Knowledge and attitudes  of mothers of infant and young child nutrition during disaster response and associated factors on selected Medical Officer of Health in Kalutara District-Anuradha ambagahawita

ABSTRACT

Background

Disaster causes wide spread damage to the infrastructure and lives of the community, causing loss of lives and displacement. Infants and young children are particularly at risk during any humanitarian crisis and vulnerable for high mortality and morbidity as a result of their neglected nutrition. Kalutara district has been frequently affected by floods in the recent past resulted in large number of families to displace to disaster relief camps.

Objectives

This study was conducted to assess the knowledge and attitudes on infant and young children nutrition during disaster response and associated factors among the mothers in selected MOH areas of Kalutara district.

Methods

A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted. Mothers with either infants and or young children who were affected by the recent floods in selected MOH areas of Kalutara district were selected. Sample size was 175. Study population was interviewed with a pretested interviewer administered questionnaire at Well Baby clinics. Questionnaire consisted of inquiry on socio-demographic data, assessment of knowledge and assessment of attitudes. Knowledge and attitudes were described in frequencies and percentages. Overall knowledge score and attitude level were calculated. Separate assessment was made on knowledge and attitudes on breast feeding, complementary feeding, water, sanitation and hygiene. Association between calculated overall knowledge and overall attitude scores were compared with selected socio-demographic factors separately using chi-square test and a probability value of less than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.

Results

Conclusions and recommendations

Overall knowledge was high among mothers with higher educational background. Overall level of knowledge can affect the attitudes of mothers regarding infant and young children nutrition during disaster response. Therefore educating mothers on nutrition of infants and children during an emergency is essential to mitigate infant, child morbidity and mortality.