Sleep quality, the neglected outcome variable in clinical studies focusing on locomotor system; a construct validation study

Background: In addition to general health and pain, sleep is highly relevant to judging the well-being of an individual. Of these three important outcome variables, however, sleep is neglected in most outcome studies. Sleep is a very important resource for recovery from daily stresses and strains, and any alteration of sleep will likely affect mental and physical health, especially during disease. Sleep assessment therefore should be standard in all population-based or clinical studies focusing on the locomotor system. Yet current sleep assessment tools are either too long or too specific for general use. Methods: Based on a literature review and subsequent patient-based rating of items, an expert panel designed a four-item questionnaire about sleep. Construct validation of the questionnaire in a random sample of the German-speaking Swiss population was performed in 2003. Reliability, correlation, and tests for internal consistency and validity were analyzed. Results: Overall, 16,634 (70%) out of 23,763 eligible individuals participated in the study. Test-retest reliability coefficients ranged from 0.72 to 0.87, and a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.83 indicates good internal consistency. Results show a moderate to good correlation between sleep disturbances and health perception, and between sleep disturbances and overall pain. Conclusions: The Sleep Standard Evaluation Questionnaire (SEQ-Sleep) is a reliable and short tool with confirmed construct validity for sleep assessment in population-based observational studies. It is easy to administer and therefore suitable for postal surveys of the general population. Criterion validity remains to be determined

Putting gender on the agenda for BRICS

Gender equality is not written or spoken about much within the context of international multilateral groupings, such as BRICS. The fact that development will not be sustainable if women continue to suffer socio-economic oppression is not a topic for discussion at high-level meetings, or even at 'lower level' academic forums.

Africa, women and the blue economy

African countries should promote healthy ocean governance to grow their economies and improve the lives of people, and especially poor women, writes Narnia Bohler-Muller.

The highest courts and socioeconomic rights

The high-level research project that assesses the impact of the two highest courts the constitutional court (CC) and the supreme court of appeal (SCA) on the lived experiences of all South Africans is now halfway, reports project co-leader, Narnia Bohler-Muller.

Report of the IORA Blue Economy Core Group Workshop on Promoting Fisheries & Aquaculture and Maritime Safety & Security Cooperation in Indian Ocean region

Report of the VI BRICS Academic Forum, Coastlands Umhlanga Hotel, Durban, South Africa, 4-5 Ma

UBUNTU as a "receptor" for human rights: how rights can be understood as relationships

Paper presented at the Beijing Forum on Human Rights, Beijing, 16-17 Septembe

Foreign policy: advancing South Africa's national interest within BRICS

The nature of South Africa's constitutional democracy is taken as a starting point in determining the interests of South Africa as a nation. But the author asks if these socioeconomic and political interests adequately provided for in the country's international relations strategies so as to advance South Africa's constitutional values within BRICS.

The 'soft' power of China and South Africa

The focus of attention in discussions around the BRICS countries - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - has generally been to point out the differences between members of the group in terms of ideologies and values. But there are more similarities than meet the eye, writes Narnia Bohler-Muller.

Enhancing digital citizen engagement: lessons from South Africa

Digital technology (ICT) has an important role to play in enhancing South African democracy. In an interconnected world, Web 2.0 and social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, MXit and YouTube fulfil the role of 'public sphere' by facilitating social interactions as well as civic and political participation, maintains Narnia Bohler-Muller.

Narnia Bohler-Muller on legal issues surrounding the SONA chaos

On 12 February 2015, South Africans watched as President Jacob Zuma's State of the Nation Address (SONA) dissolved into chaos in parliament.