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376 reports · page 34 of 38

Peer-reviewed articleOpenAlex17 Aug 2026

Exploring Challenges and Opportunities in the Constituency Development Fund Utilisation for Optimizing Maternal and Child Health Outcomes: A Qualitative Study in Vubwi Constituency

This study explored the challenges and opportunities in the utilization of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) for maternal and child health improvement in Vubwi Constituency, Zambia. The study was motivated by the increasing role of CDF in promoting decentralized development and financing community-based health interventions aimed at improving maternal and child health outcomes. Despite its potential, concerns remain regarding the effective utilization of CDF resources and the factors that influence the implementation, accountability, and sustainability of funded health interventions. A qualitative case study design was employed to gain an in-depth understanding of stakeholders' experiences and perceptions regarding the utilization of CDF for maternal and child health improvement. The target population comprised health facility staff, CDF committee members, local leaders, and community members. A sample of 30 participants was selected using purposive and simple random sampling techniques. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and focus group discussions and analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings revealed that the utilization of CDF created significant opportunities for improving maternal and child health through investments in health infrastructure, enhanced access to health services, strengthened stakeholder collaboration, and increased community participation in identifying and prioritizing local health needs. Community involvement promoted ownership of CDF-funded projects, improved transparency, and enhanced accountability in resource utilization. However, the study also identified several challenges that constrained the effective utilization of CDF. These included inadequate awareness of CDF guidelines and processes, limited technical and financial management capacity among stakeholders, unequal participation in decision-making, weak communication between governance structures and communities, delays in project implementation, and insufficient monitoring and accountability mechanisms. The findings further indicated that effective coordination among CDF committees, local authorities, health institutions, and community representatives was essential for ensuring that funded interventions addressed local maternal and child health priorities and remained sustainable. The study concluded that the Constituency Development Fund has considerable potential to improve maternal and child health services in Vubwi Constituency when supported by transparent governance, inclusive participation, effective stakeholder coordination, and strengthened institutional capacity. The study recommends enhancing community sensitization on CDF processes, strengthening participatory planning and monitoring, improving stakeholder collaboration, and reinforcing accountability mechanisms to maximize the contribution of CDF investments to maternal and child health improvement.

Peer-reviewed articleCrossref10 Mar 2022

Priorities for access to early childhood development services for children with disabilities in South Africa

Background: South Africa has migrated the responsibility for early childhood development (ECD) centres from the Department of Social Services to the Department of Basic Education. This functional shift has ushered in consultations and discussions on how best to implement ECD, including opportunities the change may bring.Aim: By anchoring the understanding of ECD services in nurturing care, this study aimed to elucidate the provision of appropriate, inclusive services in early childhood development, including early childhood intervention, for children with disabilities in South Africa against the backdrop of the migration of services from one government ministry to another.Methods: This is an analytical article based on South African literature on ECD services, including interventions, with particular attention to children with disabilities, basing our understanding of these services in nurturing care.Results: We elucidate how the ideals of the Nurturing Care Framework can be achieved in the context of children with disabilities in South Africa using five themes: the need to localise services, developing tools and strategies for screening and early intervention, enhancing the efficacy of caregivers, supporting and training staff and collaborations.Conclusion: It is necessary to empower caregivers and professionals to address early childhood intervention and ECD needs of children with disabilities. Early childhood development centres are an important context for nurturing care, providing opportunities to promote and sustain health amongst a large number of children. Considering the function shift of ECD services in South Africa, these centres are well positioned to further nurturing care to children with disabilities through the provision of supportive environments that promote health and well-being.

Amani Karisa, Chantal Samuels, Brian Watermeyer et al.

DevelopmentZARead at source

Peer-reviewed articleCrossref3 Oct 2023

Linking Care and Support Systems to Improve Childhood Malnutrition: Early Childhood Development Practitioners’ Perceptions of Integrating Multisectoral Systems in South Africa

Introduction:Child malnutrition is a persistent global challenge. It is the cause of nearly 45% of global child mortalities. To ensure positive child health outcomes, integrated multisectoral approaches among families, communities, and government systems to ensure positive child health outcomes are neccesary.Objectives:This study identifies how different care support systems can be linked to ensure optimal childhood nutrition outcomes in South Africa. This is through multisectoral approaches from the early childhood development (ECD) practitioners' perspective.Materials and Methods:We integrated the components of the different support systems and multisectoral approaches. The conceptional framework of the causes of malnutrition by The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) recognizes that malnutrition is due to inadequate care services, diet, and care practices influenced by individual, household, community, and structural determinants. While the Nurturing Care Framework, which looks at how policies and services can support families, parents, and other communities in providing nurturing care.Design:A sequential mixed methods approach was used. For the quantitative method, we did a cross-sectional descriptive analysis of 2 966 children who were under-five years' old in the 2017 South African National Income Dynamics Study (NIDS) between July and August 2022, we conducted five in-depth interviews with ECD practitioners using this qualitative method, and the data was analyzed using thematic analysis. Data was triangulated to understand the factors influencing children’s nutritional outcomes and to provide the narratives of ECD practitioners. This enabled us to highlight challenges and opportunities in linking children to services they need.Results:This study showed that 22.16% of children were stunted, 16.40% were overweight, and 5.04% were underweight. ECD practitioners reported a lack of support received at health facilities and other social services when making referrals, a lack of parental support in nutrition programmes, systemic challenges experienced in getting ECD centers registered, and the ECD's inability to qualify for subsidized nutrition grants.Conclusion:It is critical for us to understand the challenges and opportunities for multisector collaboration. This understanding will enable strategies and policies aimed at providing efficient and effective service referral and service delivery to improve childhood malnutrition in South Africa.

