O Brasil tem experimentado transformações na composição etária e no perfil epidemiológico da população, com alterações relevantes no quadro de morbi-mortalidade. Diante deste contexto, aumenta o interesse dos estudiosos sobre as conseqüências sociais e econômicas das doenças crônicas não transmissíveis e a busca por novos métodos para analisar o perfil dessas doenças e formas de alocar, com eficiência, os recursos em saúde visando à promoção da saúde da população. Os objetivos deste estudo, de delineamento metodológico, foram traduzir, adaptar culturalmente para o Brasil o instrumento Health and Work Performance Questionnaire (HPQ) e avaliar as propriedades psicométricas da versão brasileira em enfermeiros. O HPQ é um instrumento adotado pela Organização Mundial da Saúde que permite a coleta de informações sobre condições crônicas de saúde e avaliar o impacto destas condições no desempenho do trabalho, pela análise do absenteísmo, presenteísmo e a ocorrência de acidentes de trabalho. O processo de adaptação seguiu o Protocolo de Tradução da Organização Mundial da Saúde. Os dados para a avaliação das propriedades psicométricas foram coletados no período de julho a agosto de 2011, em um hospital público e de ensino do interior do Estado de São Paulo, por meio da aplicação da versão adaptada do HPQ, denominada \"Questionário Saúde e Desempenho no Trabalho\" (HPQ Brasil), em 100 enfermeiros.. As propriedades psicométricas analisadas foram: a validade de face e conteúdo (grupo de especialistas), a confiabilidade pelo Alfa de Cronbach e a estabilidade por teste-reteste. O nível de significância adotado foi de 0,05. Os resultados demonstraram que a amostra estudada foi composta por enfermeiros que possuíam as seguintes características; 89% sujeitos do sexo feminino, com média de idade de 33,9 anos, 51% solteiros e 67% com formação de pós graduação. Na avaliação das propriedades psicométricas, a consistência interna da versão adaptada do HPQ, alfa de cronbach foi de 0,94 para a seção A e 0,86 para a seção B do instrumento. Na análise das concordâncias da estabilidade teste-reteste, as concordâncias foram positivas e estastisticamente significantes. Desta forma, a versão adaptada do HPQ mostrou-se valida e confiável na amostra estudada. O HPQ - Brasil poderá ser usado para acompanhar a prevalência de problemas de saúde entre trabalhadores, as taxas de tratamento destes problemas e os seus efeitos no desempenho no trabalho, além de oferecer as instituições de saúde informações fundamentais para o planejamento de programas de melhoria da saúde e da produtividade dos trabalhadores e de redução dos custos com as Doenças Crônicas Não-Trasmissíveis aspectos que denotam a relevância do estudo ora apresentado. / Brazil has undergone a process of transition with changes in age composition and epidemiological profile of its population which has caused a significant impact on morbidity and mortality. In light of that there is a growing interest among experts in social and economic consequences of chronic noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and new approaches to assess the profile of these diseases and to effectively allocate resources for health promotion. This study aimed to translate into Brazilian Portuguese and culturally adapt the World Health Organization (WHO) Health and Work Performance Questionnaire (HPQ) and evaluate its psychometric properties among Brazilian nurses. The HPQ was developed by the WHO and can measure the impact of chronic illnesses on work performance through the analysis of absenteeism, presenteeism and work-related injuries. The adaptation process followed the WHO Translation Protocol. The psychometric properties of the Brazilian version of the questionnaire (Health and Work Performance Questionnaire, HPQ-Brazil) were evaluated in a sample of 100 nurses from a public teaching hospital in the state of São Paulo, southeastern Brazil, between July and August 2011. The psychometric properties analyzed included face validity and content validity (expert group), reliability by Cronbach\'s alpha, and test-retest stability. A 5% level of significance was set. The study sample comprised nurses with the following characteristics: 89% were female, mean age 33.9 years; 51% were single and 67% had graduate training. The internal consistency of the adapted version of HPQ using Cronbach\'s alpha was 0.94 for the instrument\'s section A and 0.86 for section B. There were statistically significant positive concordances in the analysis of test-retest stability. Thus, the adapted version of the HPQ proved valid and reliable in the sample studied. The HPQ-Brazil can be used to assess the prevalence of health conditions and treatment rates and their impact on work performance among workers. In addition it can provide input for planning strategies to improve worker\'s health and productivity and reduce NCD-related costs.

