scholarly journals A Qualitative Evaluation Study of The Infant and Young Child Feeding Counselling

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 109
Author(s):  
Fitria Nurwulansari ◽  
Deni Kurniadi Sunjaya ◽  
Dida Akhmad Gurnida ◽  
Dewi Marhaeni Diah Herawati ◽  
Ieva Baniasih Akbar

Introduction: The Infant and young child feeding (IYCF) counselling program is an international strategy to improve IYCF practices in the community. This study aimed to explore the implementation of the program through the logic model approach.Methods: A qualitative method was employed for this evaluation study. Fifteen participants were selected by purposive random sampling, and data collection was conducted by in-depth interview, focus group discussion, observation, and document study. Data were processed from transcription, reduction, coding, categorizing to data interpretation and assessed by content analysis.Results: IYCF training is a cascading training and a combination of adult and fun learning that effectively produces a mixture of counsellors who can provide counselling using the counselling cards. However, the gap in the number of cadre counsellors and the target of counselling, as well as the limited time, low financial support, over workload, and inadequate supervision, resulted in poor recording and low numbers of clients who had been exposed to counselling. Nevertheless, this counselling has a positive effect on maternal knowledge and attitude. Still, the existence of traditional community practices, family and environmental factors are barriers to the implementation of proper IYCF practices.Conclusion: IYCF counselling effectively improved IYCF practices, so it has to be continued with strengthening the number of counsellors, recording and supervision activities. Changing strategy in counselling by involving other adult household members like grandmother or neighbours are explicitly targeted for more effective in improving the practices of infant and young child feeding.

Author(s):  
Geethalakshmi R. G. ◽  
Smitha Yadav J. S.

Background: The art of infant feeding is a blend of biology and culture. A large no of women in India are already traditionally inclined towards infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices. The need is to identify specific problems in local community. The strong influence of socio-cultural milieu is detrimental to health of the child. It is important that every opportunity of contact of health personnel with care givers should be taken to counsel on infant feeding.Methods: A Focus group discussion Study was conducted between February and May 2017. Mothers with child less than 2 years of age, grand-mothers and health care providers (ASHA’s and ANM’s) who form the stake holders population of IYCF were involved after taking consent. Each Homogenous group had 6-12 participants. Qualitative information was collected till saturation was achieved.Results: 6 FGD’s in each homogenous group were conducted. Colostrum was considered impure, giving honey as pre lacteal feed was a ritual, inadequate milk secretion, lack of knowledge about when and what complementary feeds to be given and also about importance of breast feeding till 2 years of age and giving artificial feeds. These were reasons for improper IYCF practices.Conclusions: This study emphasises the importance of group opinion prevailing in the local community for IYCF practices which is essential for instituting health education.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (12) ◽  
pp. e0261301
Author(s):  
Nabin Adhikari ◽  
Kiran Acharya ◽  
Dipak Prasad Upadhya ◽  
Sumita Pathak ◽  
Sachin Pokharel ◽  
...  

Infant and young child feeding is a key area to improve child survival and promote healthy growth and development. Nepal government has developed and implemented different programs to improve infant and young child feeding practice. However, the practice remains poor and is a major cause of malnutrition in Nepal. This study aims to identify infant and young child feeding practices and its associated factors among mothers of children aged less than two years in western hilly region of Nepal. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 360 mothers of under two years’ children in Syangja district. A semi structural questionnaire was used. Data was entered in EpiData and analyzed using IBM SPSS version 21. Descriptive statistics were used to report the feeding practices and other independent variables. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression model was used to establish the factors associated with infant and young child feeding practices. The prevalence of breastfeeding, timely initiation of breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding, timely initiation of complementary feeding, minimum dietary diversity, minimum meal frequency and minimum acceptable diet (MAD) were 95.6%, 69.2%, 47.6%, 53.3%, 61.5%, 67.3% and 49.9% respectively. Normal delivery (AOR 6.1, 95% CI 1.2–31.3) and higher maternal autonomy (AOR 5.2, 95% CI 1.8–14.6) were significantly associated with exclusive breastfeeding. Similarly, crop production and food security (AOR 3.8, 95% CI 1.9–7.7), maternal knowledge on MAD (AOR 2.5, 95% CI 1.0–6.2) and maternal autonomy (AOR 4.2, 95% CI 2.1–8.4) were significantly associated with minimum acceptable diet. Factors such as maternal education, maternal health services utilization, maternal knowledge, and maternal autonomy were associated with infant and young child feeding practices, which warrants further attention to these factors to reduce malnutrition.


