Caregivers' views on the contributing factors of malnutrition among children benefiting from the Child Support Grant

Abstract

The scourge of malnutrition in children under the age of five remains a worldwide problem resulting in deaths that could have been prevented with a proper paediatric diet. Despite various national nutrition and primary health care programmes in South Africa over the last 10 years, recent studies show that child malnutrition has contributed to the deteriorating health of children below the age of five. At national level, stunting and underweight remain the common nutritional disorders affecting one out of five children in South Africa. Very limited research has been done on the role of caregivers in reducing the scourge of malnutrition. The study focused on exploring and describing the views of caregivers on the contributing factors of malnutrition among children who are under the age of five benefiting from the Child Support Grant. A qualitative, explorative study was conducted, with the following objectives: · To conceptualise malnutrition as a social phenomenon and to explore strategies of alleviating malnutrition with specific emphasis on the Child Support Grant. · To determine caregivers understanding of malnutrition among children