scholarly journals Physical Health Status of Emergency Care Providers in South Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Solomon Mthombeni ◽  
Yoga Coopoo ◽  
Habib Noorbhai
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Emergency Care ◽  
Exercise Stress ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Physical Health Status ◽  
Males And Females

Background: Emergency care providers (ECPs) have a physically, mentally, and emotionally demanding profession. Therefore, they are predisposed to cardiovascular and other non-communicable disease risk factors. Objectives: The objective of the study was to determine the physical health status of ECPs in the North West province of South Africa through a selected anthropometric and other health parameter test battery. Methods: Ninety-one ECPs (64 males, 27 females) took part in the study voluntarily for health screening tests including body mass index (BMI), lean body mass (LBM), resting heart rate (RHR), blood pressure (BP), skinfold measurement, waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), fasting blood glucose (FBG), and total cholesterol (TC). The collected data were subjected to statistical analysis using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25 (IBM). Results: The participants demonstrated a mean BMI of 28.2 ± 5.5 kg/m2, body fat of 26 ± 7.6 %, and LBM of 58.6 ± 10 kg. Significant differences were seen in height (170.5 ± 6.2 vs. 160.7 ± 5.3 cm), BF% (22.5 ± 5.3 vs. 34.2 ± 6.2 %), and LBM (62.3 ± 8 vs. 49.2 ± 8.2 kg) between males and females (P ≤ 0.05). Mean systolic BP was 122 ± 15 mmHg, and diastolic BP was 81 ± 10 mmHg. Mean WC was 90.8 ± 11.4 cm. Other health parameters included mean FBG of 5.1 ± 2.4 mmol/L and mean TC of 4.9 ± 0.7 mmol/L. Significant differences were seen in WHR (0.88 ± 0.04 vs. 0.79 ± 0.06) between males and females (P ≤ 0.05). Conclusions: A significant number of ECPs presented with cardiovascular and other NCD risk factors such as hypertension, obesity, high WC, elevated FBG, and abnormal levels of TC. This can be attributed to the nature of their occupation such as working irregular shifts leading to sleep deprivation, being exposed to psychological trauma, poor nutrition during shifts, and/or lack of exercise. Stress management is an important part of these workers’ rehabilitation program. A well-formulated employee wellness program is required to set remedial measures in place.

scholarly journals Relationship between Physiological Health Status, Lifestyle Behaviors, and Cardiovascular Disease Among Adults in Two Arab Countries

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-28
Author(s):  
Nada A. AbuAlUla ◽  
Rami A. Elshatarat ◽  
Mohammed I. Yacoub ◽  
Khadega Ahmed Elhefnawy ◽  
Mohammed S. Aljohani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Arab Countries ◽  
Lifestyle Behaviors ◽  
Physical Health Status ◽  
Cvd Risk Factors ◽  
Cvd Risk ◽  
Cross Sectional

Purpose: Identify the relationships among participants’ lifestyle and their perceptions toward physiological health status. Methods: This is a cross-sectional research study. A convenience sampling was used to recruit 480 adult clients from Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Results: The majority of the participants (48.8%) rated their physiological health status as sub-optimal health. Significant positive associations were found between participants’ perceptions about physiological health status as ‘healthy’ and their positive lifestyle and low-risk behaviors for Cardiovascular Disease (CVD). Specifically, the associations were between not being smoker (χ2 = 4.17, p = 0.04), practicing physical activity (χ2 = 60.9, p < 0.001), eating ≥ 5 cups of fruits and vegetables daily (χ2 = 8.33, p = 0.004), and being normal/under-weight (χ2 = 65.5, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Perception about poor/sub-optimal physical health status is associated with many CVD risk factors. Using a brief screening tool to assess physical health status is recommended at each clinic visit. In addition, periodic physical assessment, full check-up, and follow-up with healthcare providers are highly suggested for those who perceived their physical health status as “poor” to prevent further CVD. Health education is pressingly recommended to improve the awareness of these Arab communities toward the prevention of CVD risk factors and enhancement of positive lifestyle behaviors.

scholarly journals Effects of Yangsaeng (Health Management) Therapy for Korean Older Adults in Nursing Home

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (20) ◽  
pp. 7507
Author(s):  
Sohyune R. Sok ◽  
Seyoon Kim ◽  
Da Un Jeong ◽  
Youngmi Cho
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Nursing Home ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Nursing Homes ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Health Management ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Physical Health Status ◽  
Study Participants

