Browsing by Author "Kunneke, Ernesta"

Now showing 1 - 11 of 11
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    Adult food choices in association with the local retail food environment and food access in resource-poor communities: A scoping review protocol
    (BMJ Publishing Group, 2021) Madlala, Samukelisiwe Sthokozisiwe; Hill, Jillian; Kunneke, Ernesta
    The local retail food environment influences dietary patterns and food choices, as suggested in the literature. The lack of access to healthy food within this environment may result in unhealthy food choices which may lead to obesity and the development of noncommunicable diseases. Evidence suggests that resourcepoor communities may have unhealthy food environments, therefore, preventing residents from making healthy food choices. A systematic scoping review will be conducted to provide an overview of the evidence on adult food choices in association with the local retail food environment and food access in resource-poor communities.
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    The association between the body mass index of first-year female university students and their weight-related perceptions and practices, psychological health, physical activity and other physical health indicators
    (Cambridge University Press, 2006) Cilliers, Janetta; Senekal, Marjanne; Kunneke, Ernesta
    To investigate the association between the weight status of first-year female students (FYFS) and various weight management-related characteristics to identify possible components of a weight management programme for students. Mean (^standard deviation (SD)) body mass index (BMI) of the FYFS was 21.8 ^ 2.6 kg m22 , with 7.2% being underweight, 81.9% normal-weight, 10.0% overweight and 0.8% obese. Underweight, normal-weight and overweight students differed with regard to their perception of their weight (P , 0.001), weight goals (P , 0.001) and previous weight-loss practices (P , 0.001). Mean ^ SD score on the 26-item Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) was 8.5 ^ 9.0 with 8.4% classified as high scorers. Mean ^ SD score on the 34-item Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ) was 87.7 ^ 32.2, with 76.1% classified as low, 11.9% as medium and 11.9% as high scorers. The self-concept questionnaire indicated that 36.7% had a high, 43.9% a medium and 19.4% a low self-concept. Higher BMI correlated with a higher BSQ score (P , 0.001), a lower self-concept (P ¼ 0.029) and a higher EAT-26 score (P , 0.001). Smoking was prevalent amongst 13.1% of students, and 51.2% used vitamin and/or mineral supplements. Students who quitted smoking had higher (P ¼ 0.006) BMI (22.7 ^ 2.9 kg m22 ) than those who never smoked before (21.6 ^ 2.5 kg m22 ).
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    Correlates of prevalent sexually transmitted infections among participants screened for an HIV incidence cohort study in Kisumu, Kenya
    (SAGE, 2014) Otieno, Fredrick Odhiambo; Ndivo, Richard; Kunneke, Ernesta
    We determined the prevalence of four sexually transmitted infections and the demographic and behavioural correlates associated with having one or more sexually transmitted infections among participants in an HIV incidence cohort study in Kisumu, western Kenya. Participants were enrolled from a convenience sample and underwent aetiologic sexually transmitted infection investigation. Demographic and behavioural information were collected and basic clinical evaluation performed. Multiple regression analysis was done to determine variables associated with having one or more sexually transmitted infections. We screened 846, 18- to 34-year-olds. One-third had at least one sexually transmitted infection with specific prevalence being: syphilis, 1.6%; gonorrhoea, 2.4%; herpes simplex virus type-2, 29.1%; chlamydia, 2.8%; and HIV, 14.8%. Odds of having any sexually transmitted infection were higher among participants who were women, were aged 20–24 or 30–34 years compared to 18–19 years, had secondary or lower education compared to tertiary education, were divorced, widowed or separated compared to singles, reported having unprotected sex compared to those who did not, reported previous sexually transmitted infection treatment, and tested HIV-positive.
