Browsing by Author "Jordaan, Esme"
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Item The association between environmental exposures during childhood and the subsequent development of Crohn's Disease: A score analysis approach(Public Library of Science, 2017) Sabe, Victor Tinashe; Basson, Abigail; Jordaan, Esme; Mazinu, MikatekoBackground Environmental factors during childhood are thought to play a role in the aetiology of Crohn's Disease (CD). In South Africa, recently published work based on an investigation of 14 childhood environmental exposures during 3 age intervals (0-5, 6-10 and 11-18 years) has provided insight into the role of timing of exposure in the future development of CD. The 'overlapping' contribution of the investigated variables however, remains unclear. The aim of this study was to perform a post hoc analysis using this data and investigate the extent to which each variable contributes to the subsequent development of CD relative to each aforementioned age interval, based on a score analysis approach. Methods Three methods were used for the score analysis. Two methods employed the subgrouping of one or more (similar) variables (methods A and B), with each subgroup assigned a score value weighting equal to one. For comparison, the third approach (method 0) involved no grouping of the 14 variables. Thus, each variable held a score value of one. Results Results of the score analysis (Method 0) for the environmental exposures during 3 age intervals (0-5, 6-10 and 11-18 years) revealed no significant difference between the case and control groups. By contrast, results from Method A and Method B revealed a significant difference during all 3 age intervals between the case and control groups, with cases having significantly lower exposure scores (approximately 30% and 40% lower, respectively). Conclusion Results from the score analysis provide insight into the 'compound' effects from multiple environmental exposures in the aetiology of CD.Item Development of a cost effective three-dimensional posture analysis tool: validity and reliability(BioMed Central, 2013) Brink, Yolandi; Louw, Quinette; Grimmer, Karen; Schreve, Kristiaan; van der Westhuizen, Gareth; Jordaan, EsmeBACKGROUND: The lack of clear understanding of the association between sitting posture and adolescent musculoskeletal pain, might reflect invalid and/or unreliable posture measurement instruments. The psychometric properties of any new measurement instrument should be demonstrated prior to use for research or clinical purposes. This paper describes psychometric testing of a new three-dimensional (3D), portable, non-invasive posture analysis tool (3D-PAT), from sequential studies using a mannequin and high school students. METHODS: The first study compared the 3D-(X-, Y- and Z-) coordinates of reflective markers placed on a mannequin using the 3D-PAT, and the Vicon motion analysis system. This study also tested the reliability of taking repeated measures of the 3D-coordinates of the reflective markers. The second study determined the concurrent validity and test-retest reliability of the 3D-PAT measurements of nine sitting postural angles of high school students undertaking a standard computing task. In both studies, concordance correlation coefficients and Intraclass correlation coefficients described test-retest reliability, whilst Pearson product moment correlation coefficients and Bland-Altman plots demonstrated concurrent validity. RESULTS: The 3D-PAT provides reliable and valid 3D measurements of five of the nine postural angles i.e. head flexion, neck flexion, cranio-cervical angle, trunk flexion and head lateral bending in adolescents undertaking a standard task. CONCLUSIONS: The 3D-PAT is appropriate for research and clinical settings to measure five upper quadrant postural angles in three dimensions. As a measurement instrument it can provide further understanding of the relationship between sitting posture, changes to sitting posture and adolescent musculoskeletal pain.Item Factors associated with patellofemoral pain in recreational road cyclists: A cross-sectional study in 59953 cyclists – SAFER XXXIII(Elsevier, 2023) du Toit, François; Schwellnus, Martin; Jordaan, EsmePatellofemoral pain (PFP) is a common cycling-related injury, and independent factors need to be identified to enable effective injury prevention strategies. We aim to determine factors associated with PFP in cyclists entering mass community-based events. 