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Nyawose ZZ, Naidoo R, Christie C, Bassett S, Coetzee D, van Gent M, Monyeki A, Gradidge P, Janse van Rensburg C, Cozett C, Young M, Slemming W, Morrow L, Pienaar A, Krog S, Walter C, Kholvadia A, De Milander M, Naidoo N, Lambert EV. Results From South Africa's 2022 Healthy Active Kids' Report Card on Physical Activity, Body Composition Proxies, and Nutritional Status in Children and Adolescents. J Phys Act Health 2024; 21:861-871. [PMID: 39117305 DOI: 10.1123/jpah.2023-0708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Physical activity (PA) and nutrition in children have an impact on overall physical and mental well-being, cognitive, and social development. This study aims to report on the best current available evidence on PA, body composition proxies, and nutritional status of South African children and adolescents, based on the published findings between 2018 and 2022, which comprise the 2022 Healthy Active Kids South Africa Report Card. METHODS A comprehensive literature search of online databases, along with hand searching and a gray literature search, was conducted based on PA, body composition proxies, and nutrition indicators defined, in part, by the Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance. RESULTS Compared with the 2018 report card, there was an improvement in the majority of PA indicators which include overall PA (B-), active transportation (B-), physical fitness (B-), and government policy and programs (C). Body composition proxies and most of the nutrition indicators remained unchanged. The indicators that regressed from 2018 to 2022 included community and environmental influences (D), as well as participation in organized sport (D-). CONCLUSIONS Despite the apparent improvement in overall PA levels in children and adolescents, there is a lack of tangible evidence of actual implementation of policies and programs. There was also a lack of nationally representative data for most indicators. Overall, there is a need to identify intersectoral, equitable approaches for promoting PA and healthy eating in South African children and adolescents and ongoing monitoring and surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zingisa Z Nyawose
- Department of Sport Studies, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa
| | - Rowena Naidoo
- Discipline of Biokinetics, Exercise and Leisure Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Candice Christie
- Department of Human Kinetics and Ergonomics, Rhodes University, Makhanda, South Africa
| | - Susan Bassett
- Department of Sport, Recreation and Exercise Science, University of Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa
| | - Dané Coetzee
- Physical Activity, Sport and Recreation (PhASRec), Faculty of Health Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - Maya van Gent
- Human Movement Science Department, University of Fort Hare, Alice, South Africa
| | - Andries Monyeki
- Physical Activity, Sport and Recreation (PhASRec), Faculty of Health Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - Philippe Gradidge
- Department of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | | | - Colleen Cozett
- Business and Utilities Studies, Northlink College, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Marie Young
- Department of Sport, Recreation and Exercise Science, University of Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa
| | - Wiedaad Slemming
- Department of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Lumé Morrow
- Department of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Anita Pienaar
- Physical Activity, Sport and Recreation (PhASRec), Faculty of Health Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - Soezin Krog
- Department of Early Childhood Education, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Cheryl Walter
- Human Movement Sciences, Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
| | - Aayesha Kholvadia
- Human Movement Sciences, Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
| | - Monique De Milander
- Department Exercise and Sport Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Niri Naidoo
- Department of Health and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Estelle V Lambert
- Research Center for Health through Physical Activity, Lifestyle and Sport (HPALS) Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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Tshivhase L, Magavha TA, Moloko SM. Guardians' involvement in the management of childhood illnesses in Vhembe district, Limpopo. Health SA 2024; 29:2715. [PMID: 39229316 PMCID: PMC11369609 DOI: 10.4102/hsag.v29i0.2715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 09/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Guardians' involvement in the management of childhood illnesses plays a pivotal role in reducing mortality and morbidity among children under 5 years old. It is through the guardian's eyes that the child can be afforded timely healthcare, prevented from contracting an illness and effectively taken prescribed medication. Aim The study aimed to explore the guardians' lived experiences in their involvement in managing childhood illnesses in Vhembe district, Limpopo province, South Africa. Setting A qualitative, exploratory and descriptive study was conducted with 16 purposively sampled participants. Methods One-on-one individual interviews were conducted with participants. Data were analysed following Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis. Results Guardians reported their involvement by seeking child healthcare in healthcare facilities when ill and due for immunisations. Involvement in childhood care is performed through assessment of child illness at home, follow-up, referral of children to healthcare facilities, promotion of child health and prevention of childhood illnesses. Conclusion Children remain dependent on guardians for their well-being. Seeking care, preventing illnesses and promoting childhood health are vital in reducing child mortality and childhood morbidity. Contribution Involving and empowering guardians regarding the care of children under 5 years old are vital in achieving Sustainable Development Goal number 3 in 2030.
