Effect of Mothers’ Nutritional Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices in Childcare on the Growth of Children

Abstract

Well education about nutrition can improve maternal nutritional knowledge and practices significantly, that improve the growth of children. Aim: Assess the effect of mothers’ nutritional knowledge, attitude, and practices in childcare on the growth of children. Subjects and method: Design: An analytical cross-sectional study research design was conducted for 100 mothers and their children aged 6-23 months in Medical Pediatric Out-Patient Clinic in Sohag University Hospital. Tools for data collection: Four tools were used to collect the data in the current study, tool (I): A structured questionnaire that consisted of two parts: part (1): Sociodemographic characteristics of mothers of children, part (2): Demographic characteristics of children, tool (II): Anthropometric measurement tool, and tool (III): Nutrition-related KAP model questionnaires (Module 2: Feeding young children (6–23 months), and tool (IV): Modified Fahmy and ElSherbini scale. Results: it observed that a significant positive relationship was detected between knowledge, attitude, and practices and WFA (r = 0.26, P = 0.0001) and between WFH (r = 0.11, P = 0.02). In the studied young children, it was observed that 54% of young children between 6-8 months consume the recommended and 59% of young children between 9 and 23 months consume more than recommended. Conclusion: Mothers’ nutritional knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding childcare have positively affected the growth of children. Recommendations: Educational programs about balanced nutrition for children aged 6-23 should be taught to all mothers.