Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition in Sierra Leone: Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices, and Barriers
- Countries
- Sierra Leone
- Status
- Complete
- Duration
- 2019
- Partner
- Dalan Development Consultants
Malnutrition and undernutrition remains a serious health problem for many mothers, infants and children in Sierra Leone. In 2019, KIT conducted a national study to better understand men’s and women’s knowledge, attitudes and practices towards children’s development and wellbeing, with an emphasis on nutrition.
Behavioural Change Communication
This study was designed to help the Sierra Leone Ministry of Health and Sanitation develop a Behavioural Change Communication strategy about maternal, infant and young child nutrition. KIT collected qualitative data in six districts across Sierra Leone. This included focus group discussions and in-depth interviews with mothers, fathers, pregnant women, health workers, NGOs, and district medical/nutrition officers, among others.
| Respondent Group | Performed |
|---|---|
| Women with Children | 30 FGD |
| Fathers with Children | 15 FGD |
| Pregnant women | 54 IDI |
| District Medical Officers | 6 IDI |
| NGOs | 6 IDI |
| District Nutrition Focal Persons | 6 IDI |
| Health Workers | 14 IDI |
| Representatives of Mother Support Group | 6 IDI |
| Grandmothers | 27 IDI |
KIT complemented this research with a desk study and secondary analysis of existing quantitative data (MICS and National Nutrition Survey), which the project team used for triangulation and further exploration purposes. This quantitative data analysis also identified and examined subgroups of children who are most vulnerable to malnutrition or who suffer from poor feeding practices.
Explore the Study’s Key Findings
The study highlights a number of key findings, available via the short brochure presented below.
Among its overarching recommendations for the Ministry’s Behavioural Change Communications strategy:
- Strengthen awareness of the impact of stunting on the child’s future and on society as a whole, and mobilize support to prevent stunting.
- Change attitudes towards the nutritional needs of all young children especially those between the age of 18 to 23 months.
- Motivate parents to provide more meals a day to young children and create a stimulating eating environment for them so that they receive the nutritious food they need.
- Create awareness amongst women AND men that sexual intercourse does not lead to spoiled breastmilk.
- Create awareness that maternal nutrition is not only important for the health of the mother but also for the (unborn) child.
A list of publications
-
A Summary of the National Mixed Methods Study on the Knowledge, Attitude, Practice and Barriers on Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition in Sierra Leone
-
Study
This study’s purpose is to help improve the nutrition of children and mothers in Sierra Leone. The specific purpose is helping the Ministry of Health and Sanitation to develop a Behavioural Change Communication strategy about maternal infant and young child nutrition. This summary document provides insight in he findings of the study and has recommendations […]
- Year of publication
- 2019
-
