Mothers' Beliefs and Attitudes Towards Child Weight, Child Feeding and Related Practices in Myanmar

Abstract

The aim is to identify mother's attitude and concern regarding child weight and feeding practices and also to explore the importance of growth monitoring activity in preventing Protein, Energy, Malnutrition (PEM). Trained interviewers from the respective State/Division nutrition team interviewed ninety mothers from different areas and Divisions. Mothers were categorized into three groups of thirty: those with a well-nourished child, a malnourished child or a child who had died of infectious disease. 90% of well-nourished children were weighed at birth and 100% of them had received regular weighing. 89% of their mothers could identify their child birth weight as normal and all of them know the negative health consequences of Low Birth Weight. Regarding attitude towards feeding during illness, most mothers of a well-nourished child believe that feeding during illness is better for recovery. That proportion is high as twice as of the remaining groups. Data regarding child feeding practices show mothers of a well nourished child have timely and appropriate starting of these practices. It is inferred from the recent finding that mothers who had received growth monitoring program since delivery have better preventive behavior for PEM and the role of basic health staff in these activity is also acknowledged.