<p>Many of the known risk factors associated with low birth weight, such as socio-economic status, ethnicity, genetic makeup, and obstetric history, are not within a women's immediate control. However, there are many things that a woman can do to improve her chances of having a normal healthy child. Lifestyle behaviours, such as cigarette smoking, nutrition and the use of alcohol, play an important role in determining the growth of the fetus. The aim of this study was to establish the knowledge, attitudes and practices related to lifestyle factors such as alcohol use, smoking and nutrition among childbearing women and health care workers on the farms in Stellenbosch and Vredendal.</p>

Submitted by Filipe dos Santos (fsantos@pucsp.br) on 2018-04-09T13:03:08Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Gláucia Pina Guimarães Porto.pdf: 1499688 bytes, checksum: 9b69a1bc17f6ff424722f5c5d389b4b0 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-04-09T13:03:08Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Gláucia Pina Guimarães Porto.pdf: 1499688 bytes, checksum: 9b69a1bc17f6ff424722f5c5d389b4b0 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-03-02 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Understanding breast health from needs and conditions in a socially contextualized way can be a way to develop consistent public policies for the promotion of breast and woman health as a tool for the prevention and early detection of breast cancer through institutions and organizations committed to social development in combating the disease. The overall objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review of the literature regarding the beliefs and perceptions that healthy women have about breast cancer. The research problem arose from the observation of the psychosocioeducational difficulties of women in cases of breast cancer, as well as for preventive care and early detection of the disease, for approximately two years, in a pilot project of health intervention with emphasis on the public roles of women in the fight against breast cancer, through an intervention research with a multidisciplinary character. The method was the systematic review of literature. The initial selection of articles was done through the reading of the title and abstract, and the exclusion of duplicate results was performed by the identification of the main author. As an inclusion criterion for the analysis of the results, the strength of evidence of the selected studies was summarized and the relevance of the most interesting descriptors was considered, aiming at the accomplishment of a qualitative synthesis. From 2,926 studies found, 96.24% were mastectomized women, and 2.90% were eligible studies whose study object considers behaviors of healthy women, their beliefs, perceptions and / or knowledge about prevention and early detection of the disease . The results indicate that the production of knowledge about the problem is scarce, with consequences on the limits of changing beliefs and perceptions about breast cancer. The reassignment of healthy women on breast cancer based on correct information can increase the rate of detection of the disease, which can avoid many deaths, and reduce the expenditure of public funds with treatments for advanced diagnoses. This change in attitude makes it possible for early detection not to be seen as a threat but as the best path to health / Compreender a saúde da mama a partir das necessidades e condições de forma contextualizada socialmente pode ser uma via para o desenvolvimento de políticas públicas consistentes de promoção da saúde das mamas e da mulher, como ferramenta de prevenção e detecção precoce do câncer de mama, por meio de instituições e organizações comprometidas com o desenvolvimento social em combater a doença. O objetivo geral deste estudo foi de realizar uma revisão sistemática da literatura a respeito de crenças e percepções que as mulheres saudáveis possuem sobre câncer de mama. O problema de pesquisa surgiu a partir da observação das dificuldades psicossocioeducacionais de mulheres frente aos casos de câncer de mama e também para realização dos cuidados preventivos e de detecção precoce da doença, durante aproximadamente dois anos, em um projeto piloto de intervenção em saúde, com ênfase nos papéis públicos das mulheres no combate ao câncer de mama, por meio de uma pesquisa-intervenção com caráter multidisciplinar. O método foi o da revisão sistemática de literatura. A seleção inicial dos artigos se deu por meio da