1,720,988 research outputs found
The epidemiology of work related back pain in full-time restaurant waitron staff within the eThekwini Municipality
No full textDissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master’s Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, 2020.Background
Low back pain (LBP) is one of the leading causes of morbidity in high-, middle- and lowincome populations and is one of the most common and most expensive occupational
health problems in developed and developing countries. This affects the working
population as LBP has a detrimental effect on work performance, therefore it is an
important clinical, social, economic, and public health problem affecting the population.
Internationally, risk factors in the development of LBP in the working population include
prolonged standing, awkward posture and incorrect lifting. There is limited literature on
prevalence of LBP, the risk factors associated with LBP and its impact on waitrons in
South Africa. This study aims to determine the prevalence, clinical presentation, risk
factors and impact of work-related LBP amongst full-time restaurant waitron staff within
the eThekwini Municipality.
Methodology
This study was a mixed methods study comprising qualitative and quantitative
components. The quantitative research tool consisted of a previously validated selfadministered questionnaire whilst the qualitative component consisted of voice recorded
semi-structured interviews using an interview guide to obtain information on low back pain
from participants. The data collected from the questionnaires were entered into an Excel
spreadsheet and thereafter analysed using SPSS. Descriptive statistics were used to
describe categorical outcomes, whilst Pearson’s chi square or Fisher’s exact tests in the
case of categorical variables, and t-tests for continuous variables were used to assess
factors associated with LBP. The audio recordings from the qualitative interviews were
transcribed verbatim and exported into a Microsoft Word document. Thereafter, thematic
analysis was used to analyse the qualitative data to identify common themes and
subthemes. Results
Of the 340 questionnaires which were distributed, a total of 180 questionnaires were
completed by waitrons in the eThekwini Municipality, resulting in a 52.9% response rate.
The point, three-month period and annual prevalence was recorded at 50.0%, 62.2% and
78.2%, respectively. Within this population, LBP was associated with the ethnicity of the
participants (p=0.002) where Indians had a 7.7 times increase in the odds of prevalent
LBP compared with Black Africans (OR = 7.713; 95% CI = 1.273-46.718; p = 0.026) and
Whites a 5.9 times increase in the odds of prevalent LBP than Black Africans (OR = 5.891;
95% CI = 1.429-24.289; p = 0.014). Low back pain was associated with the education of
the participants (p = 0.002) where participants with high school education had an almost
12 times increase in the odds of prevalent LBP than those with tertiary education (OR =
11.967; 95% CI = 1.399-102.387; p = 0.023). Prolonged standing or walking during a work
shift was associated with LBP (OR = 42.808; 95% CI = 2.346-780.985; p = 0.011).
Onset of LBP was common during a long single shift or when working a double shift and
pain sessions tended to last between one to two hours. The frequency of LBP
experienced averaged two to three times a week, where pain was at its worst in the
evenings. Low back pain in waitrons commenced gradually without injury and the severity
of LBP was unchanged since it initially started. Low back pain resulted in moderate impact
on the work of waitron staff, sometimes resulting in absenteeism and bed rest.
Eight in-depth, qualitative interviews were conducted. Two main themes emerged from
the data: low back pain characteristics and type of treatment. Interviewees discussed
pain, onset and duration, and relieving factors as part of LBP characteristics, where they
reported first experiencing LBP as young adults. Their onset of LBP was common during
a long single work shift or when working a double shift. They re-iterated that prolonged
standing and lifting or carrying heavy objects aggravated their LBP. Various therapies
were used by interviewees to relieve the pain which included analgesics, antiinflammatories, heat therapy and topical gels. Type of treatment included chiropractic.
There was good knowledge of the services offered by chiropractors and various types of
chiropractic treatment available. Conclusion
The prevalence of LBP amongst waitron staff within the eThekwini Municipality was high.
Work-related factors were associated with the onset of LBP. These included prolonged
standing, constant walking for long periods of time, carrying heavy loads and falling. Low
back pain negatively impacted on their work due to absenteeism as bed rest was required.
