Maternal knowledge on complementary feeding and dietary diversity among peri-urban area children of Gilgit Baltistan

Complementary feeding and dietary diversity

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Undernutrition is a major global health challenge, with limited data available from Northern Pakistan regarding mothers’ knowledge, attitudes, and feeding practices related to child nutritional status and dietary diversity. This study assessed mothers’ understanding of complementary feeding and dietary diversity among children aged 6–23 months in the peri-urban region of Gilgit.

METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among 313 mothers/caregivers of children aged 6–23 months selected through multistage cluster sampling. Data were collected using a pretested, validated, closed-ended questionnaire administered in the Shina language by trained interviewers from January 2021 to January 2022, following ethical approval from the Research Ethics Committee, HITEC-IMS, NUMS. Associations were determined using the Chi-square test, while multivariable analysis examined relationships between independent and outcome variables. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS: The mean age of mothers was 23.25±3.49 years, while the mean age of children was 16.72±4.54 months. Among respondents, 171 (54.6%) mothers were aged 21–24 years, and 155 (49.5%) had primary-level education. Infants constituted 65 (20.8%) of the study population. Stunting was observed in 44 (14%) children. A significant association was found between minimum dietary diversity (MDD) and child growth (p≤0.001). Higher MDD was more frequently observed in smaller families, younger mothers, and mothers with higher educational levels.

CONCLUSION: Minimum dietary diversity was significantly associated with improved child growth. Maternal education and family characteristics play an important role in achieving adequate dietary diversity among children aged 6–23 months.