Masekameni, M.D.; Moyo, D.; Khoza, N.; Chamdimba, C. Accessing Occupational Health Services in the Southern African Development Community Region. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health2020, 17, 6767.
Masekameni, M.D.; Moyo, D.; Khoza, N.; Chamdimba, C. Accessing Occupational Health Services in the Southern African Development Community Region. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17, 6767.
Masekameni, M.D.; Moyo, D.; Khoza, N.; Chamdimba, C. Accessing Occupational Health Services in the Southern African Development Community Region. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health2020, 17, 6767.
Masekameni, M.D.; Moyo, D.; Khoza, N.; Chamdimba, C. Accessing Occupational Health Services in the Southern African Development Community Region. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17, 6767.
Abstract
Only 15% of the global population has access to occupational safety and health services. In Africa only 5% of employees working from major establishments, have access to occupational health services (OHS). Access to primary health care (PHC) services is addressed in many settings and inclusion of OHS in these facilities might increase efficiency in preventing occupational diseases. A cross-sectional study was conducted in four SADC countries aiming at assessing the availability of OHS at PHC facilities and the organization of OHS. We conducted a literature review to assess the provision and organization of OHS services. In addition to the review, a total of 23 doctors from PHC facilities were interviewed using questionnaires in order to determine the availability of OHS and training. Consultations with heads of ministries were done in four SADC countries. Results showed that in the SADC region, OHS are fragmented and lack a comprehensive approach. In addition, out of 23 PHC facilities only two (13%) provided occupational health and PHC. However, OHS provided at PHC facilities were limited to TB screening and audiometric testing. Our study showed a huge inadequacy of trained occupational health practitioners. This study supports the World Health Organization’s advocacy of integrating OHS at PHC level.
Keywords
occupational health services; mining; primary health clinics; labour
Subject
Social Sciences, Education
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
