Masters Degrees (Nursing and Midwifery)

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Browsing Masters Degrees (Nursing and Midwifery) by Subject "Absenteeism (Labor) -- Western Cape -- South Africa"

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    Nurses’ perceptions on the determinants of absenteeism at two rural provincial hospitals in the Western Cape
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2022-04) Syster, Sharna; Crowley, Talitha; van der Heever, Mariana; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Dept. of Nursing & Midwifery.
    ENGLISH SUMMARY: Background: The Department of Health in South Africa acknowledge that scheduled attendances at work are essential to accomplish strategic goals. Nursing absenteeism rates worldwide is concerning and are influenced by several factors. High level of absenteeism is associated with poor quality of patient care. Therefore, investigating factors that influenced absenteeism is essential and has not yet been investigated in the context of rural hospitals in the Western Cape. Aim: The study aim aimed to investigate nurses’ perceptions on the d determinants of absenteeism at rural provincial hospitals in the Western Cape Cape; in order to contribute towards quality patient care and nurses’ well-being, productivity and reducing overtime overtime. The objectives were: 1) To determine the perceptions of n urses on the determinants of absenteeism a at rural provincial hospitals in the WC province province. 2) To analyse the relationships between the organisatiorganisation al, unit management, personal and social, and health and safety determinants of absenteeism of the ab ove selected hospitals hospitals. 3) To recommend strategies to manage absenteeism at these hospitals. Methods: A quantitative approach with a descriptive cross cross-sectional design was used. The target population for the study included nurses working at the two provincial hospitals (N=65 651). Stratified random sampling was applied to select 353 nurses in the different nursing categories who completed a self self-report questionnaire . The questionnaire were developed by the researcher and experts to measure the perceptions of nurses of the factors influencing absenteeism in the various environments. The questionnaire demonstrated good reliability (Cronbach alpha of 0.74 0.74-0.95 ) for the subscales . Data was captured on M s Excel, imported into the Statistical Programme for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27, and analysed with the assistance of a biostatistician. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used. Results: Out of a score of 4, the mean scores for factors in the environment were organisational (mean 3.0, SD 0.54); unit management (mean 2.6, SD 0.56); personal and social (mean 2.7, SD 0.54); health and safety (mean 2.6, SD 0.59). Within the organisational environment, the environment with the highest score, frequent factors influencing absenteeism included inadequate staff, nurse shortages, and unmanageable workload. In the unit management environment, the most frequent reported factor was favouritism by nurse managers. In the personal and social environment, family responsibilities was the highest score and with regards to the health and safety environment, the most frequent factor was transport problems. Conclusion: In the organisational environment the key finding was nurse shortages and following the guidelines of safe staffing levels could reduce absenteeism. In the unit management environment teamwork was lacking and a teamwork approach could be beneficial for diverse cultures. In the personal and social environment substance abuse was a concern and improving the control of substances contribute to combat the practice. Stress and burnout was a crucial factor in the health and safety environment and implementing stress management could alleviate the impact of risk for absenteeism.