South African single mothers' experiences of raising a child with a disability

Background: Historically, in South Africa (SA), single motherhood has been part of the landscape and continues to increase. Disability in children is also increasing, yet it remains under-researched. Mothers are often left to raise their children with a disability alone, yet their voiced maternal experiences continue to largely be unheard, particularly in SA. Objectives: This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of single mothers raising a child with a disability in SA. Furthermore, the aim was to explore how these mothers navigate their complex realities and practice of mothering, and to amplify the voices of mothers. Finally, the study sought to shed light on the particular contextual factors that affect single maternal experiences in caring for a child with a disability. Method: Twelve South African single mothers raising a child with a disability between the ages of 7 years and 18 years were individually interviewed in this exploratory interpretivist study. Thematic analysis was utilised on the data. Results: The four themes highlight the complex, multi-level strain of raising a child with a disability, which has had a significant impact on the social, financial and emotional facets of single mothers' lives. Conclusion and contribution: The findings of the study are important for developing a thorough understanding of the needs of single mothers in this specific context as well as their daily experiences as mothers of children with disabilities. These needs include the necessity of psychosocial support and equipping single mothers with accurate knowledge about their child's disability so that they can make better accommodations for themselves and their child.

Leisure-time physical activity practices and the influencing factors among government office employees in Kigali, Rwanda

Background: Physical inactivity is one of the major risk factors of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, obesity, certain cancers, and all-cause mortality. Office employees are particularly exposed to such diseases, due to the nature of their work, which mainly involves passive activities that require less energy expenditure. Objectives: The objective of the study was to assess the leisure-time physical activity participation (LTPAP) among government employees in Kigali, Rwanda, as well as to highlight the factors that motivate, or hinder their participation. Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive quantitative study was conducted with 600 participants. A stratified sampling technique was used to determine the study sample from the Government of Rwanda's Sports Policy stakeholder institutions. Then, a convenience sample of participants was selected from each stratum to form the final study sample. Data were collected using a three-part customised, self-administered questionnaire to capture demographic data, leisure-time physical activity levels (LTPA) using the Godin-Shephard questionnaire, and the factors that influenced participation. Analysis was done using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed to summarise and draw meaningful associations between different variables. Results: More than half (61.1%) of the participants were not sufficiently active. Physical activity levels declined significantly with advancing age (p = 0.004) and increasing working experience (p = 0.002); female participants were less active than males. The prevention of diseases and maintenance of good health were the most frequently reported contributors (48.8%) to physical activity participation, while time and tight work schedules were the most frequently reported hindrances (62.2%). Conclusion: The majority of government office employees in Kigali did not engage in sufficient leisure-time physical activity, hence they may be at high risk of developing NCDs. Strategies to increase LTPA among employees should be implemented

Quels facteurs influencent la qualité de vie des patients tunisiens atteints de cancer du poumon? / Which factors influence the quality of life of Tunisian patients with lung cancer?

Introduction - Les facteurs influençant la qualité de vie (QDV) des patients tunisiens atteints d'un cancer du poumon (CDP) sont méconnus.L'objectif de cette étude est d'identifier les facteurs influençant la QDV des patients tunisiens atteints d'un CDP. Méthodes - Un questionnaire médical a évalué les caractéristiques générales et spécifiques de 100 patients dont 90 hommes, et les questionnaires QLQ-C30 et QLQLC13 ont évalué la QDV. Résultats - Les femmes, les sujets âgés, les mariés et les analphabètes avaient une mauvaise QDV. Comparativement aux patients indemnes de comorbidités, ceux ayant une à deux comorbidités avaient des scores d'activités physiques et professionnelles/loisirs plus bas. Comparativement aux patients ayant un cancer datant de moins d'un an, ceux dont le cancer datait de plus d'un an avaient des scores de santé globale et d'activité physique plus bas, et des scores de nausées/vomissements, d'insomnie et d'anorexie plus élevés. Les patients en stade avancé avaient une mauvaise QDV en termes d'activités physique et émotionnelle, d'insomnie et de constipation. Les patients ayant des métastases avaient une mauvaise QDV en termes de score global, d'activité physique, de fatigue, d'insomnie, d'anorexie et de diarrhée. Le type histologique et le type de traitement n'influençaient pas la QDV. Le sexe n'influençait pas les scores du QLQ-LC13. Comparativement aux patients traités par chimiothérapie, ceux traités par la combinaison chimiothérapie et chirurgie avaient des scores de dyspnée et de neuropathie périphérique plus élevés. Conclusion - Les facteurs suivants influencent la QDV des Tunisiens atteints d'un CDP: le sexe, l'âge, l'état civil, le niveau de scolarisation, les comorbidités, le stade et la durée d'évolution du cancer, et les métastases. Comparativement aux patients traités par chimiothérapie, ceux traités par chimiothérapie et chirurgie avaient des scores de dyspnée et de neuropathie périphérique plus élevés

