Improvement of complementary foods for infants and young children six to 23 months in seaweed farming livelihood zone, Micheweni district, Pemba
Loading...
Date
2016
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
Appropriate child feeding is the basis for a good nutritional status and healthy
development, and a key factor for health in later life. In Tanzania, more than a third of
children under-five years are affected by chronic malnutrition. In Zanzibar. 12% of
children under-five are suffering from acute malnutrition. 4.5% are severely malnourished.
The aim of the study was to improve the complementary foods for infants and young
children aged six to 23 months in seaweed farming livelihood zone. This study was
conducted in Micheweni district which covers about 407 km" and comprises 28 local
administrative authority (shehia/village). A longitudinal (Panel survey) analytical design
was used to establish baseline on nutritional situation, dietary assessment from three 24
hour recalls to identify nutrient gap and intervention to rectify the dietary
inappropriateness escorted with monitoring for three consecutive months using panel data.
Data collection tool was developed using ProPAN guideline. Data were analyzed using
ProPAN-2 software with Epi-info version 3.5.4 (descriptive statistics) and SAS-8. 2004
(inferential statistics) using Duncan Multiple Range Test. Majority of children, expressed
mild to moderate underweight (29.57%), (14.07%); wasting (20%) (11.38%); stunting
(23.61%), (5.37%) and MUACZ (28.32%), (16.07%) respectively. Occupation was only
socio-demographic factor that had shown significant association with nutritional indicator
(WHZ). After intervention significant difference was found on weight and MUAC of
children aged 12-23 months who were still breastfed. Meanwhile, 33.3% were able to
meet minimum dietary diversity and 91.7% able to minimum meet meal frequency.
Specific nutrients were below recommendation in pre-intervention but had shown
significant difference in post intervention except for iron and zinc. The predominance of
under-nutrition was intensified by inadequate knowledge and misconceptions about
appropriate complementary foods. Monitoring at community level was fundamental in promoting recommended Infants and Young Child Feeding practices, along with
adaptation of key messaging to address common misconceptions. District authority need
synergic approach to advocate child care practices within communities by increasing
demand in utilization of health services, promote optimal complementary feeding and
dietary diversity through nutrition sensitive agriculture, specific nutrition counselling and
cooking demonstration to enhance bioavailability.
Description
Master's Theses
Keywords
Complementary foods, Infants, Young children, Seaweed farming livelihood zone, Micheweni district, Pemba