leitura do título e resumo, e a exclusão dos resultados duplicados foi realizada pela identificação do autor principal. Como critério de inclusão para análise dos resultados, a força de evidência dos estudos selecionados foi sumarizada e a relevância dos descritores de maior interesse foi considerada, visando a realização de uma síntese qualitativa. Entre os 2.926 estudos encontrados 96,24% tinham como objeto de estudo mulheres mastectomizadas, e 2,90% foram estudos elegíveis cujo objeto de estudo considere comportamentos de mulheres saudáveis, suas crenças, percepções e/ou conhecimentos sobre prevenção e detecção precoce da doença. Os resultados indicam que a produção de conhecimento sobre o problema é escassa, com consequências nos limites quanto à mudança de crenças e percepções sobre câncer de mama. A ressignificação da mulher saudável sobre câncer de mama com base em informações corretas pode aumentar o índice de detecção da doença, o que pode evitar muitas mortes, além de reduzir o gasto de verbas públicas com tratamentos para diagnósticos avançados. Esta mudança de atitude possibilita que a detecção precoce não seja vista mais como ameaça, mas como o melhor caminho para a saúde

Falls are a common problem among older adults, including those who are relatively healthy and living independently. Exercise has been recommended as an intervention to reduce falls by slowing and/or reversing age-related declines in balance, strength, and mobility. However, it remains unclear which types or combinations of programs are most effective. The objective of this study was to investigate whether exercise programs performed by healthy older adults were associated with superior balance, strength, and functional mobility measures that are pertinent to fall prevention. This study compared three distinct groups: participants of a balance- and strength-focused training program (i.e., Better Bones and Balance®), participants engaged in a general walking program, and sedentary individuals. Balance was measured using the Sensory Organization Test composite score and sensory ratios. Isometric strength of the lateral hip stabilizers (i.e., abductors and adductors) was measured in terms of maximum voluntary contraction and rapid torque production. Rapid torque measures included contractile impulse and rate of torque development evaluated at 0-100 ms and 0-300 ms from contraction onset. Functional mobility was measured by the time to complete the Four Square Step Test. Hip abduction contractile impulse (0-300 ms) was 1.905 Nm*s and 1.539 Nm*s higher for the Better Bones and Balance (BBB) group compared to the walking and sedentary groups, respectively. No differences were found among the groups for any of the hip adduction torque measures or Sensory Organization Test balance scores. The BBB group completed the Four Square Step Test faster than the walking and sedentary groups by 0.90 s and 1.06 s, respectively. In conclusion, participation in the balance- and strength-focused training program was associated with superior performance in some measures of strength and functional mobility that may be important for fall prevention. / Graduation date: 2013

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Reproductive health of people living with HIV/AIDS is a significant public health issue because of its associated risks of HIV transmission to both, the baby and the sexual partner. Provision of effective contraceptive to HIV-positive women is a proven prevention strategy, and can help prevent unintended pregnancy and other sexually transmitted infections. Unmet need for contraception in developing world and rates of unintended pregnancies among women living with HIV remain highly prevalent. The objectives of this study were to identify the current knowledge of HIV-positive women on existing contraceptive methods, determine their current contraceptive practices, identify barriers to contraception use, and provide recommendations on how contraception uptake can be improved among these women in Kasane. A cross-sectional study using qualitative technique was used among twenty five (25) participants at Kasane Primary Hospital. In-depth interviews were conducted with the help of research assistants for data collection. Excel Microsoft Office Software was used for socio-demographics data entry and analysis, and qualitative data were analysed manually using descriptive statistics. Main reasons for low uptake of contraception were desire for children, partner refusal, side effects, and socio-cultural and