Estudos têm mostrado que a atividade da enzima glutationa peroxidase (GPx) se encontra reduzida na presença do polimorfismo de nucleotideo único (SNP) Pro198Leu no gene que codifica para a GPx1. Associado a isso, polimorfismos na região promotora do gene do fator de transcrição Nrf2, o qual se liga ao elemento de resposta antioxidante na via de expressão de genes de enzimas antioxidantes, também pode alterar a expressão gênica da GPx1. Como o mineral selênio faz parte do sítio catalítico desta enzima antioxidante, muitos estudos têm associado o estado nutricional relativo a este nutriente com doenças relacionadas ao estresse oxidativo, como o diabetes mellitus tipo 1 (DM1). Nesse sentido, este estudo visou avaliar a presença dos SNPs Pro198Leu e -617 C/A no Nrf2, bem como da expressão gênica da GPx1 em pacientes com diabetes mellitus tipo 1 e relacioná-los com marcadores do estado nutricional relativo ao selênio e de estresse oxidativo, comparados com um grupo controle sem a doença. Este é um estudo caso e controle, constituído por dois grupos experimentais, um grupo composto por 77 pacientes com diabetes mellitus tipo 1 (DM1) atendidos no Setor de Endocrinologia do Hospital das Clínicas, com idade entre 10 e 19 anos, de ambos os gêneros, e um grupo controle (GC) constituído por 74 indivíduos da mesma faixa etária, os quais relataram ausência de doenças crônicas. Foi realizada avaliação antropométrica e da ingestão alimentar. Além disso, foram determinados parâmetros bioquímicos de status de selênio, controle glicêmico (glicose sérica, HbA1c), atividade enzimática, concentração de malondialdeído e 8-isoprostanos. A determinação dos SNPs e da expressão gênica foi realizada por PCR em tempo real. O grupo DM1 apresentou média de idade de 15,9 anos e o GC de 13,4 anos. A concentração de glicose sérica e HbA1c foi significativamente diferente entre os grupos (p<0,001). As frequências dos genótipos do SNP da GPx1 para o grupo DM1 e GC foram, respectivamente, 60% e 61% (CC), 30% e 32% (CT), 10% e 7% (TT),estando em equilíbrio gênico. A concentração de selênio no plasma foi significativamente maior no grupo DM1 e, ao avaliar essa concentração de acordo com genótipos, observou-se menor concentração de selênio no plasma no genótipo TT no grupo controle (p<0,05). A expressão gênica da GPx1 não apresentou diferença estatística entre os grupos nem entre os genótipos. O mesmo foi observado quanto à concentração de 8-isoprostanos. No entanto, a atividade das enzimas GPx e SOD assim como a concentração de MDA foram significantemente maiores no grupo DM1 (p<0,05). O estado nutricional de todos participantes em relação ao selênio estava deficiente. Foi observada correlação entre a concentração de selênio no plasma e nos eritrócitos e a atividade da GPx, assim como foi observada maior atividade enzimática e concentração de MDA no grupo DM, sem apresentar diferença na distribuição segundo os alelos estudados. Desta forma, pode-se concluir que independentemente da doença todos os indivíduos apresentaram deficiência de selênio. Em ambos os grupos, foi observada maior peroxidação lipídica, na presença do alelo variante T, o que pode indicar alteração da proteção antioxidante. No entanto, a presença do alelo variante nos SNPs avaliados não apresentaram influencia sobre a expressão gênica. / Studies have shown that the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) is reduced in the presence of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in Pro198Leu encoding GPx1 gene. Beyond that, polymorphism of the transcription factor Nrf2 gene promoter, which binds to the antioxidant response element in the pathway of antioxidant enzymes gene expression, may also alter gene expression of GPx1. As mineral selenium is part of the catalytic site of this antioxidant enzyme, many studies have associated the nutritional status of this nutrient with oxidative stress diseases, such as type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1). Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the presence of Pro198Leu and -617 C / A in Nrf2 SNPs, as well as GPx1 gene expression in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus, and to associate them with nutritional status of selenium and stress oxidative markers, comparing with a control group without the disease. This is a case-control study, compound of two groups, one group containing 77 patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1) from the Service of Endocrinology of Hospital das Clinicas, aged between 10 and 19 years, of both genders, and a control group (CG) was composed for 74 individuals of the same age, who reported no chronic diseases. Anthropometric and dietary intake assessment was performed. In addition, the biochemical parameters of selenium status, glycemic control (serum glucose, HbA1c), enzyme activity, concentration