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