Browsing Research Articles (Physiotherapy) by Author "Phillips, Julie"
Now showing items 1-8 of 8
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Steyl, Tania; Phillips, Julie (Faculty of Medicine, Makerere University, 2011)[more][less]
Abstract: Background: Substance use among youth is a worldwide epidemic that impacts negatively on the health sector as well as the family and society. Early student life is a time of tremendously high motivation to conform to the behaviours, values, and attitudes that are valued by the youth culture. They observe their peers’ behavior and alter their own behaviour with their peers’ norms and expectations. This compliance with perceived peer norms can however lead to increased smoking, alcohol and drug use. Objectives: To determine and analyze risky and health promoting behaviour of health science students at a university in the Western Cape, South Africa. In this paper the association between actual risk and perceived risk for substance is discussed. Methods: A self-administered questionnaire containing items from both the NCHRBS and the ACHA-NCHA were administered to 201 health science students at a South African university. Results: When perceptions of typical student behaviour were compared to actual reported behaviour, overestimated consumption patterns for the typical student was found for smoking, alcohol and drug use. Conclusion: The misperceptions of peer norms have important educational or prevention program implications. These findings clearly indicate that educational and awareness programs regarding alcohol and drug use should take perceptions of peer alcohol and drug use into consideration. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10566/506 Files in this item: 1
SteylSubstanceUse2011.pdf (109.5Kb) -
Phillips, Julie (Faculty of Community and Health Sciences, University of the Western Cape, 2008)[more][less]
Abstract: Background: According to the World Health Organization global alcohol consumption has increased in recent decades, with most of this increase occurring in developing countries. Added to this is the concern of the increased social acceptability of alcohol use and the widespread experimentation with alcohol during adolescence. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to better understand health risk behaviours, specifically alcohol use, among black female high school learners in a designated research locale of a local community in the Western Cape, South Africa. Study design: The method of inquiry in this study was a mixed methods sequential explanatory strategy. Results: A lifetime prevalence of alcohol use was reported by 57.8% of the study sample. All the participants agreed that drinking has a negative influence on adolescent health. Conclusion: Alcohol use in South Africa is an ever-increasing health problem and the current study provides evidence that the prevalence of this behaviour remains a public health concern. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10566/113 Files in this item: 1
PhillipsAlcohol2008.pdf (68.01Kb) -
Nankwanga, Annet; Phillips, Julie; Neema, Stella (Faculty of Community and Health Sciences, University of the Western Cape, 2009)[more][less]
Abstract: Introduction: This paper presents HIV/AIDS experiences of elderly persons in Uganda as revealed by an ongoing descriptive cross-sectional study covering eight districts, namely: Pallisa, Kampala, Jinja, Lira, Nebbi, Ntungamo, Luwero and Mbarara. These districts represent both the rural and urban areas of the four regions of Uganda, including: Western, Northern, Eastern and Central region. Methods: The study employed a mixed method approach using a sequential exploratory strategy. Data was collected using not only focus group discussions and in-depth interviews held with 165 elderly persons but also a validated interview schedule administered to 50 key informants. Elderly persons participated in the study by providing data on their HIV/AIDS-related experiences. Key respondents were selected to provide data on strategies that could be adopted to curb the effects of the epidemic. This paper is based on one of the study's objectives, which focussed on exploring the effects of HIV/AIDS on Uganda's elderly people; coping mechanisms used to deal with HIV/AIDS; and strategies for curbing its effects. Data was analysed using content analysis and the descriptive method of SPSS. Results: Results show that HIV/AIDS affected most of the elderly people in Uganda by killing their children and spouses, and leaving them with a big burden of taking care of AIDS orphans; yet majority of these people were financially too incapacitated to shoulder it amply. HIV/AIDS also infected the elderly people. The epidemic introduced the need for ARVs and other health services that elderly people found too difficult to access due to poor health service delivery systems in Uganda. Most elderly people used food cultivation as a mechanism for coping with the burden of orphans. These results lead to recommending that government should economically empower elderly people through formulation and effective implementation of welfare policies regarding pension and special fund for these people. Conclusion: There is a need for the government to provide adequate and free HIV/AIDS-related health services and also increase educational support for HIV/AIDS orphans. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10566/121 Files in this item: 1
AnnetHIV2009.pdf (178.8Kb) -
Kanyoni, Maurice; Phillips, Julie (Faculty of Community and Health Sciences, University of the Western Cape, 2009)[more][less]
Abstract: Background: The size of the elderly population both in numbers and proportions of the whole world is increasing rapidly. The increase in the number of elderly people in the world will exert a big impact on health and social services. It is established that physical activity is one way of limiting age related disabilities. Objectives: This study aims to asses the levels of physical activity and the factors associated with it among older adults in selected institutions for the elderly in the Southern Province of Rwanda. Method: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted at 2 institutions for older adults in Rwanda. An interview questionnaire with close-ended questions was used to collect data. Results: More than one-third of the study sample was categorized as sedentary. Physical activity levels decrease with age. Females reported higher prevalence of physical activity than males. Conclusion: Older adults should be encouraged to engage in physical activity to gain the physical and mental health benefits associated with it. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10566/114 Files in this item: 1
KanyoniPhysicalActivity2009.pdf (62.78Kb) -
Figaji, Tamara; Phillips, Julie (Faculty of Community and Health Sciences, University of the Western Cape, 2010)[more][less]
