Who is the nutrition workforce in the Western Cape?
| Autor: | Goeiman, H, Labadarios, D, Steyn, NP |
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| Jazyk: | angličtina |
| Rok vydání: | 2011 |
| Zdroj: | South African Journal of Clinical Nutrition; Vol 24, No 2 (2011) |
| ISSN: | 2078-6190 2078-6204 |
| Popis: | Objectives: The aim of the present study was to determine the current nutrition staffing profile of the Integrated Nutrition Programme (INP) inDepartment of Health in the Western Cape, and establish whether it is adequate to meet the objectives of the INP.Method: Self-administered questionnaires compiled in English were used as the main data collection instrument for nutrition staff in districtsand at hospitals (n = 647). Eight individual questionnaires, one per staff category, were developed and utilised in the study.Results: Foodservice workers were the largest group of nutrition personnel (n = 509; 79%), followed by dietitians (n = 64; 10%), managers(n = 31; 5%), auxiliary workers (n = 28; 4%), and administrative workers (n = 15; 2%). Sixty-two per cent of the nutrition workforce waslocated in urban areas and 38% in rural districts. Hospital and district dietitians experienced common problems, as well as specific differences.Regarding problems, both categories referred to limited resources, inadequate number of available posts, and lack of acknowledgementand support from administrative and supply chain management. District dietitians were also hampered by lack of space for consultations,poor referrals from doctors, insufficient posts for nutrition advisers, and difficulty in communicating with Xhosa-speaking patients. Hospitaldietitians were hampered by insufficient interaction with district dietitians and lack of dietitians for specialised units. They also mentioned thatpoor salaries were affecting morale.Conclusion: Recommendations such as additional posts for dietitians, improved conditions of service and salaries, increased advocacy fornutrition, and a number of human resources recommendations were made, and should be considered if the INP objectives are to be met. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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