The study was based on the evaluation of specific business–related factors concerning small businesses in the formal sector. The purpose of this study was to gain a clear understanding of the current education level of employees in the small business industry. Income and business related costs applicable to small businesses and formal business support was also evaluated in terms of its availability to small businesses. By means of investigation it was possible to conclude to what extent small businesses contribute towards economic growth in South Africa. The South African government is definitely aware of the important role which small businesses play in economic growth and poverty reduction. Small businesses were analysed to determine the education level of both employees and business owners. The contribution which business owners made to training and development of their employees was also investigated. The income over a period of five years were analysed to determine the financial sustainability of the businesses. The impact of business related costs and the global economic recession were also investigated to determine the future sustainability of small businesses. The empirical research was conducted at a financial institution in Klerksdorp to assess the contribution which small businesses made towards economic growth and development. Small businesses' contribution towards education and training must be reconsidered as limited opportunities exist within small business for training. Small business owners cannot afford to send their employees away to obtain training and mainly make use of on–the–job training. SETAS must focus more on small businesses when it comes to training and alternative training methods must be reconsidered. The implementation of complex labour legislation and the minimum wages law make unskilled labour very expensive for small business owners. This must be reconsidered as small businesses cannot afford to employ additional employees. Formal business support available to small business owners were perceived not to be marketed very well although the lack of internet access may contribute to the limited knowledge in this regard. The South African government must reconsider its strategy to utilize small businesses to create jobs and to develop skills. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

The present study had the objectives of analyzing the prevalence of eating disorders in adolescent women attending school in Metropolitan Lima, identifying the factors related to those disorders and defining the population at risk of developing any of those disorders. A total of 2141 adolescents between 13 and 19 years old in their last three years of high school made up the probabilistic sample. This sample was chosen by clusters in two moments and stratified according to either prívate or public school. The Eating Behavior Inventory (ICA) was administered. Results showed that 16.4% of the cases had one or more eating disorders and 15.1% of the sample was at risk of developing one. / El presente estudio consistió en analizar la prevalencia de los trastornos alimentarios en la población de mujeres adolescentes escolares de Lima Metropolitana y los factores asociados a dichos trastornos. Asimismo, se buscó determinar la población en riesgo de desarrollar alguno de estos trastornos. Se evaluó un total de 2141 adolescentes entre los 13 y los 19 años, de 3° a 5° de secundaria, seleccionadas mediante un muestreo probabilístico bietápico por conglomerados y estratificado según régimen de gestión del colegio (público o privado), y se les aplicó el Inventario de Conductas Alimentarias (ICA) de Zusman (2000). Los resultados mostraron un 16.4% de casos con uno o más trastornos alimentarios y un 15.1% de la población en situación de riesgo.

Yes / Introduction: Clinicians typically use findings from cohort studies to objectively inform judgements regarding the potential (dis)advantages of prescribing a new prosthetic device. However, before finalising prescription a clinician will typically ask a patient to ‘try out’ a change of prosthetic device while the patient is at the clinic. Observed differences in gait when using the new device should be the result of the device’s mechanical function, but could also conceivably be due to patient related factors which can change from day-to-day and can thus make device comparisons unreliable. To determine whether a device’s mechanical function consistently has a more meaningful impact on gait than patient-related factors, the present study undertook quantitative gait analyses of a trans-tibial amputee walking using two different foot-ankle devices on two occasions over a year apart. If the observed differences present between devices, established using quantitative gait analysis, were in the same direction and of similar magnitude on each of the two occasions, this would indicate that device-related factors were more important than patient-related factors. Methods: One adult male with a unilateral trans-tibial amputation completed repeated walking trials using two different prosthetic foot devices on two separate occasions, 14 months apart. Walking speed and sagittal plane joint kinematics and kinetics for both limbs were assessed on each occasion. Clinically meaningful differences in these biomechanical outcome variables were defined as those with an effect size difference (d) between prosthetic conditions of at least 0.4 (i.e. ‘medium’ effect size). Results: Eight variables namely, walking speed, prosthetic ‘ankle’ peak plantar- and dorsi- flexion and peak positive power, and residual knee loading response flexion, peak stance-phase extension and flexion moments and peak negative power, displayed clinically meaningful differences (d > 0.4) between foot devices during the first session. All eight of these showed similar effect size differences during the second session despite the participant being heavier and older. Conclusions: Findings suggest that a prosthetic device’s mechanical function consistently has a more meaningful impact on gait than patient-related factors. These findings support the current clinical practice of making decisions regarding prosthetic prescription for an individual, based on a single session evaluation of their gait using two different devices. However, to confirm this conclusion, a case series using the same approach as the present study could be undertaken.

