scholarly journals Health risk behaviours of stroke patients in the Western Cape, South Africa

2008 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Biggs ◽  
A. Rhoda
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
Stroke Patients ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Lifestyle Choices ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
Self Administered Questionnaire

Stroke is a leading cause of death and a major cause of disability globally. Individuals with physical disabilities, including thosewho have suffered a stroke are at risk of secondary complications due to the impact of their disability, which may be exacerbated by their lifestylechoices. The aim of the present study was to determine the health riskbehaviours and factors that influence these behaviours of stroke patients inthe Metropole Region of the Western Cape, South Africa. A cross – sectionalsurvey, utilizing a self-administered questionnaire on a convenient sampleof 417 stroke patients, was used to collect data. A sub-sample of 10 parti-cipants was purposively selected for in-depth, face-to-face interviews.Approximately forty percent (40.3%) of the participants did not engage in physical exercise. While 30.2% smoked only9% abused alcohol. A significant association was found between age and smoking (p<0.002). Information gathered in the in-depth interviews revealed factors that influenced the behaviours of the participants. These factors includedlack of financial resources and lack of access to information. As participants were found to be at risk of secondarycomplications because of poor lifestyle choices, there is a clear need to implement health promotion programmes topromote well-ness enhancing behaviours in order to enhance the quality of health of patients who have suffered astroke in the Western Cape, South Africa.

scholarly journals Perspectives on access and usage of assistive technology by people with intellectual disabilities in the Western Cape province of South Africa: Where to from here?

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fleur H. Boot ◽  
Callista Kahonde ◽  
John Dinsmore ◽  
Malcolm MacLachlan
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Assistive Technology ◽  
Intellectual Disabilities ◽  
Personal Characteristics ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
Western Cape Province ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
People With Intellectual Disabilities ◽  
Study Setting

Background: Whilst assistive technology (AT) can play an important role to improve quality of life, health inequity regarding access to appropriate AT for people with intellectual disabilities (ID) is still very much present especially in low resource countries.Objectives: This study focused on exploring factors that influence access to and continued use of AT by people with ID in the Western Cape province of South Africa and to suggest potential implications of these findings and actions required to promote access to AT.Method: A qualitative approach was used to explore the experiences of people with ID and providers of AT. Face-to-face interviews with 20 adults with mild to profound ID, and 17 providers of AT were conducted and the data were analysed thematically.Results: People with ID within the study setting faced many challenges when trying to access AT and for those who managed to acquire AT, its continued usage was influenced by both personal characteristics of the user and environmental factors. Important factors that influence AT access and use for people with ID found in this study were (1) attitudes from the community, (2) knowledge and awareness to identify AT need and (3) AT training and instructions to support the user and care network.Conclusion: With the perspectives of both the providers and users of AT, this study identified priority factors, which could be addressed to improve AT access and use for people with ID in the Western Cape province.

The impact of climate temperature on counts, recovery, and death rates due to SARS-CoV-2 in South Africa. (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neven Chetty ◽  
Bamise Adeleye ◽  
Abiola Olawale Ilori
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Death Rate ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
Warm Climate ◽  
The South ◽  
Recovery Rates ◽  
Death Rates ◽  
Online Resource ◽  
The Impact

