The Changing Phases of Physical Education and Sport in Africa: Can a Uniquely African Model Emerge?1

When I was approached to give a keynote address at this auspicious occasion of the 17th biennial conference of the International Society for Comparative Physical Education and Sport (ISCPES), a lot of topics came to my mind because there are lots of issues surrounding physical education and sport in Africa. After many considerations I decided to speak on the title “The Changing Phases of Physical Education and Sport in Africa: Can a Uniquely African Model Emerge?” This presentation will therefore follow the format below:1. Introduction2. The adoption of “westernized” models of Physical Education (PE) and Sport3. Post Independent African Physical Education and Sport4. What do all these mean?5. The way forward (African renaissance)6. Conclusio

Factors impacting on radiographers' emigration and career exiting in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

The world health organisation has raised concerns on the continued global shortage of radiographers. The shortage in South Africa is hard hit by the emigration of these professionals to other parts of the world. The changing health care requirements and disease burdens have raised the need for the health professionals globally. According to records from Kwazulu-Natal (KZN) department of health on the 8th August 2013, there were 427 vacancies in the year 2008, 445 vacancies in 2009, 447 in 2010, 79 vacancies in the year 2011 and 81 vacancies in 2012 for radiography in KZN. Some vacancies in 2011 and 2012 were frozen hence low number of vacancies. This study aimed at exploring the factors that impacted on emigration and career exiting of radiographers in KZN.A quantitative, descriptive survey design was used. The online questionnaire was completed by radiographers that had emigrated and those had left the profession. The findings showed that certain factors impacted on emigration and career exiting of radiographers. In order to stem this problem it is suggested that there is a need for career pathing, recognition of all qualifications obtained in radiography as well as a reduction of working hours so as to reduce social isolation and the harmful effects of radiation. These could help to improve the negative perception of radiography profession hence improving retention of professionals in the province.http://www.journals.co.za/content/journal/ajpherd1am2017Radiograph

Factors impacting on the retention of radiographers in KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa

Staffing crisis in healthcare profession is not only a South African issue, but a global concern. Radiography is also one of the professions affected. According to records from Kwazulu-Natal (KZN) department as at 8th August 2013, there were 427 vacancies in the year 2008, 445 vacancies in 2009, 447 in 2010, 79 vacancies in the year 2011 and 81 vacancies in 2012. The vacancies in 2011 and 2012 were low because the government froze all posts that were not filled. Hospitals are thus understaffed. This study aimed to explore factors impacting on the retention of radiographers in KZN. A quantitative, descriptive survey design was used by completing an online questionnaire. The findings indicate that, in addition to the workload, radiographers were unhappy with salary and remuneration. They also stated that their expectations regarding the profession, careers progression opportunities were hindered. This was as a result of limited opportunities for professional development in the context of a limited scope of practice and over- dependence on the professionals themselves. The issue of scope of practice should be reviewed to align with the career progression which could create greater professional satisfaction and retention of radiographers within the KZN province in South Africa.http://reference.sabinet.co.zahttp://www.ajol.info/journal_index.php?jid=153&ab=ajpherd2016-09-30hb201

Anthropometrically determined nutritional status of urban primary schoolchildren in Makurdi, Nigeria

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>No information exists on the nutritional status of primary school children residing in Makurdi, Nigeria. It is envisaged that the data could serve as baseline data for future studies, as well as inform public health policy. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of malnutrition among urban school children in Makurdi, Nigeria.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Height and weight of 2015 (979 boys and 1036 girls), aged 9-12 years, attending public primary school in Makurdi were measured and the body mass index (BMI) calculated. Anthropometric indices of weight-for-age (WA) and height-for-age (HA) were used to estimate the children's nutritional status. The BMI thinness classification was also calculated.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Underweight (WAZ < -2) and stunting (HAZ < -2) occurred in 43.4% and 52.7%, respectively. WAZ and HAZ mean scores of the children were -0.91(SD = 0.43) and -0.83 (SD = 0.54), respectively. Boys were more underweight (48.8%) than girls (38.5%), and the difference was statistically significant (p = 0.024; p < 0.05). Conversely, girls tend to be more stunted (56.8%) compared to boys (48.4%) (p = 0.004; p < 0.05). Normal WAZ and HAZ occurred in 54.6% and 44.2% of the children, respectively. Using the 2007 World Health Organisation BMI thinness classification, majority of the children exhibited Grade 1 thinness (77.3%), which was predominant at all ages (9-12 years) in both boys and girls. Gender wise, 79.8% boys and 75.0% girls fall within the Grade I thinness category. Based on the WHO classification, severe malnutrition occurred in 31.3% of the children.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>There is severe malnutrition among the school children living in Makurdi. Most of the children are underweight, stunted and thinned. As such, providing community education on environmental sanitation and personal hygienic practices, proper child rearing, breast-feeding and weaning practices would possibly reverse the trends.</p

Leisure-time physical activity and some psychological parameters among some executive employees in selected African countries

Participation in leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) is vital to ensure adequate physical work capacity for the demands of daily living and job performance. Due to work demand, most top and middle level (executive) managerial employees become physically inactive and experience psychological and other health problems which may lead to hypokinetic diseases and even premature death. The purpose of this study was twofold: to determine leisure-time physical activity and psychological well-being of executive employees; and to determine the relationship between leisure-time physical activity and psychological well-being of executive employees in selected African countries. A cross-sectional study design was carried out on a group of 156 (mean age; 41.22±10.17 years) available executive employees from selected African countries. Participants were grouped according to ages (≤35 years; 36–46 years and ≥ 45 years). Standardized questionnaires were used to collect the data. Subsequently, total scores were calculated for all variables. Out of 156 participants in the study, 42.9% occupied top level management and 57.1% middle level management positions. Age groups analysis indicated that, 31% and 68.6% in the less than 35 years age group were in the top and the middle levels management positions respectively. In the age group 36 to 46 years, 47% occupied the top level management position and 52.8% occupied the middle level management position. With regard to LTPA, top level managers (71.6%) scored low LTPA compared to the middle level managers (62.9%). In addition, both the top and middle level managers reported bad emotional (49.3%; 56.2%) and happiness indexes (41.8%; 37.1%) respectively. Though not significant, LTPA was positively associated with psychological well-being parameters amongst top level managers. The study concluded that both top and middle levels managers exhibited low LTPA, and with no participation in high physical activity among top level managers. In addition, more middle level managers reported bad emotional stage than the top level managers, while the top level managers were less happy than the middle level managers. It is recommended that urgent strategic intervention programmes for leisure-time physical activity and psychological wellness are needed to promote physical health and well-being of the executive employees