Browsing by Author "Frantz, José"

Now showing 1 - 13 of 13
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    A model for the integration of spiritual care into the nursing curriculum in Nigeria
    (University of the Western Cape, 2018) Afolayan, Joel Adeleke; Frantz, José
    Man is a bio-psycho-social-spiritual being, and his needs are informed by all these elements. The need for spiritual care in nursing education and practice is no longer a new concept in developed countries, nor even in some developing countries. However, in Nigeria, there is no consistent evidence of how spirituality is taught within the nursing curriculum nor how it is practised. The literature review also confirms that no existing set of rules or models for integrating spiritual care into the curriculum of nursing exists in the country. If nursing care is to be holistic, concerted attention must be paid to spiritual care, and to the training of nurses so that they can provide spiritual care within the context of holistic care for patients in the healthcare system. The main purpose of this academic work was to develop a model for the integration of spiritual care-giving into the nursing curriculum. This cross-sectional study used adapted modified Intervention Mapping (IM) strategies with a mixed method approach, to collect in-depth information.
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    Back pain amongst dentistry students at the University of Western Cape
    (University of the Western Cape, 2008) Pradeep, Joseph Reejen; Frantz, José; Diener, Ina; Faculty of Science
    Back pain has been reported to be the most common type of discomfort in all occupational groups. Studies have shown that dentists experience more neck, shoulder and back pain than practitioners in other occupational groups. This has caused an increase of social and economic costs of healthcare and increased frequency of sickness absenteeism in Western countries. About 72% of dentists experience back pain according to studies done in Western countries thus showing a very high prevalence among dentist. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of back pain among dentistry undergraduate students. As there have been reports of high prevalence of back pain among dentistry students in Western countries.
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    Challenges experienced by second and third-year nursing students when integrating theory into practice in a selected clinical setting in the Western Cape Province
    (University of the Western Cape, 2016) Zenani, Nombulelo Esme; Frantz, José; Filies, Gérard
    Background: Nursing as a profession is based on firm knowledge, values, clinical skills and attitudes. In the current dynamic healthcare systems, all nurses are challenged to be insightful and have robust clinical reasoning and psychomotor skills in order to integrate theory into practice. Therefore, they need to be accountable in ensuring that they perform optimally to meet the extensive demands of clinical settings. Theory-practice integration is a major element that sustains quality and drives best nursing practice. One of the barriers to theory-practice integration is the gap between theory and practice in nursing education. Therefore, if sound theory is the basis for understanding the reality of the clinical setting, then every effort should be made to reduce the gap between theory and practice. Aim: The aim of the study was to explore and describe the challenges experienced by second and third-year nursing students when integrating theory into practice in a selected clinical setting in the Western Cape. Method: A qualitative approach, using an explorative, descriptive and contextual design, was employed. The target population of the study was the second and third-year nursing students who were registered for the Bachelor of Nursing Degree in the academic year of 2016. The selected non probability sample comprised of 14 participants. Data were collected using semi-structured focus group interviews, with an interview guide and probing to gain detailed information during the process of data collection. Interviews were audio recorded to ensure that no information would be lost and the researcher could review it when necessary. The content analysis method was used to analyse the data. Permission to conduct the study using the nursing students was obtained from the registrar of the University of the Western Cape and the HOD of Son. The research ethics committee granted ethics approval related to the study. All participants were involved in the study on a voluntary basis. Informed consent and focus group confidentiality binding forms were completed by participants to ensure confidentiality. Results: Four themes emerged from the findings namely: Theory verses practice, lack of role models, inadequate support structures and communication. The study highlighted that nursing students still experience a challenge with integrating theory into practice in the clinical settings. In addition the study highlighted that clinical guidance from the preceptors a crucial role in the professional development of students. The results of the study also showed that a new structure of facilitating nursing students in clinical settings must be in place. This structure should include proper orientation and supervision of the nursing students. The preceptors who facilitate clinical guidance must be equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to ensure that they are able to facilitate and monitor the competence of the nursing students. Conclusion: Clinical nursing education is vital and indispensable in nursing education. It is very complex consisting of many aspects and situations, which can be challenging and demanding for a nursing student. Due to its complexity, it is essential for nursing students to be exposed to a variety of real life situations within their training in order to better prepare them for quality practice. Nursing students therefore require sufficient support from the clinical preceptor and the nursing educators, to acquire the necessary skills, knowledge and attitude to perform nursing duties with competence, when placed in the clinical settings. This calls a lot of attention from the higher learning institutions and the clinical settings to have standardised goals and expectation for the students, providing quality clinical accompaniment that will socialise the nursing student optimally in the profession and attempt to bridge the gap between theory and practice.
