Willingness, Socio-Demographic Factors and Perceptions Influencing Specialization Among Environmental Health Practitioners in the Public Sector: A Case Study of South Africa

Abstract

<title>Abstract</title> Background Environmental health is a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary profession with a broad scope that offers opportunities for specialisation. The objective of this study was to determine the willingness, socio-demographic factors and perceptions influencing specialization among environmental health practitioners (EHPs) specialisation among in South Africa. Methods Using a purposive sampling strategy, a self-administered questionnaire was sent electronically to EHPs working in the public sector. Spearman correlation was used to determine the relationship between specialisation in environmental health (EH) and sociodemographic factors. Binary logistic regression was also used to determine the factors influencing specialisation among EHPs. Results One hundred and seventy-six EHPs, consisting of 109 females and 67 males, participated in the study. EHPs had a good understanding of specialisation, and 93% of them were willing to specialise in EH. Correlation analysis indicated that being a generalist demotivated EHPs (p = 0.01). A strong positive statistically significant difference (<italic>r</italic> = 0.23, p ˃ 0.01) was found between specialisation and education. Specialisation also had a positive statistically significant relationship with the position of EHPs (<italic>r</italic> = 0.03, p = 0.04), policy-making role (<italic>r</italic> = 0.11, p = 0.05), years in the current position (<italic>r</italic> = 0.07, p = 0.03) and having received specialised training (<italic>r</italic> = 0.18, p = 0.02). Education was the only socio-demographic factor that influenced specialisation in EH (p = 0.04, CI: 0.16–9.99). Conclusions The current scope of practice in EH is too broad and makes it difficult for EHPs to be productive and efficient. There is a need to improve the current approach to rendering EHSs in South Africa by introducing specialisation.