Anterior knee pain and its extrinsic risk factors among runners in under-resourced communities in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng, South Africa

Background: Various factors predispose athletes to anterior knee pain (AKP), making a holistic assessment with rehabilitation inevitable. Due to minimal rehabilitation services in under-resourced communities, runners are less likely to report this injury to medical professionals compared to runners in better resourced communities.Objective: The purpose of this study was to report on the prevalence of AKP among runners in under-resourced communities and to determine the extrinsic risk factors for this injury.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 347 runners in total. Convenience sampling was used to recruit 183 participants aged between 13 and 55 years with no previous history of knee surgeries, traumatic or degenerative knee conditions. Questionnaires were used to collect data on the prevalence of AKP and extrinsic risk factors. The SPSS (version 25) was used to analyse the data. Data were presented as frequencies and percentages and the results from chi-square and logistic regression tests were provided.Results: Forty percent (40%) of participants presented with AKP, particularly males (n=106, 58%), young runners (n=94, 51%) and those with 3–5 years of running experience (n=57, 31%). Anterior knee pain was associated with age (X2=6.484, p=0.039) and running experience (X2=8.39, p=0.04). The following extrinsic risk factors contributed to AKP significantly: training load (p=0.04, odds ratio [OR]=1.23), warm-up (p=0.04, OR=1.57)’ running shoe condition (p=0.04, OR=0.14) and running surface (p=0.05, OR=1.2).Conclusion: A substantial presence of AKP and its extrinsic risk factors were found among all participants. These outcomes suggest that extrinsic risk factors should also be considered when managing AKP among runners. Keywords: patellofemoral pain, predisposing factors, athletes, poor resourced communitie

Anterior knee pain and its extrinsic risk factors among runners in under-resourced communities in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng, South Africa

Background: Various factors predispose athletes with Anterior Knee Pain (AKP) making a holistic assessment & rehabilitation inevitable. Due to minimal rehabilitation services in under-resourced communities, runners are likely to report poorer health outcomes compared to other communities. Objective: The purpose was to report on the prevalence and determine extrinsic risk factors for AKP among runners in under-resourced communities. Materials & Methods: This was a cross-sectional study which included a population of 347 runners. Convenience sampling was used to recruit 183 participants aged between 13 and 55 with no history of knee surgery, traumatic or degenerative knee conditions. Questionnaires were used to collect data on AKP prevalence, and extrinsic risk factors. The SPSS (version 25) was used to analyse the data. Data were presented as frequencies and percentages and the results from chi-square and logistic regression tests. Results: Forty percent (40%) of participants presented with AKP, particularly males (n=106, 58%), youth (n=94, 51%) and participants with 3–5 years of running experience (n=57, 31%). Anterior knee pain was associated with age (X2=6.484, p=0.039) and running experience (X2=8.39, p=0.04). The following extrinsic risk factors contributed to AKP significantly: training load (p=0.04, Odds ratio [OR]=1.23); warm-up (p=0.04, OR=1.23); shoe condition (p=0.04, OR=0.14) and running surface (p=0.05, OR=1.2).  Discussion & conclusions: A substantial presence of AKP and its extrinsic risk factors were found among participants. These outcomes suggest that extrinsic risk factors should also be considered when managing AKP among runners. Keywords: Patellofemoral pain, external risk factors, athletes, poor resourced communities

Waiting times for prostate cancer diagnosis in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Background. There is currently no evidence in the South African (SA) literature to suggest how long patients with clinically suspected prostate cancer (an elevated prostate-specific antigen level or abnormal findings on digital rectal examination) wait to have a prostate biopsy.Objectives. To improve the overall efficiency of the prostate biopsy service offered at St Aidan’s Regional Hospital, Durban, SA, by quantifying the burden of disease and waiting times and to identify potential delays in management outcomes, thereby helping to alleviate patient anxiety during the stressful period of investigation.Methods. We did a retrospective folder review of patients who underwent trans-rectal prostate biopsy at St Aidan’s Hospital, where the vast majority of prostate biopsies in the KwaZulu-Natal state healthcare sector are performed, from January to June 2013. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences was used for data analysis.Results. One hundred and six patients (mean age 67.6 years, 69.8% black Africans) underwent biopsy during the 6-month study period; 49.1% were found to have adenocarcinoma, and of the 80.1% of these who had a bone scan, 73.8% had skeletal metastases (p=0.1379). The median period of time from referral to biopsy was 55 days, from referral to first follow-up date (when the diagnosis is given and treatment options discussed or instituted) 100 days, and from biopsy to first follow-up date (i.e. waiting period to retrieve histological diagnosis) 36 days.Conclusion. Despite the late presentation of prostate cancer in KZN, patients are waiting an average of 3 months from initial referral for a prostate biopsy to institution of definitive management

