T. Puckree

Durban University of Technology

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i-10 index

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Co-Authors

Johnson Lin

Nutrasource

Victoria Mukami

University of Embu

Richard Millham

Durban University of Technology

Pooveshni Naidoo

University of KwaZulu-Natal

Therona Naidoo

University of KwaZulu-Natal

J. Ras

Durban University of Technology

Prabashni Pillay

University of KwaZulu-Natal

P. Jayaraman

Northwestern University

P. Alakram

University of KwaZulu-Natal

Thayananthee Nadasan

University of KwaZulu-Natal

Cooperative Institutions

University of KwaZulu-Natal

Durban University of Technology

University of Zululand

King Edward VIII Hospital

University at Buffalo, State University of New York

University of the Witwatersrand

University of Cape Town

University of Macau

Groote Schuur Hospital

Cairo University

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Research Field

Incidence and profile of spinal tuberculosis in patients at the only public hospital admitting such patients in KwaZulu-Natal

Spinal Cord (2008)

L. Godlwana P. Gounden P Ngubo T Nsibande K Nyawo

Paraplegia

Medical record

10.1038/sj.sc.3102150

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Citations (48)

Effects of electrical stimulation in early Bells palsy on facial disability index scores

South African Journal of Physiotherapy (2011)

P. Alakram T. Puckree

Recovery following facial nerve palsy is variable. Physiotherapists try to restore function in patients with Bell’s palsy. The choice of treatment modality depends on the stage of the condition. Although limited evidence exists for the use of electrical stimulation in the acute stage of Bell’s palsy, some physiotherapists in South Africa have been applying this modality. This study examined the effects of electrical stimulation on functional recovery from Bell’s palsy using the Facial Disability Index, a tool that documents recovery from the patients’ perspective. A two group pre-test post-test experimental design comprising of 16 patients with Bell’s Palsy of less than 30 days duration was utilized. Patients with a clinical diagnosis of Bell’s Palsy were systematically allocated to the control and experimental groups. Patients (n=16) were pre-tested and post-tested using the Facial Disability Index. Both groups were treated with heat, massage, exercises and given a home program. The experimental group also received electrical stimulation. The FDI of the control group improved between 17, 8% and 95, 4% with a mean of 52, 8%. The improvement in the experimental group ranged between 14, 8% and 126% with a mean of 49, 8%. Certain clinical residuals persisted in a mild form in both groups on discharge from the study. The effects of electrical stimulation as used in this study during the acute phase of Bell’s palsy, quantified as the FDI was clinically but not statistically significant. A larger sample size, longer stimulation time or both should be investigated.

Bell Palsy

Facial paralysis

10.4102/sajp.v67i2.44

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Citations (11)

The effects of a 12-week program of static upper extremity weight bearing exercises on weight bearing in children with hemiplegic type of cerebral palsy

South African Journal of Physiotherapy (2010)

P. Jayaraman T. Puckree

The major objective of this study was to quantify the effects of a 12-week program of weight bearing exercises on weight borne through the hand and grip pressures in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy. This study also sought to monitor the change in spasticity immediately following weight-bearing exercises. A quasi-experimental, one group pre-test, post-test study was used. Eleven children with hemiplegic type of cerebral palsy from a special school in KwaZulu Natal participated after fully informed written consent. The intervention consisted of a 12-week program of weight bearing. The Tekscan Grip system was used to quantify weight borne through the hand during extended arm prone and quadruped positions and whilst holding a pencil and a tumbler. The modified Ashworth grading of spasticity was used to monitor spasticity. The data was analysed using the random effects GLS model Wald Chi Square test. Significant increases in contact pressure in extended arms prone (p=0,012) and quadruped (p=0,002) and when holding a pencil (p=0,045) was noted post-test compared to pre-test. Significant increases in contact area of the hand was also noted in prone (p=0,000), quadruped (p=0, 03 at assessment 7) and when holding a pencil (p=0,035). A significant decrease in spasticity during elbow extension (p=0,004), and wrist flexion (p=0,026) and extension (p=0,004) was noted. An overall significant effect of static weight bearing exercises on weight borne through the hands, grip strength and spasticity justifies the use of static weight-bearing in therapy.

