Faculty of Health Sciences
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Item Impact of headaches on university students in Durban, South Africa(Springer Open, 2016) Basdav, Jyotika; Haffejee, Firoza; Puckree, ThreethambalBackground: Introspection into the factors that affect student success at higher education institutions has gained significant momentum in recent years. Teaching and learning has come under the spotlight with quality enhancement and teaching development funding focussing on student support, enhancing the student environment, and enhancing academics as teachers. Included in this are aspects that try to understand the student. An aspect that is not receiving attention is student health, specifically headaches which could impact student success. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of primary headaches on student academic, family and social life at one higher education institution in South Africa. Method: Data was collected using a questionnaire based descriptive cross sectional survey. Multistage sampling using a ballot method allowed for sampling to obtain representation from across the institution. To achieve a 95 % confidence level, 384 students from across the university were invited to participate after informed consent. Data was analysed using Chi square tests at a probability of p < 0.05. Results: Majority of the participants were undergraduates and non-smokers. Half of the population suffered from primary headaches. Headache sufferers experienced limited concentration due to an increased headache intensity during tests and/or the examination period. This negatively impacted on studying which was aggravated by consumption of caffeinated energy drinks, coffee and chocolate resulting in a less effective study session. Activities of daily living and participation in social events which usually leads to relaxation were neglected. Personal and emotional well-being was also negatively affected. Altered sleeping patterns and absence of study breaks also led to headaches. Conclusion: Headaches were found to impact on the students study and sleep patterns, their attention levels during lectures and their social and emotional life. Headaches negatively impacted on some participants leading to reduced focus on academic, family, social or leisure activities. Intensity of headaches increased during tests and examinations which could impact their success at University.Item Injury prevalence, stability and balance among female adolescent soccer players(African Journal for Physical, Health Education, Recreation and Dance (AJPHERD), 2015-03) Puckree, Threethambal; Koenig, Jean-PierrePoor balance is a risk factor for injury in adolescent sport including soccer. There has been a rapid growth in female adolescent soccer especially in South Africa, yet the association between balance and injury in this population has not been fully explored. This study determined the relationship between static balance as measured by the Sway Index (SI), dynamic balance as measured by Limits of Stability Direction Control (LOS) and injury. Injury prevalence and the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and static/dynamic balance were also determined. Eighty adolescent female soccer players, between the ages of 14-18 years were recruited through convenience sampling from schools in the eThekwini district of KwaZulu-Natal. Height, weight, Sway Index (SI) and Limits of Stability Direction Control (LOS) readings were measured using a stadiometer, electronic scale and Biodex Biosway Portable Balance System (Biodex Medical Systems Inc., Shirley, New York) respectively. Only 27.5% of the participants sustained one or more injuries when playing soccer. The OR suggests that an injured player with poor SI is 1.44 times more likely to be injured than one with good SI. Significant correlations (p <= 0.05) between BMI and SI were noted. This study revealed that poor static and dynamic balance is associated with injury in adolescent female soccer players.Item Status of usage of Information Communications Technology by academic staff at a selected nursing training institution in South Africa(Kamla-Raj Publications, 2015) Maharaj, S.; Mshunquane, N.; Puckree, ThreethambalAdvances in information communications technology (ICT) has impacted every sphere of human life including the training of health care professionals and the delivery of health care. Training institutions have incorporated ICT into all spheres of student life and delivery in varying degrees. This study determined the status of usage of ICT by academic staff in a selected nurse training college in South Africa. Questionnaires were administered to 95 academic staff at the selected institution. The majority of academics at rural (86%) and urban (96%) campuses had access to a desktop computer and printer. Personal cellphones were used to communicate with students and colleagues using Facebook (15-20%) and SMS (43-58%). Staff had limited access to