religious factors. Contraception prevalence was 56 % and condom was the most used contraceptive method (36%). whereas the rate of unintended pregnancies was 60% . Knowledge of contraception was high (100%) but limited proportion of participants (12%) had an expended understanding of contraception as a HIV prevention strategy. Most women living with HIV prefer to space, limit or stop childbearing but do not use any contraceptive method and found themselves with unintended pregnancy. Despite the good knowledge about contraception among participants, the uptake remained low. About half (44%) of the women interviewed were not on any contraceptive method. The choice to use contraception interferes with many factors and the desire to fulfil the primary reproductive intention of men and women, including those living with HIV, mostly override this choice. There is need for a strategic integrated approach that conveys HIV prevention messages and discusses the importance of planning a pregnancy. Thus promoting dual protection among women living with HIV. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die voortplantingsgesondheid van mense wat met MIV/vigs leef, is ‘n belangrike openbaregesondheidskwessie, aangesien voortplantingsgesondheid verband hou met die gevaar van MIV-oordrag na babas sowel as seksmaats. Daar is al bewys dat ander seksueel oordraagbare siektes sowel as onbeplande swangerskappe voorkom word as doeltreffende voorbehoedmiddels verskaf word aan vroue wat MIV-positief is. Dit behoefte aan voorbehoeding in ontwikkelende lande bly egter baie dikwels agterweë, en ‘n groot persentasie vroue wat met MIV leef, raak onbepland swanger. Die doel met hierdie ondersoek is om vas te stel wat vroue wat MIV-positief is, tans oor bestaande voorbehoeding weet, watter voorbehoedingsmetodes hulle tans gebruik en watter struikelblokke daar vir die gebruik van voorbehoeding is, en om voorstelle te maak oor hoe ʼn groter persentasie van hierdie vroue in Kasane oortuig kan word om voorbehoedmiddels te gebruik. ‘n Deursnee-studie wat met behulp van kwalitatiewe tegnieke by die Kasane Primêre Hospitaal uitgevoer is, het vyf en twintig (25) deelnemers betrek. Met die hulp van navorsingsassistente is diepte-onderhoude gevoer om inligting in te samel. Microsoft Office se Excel-sagteware is gebruik om sosio-demografiese inligting in te voer en te ontleed, en kwalitatiewe inligting is met verwysing na beskrywende statistiek met die hand ontleed. Die vernaamste redes vir die trae gebruik van voorbehoeding was die begeerte na ‘n kind, die teenstand van seksmaats, die newe-effekte, en sosio-kulturele en godsdienstige oorwegings. Daar is bevind dat 56% van die deelnemers voorbehoeding gebruik, dat kondome die algemeenste voorbehoedmiddel is (36%) en dat 60% van alle swangerskappe ongewens was. Die deelnemers was almal oor voorbehoeding ingelig (100%), maar slegs ‘n klein persentasie (12%) het ook geweet dat voorbehoedmiddels ‘n voorkomingstrategie vir MIV-infeksie is. Die meeste vroue wat met MIV leef, verkies om swangerskappe te versprei, te beperk of te verhoed, maar gebruik geen voorbehoedmiddels nie en het dus onbepland swanger geraak. Hoewel die deelnemers goed ingelig was oor voorbehoeding, het min van hulle dit gebruik. Ongeveer die helfte (44%) van die vroue met wie onderhoude gevoer is, het geen voorbehoeding gebruik nie. Die keuse om ‘n voorbehoedmiddel te gebruik, word beïnvloed talle ander faktore, en mans en vroue se primêre begeerte om voort te plant – ook al leef hulle met MIV – weeg gewoonlik swaarder as hierdie keuse. Daar is ‘n behoefte aan ‘n strategiese, geïntegreerde benadering wat boodskappe oor MIV-voorkoming oordra en wat tuisbring hoe belangrik dit is om swangerskappe te beplan. Sodoende sal vroue wat met MIV leef, tweedoelige beskerming kry.

<p>Many of the known risk factors associated with low birth weight, such as socio-economic status, ethnicity, genetic makeup, and obstetric history, are not within a women's immediate control. However, there are many things that a woman can do to improve her chances of having a normal healthy child. Lifestyle behaviours, such as cigarette smoking, nutrition and the use of alcohol, play an important role in determining the growth of the fetus. The aim of this study was to establish the knowledge, attitudes and practices related to lifestyle factors such as alcohol use, smoking and nutrition among childbearing women and health care workers on the farms in Stellenbosch and Vredendal.</p>

No description available.

No description available.

