Effectiveness of different interventions to reduce occupational sitting among office administrators at Rhodes University
- Authors: Malesa, Thato
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Standing position , Sedentary behavior , Work environment , Employee health promotion , Office furniture -- Design , Industrial hygiene , Employees -- Health risk assessment , Human engineering , Compliance
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/166403 , vital:41360
- Description: Background: Sitting for prolonged periods is common in the working environment. Office workers are exposed to long periods of sitting time at work. Research has reported associations between prolonged sitting and negative health implications. As such studies have proposed different interventions aimed at reducing sitting times in the workplace. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effectiveness of two different interventions, physical intervention (sit-stand worktables) and personal intervention (instruction to stretch) on compliance and reducing occupational sitting behaviour. The study also aimed to investigate the effectiveness of interventions in improving or impairing mood. Methods: The study took the form of a fieldbased study atRhodes University, Makhanda, South Africa. Fifteen full–time office workers in different divisions participated in the study. Participants were randomly allocated to either the physical or personal intervention group. In both intervention groups, partic ipants were prompted to stand for five minutes every hour during the workday to either work in a standing position or perform stretches. Over the course of the experiment, desk occupancy, sitting/standing time and mood effect were recorded in both intervention groups Both intervention groups were monitored for a period of three months (58 days). Results: The study found that the physical intervention group was an effective approach to reduce prolonged sitting in the workplace in comparison to the personal intervention group. Over the course of the experiment, there was sustain usage of interventions in both groups, however, in the physical intervention group desk usage decreased overtime. The findings of the study also show that some participants were more compliant with the study procedures than others. It was also found that mood improved upon introducing interventions in the workplace. However, with the outcomes of the results, the study acknowledges that several factors emerged which are likely to impact compliance, which future studies may investigate. Conclusion: Although sit-stand worktables are expensive, it seems like introducing them was successful in reducing sitting time and changing sitting behaviour in comparison to an intervention that instruct s individuals to stand up and stretch.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Malesa, Thato
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Standing position , Sedentary behavior , Work environment , Employee health promotion , Office furniture -- Design , Industrial hygiene , Employees -- Health risk assessment , Human engineering , Compliance
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/166403 , vital:41360
- Description: Background: Sitting for prolonged periods is common in the working environment. Office workers are exposed to long periods of sitting time at work. Research has reported associations between prolonged sitting and negative health implications. As such studies have proposed different interventions aimed at reducing sitting times in the workplace. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effectiveness of two different interventions, physical intervention (sit-stand worktables) and personal intervention (instruction to stretch) on compliance and reducing occupational sitting behaviour. The study also aimed to investigate the effectiveness of interventions in improving or impairing mood. Methods: The study took the form of a fieldbased study atRhodes University, Makhanda, South Africa. Fifteen full–time office workers in different divisions participated in the study. Participants were randomly allocated to either the physical or personal intervention group. In both intervention groups, partic ipants were prompted to stand for five minutes every hour during the workday to either work in a standing position or perform stretches. Over the course of the experiment, desk occupancy, sitting/standing time and mood effect were recorded in both intervention groups Both intervention groups were monitored for a period of three months (58 days). Results: The study found that the physical intervention group was an effective approach to reduce prolonged sitting in the workplace in comparison to the personal intervention group. Over the course of the experiment, there was sustain usage of interventions in both groups, however, in the physical intervention group desk usage decreased overtime. The findings of the study also show that some participants were more compliant with the study procedures than others. It was also found that mood improved upon introducing interventions in the workplace. However, with the outcomes of the results, the study acknowledges that several factors emerged which are likely to impact compliance, which future studies may investigate. Conclusion: Although sit-stand worktables are expensive, it seems like introducing them was successful in reducing sitting time and changing sitting behaviour in comparison to an intervention that instruct s individuals to stand up and stretch.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
The relationship between employee wellness and work engagement in a non-governmental organisation
- Authors: Coopasamy, Kubashinie
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Employee health promotion
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/47685 , vital:40323
- Description: Employee wellness and work engagement have a positive influence on organisational behaviour. The main aim of the research study was to understand whether a relationship existed between employee wellness and work engagement in a Non-Governmental organisation (NGO). The research used a cross-sectional design and a composite questionnaire to measure employee wellness and work engagement. This was a paper and pen-based questionnaire which was distributed to 160 employees. Of the 160 questionnaires distributed only 155 participants responded. These participants are employed at NGO’s based in Port Elizabeth, Johannesburg and East London. An exploratory factor analysis determined a new more reliable factor structure for PWS. Employee wellness lost items and became a three-factor structure. The results showed that the new EFA model was best suited for the present study. Work Engagement remained a three-factor structure. T-tests and ANOVAs revealed significant differences between the constructs and the demographic groups. Correlations showed the main findings of the study to be a relationship between employee wellness and work engagement in a non-governmental organisation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Coopasamy, Kubashinie
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Employee health promotion
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/47685 , vital:40323
- Description: Employee wellness and work engagement have a positive influence on organisational behaviour. The main aim of the research study was to understand whether a relationship existed between employee wellness and work engagement in a Non-Governmental organisation (NGO). The research used a cross-sectional design and a composite questionnaire to measure employee wellness and work engagement. This was a paper and pen-based questionnaire which was distributed to 160 employees. Of the 160 questionnaires distributed only 155 participants responded. These participants are employed at NGO’s based in Port Elizabeth, Johannesburg and East London. An exploratory factor analysis determined a new more reliable factor structure for PWS. Employee wellness lost items and became a three-factor structure. The results showed that the new EFA model was best suited for the present study. Work Engagement remained a three-factor structure. T-tests and ANOVAs revealed significant differences between the constructs and the demographic groups. Correlations showed the main findings of the study to be a relationship between employee wellness and work engagement in a non-governmental organisation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
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