Management of the nutritional care of children under five years old by nurses in the Nelson Mandela Bay Health District

• Main Author: Nyarko, Marian Joyce
• Other Authors: Maritz, J. E.
• Format: Others
• Language: en
• Published: 2015
• Subjects: Malnutrition; Nutritional care; Integrated management of childhood illnesses; Professional nurse; 362.8096875; Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (South Africa); Food supply > South Africa > Eastern Cape; Malnutrition > South Africa > Eastern Cape; Food relief > South Africa > Eastern Cape; Public welfare > South Africa > Eastern Cape
• Online Access: Nyarko, Marian Joyce (2015) Management of the nutritional care of children under five years old by nurses in the Nelson Mandela Bay Health District, University of South Africa, Pretoria, <http://hdl.handle.net/10500/18222>; http://hdl.handle.net/10500/18222

The aim of this study was to determine how nurses manage the nutritional care of children under the age of five years at the primary healthcare level. A quantitative approach with an explorative descriptive design was used. A self-administered questionnaire and was used to collect data. The population was 34 professional nurses working in the child health sections of 16 clinics, all of whom were accessible, but one did not respond. Ten out of the target population were also observed using an observational checklist. Findings show lack of proper implementation of Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses (IMCI) guidelines and incorrect use of the Road-to-Health booklet. Secondly, the nurses at the child healthcare section had a high workload or had little experience in child care. The need for more emphasis on nutrition during IMCI training and the re-orientation of nurses on the optimal use of the Road-to-Health booklet were identified. === Master of Public Health (MPH) === Health Studies