Shaniff Esmail
University of Alberta
Network
Latest external collaboration on country level. Dive into details by clicking on the dots.
Publication
Featured researches published by Shaniff Esmail.
Disability and Rehabilitation | 2010
Shaniff Esmail; Kim Darry; Ashlea Walter; Heidi Knupp
Purpose. To describe current societal perceptions and attitudes towards sexuality and disability and how social stigma differs between individuals living with visible and invisible disabilities. Method. A qualitative approach was used to explore attitudes and perceptions towards sexuality and disability. Focus groups were conducted with the following groups: service providers, people with visible disabilities, people with invisible disabilities and the general public. The focus group participants viewed ‘Sexability’ a documentary film on sexuality and disability to stimulate discussion midway through the session. Results. Findings suggest that individuals with disabilities are commonly viewed as asexual due to a predominant heteronormative idea of sex and what is considered natural. A lack of information and education on sexuality and disability was felt to be a major contributing factors towards the stigma attached to disability and sexuality. Conclusions. Stigma can lead individuals to internalise concepts of asexuality and may negatively impact confidence, desire and ability to find a partner while distorting ones overall sexual self-concept. Societal attitudes and perceptions are driven by education and knowledge, if there is no exposure to sexuality and disability, it follows suit that society would have a narrow understanding of these issues. Further research should focus on how best to educate and inform all members of society.
Sexuality and Disability | 2001
Shaniff Esmail; Yashmina Esmail; Brenda Munro
Disability affects both the individual and his/her partner and, if health care professionals are to work with clients in a holistic manner, they will need to include the partner. A comprehensive review of the literature was completed to examine the impact of disability on sexuality as it relates to couple relationships and to explore strategies health care providers can utilize to help couples deal with these issues. The literature describes some common intervention strategies that have been shown to be effective in helping couples affected by disability or illness address the issue of sexuality. Specific concerns and difficulties faced by couples are also identified. Finally, the various intervention strategies will be incorporated into a framework known as the P-LI-SS-IT model. With this framework, health care providers will be able to determine the clients needs, as well as assess their own level of comfort and expertise in dealing with this very important task.
Sex Education | 2009
James J. Ponzetti; Jan Selman; Brenda Munro; Shaniff Esmail; Gerald R. Adams
Public concern about adolescent sexuality has garnered considerable interest in recent decades. Most teenagers are either thinking about or acting on their sexual impulses. Yet notable controversy exists regarding sexual education among youth. Adolescents report sexuality education must speak to issues of interest to them and be delivered in a compelling manner. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of theatre as an effective means of education. Six hundred and twenty‐seven Canadian Grade Nine students completed a questionnaire before and after a theatre production as part of sexuality education in their schools. The limited statistically significant findings were unexpected. However, students revealed positive comments in interviews. The nature of theatre, the personal content of the play, and the science‐based methods of evaluation are suggested as reasons for this contradiction. Future research on theatre in school‐based sexuality education must incorporate qualitative research methods if different approaches to evaluation research in fine arts (such as drama) and social science are to be resolved.
Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation | 2018
Joanne Park; Shaniff Esmail; Fahreen Rayani; Colleen M. Norris; Douglas P. Gross
Purpose Although functional restoration programs appear effective in assisting injured workers to return-to-work (RTW) after a work related musculoskeletal (MSK) disorder, the addition of Motivational Interviewing (MI) to these programs may result in higher RTW. Methods We conducted a cluster randomized controlled trial with claimants attending an occupational rehabilitation facility from November 17, 2014 to June 30, 2015. Six clinicians provided MI in addition to the standard functional restoration program and formed an intervention group. Six clinicians continued to provide the standard functional restoration program based on graded activity, therapeutic exercise, and workplace accommodations. Independent t tests and chi square analysis were used to compare groups. Multivariable logistic regression was used to obtain the odds ratio of claimants’ confirmed RTW status at time of program discharge. Results 728 workers’ compensation claimants with MSK disorders were entered into 1 of 12 therapist clusters (MI group = 367, control group = 361). Claimants were predominantly employed (72.7%), males (63.2%), with moderate levels of pain and disability (mean pain VAS = 5.0/10 and mean Pain Disability Index = 48/70). Claimants were stratified based on job attachment status. The proportion of successful RTW at program discharge was 12.1% higher for unemployed workers in the intervention group (intervention group 21.6 vs. 9.5% in control, p = 0.03) and 3.0% higher for job attached workers compared to the control group (intervention group 97.1 vs. 94.1% in control, p = 0.10). Adherence to MI was mixed, but RTW was significantly higher among MI-adherent clinicians. The odds ratio for unemployed claimants was 2.64 (0.69–10.14) and 2.50 (0.68–9.14) for employed claimants after adjusting for age, sex, pain intensity, perceived disability, and therapist cluster. Conclusion MI in addition to routine functional restoration is more effective than routine functional restoration program alone in improving RTW among workers with disabling MSK disorders.
