Knowledge, Attitude and Practices (KAP) of Mothers toward Infant and Young Child Feeding in Primary Health Care (PHC) Centers, Erbil City.

Abstract

Background: Improving infant and young child feeding practices in children birth–23 months of age is therefore critical to improved nutrition, health, development of children and, ultimately and impact child survival.

Objectives: The main objective is to assess knowledge, attitude and practices of mothers concerning infant and young child feeding, and to use the results as baseline for nutritional intervention programs in the future.

Methodology: A survey study was carried out in (13) Primary Health Care centers in Erbil city to assess knowledge, attitude and practices of mothers concerning infant and young child feeding, and to use the results as a baseline for nutritional intervention programs in the future in a period of 2nd of January 2008 to 30th of September 2009. Purposive (nonprobability) sample of 1000 (mother-child pairs) were selected.

Results: The results of present study shows that the mothers have efficient practices and attitudes toward breast, formula and complementary feeding. Infant and young child feeding indicators concerning early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding were poor, among mothers attending PHC centers in Erbil.

Conclusion: Majority of surveyed infant and young child’s feeding pattern was mixture feeding, or mixture and complementary feeding. And the feeding indicators were low among mothers in Erbil city, the investigators decided to construct an educational health program to be implemented by nurses in Primary Health Care centers in Erbil city for improving mothers knowledge, attitudes and practices of infant and young child feeding.

Recommendations: The study recommended to revitalizing and expanding the Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative and Establishing of breastfeeding intervention programs for protection, promotion, and support of breastfeeding