Purpose: To determine the timing of first ambulation during hospitalization among patients admitted for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and to identify the predictors of first ambulation. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 500 AMI patients admitted during 2004 to one of three hospitals that form the Hamilton Health Sciences Corporation in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The patients were randomly selected from a total of 1,014 charts from the Hamilton Health Sciences Computerized Health Records (SOVERA). Using a chart abstraction tool, the following data were collected from each patient's chart: demographic information, past medical history, treatment, complications, and patterns of ambulation while in hospital. The primary outcome was first ambulation, defined as the first time patients walked during their hospital stay. Secondary outcomes included heart rate at discharge and mortality during hospitalization. The relationship between patient and care-related factors and the time of first ambulation after AMI was explored through a time to event analysis using Cox regression; the associations were expressed as hazard ratios. The fit for the proportional hazard model was assessed and a stratified proportional hazard model was performed for age. Results: Of the 500 charts, 60 were excluded. Of the 440 patients who were included in the final analysis, 340 (77.3%) walked during hospitalization. One hundred fifteen (26.1 %) walked during the first 48 hours (early walking), 98 (22.3%) walked between 49-96 hours (intermediate walking), and 127 (28.9%) walked after 96 hours (late walking). A total of 100 patients (22.7%) were categorized as non-walkers. Factors that emerged in the survival analysis that were positively associated with early ambulation after AMI and that proved the proportionality on the assessment of the fit of the model were: having a family history of cardiovascular disease (HR 1.33; 95% Cl 1.00, 1.44; p=0.05), receiving thrombolysis (HR 1.47; 95% Cl 1.11, 1.49; p=0.007), receiving nitroglycerin (HR 1.51; 95% Cl 1.19, 1.93; p<0.001 ), and taking calcium channel blockers (HR 1.58; 95% Cl 1.22, 2.05; p<0.001 ). Factors that were negatively associated with early ambulation after AMI were age >59 years (HR 0.98; 95% Cl 0.97, 0.99; p<0.001 ), having an arrhythmia in-hospital (HR 0.48; 95% Cl 0.22, 0.94; p=0.04), taking inotropic drugs (HR 0.72; 95% Cl 0.53, 0.98; p<0.001 ), and undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery (HR 0.51; 95% Cl 0.33, 0.78; p=0.002). Conclusion: There is variability in the timing of first ambulation among patients hospitalized with an AMI. Furthermore, those who walked early were more likely to have a family history of cardiovascular disease, have received thrombolysis, and be taking nitroglycerin or calcium channel blockers. Those least likely to walk early were older (>59 years), were more likely to have had an arrhythmia inhospital, to be taking inotropic drugs, and to have undergone coronary artery bypass surgery. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

People play a major role in the marketing of services, due to the fact services are intangible, and customers look for ways to determine the quality of services. Since services differ from physical goods, service providers need to understand how they affect their organizations. Furthermore, the criterion for satisfaction is different and the customer participates in the process, hence the interest to study this more thoroughly.

