Effectiveness of pedometer-based walking programmes in improving some modifiable risk factors of stroke among community-dwelling older adults: a systematic review, theoretical synthesis and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Pedometer-based walking programs hold promise as a health promotion strategy for stroke prevention in community-dwelling older adults, particularly when targeted at physical activity-related modifiable risk factors. The question arises: What is the effectiveness of pedometer-based walking program interventions in improving modifiable stroke risk factors among community-dwelling older adults? METHOD: Eight databases were searched up to December 2nd, 2023, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis protocol. Inclusion criteria focused on randomized controlled trials (RCTS) involving community-dwelling older adults and reported in English. Two independent reviewers utilized Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) tool to extract data, assess eligibility, evaluate study quality, and identify potential bias. Standardized mean difference (SMD) was employed as summary statistics for primary -physical activity level -and secondary outcomes related to cardiovascular function (blood pressure) and metabolic syndrome, including obesity (measured by body mass index and waist circumference), fasting blood sugar, glycated hemoglobin, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglycerides. A random-effects model was used to generate summary estimates of effects. RESULTS: The review analyzed eight studies involving 1546 participants aged 60-85 years, with 1348 successfully completing the studies. Across these studies, pedometer-based walking programs were implemented 2-3 times per week, with sessions lasting 40-60 minutes, over a duration of 4-26 weeks. The risk of bias varied from high to moderate. Our narrative synthesis revealed positive trends in HDL-C levels, fasting blood sugar, and glycated hemoglobin, suggesting improved glycemic control and long-term blood sugar management. However, the impact on triglycerides was only marginal. Primary meta-analysis demonstrated significantly improved physical activity behavior (SMD=0.44,95%CI:0.26, 0.61,p=<0.00001;I2=0%;4 studies; 532 participants) and systolic blood pressure (SMD=-0.34,95%CI:-0.59,-0.09;p=<0.008;I2=65%,2 studies;249 participants), unlike diastolic blood pressure (SMD=0.13,95%CI:-0.13,-0.38,p=0.33; I2=91%; 2 studies; 237 participants). Interventions based on social cognitive, self-efficacy, and self-efficiency theory(ies), and social cognitive theory applied in an ecological framework, were linked to successful physical activity behavior outcomes. CONCLUSION: Pedometer-based walking programs, utilizing interpersonal health behavior theory/ecological framework, enhance physical activity behavior and have antihypertensive effects in community-dwelling older adults. While they do not significantly affect diastolic blood pressure, these programs potentially serve as a primary stroke prevention strategy aligning with global health goals. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Registration Number: INPLASY202230118.

Let the records speak: an exploration of rehabilitation services offered in primary healthcare, Johannesburg metropolitan district.

BACKGROUND: Primary healthcare in South Africa aims to transform the national health system by emphasising community-based care and preventive strategies. However, rehabilitation services, particularly for individuals with disabilities and chronic non-communicable diseases, are often overlooked in primary healthcare. This study aimed to investigate the provision of primary healthcare rehabilitation services in the Johannesburg Metropolitan District by exploring client sociodemographics and variations in services provided by rehabilitation professionals. METHODS: A retrospective review of clinic rehabilitation records from 2011 to 2020 was conducted at nine provincially funded community health centres (CHCs) offering rehabilitation services. Stratified sampling facilitated record selection based on rehabilitation service type and year. A specifically designed data extraction tool captured demographics, disabilities, rehabilitation received, and referral sources. Descriptive analysis used means, standard deviations, and frequencies. RESULTS: The findings show a diverse client population with a wide age range, with a significant proportion falling into the < 5 years and 30-49 years age groups. Neuromusculoskeletal and movement-related disabilities were most prevalent, affecting approximately two-thirds of clients. Referral sources were often undocumented, and inconsistent discharge information with no record of patient follow up, highlighted the need for improved documentation practices. Clinic visits were the primary service delivery mode, followed by limited home visits and outreach services. Occupational therapy and physiotherapy were the most used services. Speech and language therapy services were underused, and some CHCs lacked audiology services. There were variations in the number of individual and group sessions provided by the different rehabilitation services, and there were age- and disability-specific differences in service use. CONCLUSION: This study offers insights into rehabilitation service provision in the Johannesburg Metropolitan District and enhances our understanding of rehabilitation services in primary healthcare settings. It underscores the importance of a multidisciplinary rehabilitation team to address diverse rehabilitation needs, improving documentation and discharge practices, expanding service delivery models, and reducing disparities in service use. The findings inform strategies for optimising service delivery, workforce, resource allocation, and intersectoral collaboration to ultimately enhance the quality and accessibility of integrated rehabilitation services.

