Caregivers’ Knowledge and Practice of Recommended Infant and Young Child Feeding Guidelines in Nsawam Adoagyiri Municipal, Eastern Region – Ghana

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Poor knowledge and skills for feeding infants can lead to inappropriate feeding practices which results in malnutrition and infant death. This study assessed knowledge and practice of recommended infant and young child feeding guidelines among caregivers with young children in the Nsawam Adoagyiri Municipal, Eastern Region. METHODOLOGY: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted across the seven sub-municipal units of the Nsawam Adoagyiri municipality. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 354 caregivers as respondents. A pre-tested interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on socioeconomic characteristics and caregivers’ knowledge of recommended IYCF. A 24-hour dietary recall was used to assess dietary practices. Data was analyzed using Stata version 15. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 29.3(±6.75) with modal age group between 25 to 29 years. Overall knowledge of caregivers’ on recommended IYCF was poor (5.7%). Caregivers’ family type (p=0.003) was significantly associated with knowledge of recommended IYCF and caregivers’ knowledge was also significantly associated with their utilization of the recommended IYCF (p<0.001). The prevalence of timely initiation of breastfeeding was 50.3%, exclusive breastfeeding was 63.3% and continual breastfeeding after 1 year was 92.8%. Minimum frequency of feeding was low in infants 6 to 8 months (20.2%) and minimum dietary diversity was low (34.5%). Minimum acceptable diet was low in 6 to 8, 9 to 11 and 12 to 24 months (4.5%, 22.1% and 34.5% respectively). Overall caregivers’ practice of recommended IYCF was poor (3.7%). Caregivers’ practice of recommended IYCF was significantly associated with frequency of child welfare clinic attendance (X2 =12.75; p=0.047). However, CWC attendance lost its significance when regression analysis was done. CONCLUSION: Recommended IYCF knowledge and practice is suboptimal among caregivers in the Nsawam Adoagyiri municipal area. Increased education intervention during prenatal and child welfare visits will be essential in improving knowledge and practice of IYCF among mothers and caregivers. Community interventions on IYCF knowledge should target young mothers, the least educated, single mothers and caregivers living in the extended family setting.