62758 consenting race entrants completed a pre-race medical questionnaire, and 323 reported PFP. Selected factors associated with PFP (demographics, cycling experience and training, chronic disease history) were explored using multivariate analyses.Item Healthy environments for athletes (heart): environmental conditions along a 90 km ultra‑marathon event, South Africa(International Journal of Biometeorology, 2024) Havenga, Henno; Jordaan, Esme; Gharbi, DorraThis paper provides an overview of the HEAT (Healthy Environments for AthleTes) project, which aims to understand the impact of environmental conditions on athlete health and performance during major sporting events such as long-distance running, cycling, and triathlons. In collaboration with the SAFER (Strategies to reduce Adverse medical events For the ExerciseR) initiative, the HEAT project carried out a field campaign at the 2022 Comrades Marathon in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa. The measurement campaign deployed seven weather stations, seven PM2.5 monitors and one spore trap along the 90 km route to capture spatially representative measurements of complex micro-climates, allergenic aerospora, and particulate matter exposure. The results indicate that runners were exposed to moderate risk heat stress conditions.Item Incidence and burden of injury at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games held during the Covid-19 pandemic: A prospective cohort study of 66 045 athlete days(British Journal of Sports Medicine, 2022) Derman, Wayne; Runciman, Phoebe; Jordaan, EsmeObjective To describe the epidemiology of injuries at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, including injuries sustained in the new sports of badminton and taekwondo. Methods Injury data were obtained daily via the established web-based injury and illness surveillance system (WEB-IISS; 81 countries, 3836 athletes) and local organizing committee medical facilities (81 countries, 567 athletes).Item Injury incidence according to athlete impairment type during the 2012 and 2016 summer paralympic games: a combined analysis of 101 108 athlete days(BMJ Publishing Group, 2024) Adam, Faatima; Jordaan, EsmeObjectives The relationship between sport-related injuries and Para athlete impairment type has not yet been comprehensively studied. This study aimed to describe injury incidence according to athlete impairment type during the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Summer Paralympic Games, by sex, age, Games period, chronicity and anatomical area. Methods A combined analysis of 7222 athletes was conducted comprising 101 108 athlete days, using pooled data. Internet sources were used to identify impairments of registered athletes. Impairment types: brain disorders (BD), limb deficiency, neuromuscular disorders (NMD), spinal cord-related disorders, visual impairment (VI) and’all others’ (OTH: impaired passive range of movement, intellectual impairment, leg length difference, short stature and unknown impairments). Results by impairment type are reported as univariate unadjusted incidences (injuries/1000 athlete days; 95% CIs). Statistical significance between impairment types was determined when 95% CIs did not overlap. Results The overall crude unadjusted incidence of injury was 11.1 (95% CI 10.4 to 11.9), significantly higher in VI (13.7 (95% CI 11.0 to 15.7)) and NMD (13.3 (95% CI 11.1 to 16.1)) compared with BD (9.1 (95% CI 7.7 to 10.8)). Acute (sudden onset) (8.6 (95% CI 7.3 to 10.1)) and lower limb (6.6 (95% CI 5.4 to 8.1)) injuries were higher among athletes with VI, while athletes with NMD had a higher incidence of repetitive (gradual onset) (5.9 (95% CI 4.3 to 8.0)) and upper limb (6.9 (95% CI 5.2 to 9.0)) injuries compared with other impairments. Conclusions Incidence and type of injuries differed between athlete impairment types. Athletes with VI or NMD sustained the highest incidence of injury, and athletes with BD had the lowest. Findings of this study can inform the management of competition-related injuries in Para athletes. © Author(s) (or their employer(s))Item Leisure athletes at risk of medical complications: outcomes of pre-participation screening among 15,778 endurance runners - SAFER VII(Taylor & Francis, 2018) Schwabe, Karen; Schwellnus, Martin; Swanevelder, Sonja; Jordaan, Esme; Derman, Wayne; Bosch, AndrewOBJECTIVE: International guidelines for pre-participation screening of masters/leisure athletes to identify those that require medical assessment exist, but have not been implemented in mass-community based sports events. We determined the prevalence of runners who, according to these guidelines, would require a medical assessment before participating in a distance running event. METHODS: Participants of the 2012 Two Oceans races (21.1 and 56 km) in South Africa (n = 15,778) completed an online pre-race medical screening questionnaire using European pre-participation screening guidelines. We determined the prevalence of runners that would require a pre-race medical assessment, based on risk factors, symptoms, and disease. RESULTS: The pre-participation “self assessment of risk” screening identified 4,941 runners (31.3%; 95% CI 30.6–32.0) that would need to undergo a full pre-participation medical assessment prior to running, if the current pre-participation screening guidelines are applied. Although musculoskeletal complaints and prescription medication use were the main triggers for a medical assessment, 16.8% (n = 2657) runners should undergo medical evaluation for suspected cardiac disease based on the