Browsing by Author "Schouw, Darcelle"

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    How to transform the workplace environment to prevent and control risk factors associated with non-communicable chronic diseases
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2019-04) Schouw, Darcelle; Mash, Robert; Kolbe-Alexander, Tracy; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Dept. of Family and Emergency Medicine. Family Medicine and Primary Care.
    ENGLISH SUMMARY : The underlying causes of premature morbidity and mortality in South Africa (SA) are related to unhealthy lifestyle behaviours, which are modifiable. Chronic non-communicable diseases (cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, diabetes and cancer) are partly attributed to behavioural risk factors such as tobacco smoking, harmful alcohol use, physical inactivity and unhealthy eating, which if not controlled, results in an increase in metabolic risk factors. The workplace is highlighted as an important setting for the prevention of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The work environment directly shapes employee health, and health behaviours, and acts as an accelerator or preventer of chronic disease. Very little research in the African context has focused on how to transform the workplace environment to prevent and control the risk factors associated with NCDs. The aim of the research was to design, implement and evaluate a workplace health promotion program (WHPP) to prevent or reduce the risk factors for NCDs amongst the workforce at a commercial power plant in South Africa. The objectives were to monitor changes in NCD risk factors in the workforce, as well as monitor sick leave absenteeism and evaluate the costs and consequences of the workplace health promotion program. The abstracts for the four articles presented for the doctoral degree are provided here. Article 1 Title: Risk factors for non-communicable diseases in the workforce at a commercial power plant in South Africa. Background: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) account for more than half of annual deaths globally and nearly 40% of deaths in South Africa. The workplace can be an important setting for the prevention of NCDs. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to describe the prevalence’s of reported NCDs and previously identified risk factors for NCDs, as well as to assess risky behaviour for NCDs, and the 10-year risk for cardiovascular disease, amongst the workforce at a commercial power plant in the Western Cape province of South Africa. Methods: A total of 156 employees was randomly selected from the workforce of 1 743. Questionnaires were administrated to elicit self-reported information about NCDs, tobacco smoking, alcohol use, diet, physical activity and psychosocial stress. Biometric health screening included measurements and calculations of blood pressure, total cholesterol, random glucose, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR). The 10-year risk for cardiovascular disease was calculated using a chart-based validated non-laboratory algorithm. Results: The study participants had a mean age of 42.8 (25-64) years; 65.2% were male. A quarter (26.0%) smoked tobacco, 29.4% reported harmful or dependent alcohol use, 73.0% had inadequate fruit and vegetable intake, and 64.1% were physically inactive. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure was raised in 32.7% and 34.6% of the study participants, respectively, 62.2% had raised cholesterol, 76.9% were overweight or obese, and 27.1% had abdominal obesity. Overall, 17.4% were diagnosed with hypercholesterolaemia, 17.7% with hypertension, and 16.2% with depression. Around one third (34.1%) had a moderate-to-high 10-year cardiovascular disease risk. Conclusion: The prevalence’s of both behavioural and physical risk factors for NCDs amongst the power station study participants were high. There is a need for effective workplace interventions to reduce risk for NCDs. The workplace is ideally suited for targeted interventions. Article 2 Title: Transforming the workplace environment to prevent non-communicable chronic diseases: Participatory action research in a South African power plant. Background: The workplace is an important setting for the prevention of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Policies for transformation of the workplace environment have focused more on what to do and less on how to do it. The aim of this study was to learn how to transform the workplace environment in order to prevent and control the risk factors for NCDs amongst the workforce at a commercial power plant in Cape Town, South Africa. Methods: The study design utilized participatory action research (PAR) in the format of a cooperative inquiry group (CIG). The researcher and participants engaged in a cyclical process of planning, action, observation and reflection over a 2-year period. The group used outcome mapping to define the vision, mission, boundary partners, outcomes and strategies required. At the end of the inquiry the CIG reached a consensus on their key learning. Results: Substantial change was observed in the boundary partners: catering services (78% of progress markers achieved), sport and physical activities (75%), health and wellness services (66%), and managerial support (65%). Highlights from a 10-point consensus on key learning included the need for: authentic leadership; diverse composition and functioning of the CIG; value of outcome mapping; importance of managerial engagement in personal and organizational change; and making healthy lifestyle an easy choice. Conclusion: Transformation included a multifaceted approach and an engagement with the organization as a living system. Future studies will evaluate changes in the risk profile of the workforce as well as the costs and consequences for the organization. Article 3 Title: Changes in risk factors for non-communicable diseases associated with a Healthy Choices at Work program at a commercial power plant. Background: Globally, 71% of deaths are attributed to non-communicable diseases (NCD). The workplace is ideal for interventions aiming to prevent NCDs, however much of the current evidence is from high income countries. