Abstract
Abstract Objectives Identify facilitators of the practice of Responsive Feeding/Parenting (RF/P) among parents of children under 3 years of age in the Central Region of Ghana. Methods Qualitative data was collected through six audiotaped focus group discussions with mothers (n = 27) and fathers (n = 18) living in the Central Region of Ghana who a) were 18 years of age or older; b) had a child under 3 years of age; c) were involved in feeding the child. Transcripts were read and coded independently by three authors, consensus was reached about emerging domains and themes, and a final codebook was developed. Results Three factors were identified as direct facilitators of the practice of RF/P: support, health care providers infant and young child feeding (IYCF) education delivery, and IYCF practice. Family, friends and the community gave parents informational, instrumental and emotional support including education/counseling on childcaring practices, doing chores for parents, giving parents the time off to respond to their children's needs. This support enabled parents to learn and adopt some RF/P behaviours. Health care providers delivered education on IYCF, food safety and, in some instances, provided some RF/P counselling/guidance. This then enabled parents to identify the nutritional and the psychosocial needs of their children and to recognize they should attend to these needs using RF/P knowledge and practice. Non-responsive feeding/parenting practices also emerged within IYCF practices demonstrating the need for more high-quality RF/P education. Conclusions Health care providers as well as family/friends facilitate parent's IYCF practices, which in turn influences their RF/P practices. Strengthening IYCF knowledge delivery through enhanced antenatal and postnatal counselling targeting parents as well as family/friends can promote RF/P knowledge and practices among Ghanaian parents. Funding Sources Hecht-Albert Leadership Award to Dr. Hromi-Fiedler through the Global Health Leadership Institute, Yale University.
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