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Short-term effects of mixed grazing by cattle and sheep in highland sourveld.Hardy, Mark Benedict. January 1994 (has links)
Data derived from a long-term grazing trial were used to
determine short-term effects of mixed grazing by cattle and sheep
in Highland Sourveld.
Five cattle to sheep ratio treatments (viz. 1 :0, 3:1, 1 :1, 1 :3,
0:1) were applied, each at three stocking rates (viz. 0.5 (low),
0.71 (medium) and 1.0 (high) animal unit equivalents (AUE) ha¯¹).
Ratios were expressed in terms of AUE cattle: AUE sheep. Stocking
rate and ratio treatments were balanced at the start of each
grazing season. Fourteen-month old Hereford steers and 'two-tooth'
Merino wethers were used as experimental animals.
The trial comprised two components, viz. an animal production
component and a simulated component. The animal production
component was conducted only in the medium stocking rate
treatment where the effect cattle to sheep ratio on the
performance of cattle and sheep was determined for each of four
grazing seasons (viz. 1989/90,
four-paddock rotational grazing
The low and high stocking rate
1990/91, 1991/92, 1992/93). A
management system was applied.
treatments were implemented by
simulating a four-paddock rotational grazing system and using a
single paddock for each stocking rate/ratio combination. Grazing
of the simulated treatments coincided with the grazing of a
specific 'test' paddock in each ratio of the medium stocking rate
treatment. These 'test' paddocks and the simulated treatment
paddocks were monitored to determine the impact of mixed grazing
by cattle and sheep on individual grass plants and the sward.
The whole of the experimental area was rested during the growing
season prior to the start of the trial and all paddocks were
burnt in the dormant season just before the start of the first
grazing season. The trial therefore commenced with a with a
uniform sward of immature herbage in all paddocks allocated to
each group of animals. ln the second and subsequent growing
seasons only those paddocks which had been rested in the previous season were burned prior to the onset of growth in early spring.
Rainfall for the first three grazing seasons was similar to the
long-term mean of 790mm whilst the last season was considered
'dry' with 554mm recorded during 1992/93.
In all grazing seasons, as the proportion of cattle in the
species mix increased, sheep performance increased. A decline in
sheep performance was recorded in each ratio treatment from the
first to the third season. This decline was attributed to the
increased maturity and thus lower quality of herbage on offer to
the sheep, and the fact that only one paddock available to the
animals in the second and third grazing seasons had been burned
prior to the start of the season. Sheep performed best during
the 'dry' season where herbage quality was maintained for longer
into the grazing season than in previous seasons. In contrast,
cattle performance was affected by the stocking rate (animals
ha¯¹) of cattle rather than the presence of sheep. As the
quantity of herbage on offer per steer declined steer performance
declined.
Animal performance data were also used to predict the effects of
adding cattle to a sheep production enterprise and vice versa.
The general trends were that the introduction of cattle into a
low stocking rate, sheep-only production enterprise would allow
for an increase in the stocking rate of sheep while maintaining
the performance of the sheep. In this way the carrying capacity
of a farm may be improved.
Stocki ng rate and ratio treatments varied from those established
at the start of each grazing season due to the differential
performance of the cattle and sheep in each treatment. As the
proportion of cattle in the species mix increased, stocking rate
increased and the ratio widened in favour of cattle. Stocking
rate (AUE ha¯¹), calculated a posteriori for each season, was the
major influence on the severity of grazing on individual plants
and within patches. As stocking rate of cattle and sheep at the
various ratios increased, the extent and severity of grazing increased. At stocking rates in excess of O.8AUE ha¯¹ however,
sheep-only grazing resulted in a greater proportion of plants,
per species and per area, being grazed more severely than was the
case for an equivalent stocking rate (AUE ha¯¹
) of cattle.
Furthermore, cattle and sheep had similar effects on patch size
distribution when stocked at the same number of AUE ha¯¹.
There were no measurable effects of stocking rate and ratio on
proportional species composition and basal cover over a two year
monitoring period. A technique for estimating basal cover in
tufted grasslands was developed and is presented as an appendix
to the thesis.
