Evaluation of a nutrition supplementation programme in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 15096877 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Michael Hendricks (0000-0002-1178-3982, University of Cape Town, corresponding author), MK Hendricks, M le Roux (0000-0002-7340-9523, Western Cape Department of Health), M Fernandes (0000-0002-0765-474X), Maria Teresa Bechere Fernandes (0000-0002-9819-4573, Western Cape Department of Health), James Irlam (0000-0001-8382-6550, University of Cape Town) |
| Year | 2003 |
| Volume | 6 |
| Issue | 5 |
| Pages | 431-437 |
| Publication date | 2003-08-01 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Public Health Nutrition (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1368-9800 • E-ISSN: 1475-2727 |
| Publisher | Cambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1079/phn2003458 |
| PMID | 12943558 |
| OpenAlex | W1966345783 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 8 |
| References cited | 8 |
Aim: This study aimed at assessing the effectiveness regarding implementation and impact of a take-home nutrition supplementation programme, the Protein Energy Malnutrition (PEM) Scheme, that targets malnourished pre-school children and pregnant and lactating women in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa. Methodology: In assessing implementation of the PEM Scheme, a cross-sectional descriptive study was undertaken over a 6-month period in the six regions of the Northern Cape Province. Interviews were conducted with programme managers and health personnel at clinics who were responsible for implementing the PEM Scheme. In assessing the impact of the PEM Scheme on growth, a retrospective review was done of the clinic records (including anthropometric data) of children enrolled in the PEM Scheme over a 1-year period. Results: About 76% of the budget allocated to the PEM Scheme had been utilised over the 1-year period. The budget for the following financial year was based solely on food supplements purchased in the previous year. Coverage of malnourished pre-school children and eligible pregnant and lactating women for enrolment was estimated to be 50% and 60%, respectively. Eighty-five per cent of health facilities in the province participated in the PEM Scheme. Some of the main problems identified included: lack of training, inappropriate targeting of certain groups, incorrect application especially of discharge criteria for pregnant and lactating women, inadequate assessment for nutrition-related disease, inadequate nutrition counselling and no standardised monitoring. Of the 319 children enrolled over a year, the mean age was 16.2 (standard deviation 16.2) months, 41% had been low-birth-weight and 18% had been diagnosed with tuberculosis. Ten per cent of the children with a weight-for-age Z -score of Z -score range after being on the PEM Scheme for a mean duration of 8 months. There was an overall improvement in the weight-for-age Z -scores of 25% of the sample, with a significant difference between the mean weight-for-age Z -scores at enrolment and follow-up ( t = 4.8, P Z -scores of children Conclusions: Numerous problems with the PEM Scheme have been identified which could have limited its impact. Recommendations are proposed for improving the effectiveness and impact of the PEM Scheme in the province
Anthropometry · Cape · Environmental health · Geography · Malnutrition · Child Nutrition and Feeding Issues · Child Nutrition and Water Access · Food Security and Health in Diverse Populations · Medicine · Pediatrics
Monitoring the implementation of nutrition intervention at the local level
Bibliography of papers from studies undertaken in Africa and published in Public Health Nutrition, 1998 to date
The targeting of nutritionally at-risk children attending a primary health care facility in the Western Cape Province of South Africa
Caregiver perceptions of nutrition interventions in infants and children under 24 months of age
The targeting of nutritionally at-risk children attending a primary health care facility in the Western Cape Province of South Africa
Diverging opinions of supplementation programmes between mothers of small children and staff at primary health clinics in the Western Cape Province of South Africa
Food supplementation, nutritional intake of recipients and operational aspects
Household Food and Nutrition Security
| Citations per year | 0.38 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2005 - 2023 (19) |
| Highly cited | No |