questionnaire results: 3.4% (n = 538) reporting existing CVD (very high risk) and 13.4% (n = 2119) reporting multiple CVD risk factors (high risk). Other possible risk factors were reported as follows: history of chronic diseases (respiratory = 13.1%, gastro-intestinal = 4.3%, nervous system = 3.8%, metabolic/endocrine = 3.5%, allergies = 13.9%); chronic prescription medication = 14.8%, used medication before or during races = 15.6%; past history of collapse during a race = 1.4%. CONCLUSIONS: Current guidelines identified that > 30% runners would require a full medical assessment before race participation – mainly linked to runners reporting musculoskeletal conditions. We suggest a revision of guidelines and propose that pre-race screening should be considered to identify runners with a “very high,” “high,” and “intermediate risk” for medical complications during exercise. Pre-race screening and educational intervention could be implemented to reduce medical complications during exercise.Item London Measure of Unplanned Pregnancy for South African women with mental illness: Exploring perspectives on pregnancy(AOSIS, 2018) du Toit, Elsa; Jordaan, Esme; Koen, Liezl; Leppanen, Jukka M.; Niehaus, DanaINTRODUCTION: Unplanned pregnancy is a community health concern. Research with South African women revealed the complexities surrounding pregnancy planning. Categorising pregnancies as either planned or unplanned is insufficient, as reducing a multidimensional concept to a dichotomous variable oversimplifies a complex matter. METHODS: Pregnant females, 18 years and older with a primary DSM-IV-TR (APA 2000) diagnosis of psychiatric illness, are qualified for inclusion in this quantitative descriptive study. Participants completed a structured psychiatric assessment, including the London Measure of Unplanned Pregnancy (LMUP) during care as usual visits at two Maternal Mental Health Clinics. RESULTS: Although 37.1% termed their pregnancy unplanned when asked dichotomously, the LMUP scores revealed that 50.6% of the 170 participants fell outside the ‘planned’ category. Worryingly, 73.3% of the women with unplanned or ambivalent pregnancies did not use contraception. Neither the women’s intention to fall pregnant nor their perception of the right timing for being pregnant could be predicted by the group (unplanned, ambivalent or planned) in which they fell; 82.6% of the unplanned group, 57.1% of the ambivalent group and 6.0% of the planned group indicated not wanting the baby. All the women in the ‘planned’ group agreed with their partner to have a baby. This holds true for 24.4% of the women in the other two groups. CONCLUSION: Results revealed similar findings as other studies in terms of contraception use, pregnancy timing, pregnancy intent, desire to have a baby, partner involvement and healthpromoting behaviours during pregnancy. The large size of the ambivalent category emphasises that pregnancy planning cannot be viewed in terms of two dichotomous points, but should rather be thought of as a scale or continuum.Item Match injury incidence during the Super Rugby tournament is high: a prospective cohort study over five seasons involving 93 641 player-hours(BMJ Publishing Group, 2018) Schwellnus, Martin; Jordaan, Esme; Janse van Rensburg, Charl; Bayne, HelenOBJECTIVES: To determine the incidence and nature of injuries in the Super Rugby tournament over a 5-year period. METHODS: 482 male professional rugby union players from six South African teams participating in the Super Rugby tournament were studied (1020 player-seasons). Medical staff of participating teams (2012–2016 tournaments) recorded all time loss injuries (total injuries and match injuries) and exposure hours (93 641 total playing hours; 8032 match hours). Injury incidence, injured player proportion, severity (time lost), anatomical location, tissue type and activity/phase during which injury occurred are reported. RESULTS: The overall incidence of match injuries (per 1000 player-hours; 95% CI) for each year was as follows: 2012 (83.3; 69.4–99.2); 2013 (115.1; 98.7–133.5); 2014 (95.9; 80.8–113.1), 2015 (112.3; 96.6–129.9) and 2016 (93.2; 79.9–107.9). The injured player proportion for each year was as follows: 2012 (54.6%); 2013 (49.4%); 2014 (52.0%); 2015 (50.0%); and 2016 (39.8%). The thigh, knee, head/face and shoulder/ clavicle are the most frequently injured locations, and muscle/tendon and joint/ligament injuries account for the majority of injuries. Most injuries (79%) occur in contact situations, in particular during a tackle (54%). CONCLUSION: The incidence of match injuries and the injured player proportion in South African teams competing in the Super Rugby tournament is high. Match injury incidence is consistently higher than previously reported for senior male rugby players at elite/ professional level. Targeted risk management strategies are therefore needed in the Super Rugby tournament to manage risk of injury.Item Perinatal suicidality: Risk factors in South African women with mental illness(OpenJournals