Physiotherapy and its service in Nepal: implementation and status reported from facility surveys and official registers.

BACKGROUND: Physiotherapy is a growing profession in Nepal. Despite efforts to promote strengthening and development, there are still challenges in providing equitable access and availability to services, particularly in underserved areas. Updated information is needed to address challenges to provide proper planning for resource allocation. OBJECTIVE: To assess implementation of physiotherapy services and to explore plans, policies and the general status of physiotherapy in Nepal. METHOD: Implementation was assessed with a cross-sectional survey conducted in Province III containing closed-ended questions addressing physiotherapy services, human resources, charging and record-keeping systems, and accessibility. Stratified purposive sampling was used to select eligible facilities from the list of Department of Health Services. Official records were explored through visits to governing institutions and by reviews of registers and reports to obtain data and information on status, plans and policy. RESULTS: The survey included 25 urban and 4 rural facilities, covering hospitals and rehabilitation centres; both public (37.9%) and non-public (62.1%). Most facilities (79.3%) employed physiotherapists with bachelor's degrees. Average number of visits were 29.55 physiotherapy outpatients and 14.17 inpatients per day. Patient records were mainly paper based. Most (69%) used the hospital main card, while others (31%) had their own physiotherapy assessment card. Most referrals came from doctors. The most offered services were musculoskeletal, neurological, and paediatric physiotherapy. Daily basis charging was common. A single visit averaged 311 Nepalese rupees ≈ 2.33 US$. Convenience for persons with disabilities was reported as partial by 79% of outpatient departments. Official register data showed 313 master's and 2003 bachelor's graduates. Six colleges offered physiotherapy bachelor's degree, whereof one also offered a master's program. Government records revealed significant progress in physiotherapy in Nepal. CONCLUSION: The study highlights variations in physiotherapy services within a province owing to type, size and location, but also unwarranted variations. Despite the progress, implementation of physiotherapy services in the perspective of official records imply a need of systems for proper planning and monitoring. Physiotherapy provision in underserved areas warrants further attention.

Virtual communities of practice for novice occupational therapists: a vehicle for learning, support and professional identity strengthening?

INTRODUCTION: Healthcare practitioners delivering services in rural and underserved areas need timely access to appropriate knowledge to optimise the care they deliver. Novice generalist occupational therapists in South Africa experience this need as they respond to a high demand for hand therapy. Embedded within a study aimed at identifying their support and development needs, this article describes participants' experience of a virtual community of practice. METHODS: A qualitative case study design was employed. Nine occupational therapists participated in a virtual community of practice that met fortnightly for meetings and interacted on WhatsApp. Data were collected through photo elicitation, facilitated reflection, and case discussions. An online survey questionnaire was used to evaluate participants' experience of this virtual community. Thematic analysis was applied to the anonymous responses submitted by participants (n=7). A number of strategies were employed to ensure the trustworthiness of results including prolonged engagement, member checking, peer examination, reflexive reading and writing, triangulation, and a dense description of participants to enable readers to evaluate the transferability of results. RESULTS: Three themes were generated from analysis. The first theme, versatile support, describes participants' experience of being helped and supported, appreciating the immediacy of support, and being able to share resources. A vehicle for learning captures participants' experience of mutual learning, opportunity to reflect, to acquire knowledge and skills, and develop their clinical reasoning. Finally, the community of practice was grounding: learning opportunities were contextually relevant and participants were able to consolidate their professional values and identity. Participants raised the importance of using online platforms that were accessible, recommended a group size of 5-10 members, and proposed 60-90-minute meetings held weekly or fortnightly. CONCLUSION: A virtual community of practice provided both support and professional development opportunities for therapists delivering hand therapy. Careful planning and implementation to upscale this intervention are recommended for rehabilitation personnel delivering care to underserved communities in South Africa. The logistics of virtual communities need to mitigate for connectivity difficulties, and online platforms should enable real-time support. Participant satisfaction and the evaluation of implementation outcomes should be considered in the design of virtual communities of practice.

