HEALTHY EATING
5.7 SUMMARY AND DISCUSSION OF SAMPLE CHARACTERISTICS
Study participants were English-speaking Indian and White, and Zulu-speaking Black women living in KwaZulu Natal, who made the food purchasing and preparation decisions in the household and who had received no formal nutrition training (i.e.: degree/diploma in nutrition, nurse, doctvr, nutrition advisor, community health worker).
Age ranges extended from 19-61 years for focus group discussions, and from 17-75 years for individual interviews. For both focus group discussions and individual interviews, the majority of participants fell within the age categories of 20-29 years and 30-39 years. Age was found to have no effect on the outcome of the study.
Higher levels of education were evident amongst all urban EAs for focus groups and interviews. The number of years of formal schooling received was lowest amongst rural and urban informal Black participants. These disparities amongst different ethnic groups within South Africa are not unexpected and reflect the South African education policy pre- 1994, which disadvantaged Black South Africans. Level of education attainment was therefore regarded as a reflection of current South African society and had no effect on the outcome of the study.
Across all EAs, for focus group discussions and individual interviews, the majority of participants were housewives. Compared with rural areas, employment levels were higher for all urban areas, especially among White urban dwellers. These results are expected and in keeping with education attainment and location of residence, much of which was influenced by pre-1994 segregation ("apartheid") policies. Employment level was therefore regarded as a reflection of current South African society and had no effect on the outcome of the study.
Within focus group EAs and interview EAs, vast differences were evident regarding the availability of water and cooking fuel sources, with rural and urban informal areas having few essential resources such as potable water and electrification. These results are expected and in keeping with employment attainment and location of residence, much of which was influenced by pre-1994 segregation ("apartheid") policies. Availability of water and cooking fuel sources was therefore regarded as a reflection of current South African society and had no effect on the outcome of the study.
When comparing sample characteristics of all selected EAs across the five settlement types (selection levels) used in this study against definitions of these settlement types as provided by Integrated Marketing Research, it is evident that all EAs met the criteria for the specific settlement type (IMR 1999). Definitions of EAs as provided by Integrated Marketing Research (1999) are briefly described below:
Rural (tribal):
Black South Africans comprise 96% of people living in rural settlements. A typical household contains 6 people, of whom 2-3 people are adults. Two-thirds of households include children under the age of 6 years, and one-third has a pensioner in the home. Only a third of the adults are employed. Many families are engaged in subsistence farming (livestock and vegetables). The majority of families live in traditional huts. Average monthly household income is around R560. About a third of this (R200) is spent on food.
Most shopping is done at the local farm or trading store. Only 12% of households have electricity. The majority of households use candles for lighting and wood fires for cooking. Water is collected from rivers or communal (shared) outdoor taps. As few as 2%
of households have indoor lavatories. An outside pit latrine ("long drop") is most commonly used (lMR 1999).
Urban informal:
16% of households in South Africa are located in urban informal settlements, the majority of whom are Black South Africans. A typical household comprises 4 people, of whom 2-3 people are adults. About half of the adults are employed. Homes are modest, with the majority made of tin or corrugated iron. Average monthly household income is around R880. About a quarter of this (R250) is spent on food. Shopping is done at neighbourhood ("spaza") shops or in the city. About 25% of households have electricity.
The majority of households use candles for lighting and paraffin stoves for cooking. Water is supplied via communal (shared) outdoor taps or delivered in containers. About a third of households have indoor lavatories. An outside pit latrine ("long drop"), a bucket system and the bush are most commonly used (lMR 1999)
Urban formal:
Urban formal dwellings include conventional 4-roomed "matchbox" homes, semi-detached and larger suburban houses, flats and town houses. The average household comprises 4-6 people. Average monthly household income ranges from RI500 to R7400. 20-25% of this (R350-R1450) is spent on food. Shopping is done at local shops, suburban shopping centres or in the city. The majority of households have electricity and in-door plumbing (IMR 1999).
Concluding remarks
Analysis of sample characteristics in terms of age, education attainment, employment level and sources of cooking fuel and water reveals that the study samples can be regarded as representative of settlement types and ethnic groups as found in KwaZulu Natal.
CHAPTER 6:
RESULTS
Chapter six is devoted to the study results as revealed through focus group discussions and individual interviews. These results are presented according to study objectives 2 and 3, namely:
- the appropriateness of the proposed South African FBDGs in terms of consumer comprehension and application of the guidelines among women living in KwaZulu Natal, and
- the compatibility of the proposed South African FBDGs in terms of food categorisation as perceived by women living in KwaZulu Natal and as depicted in the food guides that are commonly used in South Africa for nutrition education.
6.1 OBJECTIVE 2: TO ASSESS THE APPROPRIATENESS OF THE