Human Nutrition

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Browsing Human Nutrition by Subject "Agriculture -- Eastern Cape (South Africa)"

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    Perceptions of adolescents from the Sterkspruit area, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa, regarding the underlying factors that have an impact on their right to adequate food
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2016-03) Rosseau, Carla Yvonne; Marais, Martha Louisa; Drimie, Scott; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Dept. of Global Health. Human Nutrition.
    ENGLISH SUMMARY : Introduction: The government has an obligation to respect, protect and promote the right to food (RtF) as a social, economic and cultural human right. Failing to achieve these obligations could result in the violation of adolescents’ human right to food, to the detriment of their development and well-being. Objectives: This study aimed to gain insight into the perceptions and experiences of adolescents in the Sterkspruit area (Eastern Cape Province) regarding the underlying factors that have an impact on their Right to food. It endeavoured to determine preventative and promoting factors, investigated adolescents’ perceptions regarding the fulfilment of their RtF and explored whether female adolescents were more at risk for their RtF to be violated. Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive study using a mixed method approach was done in the Sterkspruit area of the Senqu sub-district in the Eastern Cape province. In-depth interviews were conducted with key informants (KI) while adolescents completed a self-administered questionnaire and participated in focus group discussions (FGD), which were gender and age based. Through content analysis of qualitative data, data was coded and grouped according to emerging themes using the ATLAS.ti 7 text analysis programme. Findings from the quantitative data were regarded as significant with a p-value of <0.05. Results: Eight KIs were interviewed and six FGD were conducted in isiIsiXhosa with 50 adolescents (32 female and 18 male) aged 10 to 19 years. Preventative and promoting factors for the realisation of the RtF were identified. Preventative factors included the inappropriate utilisation of the child support grant (CSG), the high unemployment rate, implementation of punishment, and adolescents’ involvement in risky behaviour such as criminal activities and female sex trading. Adolescents’ RtF was also affected by the adequacy and variety of the diet consumed. A statistical significant difference (p=0.035) proved that females enjoyed a wider variety of food items. Hunger due to household poverty, limited variety of food and child-headed households prevented adolescents’ RtF being realised. The National School Nutrition Programme and agricultural activities were regarded as factors contributing to food security. KIs regarded adolescents’ lack of involvement in agricultural activities as a barrier to addressing food security. Urban adolescents were more likely to have access to agrarian resources than adolescents residing in rural villages. Females were not identified as being more vulnerable for their RtF being violated. The government was identified as the main duty bearer responsible for the realisation of the RtF, but few participants identified adolescents’ responsibility as right-holders. An increased CSG, improved employment possibilities, improved provision of resources for agricultural activities, and education were seen as possible solutions to secure the adolescents’ RtF. Conclusion: While food insecurity and poverty persist, drastic measures are needed to achieve the progressive realisation of the RtF. The government is not efficient yet in taking sustainable measures in providing food security and work opportunities. The implementation of a rights-based approach is needed for the duty-bearers and right-holders to facilitate the progressive realisation of the RtF of adolescents in the Sterkspruit area.