Impact of exercise training on symptoms of depression, physical activity level and social participation in people living with HIV/AIDS: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Symptoms of depression are prevalent in people living with human immune deficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (PLWHA), and worsened by lack of physical activity/exercises, leading to restriction in social participation/functioning. This raises the question: what is the extent to which physical exercise training affected, symptoms of depression, physical activity level (PAL) and social participation in PLWHA compared to other forms of intervention, usual care, or no treatment controls? METHOD: Eight databases were searched up to July 2020, according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) protocol. Only randomised controlled trials involving adults who were either on HAART/HAART-naïve and reported in the English language, were included. Two independent reviewers determined the eligibility of the studies, extracted data, assessed their quality, and risk of bias using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) tool. Standardised mean difference (SMD) was used as summary statistics for the mean primary outcome (symptoms of depression) and secondary outcomes (PAL and social participation) since different measuring tools/units were used across the included studies. Summary estimates of effects were determined using a random-effects model (I2). RESULTS: Thirteen studies met the inclusion criteria with 779 participants (n = 596 participants at study completion) randomised into the study groups, comprising 378 males, 310 females and 91 participants with undisclosed gender, and with an age range of 18-86 years. Across the studies, aerobic or aerobic plus resistance exercises were performed 2-3 times/week, at 40-60 min/session, and for between 6-24 weeks, and the risk of bias vary from high to low. Comparing the intervention to control groups showed significant difference in the symptoms of depression (SMD = - 0.74, 95% confidence interval (CI) - 1.01, - 0.48, p ≤ 0.0002; I2 = 47%; 5 studies; 205 participants) unlike PAL (SMD = 0.98, 95% CI - 0.25, 2.17, p = 0.11; I2 = 82%; 2 studies; 62 participants) and social participation (SMD = 0.04, 95% CI - 0.65, 0.73, p = 0.91; I2 = 90%; 6 studies; 373 participants). CONCLUSION: Physical exercise training could have an antidepressant-like effect in PLWHA but did not affect PAL and social participation. However, the high heterogeneity in the included studies, implies that adequately powered randomised controlled trials with clinical/methodological similarity are required in future studies. TRAIL REGISTRATION NUMBER: INPLASY202040048.

Effectiveness of mobile text reminder in improving adherence to medication, physical exercise, and quality of life in patients living with HIV: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Mobile text reminder (SMS) system is considered a viable strategy for targeting/facilitating healthy behavioural change including adherence to prescribed physical exercises (PE) and medication (antiretroviral therapy-ART) which should improve the quality of life (Qol) in people living with HIV/AIDS(PLWHA). Thus, the literature was appraised for evidence of SMS effectiveness in improving ART and PE adherence behaviours and QoL in PLWHA. METHODS: Eight databases-AMED, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, EMCARE, Ovid MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and PubMed-were searched up to December 2020, using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) protocol.This review included only randomised control trials (RCTs) investigating the effectiveness of SMS in improving QoL or PE or ART adherence behaviour or a combination of these variables in PLWHA >18 years. Two independent reviewers determined the eligibility of the studies. Data were extracted and the quality of the study was assessed with the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) tool. The primary outcomes were ART and PE adherence behaviours while the secondary outcome was QoL. RESULT: A pooled estimate of effect was not calculated due to the heterogeneity of methods and outcome measures. Therefore, a narrative synthesis of ten studies that met the inclusion criteria (n = 1621 participants at study completion) comprising males/females, aged ≥ 18 years, was done. There was a significant improvement in ART adherence behaviour except in three underpowered studies. Only the SMS interventions that were developed using the Starks 3-steps Adherence model was associated with positive outcome. The only study that evaluated QoL was underpowered and reported no significant change while there were no RCTs on PE. CONCLUSION: Effects of SMS intervention trends towards a significant improvement in ART adherence behaviour in PLWHA. It is plausible that SMS reminders developed using the broader framework of the interpersonal health behaviour theory(ies) may have positive outcome. Nevertheless, the observed heterogeneity in the methods/outcome measures warrants a cautious interpretation of the findings. There is a lack/paucity of RCTs and therefore no evidence in support of the effectiveness of SMS intervention in improving PE adherence and QoL. Registration number NPLASY202060016.

