Abstract:
The complexity in measuring feeding practices makes it difficult to study the relation between infant feeding practices and other characteristics. This cross-sectional study carried out in Upper Manya Krobo District (UMKD) among 260 children aged 6-23 months (mo) was aimed at understanding the association between infant and young child feeding index (ICFI), the nutritional knowledge of the care-giver and the nutritional status of children in UMKD. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on caregiver’s nutritional knowledge and child feeding practices were assessed through a single 24-hour recall and a 7-day food group frequency. ICFIs were constructed for children aged 6-8mo, 9-11mo and 12-23 mo and were divided into three categories. The association between child anthropometric indices (LAZ, WHZ, and WAZ) and ICFI were examined separately in each of the age groups. Generalized linear models were used to control for socio-demographic and economic factors. Adjusted mean HAZ in poor, average and good categories of ICFI were, respectively, -0.42, -0.17, and -0.04 (p = 0.35) among children aged 6-8 mo; -0.51, -0.44, and -0.89 (p = 0.53) among children aged 9-11 mo; -1.23, -1.13, and -0.85 (p = 0.19) among children aged 12-23 mo. There was also no association neither between ICFI and WLZ (p = 0.12, p = 0.36, and p = 0.95 respectively for children age 6-8 mo, 9-11 mo and 12- 23 mo.) nor for ICFI and WAZ (p = 0.48, p = 0.36, and p =0.72, respectively for children aged 6-8 mo, 9-11 mo and 12-23 mo). Among the components of ICFI, food group frequency (past 7 days) was positively associated with child LAZ respectively for children aged 12-23mo (p < 0.05) and 6-8 mo (p < 0.04). Caregiver’s nutritional knowledge was neither associated with child ICFI score (p = 0.72) nor with the nutritional status of children (p = 0.33). In conclusion, ICFI was independent of child anthropometric indices and caregiver’s nutritional knowledge was not associated with ICFI and child nutritional status.
