The impact of an employee wellness programme in clothing/textile manufacturing companies: a randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of health risk behaviours is growing amongst South African employees. Health risk behaviours have been identified as a major contributor to reduced health related quality of life (HRQoL) and the increased prevalence of non-communicable diseases. Worksite wellness programmes promise to promote behaviour changes amongst employees and to improve their HRQoL. The aim of this study was to evaluate the short-term effects of an employee wellness programme on HRQoL, health behaviour change, body mass index (BMI) and absenteeism amongst clothing and textile manufacturing employees. METHODS: The study used a randomised control trial design. The sample consisted of 80 subjects from three clothing manufacturing companies in Cape Town, South Africa. The experimental group was subjected to a wellness programme based on the principles of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) as well as weekly supervised exercise classes over six weeks. The control group received a once-off health promotion talk and various educational pamphlets, with no further intervention. Measurements were recorded at baseline and at six weeks post-intervention. Outcome measures included the EQ-5D, Stanford Exercise Behaviours Scale, body mass index and absenteeism.Data was analysed with the Statistica-8 software program. Non-parametric tests were used to evaluate the differences in the medians between the two groups and to determine the level of significance. The Sign test was used to determine the within group changes. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to determine the difference between the two groups. RESULTS: At six weeks post intervention the experimental group (39 subjects) demonstrated improvement in almost every parameter. In contrast, apart from an overall decrease in time off work and a reduction in BMI for all study participants, there was no significant change noted in the behaviour of the control group (41 subjects). Seventy percent of the experimental group had improved HRQoL EQ-5D VAS scores post intervention, indicating improved perceived HRQoL. In comparison, only 58% of the control group had improved HRQoL EQ-5D VAS scores post intervention. There was no significant difference between the two groups at baseline or at six weeks post intervention. CONCLUSION: An employee wellness programme based on the principles of CBT combined with weekly aerobic exercise class was beneficial in improving the perceived HRQoL and changing health-related behaviours of clothing manufacturing employees. However, it cannot be concluded that the EWP was more effective than the once off health promotion talk as no significant changes were noted between the two groups at 6-weeks post intervention.This trial has been registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (trial registration number NCT01625039)

Physical activity in Hodgkin's lymphoma survivors with and without chronic fatigue compared with the general population – a cross-sectional study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Hodgkin's lymphoma survivors (HLSs) commonly report chronic fatigue, defined as high levels of fatigue for 6 months or more. Underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Based upon knowledge from other populations, lifestyle parameters may be related to this increased and persistent fatigue. The primary objective of the present study was to assess self-reported levels of physical activity, smoking habits and sleep patterns in HLSs with and without chronic fatigue. The secondary objective was to compare these results with data from age and gender adjusted data from the general population (Gen-Pop).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The Fatigue Questionnaire (FQ) and questions about daily smoking, sleep patterns and level of physical activity were completed by 476 HLSs treated at Rikshospitalet-Radiumhospitalet Trust (RR). The Gen-Pop data was derived from 56.999 inhabitants in a Norwegian county responding to a mail survey. Fischer's exact test, chi square test and t-tests were used to compare groups. P-values < .05 were considered statistically significant. A logistic regression analysis was performed in comparing the Gen-Pop with the HLSs.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Level of physical activity, smoking habits and sleep patterns did not differ significantly between HLSs with and without chronic fatigue. The multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusting for different covariates, showed significantly more physically active men among HLSs compared with the Gen-Pop (OR = 1.50, CI 1.04 – 2.17), p = .031. No significant difference was found among females (OR = 1.20, CI = 0.83 – 1.74), p = .33.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Lifestyle parameters did not seem to be related to increased and persistent fatigue among HLSs. The results may indicate that the experience of Hodgkin's lymphoma increases the level of physical activity among male HLSs.</p

Intresse för naturvetenskap : Hur lärare påverkar elevernas intresse

Syftet med detta arbete var att ta reda på om intresset för naturvetenskap hos eleverna i år 6 – 9 påverkas av tidigare lärares intresse och engagemang i dessa ämnen. Tio stycken lärare som jobbar i de tidiga åren i grundskolan intervjuades om deras intresse för naturvetenskap och hur de bedrev sin NO-undervisning. Tidigare elever till dessa lärare fick i en enkät svara på frågor om deras intresse för NO och när de hade NO för första gången. De flesta lärare som jobbar med elever i år ett till fem undervisar i biologi, resten av ämnena är det olika med och beror på deras egna kunskaper och intressen. Eleverna tycker bäst om kemi och teknik medan biologi hamnar längst ner på listan. Resultaten visar att lärarnas engagemang och intresse för NO i de tidiga åren i grundskolan inte har särskilt stor betydelse då det gäller elevernas intresse för naturvetenskap i de senare åren i grundskolan.The purpose of this study was to investigate whether interest in science among pupils in grades 6 – 9 in elementary school depends on earlier teachers’ interest in and commitment to science. The investigation was carried out by means of both interviews with ten teachers, who teach in the earlier years of the elementary school, and surveys with 269 pupils in grades 6 – 9. The findings show that most of the teachers in grades 1 – 5 teach biology but teaching in physics, chemistry and technology depends on the teachers’ knowledge and interest. The pupils like chemistry and technology the most whereas biology is the least preferred subject. The findings also show that pupils’ interest in science, in grades 6 – 9, does not depend on the earlier teachers’ commitment and interest in the subjects

greating a software engineering culture

xxi,335 : 25 c