The missing link: exploring the intersection of gender, capabilities, and depressive symptoms in the context of chronic HIV.

Depressive symptoms occur frequently among people living with HIV, especially women. These symptoms are associated with human, social, financial, and physical/natural capabilities and life stressors that differ between women and men. However, the link between depressive symptoms and functional limitations/disability is seldom discussed in the context of HIV, especially for gender-specific relationships. A cross-sectional survey of 1042 people living with HIV and using long-term antiretroviral therapy (ART) in South Africa was conducted from June to August 2014 to investigate the associations of disability, human, social, physical/natural, and financial capabilities, health, and adherence to ART, including possible gender-specific factors. Socio-demographic information, capabilities, health indicators, functional limitations/disability, and depressive symptoms (CES-D 10) were measured. We applied descriptive and bivariate statistics and multiple regression. Overall, 26% of people presented with depressive symptoms. Greater functional limitations and health symptoms and lower food security were strongly associated with depressive symptoms, while associations with financial capital and body mass index were gender-specific. The results call for the improvement of comprehensive care, including gender-sensitive mental health interventions. The results further indicate that functional limitations/disability needs to be considered, along with linking rehabilitation and livelihood programs with comprehensive HIV-care, in particular for those who experience depressive symptoms.

Determinants of livelihood in the era of widespread access to ART.

We have only just begun to understand the long-term impact of living with chronic HIV on health and livelihood after a decade of widespread access to treatment in southern Africa. This paper explores health and well-being, disability, and livelihood dynamics among people living with HIV (PLHIV) in a public healthcare setting in South Africa. We undertook a cross-sectional survey among a cohort of 1042 people on ART and explored associations between socio-demographic characteristics, treatment adherence, measures of disability (functional and activity limitations), livelihood resources (capitals) and outcomes, including food security, and exposure to livelihood shocks. A range of dynamic relationships relevant for decision-makers is evident. Age, gender, and marital status all had significant associations with levels of livelihood capitals and outcomes. Those who had been on ART for longer periods of time also had significantly higher aggregate livelihood capital. This was particularly driven by social and financial capital. Livelihoods are built within specific social and health contexts. Of particular importance is that the resources drawn on to build a livelihood differ significantly between men and women, and that different forms of disability also have gender-specific pathways in influencing livelihood and livelihood outcomes. Our results support the need for a gender-sensitive approach to supporting the well-being and livelihoods of PLHIV. Of equal importance is an approach that considers more comprehensively the new experiences of comorbidities and disabilities that may occur with a long life on ART.

"Knowing I can be helpful makes me feel good inside, it makes me feel essential": community health care workers' experiences of conducting a home-based rehabilitation intervention for people living with HIV in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

People living with HIV (PLHIV) are living longer lives on antiretroviral therapy and are prone to a wide range of disabilities. Innovative strategies are required to meet the rehabilitation needs of PLHIV, particularly in resource-poor communities where HIV is endemic and access to institution-based rehabilitation is limited. Home-based rehabilitation (HBR) is one such approach, but there is a paucity of research related to HBR programmes for PLHIV or the experiences of community care workers (CCWs) involved in these programmes. Following a four month randomised controlled trial of a HBR intervention designed specifically for PLHIV in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa; four CCWs were interviewed. This study employed a qualitative research design, using semi-structured interviews to explore these workers' experiences of being involved in carrying out this intervention. Participants reported how their personal development, improvement in their own health and increased feelings of self-worth enabled them to successfully implement the intervention. Participants also described a number of inhibitors, including stigma and environmental challenges related to the distances between patients' homes, the steep terrain and the hot climate. Despite this, the participants felt empowered by acquiring knowledge and skills that enabled them to shift roles beyond rehabilitation provision. The findings of this study should be considered when employing a task shifting approach in the development and implementation of HBR interventions for PLHIV. By employing a less specialised cadre of community workers to conduct basic HBR interventions, both the relative lack of qualified rehabilitation professionals and the high levels of disability in HIV-epidemic communities can be simultaneously addressed.

