Mothers’ knowledge and practices on breastfeeding and complementary feeding in an urban slum area and rural area in Kenya: A cross-sectional interview study

Abstract

Maternal breastfeeding and complementary feeding knowledge is an important determinant of childrens’ long-term health and development. This study aims to account for associations between knowledge and practices in Kenya and report the food consumption of children from birth to 18 months. In 2015 mother–child pairs were recruited from Mother-and-Child Health Centers; 415 in an urban slum in Nairobi and 364 in rural Machakos. Knowledge and practice scores were calculated from questionnaire variables and 24-h food frequency questionnaire. The associations of knowledge and practices were studied with regression analysis. Breastfeeding knowledge (Nairobi 6.3/9, Machakos 5.9/9) and practices (Nairobi 7.5/8, Machakos 7.2/8) were good in both areas. Complementary feeding knowledge was not as good (Nairobi 7.5/14, Machakos 7.1/14). Minimum meal frequency was reached by almost 80% of the children but dietary diversity was low (Nairobi 2.7 [SD 1.4], Machakos 2.4. [SD 1.3]). Only 27% of children in Nairobi and 13% in Machakos were fed a minimum acceptable diet. The complementary feeding knowledge score was associated only with minimum dietary diversity in Nairobi (OR: 1.29; 95% CI: 1.105–1.514). Infant and young child feeding knowledge and practices were on a similar level in both areas. Future interventions should focus on improving dietary diversity.

Effective breastfeeding techniques and associated factors among lactating women: a community-based study, north east Ethiopia

“…This difference might be attributed to several factors, including poor knowledge about the importance and benefits of effective breastfeeding, lack of breastfeeding-friendly workplaces, lack of support from family members, and harmful traditional practices. Additionally, limited access to healthcare, including comprehensive breastfeeding education and counseling programs, as well as inadequate postnatal and prenatal care for women living in resettlement areas, may contribute to this disparity ( 31 , 32 ).…”

‘Counselling is not just providing information’: perceptions of caregivers and stakeholders on the design of nutrition and health counselling interventions for families with young children in rural Kenya

“…They also saw that mothers generally know about feeding recommendations for young children, but caregivers cannot implement such practices due to similar barriers as observed in our study. Similarly, in rural Machakos, close to Nairobi, Uusimäki et al confirmed that complementary feeding knowledge is good among mothers living in informal settlements [41]. In addition, in two neighbouring counties of Siaya, Homa Bay, and Migori, a recent qualitative study with 29 key informants revealed that caregivers are indeed knowledgeable and skilled enough to execute healthy child feeding practices.…”