Various treatment options, including chiropractic were utilized. Participants had some
knowledge of what constitutes chiropractic treatment and the types of services offered.National Research Foundation
Profiles of exercise participation by South African Indians residing in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
No full textSubmitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree in Masters of Technology in Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2016.Introduction:
Evidence suggests that Indians are at a greater risk of developing chronic diseases due to their unhealthy diet and sedentary lifestyle. The increased emphasis placed on exercise and diet in preventative regimens is altering related mortality and morbidity. Physical activity plays a role in the prevention of coronary heart disease and other chronic diseases which occur at a higher rate in inactive people. Despite the need for exercise to improve health, no study has examined the exercise profile of Indians in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, their exercise patterns and motivations regarding exercise.
Aim:
This study determined the patterns of exercise participation by Indians residing in KwaZulu- Natal (KZN).
Methodology:
A quantitative, descriptive, cross sectional survey was used in this study. The study was conducted at the Durban North Beach on selected weekends during August and September 2015. The target population was South African Indians. A convenience sample was used, that is, potential participants, who were at North Beach on the data collection days were approached with a request to participate in the study. Following the signing of an informed consent form, data was collected by means of a self-administered questionnaire. A total of 450 self-administered questionnaires were handed out and 411 completed questionnaires were received.
Descriptive statistics in the form of frequencies, means and standard deviations were calculated. Relationships between two variables were determined using chi-squared tests, Fisher’s Exact test, Pearson’s correlation test, as appropriate. Odds ratios were calculated where relevant. A p value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results:
The mean age of respondents was 37.7 ± 13.7 years. The majority (70.1%) participants reported that they currently exercise. However, only 42.9% of the respondents were found to meet the international requirement of 150 minutes of physical activity per week. When unstructured physical activity, such as household and yard chores were added, the latter frequency increased to 45.3%. Physical activity levels were similar across all age groups, likewise, similar proportions of males and females exercised.
The most common exercises performed included walking (45.5%) and jogging
(25.3%). Gymnasiums (33.5%), public grounds (25.3%) and the beachfront (21.4%) were the most commonly used locations for physical activity. One third of these respondents reported their health conditions as their main reason for exercising and most were aware about the value of exercise. Respondents who did not exercise regularly cited time management for their lack of exercise.
Conclusion:
The prevalence of exercise among South African Indians is low, with less than half of the population being physically active. Interventions are required to make people aware of the benefits of physical activity in order to increase the prevalence of exercise in this population.
Living with co-morbidities during the COVID-19 pandemic : a qualitative study of the heightened physical and psychosocial challenges emerging from the virus
No full textThesis submitted in compliance with the requirements for the Doctor in Health Sciences at the Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2024.The COVID-19 pandemic created unprecedented challenges for people with comorbidities. Those with co-morbidities faced mental and physical health consequences, and their family life, social life and healthcare were affected. The presence of co-morbidities was a compounding factor that led to deleterious consequences for this vulnerable group of people. This study sought to explore the various challenges from the experiences and perspectives of people living with comorbidities during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa. A qualitative research methodology was utilised in this study, with an exploratorydescriptive design, as well as non-probability and snowball sampling. Two samples were recruited namely, those affected by COVID-19 and those infected by COVID-19 post three months. Both samples had one or more co-morbidities. A total of 26 participants eventually participated. The study employed a semi-structured interview schedule to attain the required data, that allowed for a good conversational exploration into participants’ experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. The data was analysed using thematic analysis, which yielded eight themes, all of which had sub-themes. The key findings from the study were multifactorial, as there were considerable effects on participants’ physical health, whereby an intensity of COVID-19 symptoms occurred and long-term COVID symptoms persisted for long periods of time, which resulted in a difficult journey to recovery. The COVID-19 pandemic and the virus had a substantial impact on mental health, as participants endured intense bouts of fear and anxiety with persistent mental trauma post-COVID. Additionally, issues around isolation and concurrent loneliness from lockdown measures took a toll on their health. Empirical evidence shows a worsening of co-morbidities due to declining mental well-being. Family and social lives were vastly affected by the pandemic, causing a multitude of problems relating to finance, bonding, conflicts and bereavement. Obtaining adequate healthcare was difficult during the pandemic, as participants encountered staff shortages, extended wait times, a lack of medication, the sharing and borrowing of medication and a lack of care from medical staff. Participants who were hospitalised faced further challenges that affected their healthcare and overall sense of well-being. Despite the challenges that people with co-morbidities faced, they were hopeful as they began adopting healthier eating habits, exercising and sharing responsibilities iii within the home. Having supportive family and friends proved to be a significant benefit. The lockdown also gave people an opportunity to improve familial relationships. Community and religious organisations assisted those in need and people relied on faith and spirituality for a sense of peace and comfort. The data also indicated that many individuals embraced holistic health by incorporating complementary and alternative medicine into their practices. The use of these practices enabled a sense of good physical health among the participants. This study has provided a new insight into the lives of people with co-morbidities during a period of intense turmoil. The data obtained in this study can be used as a stepping stone to further explore the long-term effects of COVID-19 on people with comorbidities who are vulnerable to the effects of disasters such as the COVID-19 pandemic, thereby improving their quality of life and health.