The number of older adults admitted to nursing homes is steadily increasing, and the health management for them is a very important issue in Korean society. This study aimed to examine the effects of Yangsaeng (health management) therapy on physical health status, depression, life satisfaction, and Yangsaeng (health management) of Korean older adults in nursing homes. A quasi-experimental study design using a pretest-posttest control group was employed. Study participants were a total of 80 older adults (intervention: n = 40, control: n = 40) in a nursing home in Seoul, South Korea. Yangsaeng therapy as an intervention consisted of the Meridian therapy and Qi-gong therapy. Yangsaeng therapy was conducted for 50 min per one time, twice a week, and for 10 weeks. Measures were general characteristics of study participants, Cornell Medical Index, Geriatric Depression Scale, life satisfaction scale, and Yangsaeng scale. Data were collected from April 2018 to March 2019. There were statistically significant differences on physical health status, depression, life satisfaction, and Yangsaeng between the two groups. Yangsaeng therapy was an effective intervention for improving physical health status, life satisfaction, and Yangsaeng, and for decreasing depression of older adults in nursing homes. Health care providers need to pay attention to Yangsaeng therapy as a Korean traditional intervention method for the health management of the older adults residing in nursing homes.

Gender differences in the trajectories and the risk factors of depressive symptoms in later life

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (9) ◽  
pp. 1495-1505 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiae Lee ◽  
Soong-Nang Jang ◽  
Sung-Il Cho
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Gender Differences ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Social Participation ◽  
Later Life ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Physical Health Status ◽  
Multinomial Regression

ABSTRACTBackground:The present study investigated changes in the trajectories of depressive symptoms in the elderly and attempted to identify risk factors that influence these changes according to gender.Methods:All data were obtained from a subsample of subjects who participated in the Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing between 2006 and 2012; 3,667 individuals (1,566 men and 2,101 women) aged 60 years and older were included in the present study. A group-based trajectory model was employed to determine the appropriate number of groups and to observe changes in depressive symptoms according to research year. Following the trajectory analysis, a multinomial regression analysis was performed to examine depressive symptom-related risk factors that influenced membership in the different trajectory groups.Results:Significant gender differences were found in the trajectories of depressive symptoms among four groups (normal, mild depressed, worsening, and depressed) in men and five groups (normal, mild depressed, worsening, improving, and depressed) in women. Among the trajectory groups, physical health status such as chronic diseases, self-rated health (SRH), and somatic pain showed statistically significant differences in both genders. In addition, employment in men and social participation in women were associated with the trajectories.Conclusions:The present study suggested that maintaining one's physical health status played an important role in preventing depressive symptoms and that employment in men and social participation in women were preventative against the development of depressive symptoms.

PTSD Symptoms Moderate Associations Between Past IPV and Physical Health Status in Midlife Women

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristen Allison ◽  
Kimberly Fleming ◽  
Tamara Newton ◽  
Rafael Fernandez-Botran ◽  
James Miller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Status ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Midlife Women ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Physical Health Status

A Tale of Two Systems: Trauma and Behavioral and Physical Health Status in Child Welfare and Juvenile Justice Youth

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erynne H. Shatto ◽  
Sarah J. Fucillo ◽  
Z. Kane Jones ◽  
James R. Stefurak ◽  
Valerie Bryan
Keyword(s):  
Health Status ◽  
Child Welfare ◽  
Juvenile Justice ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Physical Health Status ◽  
Two Systems

scholarly journals Completed Audit of Physical Health Status of Patients with Severe Mental Illness in a Medium Secure Forensic Psychiatric Rehab Ward

2009 ◽  
Vol 24 (S1) ◽  
pp. 1-1
Author(s):  
M. George ◽  
P. Thakkar ◽  
K. Vasudev ◽  
N. Mitcheson
Keyword(s):  
Health Status ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Health Monitoring ◽  
Smoking Status ◽  
Physical Health Status ◽  
Medication Regimen ◽  
National Guidelines ◽  
Blood Lipid Profile ◽  
Cholesterol Ratio ◽  
Image Position

Aim:An audit was conducted in September 2006 to determine whether the Physical health monitoring of patients on anti-psychotic medication was concurrent with the national guidelines.This audit done in Dec 07 aimed to ascertain to what extent the recommendations were implemented and followed, thereby completing the audit cycle.Methods:The Audit was conducted in a 15 bedded medium secure forensic rehab ward.As there was a lack of recording of the physical health status a monitoring sheet was introduced in the notes after the first audit. Age, Weight, Height, Smoking status, Blood Pressure, Diabetic Status, Blood Lipid Profile, ECG and the Medication regimen were noted for each of the patient.Results:Conclusion:100% physical health monitoring was achieved and improvements in weight, CV risk, Total/HDL cholesterol ratio was noted 4 cases of significant QT prolongation and another 3 cases of prolactin elevation were detected because of the introduction of monitoring.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document