Perceptions of Rand Water employees of access to worksite health promotion programmes

Abstract

Health care access is a significant and growing global health concern. Research indicates millions of individuals lacking access to healthcare services. Health care access is a basic human right, entrenched in the Bill of Rights in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, Act no 108 of 1996. Worksites are excellent platforms enhancing employee health and wellness services. It is essential that employees have access to worksite health initiatives, ensuring improved health, reducing absenteeism and increase productivity. It remains a concern whether worksites have adequate health care facilities, offering quality care and if they are accessible to all employees, as legislated in the Bill of Rights. The research undertakes to provide an answer to the question “what are the perceptions of Rand Water employees regarding access to worksite health care promotion programme services?” The goal of the study is to explore the employees’ perceptions of accessing worksite health care promotion programmes within Rand Water. The Health Belief Model (HBM) serves as a theoretical framework for the study. The study follows a qualitative research approach, describing Rand Water employees’ perceptions of access to worksite health care promotion programmes. The applied research method was selected, striving to assist decision-making at direct line levels, managerial levels and decision-maker levels to solve problems. A collective case study design is followed, collecting data directly from participants in their natural environment for studying interactions, attitudes and characteristics. The design assists in understanding and interpreting the meaning relating to their worksite. A non-probability sampling method was chosen, selecting 15 participants based at the Rietvlei site, who participated in a health care promotion programme. The study includes both genders and all levels of employees. The study is qualitative of nature. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with an interview schedule. The one-on-one interview method applies, exploring perceptions of Rand Water employees regarding access to health care promotion programmes. The study findings indicate various barriers to health care promotion programmes, influencing and denying employees full access to the programme. Barriers range from privacy and confidentiality concerns, accessibility, support, insufficient resources, planning, policies and procedures, cultural barriers and communication. The research confirms influences of access to health care promotion programmes. The research findings suggest despite sufficient legislation, corroborating the reasons for restricted health care access in the worksite and with an intervention wellness model prepared, employees still experience access barriers to such services. The findings support the academic literature; access and utilisation of health services remain an important and critical global health care concern. The study results indicate access barriers influence utilisation of health services within Rand Water. The literature revealed organisations could benefit significantly through return on investment, providing integrated health and wellness services with full management support, policies and procedures aligned to their workforce. It is established that worksites cannot remain productive without maintaining health, job satisfaction and morale of their workforce. It is important for organisations to enable access to health care promotion programmes, striving to enhance performance and improved productivity, in identifying and alleviating personal and work-related challenges that may hinder unnecessary absenteeism.