Submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master's Degree in Technology: Chiropractic at the Durban University of Technology, 2013. / Background: Considering the quadruple burden of disease and chronic shortages of health care professionals in South Africa, the stance of the chiropractic profession on public health (PH) matters has not been established. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the attitudes and perceptions of chiropractors practicing in South Africa on PH, health promotion (HP) and disease prevention (DP). The objectives were to determine demographic profile, lifestyle practices and attitudes and perceptions of practicing chiropractors in South Africa regarding PH agencies, HP and DP. Methods: An IRB approved quantitative survey (electronic and postal) was used to collect data from a total sample of practicing chiropractors in South Africa (meeting inclusion criteria). Follow up email and telephone calls were made to encourage response from participants. After a 17 - week period, returned questionnaires were collected and data analysed. Results: A response rate of 45% was obtained. Of the participants, 51.7% were female, 60.3% practiced in upper – middle income communities and 66.4% perceived themselves as neuro - musculoskeletal specialists. Over 90% of practitioners regularly counselled patients on postural habits, injury prevention and ergonomic risk reduction. Where as 35.1% agreed to counselling patients on STI / HIV prevention, tobacco cessation and related risks (41.4%), alcohol abuse (53.4%) and cancer prevention (56.9%). Regarding evidence – based practice (EBP) and PH agencies, 39.1% could not identify the statistical significance of the p value and 46% were unable to provide examples to journals they used to inform best practice. Similarly, 59% of the participants could not identify PH agencies to refer to for information on smoking cessation / risks or PH agencies to refer patients on HIV (57%), notifiable diseases (59%) and terminal illnesses (45%). Conclusion: The results suggest that chiropractors from this study were proficient on topics of DP, but were reletively less proficient in regards to PH, HP and EBP. It was recommended that further research be done regarding EBP within the profession and that greater emphasis be placed on topics of HP and PH in chiropractic training programmes.

Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Western Sydney, 2005. / "A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, College of Social and Health Sciences, University of Western Sydney, 2005." Includes bibliographical references and appendices.

Globally the diabetes epidemic is a major health challenge. Associated with the diagnosis of diabetes is the morbidity and premature mortality stemming from the complications of the disease. It was identified that approximately 50% of clients who attended a diabetes centre in an outer western metropolitan region of Sydney were not completing diabetes education. A strategy employed to overcome this was the introduction of a 2 ½ hour group diabetes education program called the Ongoing Education System (OES), for persons with Type 2 diabetes, that enabled completion of education at this one session. However, debate occurred among health professionals at the Wentworth Diabetes Service (WDS) as to the effectiveness of the OES as compared to the traditional individual education sessions. (one-on-one education). The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes of two modes of diabetes education for completing education for clients with Type 2 diabetes , namely individual education (Treatment A) and the OES group education (Treatment B). The findings overall revealed no difference in the outcomes of participants who received individual education and those who received the OES at completion of education as well as at 6 and 12 month post education. A secondary finding of this study was the significant influence gender and age exerted on the outcomes of the education programs. One significant implication from the findings for both the person diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and the health care organisation is that the OES provides a cost effective alternative to individual education that encourages clients to complete diabetes education thereby enabling the person to achieve an optimal quality of life. In addition this study provides research evidence for the benefit of current practice in diabetes education. / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Thesis (M.P.A.)--Kutztown University, 1996. / Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 45-06, page: 2937. Abstract precedes thesis as [3] preliminary leaves. Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves [3]).

Submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master's Degree in Technology: Chiropractic at the Durban University of Technology, 2013. / Background: Considering the quadruple burden of disease and chronic shortages of health care professionals in South Africa, the stance of the chiropractic profession on public health (PH) matters has not been established. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the attitudes and perceptions of chiropractors practicing in South Africa on PH, health promotion (HP) and disease prevention (DP). The objectives were to determine demographic profile, lifestyle practices and attitudes and perceptions of practicing chiropractors in South Africa regarding PH agencies, HP and DP. Methods: An IRB approved quantitative survey (electronic and postal) was used to collect data from a total sample of practicing chiropractors in South Africa (meeting inclusion criteria). Follow up email and telephone calls were made to encourage response from participants. After a 17 - week period, returned questionnaires were collected and data analysed. Results: A response rate of 45% was obtained. Of the participants, 51.7% were female, 60.3% practiced in upper – middle income communities and 66.4% perceived themselves as neuro - musculoskeletal specialists. Over 90% of practitioners regularly counselled patients on postural habits, injury prevention and ergonomic risk reduction. Where as 35.1% agreed to counselling patients on STI / HIV prevention, tobacco cessation and related risks (41.4%), alcohol abuse (53.4%) and cancer prevention (56.9%). Regarding evidence – based practice (EBP) and PH agencies, 39.1% could not identify the statistical significance of the p value and 46% were unable to provide examples to journals they used to inform best practice. Similarly, 59% of the participants could not identify PH agencies to refer to for information on smoking cessation / risks or PH agencies to refer patients on HIV (57%), notifiable diseases (59%) and terminal illnesses (45%). Conclusion: The results suggest that chiropractors from this study were proficient on topics of DP, but were reletively less proficient in regards to PH, HP and EBP. It was recommended that further research be done regarding EBP within the profession and that greater emphasis be placed on topics of HP and PH in chiropractic training programmes.