HIV and AIDS might not necessarily be considered by South African companies to be the primary health condition impacting on their production costs and influence related interventions. The aim of this study was to gain a better understanding of automotive companies' perceptions regarding the health conditions that impact on their productions costs and their related workplace interventions. A cross sectional, electronic survey was conducted amongst 167 companies from the automotive manufacturing sector in South Africa, using stratified random sampling from a representative South African database. The realized sample comprised 74 companies. Descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests were conducted to investigate the perceived health influencing factors impacting production costs, the monitoring thereof, extent of containment, interventions implemented as well as perceived success of workplace interventions to address company health challenges in terms of company size (small, medium and large organisations) and ownership (multinational versus national). The health factors perceived to have a moderate to large impact are HIV/AIDS, smoking, alcohol use, stress, back/neck ache and tuberculosis. These are reported to be better monitored and managed by medium and large organisations. Small organisations reported a smaller impact, fewer efforts and less success. Large organisations have HIV/AIDS interventions while those with wellness programmes seemed better able to monitor and manage health issues. Smaller organisations were not convinced of the benefits of interventions in addressing health challenges. As the impacting health conditions seemed linked, comprehensive and integrated wellness programmes in health supportive environments are required to address the health issues and ensure organisation competitiveness. Evidence for the effectiveness of workplace wellness programmes in South African is limited and calls for the evaluation of interventions as a priority. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2013.

Thesis ( Mnutr)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Background: The rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCD) is cause for concern. Improving dietary quality is a key health promotion strategy aimed at reducing NCD morbidity and mortality. Assessments that quantify “risky” dietary behaviours are worthwhile, and may help to identify high risk individuals, that would benefit from targeted interventions. Purpose: Discovery Vitality is a wellness incentive business associated with Discovery Health medical aid in South Africa. This study developed a Dietary Behaviour Score (DBSPHR) that measured degrees of compliance of Discovery Vitality members with the “spirit of dietary guidance”. It further categorized scores and identified members who may be at risk for developing NCDs due to poor dietary compliance. Methods: The DBSPHR included proportionally weighted components related to the consumption of fruit, vegetables, low fat dairy, whole-grain foods, lean meat, chicken and discretionary fat. The study population included adult South African members of Discovery Vitality, who had completed the programme’s on-line health risk assessment (PHR) between the 1st February 2010 and 31st January 2011. Stratified random sampling was used (n=1600). Half the sample included members who participated in Vitality’s HealthyFoodTM benefit (HFB) programme. The different Vitality Status groups were equally represented, and reflect degrees of engagement with the programme. Genders were equally represented. DBSPHR data were categorized as: Poor (Score 0-18), Inadequate (18.5-22.5), Fair (23-26), Good (26.5-29), Excellent (29.5-36). DBSPHR data was analyzed for variables: Vitality status, HFB participation, smoking, physical activity, alcohol consumption, body mass index (BMI), age and gender. The relationships between continuous response variables and nominal input variables were analysed using analysis of variance (ANOVA). When ordinal response variables were compared versus a nominal input variable, non-parametric ANOVA methods were used. Further, the Mann-Whitney test or the Kruskal-Wallis test was used. A p-value of p < 0.05 was considered to represent statistical significance, and 95% confidence intervals were used to describe the estimation of unknown parameters. Results: Of the sample, 67.13% of members had DBSPHRs that were considered “poor” or “inadequate”. The mean DBSPHR of the sample was 20.47 points. Women achieved better DBSPHRs than men (p<0.01). Greater engagement with the Vitality programme was associated with better DBSPHRs (p<0.01). There was no significant difference between the mean DBSPHR of members participating in the HFB and Non-HFB members, however the HFB was not assessed as an intervention. Members with “risky” lifestyle behaviours