Background: Healthcare practitioners guide patients with metacarpal fractures to return to work without enough evidence that the hand has attained the strength that is required for the job. Measuring finger forces and grip strength may be valuable in informing and grading rehabilitation for patients with metacarpal fractures, to ensure safe return to work without disrupting bone healing.
Objective: To estimate normal values for grip strength and finger forces, so as to guide clinical practice in terms of assessing hand strength, for early return to work, of patients who sustained hand fractures.
Methods: Using a cross-sectional study, the grip strength and finger forces of six healthy adults, aged 20 to 59 years, were measured during 105 predetermined activities of daily living (ADLs), which were divided into five categories. The predominant grasp, i.e. the grasp that is most apparent for the longest time during each activity, was identified from the GRASP Taxonomy. Finger forces were measured with 13 mm force-sensing resistors, glued to a glove attached to the dominant and non-dominant hands' fingers. Grip strength was measured with a Jamar hydraulic dynamometer at the beginning of the test procedure, and after performing 25, 50, 75, and all 105 activities. Differences between grip-strength measurements at each data collection point were analysed using paired t-tests. Finger forces were analysed using descriptive statistics.
Results: There were no statistically significant differences in grip strength before and after testing for either the left or right hand. Maximum finger forces ranged from 1-25 Newton (N) for personal care, 1-9 N for transport and moving around, 1-41 N for home environment and inside, 1-26.5 N for gardening and outside, and 1-20 N for office and outside. The predominant grasp type for all ADLs was the thumb in the adducted position.
Conclusion: Grip-strength and finger-force measurements can be used by healthcare practitioners to assess when hand strength is optimal for resuming tasks required in the workplace, which will allow them to facilitate or gauge the appropriate time for a patient to return to work.

Background: Healthcare waste management (HCWM) poses a major risk due to its hazardous nature and deleterious effects on communities and the environment. There is a paucity of research on HCWM among general practitioners (GPs) in South Africa.
Objectives: To assess GPs' knowledge regarding the management of healthcare waste (HCW) and practices in accordance with legislation.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 70 GPs in private practice in eThekwini, KwaZuluNatal province, were randomly selected. Data were collected using administered questionnaires and were analysed using descriptive statistics.
Results: Fifty GPs completed the questionnaires. Most (n = 41, 82.0%) were knowledgeable about where their HCW was disposed; and most (n = 48, 96.0%) reported that they segregated waste according to its composition. Thirty-three (66.0%) and 39 (78%) kept up to date about emerging hazards via seminars/conferences or the literature, respectively. Forty-one (82.0%) reported that infectious waste was generated in their practices. All had experienced needle prick injuries in the past 12 months, but many (n = 18; 36%) did not have copies of the relevant policies available. All separated sharps from other waste products and all used accredited waste disposal companies.
Conclusion: Understanding GPs' knowledge and practices regarding HCWM is important for policymakers. Most of the GPs in this study dealt appropriately with the HCW generated in their practices. The majority knew where the HCW was disposed and reported that they were aware of current HCWM practices.

Research efforts are targeted towards infectious diseases that affect large numbers of people globally, outstripping research into non-communicable occupational diseases in smaller worker populations. Much health research has been conducted in the mining and construction industries, while the large agricultural and services sectors have been largely neglected. This is due, somewhat, to the geographical dispersal of agricultural workers, and diversity of those in the services sector. Africa's large and vulnerable informal worker populations - many of whom are women or children - also deserve attention, to reduce their exposure to modifiable risk factors that affect their health. As technology progresses, opportunities for employment in new industries emerge, together with unique health and safety risks. Africa needs high-quality research to protect workers and safeguard countries' economies.