Complementary Feeding Practices, Morbidity Prevalence and Nutrition Status of Children Aged 6-23 Months Old in Mpika Central Constituency, Zambia

Abstract

Appropriate feeding is an effective strategy in improving the nutrition status of infants and young children. Malnutrition has been a major public health concern with significant negative effects in terms of morbidity, psychological and intellectual under development. Few studies have been conducted in Mpika District to characterize the impact of undernutrtion in infants and young children. Therefore, this study sought to determine the complementary feeding practices, morbidity prevalence and nutrition status of children aged 6-23 months in Mpika Central Constituency, Zambia. A cross- sectional analytical study design was adopted for the study on a sample of 165 mother/caregiver and child pairs. Proportionate and simple random sampling techniques were used to select a sample from the four wards. Data collection was collected through Researcher administered questionnaire in the homes of respondents. Data collected was on demographic and socio-economic characteristics, complementary feeding practices, morbidity prevalence and nutrition status. Dietary intake data was collected using 24-hour recall. Morbity data was collected based on a 24-hour recall. Anthropometric measurements: weight, length, child date of birth, Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) measurements and presence/absence of edema were used to determine nutrition status of children using ENA for SMART software (2011). Qualitative data collected from Focus Group Discussions was coded and analyzed under thematic areas of study. Morbidity prevalence was assessed based on the presence and frequency of diarrhoea, fever and ARIs. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Logistic regression analyses were used to determine the association between complementary feeding practices, morbidity prevalence and nutrition status. Probability-value of <0.05 was as the level of significance. Study results showed that the mean age of the children in months was 14.5±5.0. Introduction of Solid and Semi-Solid or Soft Foods to Children 6-8 Months was at 14%. Children who met minimum dietary diversity, minimum meal frequency and minimum acceptable diet were 43.8%, 69.1% and 26.1% respectively. About eight percent of the children consumed iron rich foods. Common illnesses were cough (56.2%) and diarrhoea (37.3%). Stunted children were 30.3%, 9.7% were underweight, 5.4% wasted and 1.2% overweight. Wasting was 4.8% by MUAC and no child had oedema. Children‟s nutrition status predictors were mother‟s age (Odds ratio [OR] =1.20, p=0.042), parity (OR=3.59, p=0.031), number of under five years old children in a household (OR=9.50, p=0.005), mother‟s occupation (OR=0.55, p=0.036) and household‟s income (p=0.014). Therefore, this study recommends the need to foster programmes that improve socio-economic status of households, which in turn improve complementary feeding practices and reduce illnesses, and consequently, nutrition status. Furthermore, studies should be conducted on complementary feeding practices, morbidity prevalence and nutrition status if they were affected by seasons