Browsing by Author "Marutla, Koena Beauty"
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Results Per Page
Sort Options
- ItemAssessment of the nutrition component within the Integrated School Health Policy in the Msukaligwa sub-district, Gert Sibande District, Mpumalanga(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2018-12) Marutla, Koena Beauty; Daniels, Lynette Carmen; Van der Merwe, Maria; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Dept. of Global Health. Human Nutrition.ENGLISH SUMMARY : INTRODUCTION: The Integrated School Health Policy is a policy adopted by the national Department of Health and the Department of Basic Education. The policy was implemented in 2012. The focus of this policy is on addressing the primary health problems of learners and on implementing interventions that can improve their health and well-being. The aim of the policy is to ensure that school-going children, including those from remote rural areas, have equal access to quality health services. The Integrated School Health Policy strives to provide a healthy school environment, health education and school health services together with projects and outreach programmes that are implemented according to the policy framework. The aim of this study was to assess the implementation of Phase 1 of the policy’s nutrition component in quintile 1 and quintile 2 primary schools in Msukaligwa sub-district, Gert Sibande District, Mpumalanga province. METHOD: An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted. The study population consisted of 112 full-time, appointed educators and nine acting headmasters from quintile 1 and quintile 2 primary schools in Msukaligwa. Data were collected through self-administered questionnaires. The outcome measures assessed were nutrition knowledge, perceptions, needs and barriers. Headmasters also completed the Care and Support for Teaching and Learning tool. RESULTS: The mean percentage knowledge score for educators was 88% (SD+/- 15.92) and for the headmasters was 89% (SD +/- 18.16). There was no statistically significant difference (p=0.2959) in the knowledge score between the educators and headmasters. Educators and headmasters perceived school-feeding programmes to increase food availability for school-going children who require adequate food. Need was expressed for the support of provincial and national stakeholders, training of educators on basic knowledge, improvement in infrastructural challenges, rotation, reliable and consistent suppliers, availability of security systems in schools and support in terms of the establishment of vegetable gardens. The study findings revealed the following as barriers that hamper the successful implementation of a comprehensive Integrated School Health Policy: theft, insufficient funds, unreliable suppliers, infrastructural challenges, and limited resources, lack of community participation and unavailability of clean and safe water. In terms of Care and Support for Teaching and Learning, few good practices exist under the health promotion component that includes infrastructure, water and sanitation, social welfare services, psychosocial support, nutrition and self-care. A foundation is already in place regarding safety, curricular support, material support, community support and availability of policies. CONCLUSION: The study provides evidence that the implementation of the Integrated School Health Policy in the Msukaligwa sub-district is inadequate and requires improvement. There is a need for allocating adequate funds and appointing reliable service providers, as well as the monitoring and evaluating the appointed service providers and the entire programme by dedicated persons.