Employee perceptions of non-communicable diseases health risks, absenteeism and the role of organisational support in a South African pharmaceutical manufacturing company.

<h4>Background</h4>The growing prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in South African workers has been shown to be associated with absenteeism and increased risk of morbidity. Low-income workers living in urban settings are particularly vulnerable. Consultation with workers is c...

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Main Authors: Philippe Jean-Luc Gradidge, Daleen Casteleijn, António Palmeira, Ralph Maddison, Catherine E Draper
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2022-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0279008
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author Philippe Jean-Luc Gradidge
Daleen Casteleijn
António Palmeira
Ralph Maddison
Catherine E Draper
author_facet Philippe Jean-Luc Gradidge
Daleen Casteleijn
António Palmeira
Ralph Maddison
Catherine E Draper
author_sort Philippe Jean-Luc Gradidge
collection DOAJ
description <h4>Background</h4>The growing prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in South African workers has been shown to be associated with absenteeism and increased risk of morbidity. Low-income workers living in urban settings are particularly vulnerable. Consultation with workers is crucial for understanding risks and identifying opportunities for intervention to promote health in the workplace. The purpose of this study was to examine South African pharmaceutical manufacturing workers' perspectives of health risk factors and absenteeism, and to identify how they perceived a role for the organisation to initiate interventions to improve their health.<h4>Materials and methods</h4>Five focus groups were conducted to capture 27 employees' perspectives. The semi-structured focus group discussions were recorded and analysed using a thematic content analysis approach.<h4>Results</h4>Participants indicated that they were aware of behavioural health risks such as prolonged sitting. They showed insight into strategies to prevent injuries and stay healthy, but also expressed dissatisfaction about the lack of organisational support, leading to stress and consequently absenteeism. Participants emphasized the responsibility of the organisation to support a range of health promoting strategies.<h4>Conclusions</h4>The findings of this study are important for cultivating a tailored workplace intervention to reduce NCD risk factors in the pharmaceutical manufacturing workforce. It is vital that these be supported by leadership of the company through the provision of funding and the development of internal healthcare services.
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spelling doaj.art-290e69be40ef409c88ebb6c05bbdfdc62023-01-14T05:31:35ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032022-01-011712e027900810.1371/journal.pone.0279008Employee perceptions of non-communicable diseases health risks, absenteeism and the role of organisational support in a South African pharmaceutical manufacturing company.Philippe Jean-Luc GradidgeDaleen CasteleijnAntónio PalmeiraRalph MaddisonCatherine E Draper<h4>Background</h4>The growing prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in South African workers has been shown to be associated with absenteeism and increased risk of morbidity. Low-income workers living in urban settings are particularly vulnerable. Consultation with workers is crucial for understanding risks and identifying opportunities for intervention to promote health in the workplace. The purpose of this study was to examine South African pharmaceutical manufacturing workers' perspectives of health risk factors and absenteeism, and to identify how they perceived a role for the organisation to initiate interventions to improve their health.<h4>Materials and methods</h4>Five focus groups were conducted to capture 27 employees' perspectives. The semi-structured focus group discussions were recorded and analysed using a thematic content analysis approach.<h4>Results</h4>Participants indicated that they were aware of behavioural health risks such as prolonged sitting. They showed insight into strategies to prevent injuries and stay healthy, but also expressed dissatisfaction about the lack of organisational support, leading to stress and consequently absenteeism. Participants emphasized the responsibility of the organisation to support a range of health promoting strategies.<h4>Conclusions</h4>The findings of this study are important for cultivating a tailored workplace intervention to reduce NCD risk factors in the pharmaceutical manufacturing workforce. It is vital that these be supported by leadership of the company through the provision of funding and the development of internal healthcare services.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0279008
spellingShingle Philippe Jean-Luc Gradidge
Daleen Casteleijn
António Palmeira
Ralph Maddison
Catherine E Draper
Employee perceptions of non-communicable diseases health risks, absenteeism and the role of organisational support in a South African pharmaceutical manufacturing company.
PLoS ONE
title Employee perceptions of non-communicable diseases health risks, absenteeism and the role of organisational support in a South African pharmaceutical manufacturing company.
title_full Employee perceptions of non-communicable diseases health risks, absenteeism and the role of organisational support in a South African pharmaceutical manufacturing company.
title_fullStr Employee perceptions of non-communicable diseases health risks, absenteeism and the role of organisational support in a South African pharmaceutical manufacturing company.
title_full_unstemmed Employee perceptions of non-communicable diseases health risks, absenteeism and the role of organisational support in a South African pharmaceutical manufacturing company.
title_short Employee perceptions of non-communicable diseases health risks, absenteeism and the role of organisational support in a South African pharmaceutical manufacturing company.
title_sort employee perceptions of non communicable diseases health risks absenteeism and the role of organisational support in a south african pharmaceutical manufacturing company
url https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0279008
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