Factors Influencing Child feeding Practices Among Care Takers of Severely Malnourished Children Aged 6-59 Months Admitted at Mwanamugimu Nutrition Unit Mulago Hospital.

Abstract

Introduction: Feeding practices of children is a crucial factor in determining the health, nutrition, survival, growth and development of an individual WHO, (2013). Further WHO recommends introduction of solid, semi-solid and soft foods at the age of 6 months. The introduced foods should be diverse in range of different nutritious foods and eaten frequently to help children to facilitate their brain development and bodies. USAID, (2013) identified infant and young child feeding, foods utilised, barriers faced by care takers and available resources as key contributory factors to malnutrition among children. This study examined the influence of child feeding practices among caretakers with malnourished children aged 6 - 59 months attending Mwanamugimu Nutrition Unit, Mulago Hospital Kampala District. Objectives: The study objectives were: to establish the social demographic factors, determine the knowledge on child feeding practices, find out the child feeding practices and determine the level of food security among caretakers of severely malnourished children aged 6 - 59 months attending Mwanamugimu Nutrition Unit, Mulago Hospital. Methodology: A cross section study design was adopted on a sample of 67 care takers drawn from Mwanamugimu nutrition unit ward. Data was entered in EPI-DATA version 3.1 and thereafter was analysed using SPSS version 19.

Results: The major findings of this study were as follows. Among the social demographic factors, 91% (61) of the caretakers were biological mothers to malnourished children; Majority of the caretakers were aged between 21-30 year of age who have attained at least primary and secondary levels. The results further indicated that care takers who had ground nuts were more likely to practice feeding of malnourished children as compared to those who did not have OR 4.868 CI (0.686-34.548).In regards to reheating of leftover foods, there were 2.445 chances that the care takers would practice feeding of malnourished children compares to their counter parts CI (0.091-65.512).The study further revealed that with reference to ways of encouraging children to eat ,those care takers who clapped their hands had greatly influenced feeding practices with OR 42.307 CI(1.514-118.096) as compared to who used other methods. Conclusion: The study result displayed that the socio demographic had not influenced feeding practices among care takers of severely malnourished children. .