Women’s autonomy and men's involvement in child care and feeding as predictors of infant and young child anthropometric indices in coffee farming households of Jimma Zone, South West of Ethiopia

Abstract Objectives Nutrition interventions to improve infant and young child feeding (IYCF) and care in developing countries usually target mothers, while critical roles of other family members, particularly older siblings, are not well known. As part of the Engaging Fathers for Effective Child Nutrition and Development in Tanzania (EFFECTS) cluster-randomized trial (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03759821), we examined the roles of older children and adolescents in IYCF and care in rural Tanzania to develop and administer informed quantitative questionnaires on IYCF and care by older siblings. Methods Twelve mothers, 12 fathers, 4 grandmothers, and 4 older siblings (7–17 years of age) were purposively sampled for qualitative interviews conducted July-August 2018. Open-ended questions explored older siblings’ roles in IYCF and care, managing time for child care, and responsiveness to young children's hunger cues. Inductive and deductive approaches were used to identify themes from transcribed interviews. Findings supported development of two questionnaires on older children's roles in IYCF and care (14 questions each) that were administered to mothers and siblings in the EFFECTS baseline. Results Qualitative data indicate older siblings (male and female) are involved in food preparation (e.g., starchy staples), daily feeding, hygiene (e.g., washing baby after toileting) and care when the mother is unavailable due to other household activities. The EFFECTS study enrolled 960 households across 80 villages in Mara, Tanzania, and 53% of households identified at least one sibling who cares for an index child aged 0–18 months. Baseline data collection is ongoing and indicates prevalence and types of child care (e.g., feeding, playing, hygiene, responding to crying) provided by older siblings. Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first mixed methods study developing instruments to investigate the role of older siblings in providing IYCF and care in a rural, developing country setting. As parents seek to meet household and livelihood needs, older siblings are often engaged in child feeding and care. Nutrition interventions should consider roles of all family members, including older children, in child feeding and care. Further research is needed to evaluate the effect of family-based interventions. Funding Sources Eleanor Crook Foundation and Conrad N. Hilton Foundation.

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Validation of Infant and Young Child Feeding Questionnaire for the Assessment of Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices among Child Care Providers: The IYCF-CCPQ

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph16122147 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 16 (12) ◽

pp. 2147

Author(s):

Zakria ◽

Tengku Ismail ◽

Wan Mansor ◽

Sulaiman

Keyword(s):

Child Care ◽

Young Child ◽

Child Care Providers ◽

Care Providers ◽

Knowledge Domain ◽

Child Feeding ◽

Attitudes And Practices ◽

Young Child Feeding ◽

Infant And Young Child ◽

Knowledge Attitudes And Practices

The validation of a new questionnaire is essential to improving its credibility in the assessment and collection of evidence. This study aimed to validate a newly developed infant and young child feeding questionnaire for child care providers (IYCF-CCPQ) to measure the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding infant and young child feeding among them. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 200 child care providers who were involved in handling children less than two years old in child care centers in the northeastern part of Peninsular Malaysia. The IYCF-CCPQ was self-administered and consists of three domains: Knowledge (104 items), attitude (90 items), and practice (42 items). The dichotomous-scale items in the knowledge domain were analyzed using a two-parameter logistic model of item response theory (2-PL IRT). The Likert-type-scale items in the attitude section were assessed using exploratory factor analysis (EFA). The items in the practice section were assessed descriptively. Internal consistency by marginal reliability was assessed in the knowledge domain, and Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was used for the attitude domain. The marginal reliability values were 0.91 and 0.74 for the knowledge domains related to breastfeeding/formula feeding and complementary feeding, respectively, and the Cronbach’s alpha values were 0.89 and 0.90 for the attitude domains related to breastfeeding/formula feeding and complementary feeding, respectively. The analysis showed good psychometric properties (discrimination, difficulty index, factor loading, and communalities) and good reliability. The IYCF-CCPQ is valid for use assessing the knowledge, attitudes, and practices among Malaysian child care providers regarding infant and young child feeding.