Abstract General anaesthesia (GA) is a widely used sedation method in dentistry. It is usually used for patients with an extensive dental treatment need, most often related to dental caries, and limited coping skills to consider conventional dental care. These patients are often small children or persons with dental fear. Using dental general anaesthesia (DGA) is expensive, special equipment and trained staff are needed, and it is not without risks for patients. The aim of this study was to investigate factors associated with children’s DGA. In addition to dental caries and dental fear, general health status, oral health behaviours, family-related factors, as well as dental attendance after DGA were in focus. The thesis is composed of five independent studies. There were three different study populations ‒ one in specialised and two in primary health care. There was also an age- and gender-matched comparison group for one of the study populations. Questionnaires were used in three of the studies, and two of the studies were based on patient files. According to the results, DGA is more common among medically compromised children than among healthy children. Medically compromised children have more often a history of DGA treatments compared with their healthy peers. Dental caries and dental fear were the main reasons for DGA in all of the studies. Dietary and drinking habits, as well as oral hygiene behaviours were distinctly poorer among children undergoing DGA than among those treated in a normal dental setting. A history of DGA in the family, a large number of siblings and male gender were important background factors associated with DGA. Patients treated under DGA were prone to miss or cancel their upcoming appointments. In conclusion, DGA is necessary in some cases, but it could be avoided if factors associated with DGA were taken into account in treatment plans. DGA in itself does not have an enhancing effect on oral health over the long term. / Tiivistelmä Yleisanestesia on hammashoidossa yleisesti käytetty sedaatiomenetelmä vaikeahoitoisille potilaille. He ovat usein pieniä lapsia, hammashoitopelkoisia tai sellaisia potilaita, joiden hoidontarve on liian laaja ja haastava tavanomaiseen hammashoitoon. Tämän tutkimuksen tavoitteena oli selvittää lasten nukutushammashoitoon liittyviä tekijöitä. Karieksen ja hammashoitopelon lisäksi tutkimuksen kohteena oli yleisterveydellisiä seikkoja, suunterveystottumuksia, perheeseen liittyviä tekijöitä sekä hammashoitopalvelujen käyttö nukutushammashoidon jälkeen. Tämä väitöskirja koostuu viidestä erillisestä osajulkaisusta. Tutkimusjoukkoja oli kolme: yksi erikoissairaanhoidosta ja kaksi perusterveydenhuollosta. Yhdelle tutkimusjoukolle oli ikä- ja sukupuolivakioitu vertailuryhmä. Kyselylomakkeita käytettiin kolmessa osajulkaisussa ja kaksi osajulkaisua perustui potilaspapereihin. Nukutushammashoito oli yleisempää yleissairailla kuin terveillä lapsilla. Yleissairailla lapsilla oli myös useammin nukutushammashoitohistoriaa kuin terveillä lapsilla. Karies ja hammashoitopelko olivat pääsyyt nukutushammashoitoon kaikissa tutkimuksissa. Juoma- ja ruokatottumukset, kuten myös suuterveystottumukset, olivat selkeästi huonommat nukutushammashoidossa hoidetuilla lapsilla kuin niillä lapsilla, jotka hoidettiin normaalisti hereillä. Perheen nukutushammashoitohistoria, suuri määrä sisaruksia ja miessukupuoli olivat merkittäviä nukutushammashoitoon yhteydessä olevia tekijöitä. Nukutushammashoidossa hoidetut potilaat jättivät usein tulematta nukutushammashoidon jälkeisille hammashoitokäynneilleen tai peruivat aikansa. Nukutushammashoito on välttämätön tietyissä tilanteissa, mutta se voitaisiin välttää, jos siihen liittyviä tekijöitä huomioitaisiin paremmin hoitosuunnitelmissa. Nukutushammashoidolla sinänsä ei ole suunterveyttä parantavaa pitkäaikaisvaikutusta.

