Masters Degrees (Human Nutrition)

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Browsing Masters Degrees (Human Nutrition) by Author "Bhebhe, Romeo"

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    Development and testing of a "zero stunting" scorecard for use at provincial level : Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2021-12) Bhebhe, Romeo; Du Plessis, Lisanne; Kinabo, Joyce; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Dept. of Global Health. Human Nutrition.
    ENGLISH SUMMARY: Introduction: High prevalence of stunting in children below five years of age poses a major threat to child development in Zimbabwe. Scorecards have been identified as instruments of choice for evaluating governments’ commitment towards reducing undernutrition. The aim of the study was to co-develop and test the usability and value of a “Zero stunting” scorecard at sub-national / provincial level in Bulawayo Metro Province, Zimbabwe. Methods: A draft “Zero Stunting” scorecard prototype was developed, based on the most recent evidence of the context, causes and consequences of childhood stunting. The Hunger and Nutrition Commitment Index (HANCI), developed by the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) at Sussex University, was used as a guide for the “Zero Stunting” scorecard development. HANCI consists of three domains: law, policy and finance. The draft “Zero Stunting” scorecard reflects the same domains and the following themes: food control, political economy, food systems, education, nutrition, water, sanitation and environment, health, social protection, finance and governance with relevant indicators linked to each theme. The draft scorecard was used as a tool during semi-structured interviews with key informants to assess the usability and value of the scorecard and to establish availability and relevance of provincial data that can be used to measure the proposed indicators at provincial level in the Western Cape province, South Africa. The study reported here, used the same tools and followed the same methodology during semi-structured interviews with officials in Bulawayo province, in Zimbabwe. Results and Discussion: A total of 10 participants consented to be interviewed. The results were viewed against the three linked elements of an enabling environment for nutrition, namely: 1) knowledge and evidence 2) politics and governance and 3) capacity and resources. Knowledge and evidence: Most participants did not have a good understanding of stunting. Some interventions for addressing stunting were known, but it was not comprehensive. The participants were receptive of the scorecard and indicated that it would be a powerful advocacy tool within the province and had a potential for raising the profile of nutrition within the province. Capacity and resources: The research highlighted the need for and importance of a high-level political nutrition champion within the province which is one of the core tenets of the scorecard as it seeks to tie different important actions together so that stunting may be eradicated. Lack of resources in general for addressing stunting was evident in Bulawayo Province. Politics and Governance: Relations between central government and local government were described as “informal with limited operational aims”. Participants did not feel comfortable to divulge certain information due to fear of victimization. Participants indicated that most of the datasets, to populate the scorecard indicators, are available on request. The challenge will be to access these due to security clearance required from the government. Conclusion: When viewed against the definition and the elements of an enabling environment, there is much work to be done at provincial level in Bulawayo province to ensure that nutrition, and more specifically stunting, will be effectively addressed. A “Zero Stunting” scorecard could be used as an advocacy tool and a way of initiating discussions around the multi-sectoral requirements for stunting reduction, bearing in mind the political economy situation in the country.