Client commitment and attitude to construction health and safety in Botswana

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to present findings of a preliminary survey on the extent to which clients are involved in construction health and safety (H&S) implementation in Botswana

Health and safety (H&S) awareness and implementation in Botswana's construction industry

Abstract: A study was conducted to determine the level of awareness and implementation of health and safety (H&S) in Botswana’s construction industry. Findings from the research reveal that the level of H&S awareness is low, H&S legislation is not complied with, the management of contractors is not committed to H&S implementation, there is a lack of H&S management systems, procedures, and protocol, and clients and designers do not participate in the implementation of H&S. Recommendations include that the requisite H&S legislation and regulations be promulgated in accordance with the International Labour Office (ILO) recommendations, and that all stakeholders should be equally responsible for the implementation of H&S

Health and safety (H&S) awareness and implementation in Botswana's construction industry

Abstract: A study was conducted to determine the level of awareness and implementation of Health and Safety (H&S) in Botswana’s construction industry. Findings from the research revealed that the level of H&S awareness was low; H&S legislation was not implemented; contractors’ management are not committed to H&S implementation; there is a lack of H&S management systems, procedures, and protocol; and clients and designers do not participate in the implementation of H&S. In light of the findings, it is recommended that relevant and adequate rules and regulations be promulgated according to the ILO recommendations. It is also recommended that all stakeholders should be equally responsible for the implementation of H&S

A correlation study of nutrition and factors influencing food choices among construction workers

Abstract: Nutrition is known to be linked with worker health and safety (H&S) performance. Literature suggests that construction workers have poor nutrition and this adversely affects their health, wellbeing and safety on construction sites. Strategies to improve their nutrition warrant considerable attention. This paper aims to identify significant relationships between factors influencing nutrition and the food choices of construction workers. Empirical data for the correlational study were collected through a field questionnaire survey on site construction workers in the Gauteng Province of South Africa. Principal components analysis and Pearson‘s correlation analysis were conducted. Findings revealed that food context, nutritional knowledge, resources and personal ideas and systems were significantly associated with choice of foods. By highlighting the factors which are correlated with nutritional choices amongst construction workers, the study provides valuable evidence which will allow for the development and implementation of efficient and successful intervention programs geared towards improving construction workers' nutrition and thus site safety performance

Evaluating the influence of nutritional determinants on construction workers’ nutritional intake

Abstract: Nutritional knowledge, economic, social, biological and cultural factors have been known to determine an individual’s food choice and intake. Despite the existence of research on the factors which influence nutrition globally, there is little known about the extent to which these factors influence the nutrition of construction workers, which in turn influences their health and safety performance during construction activities. The present paper investigates the extent to which construction workers’ nutrition is influenced by knowledge, economic, social, biological and cultural factors. A field questionnaire survey was conducted on site construction workers in the Gauteng Province of South Africa. Principal components analysis and multiple regression analysis were used to analyze the data. Findings revealed that consumption of foods termed alternative foods including dairy products, eggs, nuts, fish and cereals, was influenced by nutritional knowledge and resources. Foods termed traditional core foods were identified to be influenced by cultural background; foods termed secondary core foods comprising fruits and vegetables were reported to be influenced by economic factors, resources and cultural background; while foods termed core foods were mostly influenced by nutritional knowledge. By providing evidence of the factors which most influence selection and consumption of certain foods by construction workers, relevant nutrition interventions will be designed and implemented, taking cognizance of these factors

Identifying factors influencing construction workers’ food choices in Gauteng, South Africa: A pilot investigation

Abstract: Background: Nutrition is linked with health and safety performance of workers. However, there is scant literature focusing on the nutrition of construction workers, especially in South Africa. Methods: This pilot study investigated the factors that influence the nutrition of construction workers. A survey was conducted and data were analysed using Microsoft Excel to determine mean scores and to rank the factors. Results: Nutritional knowledge, economic factors and physiological factors were identified as influencing construction workers’ food choices. Conclusion: These findings provide information that can be used for targeting construction workers’ nutrition which could, in turn, improve health and safety performance on construction sites. Identifying nutrition-influencing factors allows for the design of intervention programmes for construction workers