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Determinants of Infant and Young Child Feeding Practices of Rural Farming Households in Bauchi State, Nigeria (P18-108-19)

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzz039.p18-108-19 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

Mercy Sosanya ◽

Ayodele Gbemileke ◽

Jeanne Freeland-Graves ◽

Molly Bray

Keyword(s):

Young Child ◽

Dietary Diversity ◽

Feeding Practices ◽

Child Feeding ◽

Timely Initiation ◽

Mothers And Fathers ◽

Young Child Feeding ◽

Child Feeding Practices ◽

Infant And Young Child ◽

Farming Households

Abstract Objectives Poor infant and young child feeding practices (IYCF) can undermine the nutrition and health status of individuals in vulnerable households. Bauchi state, Nigeria, has the fourth highest prevalence of child malnutrition in the country, yet over 80% of the population is involved in agriculture. This study evaluated the predictors of IYCF practices of rural farming households in Bauchi state, Nigeria Methods This study was conducted in six Local Government Areas of Bauchi state. A total of 720 mothers and fathers were selected from households with at least one child under 5 years. Household socio-demographic features and information on infant and young child feeding (IYCF questionnaire of the World Health Organization), were collected using Open Data Kit Collect, a mobile app. Descriptive statistics were computed, and relationships between variables were evaluated using Spearman's rank correlation and multivariate analyses. Results The mean age (27.2 ± 7.2 years vs. 41.7 ± 10.6 years) and monthly income (∼$4.85 vs. ∼$39.88) of the mothers and fathers respectively, were different (P < 0.05). Twenty-six (3.9%) mothers and 165 (23%) fathers had completed secondary or post-secondary education. The rates of exclusive (20.7%) and timely initiation (29.0%) of breastfeeding were poor. Only 26.0% of children 6–23 mo. received the minimum acceptable diet (minimum dietary diversity and meal frequency). Mothers’ education was positively correlated with the practice of exclusive breastfeeding, while continued breastfeeding at 15 months of age was positively associated with fathers’ income (P < 0.05). Both mothers’ and fathers’ income and education were positively associated with dietary diversity (P < 0.05). Low income and poor education of mothers were negative predictors of timely initiation of breastfeeding, while mothers’ occupation, household size, and the number of children per household were negative predictors of dietary diversity (P < 0.05). Conclusions Infant and young child feeding practices in the rural farming area were influenced by parents’ income and education, and were below optimum levels needed to prevent malnutrition. Funding Sources This research was funded by Oxfam LINE Project, Nigeria. Supporting Tables, Images and/or Graphs

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Dual Burden of Malnutrition Among Adolescents of Smallholder Coffee Farming Households of Jimma Zone, Southwest Ethiopia

Food and Nutrition Bulletin ◽

10.1177/0379572117701660 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 38 (2) ◽

pp. 196-208 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Kalkidan Hassen ◽

Getu Gizaw ◽

Tefera Belachew

Keyword(s):

Low Income ◽

Age Groups ◽

Low Income Countries ◽

Double Burden ◽

Jimma Zone ◽

Z Scores ◽

Dual Burden ◽

Coffee Farming ◽

Farming Households ◽

Height For Age

Background: Substantial evidence is emerging on the coexistence of double burden of malnutrition on adolescents of low-income countries, shaping the health challenges of the upcoming adult generation for the worst. Whether nutritional status markers of adolescents in the cash crop setting are on par with economic gains remains uncertain. Thus, we investigated the nutritional outcomes of adolescents and their determinants in coffee farming households. Methods: The survey was carried out in 3 top coffee-producing districts of Jimma Zone, Ethiopia. Five hundred fifty mothers/caregivers and their respective adolescents were selected using multistage random sampling. Anthropometric data were converted into height-for-age and body-mass-index-for-age Z scores using WHO Anthroplus software and analyzed by SPSS for windows. Results: Prevalence of thinness, stunting, and overweight/obesity were 11.6%, 15.6%, and 7.1%, respectively. The odds of stunting among adolescents in households in the lowest wealth tertile was nearly 6-fold higher compared to the highest tertile (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 5.6 [2.6-12]). Conversely, the odds of overweight/obesity was higher among adolescents in the households in the middle wealth tertile (AOR = 2.72 [1.08-6.86]) compared to the highest tertile. Adolescents living in households with low-dependent age-groups were more than twice likely to be overweight/obese (AOR = 2.58 [1.06-6.24]). Conclusion: The current study revealed the presence of substantial dual burden of malnutrition. In such a setting, it is critical to draw a fine line and trade-off for eliminating morbidity and mortality of undernutrition, without triggering the risk of overweight/obesity.