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    The development of a nutrition support protocol for children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) : twenty case studies from Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Abu Dhabi, UAE
    (University of the Western Cape, 2017) Pillay, Looventharee; Kunneke, Ernesta; Solomons, Nasheetah
    Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) is the most common type of childhood cancer accounting for approximately 25% of cancers diagnosed in children less than 20 years of age. It originates in the bone marrow and prevents the normal manufacture of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. A poor nutritional status is frequently observed in children with ALL at the time of diagnosis and during treatment which may result in protein energy malnutrition if nutrition intervention is delayed. This retrospective study aims to assess the nutritional status of children newly diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) using 20 case studies between 1 January 2013 and 31 December 2014 from Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (Abu Dhabi, UAE), in order to develop an appropriate nutritional support protocol for pediatric ALL patients treated at this institution. Study Design: A retrospective descriptive case study design was used. The study population consisted of 20 electronic medical records of patients aged between 1-14 years who were newly diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) and admitted to Sheikh Khalifa Medical City for treatment during the period 1 January 2012 and 31 Dec 2014. Data Collection: Identification of suitable participants began through a review of each potential study participant`s electronic medical record. Data was collected and recorded on a data collection form (Appendix III) from the electronic medical record for each suitable participant for the following at admission and during the full duration of all phases of cancer treatment namely induction, consolidation, interim maintenance, delayed intensification and maintenance. The data collected comprised of the following: age, gender, date of diagnosis, symptoms on diagnosis, the cancer diagnosis (type and subtype), anthropometric measurements (weight, length/ height, head circumference), biochemical values (visceral proteins, blood glucose levels, hemoglobin, hematocrit, lymphocyte count), clinical assessment (stomatitis, anemia, mucositis), diet history (home feeding regimes; consumption of daily requirements; food preferences – types, textures; food allergies, food intolerances; food aversions; use of oral nutritional supplements; treatment-related side-effects; systemic related side-effects (nausea; vomiting; diarrhea; anorexia; appetite changes; taste changes; physical activity level; depression), dietary requirements (age and gender related nutritional requirements for energy, protein, fat and fluids) and indications for nutritional support (oral feeding; enteral feeding; parenteral feeding). Analysis of Results: The weights and length/ heights of participants recorded in the electronic medical records were converted to z-scores on the World Health Organization growth charts. The diet prescription of nutritional intervention was interpreted in comparison to the biochemical indices, anthropometric status and dietary intake of each participant. All the data involving changes in anthropometrics, biochemistry, diet history and nutritional interventions from each case study (from diagnosis and through all stages of treatment) was screened and compared with reference values in the context of the age and sex of the child. Evidence based nutritional guidelines were used to document the outcomes of the medical nutrition treatment provided in order to develop a nutrition support protocol for children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City. Results: The results showed that weight loss expressed as a percentage of body weight provided a more accurate estimate of the true significance of weight loss in subjects undergoing cancer treatment (chemotherapy) for ALL. A weight loss of greater than 5% of body weight over a period of one month is considered a sign of nutritional deprivation even if the subject is not classified as undernourished by anthropometric parameters. Subjects experienced the highest weight loss during the consolidation phase and interim maintenance phases of treatment. Conclusion: It can therefore be concluded that pediatric subjects on cancer treatment for ALL at SKMC and receiving nutritional support underwent changes in nutritional status as manifest by a reduction in more than 5% of their body weight during three phases of treatment namely induction, consolidation and interim maintenance. An appropriate nutrition support protocol was developed based on the results and experience obtained from this study for pediatric ALL patients treated at SKMC.
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    Dietary diversity and its association with nutritional status, cardiometabolic risk factors and food choices of adults at risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus in Cape Town, South Africa
    (MDPI, 2022) Madlala, Samukelisiwe S.; Hill, Jillian; Kunneke, Ernesta
    In South Africa, the nutrition transition has led to unhealthy diets lacking variety, contributing to the rise in overweight, obesity and diet-related noncommunicable diseases. Using baseline screening data of the South African Diabetes Prevention Programme (SA-DPP) study, this study aims to determine the relationship of dietary diversity (DD) with nutritional status, cardiometabolic risk factors and food choices of adults at risk of type 2 diabetes in resource-poor communities around Cape Town. Data of 693 adults, 25–65 years old were analysed. This included socio-demographic information, anthropometric measurements, biochemical assessments, food groups consumed the previous day and consumption frequency of certain foods to reflect food choices.
