Work-related injuries and illnesses may lead to absenteeism, which affects the level of productivity. The purpose of this study was to determine the success of an employee workplace training program on work-related injury and illness rates at selected federal districts within a federal organization. Newman's model, which describes internal and external factors that may have an effect on an individual's health, was the framework that guided this project. A pre-post design was used to compare data from 2 publically available data sets, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration Illness and Injury and the Voice of the Employee Survey, for the years 2013 and 2014, before and after a wellness training program. According to a descriptive analysis of 91 illness and injury events that occurred during the 2-year period, the greatest number of employees who reported illnesses were mail handlers and mail processing clerks. Slips/trips and falls, strikes by machine/equipment or other objects, and repetitive motion were the top 3 types of injuries. After training, the total number of illness and injury days away from work and days of limited duty were decreased, indicating a positive impact of this workplace wellness program and a need for future training for these workers. This project has the potential to affect social change by supporting the benefits of workplace wellness in improving employee health and reducing workplace injuries at federal agencies.

The purpose of this study was to explore and highlight positive psychological strengths that are required and, to a lesser extent, negative psychological factors that are to be eliminated in employees attending EAP in the public service in order to make the EAP beneficial and successful. EAPs in the public service have not been as successful as expected because employees drop-out prematurely and/or benefit minimally from attending their sessions. Through the use of a qualitative research approach, this study explored positive psychological strengths that played a significant role in assisting employees attending EAP to achieve their health goals. Research data was collected through the narratives and in-depth interviews from eight participants, who shared their EAP experiences with the researcher. The collected data was analysed through the use of content analysis and positive psychological strengths in the form of themes emerged. The themes were compared with the framework of positive psychology, which is known as the VIA classification system of strengths and virtues framework, in order to determine alignment or compatibility with it. In addition, a few negative emotions were also reported as having been experienced by the participants while attending EAP. The results of this study indicate that certain positive psychological strengths possessed by employees while attending EAP contributed significantly in making them benefit from their EAP consultations. Although a few negative emotions were also reported as having being present during the EAP consultation, they did not affect the progression and success of the EAP. An EAP intervention model is recommended herein for future use, in order to facilitate the success of EAP sessions. / Psychology / D. Litt. et Phil. (Psychology)

The purpose of this study was to explore and highlight positive psychological strengths that are required and, to a lesser extent, negative psychological factors that are to be eliminated in employees attending EAP in the public service in order to make the EAP beneficial and successful. EAPs in the public service have not been as successful as expected because employees drop-out prematurely and/or benefit minimally from attending their sessions. Through the use of a qualitative research approach, this study explored positive psychological strengths that played a significant role in assisting employees attending EAP to achieve their health goals. Research data was collected through the narratives and in-depth interviews from eight participants, who shared their EAP experiences with the researcher. The collected data was analysed through the use of content analysis and positive psychological strengths in the form of themes emerged. The themes were compared with the framework of positive psychology, which is known as the VIA classification system of strengths and virtues framework, in order to determine alignment or compatibility with it. In addition, a few negative emotions were also reported as having been experienced by the participants while attending EAP. The results of this study indicate that certain positive psychological strengths possessed by employees while attending EAP contributed significantly in making them benefit from their EAP consultations. Although a few negative emotions were also reported as having being present during the EAP consultation, they did not affect the progression and success of the EAP. An EAP intervention model is recommended herein for future use, in order to facilitate the success of EAP sessions. / Psychology / D. Litt. et Phil. (Psychology)