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Affiliation(s)
- Livhuwani Tshivhase
- Department of Nursing School of Health care Sciences, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa
- Department of Health Studies, College of Human Sciences, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Tshifhiwa A. Magavha
- Department of Nursing School of Health care Sciences, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Sophy M. Moloko
- Department of Nursing School of Health care Sciences, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa
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Salvador C, Nieto R, Kapwata T, Wright CY, Reason C, Gimeno L, Vicedo-Cabrera AM. Analyzing the effects of drought at different time scales on cause-specific mortality in South Africa. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS : ERL [WEB SITE] 2024; 19:054022. [PMID: 38855580 PMCID: PMC7616071 DOI: 10.1088/1748-9326/ad3bd2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
South Africa (SA) is highly vulnerable to the effects of drought on the environment, economy, and society. However, its effect on human health remains unclear. Understanding the mortality risk associated with different types of droughts in different population groups and by specific causes would help clarify the potential mechanisms involved. The study aims to comprehensively assess the effect of droughts of varying time scales on cause-specific mortality (all; infectious and parasitic; endocrine, nutritional, and metabolic; cardiovascular; respiratory) in SA (from 2009-2016) and identify more vulnerable profiles based on sex and age. We also evaluated the urbanicity and district-level socioeconomic deprivation as potential risk modifiers. We used a two-stage time-series study design, with the weekly standardized precipitation-evapotranspiration index (SPEI) calculated at 1, 6, 12, and 15 months of accumulation to identify droughts of different duration (SPEI1, 6, 12, 15, respectively). We applied a quasi-Poisson regression adjusted by mean temperature to assess the association between each type of drought and weekly mortality in all district municipalities of SA, and then pooled the estimates in a meta-regression model. We reported relative risks (RRs) for one unit increase of drought severity. Overall, we found a positive association between droughts (regardless the time scale) and all causes of death analyzed. The strongest associations were found for the drought events more prolonged (RR [95%CI]: 1.027 [1.018, 1.036] (SPEI1); 1.035 [1.021, 1.050] (SPEI6); 1.033 [1.008, 1.058] (SPEI12); 1.098 [1.068, 1.129] (SPEI15)) and respiratory mortality (RRs varied from 1.037 [1.021, 1.053] (SPEI1) to 1.189 [1.14, 1.241] (SPEI15)). An indication of greater vulnerability was found in younger adults for the shortest droughts, in older adults for medium-term and long-term droughts, and children for very long-term droughts. However, differences were not significant. Further evidence of the relevance of urbanicity and demographic and socioeconomic conditions as potential risk modifiers is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Coral Salvador
- Centro de Investigación Marinã, Universidade de Vigo, Environmental Physics Laboratory (EPhysLab), Ourense, Spain
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Oeschger Center for Climate Change Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Raquel Nieto
- Centro de Investigación Marinã, Universidade de Vigo, Environmental Physics Laboratory (EPhysLab), Ourense, Spain
| | - Thandi Kapwata
- Environment and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Johannesburg 2090, South Africa
- Department of Environmental Health, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa
| | - Caradee Y Wright
- Environment and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
- Department of Geography, Geoinformatics and Meteorology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
| | - Chris Reason
- Oceanography Department, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
| | - Luis Gimeno
- Centro de Investigación Marinã, Universidade de Vigo, Environmental Physics Laboratory (EPhysLab), Ourense, Spain
| | - Ana M Vicedo-Cabrera
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Oeschger Center for Climate Change Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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Hadley K, Wheat S, Rogers HH, Balakumar A, Gonzales-Pacheco D, Davis SS, Linstadt H, Cushing T, Ziska LH, Piper C, Sorensen C. Mechanisms underlying food insecurity in the aftermath of climate-related shocks: a systematic review. Lancet Planet Health 2023; 7:e242-e250. [PMID: 36774944 DOI: 10.1016/s2542-5196(23)00003-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Food insecurity is prevalent, affecting 1·2 billion people globally in 2021. However, the effects of food insecurity are unequally distributed across populations and climate-related shocks threaten to exacerbate food insecurity and associated health consequences. The mechanisms underlying this exacerbation at the household level are largely unknown. We aimed to synthesise the available evidence on the mechanisms connecting extreme climate events to household-level food insecurity and highlight the research gaps that must be addressed to inform better food security and health policy. For this systematic review, a comprehensive literature search was done by a medical librarian in February, 2021 for articles about food security and climate-related shocks. Relevant publications were identified by searching the following databases with a combination of standardised index terms and keywords: MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, GreenFILE, Environment Complete, Web of Science Core Collection, and Global Health. Searches were limited to human studies published in English. Included studies measured food security outcomes using indicators developed by the UN Food and Agricultural Organization (ie, consumption patterns, livelihood change, malnutrition, and mortality) and explained the mechanism behind the household-level or population-level food insecurity. Purely theoretical, modelling, and review studies were excluded. Quality assessment was conducted using the appropriate Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Tool. Data were analysed using thematic analysis of the categories of mechanism (interpreted using internationally accepted