An epidemiological investigation of food-borne disease surveillance in the Ncera Villages, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Full text linkSubmitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the Masters for Health Science Degree in Environmental Health, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2018.An increase in food-borne disease burden in the world’s population has raised concerns over the reliability of surveillance systems. Research has shown the importance of food-borne surveillance systems used in the detection and management of food-borne illness. Government fiscals are increasingly burdened by the rapid spread of food-borne illness, although the exact economic impact is unclear in many countries. In recent years, food security has been the main agenda overshadowing food safety. A reactional approach to outbreaks is the trend instead of proactive systems. Food-borne disease is associated with low and high socio-economic status populations. More than 30 pathogens were identified as the major causes of food- borne outbreaks globally, and some food-borne pathogens have long term health consequences.
Aim: The aim of the study was to investigate food-borne diseases surveillance in Ncera, Mpongo and Needscamp villages and local clinics, in the Eastern Cape, South Africa.
Methodology: A retrospective, observational, quantitative study was conducted in two phases. The first phase included the screening of tick registers at Ncera, Mpongo and Needscamp clinics. The screening was to determine the number of food-borne cases that were reported at these clinics. In the second phase, a stratified random sampling method was used to interview 90 households from the above-mentioned villages to determine the number of villagers who suffered from food-borne diseases, symptoms experienced and food safety practices. Results from both phases were compared to determine whether the number of reported cases at the clinics reflected the same number of cases in the villages from 2012 to 2014. The total size of the study population was 5007 people. Respondents were invited to participate having signed informed consent. Data was summarised and described using descriptive statistics such as frequencies, means and standard deviations. Data was analysed using SPSS version 23; cross tabulations and Chi-square tests at a probability of p< 0.05 were done. Graphs and tables were used to graphically represent the data.
Results: It was found that the majority of household heads were female (n = 51; 58.6%) and 33 (37.9%) of them were married. Most of the residents (n = 84; 96.5%) use the public health clinics for their medical condition treatment. Fifty-six (64.4%) household heads were HIV negative. The majority of households had a monthly income of R1 500 – R 3 500 (n = 45; 51.7). Less than a tenth (n = 6; 6.9%) of household heads were very concerned about the safety of food prepared at home. The relationship between food safety concern levels about food prepared at home and away from home was statistically significant (p = 0.000), reporting a significant difference in the way people perceive the preparation of food at home and away from home. More than a tenth of the villagers (n = 79; 19.7%) reported through the questionnaire, that they fell ill or thought that they fell ill from something they ate in the past 3 months. More than half (n = 56; 51.3%) of the participants who fell ill with food- borne diseases in these villages did not seek medical treatment for their illness whilst 6 (54.6%) did not see the need to seek medical treatment and reported that they got ill during weekends. Of those who sought medical treatment, 16 (39%) received prescribed medication while 3 (7%) reported that they were not provided with medication by healthcare providers when they suffered from food-borne illness. More than a quarter (n = 109; 27.3%) of household members fell ill from food-borne diseases in Ncera, Mpongo and Needscamp villages during the period 2012 to 2014. Whereas there were four food-borne cases reported to the clinics in the same period.
Conclusion: This research gathered information regarding food-borne disease prevalence in Ncera, Mpongo and Needscamp villages. It was observed that there is a gap in the surveillance of food-borne illness in these villages. In some of the tick registers used by healthcare providers at clinics to collect data, vital surveillance information such as gender, age and diagnosis was missing. This study deepens the understanding of food-borne illness and food safety in a village setting.
