The Relationship between Notional 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 feed ing their chi ldren aged 6 months to 5 years in l-Iawa.Michael Kebele,
Bugna Wereda North Wallo Zone of Ethiopia. The study encompassed all chil dren in the study
population. The area is typically drought stricken and fam ine 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
wi th underweight and sex adjOR=1.03S(l.007-1.995) to be signiflcantly associated with stunting in
children .
The level of malnutr ition 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 recurren t 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 cont inue since the rate of malnutrition
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Keywords
Mother Feeding their Children Rural Community