Data were also used to evaluate the use of AUE as an integral
part of the grazing capaci ty concept. Results indicated that
cattle and sheep cannot be equated in terms of AUE when referring
to the grazing impact. It is suggested that the definition of
grazing capacity should include the species of livestock and
assume a grazing management system appropriate to the grazing
habit of the animals concerned.
Resul ts of the trial provide strong indications that, in the
long-term, the current recommendations of grazing cattle together
with sheep in order to prevent the degradation or loss of veld
condition which occurs in sheep-only grazing systems, will not
succeed. A four-paddock rotation grazing system does not appear
to be an appropriate veld management system for sustainable sheep
production in sour grassveld. An alternative approach to veld
management is suggested in which the sheep are confined to only
those areas of the farm which were burnt at the start of the
grazing season. Ideally, sheep should not allocated to the same
paddock for two consecutive grazing seasons. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1994.
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The Primary School Nutrition Programme (PSNP) : assessing the allocation of funding in KwaZulu Natal, 1995/96.Mabuza, Lindiwe Olivia Khumbuzile. January 1997 (has links)
The Government of National Unity's (GNU) desire to eliminate socio-economic imbalances
inherited from the apartheid era resulted in the creation ofthe Reconstruction and Development
Programme (RDP) which outlines principles and strategies for development in key areas. One
such area is nutrition; in this regard President Mandela enacted the Primary School Nutrition
Programme (PSNP) to provide one third of the minimum daily food intake for primary school
children, where the need existed. The PSNP was launched on the 1st of September 1994
following the announcement of the start of the programme by the President in his State of the
Nation Address on 24 May 1994. Prior to the establishment of the PSNP, the National
Nutrition and Social Development Programme (NNSDP) was addressing malnutrition,
targeting pre-school children and pregnant and nursing mothers. Initiated without a carefully
planned strategy and clearly defined roles for the national and provincial offices, the NNSDP
and its successor, the PSNP were, and remain, far from successful. In 1996 the Health Systems
Trust (HST) and the Department of Health (DoH) held a workshop intended to build a
framework for evaluating the PSNP.
The evaluation of the PSNP was prompted by the fact that direct nutrition interventions in
South Africa account for about 7% of the public health budget which in monetary terms is a
considerable amount. It remains dubious whether this money is being spent efficiently and
appropriately. Further, the evaluation of the programme is a result of severe criticism from all
fronts of society as fraud has become apparent in the various government departments within
the provinces. In KwaZulu Natal, extensive fraud has occurred, where cases of non-existent
schools and teachers have, for example, been discovered on the list of beneficiaries of the
PSNP.
The aim of this study is to form a component of the HST and DoH evaluation of the PSNP
through investigating how the allocation of funding has been conducted in KwaZulu Natal,
and, if this is found to be inappropriate, to provide recommendations for improved allocation .
of funds. To find out more about allocation procedures in KwaZulu Natal, key informants from
the Department of Health were interviewed and their responses were analysed to expose
problems with the targeting and allocation of funding at the various levels of government. Further, data obtained from the KwaZulu Natal Department of Health in Durban were
analysed using a sample taken from the final financial quarter ofthe year 1995/96. These data
showed the amount of PSNP funds advanced to ,each school compared with the amount of
funding which was accounted for, as per the procedures for the implementation of the
programme. Judging from the results obtained, the use of allocated funds for the PSNP in
KwaZulu Natal has not been successful in 80% of cases in the ten Magisterial Districts
assessed.
In educational terms, there may be a role for a programme such as the PSNP - providing pupils
with enough food to enable them to be more alert and active in the school environment whereas
in nutritional terms, this appears to be less the case. Improving nutrition status is
much more feasible when programmes are targeted at the very young and pre-school children.
Lack of targeting in KwaZulu Natal has contributed to limited success of the PSNP as a
nutrition tool. In the light of the evaluation undertaken in this study, it is proposed that
targeting younger, pre-school children is an attractive alternative for future nutrition-based
interventions and more development-based approaches, rather than the "food hand-outs"
which appear to characterise the PSNP. / Thesis (M.Env.Dev.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1997.
