A relevant intervention on nutrition transition among Isixhosa speaking people in Nelson Mandela Bay
- Authors: Fordjour Afriyie, Vera
- Date: 2024-12
- Subjects: Nutrition -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Nutrition -- Social aspects , Xhosa (African people) -- Nutrition
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/69760 , vital:78026
- Description: The nutrition transition, characterised by a shift from traditional, nutrient-dense diets to Westernised, energy-dense, and nutrient-poor diets, has significant health implications globally. In South Africa (SA), particularly among the isiXhosa-speaking population in Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB), this transition has led to the dual burden of undernutrition and overnutrition, increasing the prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as obesity and diabetes. Despite the prevalence of this nutrition phenomenon, limited research has explored the perceptions of nutrition transition among South African communities, although there is literature about the transition itself. Most studies on the research subject were undertaken in Asian and European countries and America. Generally, studies regarding the nutrition transition emphasise the importance of early public health interventions to prevent the transition from reaching critical levels. This research study aimed to answer the question: How do isiXhosa-speaking people in NMB perceive nutritional transition, and what are their knowledge and practices concerning traditional foods? This study’s primary aim was to identify and evaluate the NMB isiXhosa-speaking population’s perceptions regarding nutrition transition and their knowledge and practices concerning traditional foods. Subsequently, the study aimed to develop and test an educational intervention to promote traditional African diets and mitigate the adverse effects of nutrition transition. The researcher employed a multi-method approach, encompassing quantitative and qualitative methods and an exploratory, descriptive, and contextual approach to enhance the research design. Ethical principles guided the study, including autonomy, non-maleficence, beneficence, and justice. The study comprised two phases. Participants were selected through a stratified, clustered sampling technique. In the first phase, data were collected through in-depth interviews, focus group discussions (FGDs), a 24-hour dietary recall questionnaire, and a knowledge and practices The participants were isiXhosa-speaking NMB residents older than 18 years of age. The second phase utilised the first-phase findings to develop an intervention programme. The intervention was implemented, and its efficacy was evaluated through post-intervention surveys, sensory evaluation, and a three-month telephonic follow-up. The findings indicated a significant decline in traditional food knowledge (TFK) and practices among the participants, with a marked shift towards Westernised diets. The primary factors driving this transition were urbanisation, economic constraints, and a lack of awareness about the nutritional benefits of traditional foods. The intervention programme, which included educational workshops and a sensory evaluation using indigenous crops, resulted in improved knowledge and practices regarding indigenous crops among the participants. Post-intervention data showed increased dietary diversity and a greater inclusion of traditional foods in daily diets. The study concluded that nutrition transition poses a significant challenge to the health and well-being of isiXhosa-speaking individuals in NMB. However, targeted interventions that promote traditional African diets can effectively address this issue. The study recommends that policymakers and public health practitioners incorporate culturally relevant and community-driven strategies to promote traditional food consumption. Future research should focus on the long-term impacts of such interventions and explore scalable models for broader implementation. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Behavioural & Lifestyle Sciences, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-12
A relevant intervention on nutrition transition among Isixhosa speaking people in Nelson Mandela Bay
- Authors: Fordjour Afriyie, Vera
- Date: 2024-12
- Subjects: Nutrition -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Nutrition -- Social aspects , Xhosa (African people) -- Nutrition
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/69760 , vital:78026
- Description: The nutrition transition, characterised by a shift from traditional, nutrient-dense diets to Westernised, energy-dense, and nutrient-poor diets, has significant health implications globally. In South Africa (SA), particularly among the isiXhosa-speaking population in Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB), this transition has led to the dual burden of undernutrition and overnutrition, increasing the prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as obesity and diabetes. Despite the prevalence of this nutrition phenomenon, limited research has explored the perceptions of nutrition transition among South African communities, although there is literature about the transition itself. Most studies on the research subject were undertaken in Asian and European countries and America. Generally, studies regarding the nutrition transition emphasise the importance of early public health interventions to prevent the transition from reaching critical levels. This research study aimed to answer