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    The effect of occupational-related low back pain on functional activities among male manual workers in a construction company in Cape Town, South Africa
    (University of the Western Cape, 2010) Himalowa, Simon; Frantz, José; Dept. of Physiotherapy; Faculty of Community and Health Sciences
    Construction manual workers are at a high risk of suffering from occupational related low back pain because of high-risk activities involved and the nomadic nature of the workforce. Low back pain and its associated disability continue to plague the construction industry. The prevalence of occupational related low back pain among manual workers in construction companies is believed to be due to high exposure to awkward postures for long hours, heavy manual work and exposure to whole-body vibration in the work environment. As a result of these risky exposures, low back pain has consistently been the leading cause of both occupational disability and absenteeism in the construction industry. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of occupational related low back pain on the functional activities of the manual workers in a construction company in Cape Town. The prevalence and the predisposing factors of low back pain among construction manual workers were established as well as the effect of occupational-related low back pain on the functional activities of the manual workers was also determined. A crosssectional descriptive study using quantitative method was utilized. A convenient sampling method was employed and all the 212 available participants at two construction settings were recruited for the study. The population was categorised into four main occupational groups; masons, handymen, labourers and foremen. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire as a closed ended interview guide. The questionnaire comprised of four parts. Part one was used to determine the demographic data while parts two, three and four utilised three standardizedclose-ended validated questionnaires. These are; the Nordic Musculoskeletal Disorder Questionnaire, the Profile Fitness Mapping questionnaire and the Pain and Disability Questionnaire. Data was captured and analyzed using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 17.0 spreadsheet for statistical analysis. The study was conducted under the adherence of the ethical considerations. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses describe the association between the investigated independent variables with the occurrence of occupational related low back pain in the study. Results are presented using tables, charts and graphs. The results revealed a 25% prevalence of low back pain while the one month and one week prevalence rates were 69% and 54% respectively. Masons recorded the highest low back pain prevalence rate (58%). Initial onset of low back pain was mainly attributed to bending (48%) and load lifting (28%). The chi-square test at p< 0.05 was done. The results revealed a lack of association between low back pain and the socio-demographic characteristics. Participants confirmed suffering physical, emotional, financial and functional problems with 41.5% reporting sickness absence and a mean of 4 days being lost during the past year. Further chi-square test for proportion revealed an association between low back pain and participants ‟ability to; lift (p=0.006), bend back forwards (p=0.001) and ability to bend back backwards (p=0.014). To prevent impairment, activity limitation and participation restriction among construction manual workers, a number of factors must be addressed at epidemiological level as highlighted in the recommendations of this study.
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    Empowering community health workers to improve their health behaviours using a self-management approach
    (University of Western Cape, 2021) Johnson, Levona; Frantz, José
    South Africa and the Western Cape Province are under severe strain with an increasing quadruple burden of disease, and a deficit in the number of professionally trained healthcare workers available to meet the health needs of the population. Risky health behaviours have contributed to the rising prevalence of non-communicable disease, which in turn has largely contributed to the burden of disease. Community health workers are key frontline workers, who have been specifically appointed as links between the professional health force and the communities, to act as change agents and advocate for improved health behaviours. Taking into consideration that more than 80% of the population is dependent on the public health system, and in particular, the primary healthcare sector, these laypersons have a mammoth task to fulfil.
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    Epidemiology of soccer injuries in Rwanda: A need for physiotherapy intervention
    (University of the Western Cape, 2004) Twizere, Janvier; Frantz, José; Dept. of Physiotherapy; Faculty of Community and Health Sciences
    Being involved in soccer in Rwanda at both national and international level exposes soccer players to the risk of injury. The aim of this study was to identify common soccer injuries among the 1st and 2nd division soccer teams in Rwanda and to establish the need for physiotherapy intervention. This deals with the first two stages of injury prevention, which included identification and description of the extent of the problem and the identification of factors and mechanisms that play a part in the occurrence of injuries.
