Staff and student health and wellness at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University : current status and needs assessment

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dc.contributor.authorKoen, Neleneen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorPhilips, Laurenen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorPotgieter, Sunitaen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorSmit, Yolandeen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorVan Niekerk, Evetteen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorNel, Daan G.en_ZA
dc.contributor.authorVisser, Janickeen_ZA
dc.date.accessioned2019-10-22T09:51:03Z
dc.date.available2019-10-22T09:51:03Z
dc.date.issued2017
dc.descriptionCITATION: Koen, N. et al. 2017. Staff and student health and wellness at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University : current status and needs assessment. South African Family Practice, 1(1):1–7, doi:10.1080/20786190.2017.1396788.
dc.descriptionThe original publication is available at http://www.safpj.co.za
dc.description.abstractBackground: Emphasis is currently placed on the importance of employee and student wellness initiatives. The aim was to assess staff and student health status at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS), Stellenbosch University (SU), and to conduct a wellness needs assessment. Methods: Online, self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data concerning staff and students. Additionally, students’ anthropometric and biochemical parameters were assessed. Summary statistics, correlation coefficients and appropriate analysis of variance were used for data analyses. Results: Data were obtained from staff (survey: n = 300) and students (screening: n = 536; survey: n = 330). Some 58% (n = 174) of staff had a self-reported BMI of ≥ 25 kg/m2 whilst mean screening values for all variables fell within normal reference ranges for students. In all, 78% (n = 232) of staff reported to exercise < 150 min/week and 28% (n = 91) of students were sedentary for > 8 h/day; 63% (n = 188) of staff expressed the need to make better food choices, 17% (n = 55) of students were aware of the need to change but experienced reluctance, and both staff and students felt dietary assistance would be beneficial (43% vs. 46%). In addition, 79% of staff (n = 208) and 42% of students (n = 138) reported being under constant pressure. Conclusion: Much can be done to improve the health and well-being of both staff and students at the FMHS, SU. Wellness is a multifactorial concept; as such, health-promotional strategies for classrooms and workplaces should consider all factors in order to provide a holistic approach and potentially identify those who are at risk of a sub-optimal wellness status. (Full text of the research articles are available online at www.medpharm.tandfonline.com/ojfp) S Afr Fam Pract 2018; DOI: 10.1080/20786190.2017.1396788en_ZA
dc.description.urihttp://www.safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/4719
dc.description.versionPublisher's version
dc.format.extent7 pages ; illustrations
dc.identifier.citationKoen, N. et al. 2017. Staff and student health and wellness at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University : current status and needs assessment. South African Family Practice, 1(1):1–7, doi:10.1080/20786190.2017.1396788.
dc.identifier.issn2078-6204 (online)
dc.identifier.issn2078-6190 (print)
dc.identifier.otherdoi:10.1080/20786190.2017.1396788
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/106686
dc.language.isoen_ZAen_ZA
dc.publisherMedPharm Publications
dc.rights.holderAuthors retain copyright
dc.subjectMedical screening -- South Africaen_ZA
dc.subjectEmployee health promotion -- South Africaen_ZA
dc.subjectStudents -- Health and hygieneen_ZA
dc.subjectUniversity of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciencesen_ZA
dc.titleStaff and student health and wellness at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University : current status and needs assessmenten_ZA
dc.typeArticleen_ZA
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