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Effect of stocking rate and rainfall on rangeland dynamics and cattle performance in a semi-arid savanna, KwaZulu-Natal.Fynn, Richard Warwick Sinclair. 20 December 2013 (has links)
Considerable understanding of the functioning of semi-arid systems is still needed to
enable range managers to formulate management policies, with a degree of confidence. Long term
data sets that encompass a wide range of interactions between the various major components of
a semi-arid system (vegetation, herbivory, animal performance, landscape and rainfall), are
unfortunately rare but essential to provide sufficient depth of data to adequately test various
hypotheses about rangeland dynamics. This study comprises an analysis of a ten year data set
derived from two cattle stocking rate trials in the semi-arid savanna of KwaZulu/Natal.
Statistical analysis revealed that the most pronounced and rapid compositional change was
due to rainfall, but that stocking rates between 0.156 and 0.313 AU ha ¯¹ had an important effect
as well. Sites on steeper slopes with heavy stocking rates, exhibited the greatest amount of
compositional change between 1986 and 1996 (40 Euclidean points in heavy stocking rate
treatments on slopes vs 21-24 Euclidean points in heavy stocking rate treatments on flatter land,
or 11-24 Euclidean points in low stocking rate treatments). Heavy stocking rates in conjunction
with low rainfall tended to cause decreases in densely tufted perennial grasses and increases in annuals and weakly tufted perennials.
Multiple regression analysis revealed that seasonal peak grass production (measured as
disc height) declined between 1986 and 1996 only at those sites on steeper slopes with heavy
stocking rates. The camps that declined in productivity also underwent the greatest degree of
compositional change. The decline in grass productivity in certain high stocking rate camps did
not translate into a decline in cattle performance. Depending on rainfall, cattle gained on a
seasonal basis between 112 and 241 kg at low stocking rates, 82 and 225 kg at medium stocking
rates and 84 and 217 kg at high stocking rates
Rainfall, compared with stocking rate, accounted for the greatest amount of variance in
seasonal peak grass production and cattle performance. Cattle performance had a strong
curvilinear response to rainfall, which also proved to be a better predictor of cattle performance than grass biomass.
There were no clear trends in soil physical and chemical characteristics between low and
high stocking rates that could provide convincing evidence that loss of soil nutrients was an
important mechanism of range degradation. The total standing crop of plant nitrogen but not of
phosphorus tended to decline at high stocking rates. Plant nutrient and van Soest analyses suggested that forage quality was higher at heavy stocking rates.
The results of this study generally supported traditional concepts of rangeland dynamics
with regard to rainfall and grazing effects on compositional change and seasonal grass production.
The results were important in being able to show quantitatively that heavy stocking rates result
in a decline in grass production and that this effect is dependent on an interaction between
stocking rate and landscape position or slope, and that there is a link between a decline in seasonal
grass production and compositional change. The results also highlighted areas for future research
that would be useful for furthering our understanding of various aspects of rangeland dynamics and mechanisms of degradation. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1998.
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The hydration status, fluid and carbohydrate intake of male adolescent soccer players during training in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal.Gordon, Reno. January 2012 (has links)
Adolescent athletes of this era are more pressurized than adolescents of previous generations to
perform at an optimum level (Micheli & Jenkins 2001, p49). The importance of winning can result
in adolescent athletes developing inappropriate nutritional practices such as neglecting hydration
and consuming insufficient carbohydrate (Micheli & Jenkins 2001, p57). Consuming insufficient
fluid leads to dehydration which reduces a soccer player’s ability to continue training. Consuming
inadequate carbohydrate reduces performance and blood glucose levels during training. This study
aimed to determine the hydration status, fluid and carbohydrate intake of male, adolescent soccer
players during training.