Development of a scale for assessing determinants of construction workers’ food choices

Abstract: Research on the factors influencing construction workers’ food choices and overall nutrition is limited, in South Africa and indeed Africa. The aim of the present paper is to develop and validate a questionnaire of factors influencing construction workers’ food choices. A quantitative, purposive approach was used in the study. Fourty-two items, divided into six constructs, were used to develop a field survey questionnaire after an extensive literature review. Principal components analysis (PCA) was conducted to examine the structures and validity of the constructs. Cronbach’s alpha test and mean inter-item correlations were used to examine internal consistency reliability. After repeated factor analysis, the questionnaire of food choice factors revealed seven different factors: food context, biological factors, nutritional knowledge, personal ideas and systems, economic factors, resources and cultural background. These factors explained 60.09% variance. Cronbach’s alpha coefficients ranged from 0.62 to 0.85, indicating good internal consistency reliability. The factors which influence construction workers’ food choices are important considerations when designing and implementing nutrition interventions in the South African construction industry. Future research can adopt the instrument when conducting psychometric assessments of construction workers’ food choices

Relationship between nutrition and construction safety performance : experimental work

Abstract: It is known that nutrition is linked with worker health and safety (H&S) performance. However, this relationship has not been evaluated empirically. The present paper evaluates the relationship between nutrition and safety performance on construction sites. Empirical data were collected through a field questionnaire survey conducted on site construction workers in South Africa. Principal components analysis and Spearman’s correlation analysis were used to analyze the data. Findings revealed that increased consumption of certain foods termed “alternatives” in the current study, including dairy products, eggs, nuts, fish and cereals, was associated with improved safety performance. No significant correlation was found between nutritional choice and negative performance measures. By providing evidence of which foods may be correlated with safety performance of construction workers on construction sites, the design of explicit nutrition interventions for construction workers, particularly including planning for these significant foods, will be allowed. The study will also result in nutrition being given more attention in H&S considerations on construction sites

Developing a framework of food choice determinants among construction workers in South Africa

Abstract: A plethora of factors are known to influence an individual’s food choice and overall nutrition, which in turn, influences their health and safety performance. However, it appears that little research has been conducted in South Africa, on the factors which influence the food choices and intake of construction workers in particular. The paper develops a framework of food choice determinants from literature review and tests the framework using principal components analysis of empirical data from a field questionnaire survey. Results evinced that food choices among South African construction workers aredeterminable by seven factors as opposed to six theorized factors. The study provides evidence which defines the factors that influence construction workers’ food choice. The study will be useful to construction managers and stakeholders in planning for nutrition improvement in the construction industry. Improving nutrition will contribute to improvement in health and safety performance on construction sites

Postpartum physical intimate partner violence among women in rural Zambia

ObjectiveTo examine the demographic characteristics and mental health of women in rural Zambia who experienced physical intimate partner violence (IPV) postpartum.MethodsThe present secondary analysis was conducted using baseline data from an impact evaluation of a maternity waiting home intervention in rural Zambia. A quantitative household survey was conducted over 6 weeks, from midâ April to late May, 2016, at 40 rural health facility catchment areas among 2381 postpartum women (13 months after delivery; age â ¥15 years).ResultsA total of 192 (8.1%) women reported experiencing any type of physical IPV in the preceding 2 weeks; 126 had experienced severe physical IPV (had been kicked, dragged, beat, and/or choked by a husband or partner). High levels of depression were recorded for 174 (7.3%) women in the preceding 2 weeks. Being a female head of household was associated with an increased likelihood of experiencing severe physical IPV (aOR 2.64, 95% CI 1.70â 4.10). Women with high depression scores were also at an increased risk of experiencing any physical IPV (aOR 17.1, 95% CI 8.44â 34.9) and severe physical IPV (aOR 15.4, 95% CI 5.17â 45.9).ConclusionFuture work should consider the implications of government and educational policies that could impact the screening and treatment of pregnant women affected by all forms of physical IPV and depression in rural Zambia.Postpartum physical intimate partner violence among women in rural Zambia was associated with being a female head of household and high levels of depression.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/146407/1/ijgo12654.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/146407/2/ijgo12654_am.pd