The prevalance of and associated risk factors for low back pain in medical outpatients of a selected Umdoni Municipality health care clinic
Full text linkSubmitted in partial compliance with the requirements of the Master’s Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2018.Background:
Low back pain (LBP) can affect any population and is experienced by any race, gender or age group. The lifetime prevalence of LBP is reported to vary from 44.4% to 90% in different populations in Western countries and 36% to 70.9% in African countries. Studies have been conducted in developed countries, or urban areas of developing countries regarding LBP and they report the LBP prevalence to vary from 48% to 90%. However, very limited literature about LBP and its risk factors in rural areas exist. There are few studies that have been conducted in rural areas; however, none of these investigated a South African rural area and since the demographics and type of work of this population differs, it may affect the prevalence of LBP.
Aim of study:
The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of and associated risk factors for low back pain in medical out patients of a selected Umdoni Municipality Primary Health Care Clinic.
Methodology:
This study design was a cross-sectional survey, set in a quantitative paradigm, in which data was collected by means of a questionnaire. This study was conducted in a primary health care clinic of the Umdoni Municipality. The convenience sequential sampling method was used to select the qualifying participants (as per inclusion/ exclusion criteria) from the patients in the waiting room of the clinic. Participants (n=400) were recruited by the researcher in the clinic waiting room / reception. All collected data was captured on an Excel spreadsheet and subsequently transferred to the statistical program for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23. A p value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Pearson’s chi square tests and Fisher’s exact test were utilized in order to determine the association between low back pain and various factors. Odds ratios were calculated to determine risk factors for LBP. LBP was correlated with demographics as well as daily activities or chores.
Results:
A total of 400 questionnaires were completed by the participants in the form of an interview with the researcher. The lifetime and point prevalence of LBP was 79.3% (n = 317) and 32.5% (n = 130) respectively. LBP increased with an increasing age (p = 0.028). Similarly, LBP increased in people with higher BMI (p < 0.001). More females (83.4%, n = 231) suffered from LBP than did males (69.9%, n = 86, p = 0.002). The prevalence of LBP was not correlated with other demographic factors. More females (98%, n = 272) performed household chores than did males (78.8%, n = 97, p < 0.001). These chores included fetching firewood (p < 0.001), washing clothes (p < 0.001) and cooking (p < 0.001). Although there was no relationship between performing household chores and the lifetime prevalence LBP (p = 0.842), there was a relationship between performing these chores and the point prevalence of LBP (p = 0.004). More females (96%, n = 266) than males (65.9%, n = 81) fetched water (p = 0.001). Bivariate analysis indicated that LBP was increased with an increasing number of pregnancies (p < 0.001). The risk of LBP was increased in those who underwent a C-section (OR = 2,748, 95% CI: 1,108-6,819, p = 0.024). Similarly the risk of LBP was increased in those women who had an epidural (OR = 3.115, 95% CI: 1,355 -7,157, p = 0.005).
Almost a fifth of the participants lifted heavy objects for a prolonged period of time (19.5%, n
= 78, p < 0.001). Lifting heavy objects was strongly associated with an increased lifetime prevalence of LBP (OR = 6.014, 95% CI: 2.131 - 16.976, P < 0.001). There was no correlation between physical activity and the prevalence of LBP (p = 0.084). However Pearson’s chi square test showed that those that walked experienced more LBP compared to those involved in other physical activities (p = 0.024). In addition, those who walked, were often walking to fetch water and this may have caused the LBP. Low back pain affected daily activities such as bending (30.5%, n = 122, p < 0.001) and lifting of objects (18%, n = 72, p < 0.001). It also resulted in absenteeism from work and loss of jobs. Knowledge of chiropractic was poor (1%, n = 4, p < 0.001) and 99% (n = 396, p < 0.001) of the participants had never been treated by a chiropractor.
Conclusion:
Low back pain prevalence was high in the Umdoni Municipality population. Activities related to life in poor socio-economic backgrounds, such as fetching water from the river, were highly associated with LBP. Participants were unaware of the field of chiropractic treatment and since chiropractors are involved in manually treating low back, it is recommended that chiropractic treatment be incorporated into the services provided at primary health care clinics in the area.
