Impact of type of child growth intervention program on caregivers' child feeding knowledge and practices: a comparative study in Ga West Municipality, Ghana. Issue 4 (2nd December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Agbozo, Faith; Colecraft, Esi; Ellahi, Basma
• Is Part Of: Food science & nutrition. Volume 4:Issue 4(2016)
• Page Start: 562
• Page End: 572
• Publication Date: 2015-12-02
• Subjects: Caregiving -- community‐based growth promotion -- growth monitoring and promotion -- infant and young child feeding; Food industry and trade -- Periodicals; Food -- Periodicals; Nutrition -- Periodicals; 664
• DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.318
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2048-7177

Abstract

Abstract : The type of child growth programme that caregivers enroll their infants and young children on affect the caregivers' child feeding knowledge and practices and the children's nutritional status. Client‐centered infant and young child feeding counselling should be integral component of all child growth programmes. Efforts to improve complementary feeding diets should intensify through dietary diversification strategies. Abstract: Community‐based growth promotion (CBGP) delivered by community volunteers aims at enhancing the traditional growth monitoring and promotion (GMP) program delivered by community health nurses through the promotion of optimum infant and young child feeding (IYCF) leading to improved child growth. This study compared IYCF knowledge and practices among caregiver–child pairs (0–24 months) receiving child welfare services from CBGP ( n = 124) and GMP ( n = 108) programs. Semistructured questionnaires were used to interview caregivers on IYCF knowledge/practices and validated food frequency questionnaire used to record infants' food intakes. Group differences were determined using Chi‐square and independent samples t ‐tests ( P < 0.05; 95% confidence interval [CI]). Mean IYCF knowledge scores were similar (CBGP: 10.84 ± 1.69 vs. GMP: 10.23 ± 1.38, P = 0.062). However, more CBGP caregivers (17%) were highly knowledgeable than their GMP counterparts (5%) ( P = 0.011). Early breastfeeding initiation (CBGP: 54% vs. GMP: 28%, P < 0.0001), exclusive breastfeeding (CBGP: 73% vs. GMP: 56%, P = 0.001), and timely complementary feeding (CBGP: 72% vs. GMP: 49%, P = 0.014) were reportedly higher among CBGP caregivers. Underweight was 11% (CBGP: 8% vs. GMP: 14%, P = 0.154). Mean dietary diversity scores (10 food groups) were similar (CBGP: 4.49 ± 1.89 vs. GMP: 3.87 ± 1.89, P = 0.057) but more CBGP caregivers (77%) achieved minimum dietary diversity than their GMP counterparts (61%) ( P = 0.035). Few caregivers achieved minimum meal frequency (CBGP: 31% vs. GMP: 29%, P = 0.486) and minimum acceptable diet (CBGP: 23% vs. GMP: 21%, P = 0.464) indicators. Number of children under 5 years owned by caregiver (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 0.405; 95% CI: 1.13–78.53, P = 0.038), her educational level (AOR: 0.112; 95% CI: 0.02–0.90, P = 0.040), and IYCF knowledge (AOR: 0.140; 95% CI: 0.03–0.79, P = 0.026) significantly predicted optimum child feeding. Nutrition education on optimum complementary feeding and birth spacing strategies should intensify.