Health Education | 2010
Yolan Parrott; Shaniff Esmail
Purpose – This paper aims to investigate the unique issues childhood burn survivors experience in relation to sex education and sexual development.Design/methodology/approach – Using a phenomenological approach, participants described their lived experiences with regards to sex education and the sexuality issues they encountered as child burn survivors. One‐to‐one semi‐structured interviews and a focus group were used to gather data, which were analyzed using a constant comparison method.Findings – Results provide educators with better insight into the experiences of burn survivors as well as strategies for approaching sex education. Findings centered around five areas: exposure, sex education content, timing of sex education, characteristics of the educator and most appropriate methods of delivery.Research limitations/implications – Sexuality is a value‐laden topic that has the potential to increase apprehension and decrease willingness to discuss. As a result, the sample may not be wholly representative...
Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation | 2018
Joanne Park; Mary Roduta Roberts; Shaniff Esmail; Fahreen Rayani; Colleen M. Norris; Douglas P. Gross
Purpose To examine construct and concurrent validity of the Readiness for Return-To-Work (RRTW) Scale with injured workers participating in an outpatient occupational rehabilitation program. Methods Lost-time claimants (n = 389) with sub-acute or chronic musculoskeletal disorders completed the RRTW Scale on their first day of their occupational rehabilitation program. Statistical analysis included exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses of the readiness items, reliability analyses, and correlation with related scales and questionnaires. Results For claimants in the non-job attached/not working group (n = 165), three factors were found (1) Contemplation (2) Prepared for Action-Self-evaluative and (3) Prepared for Action-Behavioural. The precontemplation stage was not identified within this sample of injured workers. For claimants who were job attached/working group in some capacity (n = 224), two factors were identified (1) Uncertain Maintenance and (2) Proactive Maintenance. Expected relationships and statistically significant differences were found among the identified Return-To-Work (RTW) readiness factors and related constructs of pain, physical and mental health and RTW expectations. Conclusion Construct and concurrent validity of the RRTW Scale were supported in this study. The results of this study indicate the construct of readiness for RTW can vary by disability duration and occupational category. Physical health appears to be a significant barrier to RRTW for the job attached/working group while mental health significantly compromises RRTW with the non-job attached/not working group.
Occupational Therapy International | 2009
Heidi Knupp; Shaniff Esmail; Sharon Warren
The purpose of this study was to describe the proportion of occupational therapists currently using complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), or providing referrals to CAM practitioners, as well as the purposes of use/referral in one Canadian region. A questionnaire survey on CAM was sent through e-mail and post to 1123 Canadian occupational therapists. Content, construct and face validity, as well as response, desirability/social, and instrument bias were considered and controlled through study design. A response rate of 17.1% was achieved. Overall, 31.2% of respondents have used at least one form of CAM, with 5.5% using > 1 form of CAM. Purposes for use focused on the treatment of symptoms. Reasons preventing CAMs use included lack of training (82.4%), interest (23%) and/or supporting evidence (22.3%). Considerations of incorporating CAM into occupational therapy focused on a client-centred and holistic approach to treatment (43-63.3%), ranking above legal/employer-related aspects (43-43.6%). Elaborations of negative responses indicated that further supporting evidence on forms of CAM and related research may result in changes of opinion. Therefore, further research on the use of CAM is needed, allowing for evidence-based decisions to be made.
Sexuality and Disability | 2007
Shaniff Esmail; Brenda Munro; Nancy Gibson
European Journal of Applied Physiology | 2001
Yagesh Bhambhani; R. Maikala; Shaniff Esmail
American Journal of Occupational Therapy | 1994
Yagesh Bhambhani; Shaniff Esmail; Sharon Brintnell