scholarly journals Impact Evaluation of a Comprehensive Nutrition Program for Reducing Stunting in Children Aged 6–23 Months in Rural Malawi

2020 ◽  
Vol 150 (11) ◽  
pp. 3024-3032 ◽  
Author(s):  
Parul Christian ◽  
Kristen M Hurley ◽  
John Phuka ◽  
Yunhee Kang ◽  
Julie Ruel-Bergeron ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young Child ◽  
Impact Evaluation ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Hand Washing ◽  
Z Score ◽  
Nutrition Program ◽  
Child Feeding ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Young Child Feeding ◽  
Infant And Young Child

ABSTRACT Background The prevalence of stunting in central rural Malawi is ∼50%, which prompted a multipronged nutrition program in 1 district from 2014 to 2016. The program distributed a daily, fortified, small-quantity lipid-based nutritional supplement, providing 110 kcal and 2.6 g of protein to children aged 6–23 mo, and behavior change messages around optimal infant and young child feeding (IYCF) and water, sanitation, and hygiene. Objectives Our objective was to perform an impact evaluation of the program using a neighboring district as comparison. Methods Using a quasi-experimental study design, with cross-sectional baseline (January–March, 2014; n = 2404) and endline (January–March, 2017; n = 2453) surveys, we evaluated the program's impact using a neighboring district as comparison. Impact on stunting was estimated using propensity score weighted difference-in-differences regression analyses to account for baseline differences between districts. Results No differences in mean length-for-age z-score or prevalence of stunting were found at endline. However, mean weight, weight-for-length z-score, and mid-upper arm circumference were higher at endline by 150 g, 0.22, and 0.19 cm, respectively, in the program compared with the comparison district (all P < 0.05). Weekly reports of high fever and malaria were also lower by 6.4 and 4.7 percentage points, respectively, in the program compared with the comparison district (both P < 0.05). There was no impact on anemia. Children's dietary diversity score improved by 0.17, and caregivers’ infant and young child feeding and hand-washing practices improved by 8–11% in the program compared with the comparison district (all P < 0.05). Conclusions An impact evaluation of a comprehensive nutrition program in rural Malawi demonstrated benefit for child ponderal growth and health, improved maternal IYCF and hand-washing practices, but a reduction in stunting prevalence was not observed.

scholarly journals A cross sectional study on optimal infant and young child feeding practices with reference to WHO indicators in a rural area of Puducherry

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 1684
Author(s):  
Arulprasad Radjasegarane ◽  
Anandaraj Rajagopal ◽  
Prakash Mathiyalagen ◽  
Kavita Vasudevan
Keyword(s):  
Young Child ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Feeding Practices ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Child Feeding ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Young Child Feeding ◽  
Child Feeding Practices ◽  
Infant And Young Child ◽  
One Year

Background: Optimal infant and young child feeding practices (IYCF) are essential to address the increasing burden of malnutrition and for the overall development of the children. The present study was conducted to estimate the proportion of optimal infant and young child feeding practices among rural children aged 0 to 23 months and study the associated socio demographic factors.Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted among 360 children in the age group of 0 to 23 months in a rural field practice area of a medical college in Puducherry. Data on IYCF practices were collected using a standardized tool developed by WHO. Core and optional IYCF indicators were calculated. Chi-square test and Fishers’ exact test were used as tests of significance.Results: Almost 88.0% of infants were initiated early on breastfeeding and 90.8% were exclusively breastfed for six months. Children who were continuously breastfed at one year and two years were 77.4% and 22.4% respectively. About 75.0% were introduced with solid or semisolid foods at 6 to 8 months of age. Among children aged 6 to 23 months, 77.3% had the recommended minimum dietary diversity, 81.3% had the minimum meal frequencies, while 57.7% received the minimum acceptable diet and only 39.4% consumed iron rich foods. Gender was significantly associated with the practice of continued breastfeeding at one year, adequate minimum dietary diversity and minimum meal frequency.Conclusions: The core and optional IYCF indicators were acceptably good in the initial six months of life but thereafter showed suboptimal levels, which should be emphasized among the mothers or primary care givers.

