ASSOCIATION BETWEEN MOTHERS KNOWLEDGE ON CHILD CARE AND NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF 6-59 MONTHS CHILDREN OF DHARAN SUB METROPOLITAN CITY

Abstract

The aim of this study was to find out the nutritional status of 6-59 months children of Dharan Sub-metropolitan city, Sunsari and its association with mother’s knowledge on child care. Only one child aged 6-59 months from each household (n=165) of Dharan using probability proportionate sampling was taken. Anthropometric measurement of the child was taken and data was taken on household socioeconomic characteristics, child characteristics, hygiene and sanitation practice using pre tested semi structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20 and WHO Anthro 3.3.2 version. Chi-square test was used to find out the factors associated with nutritional status of the children. Prevalence of underweight, wasting and stunting was 7.9%, 1.2% and 25.5% respectively. It was seen that prevalence of underweight and wasting was similar in both sexes while stunting was seen higher in female children. Prevalence of stunting was seen high in 12-23 months and 48-59 months aged children. Underweight and wasting was more prevalent in 48-59 months aged children. . More than 30% of the mothers had good knowledge on child care, 57.6% had an average and 9.7% of mothers had poor knowledge on child care. The prevalence of stunting was significantly associated (P<0.05) with paternal education status, maternal education status and total annual income of the family. Similarly, study indicated that child weight at birth, knowledge of mother on correct time to initiate complementary feeding and type of complementary feeding given was significantly associated (P<0.05) with underweight.