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An investigation into the association between breast size, muscle sensitivity and upper back pain in pre-menopausal women in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
(2024-11-12) Lloyd, Jasmine; Abdul- Rasheed, Ashura; Prince, Cleo
Background: Previous studies have examined the relationship of breast size on the upper back pain and posture however, the majority of these studies focused on postural alternations and post-menopausal women alone, leaving limited literature regarding the effect of breast size on the upper back musculature. The muscular sensitivity of the upper back region in relation to breast size has been surveyed in Australia not in South Africa it requires further investigation. The difference in cultural and ethnicity differences among Australians and South Africans negate the direct extrapolation of findings. Understanding the effect of breast size on the upper back pain and its surrounding musculature provides more insight into how healthcare practitioners consider treatment of women presenting with upper back pain to improve the treatment outcomes and patient satisfaction. Aim: The aim of this study has been to determine if there is an association between breast size, muscle sensitivity and self-reported upper back pain in pre-menopausal women in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. Methodology: This was a quantitative, case-controlled, observational study design. A pressure algometer was used to measure the pain pressure threshold of 12 anatomical sites. A sample of 52 participants were recruited and divided into one of two groups: one with upper back pain and one without upper back pain. Within the groups, comparisons were made using the test. A two-sided p-value of <0.05 as alpha was considered as statically two-sample t-significant. Results: Breast size has an effect of the muscle sensitivity of the upper back anatomical sites. After self-reporting of pain, breast size A and B was most commonly found in the non- pain group where breast size D or higher was found to be most in the pain group (p= 0.054) when comparing differences between the pain and non-pain groups of five anatomical locations. Using A or B cup size as the reference group, size C has 2.2 times higher odds of being in the pain group which was not statistically significant (p=0.220) and cup sizes D or higher has almost 5 times higher odds of being in the pain group (p=0.054). Conclusion: The results of this study show that, overall, an association exists between breast size,muscle sensitivity and self-reported upper back pain in pre-menopausal women. This was significantly noted as the cup size increased, muscle sensitivty increased,indicating a lower kPa value in T8,T10, levator scapulae, upper trapezius and middle trapezius. This stands in contrast to previous studies who noted that only the middle trapezius had the greatest variability between groups with different pain levels amongst post menopausal women, with no control group to compare findings. As a result, the null hypothesis was rejected.
Benevolent leadership within the context of management education : content areas for inclusion in curricula
(Russian Journal of Agricultural and Socio-Economic Sciences, 2025-12-1) Bhagwan, Dharmesh Natvarlal
Benevolent leadership has shown great promise in supporting employees wellness, whilst addressing societal and environmental ills. This study sought to explore the extent to which benevolent leadership was considered in management education and to gather data related to which specific content areas need to be included in a course on benevolent education. Through the use of professional contacts, 350 managers with benevolent leadership qualities, were invited to participate in the study, by completing a self-administered survey questionnaire. After 314 questionnaires were received, the data was analysed using a quantitative statistical analysis package (SPSS) to analyse the data. The study found a significant gap related to the inclusion of benevolent leadership in management education. It further found huge support for the development of a course that would cover benevolent leadership in education. Specifically, there was significant support for aspects such as ethical decision making, personal and organizational integrity, corporate sustainability and work and family to be included in the design of this module.
A survey on benevolent leadership and its influence on organisational performance in the South African context
(iVolga Press, 2023-10-31) Bhagwan, Dharmesh Natvarlal
Corporate scandals, the deepening global financial and environmental crisis as well as other societal ills have compelled leaders to rethink leadership styles. Recently benevolent leadership has emerged as a contemporary leadership style with promise to advance business ethics, corporate social responsibility, positive organizational building and workplace spirituality. Guided by quantitative research methodology, with a cross-sectional survey research design, 314 leaders were recruited across South Africa, to investigate the characteristics of benevolent leaders and how their leadership style influenced organizational performance. The study found a high level of benevolent leadership qualities and characteristics, amongst the sample, which consequently influenced their organizational performance in the areas of employee morale, productivity and corporate social responsibility.
Quality education for what, how, who, and why in the Fourth Industrial Revolution?
(University of Johannesburg Press, 2024-8-31) Kehdinga, George Fomunyam; Khoza, Simon Bheki; Kehdinga, George Fomunyam
Engineering education and the strive for quality at a South African university
(2024-10-25) Kehdinga, George Fomunyam
Since 1997, South Africa's Department of Higher Education and the Council on Higher Education have collaborated to enhance the quality of higher education. While some commend these efforts, believing that educational standards have progressively improved, others argue that institutions are still falling short in delivering quality education. This study investigates the engineering program to assess the quality of education students receive. Employing a qualitative case study approach, data was collected through open-ended questionnaires and subsequently coded into three themes: decolonised education, responsive education, and employability. The findings revealed that 30.70% of participants perceived their education as high quality, whereas 69.30% felt it was lacking. Participants cited innovation, throughput rates, employable skills, and responsiveness as indicators of quality or its absence. In response to suggestions for improving education quality, three additional themes emerged: decolonisation, marketability, and contextual responsiveness. This research follows a 2017 study aimed at evaluating improvements in educational quality. The study concludes that the Engineering Council of South Africa and educational institutions must review their programs to ensure they develop the skills necessary for the evolving workplace, particularly in light of the transformative changes brought about by the Fourth Industrial Revolution.