Knowledge, attitude and practices about complementary feeding among mothers of children aged 6 to 24 months in tertiary care centre of Kumaun region, India

Abstract

Background: Well-being of child is directly related to the nutritional status of the baby. Malnutrition rate increases between 6 and 18 months- the period of complementary feeding. Complementary feeding is the introduction of semisolid or solid food in infant who is on breast feeding, when mother’s milk is no longer enough to meet the nutritional needs. Understanding the social beliefs, knowledge, attitude and practices about complementary feeding among mothers is an important step prior to designing an intervention strategy to prevent malnutrition in children. Aim of the study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices regarding complementary feeding among mothers.Methods: Prospective study including 200 mothers with children between 6 to 24 months of age in GMC Haldwani, from December 2017 to May 2018.Results: Present study shows 60.5% mothers initiate their breast milk soon after delivery. The initiation of complementary food at the age of 8 months, 6 month and 4-5 months were 64 (32%), 104(52%) and 32 (16%) respectively. 68% mothers did not properly clean their children hands and utensils before feeding Use of janam ghutti 64% and dilution of cow milk 79% was the major part of complementary feeding.Conclusions: Mother’s knowledge regarding timing of complementary feeding is inadequate and practices are inappropriate. Majority of them are not aware of the current recommendations. It is essential to give accurate information and education about complementary feeding to prevent malnutrition and improve the health status of children.

Practices of Complementary Feeding of Mothers Attending a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital in the Northern Part of Bangladesh

“…The mother's practices of complementary feeding during illness were also recorded, and 80% of them withheld from feeding their child during fever, diarrhea, and illness, which is similar to the study in India(78%). 14 The study also showed the predominance of cow's milk(48%) and khichuri(38%) as the most frequented preferred food by mothers who generally are the most preferred foods in south Asian countries due to its abundance and affordability.Vegetables(6%) and fruits(3%) were consumed in a very less proportion which showed a lack of diversity and an imbalanced amount of dietary nutrition required by the child, which is not surprising given that a lot of studies suggested the same scenario. 41 In the present study, 77% and 78% of the mothers properly washed their hands and utensils and their child's hands before feeding the child, respectively, which is comparatively a lot higher than in countries like northwestern Nigeria.…”

“…37 In the current study, 60% of the mother had good knowledge about adding and utilizing iodized salt properly in food; this percentage was similar when compared with studies from other countries like India and South Africa, where the percentage was 57% and 63%, respectively. 14,38 A huge portion of the mothers had scanty knowledge about iron-rich foods; only 29% of them could identify, and 71% of them couldn't identify what iron-rich foods were, which upon further study was found to be related to the mother's education level(p<0.05) a finding was also seen in other south-Asian countries like India and Pakistan. 14,39 In the study, the mother's beliefs about cultural and social food taboos were also inquired about.…”

“…14,38 A huge portion of the mothers had scanty knowledge about iron-rich foods; only 29% of them could identify, and 71% of them couldn't identify what iron-rich foods were, which upon further study was found to be related to the mother's education level(p<0.05) a finding was also seen in other south-Asian countries like India and Pakistan. 14,39 In the study, the mother's beliefs about cultural and social food taboos were also inquired about. 163(71.8%) mothers believed that food taboos are related to children's illnesses if included in complementary foods, out of which 38% believed that Bananas are cold in nature that can cause chest infection or cough if introduced in complementary feeding, and (34%) reported that meat and eggs are hot and hard in nature to digest that can cause diarrhea and digestive problems which is similar to finding in India.…”

“…163(71.8%) mothers believed that food taboos are related to children's illnesses if included in complementary foods, out of which 38% believed that Bananas are cold in nature that can cause chest infection or cough if introduced in complementary feeding, and (34%) reported that meat and eggs are hot and hard in nature to digest that can cause diarrhea and digestive problems which is similar to finding in India. 14 This phenomenon was quite common in mothers of south-Asian origins because of the persistent influence of the beliefs and cultural practices of elderly women towards the young mothers in the society. 40 It was also reported that when it came to defining the criteria of complementary feeding practices, 52% of the mothers preferred homemade food and 22% preferred commercially available cereals and fast foods, which is higher than a study conducted on rural mothers of Bangladesh(12.6%).…”

Association of infant and young child feeding practices and acute lower respiratory infections

“…Metanalysis data shows that handwashing before handling infants lowered risks of respiratory infection, with risk reductions ranging from 6% to 44%. 30 Handwashing was significant in univariate analysis but was not retained in final model. 58% cases and 82% controls were given awareness about complimentary feeding after birth.…”