scholarly journals Qualitative, longitudinal exploration of coping strategies and factors facilitating infant and young child feeding practices among mothers in rural Rwanda

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeanine Ahishakiye ◽  
Lenneke Vaandrager ◽  
Inge D. Brouwer ◽  
Maria Koelen

Abstract Background Mothers in low-income countries face many challenges to appropriately feed their children in the first year such as poverty, food insecurity and high workloads. However, even in the lowest income families there are mothers who succeed to feed their children according to the recommendations. In this paper, we explored the coping strategies that facilitate appropriate breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices among rural Rwandan mothers from birth to one year of a child’s life. Methods This qualitative longitudinal study recruited a purposive sample of 17 mothers who followed the infant and young child feeding recommendations (IYCF). They were selected from a larger study of 36 mothers. In-depth interviews were conducted with mothers of the total group (36 mothers) within the first week, at 4th, 6th, 9th and 12th months postpartum. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically. Results Coping strategies included improving mothers’ own diet for adequate breastmilk production, prioritizing child feeding over livelihood chores, livelihood diversification and mothers’ anticipatory behaviors such as preparing child’s food in advance. Some of those coping strategies were shifting overtime depending on the development of the children. Personal factors such as breastfeeding self-efficacy, religious beliefs and perceived benefits of breastfeeding were among the facilitating factors. Additionally, social support that mothers received from family members, other mothers in the community, Community Health Workers (CHWs) and health professionals played an important role. Conclusion In challenging contextual conditions, mothers manage to follow the recommended breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices through the interplay of active coping strategies, feeling to be in control and social support. Nutrition promotion interventions that aim to improve IYCF should consider strengthening mothers’ capability in gaining greater control of their IYCF practices and the factors facilitating their appropriate IYCF practices.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeanine Ahishakiye ◽  
Lenneke Vaandrager ◽  
Inge D. Brouwer ◽  
Maria Koelen

Abstract Purpose Mothers in low income countries face many challenges to appropriately (breast) feed their children in the first year such as poverty, food insecurity and high workloads. However, even in the lowest income families there are mothers who strive and succeed to feed their children according to the recommendations. In this paper, we explored the coping strategies that facilitate appropriate breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices among rural Rwandan mothers from birth to one year of a child’s life.Methods Mothers (n=17) who followed the recommended infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices were selected from a larger sample of 36 mothers. Mothers of the total group were interviewed within the first week, at four, six, nine and twelve months postpartum. In the analysis, coping strategies and factors facilitating coping were extracted.Results Coping strategies included mothers’ effort to strengthen their diet to improve breastmilk production, balancing work and child feeding, prioritizing childcare, preparing child’s food in advance active uptake of the recommendations and persistence in overcoming barriers. Personal and social factors facilitated these coping strategies of the mothers.ConclusionIn challenging contextual conditions, mothers manage to follow the recommended breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices through the interplay of active coping strategies, feeling to be in control and social support.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 58-62
Author(s):  
Ramesh Shrestha ◽  
Ved Prasad Bhandari ◽  
Laxman Datt Bhatt

Introduction: Child feeding practices have a direct consequence on the nutritional status of children under two year which ultimately have impact on child survival. Socio-cultural barriers is one of the main factors in infant and young child feeding in various community. This study aims to explore socio-cultural barriers of infant and young child feeding practices among mothers of Kumal community in Nuwakot district. Methods: Cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out among mother of 6-23 months children’s in Kumal community. Data was collected from 67 respondents through face-to-face interview. The collected data was entered in Epi-data version 3.1 and analyzed using SPSS, version 20. Results: Our study reveals that 83.6% of the respondents had initiated early breastfeeding. More than half (56.7%) of the respondents had exclusive breastfeeding and 97% had extended breastfeeding. Half (50.7%) of the respondents introduce complementary feeding in time, sex of child was associated with exclusive breastfeeding and complementary feeding. Similarly, size of household, mother and father education was associated with continuation of breastfeeding practice. Conclusions: The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding and appropriate complementary feeding is still low due to many factors and one being socio cultural practices and beliefs. Interventions that can hit the socio-cultural beliefs should be given priority to exterminate the socio-cultural taboos from root level.


