Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Mothers/Caregivers on Child Feeding Practices among the Chakhesang Naga Tribe of Northeast, India

Vekutulu Chiero, NO
H Lhungdim, International Institute for Population Sciences

Children in developing nations lack optimal feeding, undermining their capacity to grow and develop. Hence, this study assessed the knowledge, attitude, and practice of the mothers/caregivers on infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practice in the Chakhesang Naga Tribe. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 445 mothers/caregivers in 9 villages from the Chakhesang tribe, Phek district, Nagaland. A structured questionnaire was administered separately to mothers/caregivers of children 0-5, 6-23, and 24-59 months. Descriptive statistics was employed to present the study result. 98.8% of mothers reported breastfeeding their children, however only a quarter of children 6-23 months are exclusively breastfed for 6 months. One-third of women with children aged 0-5 months have good knowledge and practices towards IYCF, however, two-thirds have positive attitudes. Around 19% and 28% of women with children aged 6-23 months have good knowledge and practices, whereas 60% of mothers have positive attitudes. Half of women with children aged 24-59 months have good knowledge and practices towards diets of pre-school children and 55% of women have positive attitudes. The finding suggests tribal women have limited knowledge regarding IYCF although they generally had a positive attitude. Nutrition programs should prioritize equipping mothers with recommended guidelines for IYCF.

Keywords: Children, Adolescents, and Youth, Health and Morbidity

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