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Although the health benefits of physical activity have been proven, many children and adolescents still do not meet the recommended guidelines for sufficient physical activity. The purpose of this investigation was thus to examine the levels of PA, and learners perception of support from teachers, family and friends at an independent school in the Western Cape. Furthermore, the investigation aimed to examine the influence of social support on physical activity. METHOD: A cross-sectional design using quantitative methods was used in this study, which included 100 learners in the senior phase of the school (i.e. grades 5 to 7). The data was obtained with a self-admininstered questionnaire. The data was analyzed with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16.0. The Chi-square test was used to explore associations between nominal and numerical data. The T-test was used to determine statistical significance between groups (independent t-tests) and within groups (paired sample t-test). RESULTS: Overall the sample responded positively when asked about support for physical activity from teachers. Furthermore, the study sample had a positive perception of both physical education (PE) and physical activity (PA) enjoyment. Boys participated in vigorous physical activity significantly more regularly than girls. CONCLUSION: As children are spending a considerable time at school, teachers, friends and parents should be encouraged to be supportive of their participation in physical activity. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10566/181 Files in this item: 1
FigajiPhillips2010.pdf (58.32Kb) -
Moodley, Colleen; Phillips, Julie (Africa Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Sport and Dance/LAM Publications Limited, 2011)[more][less]
Abstract: The impact of the HIV/AIDS pandemic is mostly felt by adolescents as half of all new HIV/AIDS infections have occurred in people aged 15-24 years. Statistics show that campaigns implemented by the South African government have failed to bring about positive behavioural change among young people. The aim of this study was to determine the HIV/AIDS-related knowledge among students at a college and the association between knowledge, self-efficacy, self-concept in sexual practices. This study was conducted at a Further Education and Training College in Cape Town. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires consisting of five sections including demographic information; sexual practices; knowledge of HIV/AIDS, levels of self-efficacy; and self-concept. Fifty four percent of the participants indicated no condom use when having sex, either by themselves or by a partner; 43% indicated that they had more than 2 sexual partners in the 12 months prior to the study. The odds that a person with higher HIV/AIDS knowledge will use a condom were 1.047 times greater than someone with less HIV/AIDS knowledge. The odd’s ratio for self-efficacy indicates a positive relationship with the number of partners of an individual. The findings of the present study suggest adequate/high HIV/AIDS knowledge among the study sample. The study further highlights that for males, there is a greater likelihood that lower self-efficacy would predict more sexual partners in comparison to females. The results further suggest that although governmental organisations’ efforts improved knowledge of HIV/AIDS, programmes avidly promoting self-efficacy for males should be implemented. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10566/505 Files in this item: 1
MoodleySexualHealth2011.pdf (139.7Kb) -
Frantz, Jose M.; Rhoda, Anthea; Rowe, Michael; Phillips, Julie; Karachi, F; Mlenzana, Nondwe; Pharaoh, H; Steyl, Tania; Struthers, Patricia (South African Society of Physiotherapy, 2010)[more][less]
Abstract: A growing shift towards research and evidence based practice in academia is associated with requirements to disseminate research results in the form of publication in peer reviewed journals. Mentoring has been identified as an important component of developing young authors, as it increases confidence and competence, and facilitates professional development. This led to the formation of a support group to stimulate peer-review publication in the physiotherapy department at the University of the Western Cape. The Kirkpatrick Framework of Evaluation was used to evaluate the success of the mentoring process which made use of a participatory action research methodology. The writing group consisted of nine academic members of staff and took place over ten weeks. The programme included writing, giving feedback, discussion and peer review on a weekly basis. Focus group discussions were taped and transcribed in order to evaluate the mentoring process by identifying relationships within the data and categorising key concepts, which were shaped into a thematic framework. The findings indicated that participants experienced a variety of emotions throughout the programme, with an overall feeling of personal growth by the end. In addition, participants also reported improved writing, reviewing and communication skills. Six months following the programme, six participants had submitted at least one article to a peer reviewed journal. It is clear from this study that some academics still find the task of writing and reviewing articles daunting, and that guidance and support in the form of a writing programme can be useful. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10566/190 Files in this item: 1
FrantzMentoring2010.pdf (323.0Kb) -
Phillips, Julie; Frantz, Jose M.; Mpofu, Ratie (Faculty of Community and Health Sciences, University of the Western Cape, 2008)[more][less]
Abstract: Introduction: There is mounting evidence of the health risk behaviours that adolescents are involved in on a daily basis. Local and national governments have advocated for intervention programmes to prevent an increase in the health risk behaviours among young people. In order to introduce effective prevention strategies, evaluation of the current situation is needed. The University of the Western Cape, identified Youth Wellness as one of the niche areas for research. Aim: This paper aims to synthesize the studies on youth wellness conducted at the University of the Western Cape. Findings: The studies conducted included epidemiological studies and intervention studies. Studies used both qualitative and quantitative designs. Most of the studies highlighted the need for intervention programmes at various levels such as personal (individual), community and policy. Conclusion: The findings of the research clearly highlights the need for researchers at UWC to identify appropriate criteria by which to measure the desired intervention outcomes. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10566/112 Files in this item: 1
FrantzYouthHealth2008.pdf (909.0Kb)
Now showing items 1-8 of 8