The Relationship between Nutritional Status of Children and KAP of Mother Feeding their Children in a Rural Community
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Date
2001-03
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the KAP ( Knowledge, Attitude and Practice) of mothers towards feeding their children aged 6 months to 5 years in l-Iawa.Michael Kebele, Bugna Wereda North Wallo Zone of Ethiopia. The study encompassed all children in the study population. The area is typically drought stricken and famine is very frequent. A total of SIS children were emolled in to this study. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Intensive training was given to data collectors and supervisors. Rigorous supervision was carried out dming weight and height measurements in order to improve the validity of measurement. The overall malnutrition level for height based on age was 2S%, weight for height 12% and weight for age was 26% . Neither knowledge, practice nor attitude were found to have an association with the nutritional status of the children in the study area. Multi variate analysis showed number of children adjOR= I. 62 1 (1.030-2.549) and sex adjOR=1.60l(1.062-2AI4) to be significantly associated with underweight and sex adjOR=1.03S(l.007-1.995) to be significantly associated with stunting in children . The level of malnutrition in this study is unexpectedly lower than previous studies done in other par1s of the country. The seemingly inconsistent finding may be due to the continuous food aid provided by various donors to the study population in response to recurrent drought. Besides, the food aid which is given to al l people might have affected the association between knowledge, attitude and practice with the nutritional status of children. ln conclusion. the study did not show an effect of knowledge, attitude and practice of mothers on the nutritional status of their children when various confounders are considered. It is recommended that food aid continue since the rate of malnutrition.
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Mother Feeding ,Children ,Rural Community