Use of physiotherapy services by elderly patients at a central hospital in Zimbabwe

The health status of the elderly in a community may he reflected in their use of the available health services. The records of elderly patients who utilized physiotherapy services at a central hospital in Zimbabwe over a five-year period (1989-1993) were reviewed to determine the range of medical problems for which the patients had been treated through physiotherapy. It is argued that physiotherapy has a role to play in improving the quality of life of older Zimbabweans with physical disabilities. Further, a case is made out for physiotherapists to become involved in health-education programmes to prevent the occurrence of factors which contribute to the onset of physical disability in older persons

Widening student access and participation in Allied Health Sciences: A critical reflection

ABSTRACTWidening of access and participation has become a paramount agenda for Allied Health Sciences education in South Africa. In response to the need the Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town introduced the Intervention Programme (IP) in 2009 as a strategy for widening of access and participation student. This study reflects on the design and implementation of IP, the complexities of the diversity of students entering the IP, and the implications for curriculum restructuring in the first year of study and beyond. The authors drew on Mezirow’s (1990) theory of transformative learning to explain the multifaceted challenges encountered through our own reflection as programme designers and facilitators, as well as organisers of and participants in curricular reviews using data from student interviews, student performance in first and subsequent years of study, and review documentation. The study shows that curriculum restructuring for a diversifying student body across multiple programmes is a complex process with interrelated and influential factors. Our critical reflections revealed the complexities of aligning intentions that are significantly flawed by presuppositions relating needs and outcomes

Psychological distress and tension-type headache among health professional senior students in a historically black university in south africa.

Studies in well-defined populations contribute to the body ofevidence that the psychosocial aspects of people’s environment can have a substantial effect on their physical health. Senior students in health professional education programs were interviewed using structured instruments to assess the prevalence of psychological distress and tension-type headaches in a young adult university population.  Almost 70%of the study sample was either at risk of becoming distressed, or already distressed with somatic or depressive symptoms. About two-thirds of thestudents reported symptoms of either tension-type headache or other typesof headache, while over 30% of all the students complained of tension-type headache. Almost 20% of the students whoreported symptoms of tension-type headache were also distressed, while another 47% were at risk of being distressed.The possible impact on the academic performance of the students and their future role as health care professionalsis discussed

Promotion of physically active lifestyle among South African youth

Physical inactivity is one of the major underlying causes of mortality in the world. Various studies have proven that a moderate amount of physical activity can help to reduce various chronic diseases of lifestyle. The current article reviews literature pertaining to the prevalence of chronic diseases of lifestyle in South Africa, and the rationale for promoting physical activity among the youth in order to prevent the prevalence of chronic diseases of lifestyle in later years. Recommendations on how to promote physically active lifestyles among South African youth are proffered. Key words: Physical activity, lifestyle, chronic diseases, youth, promotion. (Af. J. Physical, Health Education, Recreation and Dance: 2003 9(2): 200-206

Widening access to un dergraduate physiotherapy education in South Africa - pointers from students’ records

In response to the state mandate to improve access and equityin higher education, the admission policy of universities in South Africa (SA)currently employs measures for the redress of past inequalities and racialinjustices. As there is no information on the processes to widen access toundergraduate physiotherapy education program in SA, the aim of this reportedstudy was to search for pointers from students’ records in one local university,situated in the Western Province of SA, that would inform the development ofstrategies that will widen the access for previously disadvantaged populationgroups and ensure successful academic outcomes. The records of six cohorts of students who earlier applied for andlater enrolled in the undergraduate physiotherapy program between the years 2000 and 2005 were retrospectivelyreviewed. Information pertaining to access, student characteristics, and academic persistence was extracted, reviewedand analysed descriptively. During the period reviewed, approximately equal numbers of Black and non-Black studentsapplied for admission to the program. The proportion of Black applicants meeting minimum admission requirementswas less than half of the White/Asian applicants. Less than 50% (105/212) of the offers made to Black applicantswere accepted. Forty one percent (43/105) of the enrolled Black students successfully completed the program withinthe minimum 4 years compared to 75.5% (145/192) of the White/Asian students. Strategies should be implementedto increase awareness and recruitment, improve enrolment rates, and improve retention and throughput for Blackstudents in the undergraduate physiotherapy program of a historically “white” SA university