Masters Degrees (Centre for Disability and Rehabilitation Studies)

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Browsing Masters Degrees (Centre for Disability and Rehabilitation Studies) by browse.metadata.advisor "Gcaza, Siphokazi"

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    Exploring work-related spinal cord injuries in Gauteng Province, South Africa
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2013-03) Pefile, Ntsikelelo; Visagie, Surona; Gcaza, Siphokazi; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Dept. of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences. Centre for Rehabilitation Studies.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Introduction Spinal cord injury (SCI) is devastating and impacts negatively on an individual’s functioning and social participation. A good legal framework in South Africa promotes health and safety in the workplace, but there are no specific guidelines regarding prevention of spinal cord injuries. Before any preventative programme can be embarked upon, stakeholders must understand the current situation. Therefore the aim of the study was to describe work-related spinal cord injuries in Gauteng Province, South Africa, to provide employers and policy makers with the information necessary to develop SCI preventative strategies in the workplace. Methodology This was a descriptive, retrospective study in which both quantitative and qualitative methods were utilised. The research was completed in two private rehabilitation units in Gauteng Province, South Africa. During the first (quantitative) phase 135 medical files/records of persons admitted between 1999–2009, who had suffered work-related SCIs, were perused. No sampling was done. Data was collected using a data-collection tool developed by the researcher, the International Classification of Function (ICF) checklist and the Functional Independence Measure+Functional Assessment Measure (FIM+FAM). In the second (qualitative) phase, key informants representing employees who sustained SCI at work were interviewed. Participants were sampled purposively. Data in phase one was analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 18, and content analysis was used to analyse qualitative data. Results The most affected age range was 26–35. The male-to-female ratio was 6.69:1. Blacks (79.3%) were more affected by work-related SCIs. The majority of these occurred in urban (49.6%) and peri-urban (39.3%) areas. The service (34.8%), engineering (14.8%), mining (14%) and construction (9.6%) were the most affected industries. The most affected occupations were labourers (25.9%) and professionals (23.7%). The security cluster (police and security officers) within the service industry was the most affected (55.3%). Motor vehicle accidents (48.9%), violence (20.7%) and falls (16.3%) were the major causes of work-related SCIs. The most affected region of the spine was cervical (41.5%) although the majority were classified as paraplegic (58.5% sustained thoracic and lumbar lesions). The majority (51% of work-related SCIs were classified as complete). The average length of stay (LOS) in-patient rehabilitation was 65.76 days. There was a marginal correlation between LOS and functional FIM+FAM scores (r=-0.32). The average cost of rehabilitation was R101 386.84 per person. There were statistically significant functional gains following rehabilitation (p=0.000). Re-employment levels were high, at 54%. Participants with lumbar lesions showed statistically higher re-employment levels than those with other level lesions (p=0.036). The findings of phase two of the study showed a degree of non-compliance of employees and employers to safety standards in the workplace. Conclusions and recommendations Findings indicated high levels of motor vehicle accidents and gunshot wounds. Motor vehicle accidents could, in some cases be related to un-roadworthy vehicles or transgressing traffic laws. Employers and employees should adhere to national laws as well as internal health and safety regulations in order to reduce SCI at work. In addition a national database on work-related SCI should be kept. Training of employees and employers in compliance in health and safety matters in the workplace is necessary. Monitoring of compliance by both employees and employers should be vigorous.