Influence of Infants Feeding Practices on Their Patterns of Growth in El Beheira Governorate

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Demonstrator Department of Community Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Damanhour University, Egypt.

2 Professor Department of Community Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Damanhour University, Egypt

3 Assistant Professor Department of Community Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Damanhour University, Egypt.

4 Lecturer Department of Pediatric Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Damanhour University, Egypt.

Abstract

Background: Adequate nutrition during infancy is crucial for proper growth and development as the growth rate in the life of human beings is maximal during the first year of life. Aim of this study is to assess the influence of infants feeding practices on their patterns of growth in El Beheira Governorate. Research design: a descriptive cross sectional research design. Settings: Eight governmental primary health care facilities in 4 health directorates in El Beheira Governorate. Subjects: A convenient sample of 361 infants' mothers. Data collection tools: Three tools were used: Tool (I): Mothers and Infants' Profile Structured Interview Schedule. Tool (II): Infant Feeding Practices Study II (IFPS II) Structured Interview Schedule. Tool (III): World Health Organization (WHO) Growth Chart for Infant Growth Pattern Assessment. Results: More than one third (35.1%) of the infants in the present study had under nutrition, among them, 14.1%, 13% and 8% were stunted, underweight and wasted, respectively, while only 3.6% of them were obese. A statistically significant relation was existed between underweight and socioeconomic level, duration of Exclusive Breast Feeding, Current feeding pattern. A statistically significant relation was found between stunting and socioeconomic level, and duration of exclusive breastfeeding. Conclusion: Both maternal and child related factors are associated with malnutrition in infants and most of these factors are preventable. Recommendations: Scale up interventions is recommended to improve nutrition status among infants and children including the promotion and support of breastfeeding, giving safe and appropriate complementary feeding as core interventions.

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