BACKGROUND The impact of climate temperature on the counts (number of positive COVID-19 cases reported), recovery, and death rates of COVID-19 cases in South Africa's nine provinces was investigated. The data for confirmed cases of COVID-19 were collected for March 25 and June 30, 2020 (14 weeks) from South Africa's Government COVID-19 online resource, while the daily provincial climate temperatures were collected from the website of the South African Weather Service. Our result indicates that a higher or lower climate temperature does not prevent or delay the spread and death rates but shows significant positive impacts on the recovery rates of COVID-19 patients. Thus, it indicates that the climate temperature is unlikely to impose a strict limit on the spread of COVID-19. There is no correlation between the cases and death rates, an indicator that no particular temperature range is closely associated with a faster or slower death rate of COVID-19 patients. As evidence from our study, a warm climate temperature can only increase the recovery rate of COVID-19 patients, ultimately impacting the death and active case rates and freeing up resources quicker to enable health facilities to deal with those patients' climbing rates who need treatment. OBJECTIVE This study aims to investigate the impact of climate temperature variation on the counts, recovery, and death rates of COVID-19 cases in all South Africa's provinces. The findings were compared with those of countries with comparable climate temperature values. METHODS The data for confirmed cases of COVID-19 were collected for March 25 and June 30 (14 weeks) for South African provinces, including daily counts, death, and recovery rates. The dates were grouped into two, wherein weeks 1-5 represent the periods of total lockdown to contain the spread of COVID-19 in South Africa. Weeks 6-14 are periods where the lockdown was eased to various levels 4 and 3. The daily information of COVID-19 count, death, and recovery was obtained from South Africa's Government COVID-19 online resource (https://sacoronavirus.co.za). Daily provincial climate temperatures were collected from the website of the South African Weather Service (https://www.weathersa.co.za). The provinces of South Africa are Eastern Cape, Western Cape, Northern Cape, Limpopo, Northwest, Mpumalanga, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape, and Gauteng. Weekly consideration was given to the daily climate temperature (average minimum and maximum). The recorded values were considered, respectively, to be in the ratio of death-to-count (D/C) and recovery-to-count (R/C). Descriptive statistics were performed for all the data collected for this study. The analyses were performed using the Person’s bivariate correlation to analyze the association between climate temperature, death-to-count, and recovery-to-count ratios of COVID-19. RESULTS The results showed that higher climate temperatures aren't essential to avoid the COVID-19 from being spread. The present results conform to the reports that suggested that COVID-19 is unlike the seasonal flu, which does dissipate as the climate temperature rises [17]. Accordingly, the ratio of counts and death-to-count cannot be concluded to be influenced by variations in the climate temperatures within the study areas. CONCLUSIONS The study investigates the impact of climate temperature on the counts, recovery, and death rates of COVID-19 cases in all South Africa's provinces. The findings were compared with those of countries with comparable climate temperatures as South Africa. Our result indicates that a higher or lower climate temperature does not prevent or delay the spread and death rates but shows significant positive impacts on the recovery rates of COVID-19 patients. Warm climate temperatures seem not to restrict the spread of the COVID-19 as the count rate was substantial at every climate temperatures. Thus, it indicates that the climate temperature is unlikely to impose a strict limit on the spread of COVID-19. There is no correlation between the cases and death rates, an indicator that there is no particular temperature range of the climatic conditions closely associated with a faster or slower death rate of COVID-19 patients. However, other shortcomings in this study's process should not be ignored. Some other factors may have contributed to recovery rates, such as the South African government's timely intervention to announce a national lockout at the early stage of the outbreak, the availability of intensive medical care, and social distancing effects. Nevertheless, this study shows that a warm climate temperature can only help COVID-19 patients recover more quickly, thereby having huge impacts on the death and active case rates.

The Impact of Between-Wave Engagement Strategies on Response to a Longitudinal Survey

2015 ◽  
Vol 57 (4) ◽  
pp. 533-554 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Cleary ◽  
Nigel Balmer
Keyword(s):  
Longitudinal Survey ◽  
Longitudinal Surveys ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Participant Engagement ◽  
Engagement Strategies ◽  
Design Attributes ◽  
New Research ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Better Than

Maintaining participant engagement in longitudinal surveys has been a key focus of survey research, and has implications for the quality of response and cost of administration. This paper presents new research measuring the impact of the design of between-wave keeping-in-touch mailings on response to the mailing and subsequent wave of a longitudinal survey. Three design attributes of the mailings were randomly implemented: the form of response request (whether respondents were asked to respond only if their address had changed, or in all cases to confirm or update their address); the newsletter included with the mailing (contrasting a newsletter with content tailored to respondent characteristics with a general newsletter and no newsletter); and the outgoing postage used (stamped or franked). The experiments were fielded on a new longitudinal study, the English and Welsh Civil and Social Justice Panel Survey (CSJPS), and took place between waves one and two. Fieldwork for both waves was conducted by Ipsos MORI face-to-face interviewers. Our main finding was that the tailored newsletter was associated with a significant increase in the wave-two response rate. However, in relation to response to the request, the tailored newsletter, or sending no newsletter at all, were equally effective at inducing response, and significantly better than the general newsletter. We also found that, in relation to the form of request, the ‘change of address’ request was as effective as the more costly ‘confirmation’ request. Findings are discussed with reference to the design of keeping-in-touch mailings for longitudinal surveys.

