Background: Children in South Africa are still affected by micronutrient deficiencies and children living in farm communities are especially vulnerable. African Leafy Vegetables (ALVs) are well endowed with micronutrients such as iron, zinc and vitamin A and might contribute to the nutritional status of children. However, these vegetables have been perceived as “poor people’s food” and over the years knowledge of and use of ALVs has decreased. Aim: This study assessed the potential contribution of ALVs to the nutritional status of children in a semi-rural farm community. Method: In this cross-sectional study, anthropometric indices, serum iron, zinc and retinol concentrations were determined in school children aged 5−13 years (n=155). Dietary intake of iron, zinc and vitamin A was evaluated by three 24-hour diet recalls of children (n=154). The iron, zinc and β-carotene content of selected ALVs was determined. Knowledge of and use of ALVs by primary caregivers was established using focus group discussions (FGDs). Descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, the Pearson Chi-Square Test and Mann-Whitney U Test were used. Anthropometric data were analysed using the World Health Organization Reference 2007 data. Dietary data were analysed using FoodFinder (version 3). Qualitative data from FGDs were translated, transcribed and color-coded to generate emerging themes. Results: Stunting (11%) was the most prevalent anthropometric indicator of malnutrition. This was supported by the low socio-economic status of households. Deficiency prevalence in iron (serum ferritin <15 μg/L; 15.5%) and vitamin A (serum retinol <20 μg/dL; 3.2%) was low. Zinc deficiency was the most prevalent (serum zinc <65 μg/dL; 74.8%) deficiency. Median dietary intake of iron, zinc and vitamin A was generally above the Estimated Average Requirement. ALVs were potentially good sources of iron, zinc and β-carotene and could contribute substantially to the Recommended Dietary Allowance for these nutrients in children, without taking into account inhibiting factors that might affect the bioavailability. Iron content of the ALVs studied ranged from 1.4−3.2 mg/100 g edible portion. Amaranthus cruentus was the best source of iron. Zinc content of the ALVs ranged from 0.7−1.4 mg/100g edible portions, with Cleome gynandra having the highest zinc composition. The β-carotene content of the ALVs ranged from 182−314 μg RAE/100 g edible portion, with both Amaranthus cruentus and Cleome gynandra being the best sources. Knowledge of ALVs and their use was indigenous and was transferred between generations. Caregivers had positive attitudes towards the use of ALVs. Conclusion: Although the prevalence of deficiencies was not severe (with exception of zinc deficiency), micronutrient deficiencies exist in the rural farm community studied. ALVs are potentially good sources of iron, zinc and β-carotene and might contribute to the nutritional status of school children. Knowledge of ALVs and the positive attitude and perceptions regarding their use by primary caregivers implied a potentially positive future response to interventions promoting consumption of ALVs in order to contribute to the alleviation of micronutrient deficiencies. / Thesis (MSc (Nutrition))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

Background: Children in South Africa are still affected by micronutrient deficiencies and children living in farm communities are especially vulnerable. African Leafy Vegetables (ALVs) are well endowed with micronutrients such as iron, zinc and vitamin A and might contribute to the nutritional status of children. However, these vegetables have been perceived as “poor people’s food” and over the years knowledge of and use of ALVs has decreased. Aim: This study assessed the potential contribution of ALVs to the nutritional status of children in a semi-rural farm community. Method: In this cross-sectional study, anthropometric indices, serum iron, zinc and retinol concentrations were determined in school children aged 5−13 years (n=155). Dietary