Training, Attitudes, and Practice (TAP) among healthcare professionals in the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality, South Africa: A health promotion and disease prevention perspective

BACKGROUND: Healthcare professionals (HCPs) play a pivotal role in ensuring access to quality healthcare of patients. However, their role in health promotion (HP) and disease prevention (DP) has not been fully explored. This study aimed at determining how training, attitude, and practice (TAP) of HCPs influence their practice of HP and DP. METHODS: Data on TAP regarding HP and DP were collected from 495 HCPs from twenty-three hospitals in the study area using a standardized questionnaire. Bivariate, univariate, and multivariate analyses were conducted to describe how the TAP of HCPs influence their HP and DP practices. The analysis was further desegregated at the three levels of healthcare (primary, secondary and tertiary levels). RESULTS: Most of the medical doctors 36.12% (n = 173), registered nurses 28.39% (n = 136), and allied health professionals (AHPs) 11.27% (n = 54) indicated the absence of coordinated HP training for staff in their facilities. Similarly, 32.93% (n = 193) of the HCPs, indicated having participated in HP or DP training. Among those that had participated in HP and DP training, benefits of training were positive behaviour, attributions, and emotional responses. When compared at the different levels of healthcare, enhanced staff satisfaction and continuing professional development for HP were statistically significant only at the tertiary healthcare level. Multivariate analysis showed a likelihood of reduced coordinated HP training for staff among medical doctors (Coef 0.15; 95% CI 0.07–0.32) and AHPs (Coef 0.24; 95% CI 0.10–0.59) compared to nurses. Furthermore, medical doctors (Coeff: 0.66; 95% CI: 0.46–0.94) were less likely to agree that HCPs should model good health behavior to render HP services as compared to nurses. CONCLUSION: Training in HP and DP empowers HCPs with the requisite knowledge and attitude necessary for effective practice. Several HCPs at different levels of care had limited knowledge of HP and DP because of inadequate training. We recommend a strategy aimed at addressing the knowledge and attitudinal gaps of HCPs to ensure effective HP and DP services to patients.