such as; inactivity, smoking and consuming alcohol excessively, demonstrated lower DBSPHR than members without these risks. Obese members achieved significantly lower DBSPHRs than normal weight and overweight members (p<0.01). Conclusions: It is concerning that Discovery Vitality members did not perform better than the general global standard of inadequate compliance with the “spirit of dietary guidance”. Engagement with the Vitality programme seems to positively impact on dietary compliance. Members at an increased risk for NCD morbidity and mortality due to; aging, obesity, smoking, inactivity or non-compliance with alcohol consumption guidelines, demonstrated lower DBSPHRs compared to members without these risks. Targeted interventions aimed at addressing “risky” dietary and lifestyle behaviours may benefit these members. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Agtergrond: Die styging in voorkoms van nie-oordraagbare siektes (NOS) is rede tot kommer. Verbetering van dieetkwaliteit is ‘n sleutel gesondheidsbevordering strategie gemik daarop om NOS morbiditeit en mortaliteit te verminder. Assesserings wat “riskante” dieetgedrag kwantifiseer is waardevol en mag help om hoë risiko individue te identifiseer wat sal baatvind by geteikende intervensies. Doel: Discovery Vitality is ‘n welwees motiveringsbesigheid wat geassosieer is met Discovery Health mediese fonds in Suid-Afrika. Hierdie studie het ‘n dieet-gedragstelling (“Dietary Behaviour Score - DBSPHR”) ontwikkel wat die graad van nakoming van Discovery Vitality lede gemeet het aan die “gees van leiding oor dieet”. Dit het verder tellings gekategoriseer en lede geïdentifiseer wat ‘n verhoogde risiko vir die ontwikkeling van NOS mag hê as gevolg van swak nakoming van dieet. Metodes: Die DBSPHR het proporsioneel geweegde komponente bevat, verwant aan die inname van vrugte en groente, laevet suiwelprodukte, volgraan voedsels, maer vleis, hoender en diskresionêre vet. Die studiepopulasie het volwasse Suid-Afrikaners ingesluit wat lede van die Discovery Vitality program was en wat die program se aanlyn gesondheidsrisiko assessering tussen 1 Februarie 2010 en 31 Januarie 2011 voltooi het. Gestratifiseerde, ewekansige steekproeftrekking was gebruik (n=1600). Helfte van die steekproef het lede ingesluit wat aan Vitality se HealthyFoodTM voordeel program deelgeneem het. Die verskillende Vitality Status groepe was gelyk verteenwoordig en reflekteer verskillende grade van interaksie met die program. Geslagte was gelyk verteenwoordig. DBSPHRs data was gekategoriseer as: Swak (Telling 0-18), Onvoldoende (18.5-22.5), Matig (23-26), Goed (26.5-29), Uitstekend (29.5-36). DBSPHR data was vir die volgende veranderlikes geanaliseer: Vitality status, deelname aan die HealthyFoodTM voordeel, rook, fisiese aktiwiteit, alkohol inname, liggaamsmassa indeks (LMI), ouderdom en geslag. Die verhouding tussen aaneenlopende reaksie veranderlikes en nominale inset veranderlikes was geanaliseer deur die gebruik van analise van variansies (ANOVA). Wanneer ordinale reaksie veranderlikes vergelyk was teenoor ‘n nominale inset variansie, was nie-parametriese ANOVA metodes gebruik. Verder was die Mann-Whitney toets of die Kruskal-Wallis toets gebruik. ‘n P-waarde van p < 0.05 was gesien as verteenwoordigend van statistiese beduidendheid en 95% sekerheidsintervalle was gebruik om die skatting van onbekende parameters te beskryf.Resultate: Van die studie monster het 67.13% van die lede DBSPHRs getoon wat gereken was as “swak” of “onvoldoende”. Die gemiddelde DBSPHR van die steekfproef was 20.47 punte. Vroue het beter DBSPHR as mans behaal (p<0.01). Meer interaksie met die Vitality program was geassosieer met beter DBSPHRs (p<0.01). Daar was geen beduidende verskille tussen die gemiddelde DBSPHR van lede wat aan die HealthyFoodTM voordeel program deelneem en die lede wat nie aan die program deelneem nie, alhoewel die HealthyFoodTM voordeel nie geëvalueer was as ‘n intervensie nie. Lede met “riskante” lewenstyl gedrag soos onaktiwiteit, rook en hewige alkoholinname het laer DBSPHR getoon as lede sonder hierdie risiko’s. Vetsugtige lede het laer DBSPHR behaal as normale gewig en oorgewig lede (p<0.01). Gevolgtrekking: Dit is ‘n bron van kommer dat Discovery Vitality lede nie beter vertoon het as wat blyk ‘n algemene globale standaard van gebrekkige nakoming van die “gees van leiding oor dieet” te wees nie. Interaksie met die Vitality program blyk ‘n positiewe impak te hê op dieet nakoming. Lede wat ‘n verhoogde risiko gehad het vir NOS morbiditeit en mortaliteit as gevolg van veroudering, vetsugtigheid, rook, onaktiwiteit of verontagsaming van alkohol inname riglyne het ook laer DBSPHRs getoon in vergelyking met lede sonder hierdie risiko’s. Geteikende intervensies gemik op die aanspreek van riskante dieet en lewenstyl gedrag mag tot voordeel van hierdie lede wees.

