Profession In South Africa Research Articles

Tobacco use and readiness to treat tobacco users among primary healthcare professionals in Soweto.

Despite its hampering influence on the willingness of healthcare professionals (HCPs) to implement tobacco cessation treatments, the tobacco use status of these professionals remains understudied in South Africa. This cross-sectional study, which sampled 444 HCPs, was conducted in five community health centres in Soweto. A self-administered questionnaire collected information on socio-demography, tobacco use, quit attempts and readiness to implement tobacco cessation treatments for their patients. The mean age was 41 years. Most were female, 80% (n= 355); single, 54.1% (n= 240) and black professionals, 91.6% (n= 405). About 22% (n= 96) were ever-users of tobacco, 12.6% (n= 56) current users and 9% (n= 40) ex-users. About 56.6% (n= 30) of current users had contemplated quitting in the past year. Approximately 68% (n= 300) and 82.2% (n= 365) of respondents were ready and willing to implement tobacco cessation treatments, respectively. Only 32% (n= 143) of respondents had received any training on tobacco use and cessation treatments. There was no significant association between tobacco use and readiness to implement cessation treatments (p= 0.50). Tobacco use is prevalent among HCPs and does not influence the implementation of cessation treatments in South African primary health care. Although most reported readiness and willingness to quit tobacco use, more training is required in both formal education and continued professional development.Contribution:This study demonstrates the alarming rate of tobacco product use among primary health care professionals in South Africa. While there is a strong willingness to implement tobacco cessation treatments for their patients, most healthcare professionals still require training to enhance their self-efficacy.

Investigating the Experiences of Cultural Code-Switching Among Black Middle-Class Professionals in South Africa

This research investigates the experiences of cultural code-switching among Black middle-class professionals in post-apartheid South Africa. By virtue of the unjust and inhumane laws imposed during South Africa’s discriminatory apartheid regime, salient dominant and minority cultures have prevailed in the post-apartheid era. The discrimination against and hegemony over previously oppressed cultures have engendered layers of trauma and unhealed scars in contemporary South African society. Using in-depth interviews with a sample of professionals, the research shows how the dominant Western culture has shaped the perceived hierarchy of professionalism in the South African workplace and an unconscious demand has been placed on Black individuals to adapt their cultural beliefs, values, and norms. This study is the first to clearly identify a taxonomy of specific codes like lifestyle and appearance, and critically examine the psychological states and experienced emotions that influence code-switching among Black middle-class professionals. The qualitative findings were used to create a framework that includes the relationship between formative influences, internal and external pressures, and coping strategies. The study supports a core argument that South African Black middle-class professionals have presented as a quintessential example demonstrating the concept of cultural code-switching, although there was also strong evidence of change as the country has evolved, which has allowed for greater cultural authenticity.

Innovating Built Environment Education to Achieve SDG 4: Key Drivers for Integrating Augmented Reality Technologies

Augmented Reality Technologies (ARTs) are increasingly pivotal in transforming various industries, with notable implications for the built environment sector. This article delves into the drivers of ART adoption for education and training within the built environment, focusing on its role in enhancing educational delivery and operational efficiency. Utilising a structured survey distributed among professionals in South Africa’s built environment, this study employs descriptive and inferential statistics to analyse the data, identifying key trends and correlations. Our results demonstrated that ART significantly enhances task accuracy, fosters better collaboration and mitigates misinformation, thereby improving training and education outcomes. Professionals particularly highlight ART’s capacity to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical site experience, underscoring its value in preparatory education and on-site training. Furthermore, the analysis revealed that the integration of ART into educational curricula and professional practices not only augments learning experiences but also propels safety and quality in construction projects. Given these findings, this study strongly recommends that stakeholders in the construction and educational sectors in South Africa prioritise the adoption of ART to fully leverage its benefits for innovation and competitive advantage in the built environment.

