Caregiver’s Knowledge and Utilization of Growth Monitoring and Promotion for under 2 years children in Debre Berhan, Ethiopia, 2020.
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Date
2020-09
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Addis Abeba University
Abstract
Background: Growth monitoring and promotion is a prevention activity comprised of growth
monitoring, linked with promotion that increases awareness about child growth and serves as the
core activity in an integrated child health and nutrition program. Even though growth monitoring
and promotion would appear to be a prerequisite for a good child health, several studies have
shown that there is a “know-do gap” among caregivers.
Objective This study was aimed to assess caregiver‟s knowledge and utilization of Growth
monitoring and promotion services for children under two years old in Debre Berhan, Ethiopia
2020.
Method Community based cross sectional study supplemented with qualitative design was
conducted in Debre Berhan from February- May2020. Quantitative and qualitative methods were
used. For quantitative part, from the 421 estimated sample size 402caregivers were selected by
using a single population proportion formula with simple random sampling and data was
collected using adopted, structured and pretested interviewer administered questionnaire. For
qualitative 6 purposively selected health extension workers were interviewed (in depth
interview) to supplement the quantitative study to find out the challenges. Quantitative data was
entered into Epi data version 4.0.2 then exported to a Statistical Package for Social Sciences
version 21.0for analysis. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regressions were computed to see
the association of independent with the dependent variables. The results were reported as Odds
Ratio and 95% Confidence interval. Qualitative data was analyzed using thematic analysis.
Result with 402(95.4%) response rate, only 35% of the care givers were found to have adequate
knowledge about GMP while utilization of GMP services was 13.4%.Illiterate caregivers were 3
times less likely to know about Growth monitoring and promotion than those with secondary or
above level of education [AOR=3.54; (95% CI=1.22, 10.72)].Caregivers who didn‟t get an
explanation about the weight status of their child were 5 times less likely to have adequate
knowledge about Growth monitoring and promotion than their counterparts [AOR=5.02; (95%
CI=2.626, 9.597)].Additionally, those who said there was no nutritional counseling and
education sessions at the health facility were 2.4 times less likely to be knowledgeable about
Growth monitoring and promotion than those that attended the session [AOR=2,4; (95% CI=1.356, 4.359)].Residents at rural area were more likely to utilize growth monitoring and
promotion than urban area [AOR=0.128; (95% CI=0.035, 0.474)]. The odds of young child age
group (0-5 and 6-11month) not to utilize Growth monitoring and promotion were lower by
87.7% and 80.7% respectively compared to the 18-23 months of age [AOR=0.123 and
0.193;(95% CI=0.029, 0.517 and 0.049,0.764)]. Children‟s with more than 5 family members
were 3 times less likely to utilize Growth monitoring and promotion than those with
less[AOR=2.97; (95% CI =1.171,7.536)].The odds of not utilizing the service were lower by
94% for those who travel less than an hour to reach the health facility [AOR=0.06 ; (95%
CI=0.014,0.261))]. Care givers with poor knowledge were 2.4 times more likely not to utilize
Growth monitoring and promotion than those who had good knowledge [AOR= 2.45 ;( 95%
CI=1.125-5.332)].Qualitatively, workload, lack of materials, lack of training and supervision
were among the major challenges faced by health extension workers.
Conclusion and recommendation Both Knowledge and utilization of Growth monitoring and
promotion were low. Thus, efforts should be made to deliver supportive supervision, trainings
and materials to health posts. Additionally, promotional campaigns must be initiated to create
awareness in both the rural and urban side of the city.
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Keywords
Caregiver, Growth monitoring, Children, Knowledge, Utilization, Ethiopia