Knowledge and Practices of Infant and Young Children Feeding (IYCF) And Their Relationship with Nutritional Status Among Under Two-Year-Old Children in Sambas District Ilmia Fahmi1,2, Pramesthi Widya H1,3, Judhiastuty Februhartanty4, Indriya Laras P4, Evi Ermayani4, Daniel Sahanggamu4,5
1 Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia
2 Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitas Brawijaya
3 Nutrition Science Study Program, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitas Jenderal Soedirman
4 Southeast Asia Ministry of Education Organization Regional Center of Food and Nutrition (SEAMEO RECFON)
5 FHI360
Abstract
Studies have acknowledged the importance of caregiver^s characteristics (such as age, education level, etc.) on nutritional status of under 2-year-old children. In addition, the concept of first 1000 days of life addresses the role of infant and young children feeding (IYCF) practices on the child^s nutrition. The objective of this study was to assess caregiver^s knowledge and practices on IYCF and its relationship with nutritional status of children under 2-year-old in Sambas district West Kalimantan province. Design of this study was cross sectional which enrolled 520 caregivers with 6-23 months old children. The data was collected in April - May 2016. Data analysis used univariate and bivariate analyses using chi-square test with p-value less than 0.05 considered as statistically significant. Overall, caregiver of the children was mother (95.8%) and 55.8% of the caregivers had good knowledge. The prevalence of children with underweight, wasting and stunting are 28.8%, 16.9% and 32.7% respectively. Proportion of children ever breastfed was 94.8%, continued breastfeeding 12-23 months 79.4%, and dietary diversity score ≥-5 food groups was 22.5%. Caregiver^s knowledge was significantly associated with early initiation breastfeeding and minimum dietary diversity (p-value less than 0.05). Caregivers with poor knowledge were likely to have children with poor nutritional status (WHZ and WAZ), have dietary diversity less than 5 food groups, and didn^t give eggs and/or flesh foods to their children. In conclusion, caregiver^s knowledge and IYCF practices were significantly associated with nutritional status. Additional skill along with training in proper caring practices to non-working caregivers is recommended to improve non-working caregivers^ economic status also their caring practices.
Keywords: children under-two, IYCF knowledge, IYCF practices, nutritional status