A cross-sectional study was conducted among 122 amateur male, adolescent soccer players (mean
age = 15.8 ± 0.8 years; mean BMI = 20.4 ± 2.0 kg/m2). The players’ hydration status before and
after training, was measured using urine specific gravity and percent loss of body weight. Their
carbohydrate intake, as well as the type and amount of fluid consumed, were assessed before,
during and after training. A questionnaire was administered to determine the players’ knowledge
regarding the importance of fluid and carbohydrate for soccer training.
The study had an 87.1% response rate. The mean environmental conditions did not predispose
players to heat illness. However, the players were at risk of developing heat illness during six of
the 14 training sessions. Although the mean urine specific gravity indicated that players were
slightly dehydrated before and after training, 43.8% of players were very or extremely dehydrated
before training and 53.6% after training. A few (3.3%) were extremely hyperhydrated before
training and after training (7.0%). On average players lost less than 1% of body weight during
training and less than 3% of players dehydrated more than 2%.
Players consumed mainly water before (289.17 ± 206.37 ml), during (183.20 ± 158.35 ml) and
after (259.09 ± 192.29 ml) training. More than 90% stated that water was the most important fluid
to consume before, during and after training. Very few (4.7%) correctly stated that carbohydrate
should be consumed before, during and after training.
Players were found to be slightly dehydrated before and after training and therefore were not
consuming enough fluids during training. Players consumed inadequate amounts and types of fluid
and carbohydrate. This not only compromises their performance but also health. Players were not
aware of the importance of fluid and carbohydrate for soccer training.
This study is unique in that it focused on the carbohydrate and hydration practices of socioeconomically
disadvantaged adolescent soccer players during training. The study sample therefore
represents a high risk group about which there is limited published data both locally and
internationally. This study generated important baseline information which was lacking before on
the hydration status, fluid and carbohydrate intake of adolescent soccer players in South Africa. / Thesis (M.Sc.Agric.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2012.
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A livelihood analysis of the contribution of community gardens to food security in Msunduzi and uMngeni Municipalities in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.Mudzinganyama, Tatenda Charmaine. January 2012 (has links)
South Africa is a net food exporter, however, scores of households in the rural and peri-urban and urban areas are food insecure. Some households in the peri-urban areas of uMngeni and Msunduzi Municipalities of KwaZulu-Natal have sought to alleviate their households from food insecurity through community gardens, which are widely promoted and used as a means to increase food supply. This study was centred on a livelihood based analysis of the contribution of community gardens to food security in Msunduzi and uMngeni Municipalities, KwaZulu-Natal. A survey was conducted among 46 participants and data was collected through the use of Livelihood- based Participatory Analysis (LiPA) tools. LiPA emerged as a tool for analysis with the development of sustainable livelihoods approach. Livelihood analysis made use of participatory methods to evaluate the following Framework of African Food Security indicators: improvement of risk management and resilience; increase in supply of affordable food; increase in economic opportunities for the vulnerable; and improvement in dietary diversity. Gardening helped to supply the participants with fresh produce, however, gardening did little to improve the participants risk management and economic opportunities. Drought, theft and insects were identified as the major factors limiting the success of community gardens. Despite the challenges, the community gardeners were indeed benefiting from community gardening therefore, further research could be carried out to compare food security among households involved in community gardening and those not involved. / Thesis (M.Sc.Agric.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2012.