Publishing AOSIS (Pty) Ltd, 2020) Jordaan, Esme; Du Toit, Elsa; Niehaus, Dana J.H.Maternal Mortality is a global health concern. The lack of suicide data, particularly in low and middle income countries, is concerning and needs to be addressed. Aim: This study assessed suicidality and associated factors during pregnancy and the postpartum period amongst women with known psychiatric diagnoses. Setting: The study sample included pregnant South African women over the age of 18 years with a psychiatric disorder who presented at two maternal mental health clinics. Method: Suicidality was assessed by means of psychiatric interviews – the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview and the Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale. Results: The results revealed that women were at a higher risk of experiencing suicidality if they had attempted suicide before, presented at a later gestation for psychiatric care or were employed. It was also clear that multiple assessments, carried out by means of clinical interviews and various scales, were necessary to screen suicidality successfully in pregnant women diagnosed with psychiatric illness. Conclusion: The results confirmed the view of the World Health Organization that in order to promote mental health and well-being, women’s health should be viewed contextually, not in isolation.Item Pre-race self-reported medical conditions and allergies in 133 641 Comrades ultramarathon (90km) runners - SAFER XXIII(The Physician and Sportsmedicine, 2023) Jordaan, Esme; Brill, Stephan; Schwellnus, Martin; Sewry, NicolaObjectives: To determine the prevalence of self-reported pre-race chronic medical conditions and allergies in ultramarathon race entrants and to explore if these are associated with an Increased risk of race-day medical encounters (MEs). Methods: Data from two voluntary open-ended pre-race medical screening questions (Q1 – history of allergies; Q2 - history of chronic medical conditions/prescription medication use) were collected in 133 641 Comrades Marathon race entrants (2014-2019). Race-day ME data collected prospectively over 6 years are reported as incidence (per 1000 starters) and incidence ratios (IR: 95%CI’s).Item Predictors of multiple injuries in individual distance runners: A retrospective study of 75,401 entrants in 4 annual races- safer xxx(Elsevier, 2022) Swanevelder, Sonja; Sewry, Nicola; Jordaan, EsmeThere are limited data on factors that predict an increased risk of multiple injuries among distance runners. The objective of this study was to determine risk factors that are predictive of individual runners with a high annual multiple injury risk (MIR). A retrospective, cross-sectional study at 4 annual (2012–2015) Two Oceans 21.1 km and 56.0 km races in South Africa with 75,401 consenting race entrants. Running-related injury data were collected retrospectively through an online pre-race medical screening questionnaire. The average number of injuries for each runner every year was calculated by taking a runner's race entry history and injury history into account and categorizing entrants into 4 MIR categories (high, intermediate, low, and very low (reference)).Item Prerace medical screening and education reduce medical encounters in distance road races: SAFER VIII study in 153 208 race starters(BMJ Publishing Group, 2018) Schwellnus, Martin; Swanevelder, Sonja; Derman, Wayne; Borjesson, Mats; Schwabe, Karen; Jordaan, EsmeOBJECTIVES To examine the efficacy and feasibility of an online prerace medical screening and educational intervention programme for reducing medical complications in long-distance races. METHODS This was an 8-year observational study of medical encounter rates among 153 208 Two Oceans race starters (21.1 and 56 km) in South Africa. After the first 4-year control (CON) period, we introduced an online prerace medical screening (based on European pre-exercise screening guidelines) and an automated educational intervention programme. We compared the incidence of medical encounters (per 1000 starters; all and serious life threatening) in the CON versus the 4-year intervention (INT) period. RESULTS In comparison to the CON period (2008–2011: 65 865 starters), the INT period (2012–2015: 87 343 starters) had a significantly lower incidence (adjusted for age group, sex, race distance) of all medical encounters by 29% (CON=8.6 (7.9–9.4); INT=6.1 (5.6–6.7), p<0.0001), in the 21.1 km race by 19% (CON=5.1 (4.4–5.9); INT=4.1 (3.6–4.8), p=0.0356) and in the 56 km race by 39% (CON=14.6 (13.1–16.3); INT=9.0 (7.9–10.1), p<0.0001). Serious life-threatening encounters were significantly reduced by 64% (CON=0.6 (0.5–0.9); INT=0.2 (0.1–0.4); p=0.0003) (adjusted for age group and sex). Registration numbers increased in the INT period (CON=81 345; INT=106 743) and overall % race starters were similar in the CON versus INT period. Wet-bulb globe temperature was similar in the CON and INT periods. CONCLUSION All medical encounters and serious life-threatening encounters were significantly