The dynamic relationship between cash transfers and child health: can the child support grant in South Africa make a difference to child nutrition?

AbstractObjectiveCash transfer programmes targeting children are considered an effective strategy for addressing child poverty and for improving child health outcomes in developing countries. In South Africa, the Child Support Grant (CSG) is the largest cash transfer programme targeting children from poor households. The present paper investigates the association of the duration of CSG receipt with child growth at 2 years in three diverse areas of South Africa.DesignThe study analysed data on CSG receipt and anthropometric measurements from children. Predictors of stunting were assessed using a backward regression model.SettingPaarl (peri-urban), Rietvlei (rural) and Umlazi (urban township), South Africa, 2008.SubjectsChildren (n746), median age 22 months.ResultsHigh rates of stunting were observed in Umlazi (28 %), Rietvlei (20 %) and Paarl (17 %). Duration of CSG receipt had no effect on stunting. HIV exposure (adjusted OR=2·30; 95 % CI 1·31, 4·03) and low birth weight (adjusted=OR 2·01, 95 % CI 1·02, 3·96) were associated with stunting, and maternal education had a protective effect on stunting.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that, despite the presence of the CSG, high rates of stunting among poor children continue unabated in South Africa. We argue that the effect of the CSG on nutritional status may have been eroded by food price inflation and limited progress in the provision of other important interventions and social services.

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Does The Unconditional Cash Transfer Program in South Africa Provide Support for Women After Child Birth? Barriers To Accessing The Child Support Grant Among Women in Informal Work in Durban, South Africa

10.21203/rs.3.rs-871452/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Silondile Luthuli ◽

Lyn Haskins ◽

Sphindile Mapumulo ◽

Christiane Horwood

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Low Income ◽

Child Support ◽

Working Women ◽

Cash Transfer ◽

Transfer Program ◽

Application Process ◽

Informal Workers ◽

Child Support Grant ◽

Unconditional Cash Transfer

Abstract Background The child support grant (CSG) is the largest unconditional cash transfer program in Africa and aims to alleviate poverty and improve child health and nutrition in low-income families in South Africa. Among informal working women, the CSG is an important source of income after childbirth when informal workers are unable to work, but reports suggest that women experience delays in accessing the CSG. We explore experiences and challenges accessing the CSG among informal workers in Durban, South Africa Methods We undertook a longitudinal mixed-methods cohort study. Women informal workers were recruited during pregnancy and followed-up for up to one year after the baby was born. Quantitative questionnaires and semi-structured in-depth interviews were used to collect data about women’s plans for applying for the CSG, the application process, use of the CSG in the household, and household food insecurity. Interviews were conducted in IsiZulu by experienced researchers. Descriptive analysis of quantitative data used SPSS v26, and framework analysis using NVIVO v12.3 was used for qualitative analysis. Results Twenty-four informal working women were enrolled. The CSG received for older children was reported as an important and reliable source of income for mothers after childbirth. However, delays receiving the CSG for the new baby meant this support was unavailable to first-time mothers. The complex application process for the CSG required mothers to go to various government departments to complete the required documentation, often taking the baby with them. This was costly and time-consuming for mothers who were already vulnerable, and led to delays in obtaining CSG funds. Many women experienced moderate or severe food insecurity before and after the baby was born. As a result, some mothers had to return to work earlier than planned, disrupting childcare and breastfeeding. Conclusion Cash transfer programmes can effectively support low income households and improve outcomes for mothers and children. In South Africa there is a need for innovative approaches to streamline CSG applications, so women can access the funds immediately post-delivery to fill a resource gap and provide support at a vulnerable time for mothers and their children.

