Child growth during a global pandemic: Assessing the Indirect Effects of SARS-CoV-2 on Young Children Living in Soweto, South Africa
South Africa
Overview of research project
The study is assessing whether the indirect effects of the Sars-CoV-2 pandemic impacted child growth and wellbeing. The study is adopting a case-control study design and utilizing both primary and secondary data to compare growth and development in three groups of children. Each group will have experienced difference exposure to the indirect effects of the pandemic. The groups of children are as follows:
1) Unexposed children born between January and April 2018, and June and September 2019.
2) Children exposed during infancy born between October 2019 and January 2020.
3) Children exposed in utero and infancy born between November 2020 and April 2021.
The primary outcome assessments are taking place 6 months after birth. We are measuring child growth, development and wellbeing including anthropometric measures and child feeding practices.
1) Unexposed children born between January and April 2018, and June and September 2019.
2) Children exposed during infancy born between October 2019 and January 2020.
3) Children exposed in utero and infancy born between November 2020 and April 2021.
The primary outcome assessments are taking place 6 months after birth. We are measuring child growth, development and wellbeing including anthropometric measures and child feeding practices.
Name of researcher/developer
Roisin Drysdale
Primary organisation
University of the Witwatersrand
Opportunity type
Funding
Opportunity detail
We would like to follow-up with our participants up to 3 years old to assess the long-term impact the pandemic and lockdown has had on child growth, development and wellbeing. We would also like to complete an in-depth qualitative analysis of the pregnancy and parenting experiences mothers have had during the pandemic.
Funding
External funds raised for the project
Stage of development
We our currently completing our follow-up assessments at 6 months.
Research Category
Paediatrics
Social Science