Modified Ashworth scale

Weight-bearing

10.4102/sajp.v66i2.64

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Underweight and overweight in primary school children in eThekwini district in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine (2011)

T. Puckree Pooveshni Naidoo Prabashni Pillay Therona Naidoo

Background: The prevalence of overweight and obesity in children has been increasing worldwide. South Africa has minimal data on childhood body weight.Objectives: This study determined whether school children in the eThekwini district in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, were underweight or overweight.Method: A survey with quantitative and qualitative components was conducted amongst 120 participants between 10 years and 12 years of age. The participants were randomly selected from six public schools in an urban district of the province. A calibrated Goldline bathroom scale was used to measure body weight and a KDS Freo non-elastic measuring tape was used to measure height. A questionnaire consisting of open and close-ended questions collected demographic and lifestyle information. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated from height and weight data. Proportions of obese, overweight and underweight children were calculated and subjected to chi-square tests at the p ≤ 0.05 significance level. All qualitative information was summarised.Results: According to World Health Organization criteria, 66% of the children were underweight, 28% were of normal weight and 5% were overweight. The proportion of underweight children increased with age (64% of children aged between 10 years and 11 years vs 70% for 12-year-olds). Of the underweight children, 41% were female and 51% were Indian.Only one child was obese. BMI was related to dietary patterns and activity levels during and outside school hours.Conclusion: A significant number of primary school children from the six selected public schools in the eThekwini district were underweight. More effort is required to improve the nutritional status of school children in the eThekwini district.

Underweight

10.4102/phcfm.v3i1.203

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Citations (19)

Volleyball injuries in KwaZulu-Natal - epidemiology

South African Journal of Sports Medicine (2003)

T. Puckree Y Nathalal Jianbo Lin

SA Sports Medicine Vol.15(3) 2003: 26-28

10.17159/2078-516x/2003/v15i3a225

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Citations (1)

Physiotherapists and human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome: knowledge and prevention: a study in Durban, South Africa

International Journal of Rehabilitation Research (2002)

T. Puckree R. KASIRAM Manikum Moodley R. M. SINGH Johnson Lin

This study determined what physiotherapists in Durban, South Africa know about human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), their attitudes towards patients and how they cope as individuals. Data were collected using a validated questionnaire. One-hundred-and-fourteen physiotherapists in Durban hospitals participated in the study. Seventy-two per cent of the questionnaires met the criteria for analysis. Ninety per cent of the participants believed that they knew about HIV/AIDS, but only 78% could identify all viral transmission modes. Of the 38 physiotherapists who believed that they knew the stages of an HIV infection, only 11% actually knew the stages, 28% could not explain them and 61% were vaguely aware. Fifty-six per cent of the respondents had treated patients who had died from HIV/AIDS. Only 38% of physiotherapists were completely at ease when treating HIV/AIDS patients despite the fact that 98% believed that physiotherapy was an integral component of the management of an AIDS patient. Fifty-one per cent of the respondents were unaware of support structures provided by their employers. The authors conclude that the perceptions of physiotherapists about their knowledge about HIV/AIDS do not stand up to scrutiny. Significantly more attention should be paid to the development, implementation and evaluation of the effectiveness of educational programmes on HIV/AIDS for physiotherapists in the workplace.

Scrutiny

10.1097/00004356-200209000-00009

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Citations (16)

Cultural attitudes to the aged: An Indian perspective

South African Journal of Physiotherapy (1999)

P. Gounden T. Puckree

Institutionalization of elderly Indians seems to have been increasing with the aging of the twentieth century. This paper looks at Indian thought and cultural practice with regard to the elderly in time perspective. Historically, although the main prescription to cultural practice and respect for the elderly came from the various Indian Scriptures, this was coloured by the specific needs of each society which changed when these societies were nomadic, settled farmers or were actively engaged in war. Later other factors like industrialization resulted in a breakdown of the extended family in which the father no matter how old or productive was the authority figure who demanded respect. This trend was also seen in published literature about the attitude of other nationalities towards their elderly. Health professionals have been grappling with the role of health care workers in achieving successful patients outcomes based on attitudes towards the elderly. More work needs to be done on this subject in this country.

