Childcare practices and nutritional status of children aged 6-36 months among short and long term beneficiaries of the Child Survival Protection and Development Programmes (The case of Morogoro, Tanzania)

  • E Maseta University of Nairobi
  • W Kogi-Makau University of Nairobi
  • A M Omwega University of Nairobi
Keywords: childcare practices, nutrition, Child Survival Protection and Development Programmes

Abstract

A comparative cross sectional study was carried out to compare childcare practices and nutritional status of children aged 6-36 months in Mwembesongo and Mjimpya wards that, had long and short experiences with the Child Survival, Protection and Development (CSPD) programme respectively. The purpose of the study was to establish whether the long-term implementation of CSPD programme had an impact above that of a short term programme. The findings showed that the children from Mwembesongo were exclusively breastfed for a significantly longer period (50 days) than those in Mjimpya ward (32 days) and that significantly more mothers (95.7%) in Mwembesongo than in Mjimpya (84.5%) attended growth monitoring. On the other hand, significantly more mothers, in Mjimpya (71.5%) compared with those in Mwembesongo (51.8%), breastfed immediately (less than one hour) after birth. The study revealed that there was no significant difference in child’s nutritional status (wasting and underweight) between the two wards, except in stunting. More children in Mwembesongo (39.7%) than in Mjimpya (27.5%) were stunted. The findings have demonstrated that financial capacity to support children’s food and care requirements forms a springboard from which to launch additional efforts for improved nutritional status.

Author Biographies

E Maseta, University of Nairobi
Department of Food Technology and Nutrition
W Kogi-Makau, University of Nairobi
Department of Food Technology and Nutrition
A M Omwega, University of Nairobi
Department of Food Technology and Nutrition
Published
2008-02-28
How to Cite
Maseta, E., Kogi-Makau, W., & Omwega, A. (2008). Childcare practices and nutritional status of children aged 6-36 months among short and long term beneficiaries of the Child Survival Protection and Development Programmes (The case of Morogoro, Tanzania). South African Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 21(1), 16. Retrieved from http://sajcn.co.za/index.php/SAJCN/article/view/187
Section
Original Research