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Background: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are an important problem in South Africa; they account for 60% of all deaths. Early screening could help lower NCD incidences and long-term consequences. Objective: The study aimed to profile NCD risk factors among insourced support staff at the University of Pretoria in 2018. Design: A cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted at the University of Pretoria, Hatfield Campus. The World Health Organization (WHO) STEPwise approach to chronic disease risk factor surveillance (STEPS) questionnaire was administered to collect data in three steps. The participants' behavioural risk profiles were gathered using the face-to-face interview technique (STEP I), followed by their physical risk profile using anthropometric and blood pressure measurements (STEP II). Last was the biochemical risk profile, including finger-prick blood glucose and cholesterol measurement (STEP III). Data were analysed using Epi-Info, version 3.54. Subjects: A convenient sample of participants aged 18–64 years from the Departments of Industrial Hygiene and Building Services, Landscape Services, Sports Fields Management, and Security Services (n = 146, 60% were females) took part in the study. Results: Most participants (97.8%) had low daily fruit and vegetable intake. Some 80% of the study population always or often added salt to their food when cooking. Daily alcohol consumption was reported by a quarter of the sample. More than two-thirds of all the participants were overweight or obese and 61% had central obesity. Conclusion: The study identified a high prevalence of several NCD risk factors. Tailored nutrition education and monitoring are needed to lower the elevated risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The study aimed to explore and describe the infant feeding experiences of mothers of children aged 3 to 24 months, living in two selected informal settlements in Tshwane, South Africa. Design: This exploratory qualitative study gathered data via six focus-group discussions (FGDs). These were facilitated using a semi-structured questionnaire guide with probes. Data were then transcribed, coded and thematically analysed. Setting: The study was conducted in the two selected informal settlements in the west of Tshwane, South Africa. Subjects: Biological mothers (n = 28) of infants and young children aged 3 to 24 months, living in the selected informal settlements participated. The mothers had to be living with their child with some responsibility for their daily care and feeding. Results: Three themes with six sub-themes were identified following thematic analysis. First was the mothers' experience of infant feeding, which included their interpretations and practices of exclusive breastfeeding and complementary feeding. Second, mothers received infant feeding support from their elders based on common beliefs. The support received from healthcare workers was sometimes perceived negatively. However, healthcare workers based at healthcare facilities were important sources of exclusive breastfeeding and complementary feeding information. Third were the setting-related factors that negatively affected the mothers' ability to access nutritious food for themselves and their infants. These included household food insecurity, plus environmental and household factors affecting food storage and preparation. Conclusion: Mothers experienced several challenging circumstances affecting their infant feeding efforts. These findings highlight the need to strengthen targeted infant feeding counselling and support for mothers living in resource-constrained environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]