Features of home and neighbourhood and the liveability of older South Africans

While older people live in developing countries, little is known about the relative importance of features of their communities in influencing their liveability. We examinecomponents of home and neighbourhood among older South Africans. Linear regression analyses revealed that features of home (basic amenities, household composition, financial status and safety) and neighbourhood (ability to shop for groceries, participate in organizations and feel safe from crime) are significantly associated with life satisfaction. Approaches to liveability that are person-centred and also set within contexts beyond home and neighbourhood are needed to addressboundaries between home and neighbourhood; incorporate personal resources into liveability models and import broader environmental contexts such as health and social policy

The impact of anterior knee pain on the quality of life among runners in under-resourced communities in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng, South Africa

Background: Anterior knee pain (AKP) is the most common injury among runners and has a negative impact on the quality of life (QOL) of many athletes.Objectives: To determine the impact of AKP on the QOL among runners in under-resourced communities in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng, South Africa.Methods: A cross–sectional study design was used. A population of 73 runners with AKP was included. Participants included runners aged 13 to 55 years with no history of knee surgery, traumatic or degenerative knee conditions. The SF-36 questionnaire was used to collect data. Ethical clearance, permission from club managers and consent from participants were obtained. Data were collected over six weeks and analysed using SPSS. Descriptive statistics included frequencies, percentages, means, standard deviations and ranges. Inferential statistics included the comparison of means using the ANOVA test.Results: The lowest SF-36 mean scores were in two health domains: role limitation due to emotional problems (59) and vitality (59). Highest scores were in the general physical functioning domain (72). Females presented with lowest SF-36 scores (48) on role limitation due to emotional problems with noticeable difference (p=0.03). Youth presented with lowest scores (62) on the social functioning domain (p=0.001). Significant differences were noted on SF-36 scores between running experienced groups on the following domains: physical functioning (p=0.03), role limitation due to physical problems (p=0.01), vitality (p=0.001), general mental health (p=0.001) and social functioning (p=0.001). The most affected was the group with three-five years of running experience which presented with scores ranging between 46 and 65. Significant mean differences were also noted between BMI groups in the social functioning domain (p=0.01) where overweight and obese groups were mostly affected by AKP.Conclusion: This study highlighted a need to prevent, treat and rehabilitate AKP. Multidimensional community-based rehabilitation programmes are recommended.Keywords: patellofemoral pain, state of health, athletes, poor-resourced communitie

The impact of anterior knee pain on the quality of life among runners in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng

Background: Anterior knee pain (AKP) is the most common injury among runners and has a negative impact on the quality of life (QOL) of many athletes. Objective: To determine the impact of anterior knee pain on the QOL among runners in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng. Materials & methods: A cross–sectional study design was used. A population of 73 runners with AKP were included. Participants included runners aged 13 to 55-year-old. The SF-36 questionnaire was used to collect data. Ethical clearance, permission from club managers and consent from participants were obtained. Data were collected over six weeks and analysed using SPSS. Descriptive statistics included frequencies, means, standard deviations and ranges. Inferential statistics included Spearman's correlation calculation. Results: The lowest QOL scores were found among: role functioning/physical (62), role functioning/emotional (59), energy/fatigue (59), emotional well-being (68) and pain scales (63). Males, youth and runners with least experience presented with lowest scores. Significant correlation was found between: role functioning/physical and experience (p =.030; rs =-.221), role functioning/emotional and gender (p =.017; rs =-.247) and race (p =.012; rs =-.265), general health and experience (p =.021; rs =-.239), energy/fatigue and race (p =.012; rs =.264), emotional well-being and age (p =.020; rs =.241), general health and gender (p =.013; rs =.456), social functioning and age (p =.010; rs =.271) and energy/fatigue and experience (p =.001; rs =-.371). Discussion & Conclusion: This study highlights the need to improve QOL among running population with AKP. Multidimensional rehabilitation programmes are recommended.  Key words: anterior knee pain, quality of life, runner

The effects of a structured group exercise programme on functional fitness of older persons living in old-age homes

ABSTRACTDespite the benefits of exercise, a large percentage of the older population in South Africa continue to lead sedentary lifestyles. This study aimed to determine the effects of a structured group exercise programme on functional fitness of older persons living in old-age homes. A quasi-experimental design was used to compare the effects of a 12-week group exercise programme. Twenty participants each were selected from five old-age homes. Participants were randomly allocated into either an experimental group or a comparison group at each site. The experimental group participated in the exercise intervention three times weekly, while the comparison group received the same intervention twice weekly for 12 weeks. The intervention programme included warm-up, balance, endurance, resistance and cool-down components. Assessments of upper and lower body strength and flexibility, aerobic endurance, agility and balance were conducted before and after the intervention programme using the Senior Functional Test. Comparisons of baseline and post-intervention measures showed greater improvements in upper and lower body strength and flexibility, as well as aerobic endurance capacity (p &lt; 0.05). Training frequency revealed no significant difference in functional fitness measures between both groups following the 12-week intervention programme. Twelve weeks of multifaceted group exercise training, at least twice a week, can be used as an effective strategy to promote functional fitness in this population.</jats:p