Utilisation of the child support grant among recipents of children aged 0 - 5 years in two low socio-economic communities in the Cape Metropole
1
Department of Global Health, Division of Human Nutrition, Stellenbosch University Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Cape Town, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A2227
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
The Child Support Grant (CSG), the most utilised grant in South Africa, intends to alleviate child poverty, hunger and food insecurity. It is, however, often used for other household expenses due to high unemployment or low income. This study aimed to assess the utilisation of the CSG in two communities in the Cape Metropole, Western Cape.
METHODS:
A quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional study design was employed, using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Participants (n=190), recruited from two primary healthcare clinics, included parents/primary caregivers who receive a CSG for a child/children aged 0-5 years.
RESULTS:
Food products most purchased with the CSG were cereals (66.14%; n=125), fruit (55.56%; n=105) and grains (51.85%; n=98). Almost half of participants reported purchasing salty snacks (49.21%; n=94), salty foods (49.21%; n=93), sugar-sweetened beverages (48.68%; n=92) and vegetables (48.15%; n=91) while 42.55% (n=80) purchased sugar. Fewer participants purchased protein-rich products like eggs (42.33%; n=80), meat and poultry (37.04%; n=70) and fish (23.28%; n=44). One quarter spent the CSG on commercial milk formula (22.34%; n=42) and most used it to purchase clothing (85.19%; n=161) and baby toiletries (83.07%; n=157). One third of participants (30.69%; n=58) used the CSG for other household members’ expenses. From these, 32.8% (n=62) used it for electricity, and 21.16% (n=40) on airtime/data. Some participants (35.79%; n=68) typically paid R310,25 from the CSG towards early childhood development centre fees. Only 2.11% (n=4) of participants reported sometimes purchasing alcohol, 10.05% (n=19) cigarettes and 3.7% (n=7) always purchased cigarettes with the CSG. Most participants (90.96%; n=171) reported that the CSG was not enough to meet all the child’s needs.
CONCLUSIONS:
In this study, CSG recipients spend the grant on child expenses and food, and often on household members’ and general household expenses, reducing the portion available for the child which may limit its intended impact on child well-being.
The Child Support Grant (CSG), the most utilised grant in South Africa, intends to alleviate child poverty, hunger and food insecurity. It is, however, often used for other household expenses due to high unemployment or low income. This study aimed to assess the utilisation of the CSG in two communities in the Cape Metropole, Western Cape.
METHODS:
A quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional study design was employed, using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Participants (n=190), recruited from two primary healthcare clinics, included parents/primary caregivers who receive a CSG for a child/children aged 0-5 years.
RESULTS:
Food products most purchased with the CSG were cereals (66.14%; n=125), fruit (55.56%; n=105) and grains (51.85%; n=98). Almost half of participants reported purchasing salty snacks (49.21%; n=94), salty foods (49.21%; n=93), sugar-sweetened beverages (48.68%; n=92) and vegetables (48.15%; n=91) while 42.55% (n=80) purchased sugar. Fewer participants purchased protein-rich products like eggs (42.33%; n=80), meat and poultry (37.04%; n=70) and fish (23.28%; n=44). One quarter spent the CSG on commercial milk formula (22.34%; n=42) and most used it to purchase clothing (85.19%; n=161) and baby toiletries (83.07%; n=157). One third of participants (30.69%; n=58) used the CSG for other household members’ expenses. From these, 32.8% (n=62) used it for electricity, and 21.16% (n=40) on airtime/data. Some participants (35.79%; n=68) typically paid R310,25 from the CSG towards early childhood development centre fees. Only 2.11% (n=4) of participants reported sometimes purchasing alcohol, 10.05% (n=19) cigarettes and 3.7% (n=7) always purchased cigarettes with the CSG. Most participants (90.96%; n=171) reported that the CSG was not enough to meet all the child’s needs.
CONCLUSIONS:
In this study, CSG recipients spend the grant on child expenses and food, and often on household members’ and general household expenses, reducing the portion available for the child which may limit its intended impact on child well-being.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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