An Innovative Grandmother-Inclusive Approach for Addressing Suboptimal Infant and Young Child Feeding Practices in Sierra Leone.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Suboptimal infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices contribute to child undernutrition. Sierra Leone Demographic and Health Survey data show that IYCF practices remain poor despite modest improvements. Recent studies have identified the role of grandmothers as critical to child nutrition; however, in Sierra Leone to date, the potential for grandmothers to influence IYCF practices has not been investigated.

Objectives

We examined how an innovative grandmother-inclusive approach (GMIA) can be used to address suboptimal IYCF practices.

Methods

Using a quasi-experimental design, we compared IYCF beliefs and practices between GMIA intervention communities (receiving monthly dialogue sessions on nutrition, quarterly community praise sessions, and intergene

SUBMITTER: Aidam BA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7773705 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature