http://ir.dut.ac.za:8080 The DSpace digital repository system captures, stores, indexes, preserves, and distributes digital research material. 2010-09-09T12:46:26Z http://hdl.handle.net/10321/538 An epidemiological investigation of neck pain in the white population in the greater Durban area Slabbert, Warren Neville The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of and risk factors for neck pain in the white population in the greater Durban area. The rational for this study was that there have been few epidemiological studies done on neck pain and even less when concerning different population groups. Discrepancies between population groups have been found in various pain related studies. The present epidemiological study eliminated any possible variables between population groups by studying only the white population in a specific geographical area (Durban). Therefore, physicians treating people with neck pain should use the risk factors that were established in this and other studies and integrate them in their treatment protocol. The study was conducted at three shopping centres around Durban that were randomly selected. Each shopping centre was grouped by the socio-economic status of the surrounding suburbs. There were 900 participants surveyed at three shopping centres by means of a questionnaire. The data were then statistically analysed using SPSS version 15. It was found that the overall prevalence of neck pain was 45%. The participants in this study that had neck pain were more likely to be females that were married or previously married, had a job that caused their heads to turn or to work with their arms above their heads. Lifestyle factors included one or a combination of the following: lead a stressful lifestyle, were emotional, had perceived bad posture, had previously experienced neck or head trauma, slept in awkward positions, watched television, required glasses and did not play squash. Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for a Masters Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, 2010. 2009-12-31T22:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10321/537 A profile of horse riding injuries in adult horse riders registered with the Kwa Zulu Natal Horse Society Catlin, Jo-Anne Carrie Introduction: Equestrian sport as a competitive sport first began in 1868 at the Royal Dublin Horse Show 1. Injuries, especially minor injuries, are seldom reported, and there are no regulatory requirements anywhere that compel formal injury notification of this sport 2. Objectives: The objectives were to describe a profile of horse riding injuries, to determine the association between the type of equestrian activity and location and mechanism of injury, the association between use and type of equipment and location of injury and to determine anthropometric and history variables associated with location of horse riding injuries. As well as determining if non riding related injuries were associated with riding related injuries in the same sites. Therefore, for the purpose of this study, the following information was gathered in order to build up an injury profile: Anthropometric values (age, height, weight, gender, ethnicity, dominant hand and medical aid) of competitive horse riders in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, The participants horse riding history, Their record of any past or current injuries, Factors associated with previous and current injuries were also investigated, Equipment and facilities used Methods: This study was a quantitative descriptive design, which was questionnaire based and was administered by the researcher at various competitions in KwaZulu Natal or sent via email to those not present at the competitions. The study was limited to adult members of the KwaZulu Natal Horse Society that competed in on the Olympic disciplines of dressage, show jumping and eventing. iv Results: There were 176 respondents to the study. The average age was 36.3 years. The vast majority of participants were White (99.4%) females (81%). The overall prevalence of injury was 90.3%. Muscle strains were the most common type of injury. The head was the most commonly injured site (46.4%), the lower back was the site most likely to be injured many times. Forceful falls were ranked as the most severe type of injury mechanism. Most injuries occurred whilst jumping (63.8%). Use of protective equipment was associated with injury prevention and protection. Muscle strains due to riding were significantly less common in those who presently did regular exercise. Having no medical problems was associated with not having any riding injuries. There was no significant association between riding and non riding related injuries. Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for a Masters Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, 2010. 2009-12-31T22:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10321/536 A study of the effectiveness of homoeopathically prepared dilutions of abscisic acid, molybdenum and allopurinol in inhibiting or promoting the germination of barley seeds (Hordeum vulgare) Evans, Nicole Paula Introduction This study investigated the effectiveness of homoeopathic dilutions of abscisic acid (ABA), molybdenum and allopurinol on inhibiting or promoting the germination of barley seeds (Hordeum vulgare cv. Stirling, ex Caledon, Western Cape, South Africa, 1998 harvest). Recent research involving ABA and seed germination has shown mixed results, with Bruni (2001), finding there to be statistically significant biological effects, but Couchman (2001) not. Objective/Aim/Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of homoeopathic dilutions of ABA, molybdenum and allopurinol (two substances which have an effect on ABA metabolism), especially those above the 10-23 level (Avogadro’s dilution limit), on germination, in light of recent findings. Abscisic acid, a plant hormone and molybdenum, a trace element, both play an essential role in inducing dormancy of the seed. Allopurinol, a therapeutic drug, has also been shown to affect ABA metabolism and therefore seed germination. The study used all three substances individually and in combination, in homoeopathic dilutions ranging from 4CH to 200CH potency. Methodology There were 7 treatments with 5 potencies per treatment (4CH, 9CH, 15CH, 30CH and 200CH). Each potency level for each treatment had a control, which meant there were 5 controls per treatment. The seeds (distally cut) were placed in 9cm Petri dishes (20 seeds in each), with 5 repetitions, 100 seeds per dilution level with one control of 20 seeds. There were thus 600 (120 x 5) seeds per treatment and 4200 seeds in total (600 x 7 treatments). Seeds were germinated in the dark at a constant temperature. Counts were done every 24 hours for 3 days and the data recorded. The criterion for germination was radical emergence. Results The data was analysed statistically using Univariate Analysis of Variance (STATISTICA version 6). The results showed statistically significant interaction between treatments and potencies and a One-Way Anova was then used to analyse each treatment to determine the effectiveness of each potency. Statistically significant differences were noted between potencies for each treatment. From the results it was clear that the most effective treatment for stimulating germination was the treatment utilizing homoeopathic dilutions of allopurinol. The most effective treatment for inhibiting germination was the treatment utilizing ABA in homoeopathic dilutions. The 30CH (10-60) showed a statistically significant effect on the stimulation of germination across almost all treatments, whereas the 15CH (10-30) showed a statistically significant effect in inhibiting germination in most treatments. Conclusion It is evident from the results of this study that all the treatments produced distinct biological effects, whether it be stimulating germination or inhibiting germination in homoeopathic dilution. Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for a Masters Degree in Technology: Homoeopathy, Durban University of Technology, 2008. 2007-12-31T22:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10321/535 The impact of strategy change on morale, performance and commitment Mekgoe, Naome Strategic change within an organisation is inevitable. Due to the competitive global landscape, organisations have to continuously adapt their strategies to remain in the market. Strategy change is most often met with resistance, and more so when the change involves downsizing. The effects of downsizing on employee morale, performance and commitment have been studied by numerous authors and a number of models for strategy change implementation consequently suggested. However, South Africa is faced with very particular challenges when dealing with change, including a high level of unemployment, fierce resistance to change in the form of collective action such as strikes, stay-aways or go-slows, political and social transformation happening simultaneously, global competition and the conflict between social and free markets within an emerging economy. Irrespective of the vast amount of international literature available on change management, there is a distinct lack of literature investigating the impact of strategy change in an emerging economy and a knowledge gap in terms of applying existing change theories in non-Western environments. This study was aimed at determining the impact of strategy change, particularly downsizing, on employee morale, performance and commitment at a global South-African based Telecommunication Company. The objectives of the study was to determine whether employees in South Africa are negatively affected by downsizing, and provide useful information to strategic managers in terms of implementation of strategy change in a South African environment. To determine the impact of downsizing as a strategy change, a questionnaire was designed based on the literature review to ascertain responses to three sections of questions, respectively measuring morale, performance and commitment. A sample of the target population was chosen based on their position/ employment type i.e. management, supervisor or general staff. The results of the empirical study revealed some very interesting points. Although all respondents demonstrated optimism in terms of their morale, performance and commitment, it was found that comparatively, managers are more negatively impacted during times of downsizing. The Telecommunication Company’s structured nature, advances in political and social reform, and solid Training and Development policy shielded the employees from the full negative impacts of downsizing because of their positive core self evaluation. The substantial amount of neutral responses (especially under management) indicated that not all respondents revealed their true feelings, a common characteristic amongst collective people. It also surfaced that even though the majority of responses indicated positive morale and performance, most respondents were considering positions outside the organisation. Based on the literature review and results from the empirical investigation, a model was proposed to assist strategic managers in South Africa with change implementation. Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters in Business Administration, Durban University of Technology, 2008. 2007-12-31T22:00:00Z