the question: How do isiXhosa-speaking people in NMB perceive nutritional transition, and what are their knowledge and practices concerning traditional foods? This study’s primary aim was to identify and evaluate the NMB isiXhosa-speaking population’s perceptions regarding nutrition transition and their knowledge and practices concerning traditional foods. Subsequently, the study aimed to develop and test an educational intervention to promote traditional African diets and mitigate the adverse effects of nutrition transition. The researcher employed a multi-method approach, encompassing quantitative and qualitative methods and an exploratory, descriptive, and contextual approach to enhance the research design. Ethical principles guided the study, including autonomy, non-maleficence, beneficence, and justice. The study comprised two phases. Participants were selected through a stratified, clustered sampling technique. In the first phase, data were collected through in-depth interviews, focus group discussions (FGDs), a 24-hour dietary recall questionnaire, and a knowledge and practices The participants were isiXhosa-speaking NMB residents older than 18 years of age. The second phase utilised the first-phase findings to develop an intervention programme. The intervention was implemented, and its efficacy was evaluated through post-intervention surveys, sensory evaluation, and a three-month telephonic follow-up. The findings indicated a significant decline in traditional food knowledge (TFK) and practices among the participants, with a marked shift towards Westernised diets. The primary factors driving this transition were urbanisation, economic constraints, and a lack of awareness about the nutritional benefits of traditional foods. The intervention programme, which included educational workshops and a sensory evaluation using indigenous crops, resulted in improved knowledge and practices regarding indigenous crops among the participants. Post-intervention data showed increased dietary diversity and a greater inclusion of traditional foods in daily diets. The study concluded that nutrition transition poses a significant challenge to the health and well-being of isiXhosa-speaking individuals in NMB. However, targeted interventions that promote traditional African diets can effectively address this issue. The study recommends that policymakers and public health practitioners incorporate culturally relevant and community-driven strategies to promote traditional food consumption. Future research should focus on the long-term impacts of such interventions and explore scalable models for broader implementation. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Behavioural & Lifestyle Sciences, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-12
Adolescent mothers’ breastfeeding experiences in Nelson Mandela Bay health district
- Authors: Fordjour Afriyie, Vera
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Breastfeeding -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Children -- Nutrition -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Teenage mothers -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/13879 , vital:27316
- Description: Rationale: There is limited research available in South Africa that explores the breastfeeding experience among adolescent mothers; most of the studies were conducted in developed countries. One such study relating to the above mentioned developed countries stated that social and commitment factors influence the decision to breastfeed by adolescents. Furthermore, while adolescent mothers appreciate the benefits of breastfeeding, pain, public exposure and perceived complexities related to breastfeeding create barriers for them. The researcher was unable to ascertain if similar ambiguities exist among adolescent mothers in South Africa, and in the Eastern Cape (EC) in particular with its high rates of adolescent pregnancy. In order to attempt to develop age appropriate recommendations to assist adolescent mothers with their breastfeeding journey, the researcher undertook this research study to answer the following question: What are the breastfeeding experiences of adolescent mothers in the Nelson Mandela Bay Heath District (NMBHD)? Aim: The research aim was to determine the experiences of adolescent mothers regarding breastfeeding in NMBHD. Methods: The study implemented a qualitative research approach. To enhance the design, the researcher utilised an explorative, descriptive and contextual research design. The ethical principles that guided this study were autonomy, nonmaleficence, beneficence and justice. Fourteen adolescent mothers, attending PHC facilities in the NMBHD participated in the study. Participants were chosen from a purposive sampling technique and data were collected from semi-structured interviews, compromising of individual interviews. The researcher analysed the data using the using the eight steps of the Tesch analysis technique. Data was also analysed by an independent coder. Results obtained from the Tesch approach were compared to that of the independent coder results. Thereafter, the major themes and sub-themes that related to the study objectives were identified. Results: Three themes and 10 sub-themes were identified. Lack of knowledge and poor adherence to EBF, perceived breastmilk insufficiency, as well as incorrect infant feeding advice given by maternal mothers and grandmothers were associated with early introduction of complementary feeding. Most participants were motivated to breastfeed due to its economic