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Does the unconditional cash transfer program in South Africa provide support for women after child birth? Barriers to accessing the child support grant among women in informal work in Durban, South Africa

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-022-12503-7 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Silondile Luthuli ◽

Lyn Haskins ◽

Sphindile Mapumulo ◽

Christiane Horwood

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Low Income ◽

Child Support ◽

Working Women ◽

Cash Transfer ◽

Transfer Program ◽

Application Process ◽

Informal Workers ◽

Child Support Grant ◽

Unconditional Cash Transfer

Abstract Background The child support grant (CSG) is the largest unconditional cash transfer program in Africa and aims to alleviate poverty and improve child health and nutrition in low-income families in South Africa. Among informal working women, the CSG is an important source of income after childbirth when informal workers are unable to work, but reports suggest that women experience delays in accessing the CSG. We explore experiences and challenges of accessing the CSG among informal workers in Durban, South Africa. Methods We undertook a longitudinal mixed-methods cohort study. Women informal workers were recruited during pregnancy and followed-up for up to one year after the baby was born. Quantitative questionnaires and semi-structured in-depth interviews were used to collect data about women’s plans for applying for the CSG, the application process, use of the CSG in the household, and household food insecurity. Interviews were conducted in IsiZulu by experienced researchers. Descriptive analysis of quantitative data used SPSS v26, and framework analysis using NVIVO v12.3 was used for qualitative analysis. Results Twenty-four informal working women were enrolled. The CSG received for older children was reported as an important and reliable source of income for mothers after childbirth. However, delays receiving the CSG for the new baby meant this support was unavailable to first-time mothers. The complex application process for the CSG required mothers to travel to various government departments to complete the required documentation, often taking the baby with them. This was costly and time-consuming for mothers who were already vulnerable, and led to delays in obtaining CSG funds. Many women experienced moderate or severe food insecurity before and after the baby was born. As a result, some mothers had to return to work earlier than planned, disrupting childcare and breastfeeding. Conclusions Cash transfer programmes can effectively support low income households and improve outcomes for mothers and children. In South Africa there is a need for innovative approaches to streamline CSG applications, so women can access the funds immediately post-delivery to fill a resource gap and provide support at a vulnerable time for mothers and their children.

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Safeguarding maternal and child health in South Africa by starting the Child Support Grant before birth: Design lessons from pregnancy support programmes in 27 countries

South African Medical Journal ◽

10.7196/samj.2016.v106.i12.12011 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 106 (12) ◽

pp. 1192

Author(s):

M F Chersich ◽

S Luchters ◽

D Blaauw ◽

F Scorgie ◽

E Kern ◽

...

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Child Health ◽

Maternal And Child Health ◽

Child Support ◽

Child Support Grant ◽

Support Programmes ◽

And Child Health

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REASONS THAT DETER QUALIFYING PRIMARY CAREGIVERS FROM APPLYING FOR CHILD SUPPORT GRANTS

SOUTHERN AFRICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIAL WORK AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT ◽

10.25159/2415-5829/2178 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 26 (1) ◽

pp. 42-54

Author(s):

Mangalane Du Toit ◽

Liezel Lues

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

South African ◽

Child Support ◽

Child Poverty ◽

Primary Caregivers ◽

Number Of Children ◽

The Social ◽

Northern Cape ◽

Child Support Grant ◽

Social Security Agency

The Child Support Grant (CSG) came about as a strategy to address child poverty in South Africa, granted to caregivers that care for children up to the age of eighteen years. In 2012, the number of children aged up to 18 years receiving the CSG stood at 11 306 024, an increase from 800 476 in 2001. Despite amending the Social Assistance Act, 2004 (Act 13 of 2004), and numerous marketing campaigns conducted by the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) since 2009 in the Northern Cape Region, SASSA struggles to meet the annual projected targets for CSG intakes.An empirical study to investigate the reasons that deter primary caregivers from applying for child support was conducted in the Northern Cape. In this study, it was hypothesised that amending the criteria for CSG will increase the number of qualifying primary caregivers applying for the CSG, and assist the Frances Baard District Municipality in achieving the annual projected targets.

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