BMC Nutrition ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kingsley Appiah Bimpong ◽  
Ernest Kaa-Emabong Cheyuo ◽  
Alhassan Abdul-Mumin ◽  
Martin A. Ayanore ◽  
Clement K. Kubuga ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Complementary feeding is critical for optimal nutrition in infants and young children as it ensures their growth, health and development to attain their full potential. However, evidence shows that children from developing countries do not meet the core indicators for appropriate complementary feeding. We evaluated mothers’ knowledge and attitudes regarding child feeding recommendations and the determinants of adequate diet among children aged 6–23 months. Methods This cross-sectional study included 200 children aged 6–23 months and their mothers/care givers recruited during child welfare clinics of two health facilities in Ghana. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess determinants of adequate diet. Results Sixty-eight percent of the mothers knew the recommended duration of continued breastfeeding, 56.5% how to ensure dietary diversity and enrich their children’s diets and 94% (n = 188) had positive attitude towards recommended infant and young child feeding practices. Majority of the mothers (92%, n = 183) practiced continued breastfeeding, 10.5% of the children met minimum diet diversity score, 39.5% minimum meal frequency and 8.5% received minimum adequate diet. Determinants of receipt of minimum adequate diet were: having high knowledge in child feeding recommendations (100% vs. 0.0, p < 0.001) and child’s father reportedly earning adequate income to cater for the family (AOR = 12.1 (1.32–109.72, p = 0.027). Conclusion Motherss knowledge levels regarding infant and young child feeding recommendations had notable deficiencies although they generally had a positive attitude towards child feeding recommendations. Knowledge regarding infant and young child feeding recommendations as well as the child’s father having adequate income were important determinants of adequate diet. Nutrition education should emphasize on improving mothers’ nutrition knowledge regarding infant and young child feeding recommendations and supporting mothers to overcome barriers to feed their children with adequate diets.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md Saizuddin ◽  
Md Shaidul Hasan

Background: Infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices play vital role for the growth & development in the early months of life. Objective: The purpose of the present study was to determine and to identify the patterns and influencing factors of feeding practices in infant and young children of 0-2 years old in Bangladesh. Methodology: A descriptive type of cross sectional study was carried out to assess the pattern of infant & young child feeding practices by the rural mothers of Bangladesh with a sample size of 450 during the months of January to December of 2015.Result: Out of 450 children, 51.1% are female & 48.9% are male. The proportions of infants with early initiation of breastfeeding (13.6%) and exclusive breastfeeding fewer than six months (57.3%) and infants who received complementary feeding at the age of 6–8 months (55.7%) were low. It showed that 90.4% of mothers have knowledge on exclusive breast feeding but only 57.3% of them have practiced it for 4-6 months. It further revealed that only 8.4% of mothers & 13.6 % of fathers were illiterate. The main problems revealed from the study were late initiation of breastfeeding, low rates of exclusive breastfeeding, and inappropriate complementary feeding practices. It further revealed that 69.3% of the respondents had two or less children and 30.7% had three or more children.Conclusion: Majority of the respondents have the knowledge on complementary feeding, knowledge on preparation of complementary feeding, knowledge on preparation of food by grains, knowledge on preparation of food by milk and milk products and knowledge on preparation of food by meat, fish, poultry, liver.Journal of National Institute of Neurosciences Bangladesh, 2016;2(1):19-25


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (11) ◽  
pp. 2137
Author(s):  
Sowmya R. Nathan ◽  
Haleema Nuwera ◽  
Shyam Sudhir ◽  
Rasheena Shamshu

Background: The health of the child depends on the attainment of the nutritional requirements, which include breast-feeding followed by complementary feeding. The mother’s knowledge on complementary feeding is greatly relied upon health workers. Therefore it is important for the health workers to know the recommended practices for Infant and Young Child Feeding practices so that they can impart the same to mothers.Methods: Cross sectional hospital based questionnaire study conducted among 120 medical interns at Yenepoya Medical College Hospital, Mangalore. A score of more than 75% was considered good, 50 -74% moderate, and less than 50% as poor. Statistical Package of social science (SPSS) software was used for analysis of data.Results: Of the 110 respondents, majority of them (88.18%) of them agreed to initiate complementary feeding at 6 months. 82% of them responded that it should be initiated with rice/cereal-based diet. Of the 110 responded 87 of them agreed that for a 6–8 month old breastfed child the frequency of feeds needed to be at least 2 times or higher. Regarding the type of complementary feeding, 89.09% were aware that it should be started with mono-cereals.Conclusions: This study concluded that majority of the medical interns had a good knowledge on the recommended feeding practices for the infant and young child. There were very few medical interns who had to be informed regarding the correct infant and young child feeding practices.


