Browsing by Author "Lenhoff, Annemie"

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    A stunting profile of children younger than five years in selected vulnerable communities in Worcester, Breede Valley, Western Cape
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2020-03) Lenhoff, Annemie; van Niekerk, Evette; Du Plessis, Lisanne Monica; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Dept. of Global Health. Human Nutrition.
    ENGLISH SUMMARY: INTRODUCTION: Stunting is defined as a height for age z-score below minus two standard deviation, measured against the World Health Organisation (WHO) growth charts and is a significant public health priority associated with various economic consequences. In 2018 it was estimated that 150.8 million children worldwide were stunted. The WHO set a target to reduce childhood stunting with 40% by 2025 however, the prevalence of stunting in Africa continues to rise. AIM: The study aimed to create a stunting profile of children below the age of five, living in the following vulnerable communities of Worcester, Breede Valley sub-district: Avian Park, Riverview, Roodewal and Zwelethemba. METHODOLOGY: A descriptive, cross-sectional survey was conducted and consecutive sampling with randomised starting points was used. The data collection period spanned from 26 July 2018 to 30 October 2018, where a fieldworker-administered questionnaire was completed, and anthropometrical measurements of the mothers and their children below the age of five were taken. The main factors of stunting, determined according to the WHO conceptual framework on context, causes and consequences of childhood stunting were investigated. RESULTS: In this study the overall prevalence of stunting was 26.27% (n=232/883). The childhood underweight, wasting, overweight and obesity prevalence was 10.18% (n=90/885), 4.11% (n=36/876), 11.41% (n=100/876) and 4.34% (n=38/876), respectively. In addition, the maternal nutritional profile was determined to be poor. A high burden of 53.23% (n=470/851) in overweight and obesity was found while 11.63% (n=99/851) of the participants were identified as underweight. The odds of stunting were higher in male children (AOR=1.58; 95% CI: 1.07, 2.35) and those born with a birthweight below 2500g (AOR=2.21; 95% CI: 1.38, 3.52). Maternal waist circumference above 88cm cut-off showed a protective effect against childhood stunting in these vulnerable communities (AOR=0.46; 95% CI: 0.30, 0.71). Lastly, a low overall dietary diversity score was significantly associated (p=0.016) with stunting in the children that formed part of this study. CONCLUSION: Child and maternal under- and overnutrition was found to be a significant problem in the study area. The double burden of malnutrition was evident within the same households and the following key drivers of stunting were identified: being of male gender, lower weight at birth, low dietary diversity and poor maternal nutritional status. Interventions focused on improving maternal nutritional status during pregnancy and improved dietary diversity in children are essential in order to combat the prevailing stunting levels in the Breede Valley sub-district.