scholarly journals The impact of service quality on the viability of start-up businesses

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 518-522 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zeleke Worku
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Panel Data Analysis ◽  
Hazard Ratio ◽  
Predictor Variables ◽  
Municipal Services ◽  
Validated Questionnaire ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The City

A 3-year long survey was conducted in the Tshwane geographical region of Gauteng Province in South Africa in order to identify and quantify key predictors of adequate municipal services that are routinely provided to customers who operate newly established small businesses in the City of Tshwane, Pretoria, South Africa. Data was collected by using a structured, pre-tested and validated questionnaire of study from a stratified random sample of size 1, 058 small businesses. The key objective of study was to assess the relationship between viability in small businesses and the provision of quality municipal services by the City of Tshwane. The study was conducted against the background of a high failure rate among newly established small businesses in the City of Tshwane. The study was conducted over a 3-year period (2012 to 2014). Data was collected monthly during the three-year period of study on socioeconomic variables that are known to affect the perception of business operators on the quality of municipal services to business operators and the general public. Statistical procedures such as cross-tab analyses, panel data analysis, Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithms and Bayesian methods were used for estimating parameters. The study showed that there was a significant association between positive perception of business operators on the quality of municipal services provided to them and viability of businesses. The results showed that 87% of viable businesses were satisfied with the quality of routine municipal services that were provided to them by the City of Tshwane. The corresponding figure for non-viable businesses was only 14%. The viability of businesses was significantly influenced by 3 predictor variables. These predictor variables were: lack of capacity for fulfilling the business and entrepreneurial needs of newly established businesses [Hazard Ratio = 3.58; P=0.000; 95% C. I. = (1.45, 5.46)], inappropriate policy [Hazard Ratio = 3.19; P=0.000; 95% C. I. = (1.39, 5.28)], and lack of tailor made training programmes directed at newly established small businesses [Hazard Ratio = 2.89; P=0.000; 95% C. I. = (1.24, 4.77)], in a decreasing order of strength. Similar findings were obtained from the analyses of in-depth interviews.

scholarly journals Pergeseran Pola Kepemimpinan Kiai dalam Mengembangkan Lembaga Pesantren

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 144-156
Author(s):  
Mahfudz Sidiq
Keyword(s):  
Boarding School ◽  
Boarding Schools ◽  
Community Services ◽  
Religious Knowledge ◽  
Institutional Dynamics ◽  
Data Validity ◽  
Value Changes ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Depth Interviews

The development and sustainability of Islamic Boarding School are strongly influenced by the regeneration of the leadership of kiai as a successor of the vision and mission, depending upon their disciplines. Regeneration of the leadership of kiai often occurs on the basis of lineage to maintain and respond the developmental and institutional dynamics in the boarding school. The research is intended to analyze and discover the leadership patterns of kiai, the shifting patterns of the leadership, and the impact of the shift towards the development of the institutions. This study is phenomenological. The data collection techniques employed were observation, in-depth interviews, and documentation. The data analysis procedures were data reduction, data display, and conclusion. Tringualation was used to check the data validity, credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability.The findings of the research reveal the following results. Firstly, the pattern of the leadership of kiai is preserving and maintaining lineage or dzurriyyah (leader is born). The characteristics of the leadership of kiai are paternalistic, charismatic, pseudo-democratic, and transcendent-transformative. Secondly, the shifting patterns of the leadership of kiai are maintaining direct dzurriyah, direct and closest dzurriyyah, and indirect and closest dzurriyyah. The patterns are based on the following principles: a) capable to maintain knowledge and the characteristics of the boarding school, b) able to maintain the values of the ​​boarding schools and families (dzurriyyah), c) able to maintain the values ​​and patterns of leadership characteristics which are paternalistic, charismatic, pseudo-democratic, and transcendent-transformative, and d) finally, able to maintain the institutional characteristics of the boarding schools which are salafiyah, salafiyah-khalafiyah, and khalafiyah. Thirdly,  the impacts of the leadership shift of kiai are as follows. a) the leadership pattern is more open and accepts value changes. b) Diversity of institutional models occurs from salafiyah, salafiyah-khalafiyah, and khalafiyah. c) the models of institutional buildings are from wood and bamboo to modern buildings. d) the quality of human resources is in the forms of expertises religious knowledge and science. e) the management of santri is from traditional to classical management models, and f) the outputs or graduates involve in the works for the religious instution and community services in his environment.