of malondialdehyde and 8-isoprostane were determined. The determination of SNPs and gene expression was performed by real-time PCR. The DM1 group had a mean age of 15.9 years and 13.4 years for the CG. The concentration of serum glucose and HbA 1c were significantly different between groups (p <0.001). The genotype frequencies of the GPx1 SNP for DM1 and control group were, respectively, 60% and 61% (CC), 30% and 32% (CT), 10% and 7% (TT), which is in genetic equilibrium. The selenium concentration in plasma was significantly higher in DM1 group. To assess the selenium concentration according to genotypes, we observed lower plasma concentration in TT genotype in the control group (p <0.05). The GPx1 gene expression showed no statistical difference between groups or between genotypes. The same result was observed for the 8-isoprostane concentration. However, GPx and SOD activity and MDA concentration were significantly higher in DM1 (p <0.05). The nutritional status of all participants in relation to selenium was deficient. Correlation between selenium concentration in plasma and erythrocytes and GPx activity, as well as higher enzyme activity and MDA concentration in the DM1 group were observed, with no significant difference in the distribution according to studied alleles was observed. The presence of the variant allele in the SNPs evaluated showed influence neither on gene expression, nor on the activity of GPx. Thus, it can be concluded that, regardless of the disease, all subjects had low nutritional status of selenium, without genotype influence, and, as expected, oxidative stress was increased in individuals with DM1, as demonstrated by laboratory tests.

Submitted by Renata Lopes (renatasil82@gmail.com) on 2017-04-12T20:47:58Z No. of bitstreams: 1 juliaazevedobahia.pdf: 1489371 bytes, checksum: 252f00ed17ff2cbfedb4ea38ba42f3d0 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Oliveira (adriana.oliveira@ufjf.edu.br) on 2017-04-18T13:17:28Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 juliaazevedobahia.pdf: 1489371 bytes, checksum: 252f00ed17ff2cbfedb4ea38ba42f3d0 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-04-18T13:17:28Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 juliaazevedobahia.pdf: 1489371 bytes, checksum: 252f00ed17ff2cbfedb4ea38ba42f3d0 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-12-14 / Este estudo transversal teve como objetivo avaliar a associação entre a doença periodontal e qualidade de vida de usuários tabagistas atendidos no centro HIPERDIA – Juiz de Fora. Participaram do estudo 96 indivíduos, do quais foram coletados dados sobre as variáveis socioeconômicas, parâmetros clínicos periodontais, história tabágica, autopercepção na qualidade de vida. A periodontite crônica foi classificada de acordo com a Academia Americana de Periodontologia e a metodologia proposta por Genco. Os dados da qualidade de vida foram obtidos por meio do instrumento Oral Health Impact Profile na forma reduzida (OHIP-14), adaptado e validado em português. A doença periodontal foi encontrada em 79 (82,2%) dos avaliados, sendo que 65 (67,7%) desses possuem periodontite crônica na forma grave. A média do escore do OHIP-14 foi 7,98, sendo que, que desconforto psicológico, dor e inabilidade psicológica foram as dimensões de maior impacto na qualidade de vida dos usuários entrevistados. Considerando que a população atendida é de alto risco, com diversas doenças crônicas associadas ao uso do tabaco, percebemos que esta é uma população que requer estratégias e intervenções precoces referentes a saúde bucal e, consequentemente, da qualidade de vida. / This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the association between periodontal disease and quality of life of users smokers treated in HIPERDIA - Juiz de Fora. The study included 96 individuals, of which we collected data on the socioeconomic variables, clinical parameters, smoking history, perception on quality of life. The chronic periodontitis was classified according to the American aAcademia of Periodontologia and the methodology proposed by Genco. The data quality of life were obtained by means of the instrument Oral Health Impact Profile in the reduced form (OHIP-14), adapted and validated in English. The periodontal disease was found in 79 patients (82.2%) of the evaluated, and that 65 (67.7%) of these have severe chronic periodontitis in severe form. The mean score of the OHIP-14 was 7.98, and that psychological discomfort, pain and psychological disability were the dimensions of the greatest impact on quality of life of users surveyed. Whereas the populations served is high risk, with various chronic diseases associated with the use of tobacco, we realize that this is a population that requires strategies and early interventions for oral health and, consequently, the quality of life.