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    Dietary fat intake and red blood cell fatty acid composition of children and women from three different geographical areas in South Africa
    (Elsevier, 2016) Ford, Rosalyn; Faber, Mieke; Kunneke, Ernesta; Smuts, Cornelius M.
    Dietary fat intake, particularly the type of fat, is reflected in the red blood cell (RBC) fatty acid (FA) profile and is vital in growth, development and health maintenance. The FA profile (%wt/wt) of RBC membrane phospholipids (as determined by gas chromatography) and dietary intake (as determined by 24 h recall) was assessed in 2–6 y old South African children and their caregivers randomly selected from three communities, i.e. an urban Northern Cape community (urban-NC; n = 104), an urban coastal Western Cape community (urban-WC; n = 93) and a rural Limpopo Province community (rural-LP; n = 102). Mean RBC FA values across groups were compared using ANOVA and Bonferroni post-hoc test while controlling for age and gender (children); median dietary intake values were compared using a Kruskal–Wallis test. Dietary intakes for total fat, saturated FAs and polyunsaturated FAs were higher in the two urban areas compared to the rural area. Total fat intake in rural-LP, and omega-3 FA dietary intake in all three areas were lower than the South African adopted guidelines. Dietary SFA intake in both urban areas was higher than recommended by South African guidelines; this was reflected in the RBC membrane FA profile. Rural-LP children had the lowest intake of omega-3 and omega-6 FAs yet presented with the highest RBC docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) profile and highest arachidonic acid percentage. Although differences observed in dietary fat intake between the two urban and the rural area were reflected in the RBC membrane total phospholipid FA profile, the lowest total fat and α-linolenic acid (ALA) intake by rural children that presented with the highest RBC DHA profile warrants further investigation.
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    Factors influencing the protection, promotion and support of exclusive breastfeeding among health workers in Lagos state primary health care centres
    (University of Western Cape, 2019) Gbabe, Adedolapo Opeyemi; Pereira, Catherine; Kunneke, Ernesta
    Globally, health workers play a critical role in the establishment and sustenance of breastfeeding due to their frequent contacts with mothers at the antenatal clinics, maternity/birthing units, Primary Health Care Centres (PHC) and postpartum clinics. Their knowledge and attitude regarding breastfeeding will affect the quality of information about infant and young child feeding practices passed along to mothers who visit their health facilities.
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    Household consumption of orange-fleshed sweet potato and its associated factors in Chipata District, Eastern Province Zambia
    (SAGE Publications, 2017) Sakala, Patricia; Kunneke, Ernesta; Faber, Mieke
    BACKGROUND: The Integrating Orange Project promotes production and consumption of orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) to address vitamin A deficiency among rural populations of Zambia since 2011. OBJECTIVE: This study assessed household production and consumption of OFSP and identified factors associated with consumption thereof in Integrating Orange Project areas in Chipata district, Zambia. METHODS: Respondents of 295 randomly selected households were interviewed using a structured questionnaire during the sweet potato harvest season. Associations between OFSP consumption and household factors were assessed using w2 tests. RESULTS: Frequency of OFSP consumption was categorized as 4 days during the last 7 days (30.2%), 1 to 3 days during the last 7 days (49.5%), eats OFSP but not during the last 7 days (7.1%), and never (13.2%). In total, 60.3% of households planted OFSP, and 40.0% bought OFSP, mostly from farmers within the community. Orange-fleshed sweet potato consumption was associated with the presence of children aged less than 5 years in the household (P ¼ .018), production of OFSP (P < .001), purchasing of OFSP (P < .001), and respondent having knowledge on health benefits of OFSP (P ¼ .014). Age and sex of the household head and household size had no association with OFSP consumption (P > .05). CONCLUSION: A high percentage of households consumed OFSP during the harvesting season in Integrating Orange Project areas. Programs promoting OFSP consumption should thus focus on OFSP production and sensitizing households on nutritional benefits of OFSP and target households with children aged less than 5 years as entry point.
