Research articles (Dept of Home Economics Education)
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Disele, P.L.P.; Peters, S.; Masoloko, T.; Shumba, A. (Office of Research and Development, University of Botswana; http://www.ub.bw, NaN, 2001)[more][less]
Abstract: The new millennium has come but we are not healthy: the Human Immuno-deficiency VIruS (HIV) IS taking its toll. It is critical for everyone to find ways of coping with this problem, along side campaigns to eradicate the virus. There is need to explore the power of nutrition in boosting the immune system. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/1148 Files in this item: 1
Disele_PBJAS_2001.pdf (426.5Kb) -
Maruapula, S.D.; Jackson, J.C.; Holsten, J.; Shaibu, S.; Malete, L.; Wrotniak, B.; Ratcliffe, S.J.; Mokone, G.G.; Stettler, N.; Compher, C. (PHN, http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayJournal?jid=phn, August NaN, 2011)[more][less]
Abstract: Objective: To describe patterns of food consumption associated with overweight\obesity (OW/OB) and their links to socio-economic status (SES) and urbanization. Design: A nationwide cross-sectional survey. Setting: Secondary schools in cities, towns and villages in Botswana, Africa. Subjects: A total of 746 adolescent schoolchildren. Results: OW/OB is associated with greater SES, city residence and a snack-food diet pattern. Students belonging to higher SES compared with those from a lower SES background reported significantly (P,0?01) more daily servings of snack foods (1?55 v. 0?76) and fewer servings of traditional diet foods (0?99 v. 1?68) and also reported that they ate meals outside the home more often (90% v. 72 %). Students in cities ate significantly (P,0?01) more servings of snacks (1?69 v. 1?05 v. 0?51) and fewer servings of traditional foods (0?67 v. 1?52 v. 1?61) compared with those in urban and rural villages. The odds of OW/OB were increased 1?16-fold with a snack-food diet, a result that was diminished when controlled for SES. Conclusions: These data suggest that nutritional transition occurs at different rates across urbanization and SES levels in Botswana. In cities, increasing the availability of fruit while reducing access to or portion sizes of snack items is important. Emphasis on continued intake of traditional foods may also be helpful as rural areas undergo economic and infrastructural development. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/1137 Files in this item: 1
Maruapula_PHN_2011.pdf (112.3Kb) -
Mahgoub, S.E.O.; Nnyepi, M.; Bandeke, T. (Rural Outreach Programme http://www.bioline.org.br/nd, NaN, 2006)[more][less]
Abstract: Malnutrition affects physical growth, morbidity, mortality, cognitive development, reproduction, and physical work capacity, and it consequently impacts on human performance, health and survival. It is an underlying factor in many diseases for both children and adults, and is particularly prevalent in developing countries, where it affects one out of every 3 preschoolage children. A well-nourished child is one whose weight and height measurements compare very well with the standard normal distribution of heights and weights of healthy children of the same age and sex. Factors that contribute to malnutrition are many and varied. The objective of the present study is to evaluate the level of malnutrition and the impact of some socio-economic and demographic factors of households on the nutritional status of children under 3 years of age in Botswana. Factors included: the number of children under 3 years of age in the family, occupation of the parents, marital status, family income, parental education, maternal nutritional knowledge, residence location (urban or rural), gender, and breastfeeding practices. The study was a cross-sectional descriptive survey using a structured questionnaire and measurements of weight and height. Four hundred households and mothers of children under three, representing the 23 Health Regions of Botswana, participated in the study. Reference standards used were those of the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). EPI Info software (version 5) was used for data entry and analysis. The results show that the level of wasting, stunting, and underweight in children under three years of age was 5.5 %, 38.7 %, and 15.6 % respectively. Malnutrition was significantly (p < 0.01) higher among boys than among girls. Underweight was less prevalent among children whose parents worked in the agricultural sector than among children whose parents were involved in informal business. Children brought up by single parents suffered from underweight to a significantly (p < 0.01) higher level than children living with both parents. The prevalence of underweight decreased significantly (p < 0.01) as family income increased. The higher the level of the mother’s education, the lower the level of child underweight observed. Breastfeeding was found to reduce the occurrence of underweight among children. The study findings imply that efforts for redressing child undernutrition issues in Botswana should focus on factors associated with development outcomes such as maternal income, maternal education, and the creation of employment or economic engagements that do not compromise important child care practices such as breastfeeding. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/1101 Files in this item: 1
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Fidzani, L.C.; Mthombeni, F. M. (NATEFACS, http://www.natefacs.org, NaN, 2009)[more][less]
Abstract: During the past decade, significant progress has been made on how to accommodate and teach learners with disabilities. However, less research has been done on creating a conducive learning environment for learners with disabilities. The purpose of this study was to determine the accessibility of Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) laboratories for learners with mobility problems. The focus of this study was on the accessibility, reach ability, and safety of FCS laboratories. Fifty junior secondary schools in the South Central Region of Botswana were selected for the study. A questionnaire and an accessibility checklist were used to evaluate the laboratories’ current situation. The findings indicate that all FCS laboratories investigated were not designed to meet the needs of learners with mobility disabilities. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/1089 Files in this item: 1
Fidzani_JFCSE_2009.pdf (1.210Mb) -
Nnyepi, M.; Gobotswang, K.S.M.; Codjia, P. (Macmillan, www.palgrave-journals.com/jphp/, May 12, 2011)[more][less]
Abstract: This study documents a marked discrepancy between the nutritional status of children aged 0–5 years in Botswana when measured by national surveys compared to clinic-based surveillance. We compared the average prevalence of underweight (weight-for-age z-scores below 2 standard deviations of the mean of the Center for Disease Control (CDC)/WHO reference standards) in children 0–5 years of age. According to clinic surveillance, prevalence of underweight has fallen from 14.670.03 to 3.570.04 per cent between 1993 and 2010. In national surveys, it had fallen from 14.670.01 to 11.570.01 per cent between 1993 and 2007. We explored several possibilities to explain this discrepancy, and conclude that it is because of sampling bias in the clinic surveillance. This finding underlines the need for properly conducted surveys to ensure accurate information about the nutritional status of children. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/1051 Files in this item: 1
Nnyepi_JPHP_2011.pdf (1.267Mb)