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Gender and education as predictors of food insecurity among coffee farming households of the Jimma zone, Southwest of Ethiopia

BMC Nutrition ◽

10.1186/s40795-016-0116-0 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Kalkidan Hassen ◽

Beakal Zinab ◽

Tefera Belachew

Keyword(s):

Food Insecurity ◽

Gender And Education ◽

Jimma Zone ◽

Coffee Farming ◽

Farming Households

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Review of Education of the Infant and Young Child.

Contemporary Psychology ◽

10.1037/0011455 ◽

1971 ◽

Vol 16 (9) ◽

pp. 612-613

Author(s):

HAROLD W. STEVENSON

Keyword(s):

Young Child ◽

Infant And Young Child

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Off to the best start: The importance of infant and young child feeding

10.2499/9780896295889_03 ◽

2016 ◽

Author(s):

International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)

Keyword(s):

Young Child ◽

Child Feeding ◽

Young Child Feeding ◽

Infant And Young Child

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

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-020-10095-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Jeanine Ahishakiye ◽

Lenneke Vaandrager ◽

Inge D. Brouwer ◽

Maria Koelen

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Young Child ◽

Coping Strategies ◽

Low Income ◽

Complementary Feeding ◽

Feeding Practices ◽

Personal Factors ◽

Child Feeding ◽

Young Child Feeding ◽

Infant And Young Child

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.

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Mothers’ perceptions on and learning from infant and young child feeding videos displayed in Mother and Child Health Centers in Kenya - a qualitative and quantitative approach

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980021002342 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-38

Author(s):

Lauriina Schneider ◽

Mikko Kosola ◽

Kerttu Uusimäki ◽

Sari Ollila ◽

Crippina Lubeka ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Young Child ◽

Complementary Feeding ◽

Health Centers ◽

Child Feeding ◽

Young Child Feeding ◽

Infant And Young Child ◽

Mother And Child Health ◽

Mother And Child ◽

And Child Health ◽

Child Health Centers

Abstract Objective The objective was to explore mothers’ perceptions of educational videos on infant and young child feeding practices, and to assess whether viewing frequencies would influence maternal knowledge, attitudes and feeding practices (KAPs). Design A set of 47 videos were displayed in health centers for 6 months. At three months, we conducted focus group discussions (FGDs) with mothers and at six months, administered KAP-questionnaire-based interviews to mothers. Using a quasi-experimental design we compared groups according to video viewing frequencies. Setting The study was conducted in a slum in Nairobi and a rural area in Machakos, Kenya. We installed TV screens in waiting rooms of six Mother and Child Health Centers, where mothers could choose to watch them. Participants Forty-three mothers with children aged 0 to 48 months participated in six FGDs and 547 mothers of children aged 0 to 23 months in KAP interviews. Results The mothers from the FGDs found the videos acceptable and beneficial. Videos enhanced mothers’ learning and empowered them to support others in learning. The KAP data showed that after adjustments, breastfeeding (p=0.06) and complementary feeding knowledge (p=0.01), complementary feeding attitudes (p=0.08), as well as hygiene knowledge and practices (p=0.003) were better among mothers who had seen videos three to four times, or five or more times, compared to mothers who had seen the videos once or twice. Conclusions Videos were an accepted form of education and were beneficial when watched repeatedly. The videos could be a good addition to current IYCF education efforts in Kenya.

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