Nutritional status of perinatally HIV-infected children on antiretroviral therapy from a resource-poor rural South African community

AbstractObjectivesTo assess the nutritional status and dietary practices of 4–24-month-old children (under-twos) in a rural South African community.DesignCross-sectional survey.SettingA low socioeconomic rural African community (Ndunakazi), approximately 60 km north-west of Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.SubjectsChildren (n= 115), 4–24 months old who attended growth monitoring posts in the area.ResultsOf these under-twos, 37.3% had low vitamin A status (serum retinol < 20 μg dl−1), 65.2% were anaemic, 43.2% had serum ferritin levels < 10 μgl−1(an indicator of low iron stores) and 15.3% were stunted. Breastfeeding was initiated by 99% of mothers. At the time of the survey, 80% of infants in the 4–12-month-old category and 56.9% of children in the 12–24-month-old category were being breastfed. Solid foods were introduced at 3.6 ± 0.8 months. Food intake reflected a high intake of carbohydrate-rich foods, and irregular intakes of fruit and vegetables, especially those rich in vitamin A. Foods of animal origin were not consumed regularly. Of these under-twos, 15.9% experienced an episode of diarrhoea during 2 weeks prior to the survey.ConclusionThese under-twos had a poor vitamin A and iron status. Nutrition education, intervention programmes and feeding schemes should address micronutrient deficiencies, with the focus on the quality of the diet, rather than quantity.

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Determinants of the risk of dying of HIV/AIDS in a rural South African community over the period of the decentralised roll-out of antiretroviral therapy: a longitudinal study

Global Health Action ◽

10.3402/gha.v7.24826 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. 24826 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Paul Mee ◽

Mark A. Collinson ◽

Sangeetha Madhavan ◽

Chodziwadziwa Kabudula ◽

Francesc Xavier Gómez-Olivé ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Longitudinal Study ◽

Antiretroviral Therapy ◽

South African ◽

Rural South ◽

African Community ◽

Roll Out ◽

Hiv Aids

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Physical activity in early childhood education and care settings in a low-income, rural South African community: an observational study

Rural and Remote Health ◽

10.22605/rrh5249 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Simone Tomaz ◽

Rachel Jones ◽

Trina Hinkley ◽

Rhian Twine ◽

Kathleen Kahn ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Early Childhood ◽

Early Childhood Education ◽

Observational Study ◽

South African ◽

Low Income ◽

Rural South ◽

Childhood Education ◽

Education And Care ◽

African Community

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Gendered adversity and mental health of adolescents orphaned by AIDS in a rural South African community: An exploratory study

Journal of Psychology in Africa ◽

10.1080/14330237.2019.1603341 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 29 (2) ◽

pp. 149-154

Author(s):

Mokoena P. Maepa ◽

Oluyinka Ojedokun ◽

Erhabor S. Idemudia ◽

Palesa Morubane

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

South African ◽

Exploratory Study ◽

Rural South ◽

African Community

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Factors associated with low serum retinol levels in children aged 6–24 months in a rural South African community

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980000000458 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 3 (4) ◽

pp. 395-402 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Mieke Faber ◽

AJ Spinnler Benadé

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Vitamin A ◽

South African ◽

Serum Retinol ◽

Rural South ◽

Vitamin A Status ◽

Potential Risk Factors ◽

African Community ◽

Home Deliveries ◽

Low Serum

AbstractObjectiveTo identify risk factors for variation in serum retinol levels in children younger than 2 years of age in a rural South African community.DesignChildren (n=97), 6–24 months of age, were divided into two groups according to their serum retinol levels, using 20 μg dl−1as the cut-off point. The chi-square test, Fischer exact two-tailed test and analysis of variance were used to identify related variables which were significantly different between the two groups. To evaluate simultaneously the association between several potential risk factors and low serum retinol levels, a multiple regression model for categorical data was developed which included potential risk factors that were statistically significant in the bivariate analysis as the independent variables, and either low or normal vitamin A status as the dependent variable.ResultsThere was an association between serum retinol levels and: (i) the place of birth (hospital vs. home deliveries); (ii) the attitude of the care-giver towards family life; and (iii) the health status of the child. Although not included in the multiple variable model because of small numbers, all children who had a previous episode of measles, all underweight children, and all children of widowed care-givers were in the low serum retinol group.ConclusionsThe care-giver's attitude towards family life was positively associated with the child's vitamin A status, while home deliveries were associated with a low vitamin A status.

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