Intention to quit among Generation Y information technology professionals in South Africa

Intention to quit among Generation Y information technology professionals in South Africa

Examining challenges in adopting safety leading indicators for construction projects in South Africa

PurposeThe construction industry has been observed to be one of the most dangerous sectors in which to work; thus, it has struggled to attract new employees and suffered from skill shortages. Another characteristic is adopting a reactive approach to preventing accidents instead of a proactive approach that implements safety-leading indicators. In contributing to achieving a safer construction industry, this study investigated the barriers to achieving a proactive approach to safety in the construction industry.MethodThe study adopted a quantitative approach. Data was collected by randomly administering a well-structured questionnaire to industry professionals in South Africa. One hundred and two questionnaires were collected and used as the basis for data analysis and interpretation by the study.ResultThe analysis of the collected data identified nineteen significant barriers which were clustered into two based on an exploratory factor analysis. The top three ranked significant barriers are Lack of Top management’s commitment to safety, Lack of leadership training and Prioritising productivity over employee safety. The two clusters formed from the nineteen barriers through factor analysis are top management approaches to safety and Safety culture through employee-centric training and accountability.OriginalityConsidering the accident data from South Africa, and the inherent benefits of implementing SLI to overcome this, this study provides critical insights for industry stakeholders and policymakers. It fills a gap that has not been filled in the developing country context before now.

Across the professional lifespan: comparing the workforce trends of early career and established counselling psychologists in South Africa

ABSTRACT Counselling Psychologists (CPs) constitute a considerable proportion of psychologists in South Africa (SA), yet empirical knowledge on this workforce remains limited. Furthermore, changes within this workforce overtime have not been thoroughly examined. This study compares early career (<10 years) and established (>10 years) CPs relating to demographic characteristics, work settings, professional roles and activities, career satisfaction, and perspectives on efforts to demarcate the practice of CPs in SA. A total of 512 survey responses were analysed, with 39% representing early career CPs and 61% representing established CPs. Findings reveal significant differences between early career and established CPs across several domains, including age, race, geographic location, highest professional degree, languages spoken; current job-seeking status; satisfaction with income, employment opportunities, work-life balance and primary work settings; likelihood of emigration; and supervision frequency and format. Overall, the results suggest movement towards transformation within the CP profession in SA. Nevertheless, systemic issues continue to hinder the optimal utilisation and equitable distribution of CPs within the country. Advocacy and ongoing workforce analysis is thus essential to support, retain, and effectively utilise CPs as a valuable resource, especially in light of the ongoing debates surrounding the implementation of the National Health Insurance (NHI) system in SA.

Evaluation of ImpENSA technology‐enabled behaviour change module delivered to healthcare professionals in South Africa to improve micronutrient nutrition during the first 1000 days

AbstractHealthcare professionals (HCPs) have vital roles in providing evidence‐based care to promote healthy micronutrient nutrition in early life. Providing such care requires scalable training to strengthen knowledge and confident application of effective behaviour change skills. Among 33 public and private HCPs (primarily dietitians) in South Africa, we evaluated the behaviour change aspects of a technology‐enabled National Qualification Sub‐Framework level 6 programme, Improving Early Nutrition and Health in South Africa (‘ImpENSA’). This programme comprises two self‐directed micronutrient and behaviour change knowledge‐based eLearning and one facilitated online practical skills modules to improve maternal and infant micronutrient nutrition. Using assessments, questionnaires and interviews, we collected data at baseline, after module completion and at 3‐month follow‐up after programme completion. Questionnaire and interview data showed major improvements in understanding of and attitudes towards person‐centred behaviour change support immediately following the eLearning module on behaviour change. The assessment pass rate increased from 38% at baseline to 88% postmodule, demonstrating significant knowledge gain in behaviour change support. Intention to change practice towards a person‐centred approach was high and many had already started implementing changes. Three months postprogramme, support was centred around patients' needs. Open relationships with patients, improved patient outcomes and increased job satisfaction were among reported outcomes. Many reported becoming better change facilitators and reflective practitioners. Additional improvements in understanding and attitudes to behaviour change support were evident, reinforced by making changes and experiencing positive outcomes. The findings suggest that technology‐enabled learning can equip HCPs with knowledge and skills to effectively support behaviour change for healthy micronutrient nutrition during pregnancy and infancy.

