Weaning among mothers of children in Nepal. Practices, beliefs and taboos

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Summary/Abstract
• Introduction
• Methods
• Results

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

The objective of this study was to assess weaning practices, beliefs, and taboos among mothers in Sinam VDC, Taplejung District, Nepal. The study aimed to understand the relationship between these factors and child nutrition.

• Weaning practices in Sinam VDC
• Beliefs and taboos surrounding weaning
• Influence of socio-economic factors on weaning practices
• Relationship between weaning practices and child nutrition
• Comparison of weaning practices with WHO recommendations

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

Summary/Abstract: This study, conducted in Sinam VDC of Taplejung, Nepal, used a descriptive cross-sectional design to analyze the relationship between independent and dependent variables related to weaning practices. Data collection involved semi-structured questionnaires and focus group discussions (FGDs). Key findings included the age of weaning food introduction, prevalent weaning foods (sarbottam pitho and khole), breastfeeding practices alongside complementary feeding, and the influence of cultural factors and taboos on feeding practices. The study also explored the relationships between mothers' education, income, and weaning practices.

Introduction: This chapter sets the stage by highlighting the significant global burden of child malnutrition, particularly in South Asia and Nepal. It emphasizes the crucial role of infant feeding practices, including breastfeeding and complementary feeding, in child health. The chapter introduces the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommendation for exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life and the importance of timely and adequate complementary feeding thereafter. The concept of weaning is defined, and the controversies surrounding its initiation and methods are discussed, emphasizing the ideal age of six months and the characteristics of desirable weaning foods. The chapter differentiates between natural and planned weaning.

Methods: This chapter details the study design, a combination of quantitative and qualitative approaches using a cross-sectional, descriptive study. It outlines the quantitative methods used to assess weaning practices and describes the qualitative data collection through FGDs. The study duration (one month, November-December 2013) is specified, along with the study population (mothers with children aged 3 months to 3 years in Sinam VDC). The chapter also mentions the sampling process, though the details are incomplete in the provided text.

Results: This chapter presents the findings of the study. It details the demographics of the participants (age of children, gender, family size, ethnicity, religion, education, and income). Key findings regarding weaning practices are presented, including the age of introduction of weaning foods, the types of weaning foods used, the prevalence of breastfeeding alongside complementary feeding, and attitudes towards night feeding and sterilization of feeding equipment. The results from the FGDs regarding beliefs and taboos are summarized, highlighting the influence of cultural factors on feeding practices.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

Weaning practices, complementary feeding, breastfeeding, child malnutrition, Nepal, cultural beliefs, taboos, socio-economic factors, infant feeding, maternal education, WHO recommendations.

Frequently Asked Questions: A Study on Weaning Practices in Sinam VDC, Nepal

What is the main focus of this study?

This study investigates weaning practices, beliefs, and taboos among mothers in Sinam VDC, Taplejung District, Nepal, and their relationship to child nutrition. It compares these practices to World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations.

What methods were used in this study?

The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional design, combining quantitative methods (assessing weaning practices through questionnaires) and qualitative methods (focus group discussions, or FGDs, to explore beliefs and taboos). The study was conducted over one month (November-December 2013).

What is the study population?

The study population consisted of mothers with children aged 3 months to 3 years in Sinam VDC, Nepal. Specific sampling details are not fully provided in this preview.

What are the key themes explored in the study?

Key themes include: weaning practices in Sinam VDC; beliefs and taboos surrounding weaning; the influence of socio-economic factors on weaning practices; the relationship between weaning practices and child nutrition; and a comparison of local weaning practices with WHO recommendations.

What are some of the key findings (as presented in the chapter summaries)?

Key findings include the age of weaning food introduction, the types of weaning foods used (such as sarbottam pitho and khole), breastfeeding practices alongside complementary feeding, the influence of cultural factors and taboos on feeding practices, and the relationships between mothers' education, income, and weaning practices. The results also reflect demographic data of participants (age of children, gender, family size, ethnicity, religion, education, and income).

What are the key takeaways from the introduction chapter?

The introduction highlights the global burden of child malnutrition, emphasizing the importance of proper infant feeding practices (breastfeeding and complementary feeding) and aligning with WHO guidelines regarding exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months and the timely introduction of appropriate complementary foods thereafter. It also defines weaning and discusses the controversies surrounding its initiation and methods.

What information is provided in the results chapter?

The results chapter presents the demographic data of participants and details key findings regarding weaning practices. This includes the age of introduction of weaning foods, the types of foods used, the prevalence of breastfeeding with complementary feeding, attitudes towards night feeding and equipment sterilization, and summaries of findings from focus group discussions regarding beliefs and taboos influencing feeding practices.

What are the keywords associated with this study?

Keywords include: Weaning practices, complementary feeding, breastfeeding, child malnutrition, Nepal, cultural beliefs, taboos, socio-economic factors, infant feeding, maternal education, and WHO recommendations.

Where can I find more details about the study's methodology (sampling, etc.)?

The provided text preview does not contain complete details about the sampling process. Access to the full study would be required for this information.

What is the overall conclusion (as per the abstract/summary)?

The study used a descriptive cross-sectional design to analyze the relationship between variables related to weaning practices in Sinam VDC. Data was collected using semi-structured questionnaires and FGDs. Key findings regarding the age of weaning food introduction, prevalent foods, breastfeeding practices, and the influence of cultural factors were identified, along with exploring relationships between mothers' education, income, and weaning practices.