KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICES OF CHILD CAREGIVERS IN FEEDING CHILDREN AGED 6−36 MONTHS AT THE NUTRITIONAL CLINIC OF CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL 1, HO CHI MINH CITY

Tóm tắt

Aims: To determine the caregivers' knowledge of complementary feeding timing and the practices of breastfeeding and feeding children.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out from January 2022 to March 2022 on 256 caregivers of children aged 6-36 months who visited the Nutritional Clinic of Children's Hospital 1, HoChiMinh City, Vietnam. Face-to-face interviews with caregivers were applied to collect data by questionnaire.

Results: More than half of caregivers did not have the proper knowledge about the timing of complementary feeding. The correct knowledge about when to feed children with powder, porridge, and rice was respectively 70.3, 29.7, and 7.4%. The rate of breastfed children was 23.0%. The rate of children using bottles with artificial nipples was 60.8%. The children fed four food groups during the weaning period accounted for 62.1%.

Conclusions: The study indicates the limitations in knowledge and practices of breastfeeding and complementary feeding in caregivers. It is necessary to continue promoting communication measures to guide the child's feeding during the complementary feeding period.