Knowledge, attitudes and experiences of dieticians in relation to tuberculosis at the workplace
- Authors: Oxland, Ingrid Oxley
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Tuberculosis -- South Africa -- Etiology Disease management -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/12972 , vital:27140
- Description: Tuberculosis (TB) is acknowledged as an epidemic in South Africa. Health care professionals (HCPs), including dieticians, are at an increased risk for TB-infection compared to the general population. Implementation of the World Health Organization (WHO) TB infection control measures can protect HCPs from contracting TB; however, many studies have shown poor adherence to guidelines by HCPs. The aim of the study was to determine dieticians’ knowledge, attitudes and experiences in relation to TB at the workplace. A descriptive quantitative, cross-sectional research design was employed. Convenience sampling was applied. The online survey was conducted between August 2014 and March 2015. Data analysis included descriptive and inferential statistics. Ethical principles were adhered to. The sample consisted of 102 registered dieticians in South Africa. Good knowledge was displayed as two-thirds of dieticians correctly identified the National TB Management Guidelines and the main signs and symptoms of TB. However, a critical knowledge gap regarding TB transmission was identified, as only 42% of dieticians knew that TB could spread by talking. Favourable attitudes towards TB and infection control measures were present, except towards inadequate staffing levels and being worried about TB. The respondents reported that the fear of contracting TB affected patient interaction. Poor adherence to infection control measures was found. Only 45% of dieticians reported having a written TB infection control plan at their workplace, and only 23% were trained on TB infection control measures. Coughing patients were not always triaged and education material was not always available for TB patients. The availability of N-95 respirators was reported by 76% of dieticians. Training on TB infection control measures could influence dieticians’ adherence to infection control measures, ultimately protecting them from contracting TB at the workplace.
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- Date Issued: 2016
Plantar force differences before and after an ultra-endurance event
- Authors: Sims, Gwenivere
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Human mechanics , Foot -- Abnormalities , Foot surgery
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:10101 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1012795 , Human mechanics , Foot -- Abnormalities , Foot surgery
- Description: The aim of this study was to determine the pre- and post-plantar force differences of athletes competing in an ultra-endurance event. The study was exploratory and quasi-experimental in nature and utilized a quantitative approach. A Quasi-experimental, one group pretest, posttest design was used. The study involved 84 participants selected by means of convenient sampling from a total of 1552 participants. The equipment used for data collection was the RS Footscan®, stadiometer and a weight scale. Differences between the plantar forces before and after the competition were significant for the sample group, indicating higher forces before the competition (t = -3.62, p = 0.001, d = 0.40). Gender, and novice and expert groupings had no significant effect on the plantar forces (t = 1.43, p = 0.155 and t = 0.21, p = 0.837) respectively. Gender groups had large significant differences between the left and right forefoot (t = 3.90, p = 0.000) and the heel (t = 3.54, p = 0.001), before the competition, but this difference was reduced after the competition from large to moderate significance for the forefoot and the heel (t = 2.84, p = 0.006 and t = 2.99 and p = 0.004) respectively. Lower forces after the ultra-endurance event may indicate compensation due to overuse; with less muscle contraction to control foot roll over for force distribution. Favouring of the right foot for weight bearing changed after the event with smaller differences, which could indicate increase loading of the left feet, which may result in injury. The number of females included in this study was relatively few and therefore the effect of gender in respect of plantar foot force exerted should be interpreted with caution. The novices recorded higher forces in the forefoot, after the competition. Similar results were found in other studies that reported increased pressures under the forefoot after long distance running. The latter findings may suggest that novices have a higher chance for overuse injury.
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- Date Issued: 2011