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Supplementary feeding of South African underweight children between 1 and 10 years of age with ready-to-use food to promote weight gain.Maharaj, Kirasha. 29 November 2013 (has links)
The aim of this study was to investigate whether Sibusiso, a Ready Food Supplement (SRFS), developed by the Gift of the Givers Foundation was able to promote weight gain among underweight children between 1 and 10 years of age. The study also aimed to train CAST community workers on how to assess and identify underweight children and to determine the number of underweight children aged 1-10 years who were currently on the CAST food aid program in Cato Manor and Chesterville in Durban, Kwa Zulu-Natal. This non-randomised intervention study was carried out on a total of 19 out of 20 subjects that initially qualified for inclusion into the study. A monitoring tool was used to collect data on anthropometrical measurements, symptoms experienced, disease conditions identified, level of appetite, meal consumption and energy for each subject for a period of three months. Study subjects were from families living in Cato Manor and Chesterville in Durban, Kwa Zulu-Natal, who were part of a food aid programme run by non-governmental organisation Church Alliance of Social Transformation (CAST). SRFS was compared to Recommended Energy Allowances (REA) and Recommended Daily Allowances (RDA) to determine the amount of energy and macronutrients that SRFS provided to subjects in their different age groups. The predominant health conditions and symptoms experienced by the subjects were assessed. General improvement in appetite, meal consumption and energy levels among subjects were monitored during the supplementation period
Out of 19 subjects who were supplemented with SRFS over the three month period, it was established that more children from Chesterville than Cato Manor were part of the CAST food parcel programme. SRFS was not able to meet 100% of the RDA and REA for subjects in their different age groups. However, SRFS was able to promote weight among subjects as
50% of subjects were able to achieve normal weight-for-age growth by the third month of supplementation. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection was the predominant disease condition experienced among subjects. A steady decline in the frequency of infection symptoms experienced among subjects was observed. Appetite, meal consumption and energy levels among subjects increased during the three moth supplementation period.
In conclusion, SRFS was successful in promoting weight gain among underweight children and was able to improve the overall wellbeing of subjects by alleviating the burden of disease conditions and infection symptoms while improving appetite, meal consumption and energy levels. SRFS therefore was beneficially utilised in the CAST food aid programme. SRFS had beneficial effects on the health and nutritional status of the study subjects during the observed period of its use in the CAST food aid programme and its continued use is recommended. / Thesis (M.Sc.Diet.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2012.
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The tuck shop purchasing practices of grade 4 learners at selected primary schools in Pietermar[it]zburg, South Africa.Wiles, Nicola Laurelle. 12 November 2013 (has links)
Aim: To determine whether the tuck shop purchasing habits of Grade 4 learners were
contributing towards the development of childhood overweight and obesity.
Objectives: To assess the nutritional quality of the food and beverages available for learners to
purchase; items regularly purchased from the tuck shop as well as factors influencing the
learner’s decision to purchase these items; the anthropometric and socio-demographic
characteristics of grade 4 learners as well as their nutrition knowledge related to the tuck shop items purchased.
Method: A survey administered to 11 tuck shop managers, a questionnaire administered to 311
Grade 4 learners and two single-sex focus groups of 5 learners each were conducted.
Results: Fifty six percent of the sample were female (n=173) and 44% were male (n=138).
Twenty seven percent of the study sample was overweight (n = 83) and 27% were obese (n = 85).
Eighty six percent of learners (n = 266) claimed to buy from their school tuck shop. Twenty two
percent of learners purchased from their tuck shop at least three times per week (n =58). Learners
who purchased from the tuck shop had a significantly higher BMI than those who did not (p = 0.020). Learners who purchased from the tuck shop spent on average R8,38 per day with a
minimum of R1 and a maximum of R40 (standard deviation R5.39). The most popular reasons
for visiting the tuck shop included “this is my favourite thing to eat or drink” (66.5%, n = 177)
and “I only have enough money to buy this item” (47.0%, n = 125).
Savoury pies were the most popular "lunch" item for all learners for both food breaks (45%, n = 5 schools and 27.3%, n = 3 schools) selling the most number of units (43) per day at eight of the
eleven schools (72.7%). Iced popsicles were sold at almost every school, ranked as the cheapest
beverage and also sold the most number of units (40.7). Healthy beverages sold included canned
fruit juice and water, while healthy snacks consisted of dried fruit, fruit salad, bananas, yoghurt
and health muffins. The average healthy snack contained almost half the kilojoules of its
unhealthy counterpart (465kJ vs 806kJ). Nutritional analyses of the healthy lunch options
revealed total fat contents that exceeded the DRI and South African recommended limit.