<p>The present thesis is based on four empirical studies concerning risk factors related to musculoskeletal pain (MSP), disability, and sick leave among three non-clinical samples of health care staff. Initially, in Study I, cognitive, behavioural and environmental factors related to MSP of nurses' aides<b> </b>were explored. An experimental design including baseline, intervention and follow-ups among 29 nurses' aides<b> </b>working in a home for the elderly was used to evaluate effects of a workplace intervention based on cognitive behaviour (CB)- and conventional, symptom reduction principles. In Study II, a cross-sectional and correlational design was applied. A self-administered questionnaire was used to describe and investigate the relationship between risk factors and development of persistent pain, sick leave and long sick leave among 914 municipal health care staff. In Study III and IV, a longitudinal design was used among 200 registered nurses (RN) working in a county hospital to describe and predict pain, disability and sick leave. Data collection involved two self-administered questionnaires covering: 1) work and personal factors, pain, disability and sick leave at baseline and 2) valued life dimensions at baseline. The results showed that MSP was common among the staff. Study I showed positive effects among nurses' aides<b> </b>receiving the CB principles related to MSP compared with nurses' aides receiving the conventional principles. In Study II, pain severity and expectations to be working in 6 months were associated with persistent MSP and sick leave, respectively. In Study III, pain, disability and sick leave at baseline were the strongest predictors of pain, disability and sick leave at the three-year follow-up. In Study IV, the findings support the notion that individual values in different life domains are possible predictors of pain and disability. </p>

<p>This study aimed at identifying the factors contributing towards work related neck pain amongst university administrative staff, its impact on everyday life activities and in turn its prevalence. A quantitative descriptive cross sectional study design was used amongst the administrative staff at the University of The Western Cape, South Africa. Data collection was carried out with the help of a questionnaire which was administered by the researcher in person. Data was analysed with both descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS and SAS for windows. Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis was done. The results of this study revealed a very high prevalence of work related neck pain amongst university administrative staff. </p>

The present thesis is based on four empirical studies concerning risk factors related to musculoskeletal pain (MSP), disability, and sick leave among three non-clinical samples of health care staff. Initially, in Study I, cognitive, behavioural and environmental factors related to MSP of nurses' aides<b> </b>were explored. An experimental design including baseline, intervention and follow-ups among 29 nurses' aides<b> </b>working in a home for the elderly was used to evaluate effects of a workplace intervention based on cognitive behaviour (CB)- and conventional, symptom reduction principles. In Study II, a cross-sectional and correlational design was applied. A self-administered questionnaire was used to describe and investigate the relationship between risk factors and development of persistent pain, sick leave and long sick leave among 914 municipal health care staff. In Study III and IV, a longitudinal design was used among 200 registered nurses (RN) working in a county hospital to describe and predict pain, disability and sick leave. Data collection involved two self-administered questionnaires covering: 1) work and personal factors, pain, disability and sick leave at baseline and 2) valued life dimensions at baseline. The results showed that MSP was common among the staff. Study I showed positive effects among nurses' aides<b> </b>receiving the CB principles related to MSP compared with nurses' aides receiving the conventional principles. In Study II, pain severity and expectations to be working in 6 months were associated with persistent MSP and sick leave, respectively. In Study III, pain, disability and sick leave at baseline were the strongest predictors of pain, disability and sick leave at the three-year follow-up. In Study IV, the findings support the notion that individual values in different life domains are possible predictors of pain and disability.

There are widespread concerns about the increasing use of multiple medicines. The aims of this thesis were to identify older patients' and general practitioners' (GPs) attitudes to and experiences of multiple medicine use, as well as to describe patterns of multiple medicine use in different age groups in association with patient-related factors. An additional aim was to contribute to scientific methodological development by providing an empirical example of the application of the Lehoux, Poland, &amp; Daudelin template for the analysis of interaction in focus groups. Data were collected via qualitative focus group discussions and from a cross-sectional community-based population survey conducted during 2001-2005. The patients revealed co-existing accounts of both immediate gratitude that medicines exist and problems with using multiple medicines such as worrying whether multiple medicine use is 'good' for the body. The patient-doctor relationship coloured their attitudes towards their treatment and care. The GPs at times felt insecure, though surrounded by treatment guidelines. Lack of communication with hospital specialists was perceived to reduce treatment quality, while influence of patient pressure was thought to contribute to the development of multiple medicine use. An interaction analysis helped in appreciating and clarifying the contexts in which results from the content analysis were created. Further discussion is needed on how to best report these results. Different cut-offs are useful in defining multiple medicine use in different age groups. Vast majorities of users of multiple medicines were found to have unique medicine combinations. Multiple medicine use was found to be associated with morbidity and poor self-rated health across all age groups.