Current practices and challenges of registered dietitians in the nutritional management of children with cerebral palsy in South Africa
Background: Feeding difficulties and subsequent malnutrition are common in children with cerebral palsy (CP).Objectives: A study was undertaken to determine the current practices and challenges of South African registered dietitians (SA RD) regarding the nutritional management of children with CP, t...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2024-04-01
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| Series: | The South African Journal of Clinical Nutrition |
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| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/16070658.2024.2315916 |
| _version_ | 1797225164713230336 |
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| author | Deborah Jacobson Evette van Niekerk Maritha Marais |
| author_facet | Deborah Jacobson Evette van Niekerk Maritha Marais |
| author_sort | Deborah Jacobson |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Feeding difficulties and subsequent malnutrition are common in children with cerebral palsy (CP).Objectives: A study was undertaken to determine the current practices and challenges of South African registered dietitians (SA RD) regarding the nutritional management of children with CP, to compare these practices with international guidelines and to compare the practices of private- and public-sector dietitians.Design: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study with an analytical component.Subjects and outcome measures: The SA RDs completed an online questionnaire, which was developed according to the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) guidelines. Participant answers were scored to assess their management of children with CP.Results: Of the 87 SA RDs who participated, 78 had work experience in CP (40 public and 38 private sector). Over two-thirds (n = 62/87, 71.2%) received training on the management of CP at university, albeit inadequate (n = 42/62, 67.7%). Common challenges that affect RDs’ management are poor caregiver compliance (n = 72; 92.2%) and poor networking between healthcare professionals (HCPs) (n = 60; 77.0%). The SA RD (n = 78) management of children with CP was significantly different from the ESPGHAN guidelines (p < 0.001). When comparing the total practice score, no significant difference was found between private- and public-sector RDs. The SA RDs did not achieve many of the recommended practices, particularly those pertaining to anthropometry.Conclusions: Improved training of SA RDs in the assessment and management of children with CP, and addressing barriers such as poor caregiver compliance, would enhance SA RDs’ competence to improve the nutritional management of children with CP. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T14:04:40Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-b531d8fd2cc3433ca2f4dec1e41a2a65 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1607-0658 2221-1268 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T14:04:40Z |
| publishDate | 2024-04-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | The South African Journal of Clinical Nutrition |
| spelling | doaj.art-b531d8fd2cc3433ca2f4dec1e41a2a652024-04-03T10:40:37ZengTaylor & Francis GroupThe South African Journal of Clinical Nutrition1607-06582221-12682024-04-011810.1080/16070658.2024.2315916Current practices and challenges of registered dietitians in the nutritional management of children with cerebral palsy in South AfricaDeborah Jacobson0Evette van Niekerk1Maritha Marais2Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South AfricaFaculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South AfricaFaculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South AfricaBackground: Feeding difficulties and subsequent malnutrition are common in children with cerebral palsy (CP).Objectives: A study was undertaken to determine the current practices and challenges of South African registered dietitians (SA RD) regarding the nutritional management of children with CP, to compare these practices with international guidelines and to compare the practices of private- and public-sector dietitians.Design: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study with an analytical component.Subjects and outcome measures: The SA RDs completed an online questionnaire, which was developed according to the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) guidelines. Participant answers were scored to assess their management of children with CP.Results: Of the 87 SA RDs who participated, 78 had work experience in CP (40 public and 38 private sector). Over two-thirds (n = 62/87, 71.2%) received training on the management of CP at university, albeit inadequate (n = 42/62, 67.7%). Common challenges that affect RDs’ management are poor caregiver compliance (n = 72; 92.2%) and poor networking between healthcare professionals (HCPs) (n = 60; 77.0%). The SA RD (n = 78) management of children with CP was significantly different from the ESPGHAN guidelines (p < 0.001). When comparing the total practice score, no significant difference was found between private- and public-sector RDs. The SA RDs did not achieve many of the recommended practices, particularly those pertaining to anthropometry.Conclusions: Improved training of SA RDs in the assessment and management of children with CP, and addressing barriers such as poor caregiver compliance, would enhance SA RDs’ competence to improve the nutritional management of children with CP.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/16070658.2024.2315916cerebral palsynutritional managementSouth African registered dietitians |
| spellingShingle | Deborah Jacobson Evette van Niekerk Maritha Marais Current practices and challenges of registered dietitians in the nutritional management of children with cerebral palsy in South Africa The South African Journal of Clinical Nutrition cerebral palsy nutritional management South African registered dietitians |
| title | Current practices and challenges of registered dietitians in the nutritional management of children with cerebral palsy in South Africa |
| title_full | Current practices and challenges of registered dietitians in the nutritional management of children with cerebral palsy in South Africa |
| title_fullStr | Current practices and challenges of registered dietitians in the nutritional management of children with cerebral palsy in South Africa |
| title_full_unstemmed | Current practices and challenges of registered dietitians in the nutritional management of children with cerebral palsy in South Africa |
| title_short | Current practices and challenges of registered dietitians in the nutritional management of children with cerebral palsy in South Africa |
| title_sort | current practices and challenges of registered dietitians in the nutritional management of children with cerebral palsy in south africa |
| topic | cerebral palsy nutritional management South African registered dietitians |
| url | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/16070658.2024.2315916 |
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