Genetic counseling in South Africa: A growing profession

The Genetic Counseling profession in South Africa (SA) was established 35 years ago when the first degree program was initiated at the University of the Witwatersrand in 1989. A second program was developed at the University of Cape Town in 2004. This article aims to describe the development of the profession in SA, with a focus on the last decade. The profession has been growing against the backdrop of a diverse population of 62 million with high rates of HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis and a poorly functioning health care system. SA was one of the first countries to regulate the profession when the Health Professions Council recognized genetic counselors (GCs) as health care professionals in 1992. Since 2017, the student body (now including some internationals) is becoming more representative of the local population and SA graduates are assisting in establishing counseling and training programs in Ghana and Oman. The professional group (GC-SA), formed in 2008, now represents the profession locally and internationally. Challenges remain, although training programs are established, and registration and billing in place. State employment opportunities are few and graduates have to become entrepreneurs, setting up private practice and seeking work in laboratories and research projects. With about a third (16) of qualified GCs (47) leaving the country and only 31 presently working locally, only about 10% of the genetic needs of the population can be met. Addressing these issues, as well as the lack of funding and political will, is a priority for the future.

A national survey on the peritraumatic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on South African teachers: A cross-sectional study

The effects of COVID-19 have resulted in peritraumatic stress experiences within various groups, including teachers. With this study we aimed to determine the prevalence of peritraumatic stress and the factors associated with each level of PTSD among teachers in South Africa. A cross-sectional study was conducted in South Africa among teachers using an online survey. A sample consisted of a total of 1,008 primary and secondary teachers responded to the COVID-19 peritraumatic distress index and the occupation-specific survey. Descriptive and multinomial logistic regression analyses were used to analyse the data. There was evidence of high levels of distress associated with the COVID-19 pandemic among teaching professionals in South Africa. Therefore, there is a need to create mental health awareness among teaching professionals and to create systems that support the uptake of psychological services among the members of this population.

The prospect of social medicine in South Africa

The term “médecine sociale” (social medicine in English) was first coined in 1848 during the French Revolution by Dr. Jules Guérin. It is a branch of medicine that focuses on the impact of social and economic conditions on health, disease, and the practice of medicine, with the intention of creating a healthier society. It is an interdisciplinary program between medicine and social sciences, expected to equip medicine with the knowledge and skills needed for analyzing the social causes of health and illness, akin to how the alliance between medicine and laboratory sciences provided insights into the biological, chemical, and physical bases of diseases. Social medicine is also interconnected with social determinants of health. While social determinants of health specifically target social and environmental conditions that affect health, social medicine has a broader scope, encompassing the entire social context of health, including societal structures and cultural factors. In the post-apartheid era, social medicine could play an important role in transforming the healthcare system to ensure equity and inclusivity, leading to improved health outcomes. This would require re-engineering the education of health professionals in South Africa at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, as practiced in many parts of the world. This will assist South Africa in joining the global movement of social medicine for the promotion of human rights and social justice in medicine, and a better understanding of the impact of social factors on the aetiology and management of medical disorders in the 21st century.

Perceptions of interprofessional collaborative practice in South Africa: A systematic review.

Interprofessional education (IPE) and interprofessional collaborative practice (IPCP) were developed to address the health needs of communities through collaborative practice across healthcare disciplines. The impact of IPE on IPCP and clinical service delivery in South Africa is not evident, possibly because of the lack of IPCP experiences among healthcare professionals. International literature reports facilitators and barriers of IPCP implementation, but there was a need to filter the evidence to identify literature from the South African context regarding the perceptions of healthcare workers' perceived barriers and facilitators of IPCP. South African literature. A systematic review was conducted to synthesise evidence from articles published between January 2017 and December 2021. Only qualitative studies targeting health professionals in South Africa who had been exposed to IPCP were included. Consistent with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis, a multi-database search yielded 424 articles, which were screened for relevance and appraised for quality using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) tool. A thematic synthesis of the findings was conducted by applying ethical principles. Synthesis of barriers and enablers for IPCP implementation in the South African context included key aspects of healthcare systems, management and team leadership. The integration of IPCP into clinical practice in South Africa is still limited as healthcare professionals operate in silos. Recommendations of this study include greater integration of services combined with competent management and visionary leadership, together with the incorporation of IPE into undergraduate professional training programmes.

