Abstract
M.Tech. (Chiropractic)
Background: The chiropractic profession in South Africa has seen a rise in female candidates interested in pursuing a career in the profession. The paucity of information surrounding pregnancy in practice makes it difficult for female chiropractors to plan the desired timing of their pregnancies and understand the effects of pregnancy on their careers. Aim: The primary aim of the study was to explore the experiences of pregnant South African chiropractors in practice and understand how these women navigated their pregnancies regarding their maternity leave, income during maternity leave, return to work post-partum, work-life balance, and the physical stresses of pregnancy. Method: This was an exploratory, descriptive, and quantitative anonymous research study administered online utilising the Google Forms platform in English. Worldwide, no online survey investigating the experiences of pregnant chiropractors has previously been done. Thus, the survey used in this study was composed of questions compiled by the researcher, the supervisor and a statistician from the Statistical Consultation Services at the University of Johannesburg (STATCON). Questions in the survey were adapted from the research results from a qualitative study done in 2015 titled "The Experiences of Pregnant Chiropractors in South Africa" (Anley and Bester, 2015). Procedure: A pilot study was performed on five chiropractic professionals at the University of Johannesburg to determine whether the survey was easy to understand and complete. An email including the information letter about the study was sent via the Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa (AHPCSA) and the Chiropractic Association of South Africa (CASA) to all of their respective members. Female chiropractors who have been pregnant while practising in South Africa were invited to partake in the survey by clicking on a link at the end of the information letter where the participants provided consent and completed the survey anonymously based on their most recent experience of pregnancy in practice. Results: Sixty-seven female chiropractors who have been pregnant while practising as a chiropractor in South Africa participated in this research (64% response rate). Results showed that 63% (n = 42) respondents were practice owners during their most recent pregnancy, and hiring a locum doctor was the most popular decision to allow a practice to continue operating. Fifty-four percent (n = 36) of respondents reported that they had a form of income during their maternity leave directly chiropractic related...