Browsing by Subject "Occupation"

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    Educational inheritance and the distribution of occupations: Evidence from South Africa
    (Review of Income and Wealth, 2015-05-28) Keswell, Malcolm; Girdwood, Sarah; Leibbrandt, Murray
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    Educational inheritance and the distribution of occupations: Evidence from South Africa
    (Southern Africa Labour and Development Research Unit, 2015-05-28) Keswell, Malcolm; Girdwood, Sarah; Leibbrandt, Murray
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    Open Access
    The impact of two modules on first year occupational therapy students’ knowledge and attitudes to the core constructs of occupation
    (2015-04) Green, Caryn; Hudson, Kerry; Wicht, Minkateko; Willows, Claire; Buchanan, Helen
    Introduction: The first year occupational therapy course at the University of Cape Town focuses on developing an understanding of occupation. Two first semester modules form the foundation for this understanding. This study aimed to describe the impact of these modules on first year students’ knowledge of, and attitudes towards, the core constructs of occupation. Methodology: A pre-experimental one-group pre-test post-test design was used with a convenience sample recruited from the 2013 first year occupational therapy class. A self-administered questionnaire was developed for the study based on an extensive literature review and consultation with international occupational therapy experts. Data were gathered before and after participating in the modules. Content and construct validity, test-retest and inter-rater reliability were determined using the expert panel and a pilot test. Data were analysed with STATISTICA. Results: Forty-five (N=60) participants completed pre-test and post-test questionnaires and were included in the analysis. Knowledge improved significantly (p<0.001) between pre-test and post-test, and positive attitudinal changes were noted. Conclusion: Knowledge and attitudes improved after completing the modules suggesting that students were equipped with a sound foundational understanding of the core constructs of occupation.
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    The epidemiology of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in office-based workers residing in low middle-Income countries (LMICs): a systematic review and meta-analysis
    (2026) Dreyer, Kirsten Robyn; Engel, Mark; S-J Hohlfeld, Ameer
    Background: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) are a significant health concern worldwide, accounting for 1% of disability adjusted life years in developing countries. In occupational health, the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) is heightened in roles with varied risks—such as office work—due to exposures like awkward or static postures, repetitive movements, and psychosocial strain, underscoring the need for targeted research. Currently, the extent of WMSD in developing countries among office workers is largely undocumented. Objective: To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis on the prevalence of WMSDs in office-based workers residing in Low and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) and, secondly to document putative risk factors associated with WMSD. Search Strategy: PubMed and Scopus were searched, from their respective earliest dates to 31 October 2024, for cross-sectional and cohort studies assessing WMSD in office workers in LMICs, excluding studies from high income counties underlying musculoskeletal disorders (MSD). Study appraisal and synthesis methods: Two researchers independently screened and extracted data, applying RoB-SPEO, and conducted a meta-analysis using a random effects model to estimate pooled prevalence of WMSD by affected body regions and risk ratios for associated risk factors. Deviations from the protocol were recorded in the discussion. Results: The systematic review included 25 studies (3 cohort and 22 cross-sectional, n= 9842 from 14 LMICs). Pooled prevalence of WMSD were 70% (95% CI 51% to 85%; 5 studies; n = 1236, I2 = 97.8%). Pooled estimates of WMSD by body region were lower back (44%), (95% CI 36% to 53%, I2 = 96.5%), neck, 38% (95% CI 31% to 46%, I2 = 96.4 and back, 37% (95% CI 15% to 62%, I2 = 98.4). The remaining body regions (arm, elbow, hand, shoulder, wrist and hand and wrist) each amounted to prevalence estimates of below 30%. Subgroup analysis of putative risk factors (BMI, age and length of day) and WMSD found no statistical association. Conclusions: High WMSD prevalence among office workers in LMICs, notably in the lower back region, was found. Limited data and categorization variability, hindered risk identification, highlighting the need for additional research. Recommendations include office layout assessment and more frequent breaks from static positions.