Hygiene practices as a contributing factor to diarrhoea in preschool children in Mpumalanga Township, KwaZulu-Natal
No full textDissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Health Sciences, Durban University of Technology, 2020.Background: Diarrhoeal disease is reported by the World Health Organisation
(WHO) as the second leading cause of mortality in children under five years old,
and worldwide is responsible for the deaths of almost 525 000 children annually.
Diarrhoea is defined as the passage of three or more loose or liquid stools per
day, or more frequent passage than is normal for the individual and can last for
several days. Diarrhoea is typically a symptom of an infection in the intestinal
tract, caused by a variety of bacteria, viral and parasitic organisms. The disease
is spread through contaminated food or drinking water or from person-to-person
as a result of poor hygiene practices.
Acute diarrhoea is a major cause of hospitalisation in South Africa, especially in
children under two years of age. Diarrhoea is the main cause of morbidity and
mortality in KwaZulu-Natal, even though case fatality decreased between
2014/15 and 2015/16. South Africa has improved the health and well-being of
children through the introduction of the rotavirus vaccine into the National
Immunisation Programme in 2009, the only known preventative measure
against rotavirus diarrhoea.
Aim/Objectives: The study aimed to determine if hygiene practices of
parents/guardians and ECD educators contributed to diarrhoea in children
attending the centres.
Interdependent factors related to diarrhoea in children were also investigated.
The objectives of the study included determining the prevalence of diarrhoea in
children five years and under at ECD centres in Mpumalanga Township,
KwaZulu-Natal; identifying risks factors that may contribute to diarrhoea in
children; and assessing the knowledge, attitudes and practices of ECD
educators and parents/guardians to diarrhoea and hygiene.
Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was conducted using
self-administered questionnaires at the research tool. The study was done at
ten Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres in Mpumalanga Township,
KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The total number of centres registered with the Department of Social Development in the area was 41 at the time of the study,
with the total of educators approximating 177 and 3326 children attending the
ECD centres. Simple random sampling was used in order to achieve a degree
of accuracy and representativeness. The parents/guardians were selected from
the same schools that were randomly selected for the educators. To achieve a
95% confidence level, respondents were invited to participate having signed
informed consent. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 26.0.
Frequency distribution of categorical variables and means, standard deviation
and ranges of continuous variables were calculated. Various graphs and tables
were used to illustrate variables. The Pearson’s Chi-squared test was used
where applicable for bivariate associations between categorical variables.
Multivariate regression modelling was done with the inclusion of relevant
covariates. Odds ratios were calculated for binary outcome variables.
Confidence intervals of 95% were calculated and p values < 0.05 were
considered statistically significant.
Results: A total of 385 parents/guardians of 427 children attending ECD
centres and a total of 121 ECD educators answered the questionnaires. The
results indicated that 91.6% (n=350) of parents/guardians had flushing toilets
and all the ECD centres had flushing toilets. Over 87.2% (n=333)
parents/guardians reported that the toilets were indoors and 86.8% (n=105)
ECD educators indicated that the centres had indoor toilets. The data revealed
that over 60% (n=210) of parents/guardians said their child uses the toilet and
22.8% (n=76) had children who used nappies, thereby disposing the stools in
the municipal collected waste. Only 0.9% (n=3) of parents said they buried the
stools and 3.6% (n=12) said they left the child’s stools in the open. Drinking
water was easily accessible in this study population as households had indoor
taps (n=311, 80.8%), outdoor tap on the premised (n=70, 18.2%) and ECD
centres indoor taps (n=109, 90.1%). Approximately 85% (n=307) of
parents/guardians washed their hands more frequently after defecating when
there was an indoor tap. Furthermore, parents/guardians who had handwashing
sinks closer to the toilet washed their hands more frequently compared to those
with handwashing sinks furthest (p=0.000). The study found that parents/guardians with a tertiary qualification were five times more likely to seek
medical care than parents/guardians with a primary education education
(OR=5.201, 95%CI=1.48-18.28, p=0.010). The administration of ORT was
consistent across all levels of parental/guardian education (primary school,
secondary school and tertiary). Homemade oral rehydration solution was mostly
administered by parents/guardians with primary (n=5, 20.0%) and secondary
education (n=21, 19.3%) compared those with tertiary education.
