title: Dietitians in South Africa require more competencies in public health nutrition and management to address the nutritional needs of South Africans.
abstract: The aim of this study was to determine whether dietitians in South Africa are competent to meet the requirements of working in a health care setting during a compulsory one-year community service (CS) program immediately after receiving their degree. A national survey was conducted using questionnaires to illicit information from dietitians on their training and competencies. In 2009, data were collected from both community service dietitians (CSDs) participating in community service programs in primary, secondary and tertiary health care centers in all provinces of South Africa, as well as from their provincial managers (nutrition coordinators). Sixteen (100% response) nutrition coordinators and 134 (80% response) dietitians participated in the quantitative survey. The majority of the CSDs reported that, overall, their academic training had prepared them for most aspects of nutrition service delivery. However, some recommended that academic programs include more training on community-based nutrition programs and in delivering optimal services to under-resourced communities as they believed that their competencies in these two areas were weakest. Furthermore, many CSDs were required to establish dietetics departments where none had previously existed; consequently, their capacity in management and administration needed improvement. In conclusion, academic training institutions should align their programs to the transformation of the health sector in South Africa by ensuring that dietitians are empowered to provide optimal public health nutrition services in under-resourced communities.
authors.affiliation: Population Health, Health Systems and Innovation Unit, Human Sciences Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
authors.forename: Whadiah
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Parker
authors.forename: Nelia P
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Steyn
authors.forename: Zandile
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Mchiza
authors.forename: Gladys
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nthangeni
authors.forename: Xikombiso
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Mbhenyane
authors.forename: Andre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dannhauser
authors.forename: Lynn
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Moeng
authors.forename: Edelweiss
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wentzel-Viljoen
mesh_terms: D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004046:Dietetics / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D011361:Professional Competence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011634:Public Health; D012946:Social Welfare; D013019:South Africa