Introduction: Populational aging triggered an increase in the prevalence of dysfunctions and chronic diseases that can impact on quality of life of elderly. To evaluate the quality of life World Health Organization (WHO) developed several instruments including an easy use and low-cost WHOQOL-Bref instrument. This instrument gives a general evaluation of elderly quality of life and a cut-off point to identify elderly with poor quality of life was suggested in the literature recently (< 60 points indicates poor quality of life). Objectives: The objective of the present study was to estimate quality of life of elderly inserted in Family Health Strategy (FHS) from Manaus-Amazonas. Methods: A cross-investigation of two conglomerates was conducted in elderly inserted in FHS Manaus. Data collection was made in the house of the elderly by previously trained interviewers. After the database organization and analysis of the profile of quality of life of older people, they were categorized into two groups: those who had a score of <60 points (PLQ = poor life quality) and> 60 points (RGLQ = Regular and good life quality). Socioeconomic, cultural indicators of lifestyle and health were compared between these two groups using chi-square test or Student t. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was also performed. The conducted study of the project was previously approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Amazonas State University and all participants signed a Consent Form Clarified. Results: A total of 1509 elderly included in the study, we evaluated the quality of life in 1431 individuals. The average age of the sample was 70.9±7.6 years. Almost elderly was married (56.5%), illiterate (25.6%) or had a very low education (62%). with very low income (60%) and lived with spouse or spouse and other relatives (52.4%). A relative high number of elderly (n=297, 20.8%) self-reported to perform some habitual physical activity, 353 (24.7%) subjects reported that smoke or smoked in the past and 102 (7.1%) said that believe to intake high quantity of alcoholic beverages. The mean WHOQOL-Bref score was 87.9±11.6 points. A total of 88 elderly (6.1%) were included in the PQL group while 1342 (93.9%) were included in the elderly RGLQ group. The PLQ group had a frequency of hypertension, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cerebrovascular accident (CVA) significantly higher when compared to the RGLQ group. This association was independent of sex and age. PQL also showed high frequency of elderly that self-reported very poor/poor vision, hearing and prevalence of hospitalizations. This association was independent of sex and age. Conclusion: The results suggest that no association was found between quality of life and age or gender. Elderly widows had a higher prevalence of low quality of life than elderly with another marital status. Already education, income and living with the relatives did not influence the quality of life of elderly investigated, as well as lifestyle indicators such as smoking and physical activity either. The association analysis between different morbidities and quality of life showed that elderly PQL group had a higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, stroke and cardiovascular disease than elderly RGQL group. / Introdução: O envelhecimento populacional tem levado ao aumento na prevalência de disfunções e doenças crônicas que podem ter impacto na qualidade de vida do idoso. Para avaliar este impacto a Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS) desenvolveu diversos questionários, incluindo o WHOQOL-Bref que tem baixo custo e é de fácil aplicação. Este instrumento fornece uma avaliação geral da qualidade de vida dos idosos e um ponto de corte para identificar idosos com baixa qualidade de vida foi sugerido recentemente na literatura (< 60 pontos indicam qualidade de vida ruim). Objetivos: Estimar a qualidade de vida de idosos inseridos na Estratégia Saúde da Família (ESF) de Manaus-AM. Métodos: Uma investigação transversal, de dois conglomerados foi conduzida em idosos inseridos na ESF de Manaus. A coleta de dados foi feita na casa dos idosos por entrevistadores previamente capacitados. Após a organização do banco de dados e análise do perfil de qualidade de vida dos idosos, os mesmos foram categorizados em dois grupos: aqueles que tinham um escore de < 60 pontos (PLQ= poor life quality) e > 60 pontos (RGLQ= regular and good life quality). Os indicadores socioeconômicos, culturais, de estilo de vida e saúde foram comparados entre estes dois grupos utilizando teste do qui-quadrado ou T de Student. Análise multivariada por regressão logística também foi realizada. O projeto do estudo realizado foi previamente aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa da Universidade do Estado do Amazonas e todos os participantes assinaram um Termo de Consentimento Livre e Esclarecido. Resultados: De um total de 1509 idosos incluídos no estudo, avaliou-se a qualidade de vida em 1431 indivíduos. A idade média da amostra foi de 70,9±7,6 anos. A maioria dos idosos era casada (56,5%), analfabeta (25,6%) ou tinha educação muito baixa (62%). A renda também era baixa (60%). A maioria vivia com seus cônjuges ou familiares, principalmente filhos (52,4%). A pontuação média do WHOQOL-BREF foi de 87,9±11,6. Um total de 88 