internet service or to electronic systems for student administration or research (<10%). Despite advances in ICT usage in nursing education globally, challenges exist in adopting it in the selected training institution.Item Work-related stress among diagnostic radiographers(Occupational Health Aouth Africa, 2015-07) Naidoo, S.; Gam, Nkululeko Phalson; Puckree, ThreethambalThis study sought to determine work-related stress in public sector diagnostic radiographers in a selected dis-trict in KwaZulu-Natal. Data were collected through a cross-sectional descriptive survey using self-administered questionnaires. All public sector diagnostic radiographers in one district participated in the study after ethical approval and informed consents were obtained. The public domain questionnaire was developed by the Health and Safety Executive in the United Kingdom and sought information in five standards believed to result in stress in healthcare workers. The results showed that radiographers were overworked but their stress emanated from a lack of communication, demands and external controls (p<0.001). Managers created significant stress in the respondents (p<0.001). The other main sources of stress were workload (60%), faulty equipment (54%) and staff shortages (40%). We conclude that stress in diagnostic radiographers as reported by the respondents is depen-dent on external rather than internal loci of control.Item Balance and stability-focused exercise program improves stability and balance in patients after acute stroke in a resource-poor setting(American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 2014-12) Puckree, Threethambal; Naidoo, PooveshniObjective: To compare the effect of a balance and stability - focused outpatient community-based rehabilitation and a regular physiotherapy program on balance, stability, and perceptions of improvement after acute stroke. Design: A randomized controlled trial in a community-based therapy center. Participants: Fifty consecutive patients with a first stroke, who reported to a community-based therapy center over a 7-month period were allocated to the control group (regular physiotherapy) or the experimental group (balance and stability - focused rehabilitation). Intervention: A program of physiotherapy focused on balance and stability exercises. The control group received the regular physiotherapy program. Main Outcome Measurements: The Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke Patients (PASS) and the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) monitored stability and balance. The normalized data (PASS and BBS) were analyzed by using analysis of covariance. Qualitative data were thematically described. Results: Internal consistency of baseline PASS and BBS scores was high (Cronbach a , .964 and .974, respectively). PASS overall pretest scores increased from 21.96 +- 21.41 (mean +- standard deviation) and 21.52 +- 8.43 to 67.67 +- 28.42 and 80.16 +- 22.60 posttest in the control and experimental groups, respectively. Posttest scores were significantly different ( P ¼ .004). The effect size was medium (.490). The overall BBS scores showed overall mean (standard deviation) increases from 44.71 +- 22.24 and 43.43 +- 17.11 pretest to 48.71 +- 23.18 and 59.71 +- 18.20 posttest for the control and experimental groups, respectively. The effect size was considered medium (.532). Conclusion: The balance and stability - focused community-based rehabilitation program was more effective in improving stability and balance in patients with stroke compared with the regular physiotherapy program in resource-poor settings.Item Injury profiles in junior rugby academy players : sport science and medicine(AJOL, 2014-06) Ras, J.; Puckree, ThreethambalThis study determined the profile of injuries in junior Rugby Academy players in Durban. Retrospective and prospective surveys allowed the determination of injury profiles pre-season and in-season. A sample of first year rugby players (n=102) was selected to participate in the study. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics. The majority of participants were 18 years old (71.4%), and White (71.4%). Injury was prevalent in 43% of players with the majority of players reporting 'no' injury (56%) pre-season. Injury was sustained by 83% of players during the season. The majority of injured players (41.6%) reported 'one' or 'more than one' (41.6%) injuries. Number of injuries reported post-season (n=117) was three times higher than injuries pre-season. The body part most injured during the 2012 season was the knee (25%). Players lost 8-28 days of rugby (37%) due to injuries during the season. Injury prevalence was 1.18 per player compared to injury incidence of 1.52 per player. The injury rate was 5.95 injuries per 1000 match playing hours in season. Risk factors for injury during the 2012 season included the scrum-half (14.8%) playing position, and lack of protective equipment (69%) used during play. Significantly more