Browsing by Author "Herselman, Marietjie"

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    Evaluation of selected aspects of the Nutrition Therapeutic Programme offered to HIV-positive women of child-bearing age in Western Cape Province, South Africa
    (AOSIS Publishing, 2015-04-28) Hansen, Tine T.; Herselman, Marietjie; Du Plessis, Lisanne; Daniels, Luzette; Bezuidenhout, Tirsa; Van Niekerk, Cora; Truter, Laura; Iversen, Per O.
    Background: The Nutrition Therapeutic Programme (NTP) involves the provision of food supplements at primary health clinics (PHCs) to correct nutritional deficiencies in vulnerable groups. Although previous studies have identified problems with implementing the programme at PHCs, assessments of its efficiency have been scarce. Objective: To evaluate implementation of the NTP at PHCs that provide antiretroviral therapy. Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted at 17 PHCs located within 3 districts of Western Cape Province. Two target groups were chosen: 32 staff members working at the sites and 21 women of child-bearing age enrolled in the NTP. Questionnaires were used to obtain data. Results: Only 2 women (10%) lived in food-secure households; the rest were either at risk of hunger (29%) or classified as hungry (61%). Most of the women knew they had to take the supplements to improve their nutritional status, but the majority only recalled receiving basic nutritional advice, and the information was mainly given verbally. Ten of the women had shared their supplements with others, mostly with their children. The study identified lack of clearly defined NTP responsibilities at the PHCs, causing confusion amongst the staff. Although many staff members expressed problems with the NTP, only 38% of them reported having routine evaluations regarding the programme. Conclusion: Several aspects compromised the effectiveness of the NTP, including socioeconomic factors leading to clients’ non-compliance. The strategic organisation and implementation of the NTP varied between different PHCs offering antiretroviral therapy, and staff experienced difficulties with the logistics of the programme.
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    Vitamin D : miracle cure-for-all or cart before the horse?
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2011-11) Herselman, Marietjie
    Marietjie Herselman was born in the Langkloof, where she matriculated at the McLachlan High School. She obtained a BSc (Physiology and Dietetics) degree at Stellenbosch University and for the next 18 years worked as a dietitian at Tygerberg Hospital, where she specialised in renal nutrition. She obtained a master’s degree in nutrition in 1985 and in 1991 was appointed as a lecturer in the Department of Human Nutrition, Faculty of Health Sciences, at Stellenbosch University. In the same year she obtained her PhD in nutritional sciences at this university, where she was later promoted to senior lecturer (1995), associate professor (2001) and full professor (2010). From 2008 to 2010 she was appointed first as acting head and later as head of the Division of Human Nutrition. She served on the Professional Board of Dietetics from 1998 to 2003 and also on various sub-committees of the Board. She regularly reviews papers and research applications for scientific councils/associations as well as five national and four international scientific journals. Currently, she serves on the editorial boards of four international scientific journals and in 2008 she was elected as the co-editor (Africa region) of the international journal Nutrition. She successfully delivered 17 master’s students and published 29 scientific papers in national and international journals and three chapters in textbooks. Marietjie also presented papers at 19 international and 37 national conferences. Three international and four national awards were bestowed on her for her research in renal nutrition. She played a leading role in the initiation of the Community Nutrition Security Project (CNSP) in the Breede Valley, as part of Stellenbosch University’s HOPE Project, as well as the NOMA master’s programme in Nutrition, Human Rights and Governance in collaboration with the universities of Oslo and Akershus (Norway) as well as Makerere and Kyambogo (Uganda).