“Generally the young mom suffers much:” Socio‐cultural influences of maternal capabilities and nutrition care in Uganda

Abstract

Maternal factors such as autonomy are associated with child feeding practices and nutritional status, with varying degrees depending on the definition of maternal-level constructs and context. This study describes the events and processes that constrain maternal capabilities-intrapersonal factors that shape mother's abilities to leverage resources to provide care to children-as they relate to nutrition and hygiene practices. We report community beliefs and understandings about which capabilities have meaning for child nutrition and hygiene, and develop a conceptual framework to describe how these capabilities are formed and describe implications for future nutrition programs in East Africa and similar settings.

Associations between social support, psychological well‐being, decision making, empowerment, infant and young child feeding, and nutritional status in Ugandan children ages 0 to 24 months

“…Although we assume that capabilities are consistent over time and would precede IYCF practices and nutritional status (e.g., through limiting food purchasing power), it is also possible that poor nutritional status among children may influence caregiver capabilities (e.g., having a malnourished child could reduce psychological satisfaction). Previous experience in the study contexts provides some insight in the potential likely relationship of capabilities constructs preceding poor feeding; however, previous work also noted that an inability to feed children according to caregiver's self‐described expectations may reduce overall satisfaction (Ickes et al, ). The questions that assessed maternal capabilities were designed to represent more stable characteristics and asked mothers to report on general life conditions, which should reflect prior history, whereas IYCF practices were measured based on self‐report of the day preceding the survey.…”

“…The survey (Data S1) was developed through formative research conducted in the previous year in the same community, and through a review of literature of relevant scales in low‐income country contexts, with priority given to scales that had been applied in sub‐Saharan Africa (Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative, ; Samman, ; Ibrahim & Alkire, ). The formative research sought to determine the events and processes in the community that shaped maternal capabilities in this Uganda District, and to define the relevant caregiver capabilities in this context (Ickes et al, ). The survey assessed four domains of maternal capabilities (social support, psychological well‐being, decision making, and freedom/empowerment), as well as IYCF practices and child nutritional status.…”

“…however, previous work also noted that an inability to feed children according to caregiver's self-described expectations may reduce overall satisfaction (Ickes et al, 2016). The questions that assessed maternal capabilities were designed to represent more stable characteristics and asked mothers to report on general life conditions, which should reflect prior history, whereas IYCF practices were measured based on self-report of the day preceding the survey.…”

Measuring exclusive breastfeeding social support: Scale development and validation in Uganda

“…Department of Health and Human Services, 2011). Lack of social support from family members has been identified as a barrier to EBF through qualitative research in Uganda (Ickes, Heymsfield, Wright, & Baguma, 2017) and Kenya (Kimani-Murage et al, 2015), and social support was predictive of recommended infant feeding practices in a cross-sectional suvey in Uganda (Ickes, Wu, Mandel, & Roberts, 2017). Peer support interventions have been shown to increase EBF rates in Uganda (Tylleskär et al, 2011).…”

“…Social support, which can be provided at the interpersonal, community, and organization levels, is widely recognized for its influence on breastfeeding practices (Imdad, Yakoob, & Bhutta, ; Raj & Plichta, ; Rollins et al, ; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, ). Lack of social support from family members has been identified as a barrier to EBF through qualitative research in Uganda (Ickes, Heymsfield, Wright, & Baguma, ) and Kenya (Kimani‐Murage et al, ), and social support was predictive of recommended infant feeding practices in a cross‐sectional suvey in Uganda (Ickes, Wu, Mandel, & Roberts, ). Peer support interventions have been shown to increase EBF rates in Uganda (Tylleskär et al, ).…”