A comparative study on nutritional problems in preschool aged children in Nepal.

Authors: Acharya, J., Van Teijlingen, E., Murphy, J. and Hind, M.

Conference: III World Congress of Public Health Nutrition

Dates: 9-12 November 2014

Abstract:

Introduction and Objectives This paper explores some of the key issues that have focused to a diversity of habits, cultural beliefs, knowledge and practices about food and nutrition that have affected health in positive and negative ways. Thus, the main objective of this study is to measure the level of knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about nutritious food for children amongst poor rural and urban mothers in Nepal.

Materials and methods A mixed-methods study was conducted in an urban and rural area of Nepal. Target group and sample size 524 mothers, of 3-5 years aged children recruited from rural and urban area, have participated in interview and were 7 Focus Group Discussions, consisting of Pharmacists, Auxiliary Nurse Mid-Wife, Health worker, Social worker, Mother group, Spiritual healer and policy makers, conducted. Data collection The interview and focus group discussion guidelines were developed based on aim, objectives and research question Data collection took place in three successive phases: coordination, field management, piloting and survey from 25 June to 27 September 2012.

Data analysis Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS (v20.0) reporting mothers’ knowledge, attitudes and beliefs in respect of their children’s nutrition. Results are presented in cross-tabulated form. A thematic analysis was used in the qualitative data analysis. The Ethical approval has been obtained from the Nepal Health Research Council and Bournemouth University.

Result The study included more urban mothers (56%) than rural mothers (44%). Major barriers to recommending nutritious foods included: lack of knowledge (15%); high market prices (19%); and cultural influences or beliefs (6%). The study showed nearly 55% children were provided with fruits once in week. Almost 15% of mothers never gave salad to their children and 6% of mothers could not choose nutritious food from the grocery store, 12% of the respondents lacked food. The majority of children (57%) had been taken at least once to a spiritual healer for treatment and 16% more than once. 20% of mothers believed eating green leafy vegetables and fruits during illness affected child health. Only 8% of the respondents provided meat, fish, egg and milk during times of illness to their children. Green leafy vegetables were rarely given to their children. Alike, children occasionally received other vegetables and fruits. Social worker (FGD) said that the mother beliefs that GLVs & fruits cause common cold, diarrhoea and stomach-ache to children. According the Pharmacist (FGD) poor community believed that nutritious foods are luxurious, cannot afford and family conflict. Mother group (FGD) revealed that if a pregnant woman eats more will have a bigger baby and cause problems in delivery.

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/22364/

https://www.academia.edu/8752822/POSTERS_APROBADOS_V_12_AGOSTO

Source: Manual

Preferred by: Edwin van Teijlingen

A comparative study of nutritional problems in preschool aged children in Nepal

Authors: Acharya, J., van Teijlingen, E., Murphy, J. and Hind, M.

Conference: III World Congress of Public Health Nutrition,

Volume: 0

Pages: 135

Publisher: International Journal of Community Nutrition

ISSN: 2386-673X

Abstract:

Abstract of paper given at III World Congress of Public Health Nutrition, 9 - 12 November 2014, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/22364/

Source: BURO EPrints