The factors that attract healthcare professionals to and retain them in rural areas in South Africa

Figures & data

Table 1: The characteristics of the 14 study participants

Characteristics	n (%)
Sex
Female	5 (35.7)
Male	9 (64.3)
Median age	36.7 (26–62)
Years worked in a rural area	7.5 (0.5–28)
Do you enjoy working in a rural area?
Yes	12 (85.7)
Most times	2 (14.3)
Marital status
Single never married	5 (35.7)
Married	7 (50.0)
Divorced	2 (14.3)
Children
Yes	7 (50.0)
No	7 (50.0)
Where do the children live and attend school?
Live with their parents and attend a local school	1 (14.3)
Do not live with their parents and attend a school elsewhere	1 (14.3)
Live with their parents but do not attend school yet	1 (14.3)
Live with their parents and are home schooled	2 (28.6)
Are grown up and are no longer at school	2 (28.6)
Country of origin
South Africa	12 (85.7)
Nigeria	1 (7.1)
United Kingdom	1 (7.1)
Sector working in
Government	11 (78.6)
A combination of the private sector and government	3 (21.4)
Rank
Specialist	5 (35.7)
Medical officer	4 (28.6)
Principal medical officer	2 (14.3)
Therapist	2 (14.3)
Medical manager	1 (7.1)

Figure 1: Themes that emerged