intake of iron, zinc and vitamin A was evaluated by three 24-hour diet recalls of children (n=154). The iron, zinc and β-carotene content of selected ALVs was determined. Knowledge of and use of ALVs by primary caregivers was established using focus group discussions (FGDs). Descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, the Pearson Chi-Square Test and Mann-Whitney U Test were used. Anthropometric data were analysed using the World Health Organization Reference 2007 data. Dietary data were analysed using FoodFinder (version 3). Qualitative data from FGDs were translated, transcribed and color-coded to generate emerging themes. Results: Stunting (11%) was the most prevalent anthropometric indicator of malnutrition. This was supported by the low socio-economic status of households. Deficiency prevalence in iron (serum ferritin <15 μg/L; 15.5%) and vitamin A (serum retinol <20 μg/dL; 3.2%) was low. Zinc deficiency was the most prevalent (serum zinc <65 μg/dL; 74.8%) deficiency. Median dietary intake of iron, zinc and vitamin A was generally above the Estimated Average Requirement. ALVs were potentially good sources of iron, zinc and β-carotene and could contribute substantially to the Recommended Dietary Allowance for these nutrients in children, without taking into account inhibiting factors that might affect the bioavailability. Iron content of the ALVs studied ranged from 1.4−3.2 mg/100 g edible portion. Amaranthus cruentus was the best source of iron. Zinc content of the ALVs ranged from 0.7−1.4 mg/100g edible portions, with Cleome gynandra having the highest zinc composition. The β-carotene content of the ALVs ranged from 182−314 μg RAE/100 g edible portion, with both Amaranthus cruentus and Cleome gynandra being the best sources. Knowledge of ALVs and their use was indigenous and was transferred between generations. Caregivers had positive attitudes towards the use of ALVs. Conclusion: Although the prevalence of deficiencies was not severe (with exception of zinc deficiency), micronutrient deficiencies exist in the rural farm community studied. ALVs are potentially good sources of iron, zinc and β-carotene and might contribute to the nutritional status of school children. Knowledge of ALVs and the positive attitude and perceptions regarding their use by primary caregivers implied a potentially positive future response to interventions promoting consumption of ALVs in order to contribute to the alleviation of micronutrient deficiencies. / Thesis (MSc (Nutrition))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

Summaries in English, Afrikaans and Zulu / South Africa is facing an ongoing public health crisis with increasing and alarming human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) statistics. Farmworkers in South Africa are highly vulnerable and susceptible to HIV. This study involved the farmworker community on a farm in the North West province of South Africa. The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions and acceptance of home-based HIV counselling and testing (HBHCT) in a rural farming community, using an interactive World Café method to stimulate creative discussions around questions that matter. Thirty-one farmworkers participated in the World Café. This study had an explorative approach and qualitative design. The study did not investigate the number of HIV infections or sexual practices on the farm, and did not offer an HIV test or any other medical treatment to any participant. Data were collaboratively analysed by the researchers and the participants. Content analysis of data was conducted. The findings indicated that majority of the farmworkers had a positive perception of HBHCT, and that there was a serious need for HIV prevention and intervention in this community. Some concerns were raised among the participants regarding the confidentiality of HBHCT, attention should therefore be paid to these concerns. More research is needed to establish linkage to care after HBHCT. It remains unclear whether the migrant farmworker population would be effectively