Matshidiso Sello, Sunday Adedini, Clifford Odimegwu

SurvivalDevelopmentZARead at source

OtherCrossref26 Aug 2026

Latent Factors Shaping Early Childhood Development: Insights from a Longitudinal Study in Gauteng, South Africa

Abstract Understanding the intricate dynamics which underscore early childhood growth is a pivotal pursuit within child development research. This longitudinal study delves into developmental pathways of grade R and 1 pupils, across five primary schools in Gauteng. Employing an inclusive survey administered to educators, guardians, and healthcare practitioners, the study seeks to capture insights spanning factors such as education, nutrition, health, material well-being, and protection or care dimensions. The sample of 138 participants, encompassing a balanced gender distribution, boasts an average child age of 7 years. Employing advanced statistical techniques, this study employs Exploratory Factor Analysis to unearth distinctive latent factors, thereby constructing a holistic framework for further inquiry. Structural Equation Modelling illuminates substantial correlations between emotional regulation and safety and well-being factors, highlighting their pivotal roles in children's comprehensive development. Acknowledging the evolving nature of child growth, Latent Growth Modelling introduces a temporal dimension, facilitating the analysis of growth trajectories to discern alterations and trends in latent variables across multiple time points. Children's emotional regulation exhibits consistent baseline intercepts, whereas safety and well-being factors manifest baseline variability and nuanced covariances. These findings underscore the intricate interplay between initial levels and rates of change. In addition to shedding light on latent factors that shape child development, this research underscores the importance of advanced statistical methodologies. By influencing evidence-based interventions and policy decisions, the study contributes to discourse surrounding the cultivation of healthy childhoods, fostering a deeper comprehension of multifaceted factors that influence children's well-being.

Arnesh Telukdarie, Godfrey Mpho Nkadimeng, Leila Patel et al.

DevelopmentProtectionZARead at source

Peer-reviewed articleOpenAlex28 Aug 2026

A cross‑sectional analysis of vitamin D status and associated factors in children recovering from severe acute malnutrition in Zambia and Zimbabwe

Mortality following severe acute malnutrition (SAM) remains high in Africa. Some children with SAM have altered immune responses and impaired neurodevelopment; however, whether vitamin D deficiency contributes to these poor outcomes remains unclear. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations at hospital discharge (25(OH)D) in 442 children aged 0-59 months with SAM at one hospital in Lusaka, Zambia, and two hospitals in Harare, Zimbabwe. Also, we investigated the relationship between 25(OH)D concentrations and host factors. In 442 children, plasma 25(OH)D concentrations were measured using ELISA. Vitamin D deficiency was identified in 33/442 (7.5%; 95% CI: 5.2-10.3) children, all of whom were from Zimbabwe. A multivariable regression model that included age, sex, HIV status, season, oedema, cerebral palsy, and country demonstrated significantly higher 25(OH)D levels among children aged 6-11 months (adjusted (adj) ratio; 1.3; 95% CI: 1.1, 1.6; P = 0.003), 12-23 months (adj ratio; 1.5; 95% CI: 1.3, 1.8; P < 0.001), and 24-59 months (adj ratio; 1.5; 95% CI: 1.3, 1.8; P < 0.001) compared with those <6 months. Sampling during the cool season (adj ratio; 1.2; 95% CI: 1.1, 1.3; P = 0.002), absence of cerebral palsy (adj ratio; 1.2; 95% CI: 1.1, 1.4; P = 0.002) and residence in Zambia (adj ratio; 1.2; 95% CI: 1.1, 1.2; P < 0.001) were associated with higher concentrations of 25(OH)D, even after excluding children <6 months. These findings indicate that vitamin D status among children with SAM is significantly influenced by age, seasonality, cerebral palsy, and geographical location. To facilitate management and improve clinical outcomes in these children, we recommend further investigation into whether the current vitamin D content in ready-to-use therapeutic foods is sufficient for all children and whether additional supplementation improves clinical outcomes, especially in high-risk groups. If deficiency is present, we recommend that children be managed in accordance with local guidelines and policies.

Tracy Naomi Phiri, Cherlynn Dumbura, Kuda Mutasa et al.

SurvivalZMZWRead at source

Every report we find, newest first.

How to use the reports

Exploring Challenges and Opportunities in the Constituency Development Fund Utilisation for Optimizing Maternal and Child Health Outcomes: A Qualitative Study in Vubwi Constituency

Depression Symptoms Among Early Childhood Development Practitioners in South Africa

Early Childhood Singing in Diverse Socioeconomic Backgrounds in South Africa

A case study of early childhood development facility infrastructure in Philippi, South Africa

Priorities for access to early childhood development services for children with disabilities in South Africa

Linking Care and Support Systems to Improve Childhood Malnutrition: Early Childhood Development Practitioners’ Perceptions of Integrating Multisectoral Systems in South Africa

Latent Factors Shaping Early Childhood Development: Insights from a Longitudinal Study in Gauteng, South Africa

A cross‑sectional analysis of vitamin D status and associated factors in children recovering from severe acute malnutrition in Zambia and Zimbabwe

Urban–Rural Divide in Early Childhood Teacher Professional Development in South Africa

Writing anxiety: A barrier to early isiXhosa literacy development

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