Browsing by Author "Jenkings, Tamryn Caron"

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    Determinants of the realisation of the right to adequate food of children (1 – 5 years old) and their primary caregivers living in rural and urban areas in one region of the Cacadu District in the Eastern Cape
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2016-03) Jenkings, Tamryn Caron; Marais, Martha Louisa; Lessing, Elisna; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Dept. of Global Health. Human Nutrition.
    ENGLISH SUMMARY : Background: South Africa has committed to progressively realise the fundamental right to adequate food for all by ratifying the International Covenant of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and other related instruments. Despite this, 26% of the country’s-, and 36% of the Eastern Cape’s population remain food insecure, especially in rural areas. Women and children are most at risk and children’s health is most vulnerable to food insecurity’s effects. This study aimed to assess if the right to adequate food was realised by children and primary caregivers residing in urban and rural areas of the Blue Crane Route in the Cacadu District in the Eastern Cape, and what still needed to be done to fully realise this right. Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive study with an analytical component using a mixed methods approach was conducted. In-depth key informant interviews examined the perceptions of key role-players who filled prominent positions in the community. Interviewer-administered primary caregiver questionnaires investigated the reality of the situation. Urban caregiver questionnaires were conducted at clinics in Somerset East, Pearston and Cookhouse, and mobile clinics were used for rural participants. Quantitative data was summarised in frequency tables and histograms to describe the variables. To test for significance p<0.05 was used. Qualitative data was coded and emerging themes were reported to contextualise the findings. Results: Of the 161 caregivers whom participated in the study, 77% experienced risk for- or food insecurity at some point in the past month. Households reported a shortage of food for 2.5 months in the past year and a third had poor dietary diversity. Coping mechanisms, such as purchasing food on credit had to be implemented by caregivers. Caregivers were more likely to go hungry than their children, and although not significant, urban participants were more food secure than their rural counterparts. Significant differences in food security levels were found for household income and ethnicity. Poor living conditions, gender discrimination, poor implementation of policies and programmes, including social grants, a lack of employment opportunities and inadequate agrarian practices were identified as capacity gaps of the State inhibiting the realisation of the right. The Child Support Grant and the National School Nutrition Programme were identified as protective factors. Caregivers (rights-holders) felt disempowered to improve their situation themselves without assistance from the State (duty-bearer). Interviews were conducted with 11 key informants who suggested that rights-holders needed to take responsibility, although they did acknowledge that the State was not implementing policies adequately to support the rights-holders. Conclusions: The right to adequate food is not fully realised by all in the Blue Crane Route. Efforts are being made to improve it, but they are not optimal. Concerted, multi-disciplinary approaches using a rights-based approach to implement policies and programmes are needed together with the empowerment of the community with the necessary skills to accept responsibility and make changes. On-going monitoring, evaluation and reassessment of programmes must take place to ensure efforts are effective at achieving the goal of realising the right to adequate food for all in a sustainable manner.