published_or_final_version / Medical Sciences / Master / Master of Medical Sciences

Over the past decade, chronic illnesses have increased significantly in developing regions around the world, with implications for health service provision. Research shows that morbidity follows a social gradient in many countries around the world. Though various studies highlight the importance of socioeconomic status as a predictor of a person’s morbidity and mortality experience, there is a dearth of data and literature in the South African context. This study aimed to address this gap by examining the association between socioeconomic status and diabetes and hypertension among participants aged 35 years and older. This was achieved by undertaking the analysis of secondary data from the National Income Dynamic Study. The findings of the study reveal that there is a significant relationship between socioeconomic factors and chronic health outcomes of individuals. People with lower levels of education were more likely to have a chronic illness than those with higher levels of education. However, interestingly the lowest rates of prevalence were found in the unemployed category in South Africa. This draws attention to the need for further research on employment and chronic disease prevalence. An important finding of the study was the relatively higher prevalence of chronic conditions in rural areas and among the Black/African population. This data suggests that changes in lifestyle and behavior in the context of globalization and urbanization may be contributing to changes in the health profile of these communities. Policy makers need to acknowledge that chronic diseases are no longer the preserve of the wealthy with diseases such as diabetes and hypertension evident across all sectors of South African society. By addressing the causes of chronic conditions policies and programs can aim to prevent the emergence of future epidemics. In the long-term, sustainable progress will only be achieved with greater attention directed towards the socioeconomic factors underlying the health profile of the country. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2011.

The study was to investigate the effectiveness of Sociocultural Competency Training (SCCT) as an intervention in enhancing self-efficacy among trainees in the health care profession. The purposes of the study were threefold: (a) to evaluate the effectiveness of the training in enhancing the trainees' self-efficacy and behavioural performance; (b) to examine their personal experiences in the learning ofthe sociocultural competencies, and (c) to identify the factors that contribute to effective outcomes. A sample of 84 participants in the Health Sciences program at the Vancouver Community College was recruited. There were 26 local born Canadians and 32 immigrants in the experimental group, whereas 11 local born Canadians and 15 immigrants were in the control group. Experimental group participants took part in an 18- hour training over a 6-week period as part of their regular Human Relations Skills course curriculum. The control group also took the same training course after post-test data collection. This study used both quantitative and qualitative methods. Self-efficacy and behavioural performance were assessed quantitatively by the results from the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE), Situational Social Avoidance Scale (SSA), Social Self-Efficacy Scale (SSE), and Interpersonal Skills Checklist (ISC-33). Qualitative data was collected through written feedback from 28 participants and semi-structured interviewing with 24 volunteer interviewees in the experimental group. The results of this study supported the hypotheses that the Sociocultural Competency Training was effective in improving the interpersonal skills and lowering the social avoidance tendency among participants in the experimental group when compared to individuals in the control group. The hypothesis that there would be more significant change in participants' social self-efficacy was also supported. The Sociocultural Competency Training offered effective ways of helping people develop positive self-efficacy and behavioural competencies. Participants reported the training enabled them to have the sociocultural competencies to conduct their professional career in a multicultural community. In the future, the training can be used with high school students, college and university students, international students, professionals, business people, and expatriates who need to learn the sociocultural competencies for career success.

The purpose of this participatory action research study was to gain an awareness of the meanings of health for urban First Nations grandmothers, and how they promote it in their families and communities. Active participation of 7 urban First Nations grandmothers in the research process involved 4 group and 1 individual interview. Meanings of health included maintaining balance in all areas of life; physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. Control imposed through the residential schools resulted in secrets kept, yet the survival and resiliency of the grandmothers were identified as part of being healthy. Personal health was linked with the health of their families and communities, and an awareness of living in two cultures vital in the intergenerational transmission of knowledge. Relationships with grandchildren were catalysts for change, and the grandmothers described working to “turn it around” throughout their challenges in health and life, as one strategy for health promotion. / ix, 146 leaves ; 29 cm

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 538-584). / Also available by subscription via World Wide Web / xvii, 584 leaves, bound 29 cm

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Toronto, 2006. / Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 44-06, page: 2521.

Thesis (D.P.H.)--University of Michigan.

Thesis (D.P.H.)--University of Michigan.

Thesis (doctoral)--Ecole pratique des hautes études, 1977. / Includes bibliographical references (p. [193]-220) and index.

This study explores environmental understanding among the health care practitioners serving a rural community in the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa. During the preliminary phases of the research, the decision was made to adopt a participatory approach to the inquiry as far as was possible. Semi-structured interviews, participant observation and focus group discussions were the techniques chosen to focus the participants' thinking about: the meaning of environment, environmental issues and problems which impact on health, and, environmental education in practice. Comparisons between the recently transformed health education idea proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO), known as "health promotion", and a popular environmental education model are made. It is argued that many of the obstacles to effective health education described by the participants in the study can be overcome by using environmental educationlhealth promotion approaches. The findings show that the health practitioners studied relate to a wide range of environmental issues with varying levels of engagement. They are influenced by changing values, their feelings about indigenous knowledge, and their notions about how people should respond to the environment. An urgent need for more and better communication among the different levels of health practitioners is identified. Finally, it is recommended that health care practitioners be supported with opportunities for professional development which can lead to a confident, seIfreflective approach to health education.