Browsing by Author "Matheri, Joseph Mwangi"

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    Effects of strength-training trials for children and adolescents with spastic cerebral palsy: a systematic review
    (University of the Western Cape, 2007) Matheri, Joseph Mwangi; Frantz, Jose M.
    OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of strength-training on lower limb muscles and motor activity among children and adolescents with spastic Cerebral Palsy. METHODS: A comprehensive search of full text published studies in English was performed. Electronic databases were searched with no limit for year of publication. Terms used included: exercise, children, youth, disability, treatment, strength training, spastic cerebral palsy, muscle strength, training program, therapeutic exercise, gait training, and physical function. Reference lists of retrieved articles were also examined to identify additional studies. To be included, studies had to be: randomised controlled trials evaluating strength training outcomes on children and adolescents with spastic CP. Those with intellectual disability were excluded. Evaluation for quality: Trials were rated for methodological quality using the PEDro scale independently by the 2 researchers. RESULTS: Of 4 selected trials, 1 an abstract was excluded, 3 full articles were included. Trials methodological quality ranged from 6 to 8 on PEDro scale. Two studies reported significant muscle strength changes following strength training, with effect sizes ranging from d equal to 1.17 to 1.78 and another reported improved gait and perceived body image. CONCLUSION: Trials demonstrate that strength-training improves strength of targeted muscle and motor functioning. More rigorous trials on larger samples should evaluate the impact of specificity in strength-training and cost-effectiveness of programs.
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    Persons with disabilities support services needs and utilization in Kenya: a study in preparation of a disability policy brief
    (University of the Western Cape, 2017) Matheri, Joseph Mwangi; Rhoda, Anthea
    The interaction between impairment and environmental factors impose a certain degree of incapacity on individuals, often undermining their freedom to function. Despite the fact that this disablement may require support services to forestall loss of function, little research has been conducted in Africa and the Sub-Saharan region, more specifically in Kenya, to explore persons with disabilities support services needs and utilization. There is also a paucity of information on predictors of PWDs' use of existing support services. In addition, Kenya lacks a disability policy.
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    Physical activity and sport as a tool to include disabled children in Kenyan schools
    (Routledge, 2011) Frantz, Jose M.; Phillips, Julie; Matheri, Joseph Mwangi; Kibet, Joanne J.
    This article presents a brief history of the disability movement in East Africa and is the first study of its kind in Kenya. The study aimed to determine the physical activity levels of disabled and non-disabled children at schools in selected provinces in Kenya. A cross-sectional study was conducted with children in three high schools offering inclusive education and in three government boarding high schools. Thirty-six per cent of the disabled children were physically active compared with 64% of the non-disabled children. However, there are barriers to participation and there is a need to increase physical activity participation and to create awareness of the health benefits of physical activity among the disabled population.
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    Physical activity levels among young people with physical disabilities in selected high schools in Kenya and their perceived barriers and facilitators to participation
    (Faculty of Community and Health Sciences, University of the Western Cape, 2009) Matheri, Joseph Mwangi; Frantz, Jose M.
    Purpose: To determine the levels of and potential contributing factors to participation in physical activity among young people with physical disabilities attending high school in Kenya. Methods: A cross-sectional survey, using a pre-piloted and validated self-administered questionnaire, was carried out in a purposively selected sample of 234 young people with physical disabilities drawn from three inclusive high schools in Kenya. The questionnaire comprising outcome measures for physical activity levels, barriers, and facilitators to physical activity participation was administered to the young people. Data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and both descriptive and inferential statistics were done. Results: Almost half of the children in the sample were inactive. Key barriers to physical activity were found to be: fear avoidance and disability, lack of time and the need to rest. Finding ways to exercise that are enjoyable, and not being in good health were associated significantly to gender (p<0.05). Likewise, age was significantly associated with gaining peer acceptance, as was encouragement from family and having disability (p<0.05). Conclusion: The results indicate there is a need, for activity counselling and provision of local disability-friendly and/or conducive environments to increase physical activity participation in this sample. All stakeholders should be enlisted in making recommendations and designing physical activity programmes for young people with disabilities in their schools.
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    Physical inactivity among adolescents with physical disabilities attending high schools in Kenya
    (University of the Western Cape, 2007) Matheri, Joseph Mwangi; Frantz, José Merle; Dept. of Physiotherapy; Faculty of Community and Health Sciences
    Physical inactivity together with overweight and obesity has emerged as a major health risk factor for chronic disease of lifestyle as coronary heart disease, diabetes type 2, and hypertension affecting adolescents with physical disabilities in developed countries. This has contributed to the increase of social and economic costs of healthcare and social services in these countries. Review of literature has revealed that little has been documented about the status of adolescents with physical disabilities in developing countries. This study, therefore, aimed at establishing the degree of physical inactivity among high school adolescents with physical disabilities in Kenya.