The mean number of children under five years who had diarrhoea in the 12
months preceding this study was 1.23 (SD=0.53). Cryptosporidium infection was
the likely cause of the watery diarrhoea in this population since rotavirus
immunisation was given to the children.
Conclusion: This study found that children were more likely to get diarrhoea
from other children, compared to adults. How parents/guardians washed their
hands was 1.239 times likely to contribute to children under the age of five
getting infected with diarrhoea. The p-value of 0.010 was obtained in the
association of type of toilet in the household and a child having diarrhoea.
Knowledge around diarrhoea must be strengthened, more so in prevention, and
when seeking medical care. Caregivers should be encouraged to have oral
rehydration treatment readily available, to be used as needed.
Knowledge and practices of pregnant women regarding exercise during pregnancy : a comparison between private and public sector
Full text linkSubmitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree in Masters of Technology in Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2017.Introduction:
Evidence suggests that pregnant women who lead sedentary lifestyles and have a poor knowledge of exercise during pregnancy are at risk of developing diseases like gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia and low back pain along with many other chronic conditions. An exercise program during pregnancy has benefits for both the mother and the child. No studies have ascertained the knowledge and practices of exercise in pregnant women in South Africa, furthermore, there was a need to conduct research regarding exercise amongst South African pregnant women, particularly to determine whether any barriers to physical activity exist.
Aim:
To compare the knowledge and practices of pregnant women regarding exercise during pregnancy between a selected private practice and public clinic.
Methodology:
A quantitative, descriptive, cross sectional survey was used in this research study. The population consisted of pregnant women (n = 400) attending both public and private sector antenatal care in the Ethekwini municipal area of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Public sector participants were drawn from the Addington Hospital public antenatal clinic and private sector participants were drawn from the gynaecological practice of Dr D Sankar. Purposive, stratified sampling was used. Following the signing of an informed consent form, data was collected by means of a self-administered questionnaire. A minimum sample size of 324 patients was calculated by the statistician.
Descriptive statistics, such as frequencies and percentages were used to describe the demographic profile of respondents and their physical activities. Inferential statistics, including Chi-Square tests of association and student t-tests were used to determine differences in proportions and means respectively between the two categories of participants. Odds ratios (OR) were calculated to ascertain the measure of association between a risk factor and an outcome.
Results:
There were 198 (57.6%) participants from the private gynaecological practice and 146 (42.4%) from the public clinic at Addington Hospital. The mean age of the study population was 27.65 ± 5.3 years. Almost half of the study population were Indians (46.2%). Blacks made up the second largest proportion of the study population
(39.2%). More than half of the study participants were involved in exercise during their pregnancy (57.1%). However, only 37% of the study population met the international criteria of physical activity, which is 30 minutes of moderate -intensity aerobic exercise, per day, for 5 days a week, during pregnancy as set out by the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists (2002).
However, there was evidence of unstructured physical activity which increased the level of acceptable physical activity in the majority of participants 82.1%. Walking was the most common activity that the women engaged in from both the private sector (88.8%) and public clinic (89.3%). The average time spent on walking was more than 30 minutes a day. Household chores and climbing stairs also increased the levels of physical activity within the participants.
Only a minority of participants (35.4%) stated that they were diagnosed with an adverse health condition, which prevented them from exercising. Some participants who did not exercise reported that fatigue was the reason for not being physically active (51.6%).
Conclusion:
Interventions need to be implemented to increase the knowledge of physical activity amongst pregnant women and the benefits that are associated with it. An attempt needs to be made by health practitioners to try and increase the level of physical activity among pregnant women, so that they may benefit from its effects.
The physical activity levels of students at a University of Technology in South Africa
No full textDissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Masters’ degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, 2020.Introduction
Physical activity (PA) has been shown to play an important role in an individuals’
health. Physically active individuals have a lower risk of acquiring chronic health
diseases such as coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus and
hypertension. Physical activity is a compulsory component of the school
curriculum in South Africa (SA), incorporated into the subject “Life Orientation”.