A crescente epidemia de obesidade tem incentivado profissionais da saúde a procurar por intervenções que possam atingir um grande número de indivíduos de maneira custo-efetiva. Os Programas de Qualidade de Vida no Trabalho vêm sendo apontados como ferramentas importantes para a promoção da saúde e qualidade de vida. Neste contexto, o Coaching em Saúde e Bem Estar vem despontando como um componente promissor nas intervenções desenvolvidas nestes programas, de modo a atingir resultados positivos e permanentes para mudança de comportamento para um estilo de vida saudável. Desta forma, o propósito desta revisão é verificar o efeito do Coaching em Saúde e Bem Estar sobre o peso corporal, nível de atividade física e consumo de frutas, legumes e vegetais de trabalhadores. Para tanto, foi conduzida uma busca nas bases de dados PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, LILACS e Cochrane Library. Onze ensaios clínicos randomizados atenderam aos critérios de elegibilidade, aos quais foi aplicado o instrumento de avaliação de risco de viés da Colaboração Cochrane e extraídas as informações relevantes de cada estudo. Encontrou-se associação de efeito na direção esperada para peso corporal, atividade física e consumo de frutas, legumes e vegetais. No entanto, 72,7% dos estudos (n=8) apresentaram alto risco de viés. Assim, conclui-se que as evidências para responder à pergunta desta revisão são limitadas e, portanto, sugere-se que mais estudos sejam realizados, considerando-se a transparência no relato das evidências e o rigor metodológico recomendado para sua execução. / The expanding outbreak of obesity has stimulated health professionals to search for interventions capable to encompass a large number of individuals in a cost-effective manner. Worksite Wellness Programs have been pointed out as important tools for the promotion of workers\' health and quality of life. In this context, Health and Wellness Coaching is emerging as a promising component of the interventions developed in such programs, leveraging achievement of positive and permanent results on behavior change for a healthy lifestyle. Under such perspective the purpose of this review is to verify the effect of Health and Wellness Coaching on workers\' body weight, physical activity and consumption of fruits and vegetables. Therefore, a survey was conducted in PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, LILACS and Cochrane Library databases. Eleven studies met the selection criteria of this research. The risk of bias analysis tool developed by Cochrane collaboration was applied, and the relevant data were extracted from each study The analysis of results of such studies demonstrated association of positive effect for the increase of workers\' physical activity, body weight and fruits and vegetables intake. Nevertheless, 72,8% of the studies (n=8) showed a high risk of bias. So the conclusion is that the evidences found are not enough to answer the proposed question. Further studies are necessary in order to gather consistent data raised with the required methodological rigor.

No description available.

Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Technology: Biomedical Technology In the Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences At the Cape Peninsula University of Technology Supervisors: Prof. Adriaan J Esterhuyse Dr Dirk J Bester Bellville January 2014 / Background: Oxidative stress and chronic inflammation contributes significantly to the pathogenesis of several ischaemic heart diseases, including atherosclerotic plaque rupture and myocardial infarction. It is widely demonstrated that ischaemia, followed by reperfusion, results in alterations of the mitochondrial and endothelial function through uncontrolled cascades of events characterized by free radical release and inflammation. Recent experimental evidence shows that modulation of inflammatory and antioxidant signaling mediators may determine the host outcome following myocardial ischaemia-reperfusion injury. Investigations from the past decade indicate that food supplements may play an important role in the prevention and management of chronic inflammatory diseases. Garcinia kola seeds are flavonoid rich nut from a tropical flowering, non-timber plant of the Guttiferae family. This plant is highly valued in several African cultures for its use in herbal medicine. Recently, the majority of experimental research has linked phytochemicals found in Garcinia kola nut, to its proposed beneficial effects in treatment and management of oxidative stress related-chronic diseases. Research performed in our laboratory demonstrated that kolaviron, a prominent Garcinia kola flavonoid extract, reduces myocardial apoptosis during ischaemia-reperfusion injury. Therefore, the aim of our current study was to determine the effects of Garcinia kola supplementation on cardiac inflammatory and antioxidant signaling pathways during ischaemia-reperfusion using a Wistar rat heart model. Materials and Methods: Male wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups: a control group receiving 2ml/kg corn oil and the experimental group receiving 100mg/kg Garcinia kola dissolved in corn oil, daily for 4 weeks. After the feeding period, blood samples were collected and lymphocytic DNA damage was analyzed using the alkaline comet assay. Furthermore, rat hearts were isolated and perfused with Krebs-Henseleit buffer on a working heart perfusion apparatus to measure myocardial functional parameters. Myocardial functional recovery was measured after 15 minutes global ischaemia followed by 25 minutes reperfusion. Hearts were freeze clamped at three different time points for myocardial cytokine concentration determinations using multiplex electrochemilunescent immunoassay. Nuclear factor kappa beta (NF- kβ), p38 mitogen activated protein kinases (p38 MAPK), protein kinase B/Akt (PKB/Akt), nitro-tyrosine, inducible nitric oxide (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), poly (adenosine-di-phosphate) ribose polymerase-1 (PARP-1) and caspase-3 expression and their phosphorylated forms (where applicable) were analyzed using the Western blot technique. Results: Dietary Garcinia kola supplementation significantly improved functional recovery when compared to the control group as reflected by the improved aortic output recovery (68.47 ± 6.16% versus 44.96 ± 7.00%; p<0.05). Our biochemical results supports the hypothesis that, dietary Garcinia kola supplementation modulates different cardiac proteins in terms of expression and activation at different time points when compared to the control group. We show that, before induction of ischaemia, Garcinia kola supplementation attenuates expression of inflammatory mediators and pro-apoptotic proteins when compared to the control group. The improved functional recovery was associated with a prompt inflammatory response, activation of PKB/Akt and attenuation of protein nitrosylation after 10 minutes of reperfusion. Modulation of NF-kβ and the p38 MAPK family proteins expression could have also played a significant role in myocardial functional recovery. Conclusion: We have shown that a 4 week period of dietary Garcinia kola supplementation at 100mg/kg daily improves cardiac functional recovery following ischaemia-reperfusion injury. We propose that dietary Garcinia kola supplementation protects cardiac myocytes from ischaemia-reperfusion induced oxidative stress through the induction of a prompt inflammatory response and controlled expression and/or activation of the, NF-kβ, PKB/Akt and p38 MAPK protein signaling pathways PARP-1 and caspase. Finally, we demonstrated that dietary Garcinia kola supplementation did not induce rat lymphocytic DNA damage when compared to the control group.

A crescente epidemia de obesidade tem incentivado profissionais da saúde a procurar por intervenções que possam atingir um grande número de indivíduos de maneira custo-efetiva. Os Programas de Qualidade de Vida no Trabalho vêm sendo apontados como ferramentas importantes para a promoção da saúde e qualidade de vida. Neste contexto, o Coaching em Saúde e Bem Estar vem despontando como um componente promissor nas intervenções desenvolvidas nestes programas, de modo a atingir resultados positivos e permanentes para mudança de comportamento para um estilo de vida saudável. Desta forma, o propósito desta revisão é verificar o efeito do Coaching em Saúde e Bem Estar sobre o peso corporal, nível de atividade física e consumo de frutas, legumes e vegetais de trabalhadores. Para tanto, foi conduzida uma busca nas bases de dados PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, LILACS e Cochrane Library. Onze ensaios clínicos randomizados atenderam aos critérios de elegibilidade, aos quais foi aplicado o instrumento de avaliação de risco de viés da Colaboração Cochrane e extraídas as informações relevantes de cada estudo. Encontrou-se associação de efeito na direção esperada para peso corporal, atividade física e consumo de frutas, legumes e vegetais. No entanto, 72,7% dos estudos (n=8) apresentaram alto risco de viés. Assim, conclui-se que as evidências para responder à pergunta desta revisão são limitadas e, portanto, sugere-se que mais estudos sejam realizados, considerando-se a transparência no relato das evidências e o rigor metodológico recomendado para sua execução. / The expanding outbreak of obesity has stimulated health professionals to search for interventions capable to encompass a large number of individuals in a cost-effective manner. Worksite Wellness Programs have been pointed out as important tools for the promotion of workers\' health and quality of life. In this context, Health and Wellness Coaching is emerging as a promising component of the interventions developed in such programs, leveraging achievement of positive and permanent results on behavior change for a healthy lifestyle. Under such perspective the purpose of this review is to verify the effect of Health and Wellness Coaching on workers\' body weight, physical activity and consumption of fruits and vegetables. Therefore, a survey was conducted in PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, LILACS and Cochrane Library databases. Eleven studies met the selection criteria of this research. The risk of bias analysis tool developed by Cochrane collaboration was applied, and the relevant data were extracted from each study The analysis of results of such studies demonstrated association of positive effect for the increase of workers\' physical activity, body weight and fruits and vegetables intake. Nevertheless, 72,8% of the studies (n=8) showed a high risk of bias. So the conclusion is that the evidences found are not enough to answer the proposed question. Further studies are necessary in order to gather consistent data raised with the required methodological rigor.

