3. Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETDs) - All submissions
Permanent URI for this communityhttps://wiredspace.wits.ac.za/handle/10539/45
Browse
4 results
Search Results
Item The assessment of health promoting lifestyle knowledge, stroke related risk factors and quality of life of stroke survivors in the Mofolo, Chiawelo, and Stretford communities of Gauteng, South Africa(2024) Sebulele, Tshepang ChriseldahIntroduction Factors that contribute to the risk of developing a stroke are largely modifiable such as eating a healthy diet, exercising, and having regular health screenings for early detection of disease. An understanding of the stroke survivor’s level of health promoting lifestyle knowledge, assessing their risk factors for stroke, and assessing their quality of life will shed light into understanding the factors contributing to the increased rates of stroke and developing appropriate health promotion programmes. Aim To determine clinical and demographic factors, the prevalence and knowledge of stroke risk factors and health promoting lifestyle amongst stroke survivors in the Mofolo, Chiawelo and Stretford communities of Gauteng and how these factors affect the quality of life of stroke survivors in those communities. Methodology Demographic and clinical information was collected using a questionnaire, prevalence of stroke risk factors was assessed using the stroke risk card, health promoting lifestyle was assessed using the Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile II, quality of life was assessed using the EuroQol-5 Dimension, and knowledge of stroke risk factors and warning signs was assessed using the assessment of stroke risk factors and warning signs of stroke survivor’s questionnaire. All data was collected at baseline and then again reassessed after three months. All data gathered were analysed using STATISTICA, categorical data from the demographic’s questionnaire were analysed using percentages and frequencies, continuous data from the stroke risk card, EuroQol-5 Dimension (EQ-5D), HPLPII and the stroke risk knowledge questionnaires was analysed using descriptive statistics calculating mean and standard deviation as well as median and Interquartile ranges. Results A total of 156 participants were assessed at baseline with only 49 (31%) returning for threemonths follow up. Hypertension was identified as the most prevalent risk factor for developing a stroke at baseline (65%) and at follow-up (73%). Eighty two percent had good health promoting lifestyle profiles at baseline and 78% at follow-up. Knowledge of stroke risk factors and warning signs was good (67%) at baseline and (53%) at follow-up. Sixty five percent of the participants were partially independent for mobility at baseline when compared to 73% at follow-up. Only 6% of participants rated their overall health as 100% at both baseline and follow-up. Conclusion Stroke survivors in the Chiawelo, Mofolo and Stretford communities of Gauteng are at an increased risk of stroke from clinical factors such as high prevalence of hypertension. Interestingly, stroke survivors in this study were shown to have good health promoting lifestyles and stroke risk factor knowledge. More research needs to be conducted in stroke survivors living in communities of similar profiles to understand the factors that increase their risk of stroke. Subsequently, the knowledge gained from further research can assist in the development of interventions such as continuous monitoring of stroke survivors blood pressure, cholesterol and blood glucose levels and creating health promotion campaigns specifically designed for stroke survivors to educate them on the lifestyle changes that assist to reduce the risk of stroke.Item Knowledge translation methods of the Gauteng Provincial Government employee health and wellness programme(2017) Mtshengu, Vuyolwethu B RThe integration of new discoveries in health programmes has been an integral part of improving their implementation and outcomes. However, there is an information gap that tends to exist between policy developers, decision makers, researchers, and implementers. This often results in misunderstanding and inconsistencies from ‘what is implemented’ versus ‘what should be implemented’ due to differences in interpreting and using the knowledge available. Using a qualitative research approach, this study set out to explore how the Gauteng Provincial Government’s (GPG) Employee Health and Wellness Programme (EHWP) translates knowledge into implementation. It considers the different designated Knowledge Translation (KT) roles in the programme as well as the hindrances that exist in executing the identified KT methods. Data was collected through reviewing relevant documents to the programme in the public sector, conducting two focus groups with ten participants as well as five in-depth individual interviews, using semi-structured questionnaires. The participants represented ten Gauteng provincial departments and two national departments. The data was analysed using the thematic analysis approach to establish contrasting and correlating information in the emerging themes. The themes were compared to the Knowledge to Action (KTA) model, to assess the correlation with the existing KT frameworks in literature. The significant finding of the study indicated that the established GPG EHWP KT methods, have taken on the steps of the KTA model. However, they did not adopt its process sequence, nor did they have a specified clear path that was practised in the programme. This resulted in a knowledge gap, misinterpretation, and confusion at implementation level. Therefore, the programme may benefit from having a systematic framework, which will be able to guide KT, assess barriers, and clarify roles at each stage of implementation.Item Perceptions of employees and the level of awareness about employee health and wellness(2012-06-07) Makala, IsaacGovernment’s major challenge is to become more effective with limited resources. Perceptions of state employees and the level of awareness about Employee Health and Wellness Programmes is a policy issue that this study attempts to understand inasmuch as it relates to performance of institutions. The objectives of the study were to gauge the level of awareness about Employee Health and Wellness programmes together with the perceptions of employees about the programme, in line with the hypothesis that suggested a contributory link between level of awareness, perceptions about a programme and organisational performance. A mixed method approach was used, which included both qualitative and quantitative methods, to determine both perception and level of awareness as it related to the performance of institutions. The study found that wellness programmes, if well managed and employees were made aware of them, could lead to increased output by employees, thus improving performance. It further established that there is an average level of awareness about employee health and wellness programmes within Public Works. The study concludes that the perceptions of employees about a policy matter and their level of awareness of programme objectives would contribute to overall performance of that institution.Item The relationship between modifiable health risk factors and health care costs for individuals who have completed a health risk assessment questionnaire for a South African health insurance scheme(2012-03-08) Garbharran, Dinesh Hari LallHealth care funders are seeking managed health care interventions to contain medical inflation. The purpose of this study is to assess the relationship between three health risk factors (smoking status, physical activity and body mass index (BMI)) and inpatient costs among health risk assessment (HRA) respondents at a South African health insurer. The results could inform the design of wellness programmes by ensuring that appropriate health risk factors are being targeted to reduce inpatient costs. This study utilises a two-part regression model to explore the relationships between the health risk factors and inpatient costs. The combined results of the two-part regression model indicate that increasing levels of physical activity and decreasing levels of BMI are associated with lower likelihoods of hospitalisation and lower magnitudes of inpatient costs for those that had a non-zero claim. The results of this study indicate no association between smoking cessation and lower inpatient costs.