Adaptation of the global frameworks for community based rehabilitation in southern Africa: a proof of concept.

INTRODUCTION: Community based rehabilitation (CBR) has evolved over the last 30 years and now focuses on empowering persons with disabilities to access and benefit from a wide range of services. The essence and ethos of CBR is captured in several global frameworks, such as the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities (2006) and the CBR guidelines (2010). The latter contains the CBR matrix. All 15 countries in southern Africa are implementing CBR mostly in rural areas, but the policy framework to guide CBR in the region is unknown. The purpose of the study was to determine to what extent countries in southern Africa have adapted the global frameworks available for CBR. METHODS: A CBR policy analysis using proof-of-concept methodology was undertaken. Policy documents on CBR were sought from relevant government departments or agencies. Multiple methods and media, including web searches, searches for grey literature, social media and contact through an elaborate network of colleagues working in the region, were employed to execute the search strategy. Data were organized using NVivo software, and three independent raters coded the emergent themes using the CBR matrix. RESULTS: Only Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania and Zimbabwe have specific policy content for CBR. These, however, lacked structure; the content was predominantly aligned to health. Inclusion of key international concepts such as mainstreaming and empowerment were superfluous when present. CONCLUSIONS: The CBR policy environment in southern Africa appears inadequate. Contingent factors that preclude adaptation of the global frameworks available for CBR appear to be at play. These warrant further investigation.

The effects of progressive-resisted exercises on muscle strength and health-related quality of life in persons with HIV-related poly-neuropathy in Zimbabwe.

Distal symmetrical poly-neuropathy (DSP) is a neurological complication associated with HIV/AIDS and stavudine (d4T) containing antiretroviral therapy. People with DSP experience pain, numbness and muscle weakness, which affect their quality of life (QOL). The purpose of this study was to establish the effect of a progressive-resisted exercise (PRE) intervention on health-related quality of life (HR-QOL) in people living with HIV/AIDS-related DSP. An assessor-blinded randomised controlled trial was conducted, with participants sourced from 10 clinics with HIV services, the family care clinic at Wilkins Hospital and 2 large hospitals in Harare, Zimbabwe. A 12-week PRE intervention was conducted twice weekly for 80 participants, while the control group with 80 participants continued with usual daily activities. The main outcome variable was HR-QOL for which we controlled for demographic and clinical measures in generalised estimating equation population-averaged models. Data were summarised and analysed using an intention to treat analysis approach using the Stata v10 program. Mean age of participants was 42.2 years (SD = 8.5). While d4T was used by 59% (n = 94), an equal proportion of the participants also had moderate to severe neuropathy. PRE was found to significantly improve HR-QOL in the intervention group based on the mean difference between the intervention group mean change and the mean change in the control group (F ratio 4.24; p = .04). This study established that PREs have positive effects on HR-QOL for people living with HIV/AIDS-related DSP.

Home-based rehabilitation interventions for adults living with HIV: a scoping review.

Home-based rehabilitation (HBR) has been shown to improve the lives of people living with a wide range of chronic diseases in resource-rich settings. This may also be a particularly effective strategy in resource-poor settings, where access to institution-based rehabilitation is limited. This review aimed to summarise and discuss the evidence related to the effectiveness of home-based rehabilitation (HBR) interventions designed specifically for adults living with HIV. A scoping review methodology was employed, involving systematic search techniques and appraisal of appropriate evidence. English-language journal articles that assessed the quality of life or functional ability outcomes of HBR interventions for adults living with HIV were considered for this review. Out of an initial 1 135 publications retrieved from the search of databases, six articles met this review's inclusion criteria. While this review highlights the scarcity of empirical evidence related to HBR interventions for adults living with HIV, the findings of these six articles are that HBR is a safe management option that may confer a number of physical and psychological benefits for this population. Future research on HBR interventions should include a wider range of assessment measures, including cost-benefit analyses and specific tools designed to assess the functional ability and participation in activities of daily living of participants involved in these programmes. In particular, more research on HBR is required in resource-poor environments, such as sub-Saharan Africa where HIV is endemic, to assess whether this is a feasible strategy that is both effective and practical in the areas that may need it most.

