"Mothers’ knowledge on supplementary nutrition in infants in a rural region "

Abstract

Mothers’ lack of knowledge of supplementary nutrition in 6-12 months old children is an important elements causing dysfunction in child nutrition in this period of life and as a result leads to malnutrition and contributes to the high infant mortality. The aim of this research was to determine mothers’ knowledge of child supplementary nutrition in Babol city and the surrounding villages. This is a descriptive and analytic study. The information was gathered by questionnaires completed by 190 mothers in villages around Babol. The average knowledge of mothers in the rural region was good. Mothers, who were 25-29 years old, had an optimum level of knowledge. Working mothers were more informed than non-working mothers. Mothers with more than 3 children had less knowledge than mothers with only one child. 84.7% used to feed supplementary food at 6th month. Mothers living in the rural region had suitable degree of knowledge regarding the supplementary nutrition. 91% of mothers living in rural region had knowledge of more than the average level. The results of this research are similar to those of other region of Iran and also developing countries. It was shown that there are some factors playing a role in mothers’ knowledge to child supplementary nutrition such as the level of education, availability of health houses, and the information provided by media. However, it seems that with training of the health care workers and with more assistance of the media the mothers’ knowledge regarding supplementary nutrition can be improved.