The primary objectives of this study were to determine the relationship between the wellness constructs coping and SoC as well as the relationship between the wellness constructs LoC and SoC in the petrochemical industry in South Africa. The sample of 184 participants completed three different psychological concepts namely COPE (Hereinafter referred to as coping), Locus of Control Inventory and Sense of Coherence Scale. The results of the study indicate that there is a statistically significant relationship between the variables coping ad Soc as well SoC and LoC but no statistically significant relationship between the variables coping and LoC. / Business Management / M. Com. (Business Management)

Thesis (MTech (Public Relations Management ))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2010 / The aim of this study is to examine the relationship of public relations and marketing and how these two functions can fuse their work without encroaching on each others fields. The strategic corporate function of stakeholder management is used as the platform to illustrate this proposed mutually beneficial relationship. The theoretical approach to the study is directed at exploring the three different fields of public relations, marketing and stakeholder management by outlining the general theory of excellence in corporate communication; marketing management theory; and stakeholder management theory. The public relations and marketing role within the Life Healthcare hospitals in the Eastern region are explored through a quantitative study aimed at gaining the incumbents' (in the public relations/marketing positions) view on their outputs within their function mapped against the outputs needed as viewed by the dominant coalition of the various hospitals. The incumbents' contribution to; and the dominant coalition's view of stakeholder management is also explored through the same dual view approach. Differentiating the roles' (public relations and marketing) contribution to stakeholder management (as subset against the theoretical background of what these roles should entail) are the outcomes of this quantitative study in the Life Healthcare group - Eastern region. This will then provide the platform for creating a framework of synthesis where public relations and marketing can collaborate in stakeholder management. Therefore, the outcome of this study, firstly, is a framework for the collaboration of public relations and marketing in stakeholder management within the Life Healthcare Group Eastern region. The framework creates a synthesis of the two corporate functions so that both can effectively contribute to the hospitals' strategic relationship building process in their own right as is necessary in excellent organisations. Secondly, it highlights insights gained (through the quantitative study and exploration of theory) into the public relations and marketing function within the region, and outlines problem areas that should be tackled by the dominant coalition if they are to elevate public relations and marketing to a function which can contribute to the broader organisational strategy.

The pace at which change is occurring in the life of human beings, due to technological advancement, could be described as logarithmic. This fast-paced change is not just of consequence to the individual, but to countries, governments, companies, big and small systems like villages and sports clubs and the like, as well. This study case was inspired by the fact that what was a little-known threat yesterday, could suddenly become a crippling matter. It is, therefore, critical for individuals and businesses to consider risk not just in the usual context but with an open mind. This is especially true for systems in the Third World or developing nations where evolutionary stages of advancement and development are known to have been skipped due to forced or influenced adoption by the advanced or First World dictates. An example is the adoption of Carbon Emission Minimisa tion Pacts that have also been mooted for developing nations, even though their participation in causing the past Industrial Revolution pollution was minimal. A small operation in the Eastern Cape may, today, see no need to attract an overseas customer, not realising that the local customer may enter a merger or be bought out by an international organisation which would demand international protocols on the local supplier. Such is the risk with Globalisation. Local businesses should embrace global competitive practices for sustainability in the global business arena that is surely upon the business place today and the short term. South African businesses are no longer protected by the country borders, or the government and political systems such as the apartheid-born sanctions and tariff regimes. The objective of this study of Legionella bacteria risk management by business firms in the Eastern Cape (East London and Border Areas) is to obtain an insight into how they fare on one of the risks that, in Europe, is legislated and, in many parts of the First World, is regarded as fundamental. Beside the globalisation issues mentioned above, the South African workforce has been noted as highly affected by HIV and TB, which are symptomatic of people susceptible to Legionnaire‟s Disease. The high cost and skills shortage in the South African industry demand great care in order to prevent further loss, due to sick absenteeism or the death of workers. The study included a comprehensive literature review of issues around Legionella bacteria in industrial operations and how ill effects could be prevented and managed. A questionnaire was then drawn up and used to check for awareness, capability and ascertain what motivational factors could influence Legionella risk management by businesses in the geographical study area. All businesses with facilities utilising water cooling towers, safety showers, waste water treatment plants, humidifier air conditioning and water fountains, were presented with the questionnaire. A 56 percent return was achieved and responses were processed and analysed using Microsoft Excel on a Windows XP computer package. The findings showed that there was a poor awareness of Legionella bacteria and the risk they posed, a factor that may be used to explain the poor questionnaire returns. The capability assessment also showed a weak status. Legislation, proof of outbreak and fines were determined as effective would-be motivators for full Legionella risk management. The study concluded with recommendations for awareness programmes by interested bodies like the Legionella Action Group, Department of Labour and companies providing Legionella consulting services. While legislation and, therefore, fines, were not yet applied in South Africa, the drive for employee and community welfare should be adequate motivating factors for businesses to manage Legionella risk. Foreign capital inflow into the South African economy was also a factor that should be considered by businesses that looked to expand and need to access these funds through mergers or acquisitions. These funds would require financial as well as technical audits that show adequate risk protection.

