South African medical journal = Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir geneeskunde
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Act 92 of 1996, the Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act, seeks to promote female autonomy. The Act makes no reference to the nature of the abortus--implying its moral insignificance. Utilitarian arguments on the value of life strongly support this position. ⋯ We argue that separation-survivability is the only morally acceptable cut-off point, based on four premises, viz. (i) a particular notion of potentiality; (ii) the inextricable, mutual relationship between human beings and their world (without either, the other cannot exist); (iii) the moral correspondence of the viable fetus and the neonate; and (iv) the moral unacceptability of infanticide. We support a graded position on the value of prenatal human life, and a 'moderate' stance on termination--that notwithstanding possessing some moral significance, other arguments may trump this up to the point of separation-survivability. This seriously problematises 'partial birth' abortion, and the utilitarian argument on the value of life.
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Comparative Study
Socio-economic inequalities as a predictor of health in South Africa--the Yenza cross-sectional study.
To describe the demographic, environmental and health characteristics of the rural Eastern Cape and to explore demographic and environmental predictors of health. ⋯ High socio-economic deprivation in the Eastern Cape is associated with health status comparable to that of poorer regions in sub-Saharan Africa. The educational level of the population, access to electricity, clean water and refuse disposal facilities are important predictors of child, maternal and adult health.