Title:
Nurses and Their Vulnerability for Sexual Harassment: A South African Case-Study
Authors:
Basoski, Froukje Johanna
Place:
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Publisher:
KIT - Royal Tropical Institute [etc.]
Year:
2022
PAGE:
vii, 53
Language:
En
Subject:
Health and Poverty
Keywords:
sexual harassment, nurses, South Africa, vulnerability
Abstract:
Introduction Worldwide nurses are at risk for experiencing sexual harassment (SH). This impacts nurses (mental) health as well as the nurses workforce. South African nurses are also challenged with SH in a society were sexual violence is imminent. This thesis aims to understand the vulnerability of South African nurses for SH and identify opportunities for prevention. Methodology A review was performed on South African literature as well as global literature. Gallopin’s vulnerability concept was used as a guiding framework to build evidence on the vulnerability of South African nurses for SH. Results Stigma, sexual violence in society and imaging of nurses (social/cultural factors) make South African nurses vulnerable for SH as were individual (e.g. being young) and environmental factors (e.g. availability security). Working in the public sector increased the vulnerability of nurses. Underreporting was found underlying to and reinforcing other factors: e.g. using ‘normalizing’ SH as a coping mechanism. Resilience and adaptive capacity was found in organisational responses rather than individual resources. Discussion Power relations, cultural acceptance and nursing image make nurses particular vulnerable for type 3 SH. Limited evidence was found on resilience and adaptive capacity: intervention studies are needed to find effective responses to protect (South African) nurses. The case of South Africa (SA) shows the seriousness of this global health issue: SANC and other (inter)national stakeholders need to advocate for safety of nurses. Neglecting (workplace) policies is making nurses more vulnerable, there is a need for developing contextualized policies in SA and as well for nurses worldwide.
Organization:
KIT - Royal Tropical Institute , VU - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Institute:
KIT (Royal Tropical Institute)
Country:
The Netherlands
Region:
Northwestern Europe
Training:
Master of Science in International Health
Category:
Research
Right:
@ 2022 Basoski
Document type:
Thesis/dissertation
File:
RHvFpk4Mq8_20230509160017138.pdf