However, in tertiary institutions PA is not included within the university curriculum
and is only available as an additional extramural activity that not many students
utilise. PA levels have been shown to decline with age in adulthood. University
students are mostly young adults and it has been shown that individuals who
practice healthy lifestyles when they are younger are more likely to continue those
practices when they get older. Consequently, ensuring habitual PA during
university years is an important and useful consideration. Knowing the physical
activity levels of students provides a useful basis for intervention in this regard.
Aim
To compare self-reported and objectively measured physical activity patterns of
students at the Durban University of Technology.
Methodology
This study used a cross sectional design, in a quantitative paradigm. The study
was conducted among students at the Durban University of Technology from
March 2019 to September 2019. The study was divided into two components. In
the first, participants (n= 430) were randomly selected to complete the
International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) to ascertain their self-reported
PA levels. The second part of the study involved objectively measuring the PA
levels by wearing a pedometer for a period of at least seven days to determine the
number of steps taken. The study further involved an aerobic fitness assessment
using the Harvard step test and the recording of anthropometric measures such as
body mass index, waist to hip ratio and body fat percentage. As only 60
participants were required for this aspect of the study, those who completed the questionnaire were invited to participate in this aspect and sampling continued
until a total of 60 participants was reached.
Descriptive statistics used for calculation in the study included means, standard
deviations, medians and range. The relationships between variables were
determined by using statistical tests such as chi-squared tests, post hoc tests and
Pearsons’ correlation test where a p value less than 0.05 was considered
significant.
Results
Of the 430 questionnaires that were distributed, a total of 394 completed
questionnaires were received, yielding a response rate of 91.6%. The mean age of
the respondents was 21.7 ± 4 years with an even spread between gender. Most
respondents were Black African (76.6%). Questionnaire data showed that most
students (76.6%) reported a high level of PA. Pedometer and aerobic fitness
assessment results showed that most students were either only moderately active
or sedentary. It was also shown that males reported higher levels of PA in the
questionnaire and had higher levels of ambulatory PA (p=0.038) and aerobic
fitness (p=0.331) compared to females. In addition, males (17.9%) had a lower
prevalence of obesity compared to females (47.6%; p<0.001).
Conclusion
Self-reported PA levels appear to be over-estimated when compared to the more
objective estimates obtained through the pedometer wear and aerobic fitness
assessment in the study population. More than recommending the need
interventions to increase PA in university students, the need to exercise caution in
the use of self-reported measures as an absolute estimate of PA is noted.
Adjusting such data through more objective measures in sub-samples may be a
useful approach towards cost-effective approaches for gathering data.
The epidemiology of neck pain within the indigenous African population in Harare, Zimbabwe
No full textSubmitted in partial compliance with the requirements of the Master`s Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2019.Background
Musculoskeletal disorders are the leading cause of disability and can impair the quality of life. Of these musculoskeletal disorders, neck pain is one of the most common. Some of the risk factors for neck pain among the African population include low level of education, high-stress levels, low income and motor vehicle accidents. In the international arena, a broad range of risk factors contribute to chronic neck pain. These include female gender, increasing age, poor posture and work habits, twisting and bending of the neck and trunk, low–co-worker support, low socio-economic status and psychosocial factors such as stress and depression. Neck pain presents differently in different populations.
The epidemiology of neck pain has not been investigated in Zimbabwe. In this country factors such as economic instability, disruption of social trust, uncertainty about income, high crime rate, unstable healthcare and low morale in the working population have led to the development of psychological disorders such as stress, anxiety, and depression. Furthermore, there has also recently been an increase of vehicle use in Zimbabwe, with concomitant motor vehicle accidents. All of these factors may predispose this population to musculoskeletal pain such as neck pain. However, this requires investigation.
This study aimed to estimate the prevalence, risk factors and impact of neck pain in the indigenous African population in Harare, Zimbabwe.
Methodology
This was a quantitative cross-sectional study based on a previously validated questionnaire sourced from Smith (2016) and conducted in Harare, Zimbabwe. Participants (n = 461) answered a self-administered questionnaire after providing informed consent. The data collected from the questionnaires were captured into an excel spreadsheet and subsequently statistically analysed using SPSS.
Standard deviation and mean reports are represented by (mean ± SD) within the text. Where standard deviation is represented by (SD). Tables, graphs and charts were used to present the data.