"Not easy at all but I am trying": barriers and facilitators to physical activity in a South African cohort of people living with HIV participating in a home-based pedometer walking programme.

The promotion of physical activity is encouraged in people living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA) as a means of promoting wellness and health. Adherence to programmes that promote exercise is often reduced, and home-based programmes are suggested to improve adherence. This study investigated the personal and environmental factors that cause barriers and facilitators of physical activity in a home-based pedometer walking programme as a means of highlighting adherence challenges. An observational study nested in a randomised controlled trial was conducted in a cohort of South African PLWHA on antiretroviral therapy over a six-month period. Descriptive analysis and qualitative content analysis of 42 participants who underwent physical activity modification assisted with data review. The mean age of the sample was 38.7 (±8.9) years, consisted mostly of women (n = 35; 83.3%) who were employed (n = 19; 45.2%) but earning very little (less than R500 per month) and often single or widowed (n = 23; 54.8%). Barriers to physical activity identified included physical complaints, e.g., low-energy levels; psychological complaints, e.g., stress levels; family responsibility, e.g., being primary caregivers; the physical environment, e.g., adverse weather conditions; social environment, e.g., domestic abuse and crime; and workplace, e.g., being in a sedentary job. Facilitators of physical activity included support and encouragement from friends and family, religious practices during worship and community environment, e.g., having access to parks and sport fields. The study is of benefit as it highlights personal and environmental factors that need to be considered when developing or implementing a home-based walking programme in PLWHA.

HIV-related disabilities: an extra burden to HIV and AIDS healthcare workers?

BACKGROUND: Healthcare workers have been at the forefront of dealing with the impact of HIV and AIDS at all stages of the pandemic. This brings new challenges to include disability into HIV care. However, the implications for healthcare workers in an already fragile health system along with HIV-related disabilities in persons living with HIV are little understood. This study examined the healthcare workers' perspective on disability in HIV care. METHOD: This article describes a qualitative study using in-depth interviews with 10 healthcare workers in a semi-urban hospital setting in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The study aimed to understand healthcare workers' experiences with disability in the context of HIV. The International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health (ICF) was used as a guiding framework to understand disability. RESULTS: Healthcare workers described HIV-related disabilities on all three levels of disability, namely impairments/ body function, activity limitations and participation restrictions, as affecting the livelihood of their patients and household members. Issues also arose from disability and stigma that were perceived as affecting adherence to antiretroviral treatment. In addition, healthcare workers encounter challenges in dealing with the increased needs of care and support for those people living with HIV who experience HIV-related disabilities. They indicated a limited ability to cope and respond to these needs. Primarily they arrange additional referrals to manage complex or episodic disabilities. Participants also identified issues such as excessive work load, lack of resources and training and emotional challenges in dealing with disability. CONCLUSION: Healthcare workers need support to respond to the increased needs of people living with HIV who have HIV-related disabilities. Responses need to reflect: 1) increase in rehabilitative staff including in community outreach programmes; 2) skills training in HIV-related disability; and 3) psychosocial support for healthcare workers.

Toward core inter-professional health promotion competencies to address the non-communicable diseases and their risk factors through knowledge translation: curriculum content assessment.

