Field testing of the revised, draft South African Paediatric Food-Based Dietary Guidelines among mothers/caregivers of children aged 12–36 months in the Stellenbosch Municipality in the Western Cape province, South Africa

Abstract

To assess the appropriateness and understanding of the revised, draft South African Paediatric Food-Based Dietary Guidelines (SA-PFBDGs) among mothers/caregivers of children aged 12-36 months. Exposure to guidelines with similar messages, barriers and enablers to following of the guidelines were also assessed. Design: A descriptive cross-sectional qualitative study was conducted. Data were collected from nine focus-group discussions (FGDs) conducted in isiXhosa, English and Afrikaans, resulting in 65 participants, 20 from formal areas and 45 from informal areas. Setting: Stellenbosch Municipality (Stellenbosch, Pniel and Franschhoek) Subjects: The study population included mothers/caregivers older than 18 years, who consented to participate. Results: This study revealed that participants expressed a general understanding of the core messages contained in the revised, draft SA-PFBDGs. Misinterpretation arose regarding certain guidelines as a result of ambiguity. Participants were familiar with and recognised the majority of the concepts conveyed owing to previous exposure, mostly from healthcare facilities and the media. Financial constraints were identified as the biggest barrier to following the guidelines, while perceived enablers included receiving education on the guidelines as well as visual portrayal thereof. Conclusion: Following field-testing, it is clear that the draft, revised SA-PFBDGs for the age group 12-36 months are appropriate. Minor rewording is required to enhance understanding. Effective dissemination of the guidelines through multiple communication platforms is recommended.

Overview of field-testing of the revised, draft South African Paediatric Food-Based Dietary Guidelines amongst mothers/caregivers of children aged 0–5 years in the Western Cape and Mpumalanga, South Africa

“…16 The authors were able to test the guidelines in isiXhosa, English, Afrikaans and SiSwati in the study sites. These sites included the following sub-districts and towns/settlements: the Breede Valley sub-district (Worcester), 11 Stellenbosch Municipal area (Stellenbosch, Pniel and Franschhoek) 12 and the Northern Metropole (Atlantis, Witsand, Du Noon and Blouberg), City of Cape Town in the Western Cape province 14 as well as Ehlanzeni District (Kabokweni) in Mpumalanga province. 13 The Western Cape sites were purposively selected from communities that form part of Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences' rural service and community engagement areas.…”

“…The guide was adapted and detailed with the specific wording from the specific set of guidelines that were tested in each of the studies. [11][12][13][14] The guide was translated from English into Afrikaans, isiXhosa and Siswati by trained professionals. These translations were back-translated into English for quality-control purposes.…”

“…A total of 44 FGDs were conducted: 11 in isiXhosa, 11 in Afrikaans, 10 in English and 12 in siSwati, of which 21 were representative of informal settlements and 23 of formal settlements, resulting in 268 participants overall. [11][12][13][14] Refreshments were served at all FGDs, during comfort breaks, in order to prevent fatigue. The participants also each received a parcel consisting of healthy snacks (e.g.…”

“…Results from each of the four studies are published elsewhere in SAJCN. [11][12][13][14] The aim of the series of studies was to assess the appropriateness and understanding of the revised, draft SA-PFBDGs amongst mothers/caregivers of children aged 0-5 years in the Western Cape and Mpumalanga provinces of South Africa. Furthermore, mothers/caregivers' previous exposure to guidelines with similar messages and the barriers and enablers to following the guidelines were determined.…”

“…Furthermore, mothers/caregivers' previous exposure to guidelines with similar messages and the barriers and enablers to following the guidelines were determined. [11][12][13][14] For the purpose of the series of research studies reported here, the specific terminology was used and interpreted as follows:…”