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    Evidence to inform the development of physiotherapy guidelines for HIV-infected and HIV non-infected women following obstetric and gynaecological surgery
    (University of the Western Cape, 2014) Reddy, Preshani; Frantz, José; Moodley, Manivasan
    Methods to improve women’s health have become an urgent global priority. Development of clinical guidelines is viewed as a way of improving the quality of health care in South Africa. At present there are no physiotherapy guidelines for women post-caesarean section delivery (CSD) and post-hysterectomy, which are the most common procedures performed by obstetricians and gynaecologists. South African women have the highest HIV-prevalence rates in the world, but there is a global dearth of literature on common postoperative complications for this cohort of women. The aim of this study was to provide evidence supporting the development of physiotherapy clinical guidelines relevant for HIV-infected and HIV non-infected women following caesarean section delivery and hysterectomy. The overall design of the study was prospective, descriptive and explanatory, with longitudinal, comparative and cross-sectional components incorporated at the different phases of the study. An amalgamated four-phase conceptual framework with specific objectives per phase was used to achieve the study aim. Phases 1 and 2 were conducted at four public hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal. Phase 1 identified the long-term complications and quality of life for HIV-infected and non-infected women post-CSD (N=310) and hysterectomy (N=101) over a six- month period; phase 2, which was cross-sectional in nature, identified treatment strategies and complications described by physiotherapists (N=31) for this cohort of women. Purposive probability sampling and purposive convenient sampling was used to select potential participants for phases 1 and 2. A self-administrated questionnaire with close and open-ended questions was used in the first two phases of the study. During phase 3, a systematic review and Delphi method (N=12) were used to investigate current management strategies of representative physiotherapists. Purposive sampling was used to select the participants who are considered as experts in the field of women’s health, for the Delphi study. The information from phases 1 to 3 was collated in phase 4 to provide the evidence to inform the development of the clinical guidelines. Phase 1 revealed that physical health complications commonly persisted for at least six months and negatively affected the quality of life of women post-CSD or post-hysterectomy. Phase 2 showed that very few patients post-CSD and hysterectomy were being referred for physiotherapy, and of those referred, the main problem being treated was respiratory complications. A systematic review of the literature yielded only one article relevant to the outcome of management of patients post- hysterectomy, thus illustrating the dearth of literature in this area. The experts who were consulted for the Delphi study suggested treatment techniques for the postoperative complications identified in phase 1, and consensus was reached on the techniques in the second Delphi round. The results were then collated in the final phase and presented in tables containing the identified problem, treatment and best available evidence to move towards the development of the guidelines. The common postoperative morbidities that were identified in this study can be prevented or treated with physiotherapy, but information is needed in this area to guide treatment practices. The prevention of postoperative complications can result in a decrease in demand for services, thereby reducing the current strain on the health system. The current study contributed to 18 of the 23 criteria in the appraisal of guidelines for research and an evaluation tool. The conceptual framework used to generate the evidence can also be employed in other facets of health care. In order to improve the quality of health care rendered to women, health care professionals require a complete picture of their patient. This research adds to the body of knowledge in an area where there is a dearth of literature and provides a platform to develop clinical guidelines. No national research exists that compares the postoperative complications of HIV-infected and non-infected women, which is essential to enable comprehensive care of HIV-infected women. The guidelines that will be developed can improve the quality of health care rendered to women, and establish the role of physiotherapists in this area.
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    Health education needs among individuals with low back pain
    (University of the Western Cape, 2004) Ng'uurah, Julius Nyagah; Frantz, José; Dept. of Physiotherapy; Faculty of Community and Health Sciences
    The prevalence of low back pain has assumed an upsurge trend in the last five decades despite the many interventional strategies. One interventional strategy that has been unsuccessful has been patient education. Lack of positive results from many of the existing patient education programmes is probably due to the type of health information that has been presented and the method that has been used. Many of the health education programmes have been planned according to what the medical professionals assumed the individuals needed to know, assumptions that could have ignored some crucial aspects. This study explored the perceived health education needs of individuals with low back pain at the Nairobi Hospital Rehabilitation Unit in Kenya, the method used to educate the individuals, the appropriateness of the method according to the individuals in addition to identifying the source of the health education that the individuals had.
