Health Providers’ Practices in Provision of Nutrition, Hygiene, And Wash Education Sessions at Reproductive and Child Health Unit, at Nyamagana District Hospital, Makongoro and Buzuruga Health Centre. - Mwanza, Tanzania | Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences [CUHAS-Bugando] | 2024. - 80 Pages Includes References

Abstract:

Introduction: Stunting, defined as inadequate height for age, affects 25% of children under five globally, with 156 million impacted. It results from chronic undernutrition, primarily due to poor diets lacking essential nutrients, and is a significant public health issue, especially in African countries. The WHO aims to reduce stunting rates by 40% by 2025. Factors like poverty, inadequate breastfeeding, and poor hygiene contribute to stunting, with high prevalence rates reported in countries like Burundi (58.3%) and Uganda (over 75%) and Tanzania by (36%).

Methodology: The study employed a facility-based, cross-sectional design conducted at three public health facilities in Mwanza City, Tanzania, focusing on high-attendance reproductive and child health units. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and observational checklists assessing health providers' practices and caregivers' knowledge. The sample included 535 caregivers and all available health providers. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS, with a significance level set at 5% to evaluate the effectiveness of health education sessions

Results: The study involved 500 caregivers from Mwanza region, primarily housewives (52.6%), with a majority married (81.6%). Most caregivers had primary education (44.6%) and delivered in health facilities (98.6%). Among 500 children under two, 50.6% were female, with most aged 6-12 months. The majority had normal birth weights (88.8%). Caregivers exhibited good breastfeeding practices (96.6%) but varied in introducing solid foods. Health providers (15 total) were predominantly female (73.3%) and reported challenges like communication barriers and staff shortages. Training attendance among providers on child health topics was low, impacting their competence in health education

Conclusion: This research underscores the necessity for tailored interventions to enhance infant and young child feeding practices in the study region. Despite high early breastfeeding initiation rates, the premature introduction of other liquids and solids is concerning, potentially compromising the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding. Targeted efforts to improve health care providers knowledge, skills and support, along with strengthening caregivers capacity, can lead to better infant and young child feeding practices and enhanced child health and nutrition outcomes


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Subjects--Personal Names: --Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Behavioral Sciences