Promoting weaning practices and growth of infants by using Communication for Behavioral Development approach: an Egyptian community-based modeling study

Abstract

Background:Children who like varieties in their food choices may carry these preferences throughout their childhood and beyond, affecting their health and growth. Therefore, the improvement of complementary feeding and weaning practices should be strongly supported. Aim:This study aimed at evaluating how impactful is the use of the Communication for behavioral development (C4D) approach on improving the weaning practices in an Egyptian village for 464 pregnant women and mothers of infants and improving the growth of infants 12-36 months of age. Methods: The study was an interventional three-phase study: assessment, intervention using the communication for behavioral development approach (C4D), and evaluation.The interventions encouraged each mother to provide her baby nutritious and varied options through age-appropriate introduction and diversification of nutrient-rich complementary foods under the slogan “enjoy meals like a baby”.Results:There was marked and significant improvement of the awareness and of the majority of the weaning practices’ indicators as a result of the interventions. This was noticed for the timely introduction of complementary foods which increased from 36.7% to 82.0%, the minimum meal frequency indicator (3-5) which increased from 25.3% to 67.3%, iron-rich or fortified food (68.0 % to 82%) as well as regular checkup for baby health at health unit (71.3%). Unfortunately, some other indicators that were improved but couldn’t reach the percentage of the targeted objectives were the “Minimum Dietary Diversity” (reached 32%) and the minimum acceptable diet (reached 22.0 %). Conclusion:Nutrition education and complementary feeding had significantly marked improvement on all the growth indices of infants aged 1-3 years. The outcome strongly supports the need for improvement of complementary feeding practices through the use of the C4D approach.