2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (30) ◽  
pp. 183
Author(s):  
Prince Kubi Appiah ◽  
Wilson Mensah Dzata ◽  
Duut Abdulai Bonchel ◽  
Anang Rhoda Naa Korklu ◽  
Doe Jessica Naa Ayeley ◽  
...  

Background: Infant and young child nutrition has been engaging the attention of scientists and governments over the years. Their feeding practices comprise both breastfeeding as well as complementary feeding which have major role in determining the nutritional status of the child, therefore, there has been a well-established link between malnutrition and infant feeding. Children are the future of the world and yet the most vulnerable population, with some 6.6 million children dying before their fifth birthday globally. Studies have shown that poor breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices, coupled with high rates of morbidity from infectious diseases are the primary causes of malnutrition and death in the first two years of life. Ketu-North district noted that even though nutrition and health programmes were in place, breastfeeding coverage has been between 53% in 2013 and 69% in 2015. This study sought to assess mothers or caregivers adherence to Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices in Ketu North District of the Volta Region in Ghana. Method: A crosssectional study among mothers/caregivers with children 0-24 months in the district. Multistage sampling techniques was used to select 518 respondents. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to conduct face-to-face interviews. Statistical software Epi Data version 3.1 and Stata version 12.1 were used for data entry and analysis respectively. Descriptive statistics was presented in tables and graphs. Beyond descriptive statistics, associations between the outcome and predictor variables were analysed using Pearson chi-square and logistics regression. P-value < .05 was considered as statistically significant. Findings: Respondents had a mean age of 25.6 years (±3.6 SD). Only 8.7% of the mothers adhered to IYCF strategies with practices of exclusive breastfeeding, complementary feeding, hygiene and sanitation practices, meal variety, and meal frequency being 57.9%, 38.0%, 16.2%, 37.1%, and 33.2% respectively. Ethnicity (p < .000), age of child (p = .032), employment (p =.041) and level of education (p = .042) were found to be associated with adherence to IYCF strategies. Conclusions: Adherence to infant and young child feeding practices were not encouraging in the district therefore the district health management team need to strengthen health education and implement other behaviour change interventions to improve on the adherence to feeding strategies. Further studies should be conducted to assess factors influencing the low adherence to the feeding strategies in the district.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kingsley B Appiah ◽  
Ernest K Cheyuo ◽  
Abdul-Mumin Alhassan ◽  
Martin A Ayanore ◽  
Clement K Kubuga ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Complementary feeding is critical for optimal nutrition in infant and young children as it ensures their growth, health and development to attain their full potential. However, evidence shows children from developing countries do not meet the core indicators for appropriate complementary feeding. We evaluated mothers’ knowledge and attitudes regarding child feeding recommendations and the determinants of adequate diet among children aged 6-23 months. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 200 children aged 6-23 months and their mothers/care givers recruited during the child welfare clinics of two health facilities in Ghana. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess determinants of adequate diet. Results: Sixty-eight percent of the mothers knew the recommended duration of continued breastfeeding, 56.5% how to ensure dietary diversity and enrich their children’s diets and 94% (n=188) had positive attitude towards recommended infant and young child feeding practices. Majority of the mothers (92%, n=183) practiced continued breastfeeding, 10.5% of the children met minimum diet diversity score, 39.5% minimum meal frequency and 8.5% received minimum adequate diet. Determinants of receipt of minimum adequate diet were: having high knowledge in child feeding recommendations (100% vs. 0.0; p<0.001) and child’s father reportedly earning adequate income to cater for the family (AOR = 12.1 (1.32 – 109.72; p = 0.027). Conclusion: Motherss knowledge levels regarding infant and young child feeding recommendations had notable deficiencies although they generally had a positive attitude towards child feeding recommendations. Knowledge regarding infant and young child feeding recommendations as well as the child’s father having adequate income were important determinants of adequate diet. Nutrition education should emphasize on improving mothers’ nutrition knowledge regarding infant and young child feeding recommendations and supporting mothers to overcome barriers to feed their children with adequate diets.


