dangers of Hookah pipe smoke

Is your child at risk of lead poisoning?