Perceived barriers to stocking healthy items included cost and refrigeration restrictions. The average score for the food groups was only 33% indicating that learners were not familiar
with the Food Based Dietary Guidelines (FBDG). Further analyses showed that the total
knowledge scores of those learners that reported to buy from the tuck shop frequently, was
significantly lower when compared to the total knowledge scores of those learners who bought
from the tuck shop less frequently (13.0 ± 3.9 and 11.6 ± 3.1, respectively; p < 0.05). Logistic
regression analysis confirmed that the total knowledge of a learner could be used to predict
whether he or she is more likely to make purchases from the tuck shop (significance = 0.017).
Focus group results revealed that learners are aware of “healthy” and “unhealthy” tuck shop
items. Most learners stated that they would continue to purchase items from their tuck shop if all “unhealthy” items were removed.
Conclusion: Primary school tuck shops of well resourced schools in Pietermaritzburg are
contributing to childhood overweight and obesity through a combination of factors. These
include the poor nutritional quality of the items stocked at the tuck shop as well as the poor tuck
shop purchasing practices. Much consultation is required amongst dieticians, school principals
and privatised tuck shop managers to overcome barriers to stocking healthy items. School
management and government have an important role to play in imposing restrictions on the sale
of unhealthy items; along with improving the quality of the nutrition education curriculum to
ensure that learners are able to translate their knowledge into healthier purchasing practices. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2011.
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The current infant feeding practices and related factors of Zulu mothers with 0-6 month old infants attending PMTCT and non-PMTCT clinics in central Durban, KwaZulu-Natal : an exploratory study.Kassier, Susanna Maria. January 2005 (has links)
Abstract: Introduction:
Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of an infant's life is
recommended worldwide. In 1998 the South African Demographic and
Health Survey (SADHS) showed that only 10% of mothers exclusively
breastfeed at three months. As the HIV virus is transmissible via breast milk,
UNAIDS (2002) recommends that women in developing countries should be
given a choice of feeding method after being counselled on the risks and
benefits of breast feeding versus formula feeding. As a result, the Prevention
of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) programme was launched in
KwaZulu-Natal with the aim of providing interventions to prevent Mother-to-Child
Transmission of the HIV virus. However, research has shown that infant
feeding practices are influenced by numerous factors. Ultimately mothers will
feed their infants in a manner they feel comfortable with, even if it is not
always the most appropriate choice.
Aim:
The aim of this study was to determine and compare current infant feeding
practices and some of the factors that influenced these practices among Zulu
mothers with 0 - 6 month old infants attending PMTCT and non-PMTCT
clinics in Central Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.
Methodology:
A cross-sectional, descriptive survey was conducted amongst 150 mothers
sampled from three non-PMTCT clinics and 150 mothers sampled from three
PMTCT clinics. Systematic random sampling of mothers attending the two
types of clinics was used to ensure an equal number of mothers· with infants
aged 0 - < 6 weeks, 6 - < 14 weeks and 14 weeks to 6 months. The number
of mothers interviewed per clinic was determined proportionate to clinic size.
Interviews were conducted in Zulu by trained fieldworkers according to a
structured interview schedule consisting of 87 open- and closed-ended
questions.
Summary of most important findings and conclusion:
Overall, one quarter of the mothers attending non-PMTCT and one third of
mothers at PMTCT clinics were practising exclusive breastfeeding at the time
of the survey. The general trend was that mothers attending PMTCT clinics
were more inclined than those attending non-PMTCT clinics to breastfeed
their infants exclusively (34% versus 24% respectively) or to formula feed
(16,7% versus 12,7% respectively). Furthermore, there was a significant
decline in exclusive breastfeeding and predominant breastfeeding with
increasing infant age in both clinic groups. The opposite held true for mixed
feeding and formula feeding in that infants were more inclined to mixed
feeding or formula feeding with increasing infant age. In both clinic groups,
exclusive breastfeeding was the method of choice in the 0 - < 6 week age
category, while a preference for mixed feeding was shown in the 6 - < 14
week category. This trend persisted in the 14 week - < 6 month age
category, especially in the non-PMTCT clinics, while there was a small but
pronounced increase in formula feeding amongst PMTCT mothers. Although
these findings can be explained as a result of implementing the PMTCT
programme, the positive trends observed in non-PMTCT clinics serve as an
indicator that the Integrated Nutrition Programme (INP) and Baby Friendly
Hospital initiative have also had an impact on the feeding choices mothers
make.