Thesis (M.A. (Communication Studies)) -- University of Limpopo, 2020 / Hubbly Bubbly smoking is a visibly growing trend among young people globally. However, health promotion about the risks that result from hubbly bubbly smoking has not been vigilant so far. The study attempts to determine youth’s knowledge and perceptions towards the health risks incurred from smoking the HB. The study triangulates three theories namely: The Extended Parallel Process Model, Peer Cluster Theory and Hofstede’s Cultural Theory using a mixed method approach among University of Limpopo students. A sample of 350 students was used, made up of n=175 HB users and n=175 non-users. In the quantitive part of the study, a 2 x 2 between and within respondents design was followed. Most HB users 74% (129) and non-users 80% (140) identified lung cancer as the health risk of HB smoking. Participants perceived HB smoking health risks as exaggerated, and that HB is less addictive and less harmful. The majority of participants (75%) had not heard or seen any health communication awareness campaigns about HB risks. Focus group interviews revealed that participants perceived HB as less harmful, less expensive with no visible health warning and not addictive to every user. Findings suggest that there is inadequacy in terms of knowledge as well as negative perceptions towards HB and its health risks. There should be more health communication campaigns that will engage the youth and the public, and the media should speak more about HB and its health risks. The study contributes to the body of knowledge about health communication campaigns about existing problems. / National Research Foundation (NRF)

The purpose of the study was to develop a wellness model for teachers in addressing learning barriers for learners with hearing impairment. The study is underpinned by three theories, namely, the Linguistic Interdependence Theory, the Universal Design for Learning and the Wellness Theory to generate understanding of how learners with hearing impairment learn. Ethical standards were adhered to in terms of gaining permission for access, issues of informed consent, voluntary participation, and confidentiality. The study is premised on the pragmatism philosophy that favours a mixed method approach, using both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection and analysis and interpretation of data. The mixed method is a multi-method, ensuring multiple angles in data collection, interpretation and analysis. Data collection and analysis were concurrent because data were collected and analysed as soon as the data were available. The study used a purposive sampling approach to select samples of educators who responded to the questionnaires and those who participated in the interviews. Three provinces and 11 schools were purposively selected because of their history of providing quality education to learners with hearing impairment. The researcher knew all the schools. One hundred deaf educators (86 female and 14 male) participated in answering a semi-structured, self-completion questionnaire. All respondents were school-based teachers of the deaf, teaching Grade R to seven. Eleven primary school educators were interviewed, consisting of eight women and three men. Concurrent data analysis was used to compare quantitative and qualitative data, which revealed that learners faced several wellness challenges. Most of the learners faced literacy challenges in reading, communication with the hearing and limited academic, social and career dimensions. Some positive strides were showing in the physical and spiritual wellness through health promotion and moral education. The study proposed an integrated wellness model integrating the three lenses. The following four themes emerged from the study. The first theme is that academic challenges are major barriers faced by learners with hearing impairments. The second theme noted that deaf learners faced communication challenges. The third theme indicated curriculum, adaptation, and multidisciplinary teams as factor where hearing-impaired needed support to address barriers to learning. The last theme called for more programmes to be introduced to address academic, career, and spiritual wellness. A wellness model was proposed to assist educators to address the academic, social, career, emotional, physical, and spiritual wellness of the hearing-impaired learners / Inclusive Education / D. Ed. (Inclusive Education)