scholarly journals Videoconferencing Psychotherapy: a literature review of the perspective of relationships for patients and psychologists (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesco Cataldo ◽  
Shanton Chang ◽  
Antonette Mendoza ◽  
George Buchanan
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Therapeutic Alliance ◽  
Therapeutic Relationship ◽  
Active Role ◽  
High Demand ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Patient Relationships ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

BACKGROUND During the COVID-19 pandemic, people are being encouraged to maintain social distance. Technology is helping people to reschedule meetings from “face-to-face” interactions to remote videoconferencing. Psychologists are in high demand, due to an increase in stress as a result of COVID. Many seek to both keep treating their current patients, and welcome new ones, given the current high demand for their services. Videoconferencing provides an opportunity to do this. However, shifting treatment from face-to-face to the videoconferencing is not simple as both the psychologist and the patient miss the in-person information and cues, such as body language provides. OBJECTIVE A new theoretical framework is proposed to guide the design of future studies on the impact of the computer as a mediator of psychologist-patient relationships, and the influence of videoconferencing on the whole relationship process. METHODS A literature review has been conducted, screening studies focusing on communication, and the key concepts of therapeutic relationship and therapeutic alliance. RESULTS Studies report that patients are generally satisfied with videoconference therapy in terms of the relationship with their therapists and the establishment of the “therapeutic alliance”. However, psychologists report difficulties in establishing same quality of therapeutic relationship and therapeutic alliance. The analysed studies lead us to interpret data under a different perspective. A new model of relationship is proposed, along with further hypotheses. CONCLUSIONS It is important to consider the computer as having an active role in psychologists and patients’ relationships. CLINICALTRIAL

Abstract W P287: Does Comprehensive Stroke Certification Demonstrate a Significant Effect on Volume and Quality of Care?

Stroke ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 45 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurie Paletz ◽  
Shlee Song ◽  
Nili Steiner ◽  
Betty Robertson ◽  
Nicole Wolber ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Quality Of Care ◽  
Acute Stroke ◽  
Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Turnaround Time ◽  
Joint Commission ◽  
Stroke Patients ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
The Impact

Introduction/Background information: At the onset of acute stroke symptoms, speed, capability, safety and skill are essential-lost minutes can be the difference between full recoveries, poor outcome, or even death. The Joint Commission's Certificate of Distinction for Comprehensive Stroke Centers recognizes centers that make exceptional efforts to foster better outcomes for stroke care. While many hospitals have been surveyed, Cedars Sinai was the 5 th hospital in the nation to receive this certification. Researchable question: Does Comprehensive stroke certification (CSC) demonstrate a significant effect on volume and quality of care? Methods: We assembled a cross-functional, multidisciplinary expert team representing all departments and skill sets involved in treating stroke patients. We carefully screened eligible patients with acute ischemic stroke We assessed the number of patients treated at Cedars-Sinai with IV-T-pa t 6 months before and then 6 months after CSC and the quality of their care including medical treatment and door to needle time. Results: In the 6 months prior to Joint Commissions Stroke Certification we treated 20 of 395acute stroke patients with t-PA with an average CT turnaround time of 31±19minutes and an average Door to needle time (DTNT) of 68±32minutes. In the 6 months since Joint Commission Stroke Certification we have increased the number of acute stroke patients treated by almost double. There were 37 out of 489(P=0.02, Chi Square) patients treated with IV t-PA with an average CT turnaround time of 22±7minutes (p=0.08, t-test, compared to pre-CSC) and an average DTNT of 61± 23minutes (not different than pre-CSC). Conclusion: We conclude that Joint Commission Certification for stroke was associated with an increased rate of treatment with IV rt-PA in acute ischemic stroke patients. We were not able to document an effect on quality of care. Further studies of the impact of CSC certification are warranted.

