Promoting weaning practices and growth of Egyptian infants by using communication for behavioral development approach

Abstract

Background Access to various affordable and nutritious foods is considered a challenging factor for households with limited resources affecting the proper weaning practices. In order to motivate communities to adhere to the right and proper weaning practices, the social aspect should be considered through close communication with the targeted communities. This study aimed to evaluate how impactful the use of the principles of Communication for Development (C4D) that respect parents’ beliefs and their cultural norms is in improving the weaning practices and growth of infants in an Egyptian village. Methods An interventional three-phase study was conducted for three years. The intervention targeted 464 mothers of infants up to 2 years of age. C4D interventions encouraged each mother to provide her baby with nutritious and varied options through age-appropriate introduction and diversification of nutrient-rich complementary foods under the slogan “ enjoy meals like a baby”. The effectiveness of the approach was measured by five essential weaning practices: Introduction of solid, semi-solid, or soft foods, Minimum dietary diversity, minimum meal frequency, Minimum acceptable diet, and consumption of iron-rich foods. Results There was marked and significant improvement in the awareness and of the majority of the weaning practices’ indicators as a result of the interventions. This was noticed for the timely introduction of complementary foods which increased from 36.7% to 82.0%, the minimum meal frequency indicator (3–5) which increased from 25.3% to 67.3%, iron-rich or fortified food (68.0% to 82%) as well as a regular checkup for baby health at the health unit (71.3%). Indicators that were improved but failed to achieve the target were the “Minimum Dietary Diversity” (reached 32%) and the minimum acceptable diet (reached 22.0%). A significant effect on linear growth especially for females is evidenced by the remarkable decrease in wasting (from 31.5% to 11.1%) and obesity (from 12.0% to 0%) associated with a considerable decrease in underweight (from 40% to 16.7%). Conclusion Targeting caregivers through the C4D approach have succeeded in providing them with the support required for the provision of adequate nutrition for their infants that had significantly marked improvement in growth indices of their infants.

Efek edukasi MPASI metode modifikasi terhadap pertumbuhan Bayi 6-7 bulan: Studi eksperimental di posyandu Kecamatan Karangtengah, Kabupaten Demak

“…This study also showed increased meal frequency, iron-rich food intake, accuracy, and appropriate introduction of complementary foods as measured through in-depth interviews. In addition, the interventions resulted in reduced obesity and wasting rates 25 .…”

How did the use of the social marketing approach in Egyptian communities succeed in improving breastfeeding practices and infants’ growth?

“…Breastfeeding judgments are influenced by a variety of variables, such as experience, perception, behaviors, and motivation [ 34 , 53 ], When compared to pre-intervention and the control rural area, knowledge of the nature of exclusive breastfeeding and that colostrum is the first breast milk that includes antibodies to protect the infant from diseases increased dramatically after the intervention. Increased understanding of behaviors related to breastfeeding practices was found to be an assuring factor for enhancing breastfeeding according to recent Eastern Mediterranean studies [ 53 – 56 ] declaring that both early breastfeeding initiation and exclusive breastfeeding are common practices in some Arab countries even without promotion interventions.…”

“…This approach was based on using the motives for successful breastfeeding practices and overcoming the detected obstacles and factors contributing to declining of breastfeeding practices for improving breastfeeding practices over one year of interventions. A set of interventional messages concerning proper weaning practices was directed to our beneficiaries and its results were published [ 34 ].…”

A national screening for the prevalence and profile of disability types among Egyptian children aged 6–12 years: a community-based population study

“…As this study was screening and had to be completed in a short time of about 15-20min, it was limited in studying the following factors: environmental factors, the influence of the nutritional factors although well documented to affect development in many Egyptian studies both early in life due to exclusive breastfeeding [ 58 ] and during proper weaning [ 59 ]. A thorough investigation of the nutritional pattern and environmental factors is known to take a long time.…”