Introduction - No previous study has established the factors that influence the quality of life (QOL) of tunisian patients with lung cancer (LC).This study aims to identify the factors that influence QOL of tunisian patients with LC. Methods. A medical questionnaire assessed the general and specific characteristics of 100 patients (90 men), and structured questionnaires (QLQ-C30 and QLQ-LC13) assessed QOL. Results -Women, elderly, married and illiterate patients had poor QOL. Compared to patients free from comorbidity, those with one to two comorbidities had lower scores of physical and life-role activities. Compared to patients with cancer discovered less than one year ago, those who's cancer appeared more than one year ago had lower scores of global health, physical activity, nausea/vomiting, and higher scores of insomnia and anorexia. Patients with advanced cancer had poor QOL in terms of physical and emotional activities, and insomnia and constipation items. Patients with metastases had a poor QOL in terms of global health, physical activity, fatigue symptom, insomnia, anorexia, and diarrhea. The histological and treatment types did not influence QOL. The QLQ-LC13 scores were not influenced by sex. However, compared to patients treated with chemotherapy, those treated with chemotherapy and surgery had higher scores of dyspnea and peripheral neuropathy. Conclusion - The following factors influenced QOL of Tunisian patients with LC: sex, age, civil status, schooling level, comorbidities, LC stage and duration, metastases. Compared to patients treated with chemotherapy, those treated with chemotherapy and surgery had higher scores of dyspnea and peripheral neuropathy

An inferential comparison between the capabilities and achievements of 1st-year medical and nursing students at the University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa

Background. Research indicates that academic stressors; living circumstances; working conditions and where students undertake leisure activities affect academic performance; capabilities and achievements (functionings). Objective. To investigate how 1st-year medical and nursing students perceived their own capabilities compared with their actual achievements (functionings). The article focuses on the achievements (functionings); as these students were admitted through a selection process; indicating their potential capability to succeed. Methods. In this descriptive; comparative study; all 1st-year medical and nursing students at the University of the Free State; Bloemfontein; South Africa were invited to complete a validated questionnaire to reflect their capabilities (scope) and achievements (outcomes). The questionnaire incorporated seven domains: happiness; achievements; health; intellect; social relations; environment and integrity. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics (frequencies; medians; means; standard deviations and standard errors). Results. All respondents valued the domains positively with regard to the outcomes (functionings). On average; nursing students valued the domains 17.4% lower than the medical students. Integrity was valued the highest by all. Health scored the lowest in the medical group; and environment (where students study and undertake leisure activities) the lowest in the nursing group. Conclusions. Medical schools should include wellness in their curricula; limit the degree of physical and emotional exhaustion associated with training; and have realistic expectations of students. Programmes should allocate enough time for students to manage their time well to take part in physical activity and eat healthy foods. Nursing students' work environment should improve. More time should be made available for leisure activities and improvement to students' study environment

Leisure Boredom and Adolescent Risk Behaviour: A Systematic Literature Review

There has been very little research investigating leisure boredom and risk behaviour among adolescents in South Africa. A systematic review of literature was conducted to synthesise current knowledge within the field of leisure boredom and risk behaviour among adolescents. An online and a hand search for relevant articles were conducted using keywords. This resulted in the retrieval of 25 articles that met the inclusion criteria. It was evident that the experience of leisure boredom is influenced by a variety of different factors; not least of which is the environment or context within which adolescents are situated. A key finding was how few studies have focussed on leisure boredom and risk behaviour in adolescents; particularly in the developing world. Also; gaps in the knowledge basis were identified; thus providing direction for future research. The review focuses attention on leisure boredom as a factor contributing to risk behaviour in adolescents. Expanding knowledge in this area is useful for individuals and organisations concerned with adolescent health; education and development