Adverse social, nutrition and health conditions in rural districts of KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape provinces, South Africa.

  • Serina Elizabeth Schoeman Nutritional Intervention Research Unit, Medical Research Council
  • Mieke Faber Nutritional Intervention Research Unit, Medical Research Council
  • Vera Adams Nutritional Intervention Research Unit, Medical Research Council
  • Cornelius Smuts School for Physiology, Nutrition and Consumer Science, North West University
  • Noluthando Ford-Ngomane Health Systems Trust
  • Jacoba Laubscher Biostatistics Unit, Medical Research Council
  • Muhammad Dhansay Executive Directorate, Research, Medical Research Council
Keywords: children 0-59 months, caregivers, nutritional status, socio-demography, rural districts, South Africa

Abstract

Objective: This study determined the socio-demographic, nutritional and health status of children and their caregivers in two rural districts in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and one rural district in the Eastern Cape (EC), South Africa. Design: A cross-sectional survey was conducted. Setting: The study population resided in Umkhanyakude (sub-district Jozini) and Zululand (sub-district Pongola) in KZN, and in OR Tambo (sub-district Nyandeni) in the EC province. Subjects: Children 0 to 59 months old (Umkhanyakude n = 398; Zululand n = 303; OR Tambo n = 364) and their caregivers were included. Methods: Structured interviewer-administered questionnaires were conducted and height and weight were measured. Results: Households in OR Tambo had less access to services (tap water 3%, toilets 33%), compared to Umkhanyakude (tap water 50%, toilets 82%) and Zululand (tap water 74%, toilets 98%). Wood was the main energy source used to cook food in all three districts (> 75%). Grants were a main source of income (Umkhanyakude and Zululand 61%; OR Tambo 55%). Many households obtained vegetables from their own garden (Umkhanyakude and Zululand 30%; OR Tambo 70%). The households that reportedly had enough food available at all times (Umkhanyakude and Zululand 25%; OR Tambo 17%), were in the minority. The diarrhoea prevalence reported by the caregivers was high (Umkhanyakude 35%; Zululand 24%; OR Tambo 24%). The prevalence of stunting was higher for children older than 12 months and varied between 22 and 26%. The prevalence of overweight among children 0 to 23 months exceeded the prevalence of underweight. The prevalence of overweight and obesity among caregivers was high (Umkhanyakude 42%; Zululand 60%; OR Tambo 56%). Conclusion: Concerted efforts are needed to address the adverse social, nutrition and health conditions in these districts.

Author Biographies

Serina Elizabeth Schoeman, Nutritional Intervention Research Unit, Medical Research Council
MA Cur degree Senior Scientist Nutritional Intervention Research Unit, Medical Research Council
Mieke Faber, Nutritional Intervention Research Unit, Medical Research Council
PhD
Vera Adams, Nutritional Intervention Research Unit, Medical Research Council
MSc
Cornelius Smuts, School for Physiology, Nutrition and Consumer Science, North West University
PhD
Noluthando Ford-Ngomane, Health Systems Trust
MBChB
Muhammad Dhansay, Executive Directorate, Research, Medical Research Council
MBChB
Published
2010-05-17
How to Cite
Schoeman, S., Faber, M., Adams, V., Smuts, C., Ford-Ngomane, N., Laubscher, J., & Dhansay, M. (2010). Adverse social, nutrition and health conditions in rural districts of KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape provinces, South Africa. South African Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 23(3), 140-147. Retrieved from http://sajcn.co.za/index.php/SAJCN/article/view/373
Section
Original Research