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The influence of chronic disease of the physical functionality of future ageing populations in South Africa with special reference to the Western CapeTredoux, Anna Elizabeth 03 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2010. / Chronic diseases have been described as “the biggest public health threat society has ever faced”
(World Economic Forum, 2010). The forecast from both the World Health Organization and the
World Bank is that the morbidity and mortality rate of these diseases will impact severely on low
and middle-income countries (WHO, 2005).
The burden of disease in South Africa comprises both communicable and non-communicable
burden maladies, including high rates of HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis (TB). A high incidence of
injury, peri-natal and maternal disorders also contributes to the health burden (Mayosi, Flisher,
Lalloo, Sitas, Tollman & Bradshaw, 2009). The country is approaching a demographic transition
with an accelerating ageing population. The factors contributing to the ageing of the population
differ from those of the rest of the world (Haldenwang, 2009).
The Western Cape Province is unique in its position as the province in South Africa with the
highest life expectancy, a population change rate that is double the national average, and a higher
than average older population (Provincial Government of the Western Cape, Department of Health.
2010. Strategic Plan 2010-2014).
An extensive literature survey employing an integral environmental scanning approach was used to
determine the impact of ageing on the burden of disease in the Western Cape. The connection
between ageing, chronic disease and physical functionality was explored in a non-standardised
questionnaire and in the literature survey. An evaluation of the Western Cape Department of
Health Strategic Plan 2010-2014 found that non-communicable diseases and mental health issues
that constitute about 28 per cent of the burden of disease (WHO, 2008) are not considered in
future planning.
This study shows that the Western Cape Province has limited time to prepare for the expanding
and accelerating ageing population. The analysis of the questionnaire and the literature survey
forms the foundation for the building of scenarios to visualise possible health futures in 2030 in the
Western Cape. The desirable scenario is a balance between life expectancy and health
expectancy.
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Exploring strategies used by older drivers during ingress and egress and their varying physical mobilityLeung, Dale January 2016 (has links)
The overall purpose of the present study was to examine the strategies used by older adults with regard to both foot placement and hand contact location as they enter (ingress) and exit (egress) a vehicle. A cross-sectional study was used to identify and, in turn, examine the participants’ ingress and egress strategies in relation to their physical mobility and other characteristics. All participants had a valid driver’s license and they completed the following: 1) demographic (self-report) questionnaires; 2) clinical measures of physical mobility (i.e. Timed Up and Go, Berg Balance Scale, One Legged Stance test, Rapid Pace Walk test). A physical mobility index was also developed using these clinical measures. During both ingress and egress, older drivers were more likely to use one-foot strategies, which are considered less stable. Participants who used one-foot ingress and egress strategies had better overall physical mobility. The armrest location was used by the majority of older drivers for both ingress and egress, and is used most often during one-foot strategies. Participants who used multiple hand contact locations during ingress/egress had lower physical mobility than participants who used a single hand contact location or made no contact with the vehicle. Finally, the results from this study can inform educational materials targeting this population and determining design changes to the automobile that can prevent injuries to older drivers. / Thesis / Master of Health Sciences (MSc)
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