Browsing by Author "Swart, Elizabeth"

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
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    Developing a comprehensive nutrition workforce planning framework for the public health sector to respond to the nutrition-related burden in South Africa
    (University of the Western Cape, 2018) Goeiman, Hilary Denice; Swart, Elizabeth; Hughes, Roger
    South Africa has not responded well to recommendations in national evaluation reports to address human resource challenges associated with the implementation of nutrition programmes and improved service delivery. Twenty-four years have passed since the dawning of democracy and the nutrition situation within the population has actually deteriorated, with persistently high levels of stunting in young children and the growing prevalence of overweight and obesity in all age groups. These conditions not only rob people of their potential, but they carry a high cost for the state and society as a whole. This study aimed to develop a comprehensive and empirically sound nutrition workforce development planning framework for the public health sector so that it is better equipped to address the nutrition-related burden of disease in South Africa. The study explored the provision of nutrition services in South Africa, focusing on the nutrition-specific work components of health personnel ‒ doctors, nurses, dietitians, nutritionists, health promoters and community health workers working at the primary health care level in the public health sector. Evidence-based workforce information was collected through a mixed methodology comprising: literature reviews, document reviews, analysis of scopes of practice, job descriptions, competencies, workforce surveys, key informant interviews and consensus assessments through the application of the Delphi technique. Permission was obtained to adapt and use questionnaires from an Australian workforce study. Ethical approval, permission to conduct the study and informed consent were obtained prior to the commencement of the interviews. Data was then analysed using descriptive statistics, content and thematic analysis and triangulation of all findings, followed by consensus assessments to describe the nutrition workforce and delineate the roles and functions thereof. The comprehensive planning framework that was developed was applied to the Western Cape province.
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    Food security at the University of the Western Cape: An exploration of actions and programmes to address student hunger
    (University of Western Cape, 2021) Mabharwana, Nolukholo; Swart, Elizabeth
    Food is a basic human need – for survival, health and productivity. At the national level, South Africa is food secure; however, many households remain food insecure. Hunger among students has been identified as a significant challenge at South African universities. Studies on student hunger have been conducted at some universities in the country but little is known about the nature and prevalence of student hunger at the University of the Western Cape. The aim of this study was to investigate the various food programmes in operation at the university and to explore the perceptions of stakeholders, such as academic staff and students, about student hunger and their respective roles in combating hunger on campus.
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    Social support networks for youths aging out of residential care to promote positive transition outcomes – A scoping review
    (Stellenbosch University, 2022) Pote, Charity; Swart, Elizabeth; Carelse, Shernaaz
    This scoping review provides the available evidence on support interventions and networks for youths aging out of child and youth care centres (CYCCs), and makes recommendations for best practice to alleviate the plight of youths leaving CYCCs. Thirteen databases were searched, resulting in the retrieval of 80 articles, 26 of which met the review criteria: English, full-text, peer-reviewed, openaccess studies conducted between 2015 and 2020 on social networks and transitional services to youths aging out of residential care. Recommendations are made for policy changes, extending the age of eligibility and strengthening social support networks for youths transitioning into independent living.