Child feeding practices and nutritional status of underfive children in Lungwena.
Chilima D. M., Maleta K.
Author Affiliation: Bunda College, Department of Home Economics/Human Nutrition, P.O Box 219, Lilongwe, Malawi.
: 47-51
Abstract : A baseline survey for the Lungwena multidisciplinary project was conducted from October to December 2004 to determine benchmarks for various characteristics which would be useful in informing interventions and also for evaluating the impact of the project. A total of 300 households were randomly selected and a DHS format questionnaire was adopted for the survey. Anthropometric measurements and Haemoglobin tests were used to assess nutritional status of underfive children using standard methodologies. The findings show that 47.5% of the women exclusively breastfed their babies for the recommended 6 months. Cereals were the most frequently eaten complementary food per week followed by mangoes (5.81±2.2 vs 4.53±2.7 days per week) and the least eaten food were dairy products such as cheese and yoghurt (0.74±1.6 days per week). Malnutrition among under-five children is a significant problem in the area. The prevalence of stunting was 36.4% whilst that of underweight was 20% and 3.3% of the children were wasted. The study has indicated poor breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices. In general the nutritional status of the population needs improving. Several interventions within the project as well as from other collaborating partners are being instituted to address these.