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Theses and dissertations (Health Sciences)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://ir-dev.dut.ac.za/handle/10321/12

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    The relationship between asthma and outdoor air pollutant concentrations of sulphur dioxide (SO2), oxides of nitrogen (NOx), ozone (O3) total reduced sulphates (TRS), carbon monoxide (CO) and respirable particulate matter less than 10 microns (PM10) in learners and teachers at Settlers Primary School in Merebank, south Durban
    (2005) Kistnasamy, Emilie Joy; Barratt, Graham James
    South Durban is in the province of Kwazulu-Natal in South Africa and is home to two international petro-chemical refineries, a paper mill, sewage works, an international airport, a chemical tank farm with approximately 970 tanks, a number of landfill sites, an airport, various processing and manufacturing industries which are all in close proximity to residential and recreational areas. This area is known as the South Durban Industrial Basin (SDIB). Serious concerns have arisen about the potential health impacts that could arise from ambient air pollution from these industries. Learners and staff at the Settlers Primary School situated in Merebank, a suburb in the SDIB, perceived themselves to be at risk for air pollutant related health effects owing to the schools’ geographic location. The aims of this study was a) to determine the prevalence of asthma among learners from Grades 3 and 6 and staff at Settlers Primary School and b) To investigate whether outdoor air pollutant concentrations of sulphur dioxide (SO2), oxides of nitrogen (NOx), ozone (O3), total reduced sulphur (TRS), carbon monoxide (CO) and respirable particulate matter less than 10 microns (PM10) were associated with increased signs and symptoms of asthma in the study population.
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    An epidemiological study of selected risk factors associated with low back pain amongst refuse truck drivers in the eThekwini Municipality
    (2005) Miosh, S. Ramroop
    Motivation: Lower back pain (LBP) has been found to affect workers and often result in higher costs to industry than any other musculoskeletal disorder. Traditionally, the most widely investigated risk factors for LBP have been biomechanical demands of the job. By examining LBP, both its prevalence and distribution, it becomes possible to focus on contributory risk factors that bring on its onset. Aim: To identify the selected risk factors associated with prevalence of LBP amongst refuse truck drivers in the eThekwini Municipality, and to evaluate the relationship between the selected risk factors and the prevalence of LBP.