BACKGROUND: To increase the global impact of health promotion related to non-communicable diseases, health professionals need evidence-based core competencies in health assessment and lifestyle behavior change. Assessment of health promotion curricula by health professional programs is a first step. Such program assessment is a means of 1. demonstrating collective commitment across health professionals to prevent non-communicable diseases; 2. addressing the knowledge translation gap between what is known about non-communicable diseases and their risk factors consistent with 'best' practice; and, 3. establishing core health-based competencies in the entry-level curricula of established health professions. DISCUSSION: Consistent with the World Health Organization's definition of health (i.e., physical, emotional and social wellbeing) and the Ottawa Charter, health promotion competencies are those that support health rather than reduce signs and symptoms primarily. A process algorithm to guide the implementation of health promotion competencies by health professionals is described. The algorithm outlines steps from the initial assessment of a patient's/client's health and the indications for health behavior change, to the determination of whether that health professional assumes primary responsibility for implementing health behavior change interventions or refers the patient/client to others.An evidence-based template for assessment of the health promotion curriculum content of health professional education programs is outlined. It includes clinically-relevant behavior change theory; health assessment/examination tools; and health behavior change strategies/interventions that can be readily integrated into health professionals' practices. SUMMARY: Assessment of the curricula in health professional education programs with respect to health promotion competencies is a compelling and potentially cost-effective initial means of preventing and reversing non-communicable diseases. Learning evidence-based health promotion competencies within an inter-professional context would help students maximize use of non-pharmacologic/non-surgical approaches and the contribution of each member of the health team. Such a unified approach would lead patients/clients to expect their health professionals to assess their health and lifestyle practices, and empower and support them in achieving lifelong health. Benefits of such curriculum assessment include a basis for reflection and discussion within and across health professional programs that could impact the epidemic of non-communicable diseases globally, through inter-professional education and evidence-based practice related to health promotion.

Perceptions of integrated rehabilitation service delivery in a metropolitan district.

BACKGROUND:  There is a recognised need for rehabilitation services at primary health care (PHC) level. In addition, there are clear policies (international and national) and guidelines for use by healthcare planners in South Africa to implement rehabilitation services. Although rehabilitation services are provided on the primary platform, its operationalisation has not been in an integrated manner. Clarity on the level of integration within existing PHC rehabilitation service delivery is required for its inclusion in a reengineered PHC. AIM:  The study explored the extent to which rehabilitation services are integrated into PHC service delivery based on the expressed reality of rehabilitation professionals. SETTING:  The Johannesburg Metropolitan District of Gauteng, South Africa. METHODS:  In-depth interviews with 12 PHC rehabilitation professionals were completed to elicit their experiences with PHC rehabilitation services. RESULTS:  The theme the current state of rehabilitation services - 'this is the reality; you need to do what you need to do' along with its two subcategories, was generated from this study. The theme describes the expressed reality of suboptimal, underdeveloped and poorly integrated rehabilitation services within the Johannesburg Metropolitan District. Rehabilitation service providers have adapted service delivery by including isolated components of rehabilitation integration models, but this has not yielded an integrated service. CONCLUSION:  Rehabilitation services although recognised as a crucial service in PHC must be critically analysed and adapted to develop integrated service delivery models. There should be a shift from selected coping mechanisms to targeted, integrated services.Contribution: The study describes PHC rehabilitation services and explores best practice models for integrated service planning and delivery.

Feasibility and acceptability of a contextualized physical activity and diet intervention for the control of hypertension in adults from a rural subdistrict: a study protocol (HYPHEN).

INTRODUCTION: In rural and remote South Africa, most strokes and ischaemic heart diseases are as a consequence of hypertension, which is a modifiable risk factor. The widely recommended therapeutic approaches to control hypertension are through physical activity and diet modifications. However, there is a lack of culturally sensitive community-based, lifestyle interventions to control hypertension among rural African adult populations. We designed an intervention which recommends adjusting daily routine physical activity and dietary behaviour of adults with hypertension. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of HYPHEN in a rural community setting. METHODS: We aim to recruit 30 adult participants with a self-report hypertension diagnosis. A one-arm, prospective design will be used to assess the feasibility and acceptability of recruitment, uptake, engagement, and completion of the 10-week intervention. Recruitment rates will be assessed at week 0. Intervention uptake, engagement, and adherence to the intervention will be assessed weekly via telephone. Blood pressure, body mass index, waist-hip ratio, urinary sodium, accelerometer-measured physical activity, and 24-h diet recall will be assessed at baseline and at 10 weeks. Qualitative semi-structured interviews will be conducted at 10 weeks to explore feasibility and acceptability. DISCUSSION: This study offers a person-centred, sociocultural approach to hypertension control through adaptations to physical activity and dietary intake. This study will determine whether HYPHEN is feasible and acceptable and will inform changes to the protocol/focus that could be tested in a full trial. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: PACTR202306662753321.

