Ashraf Iqra, Bestman Prince L, Assiri Abdullah A, Kamal Ghulam Mustafa, Uddin Jalal, Luo Jiayou, Orayj Khalid M, Ishaqui Azfar A
Department of Maternal and Child Health, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China.
Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, King Khalid University, Abha 61441, Saudi Arabia.
Nutrients. 2024 Dec 19;16(24):4379. doi: 10.3390/nu16244379.
Inappropriate complementary feeding during the first two years of life significantly impacts children's health, increasing risks of malnutrition and illness. : This study investigates factors influencing early feeding patterns among 600 mothers of children aged 9-23 months in selected hospitals in Punjab, Pakistan. Using a structured questionnaire, data were collected and analyzed, with associations measured by odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The results showed the key indicators of inappropriate complementary feeding among young children, including timely complementary feeding, minimum meal frequency, dietary diversity, and acceptable diet. The rates for these factors were found to be 60.3%, 32.7%, 24.6%, and 48.5%, respectively. The study identified several significant factors influencing these practices. Key predictors of inappropriate feeding included the order of birth, the mother's employment status, parental education, the number of children, household income, maternal knowledge, and maternal health. The findings underscore that maternal education, employment, and health significantly influence complementary feeding. Targeted interventions and education programs are essential to support healthy feeding behaviors, especially for mothers facing challenges related to education, work, or health conditions. Addressing these practices can improve child health outcomes, contributing to economic growth and a healthier future for Pakistan's youngest population.
在生命的头两年，不适当的辅食添加会对儿童健康产生重大影响，增加营养不良和患病风险。本研究调查了巴基斯坦旁遮普省部分医院600名9至23个月儿童的母亲早期喂养模式的影响因素。通过结构化问卷收集并分析数据，采用比值比（OR）和95%置信区间（CI）衡量相关性。结果显示了幼儿不适当辅食添加的关键指标，包括适时添加辅食、最低进餐频率、饮食多样性和可接受饮食。这些因素的发生率分别为60.3%、32.7%、24.6%和48.5%。该研究确定了影响这些做法的几个重要因素。不适当喂养的关键预测因素包括出生顺序、母亲就业状况、父母教育程度、子女数量、家庭收入、母亲知识水平和母亲健康状况。研究结果强调，母亲的教育程度、就业和健康状况对辅食添加有重大影响。有针对性的干预措施和教育项目对于支持健康的喂养行为至关重要，特别是对于面临教育、工作或健康状况相关挑战的母亲。解决这些问题可以改善儿童健康状况，为巴基斯坦最年幼的人口的经济增长和更健康的未来做出贡献。
