Browsing by Author "Sifunda, Sibusiso"

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    A decade of tobacco control: The South African case of politics, health policy, health promotion and behaviour change
    (2013) Reddy, Priscilla; James, Shamagonam; Sewpaul, Ronel; Yach, Derek; Resnicow, Ken; Sifunda, Sibusiso; Mthembu, Zanele; Mbewu, Anthony
    BACKGROUND: The South African (SA) government has implemented comprehensive tobacco control measures in line with the requirements of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. The effect of these measures on smoking prevalence and smoking-related attitudes, particularly among young people, is largely unknown. OBJECTIVE: To describe the impact of a comprehensive health promotion approach to tobacco control amongst SA school learners. METHODS: Four successive cross-sectional Global Youth Tobacco Surveys (GYTSs) were conducted in 1999, 2002, 2008 and 2011 among nationally representative samples of SA grades 8 - 10 school learners. We assessed the prevalence of current smoking (having smoked a cigarette on ≥1 day in the 30 days preceding the survey) and smoking-related attitudes and behaviours. RESULTS: Over the 12-year survey period current smoking among learners declined from 23.0% (1999) to 16.9% (2011) - a 26.5% reduction. Reductions in smoking prevalence were less pronounced amongst girls and amongst black learners. We observed an increase in smoking prevalence amongst learners between 2008 and 2011. Smoking-related attitudes and behaviours showed favourable changes over the survey period. CONCLUSION: These surveys demonstrate that the comprehensive and inter-sectorial tobacco control health promotion strategies implemented in SA have led to a gradual reduction in cigarette use amongst school learners. Of concern, however, are the smaller reductions in smoking prevalence amongst girls and black learners and an increase in smoking prevalence from 2008 to 2011. Additional efforts, especially for girls, are needed to ensure continued reduction in smoking prevalence amongst SA youth.
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    The determinants of adhering to rehabilitation in diabetics who have undergone lower limb amputation
    (2001) Sifunda, Sibusiso
    Chronic diseases of lifestyle (CDLs) have been rapidly increasing in population groups which had previously been least affected by this kind of illness. Diabetes Mellitus in particular has been shown to be rapidly increasing in South Africa among the non-white population which traditionally, had low reported prevalence rates of the condition. The rapid increase in urbanisation and adoption of a western diet by the urbanised black population has been one of the main contributing factors. In contrast to this picture the socio-economic status of this population has remained relatively low and the high costs of long term management of CDLs poses a potential time bomb to the public health system. This study sought to explore the psychosocial determinants of adhering to rehabilitation for diabetic amputees.