Evaluation of a knowledge translation intervention for HIV and rehabilitation advocacy in physiotherapy in three sub-Saharan African countries.

PURPOSE: To evaluate a knowledge translation intervention to determine knowledge, attitudes and self-efficacy related to HIV and rehabilitation advocacy in physiotherapy students. METHODS: A pre and post-test study was conducted at three physiotherapy-training programs in Sub Saharan Africa - the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), the University of Zambia (UNZA) and Kenya Medical Technical College (KMTC). For each site, the knowledge, attitude and self-efficacy of physiotherapy students were tested pre- and post-intervention using a standardized questionnaire. RESULTS: Students' knowledge improved with regard to being able to describe the challenges faced by their patients, knowing what resources are available and understanding their role as an advocate. In terms of self-efficacy, they felt more confident clinically, as well as being a resource person to colleagues and an advocate for their patients.This study highlights the need to contextualize knowledge translation interventions to meet the unique needs of individual academic sites. Students who have clinical experience working with people living with HIV are more likely to embrace their role as advocates in the area of HIV and rehabilitation.Implications for RehabilitationThe knowledge translation process used in this study gives a concrete example of how to use research evidence on HIV knowledge in rehabilitation applied within the advocacy process.Applying the principles of advocacy translates to understanding the management of HIV practically.Clinical experience in managing people living with HIV strengthens knowledge and improves the attitude of physiotherapy studentsPhysiotherapy students need guidance in realizing their potential as advocates for holistic rehabilitation care for people living with HIV.

Factors Informing the Development of a Clinical Pathway and Patients' Quality of Life after a Non-Union Fracture of the Lower Limb.

Patients with non-union fractures spend extended periods of time in the hospital following poor healing. Patients have to make several follow-up visits for medical and rehabilitation purposes. However, the clinical pathways and quality of life of these patients are unknown. This prospective study aimed to identify the clinical pathways (CPs) of 22 patients with lower-limb non-union fractures whilst determining their quality of life. Data were collected from hospital records from admission to discharge, utilizing a CP questionnaire. We used the same questionnaire to track patients' follow-up frequency, involvement in activities of daily living, and final outcomes at six months. We used the Short Form-36 questionnaire to assess patients' initial quality of life. The Kruskal-Wallis test compared the quality of life domains across different fracture sites. We examined CPs using medians and inter-quantile ranges. During the six-month follow-up period, 12 patients with lower-limb non-union fractures were readmitted. All of the patients had impairments, limited activity, and participation restrictions. Lower-limb fractures can have a substantial impact on emotional and physical health, and lower-limb non-union fractures may have an even greater effect on the emotional and physical health of patients, necessitating a more holistic approach to patient care.

'Response of a South African university physiotherapy curriculum to contemporary national health needs and decolonialization priorities: rationale, content and lessons learnt'.

BACKGROUND: The undergraduate physiotherapy program at the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa, aims to respond to global and national health needs across levels of care, with a focus on primary care. Ideally, contemporary health professionals' education focuses on a holistic approach that extends beyond addressing a patient's medical diagnosis. In South Africa, however, this approach also needs to address the country's colonial past by emphasizing decolonialization and social justice. Within this context, novel competencies are required to serve South Africans consistent with comprehensive health and disability frameworks based on the biopsychosocial approach such as the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health. AIM: As physiotherapy educators at the University of the Witwatersrand, we describe the rationale for the current public health and community physiotherapy curriculum in the context of decolonialization and social justice and provide an overview of the curriculum. METHOD: Narrative approach. CONCLUSION: Our curriculum is an example of a response to the 21st-century health needs of the South African population and the specific global and universal policies, philosophies, and principles that influence healthcare professionals and their service delivery. This curriculum prepares physiotherapy students to practice holistically, be responsive to health needs and contribute to decolonialization initiatives. Other programs may benefit from our experience.