scholarly journals Core and optional infant and young child feeding indicators in Sub-Saharan Africa: a cross-sectional study

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. e023238 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samson Gebremedhin
Keyword(s):  
Young Child ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Demographic And Health Surveys ◽  
Child Feeding ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Young Child Feeding ◽  
Infant And Young Child ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Minimum Dietary Diversity

ObjectiveThe objective of the study is to determine the status of infant and young child feeding (IYCF) in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) based on multiple indicators.DesignSecondary data analysis of 32 Demographic and Health Surveys conducted in SSA since 2010.SettingThirty-two countries in SSA.Participants151 575 infants and young children born in the preceding 2 years of the surveys.Indicators determinedEight core and six optional IYCF indicators.ResultsMajority (95.8%) of the children born in the preceding 24 months were ever breastfed, and 50.5% initiated breastfeeding within the first hour of birth. Among infants 0–5 months of age, 72.3% were predominantly breastfed and 41.0% were exclusively breastfed. Continued breastfeeding at 1 year (89.5%) was reasonably high, but only 53.7% continued breastfeeding at 2 years and 60.4% had age-appropriate breastfeeding. About two-thirds (69.3%) of infants 6–8 months of age received solid, semisolid or soft food over the previous day across the countries. Among children 6–23 months of age, 41.9% met the minimum recommended meal frequency, while smaller proportions satisfied the minimum dietary diversity (21.0%) and acceptable diet (9.8%). About one-third (37.6%) of children 6–23 months of age consumed iron-rich or iron-fortified food over the previous day. Among non-breastfed children, only 15.0% received the recommended two or more milk feedings. Thirteen per cent were fed with a bottle with a nipple in the previous day. Country-level estimates for most indicators showed remarkable variations. Yet the minimum dietary diversity and acceptable diet indicators were consistently low.ConclusionMost breastfeeding-related indicators, except exclusive and early initiation of breastfeeding, are in an acceptable level in SSA. However, complementary feeding indicators are generally low.

scholarly journals Infant and young child feeding practices among tribal mothers in Sambalpur district, Odisha, India

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 1072
Author(s):  
Samyak Sahu ◽  
Subrat K. Pradhan ◽  
Sadhu C. Panda
Keyword(s):  
Young Child ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Feeding Practices ◽  
Bottle Feeding ◽  
Child Feeding ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Young Child Feeding ◽  
Child Feeding Practices ◽  
Infant And Young Child ◽  
Study Participants

Background: Indicators of infant and young child and feeding (IYCF) practices have been devised by WHO in order to help objectively assess the prevalence of these practices in the population. IYCF practices play a vital role in the control of infant and child deaths. This study was undertaken to assess the IYCF practices among children aged less than 2 years among the tribal population. Objective of this study to measure the indicators of IYCF practices in children in the 0-23 months age group.Methods: It is a community based, cross sectional study of infant and young child feeding practices among tribal mothers having children younger than 24 months, in Sambalpur district of Odisha from October 2017 to December 2019. The study participants were tribal mothers having children less than 24 months of age. The sample size was 384.Results: Among the study participants, 93.5% belonged to the 21-30 years age bracket, 37.5% had middle school certificate education and 75.3% belonged to the upper lower socioeconomic class. The indicators were continued breastfeeding at 1 year (100%), continued breastfeeding at 2 years (100%) and children ever breastfed (100%), exclusive breastfeeding (98.71%) and bottle feeding (16.36%). A significant association was found between delivery by lower segment caesarean section and delayed initiation of breastfeeding.Conclusions: The indicators related to breastfeeding and complementary feeding were adequate except for minimum dietary diversity and minimum adequate diet.

scholarly journals Infant and young child feeding practice among mothers of children age 6 to 23 months in Debrelibanos district, North Showa zone, Oromia region, Ethiopia

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (9) ◽  
pp. e0257758
Author(s):  
Mathewos Mekonnen ◽  
Tadele Kinati ◽  
Kumera Bekele ◽  
Bikila Tesfa ◽  
Dejene Hailu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young Child ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Health Care Facilities ◽  
Outcome Variable ◽  
Feeding Practice ◽  
Child Feeding ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Young Child Feeding ◽  
Infant And Young Child