Despite the limited duration of the PMTCT programme at the time of the
study, indicators of the impact of the intervention include that a lower
percentage of PMTCT mothers introduced foods and/or liquids in addition to
breast milk to their infants before six months of age compared to non-PMTCT
mothers. Furthermore, more mothers attending PMTCT clinics were
shown how to breastfeed and were more likely to have received information
about formula feeding. Despite these indicators of a positive impact of the
PMTCT programme, the mean age for introducing liquids and/or solids in
addition to breast milk was about six weeks and the incidence of this practice
was very high for both groups. The similar incidence of formula feeding
observed between the two clinic groups suggests the presence of constraints
to safe infant feeding choices among mothers attending PMTCT clinics.
As observed, infant feeding practices were still not ideal in either of the two
clinic groups. However, the high level of antenatal clinic attendance
documented for both groups serves as evidence that, if opportunities for
providing mothers with appropriate infant feeding advice are utilized
optimally, the antenatal clinic could serve as an ideal medium through which
infant feeding education can take place, especially as the clinic-based nursing
staff were cited as the most important source of infant feeding information by
both groups of mothers in the antenatal and postnatal phases. The
documented infant feeding practices should be interpreted against the
backdrop of factors such as socio-demographic characteristics of the
mothers, availability of resources such as social support from peers and
significant others and reigning infant feeding beliefs that could influence
infant feeding decisions.
Predictors of exclusive breastfeeding in PMTCT and non-PMTCT clinics were
determined by means of multivariate logistic regression analysis. Significant
values were obtained for both clinic groups in terms of the infant not having
received liquids in addition to breast milk. No additional predictors were
found amongst mothers attending non-PMTCT clinics, however predictors
amongst mothers attending PMTCT clinics included whether the mother had
not visited the clinic since the infant's birth, whether she practiced demand
feeding and whether she was experiencing stress at the time of the study.
The limited number of predictors of exclusive breastfeeding documented in
this study, especially among non-PMTCT mothers may be explained by the
fact that infant feeding behaviour is multifactorial by nature and the
interaction between factors that influence feeding choice is strong. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2005.
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An investigation of household food insecurity coping strategies in Umbumbulu.Mjonono, Mfusi. January 2008 (has links)
This study set out to investigate the food insecurity coping strategies of sample households from the Embo community in the Umbumbulu district of KwaZulu-Natal. A total of 151 Ezemvelo Farmers' Organisation and 49 non-EFO members were interviewed in two rounds, beginning in October 2004 and March 2005. The total sample included 200 respondents from 176 households. A survey questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-economic characteristics, food consumption patterns and application of consumption coping strategies. The study used the Coping Strategy Index to establish the food security status of the households by calculating and comparing the Coping Strategy Index Scores of households. Households applied short-term food consumption coping strategies to cope with food shortages and resorted to short-term income coping strategies when they experienced income shocks. Coping strategies employed by households were effective in mitigating food insecurity. Most strategies applied by most households were not detrimental to livelihoods and did not compromise future household food security. Food insecurity increased the frequency and severity of application of coping strategies employed by households. Households ate less preferred foods, skipped days without eating and ate wild foods. These coping strategies were particularly dangerous to households as proper nutrition is critical for ensuring healthy and productive lives. Food security interventions need to support beneficial coping strategies currently employed by households. Relevant stakeholder like the Departments of Health and Social Development need to target nutritional interventions through workshops and training with vulnerable households. Supporting protective coping mechanisms entails protecting entitlements to land, water resources and productive and non-productive assets. Agricultural production improved the incomes and food consumption of the sampled households. Sustainable agricultural production should be promoted and sustained at household level. The Ministry of Agriculture and local development agencies should assist the community by providing production inputs, for example, provision of vegetable seeds, mechanisation, infrastructure and information on improved production techniques to encourage greater productivity and wider engagement in agriculture. Home gardens could make
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valuable contributions to family food supply and income. The Ministry of Agriculture and local development agencies should give more advice through extension and training services, providing support through negotiation of contracts with suppliers. While agriculture may play a major role in the reduction of food insecurity, attention should also be given to the promotion of non-farming activities, particularly those that can reduce food insecurity. The community and households should actively engage in the design and implementation of policies government policies and strategies for farm and non-farm interventions. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2008.
