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Background: Haemoglobinopathies are one of the most common inherited diseases worldwide. Quantification of haemoglobin A2 is necessary for the diagnosis of the beta thalassaemia trait. In this context, it is important to have a reliable reference interval for haemoglobin A2 and a local reference range for South Africa has not been established. Objective: This study aimed to establish reference intervals for haemoglobin A2 using stored patient laboratory data. Methods: This descriptive study used retrospective data to evaluate haemoglobin A2 levels determined using high-performance liquid chromatography at the National Health Laboratory Service haematology laboratory in Pretoria, South Africa. All tests performed from 01 October 2012 to 31 December 2020 were screened for inclusion; of these, 144 patients’ data met the selection criteria. The reference interval was calculated using descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) with a 95% confidence interval. Results: Analysed data from enrolled patients showed a normal distribution. The mean age of the patients was 40 years (range: 3–84 years). The reference interval for haemoglobin A2 calculated from this data was 2.3% – 3.6%. The minimum haemoglobin A2 was 2.3% and the maximum was 3.9% with a mean of 2.95% and a standard deviation of 0.357%. Conclusion: A normal reference interval has been established for the population served by the laboratory that will assist with accurate diagnosis of the beta thalassaemia trait. This reference interval may also be useful to other laboratories that employ the same technology, especially smaller laboratories where obtaining a sufficiently large number of normal controls may be challenging.

Family members as well as informal caregivers are increasingly bearing the responsibility of taking care of persons diagnosed with HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS, 2000:5). The intensity of the caregiving process and the variety of stressors caregivers are exposed to (Uys, 2002:101-102; De Figueiredo & Turato, 2001:637-640; Flaskerud, Carter & Lee, 2000:128), have been well researched and documented. In this study, the salutogenic perspective was used to determine the sense of coherence of a group of eight informal caregivers. This perspective serves as one of the theories within the movement of positive psychology, where the focus is on the origins of psychological well-being. The results of the Sense of Coherence Scale (SOC) and the analysis of semi- structured interviews revealed a number of general resistance resources that have a positive influence on the caregivers’ sense of coherence, as well as their psychological well-being. These results may lead to the development of a psycho-educational program which will assist caregivers in maintaining their psychological well-being in spite of the stressors associated with caregiving. Opsomming Versorging van persone gediagnoseer met MIV/VIGS word toenemend die verantwoordelikheid van die pasiënte se familielede en informele versorgers (UNAIDS, 2000:5). Die intensiteit van die versorgingstaak, en die verskeidenheid stressore waaraan versorgers blootgestel word, is reeds goed nagevors en gedokumenteer (Uys, 2002:101-102; De Figueiredo & Turato, 2001:637-640; Flaskerud, Carter & Lee, 2000:128). In hierdie studie is die salutogene perspektief aangewend om die koherensiesin van ‘n groep bestaande uit agt informele versorgers te ondersoek. Hierdie perspektief dien as een van die teorieë binne die beweging van die positiewe sielkunde waar gefokus word op die oorsprong van psigologiese welstand. Die resultate van die Sense of Coherence Scale (SOC) en die ontleding van semigestruktureerde onderhoude het ‘n aantal algemene weerstandshulpbronne aan die lig gebring wat ‘n positiewe invloed gehad het op die versorgers se koherensiesin, asook hul psigologiese welstand. Hierdie resultate mag lei tot die samestelling van ‘n program wat versorgers sal help met die handhawing van hul sielkundige welstand te midde van die stressore wat met die versorgingstaak gepaardgaan.

Orientation: Recent literature has emphasised the important role that self-regulation plays in the mental health of individuals. The lack of a validated psychometric instrument to accurately measure self-regulation amongst Black South Africans however limits its potential impact within the challenging South African context. Research purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the psychometric properties of the Short Self-Regulation Questionnaire (SSRQ) when used in a South African context, specifically focusing on Black South Africans. Motivation for the study: By commenting on the ability of the SSRQ to accurately capture the construct of self-regulation amongst Black educators, the current article serves to address and alleviate the lacunae in our understanding of self-regulation as a potentially protective factor. Research design, approach and method: The study was of a quantitative nature, and made use of a cross-sectional design and purposively selected study sample. Participants were urbanised Black teachers (N = 200) who completed the SSRQ and other measures of self-regulation and psychological well-being. Main findings: The reliability of the SSRQ total scale score proved satisfactory. Factor analysis produced five robust sub-constructs that were theoretically interpretable. Significant correlations between the SSRQ and other measures of self-regulation and psychological well-being also indicated good criterion-related validity. Practical/managerial implications: The availability of a reliable and valid instrument for the measurement of self-regulation in the South African context will enable both researchers and practitioners to better understand and utilise self-regulation in the enhancement of individual well-being. Contribution/value-add: The SSRQ’s ability to accurately measure self-regulation will contribute to our understanding of its role as preventive strength in the South African context. Refinement of item content will serve to further strengthen the SSRQ’s factor structure, and improve its validity for use within the Black South African population.