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    A home-based physical activity programme in combination with massage therapy to improve motor and cognitive development in HIV positive children on antiretroviral therapy: A randomised controlled trial
    (University of the Western Cape, 2014) Khondowe, Oswell; Frantz, José; Nikodem, Cheryl; Harper, Kim
    The aim of this study was to prospectively, evaluate the effectiveness of an individually designed home-based physical activity programme in combination with massage therapy, on motor and cognitive development in children infected with HIV. This study used a randomized controlled trial design. One hundred and twenty-eight infants and toddlers (children) were recruited between March 2010 and September 2010 and randomly allocated to receive either an individually designed home-based physical activity programme in combination with massage therapy or standard treatment and massage on a 1:1 ratio. Motor and cognitive development was measured using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development third edition (Bayley-III)
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    The Outcomes and Impact of a Postgraduate Physiotherapy Master's Programme on Research and Clinical Practice in Africa
    (University of the Western Cape, 2016) Kunda, Richard; Frantz, José
    The past decade has seen a growth in Physiotherapy schools offering postgraduate programmes in South Africa. The Republic of South Africa assists other African countries like Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania and Zambia in upgrading the education of diploma-trained physiotherapists (DTPs) to Bacherlor of Science (Honours) (BSc (Hons) and Master's Degrees respectively. The three institutions offering Physiotherapy training in Cape Town make it the largest training locality for Physiotherapy in South Africa. The University of Cape Town (UCT), University of the Western Cape (UWC) and Stellenbosch University are situated within a twenty kilometre radius from each other. These schools have taken a leading role in the postgraduate training of their own PTs, and those from other developing countries. In 2007, for example, about 20% of postgraduate students in Cape Town Physiotherapy schools were from other African countries. The Department of Physiotherapy at UWC in particular has been upgrading DTPs from other African countries to BSc (Hons) and Master's degrees for the last twenty years. However, compared to the wealth of educational literature on other healthcare professions, literature on the evaluation of postgraduate Physiotherapy programmes is scarce. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes and impact of the UWC postgraduate Physiotherapy BSc (Hons) and Master's programme on clinical practice and research in East and Southern Africa. The dissertation used an explorative and descriptive theory-based evaluation approach using qualitative research methodology. The steps involved in the research process determined the choice and use of the qualitative methodology. The use of qualitative methods was undertaken to provide a comprehensive analysis of the research problem. The study had three main phases. Initially, administrative document reviews and in-depth interviews with UWC postgraduate Master's programme designers (PDs) were conducted to help develop and test the programme theory and measuring instruments (interview guides). Secondly, postgraduates were interviewed to establish and test the implementation process theory, as well as investigate perceived programme outcomes. Then focus group discussions with postgraduate students of UWC, and individual interviews with workplace supervisors of the UWC postgraduates were undertaken to investigate the perceived outcomes and impact of the UWC Master's programme. A variety of methods appropriate for the different steps or stages of the programme were employed, to ensure this evaluation exercise becomes an integrated function in which data are continuously collected and used for decision-making and programme improvement. Multiple types of data were collected to inform each phase. The researcher used purposive sampling technique to constitute the sample. The sampling technique yielded three official documents, three (3) PDs and two (2) implementers, 27 UWC postgraduates, seven (7) workplace supervisors and 30 students of UWC postgraduates. Data was collected via document analyses, in-depth interviews, telephonic in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. Qualitative data analysis occurred concurrently with data collection. Atlas Ti software version 10 was used to assist with data management. The UWC postgraduates reported acquiring knowledge of manual therapy, better management of musculo-skeletal conditions and enhanced clinical reasoning. Participants also reported career growth, pursuit of higher degrees such as PhDs, promotions, job changes from physiotherapy clinicians to educators, involvement in research and the introduction of BSc programmes in their respective countries. The current study demonstrates that the primary objective of the UWC BSc (Hons) and Master's programmes such as increasing access to physiotherapy training in Africa and empowering DTPs with research skills and knowledge of community-based rehabilitation was being realised. However, many postgraduate participants in all countries emphasised the need to include basic sciences, clinical practice and specialisation in the UWC BSc (Hons) and Master's programmes respectively. Furthermore, the participants reported that the programmes did not have much impact on management of conditions other than musculo-skeletal. On the other hand, the employers that participated in the current study identified that the UWC programmes had a positive impact on Physiotherapy education in their respective countries, producing a total of five Physiotherapy degree programmes between the year 2000 and 2014. Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Zambia reported introducing two, one, one and two BSc Physiotherapy programmes respectively. The study also revealed moderate research activity among UWC postgraduates, a challenge most employers attributed to institutional research agendas, high patient work-load and personal strengths of postgraduate students. The students of UWC graduates who participated in the current study reported acquiring new assessment skills for musculo-skeletal conditions, enhanced treatment techniques for musculoskeletal conditions and use of evidence to guide their clinical practice. The participants also reported reduced hospital visits among patients with musculo-skeletal conditions and relatively short treatment durations. However, in all universities but one, students indicated that most lecturers had difficulty applying basic sciences during lectures. The participants also reported a lack of specialist lecturers in areas other than musculo-skeletal. This thesis focused on evaluation of the outcomes and impact of postgraduate BSc (Hons) and Master's programmes in Physiotherapy for DTPs in SADC and East Africa. While the thesis has highlighted many achievements, it has also identified training needs of DTPs that require attention. First, we recommend that the curriculum be reviewed to incorporate clinical practice and more theoretical content in the BSc (Hons) programme and that the UWC special BSc (Hons) programme be considered an RPL project to ensure the visible (documented) and nonvisible (undocumented) knowledge claimed by applicants are subjected to a form of assessment through the UWC RPL process, thus enabling the university to identify the knowledge gap that requires bridging among DTPs seeking admission to the degree programme. Second, we recommend a review of the Master's degree by coursework programme to include more theoretical and clinical practice components that would allow for specialisation.