Psychological distress among South African healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has placed immense pressure on healthcare workers (HCWs). This study sought to find the prevalence and factors associated with psychological distress among HCWs in South Africa during the beginning phases of COVID-19 and make relevant recommendations. The survey was administered online through a data-free platform. Data were benchmarked to the national population of over 500 000 healthcare professionals in South Africa. Multiple logistic regressions were used to determine association between psychological distress and potential explanatory variables. A total of 7607 healthcare professionals participated in the study (1760 nurses, 2843 medical practitioners and 3004 other healthcare professionals). Half of the nurses, 41% of medical practitioners and 47% of other healthcare professionals were classified as psychologically distressed. Those who were of older age, provided with well-being support services and having a positive outlook on the healthcare system were significantly less likely to be distressed. Being female medical practitioners and female other healthcare professions, requesting routine counselling, being concerned about not having enough leave and that their life insurance policy did not cover COVID-19 were more likely to be distressed. Psychological well-being of HCWs in South Africa is at risk. We recommend that psychological distress of HCWs be routinely assessed and that routine counselling, well-being support services, appropriate hazardous leave and insurance be provided to all HCWs.Contribution: This study adds to the literature on the psychological distress faced by HCWs in South Africa during COVID-19.

Fear of COVID-19 among oral health professionals in South Africa.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused widespread psychological morbidity, especially among frontline workers. Oral health professionals (OHPs) are at increased risk of contracting and dying from COVID-19 because pf their proximity to infected patients. The objective of this study was to measure the level of COVID-19 fear and its predictors among South African OHPs. To evaluate the severity of fear of COVID-19 among OHPs in South Africa. Online platforms. In this cross-sectional study, a Google Forms-based online survey was conducted. The fear scale of COVID-19 (FCV-19S) was used to assess the level of fear among OHPs. Statistical data analysis was performed using SPSS 28.0. The multivariate logistic regression model was developed to assess the predictors of COVID-19 fear. A total of 462 OHPs participated in this study. Approximately half of the participants, 212 (45.6%), indicated having severe fear of COVID-19. The regression model showed a significant association between COVID-19 fear and increased age, clinical experience, employment sector, professional group, positive COVID-19 test and COVID-19 vaccination. The results indicate that South African OHPs had low levels of corona phobia. Females, older and vaccinated OHPs had the greatest odds of COVID-19 fear. This study provides insights into the severity of fear and anxiety experienced by OHPs in the time of the pandemic. The findings will aid in the development of appropriate interventions and programmes to deal with similar outbreaks in the future.

Unpacking the Perceived Scarcity of Town Planners in South Africa

On the 15th of November 2022, during a question and answer session in Parliament, the President of South Africa was asked how the impact of apartheid planning was being addressed in the country. In response, he stated that the ‘country does not have good town planners and transformation is slow.’ This statement had the professional community up in arms, since many in the professional community remain unemployed. However, the statement reiterates the findings of numerous policies passed over the last 25 years,including JIPSA, LGTAS, ASGISA and NDP, which all emphasised the scarcity of professionals. In light of this, the article seeks to unpack the scarcity of town planning professionals using the definitions given by the Local Government Sector Education and Training Authority (LGSETA), as well as from a young planner’s perspective. The study utilised a purposeful sampling technique which identified town planners via LinkedIn and conducted 105 online structured interviews. The interviews confirmed the scarcity in the profession, but not in the labour force. Rather, the scarcity is created through skills gaps, vague policies, lack of professional registration, and BBEE policies. As a result, the town planning capacity in the country is fragile due to the complex environment within which it operates. The current study provides insight into the lack of town planning professionals in South Africa and suggests recommendations to reduce this dilemma.

