Participant Demographic Characteristics Across NHI-Related Studies

Sex Distribution

  • Predominantly female across studies (e.g., 79\% in Mndzebele \& Matsi; 74.9\% in Govender \& Mahomed; 83.9\% in Mabuza et al.).

  • Exceptions: physician-focused samples showed more males (Latif-Khamissa \& Naidoo: 80\% male).

Age Profile

  • Most healthcare-worker (HCW) samples concentrated in the 30–50 year band.
    • Mid-career dominance: Mndzebele \& Matsi median 49 y; Govender \& Mahomed 65.2\% aged 20–45 y.

  • Private‐doctor studies skewed older (Latif-Khamissa \& Naidoo: 55\% aged 41–60 y; Matthew \& Mash 72.7\% >40 y).

  • Community HCWs in Tanzania: 38–59 y.

Occupational Composition

  • Public-sector HCW studies: nurses were the largest group (typically 57–65\%).

  • Allied professionals and doctors formed smaller portions (doctors often <{10}\% in public PHC samples).

  • Private-sector studies targeted general practitioners (GPs) and specialists (roughly 53\% GPs, 47\% specialists).

  • Pharmacist study (Naidoo et al.) involved community pharmacists with mean practice experience \approx12 y.

Years of Experience

  • Mixed but leaning toward experienced staff:
    • Govender \& Mahomed: 47.2\% had >10 y.
    • Oral-health practitioners: 38.2\% had 1–5 y; 29.2\% had 6–10 y; remainder >10 y.

Sector & Setting

  • Public-sector dominance in South African provincial hospitals/PHC facilities (Limpopo, KZN, Gauteng, Eastern Cape).

  • Private-sector focus for physician and pharmacist studies (Ethekwini, Ugu, Western Cape, Lusaka).

  • Household survey split: public users without medical aid (n = 3{,}912) vs. private users with medical aid (n = 1{,}156).

Ethnicity/Race (where reported)

  • Diverse samples; some skewed to majority Black African in public facilities (e.g., 45.3\% Black, 41\% White in national HCW survey).

  • GP study (Matthew \& Mash) reported 45.5\% White, 18.2\% Black.

  • Tanzanian study: Sukuma \& Nyamezi ethnic groups.

Key Take-away

Across NHI-related studies, participants were mainly female, mid-career nurses working in public settings; private-sector studies captured older, male-dominant physician groups. Years of experience were generally high, and ethnic composition mirrored local workforce patterns.