Background Inappropriate infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practice is the leading cause of malnutrition in children. Data is needed to identify children at risk of poor feeding practice and to target interventions to improve IYCF practices. Therefore, this study aimed to assess IYCF practice and associated factors among mothers of children age 6 to 23 months in Debrelibanos district, north Showa zone, Oromia region, Ethiopia. Method A community-based cross-sectional study design was conducted among 380 mothers of children age 6 to 23 months from March 1 to April 5, 2019. A simple random sampling technique was used to select the respondents. Data was collected using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire that had been pretested. The data was entered into Epi-Data 3.1 and then transferred to SPSS 21 for analysis. Descriptive statistical analysis was done, and an association between an outcome variable and independent variables was examined in logistic regression models. Result Overall, 65.8% of mothers practiced appropriate IYCF practice. The study revealed that 70.5% of children started breastfeeding within one hour of birth, and 61.6% were breastfed exclusively for six months. Among studied mothers, 79.5% continued to breastfeed their children until 2 years, and 69.2% of the participants started complementary feeding timely at six months. Minimum dietary diversity was observed in 19.2% of children, while minimum meal frequency was found in 79.2%. The majority of mothers (77.6%) fed their babies with bottles. Mother’s educational status of primary school [AOR = 4.50, 95% CI: (1.38,14.61)], husband’s occupation being merchant [AOR = 6.45, 95% CI: (1.51, 27.59)]; antenatal care follows up [AOR = 3.15, % CI: (1.22, 8.12)], radio/television ownership [AOR = 7.41, 95% CI: (2.86, 19.20)], child’s sex being female [AOR = 4.78, 95% CI: (2.26, 10.064) and sufficient knowledge on child feeding [AOR = 2.82, 95% CI: (1.27, 26.26)] were independent predictors for appropriate IYCF practice. Conclusion The prevalence of appropriate infant and young child feeding practice indicators was found to be rather high among the mothers in this study. The use of a bottle to feed babies, in particular is very common among the mothers who were studied. To address child malnutrition, it is critical to educate families about proper IYCF practices. This study suggests that mothers be properly educated about IYCF recommendations at health care facilities during their visits, as well as the promotion of appropriate IYCF through various media.

scholarly journals Mothers’ adherence to optimal infant and young child feeding practices in Uganda: a cross-sectional study

F1000Research ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 877
Author(s):  
Zabinah Nabirye ◽  
Frank Kiwanuka ◽  
Zainah Nakaye ◽  
Ivan Kamurasi ◽  
Agbele Alaba Tolulope
Keyword(s):  
Young Child ◽  
Feeding Practices ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Child Feeding ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Town Council ◽  
Young Child Feeding ◽  
Child Feeding Practices ◽  
Infant And Young Child

Background: The benefits of adherence to optimal infant and young child feeding (IYCF) to both the mothers and their infants below two years are well documented. However, compliance to optimal IYCF practices has been noted to vary in different settings. This study sought to establish factors influencing mothers’ adherence to optimal infant and young child feeding practices for babies below two years in Mpigi town council- Mpigi District. Methods: The study was a cross-sectional study carried out among 264 mothers of babies between six months to two years of age attending postnatal care units of health facilities in Mpigi town council, Uganda: Mpigi Health Center (HC) IV and Kyaali HC III. Purposive sampling method was used to select the health centers while simple random sampling was then used to select the sample from the selected centers. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Data entry and analysis was performed using SPSS version 16. Results: 264 participants were invited to participate in the study, 100% of these fully completed the survey. The majority of the mothers were aged 20 to 34 years (80.3%). After scoring each participant using the four characteristics which included: initiation of breastfeeding within the first hour following birth, exclusive breastfeeding up to 6 months followed by continued breastfeeding with appropriate complementary foods upto 2 years and beyond, the majority of the participants were adherent (79.6%) to IYCF practices while 20.4% were non adherent to IYCF practices. Conclusion: A good estimate of adherence to optimal IYCF practices was revealed in this study. Sustaining well-established policies to support IYCF programmes is recommended to maintain optimal IYCF practices.