Accounting and Finance Professionals’ Perception on The Current State of The Accountancy Profession in South Africa

Accountants, auditors, and other finance professionals have traditionally been well respected and held in high regard by the public. They are regarded as financial reporting overseers because they are responsible for ensuring that organisations follow relevant regulations and financial laws. Globally, accounting and finance professions have been tarnished by scandals involving intentional manipulation of financial information. The professional ethics of finance professionals are under scrutiny by the concerned public at large. This study is informed by the repercussions of these scandals and how they have influenced the public view of the profession. The quantitative approach was adopted, using systematic sampling. 165 accounting and finance professionals at government, corporate institutions and audit firms were considered. An anonymous online questionnaire was the instrument used for the collection of data. Majority of accountants and finance professionals agree are in consensus that they perceive themselves to have a strong knowledge of ethics. Further, also perceive their fellow accounting and finance professionals to be ethically responsible. Additionally, being a member of professional accounting body influences the ethical behaviour and professional conduct of accounting and finance professionals. Worth noting, considerable accountants and finance professionals face a substantial amount of pressure to compromise on ethics The study adds to the debate on the perception of accountants and finance professionals from their perspective. Further, ascertain the role that professional bodies play to nurture professionals be to inclined to ethical behavior so as to maintain positive perception about them and the profession.

Assessment of Fee Variability among Built Environment Professionals in South Africa: A Comparative Analysis

Project success has often been impacted by varying factors, such as conflict arising from managing stakeholders’ remuneration, especially bordering on the scale of fees. This paper delves into the intricate landscape of fee variability among built environment professionals in South Africa. By scrutinizing the most recent available data, this research sheds light on the nuanced fee structures prevalent in the industry. To conduct this investigation, a comparative analysis of fee scales across various professions in South Africa was performed. This research employed historical project cost data extracted from an extensive dataset, encompassing project values, fees, and fee percentages for diverse professions involved in projects from 2014 to 2022. This study revealed that low scale levels are associated with poor performance and lead to conditions and attitudes that pose dangers for consultants. This study provides strategies for a firm’s resilience and adaptability in the face of the dynamics associated with fees.

Determining the impact of economic indicators on water, energy and food nexus for sustainable resource security

Water, energy, and food are economic resources whose security and sustainability affect human livelihood. This paper is dedicated to exploring the influence of economic indicators on the security and sustainability of these resources within the water–energy–food (WEF) nexus. The research employed a quantitative approach, gathering data through a structured questionnaire from 282 WEF management professionals in South Africa. The collected data were subjected to statistical analyses, including mean score ranking, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and structural equation modeling (SEM) using EQS and SPSS software. The results of this study highlight the significant impact of economic indicators on the sustainable security of WEF resources. The mean ranking revealed that there is a need to understand people’s economic power for resource sustainability. The CFA and SEM analyses identify four key economic indicators that influence resource security: WEF resource pricing mechanisms, employment rates in the WEF sectors, WEF resource importation, and WEF resource exportation. In conclusion, managing economic indicators within the WEF nexus calls for strategic investment based on comparative advantage. The study provides valuable policy recommendations to support this approach.Graphical

Influence of social inclusion and institutional culture on students’ interactions in clinical settings

Background: Decolonisation of the Speech-Language and Hearing (SLH) professions in South Africa to be Afrocentric is a current focus. These professions continue to hold white Eurocentric English and/or Afrikaans knowledges and practices, which are reflective of the minority. As diversity of students in higher education increases, the obvious incongruency between the language of learning and teaching (English) and institutional culture of the programmes and students who use English as an Additional Language (EAL) becomes heightened.Objectives: The study’s aim was to explore the learning and social experiences of EAL undergraduate students in a South African SLH training programme, with a specific focus on students’ experiences in patient, clinical supervisor and peer interactions in clinical situations.Method: A total of 24 participants recruited through purposive sampling were included in this cross-sectional mixed-method online survey design study. Data from the survey were analysed through descriptive and thematic analysis approaches.Results: Findings reveal a less than positive impression of EAL students in the current SLH training programme as far as their clinical experiences were concerned. The institutional culture of the SLH programme was reported to be disadvantageous to EAL students. These findings raise important implications for SLH training programmes, the regulator and the country’s SLH professions as a whole.Conclusion: This study sheds light on the significant incongruency between the existing institutional culture and the increasing diversity of students, particularly those who use EAL, in South African SLH training programmes.Contribution: Findings not only illuminate the challenges but also offer a path forward towards a more inclusive and representative SLH profession in South Africa, aligned with the principles of decolonization and Afrocentrism.