players sustained injuries during the in-season of play. Lower limb injuries were more prevalent with knee injuries most commonly reported.Item The effect of low frequency electrotherapy on anthropometry in overweight women of child bearing age(Sumathi Publications, 2014-10) Borg, Dorinda; Puckree, ThreethambalPurpose: Health and wellness are the focus of not only health and medical research but also part of the growing market for training programmes and health and wellness clinics. The holistic approach to health and wellness requires an integrated and multidisciplinary approach. Individuals now seek assistance to improve their anthropometric parameters in an effort towards well- being and health. The purpose of the current study was to determine the effects of low frequency electrical stimulation in altering the anthropometric measurements in a selected cohort of overweight women. Materials and Methods: Fourteen women of child bearing age were randomly allocated to the control and experimental groups. The intervention consisted of a course of ten, 45 minute low frequency electrical treatments (LFET), three times a week over a period of four weeks. Height, weight, circumference of waist, hips, and thighs were measured. Body fat was measured using a Body Stat machine. Data was analyzed using paired and independent samples t test at p<0.05. Results: Body fat decreased significantly from 33.79% to 32.26% in the experimental group. Weight and BMI decreased from 72.5 to 70.93 and 26.8 to 26.21 respectively in the experimental group. Decreases in circumferences of body parts were also significant in the intervention group compared to the control. Conclusions: LFET significantly decreased anthropometric parameters in the participants.Item Injury incidence and balance in Rugby players(Professional Medical Publications, 2014-08-23) Jaco, Ras M.; Puckree, ThreethambalObjective: This study determined and correlated injury incidence and balance in rugby players. Methods: A prospective survey with balance testing was conducted on first year rugby academy players (N=114). Injury incidence, static and dynamic balance were tested pre and post-season using a Biosway portable balance system. The data was analysed using paired and independent samples t-tests at p<0.05, Odds ratios, and Spearman’s correlation coefficients. Results: 75.50% participated, 71.40% were 18 years old, and 71.40% were White. Injury was sustained by 83% of players with the knee (25%) most commonly injured. Injury incidence was 1.52 per player with an injury rate of 5.95 injuries per 1000 match playing hours. The Stability Index increased significantly (p=0.03) by 15% in the medial/lateral direction post-season compared to pre-season. Significant differences in post-test anterior posterior and overall static and front and front right dynamic stability between injured and uninjured players were noted. Risk factors for injury included the scrum-half (14.80%) playing position, injuries in the 2nd half of the match (57%), and during contact (67%). Conclusion: Injury incidence was related to static and dynamic balance in forward right direction only.Item Rehabilitation of repaired flexor tendons of the hand : therapist's perspective(South Africa Society of Physiotherapy, 2014) Mncube, N. M.; Puckree, ThreethambalINTRODUCTION: Successful outcomes following flexor tendon repairs in the hand are dependent on a team approach to management and rehabilitation. In South Africa, the public sector therapists’ perspective on rehabilitation of the hand has not been explored. URPOSE: This study determined the public sector therapists’ perspective on rehabilitation of patients with flexor tendon repairs in two districts of one province in South Africa.Practices in urban and rural settings were compared METHODS: A cross sectional survey accessed urban and rural public sector therapists involved in the rehabilitation of repaired flexor tendons of the hand. The questionnaire sought information on the initiation and frequency of rehabilitation, initiation of active movement exercises, initiation of resistiveexercises, discontinuation of protectivesplints, the use and presence of flexor tendon protocols in the facility, proximal interphalangeal joint (PIP) joint contractures, suture technique, work experience and choice of protocol. RESULTS: Therapists worked closely with physicians and found comfort in the availability of protocols. The majority of therapists in regional (93%) and tertiary hospital (94%) used established protocols compared to their district hospital counterparts (p<0, 05). External attributions were more significant in making key decisions for rehabilitation. The Strickland formula was not used as an outcome measure. CONCLUSION: Therapists are not confident in managing repaired flexor tendons of the hand. Therapists in urban health facilities rely on established rehabilitation protocols compared to their rural counterparts. Team work is evident in both settings.