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    Nutrient density and cost of commonly consumed foods: A South African perspective
    (Cambridge University Press, 2022) Madlala, Samukelisiwe S; Hill, Jillian; Kunneke, Ernesta; Faber, Mieke
    Food-based dietary guidelines promote consumption of a variety of nutritious foods for optimal health and prevention of chronic disease. However, adherence to these guidelines is challenging because of high food costs. The present study aimed to determine the nutrient density of foods relative to cost in South Africa, with the aim to identify foods within food groups with the best nutritional value per cost. A checklist of 116 food items was developed to record the type, unit, brand and cost of foods. Food prices were obtained from the websites of three national supermarkets and the average cost per 100 g edible portion was used to calculate cost per 100 kcal (418 kJ) for each food item. Nutrient content of the food items was obtained from the South African Food Composition Tables. Nutrient density was calculated using the Nutrient Rich Food (NRF9.3) Index. Nutrient density relative to cost was calculated as NRF9.3/price per 100 kcal. Vegetables and fruits had the highest NRF9.3 score and cost per 100 kcal. Overall, pulses had the highest nutritional value per cost. Fortified maizemeal porridge and bread had the best nutritional value per cost within the starchy food group. Foods with the least nutritional value per cost were fats, oils, foods high in fat and sugar, and foods and drinks high in sugar. Analysis of nutrient density and cost of foods can be used to develop tools to guide low-income consumers to make healthier food choices by identifying foods with the best nutritional value per cost.
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    Perceptions of patients and dietitians on the quality of nutrition care service delivery in primary health care facilities of the Western Cape Metro
    (University of the Western Cape, 2020) Engle, Eugene David; Wilkenson, Jill; Kunneke, Ernesta
    The provision of quality nutrition care services is needed to address the national burden of diseases, and to reduce under- and overnutrition in South Africa. Globally, there is a lack of information and data about the perceptions, experience of, and satisfaction with the quality of nutrition care services, both from patients and dietitians. Patients and dietitians are in the best position to provide useful information pertaining to their perception and experience of nutrition care service delivery. The aim of this study was to determine the perceptions of patients and dietitians on the quality of nutrition care service delivery in the Klipfontein/Mitchells Plain Sub-Structure (KMPSS).
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    Risk factors for malnutrition in children aged 0 to 5 Years in Lilongwe district, Malawi
    (University of the Western Cape, 2013) Muwalo, Blessings Gandalale Chale; Kunneke, Ernesta
    The Malawi Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) in 2007 indicated that the prevalence of underweight in Lilongwe District was 29%, stunting was 49% and Global Acute Malnutrition was 11%. The aim of the study therefore was to determine the risk factors for malnutrition amongst children aged 0 to 5 years in Lilongwe district in Malawi. Study design It was a case-control study, conducted in randomly selected Community Therapeutic Care (CTC) Sites (Nutrition Rehabilitation Units (NRUs)) and Under-five Clinics at health facilities of the district. The study sample was comprised of 50 underweightfor- age children (25 girls and 25 boys) aged 0 to 5 years from NRUs of the district selected randomly. The controls were comprised of 44 normal weight-for-age children (22 girls and 22 boys) randomly selected within the same age group, routinely attending under-five growth monitoring and immunization sessions during the same period as the cases. The cases and controls were identified using the NRU and under-five clinic registers respectively. Data Collection There was a face to face interview with the mother/guardians of the children, conducted by trained NRU nurse specialists, the researcher and a research assistant, using a structured questionnaire. Questions about socio-economic status of the mother/caregiver, child feeding practices, nutritional status and diseases of the child were asked. Analysis of results Data was analyzed using EpiInfo 2002 software. Ethical approval for the study was requested from the Ethical committee of the University of the Western Cape. Informed written consent was obtained from all the participants.