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Child care practices and nutritional status of children aged 0-2 years in Thika, Kenya
F Kamau-Thuita1, A M Omwega, J W G Muita
1Department of Community Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 19676, Nairobi, Kenya.
Insights
Maternal knowledge significantly impacts child care practices and children's nutritional status. Malnourished children received less dedicated care time, highlighting the link between knowledge, care, and child well-being.
Area of Science:
- Child Development
- Public Health Nutrition
- Sociology of the Family
Background:
- Child care practices and nutritional status are critical for early childhood development.
- Understanding factors influencing care allocation is essential for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess time allocation for child care activities.
- To determine the nutritional status of children aged 0-2 years in a low-income Kenyan setting.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional descriptive survey with questionnaires and anthropometric measurements.
- Two-day, 10-hour household observations for time allocation in a subsample.
- Study conducted in a peri-urban area of Thika town, Kenya, with 150 mother-child dyads.
Main Results:
- Mother's knowledge, education, occupation, and household composition influenced care time.
- Malnourished (stunted) children received less time for breastfeeding, food preparation, and feeding.
- Child care was primarily maternal but shared with other household members and neighbors.
Conclusions:
- The quantity and quality of child care are largely determined by caregiver knowledge.
- Interventions should focus on enhancing caregiver knowledge to improve child care and nutritional outcomes.
Objective:
To assess time allocation for child care and the nutritional status of children aged 0-2 years.
Design:
Cross sectional descriptive survey using a structured questionnaire and taking of anthropometric measurements to determine the nutritional status of children aged 0 to 2 years. In addition, two day (10 hour) observations were conducted in a subsample of households to assess time allocation for the main child care activities.
Setting:
A low-income peri-urban section of Thika town (in Makongeni estate), Kenya.
Subjects:
A random sample of 150 mothers and their 0-2 year old children.
Results:
Mother's knowledge about child care influences the amount and type of care that is given to children. Time taken to perform various activities was also found to vary with the mother's education level, her occupation, number of children less than five years in the house and the child's age and birth order. Comparatively, children who were malnourished (stunted) had less time devoted to them for breastfeeding, food preparation and feeding. Although mothers were the primary caregivers, the responsibility of care giving was shared with other household members as well as with neighbours.
Conclusion:
The amount and type of care that a child receives is determined to a large extent by the mother and caregivers knowledge.
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