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The effect of application of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulphur fertilisers to a perennial ryegrass sward on yield, quality and apparent intake by dairy cows.Findlay, Nicola Jean. January 2010 (has links)
Perennial ryegrass is an intensive, temperate pasture grass that responds well to applied fertiliser.
The purpose of this project was to study the effects of fertiliser on the productivity and quality of
perennial ryegrass in KwaZulu-Natal and how this impacts on animal intake. It was hypothesised
that over-application of fertiliser to a perennial ryegrass pasture would negatively affect the quality
of the herbage for grazing by dairy cattle and that intake would be affected. Thus the project
aimed to assess the effects of applied fertiliser on yield, quality and intake of an established
perennial ryegrass pasture.
The trial consisted of a set of six separate experiments. Each experiment focused on the
interaction between two of the major nutrient elements nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium
(K) and sulphur (S). The experiments (NxP, NxK, NxS, PxK, PxS and KxS) were managed
separately to avoid possible transfer of nutrients during grazing, which would result in the
contamination of treatments. Each factor had three levels (low, medium and high), giving a total of
nine treatments per experiment. Each of the experiments was replicated three times in a
randomised block design.
Increased fertiliser N application rates increased perennial ryegrass yield with a pattern of
diminishing return, where split applications above 40 kg N ha-1 produced smaller increases in yield
when compared with the response at lower applications of N. Applied P, K and S did not affect
yield, suggesting that even the lowest application levels were sufficient to not limit production.
Nitrogen application affected apparent intake, but it is suggested that this is due to the yield effect
rather than a direct effect of N on apparent intake. The application of P, K and S did not affect
apparent intake.
Results from this study showed that the quality of perennial ryegrass herbage, especially in terms
of feed value to dairy cows, can be significantly affected by applied fertiliser. The extent of the
response was affected by sampling date (i.e. time of year) and this must be taken into account
when planning a fertiliser management strategy. This is particularly so with respect to N fertiliser
recommendations.
Crude protein (CP) content of herbage increased with increasing levels of applied N and the
extent of the response was influenced by season. P, K and S did not affect CP concentration in
herbage, except in the PxK experiment where increased levels of K lowered herbage CP. Applied
N considerably increased the concentration of non-protein nitrogen (NPN) in perennial ryegrass
herbage. P and S did not affect NPN levels, whereas applied K decreased NPN content in the
iv
NxK and PxK experiments. Non-structural carbohydrate (NSC) content of herbage was decreased
by applied N but was unaffected by applications of P, K and S. Neither neutral detergent fibre
(NDF) nor acid detergent fibre (ADF) was affected by applied fertiliser. In this study herbage P
declined and herbage Ca increased with increasing levels of applied N. The addition of fertiliser K
resulted in lower herbage Ca values. There was no herbage S response to applied fertiliser in this
study.
Classification and regression tree (CART) analysis identified the primary determinant of apparent
intake in experiments containing N as a factor as the amount of material available to be grazed
and that NSC, NPN and ADF are also determinants of apparent intake. Cows do not regulate diet
choice within the short-term time frame of a meal. Thus intake is determined by short-term needs
rather than by meeting long-term nutrient requirements. Fibre creates physical fill within the
rumen, thus restricting intake. High NPN content is associated with high nitrate values. The
reduction in intake of herbage with high nitrate content may be due to reduced palatability or to a
negative feedback system limiting the intake of nitrate and ammonium. Increased NSC content is
associated with increased intake, possibly through the effect of sugar on herbage palatability.
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