Industrialisation

Institutionalisation

10.4102/sajp.v55i3.565

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Citations (0)

Implementing essential steps to manage obstetric emergencies in South Africa: midwives’ perspectives

African Journal of Midwifery and Women s Health (2022)

Asha Sewnunan T. Puckree

Background/Aims South Africa, and in particular the KwaZulu Natal province, failed to meet the millennium development goal of reducing maternal mortality rates by 2015. The new sustainable development goals provide another opportunity to achieve a maternal mortality rate of less than 70 maternal deaths per 100 000 live births by 2030. Despite implementation of the ‘essential steps in managing obstetric emergencies’ in KwaZulu Natal, the maternal mortality rate remains high. This study analysed midwives’ views of implementing the essential steps in managing obstetric emergencies guidelines in contributing to reducing the maternal mortality rate. Methods A total of 14 purposively chosen midwives trained in the essential steps in managing obstetric emergencies from all levels of hospitals and community health clinics in two of 11 randomly chosen districts in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa, participated in a qualitative, unstructured interview. The interview focused on barriers and challenges to the effective implementation of the guidelines. The data were thematically analysed and presented as themes and subthemes. Results Effective implementation of the guidelines was obstructed by a lack of resources. The lack of staff, including those able to train others in the guidelines and doctors at the hospitals, as well as there being no obstetrician at community health centres, and the shortage of advanced midwives across facilities and wards impacted implementation of the guidelines. The lack of drugs, equipment and materials, such as manikin to simulate ‘fire drill’ training across facilities, contributed to ineffective management of emergencies. The participants believed that further efforts are required through collaborative teams to enhance implementation of the guidelines to achieve the sustainable development goals target before 2030. Conclusions Implementation of the essential steps in managing obstetric emergencies to reduce maternal mortality requires immediate, significant effort on the part of the Department of Health in KwaZulu Natal.

Economic shortage

Maternal morbidity

Millennium Development Goals

Maternal mortality rate

Maternal death

10.12968/ajmw.2022.0004

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Citations (2)

THE INCIDENCE OF SHOULDER INJURIES IN COMPETITIVE SWIMMERS IN KWA/ZULU NATAL, SOUTH AFRICA

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise (2001)

Kay Thomas T. Puckree

Swimming is a very popular recreational activity as well as a highly competitive sport in South Africa. Information about the prevalence of shoulder complaints among competitive swimmers in Kwa/Zulu Natal or the country as a whole has been anecdotal. The purpose of the present study was to determine the incidence, type as well as possible causes of shoulder injuries in competitive Kwa/Zulu Natal swimmers. To achieve the purpose, a questionnaire was developed and validated through a pilot study. Seventy-eight elite swimmers who met the inclusion criteria completed the questionnaire. The data was analyzed using factor analysis. The results show that 67% of the participating swimmers has symptoms of swimmers' shoulder with no significant gender difference. Injuries was significantly more common in the 15–16 year group {23% } and were related to sprint {71% } rather than distance swimming {23% }. Training methods, which contributed to and/or exacerbated the shoulder injuries including resistance training {77% } and lack of a stretching regime {52% }. Seventy-seven percent of the swimmers who used paddles sustained shoulder injuries. A significant number of the freestyle swimmers {72% } complained of shoulder injuries. Swimmers' shoulder was due to chronic irritation and repeated overhead action of the arm, which majority of the swimmers required rest lasting from 2 to 3 weeks, as well as physiotherapy to promote healing of the shoulder injury. The result help us to conclude that the incidence of shoulder injuries in Kwa/Zulu Natal professional swimmers is significantly high. The causes and types of injuries were also determined.

Zulu

10.1097/00005768-200105001-00035

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Occupational Health Southern Africa (2015)

Nkululeko Phalson Gam Subhadranalene Naidoo T. Puckree

This study sought to determine work-related stress in public sector diagnostic radiographers in a selected district in KwaZulu-Natal. Data were collected through a cross-sectional descriptive survey using self-administered questionnaires. All public sector diagnostic radiographers in one district participated in the study after ethical approval and informed consents were obtained. The public domain questionnaire was developed by the Health and Safety Executive in the United Kingdom and sought information in five standards believed to result in stress in health-care workers. The results showed that radiographers were overworked but their stress emanated from a lack of communication, demands and external controls (p<0.001). Managers created significant stress in the respondents (p<0.001). The other main sources of stress were workload (60%), faulty equipment (54%) and staff shortages (40%). We conclude that stress in diagnostic radiographers as reported by the respondents is dependent on external rather than internal loci of control.

Economic shortage

Source

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