Falls in the older population have devastating consequences on the psychological and physiological health of the individual. Due to the complexity of interacting factors associated with ageing, pathology and falling episodes, determination of a primary cause or set of causes has been difficult to establish. Deficits in components of neuromuscular control have been widely studied with the coordinated interaction of sensory and motor system components being presented as a fundamental factor in the reduction of falling episodes. A causal relationship between deficits in vitamin D status and falling episodes has also been suggested. Furthermore, a relationship between poor vitamin D status, falling episodes and poor neuromuscular performance has been reported. The aims of the current study were designed to advance understanding in three aspects of the problem of falls prevention. Firstly an examination of the reliability of testing procedures commonly used in assessment of falls risk was undertaken. The Physiological Profile Assessment (PPA) testing procedure was selected as a commonly used tool and the reliability of its various components (sensory, motor and balance) was undertaken as an independent assessment of this approach to assessing falls propensity. Secondly, a case control study of fallers and non fallers was undertaken in which the neuromuscular tests evaluated in the reliability study were used to assess differences in neuromuscular control. The influence of vitamin D status on these measures was also considered. Thirdly, a 12-month randomised controlled trial of vitamin D/calcium supplementation or placebo/calcium was undertaken to identify the effect on falls outcome and individual measures of neuromuscular control.

Thesis (MSc Nutrition Science)--Stellenbosch University, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: First-year female students (FYFS), studying at the University of Stellenbosch were previously identified as a high-risk group for gaining weight. A four-year follow-up of these female students indicated that a large percentage experience weight fluctuations throughout their university careers. The unique weight management needs of the FYFS were also identified in the longitudinal study. The integration of these results with an extensive search and assessment of the weight management literature led to the development of a multidimensional weight-management paradigm for application in the development of weight-management interventions for female students. Subsequently, a self-help weight-management manual, which follows the multidimensional approach proposed in the mentioned paradigm, was developed to address the unique weight-management needs of female students. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the impact of the multidimensional self-help weightmanagement manual (the Manual) on the weight status and associated factors of FYFS at the University of Stellenbosch over an eight-month period. For this purpose a non-randomized quasi-experimental design was used, including purposively selected experimental and control groups. Data were obtained during February (Baseline), May (three months after baseline = Follow-up I) and October 2002 (eight months after baseline = Follow-up 2). All students in the experimental group received the Manual at Baseline for use during the eight-month study period. Because this was a low-intensity intervention programme, no further contact was made with either group during the study period, except when Followup I data were obtained. Measures that were taken and instruments that were completed include the following: weight, height, triceps skinfoid, mid-upper ann circumference, hip circumference, waist circumference, Adolescent Self-Concept Scale (self-concept), Body Shape Questionnaire (body shape concerns), Eating Attitudes Test (eating attitudes and behaviours), General Health Questionnaire (general psychological well-being), 90-item Semi-quantified Food Frequency Questionnaire (dietary intake from nine food groups), and the Baecke Questionnaire of Habitual Physical Activity (physical activity). Additional questions on weight related perceptions and practices, dissatisfaction with body parts, reasons for eating and socio-demographic factors were also included. The Baseline characteristics of the FYFS involved in this study, which did not differ between the experimental and control groups for all key variables, identified them as a typical group of young female adults who are healthy but are not realistic about their weight status and who experience numerous problems related to their weight status. The implementation of the Manual was found to be significantly effective in limiting weight