Socio-Cultural Practices and Beliefs Influencing Infant and Young Child Feeding in Lubao Sub-Location Kakamega County

Abstract

Background: Optimal feeding practices for children aged below 24 months are important for the growth and Development and also for reducing childhood mortality and morbidity for this critical group. Social cultural beliefs and practices dictate behavior and practices of the people hence they influence feeding practices. Objective: The purpose of this study was to find out how the socio-cultural beliefs and practices influence the feeding practices for children aged below 24 months in Lubao sub location in Kakamega County. Methods: This study was a cross-section study conducted between from January to March, 2016 in the rural western region amongst primary care givers of children aged below 2 years. Random sampling technique was utilized to select the target sample and from a target population of 1000, a sample of 166 was calculated. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data on socio-cultural beliefs influencing the feeding practices. Findings: The level of education and knowledge of forbidden foods had a positive correlation (rho-0.328) at (p>0.01). Approximately, 20(20%) reported foods recommended for the infants and young children while 80(80%) reported no specific foods recommended. Reasons associated with the recommended foods were; 4(20%) culture, 9(45%) lack of knowledge, 7(35%) due to other reasons. Conclusion: Cultural beliefs and taboos i.e. food taboos/restriction, beliefs associated with certain foods, have a strong influence on infant feeding and undermines optimal infant feeding practices; breastfeeding and complementary feeding.