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    Parents’ views regarding the implementation of knowledge and skills acquired in parenting skills training
    (University of Western Cape, 2020) Mdidimba, Ncumisa; Frantz, José
    Prevention and early-intervention programmes that promote and assist parents in acquiring the skills and knowledge required to parent children effectively, with or without behavioural issues are a crucial to childcare. The Children’s Act, Act 38 of 2005, as well as the South African Constitution declare that the needs of a child are important; therefore, when the parents are equipped with adequate knowledge and skills, prevention of a family breakdown could be achieved. This current research study, therefore, involves an exploration of the experiences of parents, who had participated in parental intervention strategies, in the form of positive parenting skills training.
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    The prevalence and management of low back pain among high school children in Nyamasheke District, Rwanda
    (University of the Western Cape, 2011) Ndahimana, Paul; Frantz, José
    Low back pain among high school children is perceived to be uncommon in the clinic setting. However, previous studies have suggested that it may be an important and increasing problem to be managed in this age group. The overall aim of this study was to determine the prevalence, the predisposing factors and management of low back pain among high school children in Nyamasheke district in Rwanda. A cross– sectional descriptive study was conducted using a combination of quantitative and qualitative research methods. The study included a population of 10 330 high school children aged 13- 21 years old registered in high schools of Nyamasheke district. In addition, 13 service providers involved in addressing low back pain were included in the study. The study was conducted in ten schools selected randomly, four schools from nine urban schools and six schools from 15 rural schools. The sample size included 1 000 participants selected by a simple random sampling method and six service providers selected by purposive sampling method. A self-administered questionnaire was given to high school learners. Semi-structured interviews amongst service providers were conducted to validate information given by high school learners. The software SPSS version 19.0 for windows and Microsoft Excel package 2010 were used to analyze the quantitative data. Descriptive statistics using frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations and inferential statistics using chi-square and correlation tests were calculated to examine the association between variables. For qualitative findings, audiotaped interviews were transcribed and translated from Kinyarwanda into English, and the expressed ideas were coded and reduced into themes and categories. Permission to conduct this study was obtained from the Senate Research Grants and Study Leave Committee at the University of the Western Cape, and the concerned authorities in Rwanda. Individual participants and their parents/guardians were informed of the study through an information sheet and written informed consent or assent was then obtained from the participants. The mean age of the quantitative study sample was 17 years, and 48.2% were females compared to 51.8% of males. The response rate was 96.2%. The low back pain prevalence was found to be 66.1%. The mean age of the first occurrence of low back pain was 14.5(SD = 2.28). One year prevalence was found to be 25.4% whereas the one month prevalence was 13.7%. Males were the most to report low back pain comparatively to females with 53.1% and 43.9% respectively. There was significant relationship between age group and low back pain (p = 0.000). High school children from the rural region were the most to report low back pain in comparison to those from urban region with 61.5% against 38.5% respectively. Regarding the predisposing factors to low back pain, a strong relationship was found between low back pain and posture (sitting and standing position) (p=0.000) with 83.2%. The findings of the interviews conducted among service providers showed that the main predisposing factors for low back pain could be posture/position in class and psychological factors. The study found that most of the participants do not attend medical services. The study highlighted that the impact of low back pain included medical costs, missing class when attending medical services and difficult to perform normal usual activities. It was found that the level of education in health promotion as preventive measures of low back pain is still at low level.
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    Work related neck pain amongst university administrative staff
    (University of the Western Cape, 2008) Panwalkar, Shilpa; Frantz, José; NULL; Faculty of Community and Health Sciences
    This study aimed at identifying the factors contributing towards work related neck pain amongst university administrative staff, its impact on everyday life activities and in turn its prevalence. A quantitative descriptive cross sectional study design was used amongst the administrative staff at the University of The Western Cape, South Africa. Data collection was carried out with the help of a questionnaire which was administered by the researcher in person. Data was analysed with both descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS and SAS for windows. Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis was done. The results of this study revealed a very high prevalence of work related neck pain amongst university administrative staff.