The South African National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (SANHANES-1): data analysis on infant feeding practices, and anthropometry in children under five years of age: South Africa 2012

The South African National Health And Nutrition Examination Survey (SANHANES-1) was established by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) as a population health survey that will be repeated regularly to address the changing health needs in the country and to provide a broader and more comprehensive platform to study the health and nutritional status of the nation. The study, compiled by a research consortium comprising the HSRC and the Medical Research Council (MRC), was financed by the national Department of Health, the UK Department for International Development (DFID) and the HSRC. SANHANES-1 included individuals of all ages living in South Africa, except those living in educational institutions, old-age homes, hospitals, homeless people, and uniformed-service barracks. The study was conducted during 2012; 25 532 individuals (92.6% interview response rate) completed a questionnaire-based interview; 12 025 participants had a physical examination completed by a medical doctor, and 8 078 participants provided a blood specimen for biomarker testing. A biomarker is a measurable variable that reflects the presence or severity of a disease state.