2017 ◽  
Vol 20 (12) ◽  
pp. 2114-2123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chandni Karmacharya ◽  
Kenda Cunningham ◽  
Jowel Choufani ◽  
Suneetha Kadiyala

AbstractObjectiveTo examine associations between grandmothers’ knowledge and infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices and to test whether the associations are independent of or operate via maternal knowledge.DesignCross-sectional household survey data from households with a child under 5 years (n4080). We used multivariate regression analyses, adjusted for child, maternal, grandmother and household characteristics, and district-level clustering, to test associations between grandmothers’ knowledge and IYCF practices for children aged 6–24 months living with a grandmother. We used causal mediation to formally test the direct effect of grandmothers’ knowledge on IYCF practicesv. maternal knowledge mediating these associations.SettingTwo hundred and forty rural communities, sixteen districts of Nepal.SubjectsChildren aged 6–24 months (n1399), including those living with grandmothers (n748).ResultsWe found that the odds of optimal breast-feeding practices were higher (early breast-feeding initiation: 2·2 times,P=0·002; colostrum feeding: 4·2 times,P<0·001) in households where grandmothers had correct knowledgev. those with incorrect knowledge. The same pattern was found for correct timing of introduction of water (2·6), milk (2·4), semi-solids (3·2), solids (2·9), eggs (2·6) and meat (2·5 times; allP<0·001). For the two pathways we were able to test, mothers’ correct knowledge mediated these associations between grandmothers’ knowledge and IYCF practices: colostrum feeding (b=10·91,P<0·001) and the introduction of complementary foods (b=5·18,P<0·001).ConclusionsGrandmothers’ correct knowledge translated into mothers’ correct knowledge and, therefore, optimal IYCF practices. Given grandmothers’ influence in childcare, engagement of grandmothers in health and nutrition interventions could improve mothers’ knowledge and facilitate better child feeding.


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.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-38
Author(s):  
Lauriina Schneider ◽  
Mikko Kosola ◽  
Kerttu Uusimäki ◽  
Sari Ollila ◽  
Crippina Lubeka ◽  
...  

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.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-34
Author(s):  
Sofia De Rosso ◽  
Sophie Nicklaus ◽  
Pauline Ducrot ◽  
Camille Schwartz

Abstract Objective: As part of an update of feeding benchmarks targeting children aged 0 to 3 years, this study aimed to explore parental perceptions, information-seeking practices and needs concerning infant and young child feeding (IYCF) to design an efficient communication strategy. Design: Participants were recruited using the quota sampling to complete an online survey. Effects of parity, child age, prematurity, parental education and financial situation on parents’ responses were evaluated separately. Setting: France. Participants: A nationally representative sample of 1001 parents of children <4 years. Results: Parents whose child had any medical condition affecting feeding (CMC, 17%) were considered separately from healthy children’s parents. All the healthy children’s parents recognized the importance of IYCF for children’s health and growth; however, one-third considered the available advice contradictory and not guilt-free. The most used information sources were healthcare professionals (HCPs, 81%), internet (72%) and parental networks (63%). The most influential sources (mean influence ± SDs) included HCPs (7.7±1.7/10), childcare professionals (7.3±1.8/10) and parental networks (6.9±1.8/10). Parents searched for practical tips for implementing IYCF starting when their child was 5 months old. Differences regarding the type of source used by parents with higher vs. lower educations were small. Search strategies differed according to parity or child age but not to prematurity. The CMC parents reported slightly different practices and needs. Conclusions: Parents receive information from multiple sources, which can lead to confusion when deciding which advice to follow. A public health communication strategy adapted to the current parental needs should target these various sources.


2021 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nigatu Regassa Geda ◽  
Cindy Xin Feng ◽  
Bonnie Janzen ◽  
Rein Lepnurm ◽  
Carol J. Henry ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Undernutrition among children is a priority area of public health concern in Ethiopia. The purpose of this study was to examine disparities in Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices among children 6–23 months. Method Data were drawn from the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Surveys (EDHS). A total of 3240 children aged 6–23 months were used for the present analysis. The outcome variable was IYCF practice score (ranging 0–7) which was constructed based on the linear and combined effects of four sets of variables: breastfeeding, avoidance of bottle feeding, diet diversity score and minimum feeding frequency. IYCF practice score was further recoded into three categories. Proportional odds regression was used to assess the determinants of IYCF category. Results The proportional odds regression analysis showed that IYCF scores significantly decreased by 5% (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 0.95; 95% CI: 0.93–0.97) for every unit increase in the child’s age. Households with fathers of primary and secondary and above level education were 1.37 times (95% CI: 1.14–1.66) and 1.67 times (95% CI: 1.26–2.23) more likely to be in the high IYCF category than in the poor IYCF category. The likelihood of being in the high IYCF practice category decreased for non-working mothers by 30% (AOR = 0.70; 95% CI: 0.59–0.83) compared to those working in gainful employment. The chance of being in the high IYCF practice category decreased by 29% for households with no access to radio (AOR = 0.71; 95% CI: 0.59–0.85). Those with medium and rich/richer wealth category were 1.54 times (95% CI: 1.22–1.94) and 1.40 times (95% CI: 1.11–1.75) more likely to belong to high IYCF practice category than being in poor IYCF category. For every unit increase in health service utilization, the chance of falling in higher IYCF category increases by 1.15 times (95% CI: 1.08–1.23). The chance of falling in higher IYCF practice category decreases for rural residents by 37% (AOR = 0.63; 95% CI: 0.47–0.84) compared to those residing in urban areas. Conclusion For a child, the first two years is the time span during which linear faltering of growth is most prevalent and the period when the process of becoming stunted is almost complete. This study recommends improving access to women for gainful employment, provision of economic support to poor rural women, education and promotion of nutrition messages using most accessible media and boosting the positive role of fathers in child feeding practices.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document