Mini-dissertation in partial compliance with the requirements for the Masters Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, 2009. / Aim: The aim of this study was to establish the relationship between demographics of
honourable members, their level of knowledge of and the perceptions of the chiropractic
profession.
Methods: A questionnaire-based survey was administered to 84 Health Portfolio
Committee (HPC) members at their meetings as requested through the respective
committee secretaries. The questionnaire was administered in a semi supervised
fashion at the set meetings.
Results: A response rate of 64% revealed that the mean knowledge score of 31.4%
was relatively low. The mean perceptions score was 38.2%, indicating an overall
negative perception of chiropractic amongst this population. Experience did indeed
influence perceptions significantly (p=0.035) with those having consulted a chiropractor
before having higher perceptions scores.
No significant correlations existed between knowledge and perception and the
demographic variables with the exception of ethnicity. This was enhanced by a weak
statistically significant positive correlation between knowledge and perceptions score
(r=0.394, p=0.004). The weak strength of the correlation shows that in general, as
knowledge increased so did perceptions.
Conclusion: Generally knowledge and perception of chiropractic was low in this
population and seems to be influenced principally by the ethnicity / culture within which
the honourable members operate (whether it is within the medical paradigm or their
individual cultural orientation). Thus increasing the awareness and knowledge of
chiropractic in this group may lead to more positive knowledge scores and perception
levels.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:dut/oai:localhost:10321/456 |
| Date | January 2009 |
| Creators | Maharaj, Praveena |
| Contributors | Korporaal, Charmaine Maria |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | 305 p |
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