lower after the introduction of a prescreening and educational intervention programme, and the programme was feasible.Item Sport, sex and age increase risk of illness at the Rio 2016 Summer Paralympic Games: a prospective cohort study of 51 198 athlete days(BMJ, 2018) Derman, Wayne; Schwellnus, Martin P.; Jordaan, Esme; Runciman, Phoebe; Blauwet, Cheri; Webborn, Nick; Lexell, Jan; Van de Vliet, Peter; Tuakli-Wosornu, Yetsa; Kissick, James; Stomphorst, JaapOBJECTIVETo describe the epidemiology of illness at the Rio 2016 Summer Paralympic Games. METHODS A total of 3657 athletes from 78 countries, representing 83.5% of all athletes at the Games, were monitored on the web-based injury and illness surveillance system (WEB-IISS) over 51 198 athlete days during the Rio 2016 Summer Paralympic Games. Illness data were obtained daily from teams with their own medical support through the WEB-IISS electronic data capturing systems. RESULTSThe total number of illnesses was 511, with an illness incidence rate (IR) of 10.0 per 1000 athlete days (12.4%). The highest IRs were reported for wheelchair fencing (14.9), para swimming (12.6) and wheelchair basketball (12.5) (p<0.05). Female athletes and older athletes (35–75 years) were also at higher risk of illness (both p<0.01). Illnesses in the respiratory, skin and subcutaneous and digestive systems were the most common (IRs of 3.3, 1.8 and 1.3, respectively). CONCLUSION (1) The rate of illness was lower than that reported for the London 2012 Summer Paralympic Games; (2) the sports with the highest risk were wheelchair fencing, para swimming and wheelchair basketball; (3) female and older athletes (35–75 years) were at increased risk of illness; and (4) the respiratory system, skin and subcutaneous system and digestive system were most affected by illness. These results allow for comparison at future Games.Item Symptom number and reduced preinfection training predict prolonged return to training after sars-cov-2 in athletes: Aware IV(Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, 2023) Snyders, Carolette; Schwellnus, Martin; Jordaan, EsmeSymptom Number and Reduced Preinfection Training Predict Prolonged Return to Training after SARS-CoV-2 in Athletes: AWARE IV. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc., Vol. 55, No. 1, pp. 1-8, 2023. Purpose: This study aimed to determine factors predictive of prolonged return to training (RTT) in athletes with recent SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: This is a cross-sectional descriptive study. Athletes not vaccinated against COVID-19 (n = 207) with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection (predominantly ancestral virus and beta-variant) completed an online survey detailing the following factors: demographics (age and sex), level of sport participation, type of sport, comorbidity history and preinfection training (training hours 7 d preinfection), SARS-CoV-2 symptoms (26 in 3 categories; “nose and throat,” “chest and neck,” and “whole body”), and days to RTT. Main outcomes were hazard ratios (HR, 95% confidence interval) for athletes with versus without a factor, explored in univariate and multiple models. HR < 1 was predictive of prolonged RTT (reduced % chance of RTT after symptom onset). Significance was P < 0.05. Results: Age, level of sport participation, type of sport, and history of comorbidities were not predictors of prolonged RTT.Item Using a mHealth system to recall and refer existing clients and refer community members with health concerns to primary healthcare facilities in South Africa: a feasibility study(Taylor & Francis, 2020) Jordaan, Esme; Odendaal, Willem A.; Lewin, Simon A.Background: Lay health workers (LHWs) are critical in linking communities and primary healthcare (PHC) facilities. Effective communication between facilities and LHWs is key to this role. We implemented a mobile health (mHealth) system to improve communication and continuity of care for chronically ill clients. The system focused on requests from facility staff to LHWs to follow up clients and LHW referrals of people who needed care at a facility. We implemented the system in two rural and semi-rural sub-districts in South Africa. Objective: To assess the feasibility of the mHealth system in improving continuity of care for clients in PHC in South Africa. Method: We implemented the intervention in 15 PHC facilities. The clerks issued recalls to LHWs using a tablet computer. LHWs used smartphones to receive these requests, communicate with clerks and refer people to a facility. We undertook a mixed-methods evaluation to assess the feasibility of the mHealth system. We analysed recall and referral data using descriptive statistics. We used thematic content analysis to analyse qualitative data from semi-structured interviews with facility staff and a researcher fieldwork journal. Results: Across the sub-districts, 2,204 clients were recalled and 628 (28%) of these recalls were successful. LHWs made 1,085 referrals of which 485 (45%) were successful.