Department of Environmental Science, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, 6140, South Africa.
Nutr J. 2020 May 20;19(1):47. doi: 10.1186/s12937-020-00566-4.
Maternal and child undernutrition remain prevalent in developing countries with 45 and 11% of child deaths linked to poor nutrition and suboptimal breastfeeding, respectively. This also has adverse effects on child growth and development. The study determined maternal dietary diversity, breastfeeding and, infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices and identified reasons for such behavior in five rural communities in South Africa, in the context of cultural beliefs and social aspects.
The study used mixed methodology technique. Questionnaires were administered to 84 households, pairing mother/caregiver and a child (0-24 months old) to obtain information on maternal dietary diversity, IYCF and breastfeeding practices. Qualitative data on breastfeeding perceptions, IYCF practices, perceived eating habits for lactating mothers and cultural beliefs related to mothers' decision on IYCF and breastfeeding practices were obtained through focus group discussions.
Maternal dietary diversity was very low and exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life was rarely practiced, with young children exposed to poor-quality diets lacking essential nutrients for child growth and development. Social circumstances including lack of income, dependence on food purchasing, young mothers' feelings regarding breastfeeding and cultural beliefs were the major drivers of mothers' eating habits, breastfeeding behaviour and IYCF practices. Fathers were left out in breastfeeding and IYCF decision making and young mothers were unwilling to employ indigenous knowledge when preparing food (especially traditional foods) and feeding their children.
The study provides comprehensive information for South African context that can be used as an intervention measure to fight against malnutrition in young children. Finding a balance between mothers' income, dietary diversity, cultural beliefs, breastfeeding and considering life of lactating mothers so that they won't feel burdened and isolated when breastfeeding and taking care of their children is crucial. Paternal inclusion in breastfeeding decisions and safeguarding indigenous knowledge on IYCF practices is recommended.
发展中国家普遍存在母婴营养不足的问题，分别有 45%和 11%的儿童死亡与营养不良和母乳喂养不足有关。这也对儿童的生长发育产生了不良影响。本研究在文化信仰和社会方面的背景下，确定了南非五个农村社区的产妇饮食多样性、母乳喂养以及婴幼儿喂养（IYCF）实践，并确定了这些行为的原因。
本研究采用混合方法技术。向 84 户家庭发放了问卷，将母亲/照顾者和 0-24 个月大的儿童配对，以获取有关产妇饮食多样性、IYCF 和母乳喂养实践的信息。通过焦点小组讨论获得了有关母乳喂养认知、IYCF 实践、哺乳期母亲感知的饮食习惯以及与母亲在 IYCF 和母乳喂养实践方面的决策相关的文化信仰的定性数据。
产妇饮食多样性极低，很少有婴儿在生命的头 6 个月进行纯母乳喂养，幼儿的饮食质量较差，缺乏儿童生长发育所需的基本营养。包括收入不足、对食品购买的依赖、年轻母亲对母乳喂养的感受以及文化信仰在内的社会情况是导致母亲饮食习惯、母乳喂养行为和 IYCF 实践的主要因素。父亲在母乳喂养和 IYCF 决策中被排除在外，年轻母亲不愿意在准备食物（尤其是传统食物）和喂养孩子时使用本土知识。
本研究为南非背景提供了全面的信息，可以作为对抗幼儿营养不良的干预措施。在母亲的收入、饮食多样性、文化信仰、母乳喂养之间找到平衡，并考虑到哺乳期母亲的生活，使她们在母乳喂养和照顾孩子时不会感到负担和孤立，这一点至关重要。建议父亲参与母乳喂养决策，并保护 IYCF 实践中的本土知识。