idosos (6,1%) foram incluídos no grupo PLQ enquanto que 1342 (93,9%) idosos foram incluídos no grupo RGLQ. O grupo PLQ apresentou uma frequência de hipertensão, diabetes tipo 2, doenças cardiovasculares e acidente vascular encefálico (AVE) significativamente maior quando comparado com o grupo RGLQ. Esta associação foi independente de sexo e idade. O grupo PQL também mostrou alta frequência de idosos que auto relataram uma visão ou audição muito pobre ou má e prevalência de hospitalizações Conclusão: Os resultados sugerem que não foi observada associação entre qualidade de vida e idade ou sexo. Idosos viúvos apresentaram uma maior prevalência de baixa qualidade de vida do que idosos com outra situação conjugal. Já a educação, renda e o convívio com os filhos não influenciaram a qualidade de vida dos idosos investigados, assim como os indicadores do estilo de vida como o tabagismo e a atividade física também não. A análise de associação entre diferentes morbidades e qualidade de vida mostrou que idosos do grupo PQL apresentaram maior prevalência de diabetes tipo 2, hipertensão arterial sistêmica, AVE e doenças cardiovasculares do que idosos do grupo RGQL.

Magister Public Health - MPH / Background: NAMDEB is a Namibian alluvial diamond mining company, owned in equal shares by the government of republic of Namibia and De Beers. It is mining in the open-cast mines along the southern coast of Namibia, using various methods and equipments such as bowl scrapers, bulldozers, trackdozers and excavators. NAMDEB have got different mining site, where employees are residing in hostels near the mine. One of those mines is the Pocket Beaches mine where this study took place. The study investigated the prevalence and factors associated with obesity amongst employees of Pocket Beaches mine. Obesity rates are increasing at an alarming rate worldwide; 1.2 billion people worldwide are overweight of which 300 million are clinically obese. Of concern is that obesity is a risk factor for many diseases including hypertension, diabetes and other forms of cancers. Although there are several mine workers who on reporting to occupational health services for minor ailment are found to be overweight or obese, we are not certain of the extent of the problem. The health risk associated with obesity could cause a big loss to NAMDEB in terms of care cost, low productivity and absenteeism. Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and determinants of obesity amongst NAMDEB employees working at Pocket Beaches diamond mine Study design: a descriptive, cross-sectional study measured the prevalence of obesity and describes the factors that are associated with obesity and overweight. Study population: NAMDEB employees who were working at Pocket Beaches mine. A simple random sampling technique was used to select participants. 87 employees were selected from 188 total NAMDEB employees working at Pocket Beaches mine. Data collection: Data was collected through interviews. Anthropometric measurements namely weight, height and abdominal circumference were collected using a standard protocol. Analysis: Data was analyzed using Epi Info 2002. Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated as kg/m2. Overweight was defined as BMI = 25 to 29.9 kg/m2 and obesity as BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2. Waist Circumference ≥80 cm was used to identify central obesity in women and ≥90 cm in men. The frequency of participation in physical activity, barriers to physical activity and food consumption is reported in percent and means. Result: The study found prevalence 42% overweight and 32% obesity among employees of NAMDEB. A significant number of participants 48% never participate in moderate exercise per week. 71% of participants reported lack of motivation to exercise and too tired after work as the major barriers to physical activity. The consumption of fatty foods such as fried chicken and fried meat was common among study subjects. A large number of respondents 79% eat fried chicken regularly while 74% eat fried meat regularly. 79% of participants consumed inadequate fruits and vegetable (1 fruit and vegetable per day). The two most mentioned reasons for low fruits and vegetables consumption were lack of fruits and vegetables in hostel food menu and 14% don’t like fruits. / South Africa

Magister Scientiae - MSc (Physiotherapy) / Across the world, physical inactivity was found to be associated with cardiovascular and chronic diseases of lifestyle which often leads to an increased rate of various physical disabilities and premature death. To combat these high incidences of chronic diseases of lifestyle, WHO strongly encourages people to become physically active on a daily basis to reduce the risk of premature death. Running has thus become the preferred choice of physical activity by thousands of people to help improve their overall health and wellbeing. Apart from the health benefits&nbsp; that running provides, it can also predispose the runner to potential injury especially when runners follow an inappropriate training programme and have inadequate knowledge about factors causing injury. Therefore, baseline data about the prevalence, incidence of injury and the identification of the aetiological factors associated with running injuries are needed to develop and implement preventative programmes to allow runners to optimally perform in training and races without injury. In South Africa, there is limited research available on the incidence of injury in runners yet there is an annual increase in participation in races such as Two Oceans and Comrades marathon which could lead to an increase in the number of running injuries.Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of injuries and identify the various risk factors that are associated with injuries in road runners at a local athletic club. Methods: A prospective cohort study design over a 16 week period using quantitative research methods was used. A sample of 50 runners had consented to participate in the study. The participants had to complete a self-administered questionnaire and clinical measurements of BMI, Q-angle, leglength, muscle strength of lower leg and ROM of hip and knee were recorded. The participants had to complete an injury report form to record any new injuries sustained over the 16 week period of the study. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 18 and software SAS v9 (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA) was used for data capturing and analysis. Descriptive and inferential statistics were done to summarize the data and was expressed as frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviations. Injury prevalence and cumulative incidence was calculated as a proportion rate along with 95% confidence interval. The Poisson regression model was used to analyse the association between running injury and the independent variables of interest such as demographics, anthropometric measurements, training methods, running experience and previous injury. The alpha level was set as p< 0.05. Results: The study found that the majority (92%) of the participants (n=46) sustained running injuries in the past prior to the study. A total of 16 participants sustained a number of 50 new injuries over the 16 week study period. Thus the prevalence rate of injuries was 32%. The incidence rate of injuries for this study was 0.67 per 1000km run at a 95% confidence interval of 0.41, 1.08. Furthermore, the most common location of new injuries reported were the calf (20%) and the second most common location was the knee (18%). PFPS was the most common type of knee injury diagnosed, followed by lumbar joint sprain. The results showed that none of the identified factors (running distance, stretching, age, Q-angle, BMI, running experience, leg-length discrepancy and previous running injuries) were directly associated with running injuries. However, a marginal significance was found for running distance (p = 0.08) and leg length discrepancy (p = 0.06). Conclusions: The study found a high prevalence and incidence rate of injury thus the need for preventative programmes have been highlighted. There was no statistical significance found between the identified factors and risk of injury however, there was clinical relevance found between factors identified. One major limitation was the small sample of participants and the short duration of study period. Thus, future research is needed to further determine possible factors associated with running injuries over a longer period and including a larger sample. The results of the study will be made available to all the stakeholders (runners, coaches and medical team) to implement in athletic club. / South Africa

Magister Scientiae (Physiotherapy) - MSc(Physio) / Physical inactivity has become a global health concern and is among the 10 leading causes of death and disability. This has led to increased concern for chronic diseases of lifestyle (CDL). Studies have revealed that regular physical activity is effective in combating several CDL such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, hypertension and obesity. Physiotherapists are in a position to combat inactivity and effectively promote physical activity to their clients. Studies however have shown that participation in physical activity among physiotherapists could have an impact on the promotion of physical activity and their health practices. This study therefore sought to establish the relationship between physical activity levels of physiotherapists and their physical activity promotion strategies and barriers to promoting physical activity. Sequential Mixed Method Design was used in this study. Data was collected by means of a self administered questionnaire and a total of 92 physiotherapists voluntarily answered the questionnaire. A focus group discussion comprising of 10 purposively selected physiotherapists was conducted. The questionnaire assessed physical activity levels and physical activity promoting strategies of the participants while the focus groupdiscussion looked at the barriers to promoting physical activity. The Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 18 was used for data capturing and analysis. Descriptive statistics were employed to summarize demographic information as means, standard deviation, frequencies and percentages. Inferential statistics (chi-square) was used to test the associations between different categorical variables (p<0.05). For the qualitative data, focus group discussions were used to collect data. Tape recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim, field notes typed, sorting and arranging data was