scholarly journals Infant and Young Child Feeding by Mothers in a Selected Rural Area of Mymensingh

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 21-25
Author(s):  
Sultana Sobnam Dipu ◽  
Md Tufael Hossain ◽  
Maksuda Begum ◽  
AHM Hasan ◽  
Fakir Sameul Alam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Standard Deviation ◽  
Young Child ◽  
Sample Size ◽  
Rural Area ◽  
Breast Feeding ◽  
Child Nutrition ◽  
Child Feeding ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Young Child Feeding ◽  
Infant And Young Child

This study was done to know about infant and young child feeding by mothers in a selected rural area of Mymensingh and to assess nutritional status of infant and young child. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. The sample size was 625. Sample size and study area was purposively selected. The study was conducted from December 2016 to January 2017 in Churkhai and Winnerpar villages of Bhavokhali union of Sadar upazila Mymensingh. Data were collected on a predesigned questionnaire by direct interviewing the respondents. Data analysis was done by SPSS version 16. A total of 625 mothers who had one child aged between newborn to 24 months participated in the study. Age of mothers ranged from 15 years to 50 years. Mean age of mothers was 24.56 years and standard deviation 5.36 years. Most of the mothers belonged to 15 to 24 years of age. The age of children ranged from newborn to 24 months. Mean age of children was 15.16 months, standard deviation 7.51 months. Majority of children belonged to 19 to 24 months. Majority (54.72%) had normal nutrition. Breast feeding continued up to the age when interviewed, offering colostrums and breast feeding given within half an hour after delivery were excellent among 63.36% of mothers. Weaning in due time, appropriate servings and weaning food appropriate were excellent among 74.80% of mothers of weaning age child. Exclusive breast feeding 74.02% and breast feeding continued up to the age of 24 months were 79.33% were good. Infant and Young Child Feeding practices observed in this study though better than other studies, needs more attention for improved child nutrition and survival. CBMJ 2016 July: Vol. 05 No. 02 P: 21-25

scholarly journals A study on feeding practices among mothers with children aged less than two years in rural area of Kancheepuram District, Tamil Nadu

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (8) ◽  
pp. 3471 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fasna Liaquath Ali ◽  
Ravivarman Govindasamy ◽  
Suganthi Soubramanian
Keyword(s):  
Young Child ◽  
Rural Area ◽  
Tamil Nadu ◽  
Feeding Practices ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Child Feeding ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Young Child Feeding ◽  
Child Feeding Practices ◽  
Infant And Young Child

Background: Adequate nutrition in first 24 months through optimal Infant and Young Child feeding is fundamental for the development of the child. Hence assessment of Infant and Young child feeding practices rank among the most effective intervention is to meet the deficit improve the child health. Hence this study is conducted with the objective to assess the prevalence and factors influencing infant and young child feeding practices among the rural mothers of children aged less than two years.Methods: A cross sectional study was undertaken in the rural area of Kancheepuram district, Tamil Nadu from January 2017 to August 2017. 247 children of age less than two years were selected by two stage random sampling method. Data was collected house to house using pretested questionnaire and WHO infant and young child feeding questionnaire. Proportions were calculated and Chi square was applied.Results: The median age of the study participants were 9±7.1 months. 226 (91.5 %) were given colostrum and 163 (66%) were initiated breastfeeding within one hour after birth. 58.6% of children were introduced on soft/solid/semi solid food at the end of 6 to 8 months. In multiple logistic regression education of the mother, working status of the mother, number of antennal visits and place of delivery were associated with appropriate feeding practices.Conclusions: Maternal decision determines how an infant to be fed but it reflects the atmosphere by how they are influenced and adopted the decision. 

scholarly journals Improving caregivers’ infant and young child-feeding practices using a three-group food guide: A randomized intervention study in central Uganda

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (04) ◽  
pp. 17834-17853
Author(s):  
Edward Kansiime ◽  
◽  
MK Kabahenda ◽  
E Bonsi ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young Child ◽  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Feeding Practices ◽  
Growth Patterns ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Child Feeding ◽  
Young Child Feeding ◽  
Child Feeding Practices ◽  
Infant And Young Child

