Original Research - Special Collection: Health Disparities
Feeding practices and micronutrient status of children aged 0–36 months in Thulamela Municipality, Limpopo province
Submitted: 14 March 2022 | Published: 24 October 2022
About the author(s)
Anzani Mugware, Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, South AfricaSelekane A. Motadi, Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, South Africa
Lindelani F. Mushaphi, Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, South Africa
Abstract
Background: Micronutrient deficiency continues to be a major public health problem affecting infants and young children under 5 years of age worldwide.
Aim: The study aims to investigate feeding practices and micronutrient status of children aged 0–36 months.
Setting: The study was conducted at government clinics located in Thulamela Municipality, which is one of the local municipalities in Vhembe District, Limpopo province.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted. A total of 250 mothers with children aged 0–36 months were enrolled. A structured questionnaire was used to interview the mothers. Biochemical measurements of children were assessed using standard procedures.
Results: Only 7.6% of children were exclusively breastfed for 6 months. Majority (87.5%) of the children were introduced to complementary foods before 6 months and 98.8% of the children had a low dietary diversity score of less than four, while 9.2% had a dietary diversity score of more than four. The prevalence of vitamin A deficiency, anaemia and iron deficiency was 21.7%, 53.6% and 13.1%, respectively. For mothers who initiated breastfeeding immediately after delivery, the odds of children having low ferritin were 0.11 times, as compared to children who were initiated breastfeeding a day after delivery (odds ratio = 0.11; 95% confidence interval = 0.015–0.812).
Conclusion: Most of the children were introduced to complementary foods earlier than 6 months of age. Infant feeding practices were associated with micronutrients status.
Contribution: The study contributes to the body of literature on feeding practices and the micronutrient status of children.
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doi: 10.1111/mcn.13740