Developing a human resource profile for the nutrition workforce in the public health sector in the Western Cape province, South Africa
Date
2008-12
Authors
Goeiman, Hilary
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
Background:
The crisis and study of health workforce has become more important in developed and
developing countries. The relationship between human resource issues and health system
effectiveness has been acknowledged. Human resources are seen to be one of the main
constraints in achieving the millennium development goals. A number of changes have taken
place within health services since 2003, including the promulgation of the new health Act 63
of 2003, restructuring processes in the Western Cape province and the development of a
Comprehensive Service Plan (CSP) to implement Health Care 2010. Nationally and
provincially nutrition is declared a priority, due to the documented beneficial impact of
nutrition support on preventable diseases, disease of life-style, as well as the treatment of
high priority disease groups, namely TB and HIV/AIDS. For appropriate planning of nutrition
services, the Integrated Nutrition Programme (INP) in the Western Cape needed to review
the status of the nutrition workforce in the province, towards developing a human resource
plan to meet the nutrition service needs, in the provincial context, its service platforms and
approved service implementation plan for public health sector.
Objectives
The study aimed to describe the current status of the nutrition workforce (staffing profile) in
the Western Cape province in terms of staffing levels, personnel categories, location,
placement, qualifications, skills, and personnel expenditure at all levels of the public health
sector. Provincial maps were developed to indicate the density of personnel per category
pictorially.
Methods
In this descriptive observational study, a targeted sampling approach was applied by
developing master lists of the respective nutrition/dietetic/food service units and personnel
within the geographical districts and hospitals at all levels of care. All nutrition personnel
employed by the Western Cape Department of Health were included in the study.
Quantitative data collection methods including coding sheets (per facility), self administered
questionnaires and the official personnel database (Persal) of the Department of Health was
used. Questionnaires were constructed according to the variability of services, settings, and
job outputs. The respective personnel were grouped into 5 categories. Descriptive statistical
methods were used to analyse data. Comparisons in terms of urban and rural distributions
were also completed. Results
A response rate of 86% was achieved (N = 647) with food service workers being the largest
proportion of staff (N = 509), followed by dietitians (N = 64), managers (N = 31), auxiliary
workers (N = 28) and administrative personnel (N= 15). Significant differences (p=0.0001-
0.05) were found amongst the respective personnel categories in terms of demographics,
qualifications, training, experience, skills, competencies, time spent on the INP, and general
human resource management areas. Training needs and areas of low skills were identified
for the respective categories and key challenges and solutions in the nutrition workforce were
highlighted.
Conclusion
The study indicates that the processes used to develop the workforce need to receive the
same intensity as all other interventions. The results can be applied in providing evidence
based information for the development of the Department of Health, Western Cape human
resource plan and the integration of nutrition therein.
Description
Thesis (MNutr (Human Nutrition))--Stellenbosch University, 2008.
Keywords
Human resources in nutrition, Nutrition workforce, Public health -- Western Cape, Dissertations -- Nutrition, Theses -- Nutrition, Public health -- South Africa -- Western Cape, Community health aides -- Supply and demand -- South Africa -- Western Cape