Factors influencing complementary feeding practices in rural and semi-urban Rwanda: a qualitative study
Maryse Umugwaneza1, Lize Havemann-Nel2, Hester H Vorster2
1College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, P.O. Box 3286, Kigali, Rwanda.
Journal of Nutritional Science
|June 24, 2021
Summary
Caregivers
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Nutrition Science
- Child Development
Background:
- Infant and young child feeding practices are crucial for child survival, growth, and development.
- Optimal feeding practices are influenced by a complex interplay of individual, community, and societal factors.
- Understanding these factors is essential for designing effective interventions in Rwanda.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and describe factors influencing infant and young child feeding practices in Rwanda.
- To explore the perspectives of various stakeholders including mothers, fathers, grandmothers, and community health workers.
- To inform evidence-based strategies for improving child nutrition in the region.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional descriptive qualitative study design was employed.
- Ten focus group discussions were conducted across five districts in Rwanda.
- Thematic analysis of transcribed discussions was performed using qualitative data analysis software (Atlas.ti).
Main Results:
- Caregiver knowledge and beliefs regarding breastfeeding and complementary feeding were key facilitators.
- A common belief that infants should receive liquids as first foods acted as a barrier.
- Community nutrition programs facilitated good practices, while poverty in rural households was a barrier.
- Community-based nutrition education and counselling programs facilitated good complementary practices at the group level.
- Poverty in rural agrarian households was identified as a societal-level barrier to optimal feeding practices.
Conclusions:
- Caregiver knowledge and beliefs significantly impact infant feeding practices.
- Targeted education on complementary feeding is needed to address misconceptions.
- Community programs and poverty alleviation are crucial for improving child nutrition outcomes.
- Empowering caregivers with specific guidelines, particularly on complementary feeding, is essential.
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