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ABSTRACT
Introduction. Initiation of complementary feeding (CF) is recommended at the age of 6 months since milk alone cannot guarantee optimal growth from this age. This study aimed at evaluating CF practices carried out by caregivers of children aged 6-24 months and their association with the nutritional status of children at the Bonassama District, Limbe and Buea Regional Hospitals. Methodology. This was a hospital-based cross-sectional study conducted from January 2023- March 2023 at the Vaccination Units of these three hospitals. Caregivers were interviewed to determine the Complementary Feeding Index (CFI) score and evaluate the WHO Indicators of CF practices through dietary recall. Results. We included 325 caregiver-child pairs. CF was initiated at 5.7±3.38SD months. Though many children attained minimum meal frequency (74.19%), only few children attained minimum dietary diversity (20.00%) and minimum acceptable diet (27.42%). Overall, 23.69% were malnourished: 9.35% underweight, 13.23% stunted and 6.77% wasted. Compared to low CFI scores, medium CFI scores (88%) were associated with normal WAZ scores (B=1.01, OR=2.74, 95% CI: 1.13-6.66, p=0.026). Conclusion. Most caregivers practiced timely initiation of complementary feeding. However, food choices were suboptimal and were associated with weight for age Z-score.
RÉSUMÉ
Introduction. L'introduction de la diversification alimentaire complémentaire (CF) est recommandée à l'âge de 6 mois car le lait seul ne peut garantir une croissance optimale à partir de cet âge. Cette étude visait à évaluer les pratiques de CF réalisées par les aidants des enfants âgés de 6 à 24 mois et leur association avec l'état nutritionnel des enfants aux hôpitaux régionaux de Bonassama, Limbe et Buea. Méthodologie. Il s'agissait d'une étude transversale basée sur les hôpitaux menée de janvier 2023 à mars 2023 dans les unités de vaccination de ces trois hôpitaux. Les aidants ont été interviewés pour déterminer le score de l'indice de diversification alimentaire complémentaire (CFI) et évaluer les indicateurs de l'O MS des pratiques de CF par le biais du rappel alimentaire. Résultats. Nous avons inclus 325 paires d'aidants-enfants. La CF a été initiée à l'âge de 5,7 ± 3,38 mois SD. Bien que de nombreux enfants aient atteint une fréquence minimale de repas (74,19%), seuls quelques enfants ont atteint une diversité alimentaire minimale (20,00%) et un régime accepté minimal (27,42%). Dans l'ensemble, 23,69% étaient malnutris : 9,35% étaient en sous-poids, 13,23% avaient un retard de croissance et 6,77% étaient émaciés. Comparés aux scores bas de CFI, les scores moyens de CFI (88%) étaient associés à des scores normaux de Z d'âge pour le poids (B=1,01, OR=2,74, IC à 95%:1,13-6,66, p=0,026). Conclusion. La plupart des aidants ont pratiqué l'introduction opportune de la diversification alimentaire complémentaire. Cependant, les choix alimentaires étaient suboptimaux et étaient associés au score Z d'âge pour le poids.

Keywords

Pratiques diversifications alimentaires Malnutrition indice d'alimentation complementary feeding practice Malnutrition feeding index

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Wandji Lontsi Y, Puepi Djike Y, Nyongseh Gabsa Y, Eposse Ekoube C, Mandeng Ma Linwa, Naiza Monono, Noukeu Njinkui D, Dominique Enyama, Ganni Wele W, & Mah Mungyeh E. (2024). Association Between Complementary Feeding Practices and Nutritional Status in Children Aged 6-24 Months Using the Complementary Feeding Index Score and WHO Indicators in Three Hospitals in Cameroon. HEALTH SCIENCES AND DISEASE, 25(2). https://doi.org/10.5281/hsd.v25i2.5211
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