Despite improvements in food production and healthcare services, the burden of malnutrition in Uganda has for the last 30yearsremained unacceptably high with rates of stunting (chronic undernutrition) and anemia (proxy for micronutrient deficiency) currently estimated at 29% and 53%,respectively among young children aged 6-59 months. Considering that both undernutrition and over nutrition are greatly attributed to monotonous diets characterized by limited dietary diversity and overdependence on starchy refined grains or roots as staples,there is need to improve the population’s awareness of appropriate dietary practices. To improve nutrition education, the Infant and Young Child-feeding national counseling cards for community volunteers (IYCF cards)that were developed by United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), are currently the standard package used in Uganda’s health sector to educate caregivers on appropriate child-feeding practices. In this study, the effectiveness of a three-group food guide was evaluated against IYCF cards.A randomized, controlled intervention trial engaged three randomly selected distant groups of child-caregiver pairs (n=40) concurrently in one of three treatments namely: (i) nutrition education using a three-foodgroup guide (FG), (ii) nutrition education using age-appropriate IYCF cards, and (iii) negative control group that engaged in hair-plaiting sessions. At baseline, all groups had randomly selected caregivers of children aged 6-14 months and were met once a week for five consecutive weeks during the intervention. Caregivers were interviewed at baseline and 2 months after the interventions to determine changes in child-feeding practices while their children were concurrently measured to determine changes in their nutritional status.At baseline, caregivers in the three treatment arms exhibited inappropriate child-feeding practices indicated by low child-feeding index (CFI) scores,which were also related to poor nutritional status of their children. After the interventions, children in FG group were given more varied animal-source foods than those in IYCF cards group (p =0.02). Compared to controls, caregivers in FG group gave their children significantly more snacks (p = 0.01), their child-feeding practices indicated by CFI scores significantly improved (p = 0.001) and their children exhibited better growth patterns indicated by weight-for-age (p = 0.02) and MUAC-for-age (p = 0.03) Z-scores.These findings,therefore,indicate that the three-group food guide is more likely to improve child-feeding practices and growth patterns than IYCF cards.Hence, there is need to integrate the food guide into IYCF materials to foster child-feeding practices and growth.

scholarly journals Knowledge and Practices Regarding Infant and Young Child Feeding among Mothers Working in Readymade Garments Sector in Bangladesh: A Cross-Sectional Survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 190-201
Author(s):  
Afrin Iqbal
Keyword(s):  
Young Child ◽  
Breast Feeding ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Feeding Practice ◽  
Child Feeding ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Exclusive Breast Feeding ◽  
Young Child Feeding ◽  
Infant And Young Child ◽  
Maternity Benefits

Optimum is. Adequate Infant and young child feeding (IYCF), critical for child’s growth and development, requires a significant amount of time andcan be challenging for working mothers. In Bangladesh, about four million women work long-hours in Readymade Garment (RMG) factories without proper maternity benefits which raises concern regarding optimum IYCF practice. We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study in Dhaka, Bangladesh to identify the knowledge and common practices of IYCF among mothers working in Readymade Garment sector. Ninety-three women of reproductive age (15-49 years), working in Readymade Garment sector, with children aged 6-23 months, were interviewed. Our study revealed- majority knew about exclusive breast feeding (EBF) (76%), duration to continue breast feeding (73%) and early initiation of breast feeding (53%). The exclusive breast-feeding practice in mothers employed in RMG sector was 44%. Three-fourths of the mothers knew and initiated complementary feeding timely. Both knowledge regarding age-adjusted minimum meal frequency (MMF) (19.4%) and minimum quantity (8.6%) were low; compared to actual practices. Nearly two-fifth of the mothers (40%) had to start working before their child reached six months of age enabling them to provide their baby with breastmilk substitutes. Mothers employed in Readymade Garment sector had better IYCF practice than general population. Proper workplace environment with mandatory breast-feeding corners, daycare facilities and ensuring maternity benefits in these mothers could help achieve an even better IYCF practices for their children.

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