Dataset Information

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 intergenerational forums) and comparison communities (receiving standard nutrition education) in Bum chiefdom from 2013 and 2016. The quantitative endline survey targeted 101 pregnant women, 291 women with children aged <2 y, and 219 grandmothers. Statistical analyses utilized t tests and ?² tests to examine differences between intervention and comparison communities at endline. Multivariate regression was used to determine the intervention's effect on IYCF outcomes of interest.

Results

Awareness of and participation in the GMIA was high among mothers and grandmothers in intervention communities. The percentage of infants and young children aged 0-23 mo (n = 291) exclusively breastfed during the first week of life was significantly higher in the intervention group (90.2% compared with 79.4%, P = 0.01). Among infants aged 6-23 mo (n = 219), the percentage achieving minimum dietary diversity and minimum acceptable diet was significantly higher in the intervention group (77.2% compared with 51.8%, P < 0.001; and 53.8% compared with 22.6%, P < 0.001, respectively). Differences in percentages achieving minimum meal frequency (MMF) were only significant for infants aged 9-23 mo, with the intervention group achieving a higher MMF (54.6% compared with 36.9%, P = 0.02).

Conclusions

Results suggest that a GMIA that recognizes grandmothers' roles and strengthens their knowledge can contribute to improved IYCF practices.

SUBMITTER: Aidam BA

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

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

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

Aidam Bridget A BA MacDonald Carolyn A CA MacDonald Carolyn A CA Wee Rebecca R Simba Joseph J Aubel Judi J Reinsma Kathryn R KR Girard Amy Webb AW

Current developments in nutrition 20201130 12

<h4>Background</h4>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.<h4>Objectives</h4>We examined how an innovative grandmother-incl ...[more]

PMID: 33409444

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Dataset Information

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

Background

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

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

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