ASSESSING MOTHERS KNOWLEDGE IN BREASTFEEDING AND CHILDCARE PRACTICES AND ITS IMPACT ON MALNUTRITION AMONG 6 TO 59 MONTHS CHILDREN IN THE MUSAHAR COMMUNITY OF RATUWAMAI MUNICIPALITY

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the mother's knowledge in breastfeeding and childcare practices and its impact on malnutrition among 6-59 months children in Musahar community of Ratuwamai Municipality, Morang. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted with 116 children using census sampling. Data were collected via pretested, semi-structured questionnaires covering socio-economic and demographic factors, child characteristics, childcare practices, maternal characteristics, maternal knowledge on childcare practices, food frequency and hygiene practices. Anthropometric measurements (height, weight, MUAC) determined the prevalence of wasting, stunting, and underweight based on WHO standards. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20 and WHO Anthro 3.2.2, with Chi square for significant associations. The prevalence of wasting, underweight and stunting was 24.1%, 33.6% and 29.3% respectively. Wasting and underweight were more prevalent in male children, while stunting was higher in female children. Underweight was most common in children aged 24-35 months, stunting in 36-47 months, and wasting in 12-23 months. About 49.1% of mothers had poor knowledge, 43.1% had average knowledge, and only 7.8% had good knowledge on breastfeeding and childcare practices. The mother's knowledge on breastfeeding and childcare practices was significantly associated with stunting and underweight but not with wasting. Significant factors for wasting included age, birth weight, and the mother's age at first pregnancy. Stunting was associated with family type, birth weight, colostrum feeding, baal-vita supplementation knowledge, and the mother's education level. Factors such as birth weight, malnutrition knowledge, complementary feeding knowledge, frequency of meal during pregnancy and lactation, mother's education were found to be significantly associated with underweight.