gain among the FYFS in the experimental group. The control group experienced almost a full unit increase in BMI (0.93 kg/m²), while the increase found for experimental group was 0.53 kg/m² (p=0.004). Although the weight of both groups increased initially the experimental group went on to lose weight, while the control group continued to gain weight during the last five months of the intervention. The impact of the Manual is further illustrated by the fact that the FYFS in the experimental group who indicated that they did Lise the Manual extensively experienced a significantly lower rise in their weight (change in BMI over study period = 0.37 kg/m²) than those in the experimental group who indicated that they did not use the Manual (change in BMI over study period = 0.89 kg/m²). Factors that are possibly linked to the success attained with the Manual were identified and include more reasonable weight goals; the use of sound weightreduction methods such as a balanced diet and physical activity; improvements in self-concept; maintenance of physical activity levels, especially during the first three months at university; improvement in general psychological well-being; decreased intake of foods from the "other" (includes mainly high fat, sugar based foods such as doughnuts, cookies, cake, tart), beverage and grains food groups; and possibly less concerns with body shape from the start. Factors for which no link with weight management success could be established include changes in body composition; perceptions of own weight; weight loss attempts; foods from the vegetables, fruit, milk and cheese, meat, fish and chicken, fats and fast foods food groups; physical activity over the total eight-month period; reasons for eating; eating attitudes and behaviour; dissatisfaction with body parts; and body shape concerns. It is recommended that the implementation of the Manual on the campus of the University of Stellenbosch to prevent weight gain of FYFS should be considered, bearing in mind some of the recommendations formulated by the FYFS in the experimental group. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Eerstejaar damestudente wat aan die Universiteit van Stellenbosch studeer is voorheen geïdentifiseer as 'n hoë risiko groep vir gewigstoename. 'n Vier-jaar opvolg van hierdie damestudente het aangedui dat 'n groot persentasie vir die duur van hul universiteitsloopbane gewigsfluktuasies ondervind. Die unieke gewigshanteringsbehoeftes van die eerstejaar damestudente is ook tydens die longitudinale studie geïdentifiseer. Die integrasie van hierdie resultate met 'n uitgebreide soektog en ontleding van die literatuur wat betrekking het op gewigshantering het aanleiding gegee tot die ontwikkeling van 'n multidimensionele gewigshanteringsparadigma wat gebruik kan word tydens die ontwikkeling van gewigshanteringsintervensies vir damestudente. As 'n volgende stap is 'n self-help gewigshanterings handleiding, wat die multidimensionele benadering voorgestel in die genoemde paradigma volg, ontwikkelom die unieke gewigshanteringsbehoeftes van damestudente aan te spreek. Die doel van die huidige studie was om die impak van die multidimensionele self-help gewigshanteringshandleiding (die Handleiding) op die gewigstatus en geassosieerde faktore van eerstejaar damestudente aan die Universiteit van Stellenbosch oor 'n tydperk van agt maande, te evalueer. Vir hierdie doeleinde is 'n nie-gerandomiseerde kwasi-eksperimentele ontwerp gebruik, wat doelbewus geselekteerde eksperimentele en kontrole groepe ingesluit het. Data is gedurende Februarie (Basislyn), Mei (drie maande na basislyn = Opvolg-I) en Oktober (agt maande na basislyn = Opvolg-2) 2002 versamel. Alle studente in die eksperimentele group het die Handleiding tydens Basislyn ontvang vir gebruik tydens die agt maande studieperiode. Omdat dit 'n lae-intensiteit intervensie program was, is geen verdere kontak gedurende die studieperiode met beide die groepe gemaak nie, behalwe tydens die versameling van Opvolg-I data. Metings wat geneem is en instrumente wat voltooi is, sluit die volgende in: gewig, lengte, triseps velvou, mid-bo-armomtrek, heupomtrek, middelomtrek, "Adolescent Self- Concept Scale" (self-konsep), "Body Shape Questionnaire" (besorgdheid oor liggaamsvorm), "Eating Attitudes Test" (eetgedrag en -houding), "General Health Questionnaire" (algemene sielkundige welstand), 90-item semi-gekwantifiseerde voedselfrekwensievraelys (dieetinname van nege voedselgroepe), en die "Baecke Questionnaire of Habitual Physical Activity" (fisieke aktiwiteit). Addisionele vrae aangaande gewigsverwante persepsies en praktyke, ontevredenheid met liggaamsdele, redes vir eet en sosio-demografiese faktore is ook ingesluit. Die