and bonding benefits, as well as seeing their infant‟s progress in growth. Challenges of breastfeeding mentioned by the participants include: lack of support from the fathers of their infants and from health care providers, breast milk leakage, and the foul smell associated with the leaking of breast milk. The participants of the study also had suggestions to help improve the support given to adolescent mothers by health care providers in PHC facilities. Conclusions and recommendations: In conclusion, this study‟s findings revealed that adolescent mothers may need extra age appropriate education and support to assist them in breastfeeding successfully at PHC facilities, the community and schools. Maternal mothers and grandmothers were found to be the primary source of a support network for most adolescent mothers as opposed to health care providers who were categorised as being the secondary source of support. Thus, breastfeeding promotion tailored at maternal mothers and grandmothers would be beneficial in improving their knowledge about the recommended infant feeding practices and consequently aid in providing appropriate support and advice to adolescent mothers. Additionally, training and attitude modification of health care providers is needed to provide adolescent mothers with age-appropriate, effective and sensitive care and counselling.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Fordjour Afriyie, Vera
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Breastfeeding -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Children -- Nutrition -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Teenage mothers -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/13879 , vital:27316
- Description: Rationale: There is limited research available in South Africa that explores the breastfeeding experience among adolescent mothers; most of the studies were conducted in developed countries. One such study relating to the above mentioned developed countries stated that social and commitment factors influence the decision to breastfeed by adolescents. Furthermore, while adolescent mothers appreciate the benefits of breastfeeding, pain, public exposure and perceived complexities related to breastfeeding create barriers for them. The researcher was unable to ascertain if similar ambiguities exist among adolescent mothers in South Africa, and in the Eastern Cape (EC) in particular with its high rates of adolescent pregnancy. In order to attempt to develop age appropriate recommendations to assist adolescent mothers with their breastfeeding journey, the researcher undertook this research study to answer the following question: What are the breastfeeding experiences of adolescent mothers in the Nelson Mandela Bay Heath District (NMBHD)? Aim: The research aim was to determine the experiences of adolescent mothers regarding breastfeeding in NMBHD. Methods: The study implemented a qualitative research approach. To enhance the design, the researcher utilised an explorative, descriptive and contextual research design. The ethical principles that guided this study were autonomy, nonmaleficence, beneficence and justice. Fourteen adolescent mothers, attending PHC facilities in the NMBHD participated in the study. Participants were chosen from a purposive sampling technique and data were collected from semi-structured interviews, compromising of individual interviews. The researcher analysed the data using the using the eight steps of the Tesch analysis technique. Data was also analysed by an independent coder. Results obtained from the Tesch approach were compared to that of the independent coder results. Thereafter, the major themes and sub-themes that related to the study objectives were identified. Results: Three themes and 10 sub-themes were identified. Lack of knowledge and poor adherence to EBF, perceived breastmilk insufficiency, as well as incorrect infant feeding advice given by maternal mothers and grandmothers were associated with early introduction of complementary feeding. Most participants were motivated to breastfeed due to its economic and bonding benefits, as well as seeing their infant‟s progress in growth. Challenges of breastfeeding mentioned by the participants include: lack of support from the fathers of their infants and from health care providers, breast milk leakage, and the foul smell associated with the leaking of breast milk. The participants of the study also had suggestions to help improve the support given to adolescent mothers by health care providers in PHC facilities. Conclusions and recommendations: In conclusion, this study‟s findings revealed that adolescent mothers may need extra age appropriate education and support to assist them in breastfeeding successfully at PHC facilities, the community and schools. Maternal mothers and grandmothers were found to be the primary source of a support network for most adolescent mothers as opposed to health care providers who were categorised as being the secondary source of support. Thus, breastfeeding promotion tailored at maternal mothers and grandmothers would be beneficial in improving their knowledge about the recommended infant feeding practices and consequently aid in providing appropriate support and advice to adolescent mothers. Additionally, training and attitude modification of health care providers is needed to provide adolescent mothers with age-appropriate, effective and sensitive care and counselling.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
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