The general aim of this study was to investigate whether a relationship exists between employee wellness (specifically sense of coherence, burnout, sources of job stress and work engagement) and career anchors, and to determine whether gender, race, employment and age groups differed in terms of the employee wellness and career anchors variables. The study was conducted among a random sample of 90 employees in a typical South African work context. The data was collected by means of the Orientation to Life Questionnaire (OLQ), Maslach’s Burnout Inventory (MBI), Sources of Job Stress, the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES) and the Career Orientations Inventory (COI). Supporting evidence indicates significant associations between employee wellness and the career anchors variables. The results also showed significant differences between the career anchors of males, females, blacks, whites, permanent staff, contract staff and age groups. The findings contribute valuable new knowledge to the wellness and career literature and organisational practices related to employee wellness and career decision making. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M.Com. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Unhealthy behaviour is a key modifiable factor that underlies much of the South African (SA) burden of disease and primary care morbidity. Chronic diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, lung diseases and some cancers are linked to underlying behavioural issues such as tobacco smoking, alcohol abuse, physical inactivity and unhealthy eating. Evidence shows that brief behaviour change counselling by primary care providers can be effective in helping patients to change risky lifestyle behaviours. However, the capacity of South African primary care providers to educate and counsel patients on lifestyle modification is generally poor. The need for primary care provider training in lifestyle counselling, is stated as a critical objective in ‘re-orientating’ the primary health care system to effectively address NCDs in the National Strategic Plan for the Prevention and Control of NCDs and their risk factors in SA. The overall aim of this research was to develop, implement and evaluate the effectiveness of a training intervention for primary care providers in the South African setting, which is based on teaching best practice, behaviour change counselling (BBCC) methods that can be used for patients with risky lifestyle behaviours associated with non-communicable diseases (NCDs). “Effectiveness” relates to the effect of the training on PCPs adoption of a patient centred approach, and skills acquisition after the training, and not the effectiveness in changing, or improving patient outcomes. The sequence of the abstracts of the four articles that were published from this research, gives an overview of the process. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Ongesonde lewenstyl kan gekoppel word aan die meeste chroniese siektes wereldwyd, en dra grootliks by tot die las van primere sorg morbiditeit, asook in Suid Afrika. Rook, ongesonde dieet, fisiese onaktiwiteit, en alkohol misbruik word beskou as die onderliggende risiko faktore wat verantwoordelik is vir die ontwikkeling van kardiovaskulere siektes, tipe 2 diabetes, respiratoriese siektes, sowel as sommige kankers. Navorsing het bewys dat primere gesondheidsorg werkers effektief kan wees om pasiente te help om hierdie gewoontes te bekamp. Nieteenstaande hierdie bewyse, is die huidige kapasiteit van primere sorg dokters en verpleegsters in Suid-Afrika nie voldoende om sodanige diens te verskaf nie. In die Nationale Strategiese Plan vir die beheer van chroniese siektes, word opleiding vir primere gesondheidsorg werkers geprioritiseer as n kritiese uitkomste vir die beheer van chroniese siektes, en die onderliggende risiko faktore. Dit is dus duidelik dat daar n behoefte is om sodanige opleidingprogramme te ontwikkel. Die doel van hierdie navorsing was om n bewysgebaseerde opleidingsprogram te ontwikkel, te implementeer, en die effektiwiteit daarvan te evalueer in ons unieke primere gesondheidsorg sisteem in Suid-Afrika. Die opleidingsprogram moes ontwikkel word, vir beide primere sorg dokters en verpleegsters, sodat dit hulle in staat kan stel om pasiente te beraad oor enige van die vier risiko faktore.

The rhetoric of primary health care, health promotion and health service integration is ubiquitous in health policy development in post-apartheid South Africa. However the form in which oral health promotion elements have actually been incorporated into other areas of health care in South Africa and the extent to which they have been implemented, remains unclear. The central aim of this research was to critically analyse oral health promotion elements in health policies in South Africa and determine the extent to which they have been implemented. The study set out to test the hypothesis that oral health promotion is fully integrated into South African health policy and practice.