Masters Degrees (Human Nutrition)

Permanent URI for this collection

https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/100756

Browse

Browsing Masters Degrees (Human Nutrition) by Author "Bradfield, Margot"

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    The knowledge, perceptions and practices of healthcare professionals regarding enteral feeding of premature and low birth weight infants in South Africa
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2017-03) Bradfield, Margot; Van Niekerk, Evette; Du Preez, Jacomina Cornelia Frederika; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Dept. of Global Health. Human Nutrition.
    ENGLISH SUMMARY : Background Nutrition in the premature infant is aimed at attaining similar growth and body composition to that of foetal growth and body composition. Postnatal growth will depend on the extrauterine environment, including the type, quality and quantity of feeds provided. Inadequate postnatal growth and nutrition has been linked to poor neurodevelopmental outcomes. Adequate nutrition and enteral feeding practices are necessary to prevent postnatal growth failure and poor cognitive outcomes in premature infants. Aims and objectives The study aimed to determine the knowledge, perceptions and practices of healthcare professionals regarding enteral feeding (including breastfeeding, formula feeding, breastmilk fortifier and donor breastmilk) of premature and low birth weight (LBW) infants in South Africa. Participants and methods A descriptive cross-sectional study with an analytical component was conducted from November 2015 until May 2016. The study took the form of an online survey using the web-based program, “Survey Monkey”. The study population comprised doctors and dietitians from the public and private sectors who are involved in the care of premature and low birth weight (LBW) infants. A total of 76 participants started the survey, of whom 30 (39%) completed fewer than five questions and were excluded from the data analysis. The final sample was composed of 46 participants. Results A significant difference (p = 0.025) between government and private sectors was observed for the initiation time of enteral feeds for very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. Most doctors and dietitians attempt to increase enteral feed volume daily for all birth weight categories. A significant difference was observed between doctors and dietitians (p = 0.039) with respect to the full enteral feeding volume, and a significant difference (p = 0.036) was noted between doctors and dietitians on whether nutrients are calculated in their facilities. Most doctors and dietitians chose an enteral target energy of 100–135 kcal/kg/day for all the birth weight categories. A significant difference was found between the energy prescriptions between the government and private sector for each birth weight category [< 1 000 g (p = 0.038), < 1 500 g (p = 0.027), < 2 000 g (p = 0.019), < 2 500 g (p = 0.045)]. Beliefs and perceptions were in line with current evidence and recommendations, and reflect the practices of healthcare professionals. Conclusion In this study, differences existed between certain practices between healthcare professionals as well as between hospital sectors. A significant difference was not found in the total knowledge scores between healthcare professionals and the international feeding recommendations.