No description available.

Abstracts in English and Southern Sotho / Affordable and accessible preventive health programmes within the South African Police Service (SAPS) could be the best measures for managing epidemic diseases in the organisation. Employee health and wellness (EHW) programmes, including those dealing with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), are often the subjects of debate among scholars and human resource management practitioners within the context of developing effective and efficient interventions in the workplace to enhance the health management of employees. This study explores the nature and extent of the employee wellness programmes that focus on HIV/AIDS in the SAPS. In particular, the research examines how EHW practitioners in the SAPS experience the programmes and what support they receive regarding HIV/AIDS in the workplace. Data were collected from six EHW practitioners using semi-structured interviews. The study finds that HIV/AIDS programmes are categorised into different interventions, each with advantages and purpose. The findings will help determine if the HIV/AIDS programmes effectively cater to the health needs of employees within the SAPS. The findings from this study are limited to six EHW practitioners’ experiences in relation to how they perceive the employee wellness programmes in the SAPS, more specifically, the HIV/AIDS programmes. / Go hwetšagala ga mananeo a maphelo a thibelo ao a bolokegilego, ao a sa turego le a go fihlelelega ka gare ga Tirelo ya Maphodisa ya Afrika Borwa (SAPS) e ka ba legato le lekaone la thibelo la go laola malwetši a leuba ka gare ga tirelo ye. Mananeo a bophelo bjo bokaone bja bašomi, go akaretšwa ao a šomago ka twatši ya go palediša mašole a mmele go šoma (HIV) le bolwetši bja go šitwa ga mašole a mmele (AIDS), gantši ke seo se dirago gore dirutegi di ngangišane le bašomi ba lefapha la bašomi mabapi le go tšweletša ditsenogare tšeo di šomago gabotse le tša go hloka mathata ka mošomong ka nepo ya go maatlafatša taolo ya maphelo a bašomi. Maikemišetšomagolo a dinyakišišo e bile go utolla sebopego le bogolo bja mananeo a maphelo a makaone a bašomi ka go SAPS ao a lebeletšego kudu HIV/AIDS. Dinyakišišo di dirilwe go tseba ka fao bašomi ba maphelo a bašomi le go phela gabotse (EHW) ga bona ka SAPS ba itemogetšego mananeo ao le gore ke thekgo efe ye ba e hwetšago mabapi le HIV/AIDS ka mošomong. Dipotšišo tša dipoledišano tšeo di nyakago gore baarabi ba fe mabaka di dirilwe ka nepo ya go kgoboketša tshedimošo go tšwa go bašomi ba tshela (6) ba EHW ba ka SAPS bao ba kgathilego tema ka dinyakišišong. Dikutollo di laetša gore mananeo a HIV/AIDS a hlophilwe ka mehuta ye e fapafapanego ya ditsenogare, gomme le lengwe le le lengwe le na le menyetla le maikemišetšo a lona. Dikutollo tše di tla ba mohola go tseba ge eba mananeo a HIV/AIDS a šoma gabotse go hlokomela dinyakwa tša maphelo tša bašomi ka gare ga SAPS. Dikutollo go tšwa ka mo dinyakišišong tše di tšwa fela go maitemogelo a bašomi ba tshela ba EHW mabapi le ka fao ba bonago mananeo a mabapi le go phela gabotse ga bašomi ka SAPS, kudukudu, mananeo a HIV/AIDS. / Business Management / M. Com. (Business Management)