Browsing by Author "Marais, Debbi"

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    Factors influencing high socio-economic class mothers' decision regarding formula-feeding practices in the Cape Metropole
    (Medpharm Publications, 2009) Sowden, Marwyn; Marais, Debbi; Beukes, Ronel
    The aims of the study were to identify the reasons why high socio-economic class women in the Cape Metropole decide not to breast-feed; to evaluate whether the type and volume of infant formula selected by the mother was appropriate for her infant's current age and to identify the factors that influence the decision-making process when deciding which infant formula to feed her infant. An observational descriptive study with consecutive sampling was utilised. Data of 55 mothers with infants aged 0 to 6 months that were not currently breast-fed was captured in day care centres and private clinics situated in the Cape Metropole. Data was collected by means of a self-administered questionnaire available in Afrikaans and English. The majority of mothers (80%) decided only after the birth of their infant to rather opt for formula feeding. Evident factors that were identified as barriers to breast-feeding include a lack of knowledge and experience (38%) as well as a lack of facilities at public places (75%) and at work (71%) to breast-feed. Perceived benefits of infant formula included that the father could help with the workload (67%) and does not feel left out (38%), the mother knows what volume of milk is received (84%) and the convenience if the mother is working (64%). The mothers were overall not concerned about possible side-effects of breast-feeding and did not feel that their breasts were physically not of optimal physiology to breast-feed. One of the greatest challenges to support, protect and promote breast-feeding is to ensure that information sources give scientifically correct information to the uninformed or information-seeking mother in a standardised and positive manner.
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    Job satisfaction of South African registered dietitians
    (Medpharm Publications, 2012) Visser, Janicke; Mackenzie, Annabel; Marais, Debbi
    Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the overall level of job satisfaction among South African registered dietitians and possible relationships between the influencing factors. Design: The design was a cross-sectional descriptive study. Setting and subjects: A national survey was carried out among all dietitians registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa, excluding community service dietitians. Outcome measures: A two-part, self-administered, adapted job satisfaction survey questionnaire was used. Demographic data were collected. The questionnaire covered nine themes pertaining to job satisfaction: salary, promotion, knowledge and skills, professional colleagues, being a member of the multidisciplinary team, communication, the work environment, rewards of the job and nature of the work. Results: A final response rate of 22.5% (n = 340) was obtained. South African registered dietitians were only slightly satisfied (65.7%) with their current employment. There was no significant difference (p-value = 0.291) pertaining to overall job satisfaction between those working and living overseas and those working and living in South Africa. Primarily, lower levels of satisfaction were observed to be due to poor salaries, lack of promotion opportunities and a poor perception of professional image. Significant positive correlations were found between age (p-value = 0.036), professional experience (p-value = 0.035), area of expertise (p-value = 0.001), hours of work (p-value = 0.021) and location of work (p-value = 0.00001). Conclusion: Although overall job satisfaction scores indicated that South African registered dietitians are only slightly satisfied with their employment, registered dietitians reported that they love the nature of the work and what they do, tending towards confirmation of career satisfaction. Recommendations include re-evaluation of registered dietitian salary scales, career pathing with promotion opportunities, boosting the professional image and expanding the teaching of nondietetic skills to dietetic undergraduates.