Prevalence and correlates of alcohol use, mental disorders, and awareness and utilization of support services among healthcare professionals in West Rand District, Gauteng, South Africa: a cross-sectional study.

Healthcare professionals (workers) are at an increased risk for developing mental and alcohol use disorders (risky drinking) due to increased psychological distress, long working hours, medical litigation, role conflict, and verbal/physical violence from colleagues and patients. Psychological well-being in healthcare workers is crucial to provide the best quality of care to patients. Current data are limited regarding alcohol abuse (risky drinking) rates and mental health condition among healthcare professionals in South Africa. To describe the prevalence and correlates of alcohol use disorder (risky drinking), depression, anxiety, suicidality, and covid anxiety during the coronavirus pandemic in healthcare professionals in West Rand District, Johannesburg, South Africa. We carried out a cross-sectional study on a sample of healthcare professionals including doctors, nurses, clinical associates, and dentists working in the West Rand District of Gauteng, South Africa, during Covid-19 pandemic. Participants were invited to complete a paper-based questionnaire addressing sociodemographic questions, a set of measures for alcohol use disorder (AUDIT-C), depression (PHQ-2), anxiety (GAD-7), suicidality (PSS-3), covid anxiety (CAS), and awareness and utilization of support services. A total of 330 healthcare professionals (60.9% nurses, 33% doctors, 5.5% other) participated. Females comprised the majority of study participants with 78.8%, and 48.2% of the participants were in the age band 35-64 years. Overall, 20.9% of the healthcare professionals reported risky alcohol use. Females were 73% less likely to report risky alcohol use (AOR = 0.27;95% CI: 0.13-0.54). Prevalence of probable depression was 13.6% and female professionals were 5 times more likely to be classified as having probable depression (AOR = 4.86;95% CI: 1.08-21.90). The grouped prevalence of anxiety ranging from mild to severe was reported at 47.3%, female professionals were 3 times more likely to be classified as having anxiety disorder (AOR = 2.78;95% CI: 1.39-5.57). Furthermore, races other than African had higher rates of anxiety (AOR = 2.54; 95% CI: 1.00-6.42). The prevalence of suicide symptoms was 7.9% and that of covid dysfunctional anxiety 4.8%. Only 5% of participants were involved in an employee wellness program, with 60% expressing interest in joining one. Alcohol use (risky drinking) and mental disorders were common among healthcare professionals in West Rand District, Johannesburg, South Africa. There is overall poor awareness and use of support structures highlighting urgent need for interventions. Future studies could also explore in-depth the drivers of mental disorders and lack of utilization of the available service and strategies to deliver alcohol and mental disorder screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment.

Exploring Flood Response Challenges, Training Needs, and the Impact of Online Flood Training for Lifeguards and Water Safety Professionals in South Africa.

Flooding is a significant cause of human and economic loss in the African region, including in South Africa. Flood mitigation and response in South Africa is challenging due to a range of environmental, infrastructure, and policy constraints. Lifeguards represent a potential additional workforce to bolster flood mitigation and response. This study aimed to explore the feasibility and acceptability of online flood safety training for water safety professionals in South Africa, as well as assess the current flood response capacity and future needs of this group. Online surveys were completed by a convenience sample of South African water safety professionals (including lifeguards) pre-and post a series of four online flood training workshops. Free text responses were thematically coded and flood knowledge was compared between the pre-and post-workshop survey respondents. Sixty-eight responses were analysed (64.7% pre-workshop phase; 63.2% male, 29.4% aged 50-59 years). A range of challenges in flood mitigation and response were identified including equipment, training, and a lack of government support. However, positives were also identified including respondents' willingness to assist in flood emergencies and good cooperation with neighbouring countries and across the region. Opportunities for better cross-municipal and government communication were discussed. In times of crisis, or in resource poor settings, water safety professionals can bolster traditional flood mitigation and response capacity. Opportunities exist to harness this willingness, but also improve cross-governmental and municipal knowledge sharing to improve future flood mitigation and response efforts in South Africa.