The Inferential analysis was conducted using cross tabulations (interpreted using the Pearson chi- Squared test). The bivariate analysis was done using a Chi-Squared test (Interpreted using the Pearson`s chi-squared test). Odds ratios (OR) were calculated using binary logistic
regression, This calculation was used to find dependant variables on an existent independent variable (Willemse 2009: 121). The 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for Odds Ratios and for prevalence (Johnson and Bhattacharyya 2000: 331). A significance of a p- value less than 0.05 was used throughout.
Results
A total of 461 questionnaires were completed by participants in Harare, Zimbabwe. The point prevalence and 12-month prevalence was 16.4% (95% CI: 0.13 – 0.20) and 26.9% (95% CI:
0.22 – 0.31) respectively. The lifetime prevalence of neck pain was 49% (95% CI: 0.44 – 0.53).
Within this population, age was significantly associated with neck pain (p < 0.001) with a larger prevalence within the age group 20 – 35 years. The odds of self-reported neck pain are 2.5 times greater for those with the exposure of self-reported stress compared to the participants without the exposure of self-reported stress (Odds Ratio = 2.5; 95%CI: 1.121 – 5.734; p = 0.025). Lack of finances (22.6%, n =104), work (18%, n =83) and poor living conditions (5.6%, n =26) were the main stressors identified among the participants. Other associations found for neck pain in this population were motor vehicle accidents (p < 0.001) and poor eyesight (p < 0.001). There was an association of neck pain with headaches (p = 0.023), shoulder pain (p
< 0.001) and low back pain (p < 0.001).
Conclusion
Neck pain was prevalent within the indigenous population of Harare, Zimbabwe. Factors that were associated with neck pain in the sample population included stress, age, headaches, shoulder pain, low back pain, motor vehicle accidents, and poor eyesight.
The prevalence and impact of primary headaches on students at the Durban based campuses of the Durban University of Technology (DUT)
No full textSubmitted in partial compliance with the requirements of the Master’s Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2016.Background
Headaches affect different proportions of many populations and are experienced by any age, gender or ethnicity group. There is a paucity of data on the prevalence of headaches in South Africa, particularly amongst the university student population. Previous studies have suggested that headaches impact on daily activities as well as family and/or social activities. Studies on the impact of headaches on students are limited.
Aim of Study
The aim of this research study was to determine the prevalence and impact of primary headaches amongst students at the Durban University of Technology (DUT).
Methodology
A quantitative descriptive cross sectional survey was used to determine the prevalence of primary headaches in the student population at DUT. A minimum sample size of 384 was calculated using a confidence level of 95% and confidence interval of five percent. All six faculties were included. The course programmes and levels were chosen by multi-stage sampling. Each willing participant was required to sign a written consent form prior to enrolment in the study. Subsequently a self-administered questionnaire was filled out.
The International Classification of Headache Disorder Criteria was used to classify primary headaches. All data was captured on an Excel spreadsheet and subsequently analysed using SPSS version 23.0.
Results
The total of 471 completed questionnaires was received. The prevalence of primary and secondary headaches was similar (50.2%; n = 222 versus 49.8%; n = 220, p = 0.92). More participants suffered from tension type (68.5%; n = 152) headaches compared to migraines (16.2%, n = 36) and mixed migraine and tension type headaches (15.3%, n = 34; p < 0.001). None of the study participants suffered from cluster headaches. Poor vision and stress increased the risk of a headache occurrence. The main relieving factor identified was the use of medication. Other relieving factors reported were sleep and relaxation. There was no correlation between suffering from headaches across the different faculties (p = 0.65), age of the participant (p = 0.77), ethnicity (p = 0.40), marital status (p = 0.84) and gender (p = 0.35).
Headaches had a negative impact on the academic activities of the affected participants, including limited concentration and a complete halt to studies.
Conclusion
Tension type headaches were more prevalent amongst the study population. The impact of headaches limited concentration during tests and examination periods. An increased frequency and intensity of headaches was reported during this period. Family, social or leisure activities were also neglected when a headache occurred. This study adds to the current literature on headache prevalence in the student population. It also highlights that chiropractors are not consulted for headaches by students in the South African context. The chiropractic profession can benefit by tapping into this population.
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