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in NCD risk factors associated with a Healthy Choices at Work program (HCW) at a commercial power plant in South Africa. Methods: This was a before-and-after study in a randomly selected sample of 156 employees at baseline and 2-years. The HCW focused on catering, physical activity, health and wellness services and managerial support. Participants completed questionnaires on their participation in the HCW, tobacco smoking, harmful alcohol use, fruit and vegetable intake, physical activity, psychosocial stress and history of NCDs. Clinical measures included blood pressure, total cholesterol, random blood glucose, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio. The 10-year cardiovascular risk was calculated using a validated algorithm. Data was analysed with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. Results: Paired data was obtained for 136 employees. Their mean age was 42.7 years (SD 9.7); 64% were male. The prevalence of sufficient fruit and vegetables increased from 27% to 64% (p<0.001), those meeting physical activity guidelines increased from 44% to 65% (p<0.001). Harmful alcohol use decreased from 21% to 5% (p=0.001). There were significant improvements in systolic and diastolic blood pressure (mean difference -10.2mmHg (95%CI: -7.3 to -13.2); and -3.9mmHg (95%CI: -1.8 to -5.8); p<0.001) and total cholesterol (mean difference -0.45mmol/l (-0.3 to -0.6)). There were no significant improvements in BMI. Psychosocial stress from relationships with colleagues, personal finances, and personal health significantly improved. There was a non-significant decrease of 4.5% in people with a high 10-year cardiovascular risk. Conclusion: The HCW was associated with significant reductions in behavioural, metabolic and psychosocial risk factors for NCDs. Article 4 Title: Cost and consequence analysis of Healthy Choices at Work (HCW) program to prevent non-communicable diseases in a commercial power plant. Abstract: The workplace is identified as an ideal setting for the implementation of a Healthy Choices at Work program (HCW) to prevent and control NCDs. However, given the limited resources assigned to workplace health promotion programs in LMIC, this study aimed to conduct a cost and consequence analysis using participatory action learning to improve the NCD risk profiles at low cost. Methods: Incremental costs were obtained from the activities of the Healthy Choices at Work program at the commercial power plant over a two-year period. A total of 156 employees participated in the intervention but the affect was experienced by all employees. An annual health risk assessment at baseline and follow up was included in the consequence of the study. Results: The total incremental costs over the two-year period accumulated to $3745 for 1743 employees. The cost per employee on an annual basis was $1 resulting in -10.2mmHg in systolic blood pressure, -3.87mmHg in diastolic blood pressure, -0.45mmol/l in total cholesterol, significant improvements (p=0.001) for harmful alcohol use, fruit and vegetable intake and physical inactivity. There was no improvement in correlation between sickness absenteeism and risk factors for non-communicable diseases. Conclusion: The cost to implement the multicomponent HCW programs was considerably low as was the significant consequences in transforming the workplace environment. Findings of this study will be useful for small, medium and large (SML) organisations, the national department of health, and similar settings in LMIC. Conclusion: The high prevalence of behavioral and metabolic risk factors for NCDs amongst participants at the power station resulted in the design of an effective WHPP to reduce risks. A Healthy Choice at Work program (HCW) included a multifaceted approach and was associated with significant reductions in risk factors for NCDs. The cost to implement the HCW program was low with significant consequences in transforming the workplace environment, which are useful findings for small, medium and large organizations.
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    Transforming the workplace environment to prevent non-communicable chronic diseases : participatory action research in a South African power plant
    (Taylor & Francis Open, 2018) Schouw, Darcelle; Mash, Robert; Kolbe-Alexander, Tracy
    Background: The workplace is an important setting for the prevention of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Policies for transformation of the workplace environment for occupational health and safety in South Africa have focused more on what to do and less on how to do it. There are no guidelines and little evidence on workplace-based interventions for NCDs. Objective: The aim of this study was to learn how to transform the workplace environment in order to prevent and control cardio-metabolic risk factors for NCDs amongst the workforce at a commercial power plant in Cape Town, South Africa. Methods: The study design utilized participatory action research in the format of a cooperative inquiry group (CIG). The researcher and participants engaged in a cyclical process of planning, action, observation and reflection over a two-year period. The group used outcome mapping to define the vision, mission, boundary partners, outcomes and strategies required. At the end of the inquiry the CIG reached a consensus on their key learning. Results: Substantial change was observed in the boundary partners: catering services (78% of progress markers achieved), sport and physical activities (75%), health and wellness services (66%) and managerial support (65%). Highlights from a 10-point consensus on key learning included the need for: authentic leadership; diverse composition and functioning of the CIG; value of outcome mapping; importance of managerial engagement in personal and organizational change; and making healthy lifestyle an easy choice. Conclusion: Transformation included a multifaceted approach and an engagement with the organization as a living system. Future studies will evaluate changes in the risk profile of the workforce, as well as the costs and consequences for the organization.