done and themes were generated. Thematic analysis was then done under the generated themes. Ethical issues pertaining to informed consent, anonymity, confidentiality and the right to withdraw from the study were respected in this current study. The findings in the current study revealed that a big number of the participants were physical active both at work and recreation domains. However, there was no statistically significant association between physical activity and the demographicvariables. The results in this study revealed that the majority of participants were good physical activity promoting practices, although there was no significant association between physical activity levels and the physical activity promoting practices. The finding in this study revealed that discussing physical activity and giving out information regarding physical activity to their clients were the most common methods used in promoting physical activity. However, participants also highlighted barriers they ace in promotion of physical activity such as policies on physical activity, cultural influence, nature of work, time management as well as environmental barriers. The study demonstrates the need for all stakeholders to come up with solutions to break the barriers to promotion of physical activity. In return it will bring about enormous health&nbsp; benefits to the general population. / South Africa

>Magister Scientiae - MSc / Scientific studies have shown that chronic diseases of lifestyle (CDL) such as hypertension and diabetes mellitus are major causes of mortality and morbidity, accounting for about 60% of the disease burden globally. Available statistics for Swaziland indicate that hypertension and heart diseases are on the increase and are responsible for 33,540 and 3,146 cases per year respectively. Regular physical activity (PA) is widely recognised as a means for the primary and secondary prevention of CDL due to their multi-factorial beneficial effects on an individual‟s health. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine PA participation among adults with hypertension in Mbabane, Swaziland and the extent to which they are encouraged to be physically active. A cross-sectional design, utilising quantitative methods was employed in the study and three validated standardised interview administered questionnaires were used to collect data from both hypertensive individuals and health professionals. A sample size of 422 hypertensive individuals and 72 health professionals was included in the study. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 was used to analyse the data. Descriptive statistics were employed to summarise data and was expressed as means, standard deviation, frequencies and percentages. The Students‟t-test was used to compare mean age and PA. Chi-square tests were used to test for associations between categorical variables with significant levels set at 5% (p < 0.05). Blood pressure was classified into controlled (≤ 140/≤ 90 mmHg) and uncontrolled (≥ 140/≥ 90 mmHg). PA was dichotomised into active (> 600 MET-minute/week) and sedentary (< 599 METminute/ week). BMI was classified as underweight (<18.5), normal (18.5-24.9), overweight (25-29.9) and obese (>30). The findings of the current study revealed that a considerable number of individuals with hypertension (53%) were physically inactive with poorly controlled blood pressure (57%). A statistical significance was found between mean age and PA (sedentary and active) (P= 0.000 ˂ 0.05). iii The study also revealed that the perceived benefits of PA as reported by individuals with hypertension outweighed the perceived barriers. In addition, the majority of health professionals were found to be poor counsellors of PA (58%). Most health professionals informed their patients on becoming physically active but did not include important components of PA counselling such as the types of PA, intensity and duration. The common reasons for not including PA as part of the daily routine include: not my area of specialty and lack of time. These factors could significantly contribute to sedentary behaviour among hypertensive individuals in developing countries such as Swaziland. For this reason, an urgent need for PA promotion programmes which will motivate hypertensive individuals to participate in sufficient levels of PA as recommended by public health research has been established. The programmes should include educating health professionals on current trends in the promotion of PA. A combination of these approaches will help to reduce morbidity and mortality from cardio-vascular disease (CVD), in particular hypertension.

By using panel data from SHARE this thesis shows, that retirement has a negative effect on indicators of physical and mental health. Results from using fixed effects models suggest that retirement leads to 0,85 points increase in chronic diseases, 0,3 points increase in difficulties associated with mobility and 0,07 points increase in body mass index. Also retirement increases the level of depression by 0,5 points. According to the results, the effect of retirement on memory is also negative.

Magister Scientiae (Physiotherapy) - MSc(Physio) / In developing economies and specifically Sub-Saharan Africa physical inactivity has been identified as a risk factor along with tobacco use / South Africa