linked to HIV care and treatment without legal identification documentation. The acceptance of HBHCT in the farming community by farmers, should be explored. The study found that there would be a high level of acceptability if HBHCT were to be offered to farmworkers in this region. This study created insight into the HIV care and prevention needs of the local farmworker community, as well as highlighted the barriers the farmworkers face in attending primary healthcare (PHCs) clinics for HIV testing. / Suid-Afrika staar ’n voortdurende openbare gesondheidskrisis in die gesig met toenemende en onrusbarende menslike immuungebrekkige virus (MIV)-statistieke. Plaaswerkers in Suid-Afrika is uiters kwesbaar en vatbaar vir MIV. Hierdie studie het die plaaswerkergemeenskap van ’n plaas in die Noordwes-provinsie van Suid-Afrika geteiken. Die doel van hierdie studie was om die sieninge en aanvaardingsvlakke van tuis-gebaseerde MIV-berading en -toetsing (TSMBT) te ondersoek, deur gebruik te maak van die “World Café”-metode om kreatiewe bespreking rondom belangrike vrae te stimuleer. Een-en-dertig plaaswerkers het deelgeneem aan die “World Café”. Hierdie studie het nie die aantal MIV-infeksies of seksuele praktyke op die plaas ondersoek nie, en ook nie ’n MIV toets of enige ander mediese behandeling vir enige deelnemer aangebied nie. Die studie het gevind dat die meerderheid van die plaaswerkers ’n positiewe persepsie van TSMBT gehad het, en dat daar ’n dringende behoefte aan MIV-voorkoming en - ingryping in hierdie gemeenskap is. Bekommernis is uitgespreek deur die deelnemers rakende die konfidensialiteit van TSMBT, dus moet aandag hieraan geskenk word. Die studie het gevind dat daar ’n hoë vlak van aanvaarding van TSMBT sal wees as dit aan die plaaswerkers in hierdie streek gebied word. Hierdie studie skep insig in die MIVsorg- en -voorkomingsbehoeftes van die plaaslike plaaswerkergemeenskap, en beklemtoon die hindernisse vir plaaswerkers om die primêre gesondheidsorgkliniek te besoek vir MIV-toetsing. / INingizimu-Afrika ibhekene nokuqhubeka kokukhula kwenkinga yezempilo, kanye nokudlondlobala okushaqisayo kwezibalo zegciwane lesandulela ngculazi (HIV). Abasebenzi basemapulazini eNingizimu-Afrika ibona abasengozini enkulu yokutheleleka ngegciwane lesandulela ngculazi. Lolucwaningo lwenziwe emphakathini wabasebenzi basemapulazini esifundazweni sase-North West eNingizimu-Afrika. Inhloso yalolucwaningo bekuwukubona imibono kanye nezinga lokwamukela ukululekwa nokuhlolela igciwane lesandulela ngculazi emakhaya(i-HBHCT) emphakathini wasemapulazini kusetshenziswa Isizinda sokucobelelana ngolwazi (i- World Cafe) ukukhuthaza izingxoxo ezakhayo nokubuza imibuzo esemqoka. Bangama- 31 abasebenzi basepulazini ababambe iqhaza esizindeni sokucobelelana ulwazi (i- World Cafe). Lolucwaningo aluzange luphenye izibalo zabantu abatheleleke ngegciwane lesandulela ngculazi kanye nezinga labo lokuzibandakanya ocansini, futhi aluzange lunike abebebambe iqhaza ithuba lokuhlolela igciwane lesandulela ngculazi(HIV) kanye nokulashwa kwanoma iluphi uhlobo. Imiphumela iveze ukuthi iningi labasebenzi basemapulazini babe nemibono emihle mayelana nosizo lokululekwa nokuhlolela igciwane lesandulela nngculazi (HIV) emakhaya (HBHTC), futhi kunesidingo esikhulu sokuthi kungenelelwe kulomphakathi ukuze kuvikelwe igciwane lesandulela ngculazi (HIV). Kube nokukhathazeka kwababebambe iqhaza mayelana nezimfihlo zokulekelelwa ngokwelulekwa kanye nokuhlolela igciwane lesandulela ngculazi emakhaya(HBHCT),ngalokhoke kufanele kubhekelelwe lokho kukhathazeka. Ucwaningo luveza ukuthi kuzokwamukelwa ukuqala usizo lokwalulekwa nokuhlolela igciwane lesandulela ngculazi (HBHCT) kubasebenzi basemapulazini kulesisifundazwe. Lolucwaningo luveze ngokujulile izidingo zokunakekela kanye nokuvikela igciwane lesandulela ngculazi (HIV) emphakathini wabasebenzi basemapulazini kulendawo, laphinde lwaveza nezithiyo (Barriers) abasebenzi basemapulazini abahlangana nazo mabevakasha emitholampilo (PHCs) ukuyohlola igciwane lesandulela ngculazi. / Health Studies / M.P.H. (Public Health)