Human Nutrition
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Browsing Human Nutrition by browse.metadata.advisor "Daniels, L. C."
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- ItemFactors that influence attitude, beliefs and barriers of caregivers regarding complementary feeding practices of infants aged 6 – 12 months in the Breede valley district of the Western Cape(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2014-04) Matthysen, Mariska; Lombard, M. J.; Daniels, L. C.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Dept. of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences. Division of Human Nutrition.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Inappropriate feeding practices are a major cause of malnutrition in young children. Within this context, it has been well documented that the incidence of malnutrition rises sharply during the period from six to 18 months of age in most countries. Complementary feeding typically covers the period from six to 24 months of age. Renewed focus has been placed on the promotion of breastfeeding. Similar attention should be paid to complementary feeding. Six percent of deaths per year are preventable through good complementary feeding practises. To improve infant nutrition it is important to know the local infant and young child feeding practises present in communities but also to identify and understand the underlying factors that influence these practises. Aim The study aimed to describe the various factors that influence complementary feeding practices of infants aged 6 – 12 months in 2 communities (Avian Park and Zweletemba) in the Breede Valley district of the Western Cape. Methods The study was conducted from May – July 2012. A descriptive study design was used. A qualitative approach was followed with the use of focus group discussions with mothers / primary caregivers, fathers and grandmothers of infants aged 6 – 12 months. Results The findings of this study provide insight into different aspects regarding early cessation of breastfeeding that could lead to early introduction of complementary foods. In both Avian Park and Zweletemba the age of introduction of liquids and solids ranged from birth to 12 months. Various liquids such as water, over the counter medicine, high concentrated sugar beverages and low nutrient beverages were given to infants from as young as two days post-partum by means of a feeding bottle. Cow’s milk was also introduced before six months of age for reasons such as affordability, availability and because cow’s milk does not need boiling water for reconstitution like formula milk, especially when access to electricity is inadequate. Infants from both communities also received meelbol (flour and water beverage) fed either via feeding bottles (as a beverage) or as porridge fed to the infant with a spoon. Porridge (especially rice cereal and maize meal porridge) was introduced to infants from one week post-partum and infants from both areas also received family “food from the pot” before the age of 6 months. In this study it was found that it was most often a female (either the mother or the grandmother) in the household who was responsible for buying and preparing food and for feeding the infant. Health care workers, members of the mothers’ household as well as community members were identified as key role players in conveying information regarding breastfeeding and complementary feeding from birth to 1 year. Various factors were identified in this study that influenced suboptimal infant feeding practises in Avian Park and Zweletemba. The main factors identified were i) health, ii) physiological, iii) nutritional, iv) educational, v) behavioural, vi) financial and vii) social factors. Other aspects mentioned were viii) demographic and x) commercial factors. Conclusion Results indicated that the current practices and factors influencing the feeding practices in Avian Park and Zweletemba were similar there was very little to no cultural differences between the two communities in terms of current practices and influencing factors. The findings of this study have highlighted the importance of involving all household members in interventions, as well as the larger community in a public nutrition approach. Factors influencing current feeding practises should be considered carefully when planning future interventions to improve infant feeding practises.