Assessment of Musculoskeletal Disorders and Absenteeism at a Foundry

Background: Musculoskeletal disorders are a major health problem globally and a significant cause of disability in the workplace. The purpose of this study was to describe tasks and body movements associated with the high rate of musculoskeletal-related complaints and absenteeism at a foundry in South Africa.Methods: A quantitative study design was used. The data sources were a questionnaire administered to 38 participants; structured observation and company records. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data. Results: All the participants were exposed to poor ergonomics which resulted in repetitive movements; twisting; gripping; and standing or sitting for long periods of time. Pain in the back and shoulders was the most common complaint; followed by stiffness of the fingers; wrists and shoulders. Most participants reported absence from work due to musculoskeletal complaints

Adaptation of the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine Revised (REALM-R) to the South African Context: Part 1

Literacy levels are increasingly important in health care because professional nurses and other health care professionals often use written health education materials as a major component in patient education. In South Africa; no current instrument is available to assess the literacy levels of patients in the primary health care setting; though several instruments have been developed and validated internationally. The purpose of this paper was to adapt and validate the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine Revised (REALM-R) to the South African context. The REALM-R is a short instrument that is designed to rapidly screen clients in the primary health care setting for low health literacy. A modified Delphi-technique was used to measure the judgement of a group of experts for the purpose of making a decision. Eight experts in the field of Nursing Science were selected purposively to obtain the most reliable consensus. Data was collected by means of a self-report whereby participants responded to a series of questions posed by the researcher. Descriptive statistics was used for analysing data. The REALM-R was adapted to the South African context to ensure that the literacy level of South African clients is measured with an appropriate instrument

Assessment of the eng Literacy Level of Patients in Primary Health Care Services in Tshwane; Gauteng Province: Part 2

Low literacy can be described as the inability to read; write or use numbers effectively. The limited ability to read and understand health care instructions directly translates into poor health outcomes. The aim of this study was to assess the eng literacy levels of primary health care patients using the Learning Ability Battery (LAB) and the adapted Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy; Revised (REALM-R) and to determine how the results of the adapted REALM-R correlate with those of the LAB. Data were collected by means of a self-report whereby the participants had to answer the questions that were posed in the LAB and read the words out loud for the adapted REALM-R. The data analysis was performed by means of descriptive and inferential statistics; including the chi-square test and Spearman's rho. The result of the study indicated that in South Africa; school grades achieved and the reading levels of primary health care patients differ with four grades. In terms of the correlation between the results of the adapted REALM-R and those of the LAB; a correlation of r = 0.43 (p 0.001) could be established. Depending on the cut-off point used for the adapted REALM-R; 67of the participants had low literacy levels. The study provides evidence of the importance of a validated; quick and easy-to-administer literacy screening tool. The effective assessment of patients' literacy levels will assist registered professional nurses to provide health education on an appropriate level to improve patients' health literacy

Factors Impacting on Contraceptive : Introduction and Literature Review : part 1

Contraceptive practices entail a wide spectrum of concepts; namely; contraceptive methods; the use of contraceptives; the discontinuation of such use; and the non-use of contraceptives or failure to use them. The use of contraceptives and contraceptive services is influenced by a number of factors that either motivate or demotivate womento use contraceptives effectively. The aim of this literature review is to identify and describe factors impacting on the contraceptive practices of women. The discussion includes factors impacting positively or negatively on contraceptive practices in terms of age-related issues; education and status; religion; socio-cultural beliefs; values andnorms; knowledge about contraceptives; contraceptive providers and the accessibility of contraceptive services

Factors Impacting on Contraceptive among Youth in Northern Tshwane : part 2

Young people are vulnerable to risky behaviors that cause major health problems such as sexual behaviour resulting in early; unplanned pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).This study intends to identify and describe factors impacting on the utilisation of contraceptives and contraceptive services among youth in Northern Tshwane. A purposive sampling method was used to select participants who met the set criteria. Two focus group interviews were held with youth who visited the selected health care centres for contraceptives and those who had terminated a pregnancy. The interviews were tape recorded; field notes were made during interviews and these were transcribed verbatim. The findings revealed that a number of factors play a major role in non-utilisation of contraceptives and contraceptive services

Contraceptive Practices of Women in Northern Tshwane; Gauteng Province

Despite the availability of free contraceptives in the Republic of South Africa (RSA); unwanted and unintended pregnancies continue to pose challenges to reproductive health services. Structuredinterviews were conducted with 83 women in the Northern Tshwane area of the Gauteng Province about their contraceptive practices. All the participants couldgain more knowledge about the effective use ofmodern contraceptives. Knowledge about emergency ontraceptives was extremely limited. Although most participants knew about legalised termination of pregnancy services in the RSA; they didnot know how to access these services. The recommendations address ways in which contraceptive services could be improved