Abstract 9979: Health-Related Quality of Life in Children With Marfan Syndrome

Circulation ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 132 (suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jill C Handisides ◽  
Danielle Hollenbeck-Pringle ◽  
Karen Uzark ◽  
Felicia L Trachtenberg ◽  
Victoria L Pemberton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Marfan Syndrome ◽  
Aortic Root ◽  
Sample Mean ◽  
Population Norms ◽  
Patient Reported ◽  
Health Related ◽  
The Impact

Background: Marfan syndrome (MFS) is an autosomal dominant disorder that affects the heart, aorta, eyes, skeleton, lungs, and other organs. Objective: To assess quality of life (QL) in a large multicenter cohort of children with MFS. Methods: The Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) was administered to 256 subjects with MFS ages 5-18 years as an ancillary study to the Pediatric Heart Network’s Marfan Trial, which compared the effects of atenolol vs. losartan on aortic root growth. PedsQL scores were compared to population norms by one-sample t-tests. Scores > 1 SD below the population sample mean represent at-risk status for impaired health-related QL. The impact of treatment arm (atenolol vs. losartan), severity of clinical features, and patient-reported symptoms on QL was assessed by general linear models. Results: The subjects had a mean age of 11.8±3.9 years and were 62% male, 84% white, and 88% non-Hispanic. Mean PedsQL scores for MFS subjects were significantly lower than population norms. Overall, scores were in the impaired range for physical QL and psychosocial QL in 34% and 27% of subjects, respectively. QL across multiple domains correlated negatively with frequency of patient-reported symptoms (r=0.32-0.40, p<.0001). Subjects with a reported neurodevelopmental disorder (mainly learning disability, attention deficit disorder, and/or hyperactivity) had lower mean QL scores (5.5-7.4 lower, p<.04). There were no significant differences in QL scores between treatment arms. We found no significant association between QL and aortic root z-score, extent of skeletal involvement, or presence of ectopia lentis. Conclusions: Children with MFS are at risk for impaired QL. Higher number of patient-reported symptoms had the greatest negative impact on QL, rather than treatment arm or severity of cardiac, skeletal, or ocular findings. Future interventions to address patient symptoms and neurodevelopmental disorders could improve QL for children with MFS.

The Impact of Personality on Virtual Team Creativity and Quality

2011 ◽  
pp. 647-655
Author(s):  
Rosalie J. Ocker
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Teams ◽  
Synchronous Communication ◽  
Individual Member ◽  
Team Creativity ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Team Outcomes ◽  
Individual Personality ◽  
High Level ◽  
The Impact

A series of experiments investigated creativity and quality of work-product solutions in virtual teams (Ocker, forthcoming; Ocker, 2005; Ocker & Fjermestad, 1998; Ocker et al., 1998; 1996). Across experiments, small teams with about five graduate students interacted for approximately two weeks to determine the high-level requirements and design for a computerized post office (Goel, 1989; Olson et al., 1993). The means of interaction was manipulated in these experiments such that teams interacted via one of the following treatments: (1) asynchronous computer-medicated communication (CMC), (2) synchronous CMC, (3) asynchronous CMC interspersed with face-to-face (FtF) meetings, or (4) a series of traditional FtF meetings without any electronic communication. A repeated finding across experiments was that teams interacting only using asynchronous CMC – that is, teams without any FtF or synchronous communication -- produced significantly more creative results than teams in the other treatments. Additionally, asynchronous virtual teams rated high in creativity were generally not the same teams that were judged high in terms of the quality of their deliverable. To further examine these findings, this chapter presents results of an exploratory study designed to investigate the impact of individual personality facets on team outcomes. The objective of this study is to determine whether differences in team outcomes – in terms of the level of creativity versus the quality of the team deliverable – can be predicted by individual member personality.no abstract

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