Authors:Samuel Nambile Cumber, Geraldine Sinyuy, Joyce Mahlako Tsoka-Gwegweni First page: 47 Abstract: Migration is interwoven with the problems of health and nutrition. When people migrate, they are still in need of the most basic human needs including nutrition and health care. These two again are inter-related since they affect one another. The quality of nutrition which an individual receives has a lot to play on his/her health. This paper seeks to discuss the malnourished situation of the children of refugees and internally displaced persons in the northern part of Cameroon resulting from Boko Haram insurgencies in boarder countries (Nigeria in particular) and within Cameroon itself. The study also shows that the number of refugees in the Northern part of Cameroon has been on a progressive increase since 2013. The most alarming aspect of the presence of these refugees driven out of their homes by Boko Haram attacks is the large number of children who suffer from severe acute malnutrition.Keywords: Boko Haram, children, malnutrition, migration, refugees PubDate: 2019-02-21 Issue No:Vol. 31, No. 3 (2019)
Authors:Adenike Oluwayemisi Jimoh, Jane Oowo Anyiam, Alhassan Mela Yakubu First page: 50 Abstract: Introduction: Nutrition is a major factor that can have long-term effects on the brain’s structural and functional capacity. The interplay between nutrition and child development cannot be overemphasised, especially in developing countries.Objectives: The study aimed to assess the nutritional status of under-fives and determine the relationship between the nutritional status and their developmental quotient.Methodology: A cross-sectional study was undertaken involving 415 under-fives aged 6–59 months in selected pre-schools and immunisation centres. Developmental assessment was done using the Schedule of Growing Skills II. The nutritional status was assessed using the WHO growth charts for weight-for-age, weight-for-height and height-for-age. Chi-square and odds ratio with 95% confidence interval were used to determine the association between nutritional status and selected developmental domains.Results: The mean age was 32.6 ± 15.9 months. The male to female ratio was 1.2:1. The overall prevalence of developmental delay was 35.4%, with manipulative domain accounting for the highest delay (25.8%). The prevalence of stunting, wasting and underweight was 9.1, 3.8 and 3.8% while 2.2% were overweight. Weight-for-age had a significant association with the hearing and language domain (OR 3.25, 95% CI 1.09–9.72, p = 0.036,) and interactive social domain (OR 5.0, 95% CI 2.0–13.0, p = 0.001).Conclusion: The nutritional status of a child has an effect on certain developmental domains of that child. Interventions to improve the nutritional status of under-fives will go a long way to facilitating the development of this group of children.Keywords: child, developmental delay, developmental quotient, nutritional status, under-fives, Nigerian PubDate: 2019-02-21 Issue No:Vol. 31, No. 3 (2019)
Authors:C.E. Napier, W.H. Oldewage-Theron, H.H. Grobbelaar First page: 55 Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to describe the process of the testing of the Elderly Food Based Dietary Guidelines (EFBDGs). Following a literature review, stakeholder discussions and revision, preliminary English EFBDGs were proposed and circulated to an expert panel for input. The developed EFBDGs are based on the existing FBDGs which were revised in 2012 and adapted for older people following the Food and Agricultural Organisation/World Health Organisation (FAO/WHO) guidelines. Minor corrections were received and incorporated, after which the guidelines were tested for comprehension, appropriateness and applicability in consumer groups.A qualitative design was followed with focus group discussions. Firstly, the English EFBDGs were tested with IsiZulu, Afrikaans, IsiXhosa, English and Sesotho speaking elderly aged 60 years and older in KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Eastern Cape and Free State provinces, respectively. Thereafter, they were adapted and translated into IsiZulu, Afrikaans, IsiXhosa and Sesotho. Secondly, the adapted and translated EFBDGs were tested in the mentioned ethnic groups.In general, as expected, the results of the tests showed that the English speaking elderly responded better to the English guidelines than the other ethnic groups. The feedback in respect of the tested translated guidelines was more positive indicating a better understanding of the EFBDGs by the various ethnic groups. This is because, not only were the English guidelines translated, but they were also adapted and words were contextualised according to the day-to-day language use of the groups.It was recommended that the guidelines be incorporated into the Integrated Nutrition Programme for the purpose of nutrition education as well as a guide for food service institutions serving the elderly. Also, it was recommended that the development of support material for health professionals and the wider community be undertaken and the material translated into all the official languages. Future strategies should include the implementation, evaluation and impact of the EFBDGs.Keywords: elderly nutrition, food based dietary guidelines PubDate: 2019-02-21 Issue No:Vol. 31, No. 3 (2019)
Authors:Abdulkadir Egal, Wilna Oldewage-Theron First page: 62 Abstract: Objectives: This study investigated the possible associations between micronutrient deficiencies and child growth in the rural community of Qwa-Qwa in the Free State province of South Africa (SA).Design: Cross-sectional observational baseline survey.Setting: Rural Qwa-Qwa, Free State, SA.Subjects: Children 7- 15 years of age (n = 73; randomly selected).Outcome Measures: Nutritional status in terms of height and weight measurements, and serum haemoglobin, vitamins A and E and zinc.Results and conclusions: The results of this study showed that there was no significant difference between the mean age of the two genders (p = 0.94). The prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies were 47.3% vitamin E, 25.0% zinc, 3.9% haemoglobin and 1.4% vitamin A. The prevalence of wasting, stunting and underweight was 19.2, 13.7 and 11.4%, respectively. Linear regression analysis showed statistically significant positive correlations between weight-for-age (WAZ) and haemoglobin (r = 0.38, p = 0.049), zinc (r = 0.71, p = 0.008) and vitamin E (r = 0.43, p = 0.029) levels, while there were no significant correlations between vitamin A with WAZ, height-for-age (HAZ) and body mass index-(BMI)-for-age (BAZ). This study shows that there are some associations between child growth and certain micronutrient deficiencies that affects the growth and well-being. Therefore, regular and continued monitoring is recommended for the benefit of, specifically South African children, but also the general population, researchers and the government.Keywords: Children, child growth, growth monitoring, micronutrient PubDate: 2019-02-21 Issue No:Vol. 31, No. 3 (2019)
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