Basislyn eienskappe van die eerstejaar damesstudente wat aan hierdie studie deelgeneem het, het nie tussen die eksperimentele en kontrole groepe vir alle sleutelveranderlikes verskil nie. Hierdie inligting het ook daarop gedui dat die studente 'n tipiese groep jong vroulike volwassenes is wat gesond is maar, onrealisties is oor hul gewigstatus en baie gewigstatusverwante probleme ondervind. Die resultate toon dat die implementering van die Handleiding beduidend effektief was om die gewigstoename by eerstejaar damestudente in die eksperimentele groep te beperk. Die gewig van die kontrole groep het byna 'n volle LMI eenheid (0.93 kg/m²) toegeneem terwyl die toename vir die eksperimentele groep 0.53 kg/m² was. Alhoewel die gewig van beide groepe aanvanklik toegeneem het, het die eksperimentele groep daarna gewig verloor terwyl die kontrole groep se gewig gedurende die laaste vyf maande van die intervensie verder toegeneem het. Die impak van die Handleiding word verder geïllustreer deur die feit dat die eerstejaar damesstudente in die eksperimentele groep wat aangedui het dat hul wel die Handleiding ekstensief gebruik het, 'n beduidend laer toename in gewig (LMI verandering gedurende studieperiode = 0.37 kg/m²) ondervind het as die studente in die eksperimentele groep wat aangedui het dat hul nie die Handleiding gebruik het nie (LMI verandering gedurende studieperiode = 0.89 kg/m²). Faktore wat moontlik gekoppel kan word aan die sukses verkry met die Handleiding is geïdentifiseer en sluit die volgende in: meer redelike gewigsdoelwitte; die gebruik van veilige gewigsverlies metodes soos 'n gebalanseerde dieet and fisieke aktiwiteit; verbetering van self-konsep; handhawing van fisieke aktiwiteitsvlakke, veral gedurende die eerste drie maande op universiteit; verbetering van algemene sielkundige welstand; verlaagde inname van voedsel van die "ander-" (sluit hoofsaaklik hoë vet, suiker gebasseerde voedsels soos oliebolle, koekies en tert in), drankies- en graanvoedselgroepe; en moontlik minder besorgdheid oor liggaamsvorm van die begin af. Faktore waarvoor geen verband met sukses met gewigshantering gevind is nie sluit die volgende in: liggaamsamestelling; persepsies van gewig; gewigsverliespogings; voedselinname uit die groente-, vrugte-, melk en kaas-, vleis, vis en hoender-, vette- en kitskosse-voedselgroepe; fisieke aktiwiteit gedurende die totale agtmaande periode; redes vir eet; eetgedrag en -houding; ontevredenheid met liggaamsdele; en besorgdheid oor liggaamsvorm. Dit word aanbeveel dat die implementasie van die Handleiding op die kampus van die Univérsiteit van Stellenbosch oorweeg word om gewigstoename van eerstejaar damesstudente te voorkom. Dit word ook aanbeveel dat die aanbevelings van die studente in die eksperimentele groep in hierdie verband, in ag geneem moet word.

Health care service providers in South Africa and elsewhere in the world are increasingly faced with an enormous challenge of modeling their approach to health care to meet the needs and expectations of the diverse societies they serve. The norms and customs that are inherent in these indigenous cultures are fundamental to the day-to-day existence of the people concerned and may hold a key to the understanding of many aspects of their lives, including the understanding of disease, in the case of this thesis, those transmitted sexually. A grounded theory study was used based on its theory of symbolic interactionism to explore the indigenous knowledge and health practices of the Vhavenda in sexually transmitted diseases. Data was collected through in-depth interview with traditional healers and key informants. Snowball sampling was used to idenify key informants as categories continued to emerge. Dara was analyzed using three basic types of coding namely, open coding, axial coding and selective coding. The findings of the study revealed a variety of terms used to identify SDs. Also emerging from the results was that cultural gender roles in the Vhavenda society justify women as sole agents of STDs. In accordance with grounded theory the decriptions of types of diseases, disease patterns, signs and symptoms culminated in "dirt" as the core category. It came out clear that dirt in the form of women'svaginal discharges and moral dirt is the main course of a STDs. It was also evident that strategies for combating STDs will have to take into account popular beliefs and attudes regarding views on STDs as well as the role and influence of traditional healers. Based on the above findings guidelines for designing a module for teaching health professionals has been formulated to aid them in understanding the beliefs and practices of people they serve. / Health Studies / D. Litt et Phil. (Health Studies)