2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-38
Author(s):  
Iswari Luitel ◽  
Rita Kumari Ban ◽  
Sabika Munikar

Introduction: Infant and young child feeding practices play vital role for the growth and development. It is recommended to exclusively breastfed for first six months and thereafter receive complementary foods with continued breastfeeding. However Chepang, the indigenous community of Nepal depends primarily upon forest food. This study aims to determine the infant and young child feeding practices among Chepang children. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among the mothers of 77 children aged six to 59 months through purposive sampling. Data was collected through face to face interview taking informed written consent. The collected data were analysed for descriptive and bivariate analysis using SPSS version 21. Results: In this study, mean age of respondents was 25.92 (±7.04) years, 68.8% followed Christian religion, 51.9% were educated, only 45.5% of respondent’s spouse were educated and 51.9% belonged to nuclear family. Among the respondents, 65.7% had good breast feeding practice and 88.3% had good complementary feeding practice. Statistically significant relationship was found between breast feeding practice and educational status and also between complementary feeding practice and family type. Conclusions: This study found that respondents had good breast feeding practice and complementary feeding practice. Among the respondent, seven out of 10 had good breast feeding practice and nine out of 10 had good complementary feeding practice. Association between breast feeding practice and educational status puts light upon the need for educating and empowering women for improved infant and young child feeding practices.  


Author(s):  
Subhadra K. T.

Background: This study was carried out to assess the practices of young mothers related to Infant and Young Child Feeding Practices (IYCF) in Chottanikkara Grama Panchayat.Methods: All mothers of infants and children upto 5 years in Chottanikkara Grama Panchayat who were registered under the Integrated Child development Services (ICDS) program for services were interviewed based on self-prepared questionnaire based on National guidelines for IYCF by Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP).Results: 277 ladies were interviewed. Of this 50% of ladies had undergone caesarean delivery. 60.7% of children had received prelacteals. Only less than 30% of infants had been given breast milk within one hour after delivery. 50% of the ladies exclusively breast fed their babies only below a period of four months. Around 50% of ladies started complementary feeding of child on 6th month of age, whereas around 30% started complementary feeding before 6 months and 20% started complementary feeding only after 6 months of age. 78.6% of ladies continued breast feeding till 2 years after delivery.Conclusions: The studied population was a small population who had used services of the anganwadi and ASHA workers. But there are many who are not properly utilizing these services. In both rural and urban areas more efforts are needed to encourage exclusive breast feeding, to avoid premature complementation and, in the urban areas to protect extended breast feeding.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kingsley B Appiah ◽  
Ernest K Cheyuo ◽  
Abdul-Mumin Alhassan ◽  
Martin A Ayanore ◽  
Clement K Kubuga ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Complementary feeding is critical for optimal nutrition in infant and young children as it ensures their growth, health and development to attain their full potential. However, evidence shows children from developing countries do not meet the core indicators for appropriate complementary feeding. We evaluated mothers’ knowledge and attitudes regarding child feeding recommendations and the determinants of adequate diet among children aged 6-23 months. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 200 children aged 6-23 months and their mothers/care givers recruited during the child welfare clinics of two health facilities in Ghana. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess determinants of adequate diet. Results: Sixty-eight percent of the mothers knew the recommended duration of continued breastfeeding, 56.5% how to ensure dietary diversity and enrich their children’s diets and 94% (n=188) had positive attitude towards recommended infant and young child feeding practices. Majority of the mothers (92%, n=183) practiced continued breastfeeding, 10.5% of the children met minimum diet diversity score, 39.5% minimum meal frequency and 8.5% received minimum adequate diet. Determinants of receipt of minimum adequate diet were: having high knowledge in child feeding recommendations (100% vs. 0.0; p<0.001) and child’s father reportedly earning adequate income to cater for the family (AOR = 12.1 (1.32 – 109.72; p = 0.027). Conclusion: Motherss knowledge levels regarding infant and young child feeding recommendations had notable deficiencies although they generally had a positive attitude towards child feeding recommendations. Knowledge regarding infant and young child feeding recommendations as well as the child’s father having adequate income were important determinants of adequate diet. Nutrition education should emphasize on improving mothers’ nutrition knowledge regarding infant and young child feeding recommendations and supporting mothers to overcome barriers to feed their children with adequate diets.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document