frameworks), risk and resilience factors, and author policy recommendations. We found a paucity of data with only 18 studies meeting criteria for inclusion out of 337 studies identified for full-text review. All the studies that were included in our analysis showed worse food security outcomes after climate-related shocks. Food availability was the most common mechanism cited (17 studies), although most studies addressed at least one additional mechanism (15 studies). Studies were of mixed methodologies with nuanced discussions of risk and resilience factors, and of policy recommendations. This systematic review shows that there is an incomplete assessment of food security at the household and community level after climate-related shocks in the literature and finds that food availability is the primary mechanism studied. The low number of studies on this topic limits subgroup analysis and generalisability; however, the good quality of the studies allows for important policy recommendations around improving resilience to climate shocks and suggestions for future research including the need for a more granular understanding of mechanisms and feasible adaptation solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristie Hadley
- Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Stefan Wheat
- Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Heidi Honegger Rogers
- College of Nursing and Office of Community Health, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Arjun Balakumar
- Emergency Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Diana Gonzales-Pacheco
- College of Nursing and Office of Community Health, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Sarah Shrum Davis
- College of Nursing and Office of Community Health, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | | | - Tracy Cushing
- Strauss Health Sciences Library, Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Lewis H Ziska
- Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Christi Piper
- Strauss Health Sciences Library, Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Cecilia Sorensen
- Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
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Exploring the Food (In)Security Status of Suburban Households and Its Determinants during COVID-19. SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14073918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Household food insecurity in South African suburban low-income households is a major challenge. Research outcomes that will inform decisions on effective solutions towards reducing household food insecurity in South Africa are essential. The purpose of this study was firstly to determine the food security status of households and the skills of household members in Ward 60 of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa. Secondly, it was also to determine the association between the socioeconomic and demographic variables of the households and their level of food (in-)security. The study employed a mixed method of both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, comprising a qualitative Community-Based Participatory Action Research (CBPAR) methodology and a quantitative household food security survey methodology. A household food security survey was employed using a questionnaire that was based on the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS). The questionnaire was used to collect data from 170 randomly selected households. The data analysis used the HFIAS score and logistic regression analysis. The results show 6.1% of households as food secure, 3.05% as mildly food insecure, 13.4% as moderately food insecure, and 77.4% as severely food insecure. The results also show that a significant unemployment rate, a reliance on social grants, and absence of income seriously impact the extent of household food insecurity. The results show a significant association between the household food security and the variables of unemployment, income, and gender. The regression analysis results suggest that gender, household size, age, employment, and household income influence household food security. The results of the household skills show that the households had a variety of skills. These results can help to inform decisions by the government, local municipalities, NGOs, and other stakeholders towards designing effective solutions for enhancing household food security.
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Robinson J, Howland O. Visible and invisible risks: Exploring washing and hygiene practices with women living on low income in Kenya. Glob Public Health 2021; 17:1002-1015. [PMID: 33635181 DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2021.1887314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Shifting environmental conditions and poor or insufficient hygiene facilitates the transmission of bacteria and viruses between and within species of animals; between humans; and between humans and animals. Taking a One Health perspective, we used interviews to explore with 20 women living on low income in Kenya: their gendered hygiene practices and daily contact with animals; how and why they access water and sanitation facilities for themselves, their families, and any livestock; and their understandings of (zoonotic) health risks and disease transmission within their local environments. The women described how they worked every day to keep bodies and homes clean by washing bodies, surfaces and clothes. Women's hygiene practices focussed on removing visible dirt partly because of concerns for health but also to support their families' social standing in their community. While they were less aware of any 'invisible' risks to health through contact with animals or other hazards present in their daily living environments, most exercised care to source and manage water for drinking. Contaminated water was recognised as a risk to health suggesting that in this case, women accepted that there were 'invisible risks' to health, even in clear water, and took steps to mitigate them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jude Robinson
- School of Social and Political Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Olivia Howland
- Zoonotic and Emerging Diseases Group, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.,International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Nairobi, Kenya
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