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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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Subject: search.filters.subject.Stress

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    The prevalence of and risk factors for neck pain in first year Faculty of Health Science students at the Durban University of Technology
    (2018) Gevers, Giselle Lara; Maharaj, Praveena; Puckree, Threethambal
    INTRODUCTION: Neck pain is considered to be one of the most disabling conditions, with a universal prevalence among youth, adult and elderly populations. However, despite its disabling nature and its high prevalence there is still much uncertainty surrounding the aetiology of the pain and the extent to which the condition is influenced by the intrinsic and extrinsic characteristics of an individual. While there is growing evidence to support the notion that marked bio-psychosocial associations exist with neck pain, this literature is heavily weighted toward an adult and a developed nation context leaving developing nations and the student population largely under-researched in comparison. Moreover, while a high prevalence of neck pain and its associated risk factors exist in the student population among health sciences and non-health sciences programmes, across many levels of study, the literature is ambivalent about which faculty and level of study is more at risk, if any. The first year of university stands out among the rest in that the students undergo a significant transition and are required to adapt to a new environment and style of learning compared to what they have been used to. Furthermore, students have been observed to exit first year with higher levels of distress than were present in the beginning of the year, suggesting that this unique environment may influence the psychosocial well-being of students. The extent and strength of this relationship is yet to be determined in a South African tertiary educational context and this is even more true of the first year student population at the Durban University of Technology. Research on the unique bio-psychosocial factors of these students would provide a more holistic understanding of the extent to which these factors exist and the role they play in the general well-being of the students and in the development of neck pain. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This study aimed, firstly, to determine the prevalence and psychosocial risk factors of neck pain in registered first year Faculty of Health Sciences students at the Durban University of Technology and, secondly, to determine the association between neck pain presentation, demographic characteristics, socio-demographic and psychosocial risk factors. The outcomes of this study could possibly have a threefold benefit (for the student, the institution, and the chiropractic profession at large). RESEARCH DESIGN: A quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional survey design was adopted in this research. This design was chosen as it was believed to be the best suited to achieving the aims and objectives of the study. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY: Neck pain questionnaires were administered to the first year Faculty of Health Sciences students at the Durban University of Technology towards the end of the academic year in order to determine the prevalence of neck pain and its associated demographic, socio-demographic, and psychosocial risk factors. There was a final sample size of 135 participants achieving a response rate of 54.7% for the study. Data was captured by the researcher and sent to a statistician for statistical analysis. RESULTS: A high prevalence of neck pain was found among the students (72%) with symptoms of depression (59.8%), anxiety (68.1%), and stress (53.6%) also being highly prevalent among this group. However, when neck pain was quantified by its characteristics the related impact was comparatively low. There was a common theme observed in the results highlighting the association between stress and neck pain, with stress furthermore being determined as an independent risk factor for neck pain (p = 0.023) with an odds ratio of 1.1. This result was not surprising, however, considering the stressors which emerged in the results highlighting factors such as transport protests, student protests, upcoming tests and financial aid as stress causing factors among the participants. The results provided valuable insight which enabled recommendations to be made about the direction of future research as well as recommendations for the Institution and the Chiropractic profession in the approach and management of students enrolled in tertiary education and with neck pain.
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    The current role of the chiropractor in the patient-centered approach to stress management
    (2009) Deonarain, Jitesh; Young, Karin
    Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the current role of the Chiropractor in the Patient-Centred Approach to Stress Management. Methods: Chiropractors were contacted telephonically in order to discuss a convenient time in which they are free to receive the questionnaire at their practice. The questionnaire was developed specifically for this particular research project and verified through the use of a focus group and pilot testing. The researcher waited outside the room whilst the Chiropractor completed the questionnaire. The questionnaire was then collected after completion prior the researcher leaving the practice, in order to improve the return of the questionnaires. Results: Seventy-five percent of chiropractors, in the study indicated that they took a psychosocial history which may indicate that they utilised the fundamental biopsychosocial theme of ‘patient-centeredness’. 68.9% of chiropractors who took a psychosocial history indicated that they are equipped with the necessary skills to evaluate psychosocial stressors in patients and 55.6% indicated that their patients responded ‘Very Positively’ to their stress management protocols. All the Chiropractors in the study indicated that they had consulted patients who had associated their main complaint with stress related issues. 38.3% of Chiropractors felt that their patients ‘Often’ associated their main complaint with stress-related issues whilst 35% felt that their patients ‘Very Often’ relate their main complaint with stress-related issues. Muscle spasm (85%) was the most common symptom or sign found or elicited in a patient suffering with chronic stress. Referral was the most common primary method of treatment with 36% of Chiropractors utilising this method in the clinical setting when dealing with a stressed patient. iii Conclusion: Chiropractors in the study indicated that they took a psychosocial history therefore they utilised the fundamental biopsychosocial theme of ‘patientcenteredness’ and that the majority indicated that they are equipped with the necessary skills to evaluate psychosocial stressors in patients and that patients responded positively to their stress management protocols.