TY - JOUR
T1 - Improved nutrition knowledge and practice through intensive nutrition education
T2 - A study among caregivers of mildly wasted children on Nias Island, Indonesia
AU - Inayati, Dyah Ayu
AU - Scherbaum, Veronika
AU - Purwestri, Ratna Chrismiari
AU - Wirawan, Nia Novita
AU - Suryantan, Julia
AU - Hartono, Susan
AU - Bloem, Maurice Alexander
AU - Pangaribuan, Rosnani Verba
AU - Biesalski, Hans Konrad
AU - Hoffmann, Volker
AU - Bellows, Anne Camilla
PY - 2012/6
Y1 - 2012/6
N2 - Background: Inappropriate nutrition knowledge and feeding practices of caregivers are among several important causes of persistent malnutrition problems in young children. Thus, it is essential to provide caregivers with the necessary knowledge to help them modify their feeding practices. Objective: To examine the effectiveness of two different nutrition education methods, weekly intensive nutrition education (INE) and monthly nonintensive nutrition education (NNE), designed for caregivers of mildly wasted children (weight-for-height z-score ≥ -1.5 to < -1) aged ≥ 6 to < 60 months on Nias Island, Indonesia. Methods: To assess the impact of the two different nutrition education approaches on nutrition knowledge and practice of caregivers with their children, respondents were assigned to receive either weekly INE (n = 114) or monthly NNE (n = 96). The knowledge and practice levels of the mothers in each group were assessed and compared using a pretested validated questionnaire at admission and after the intervention period. Results: At admission, the knowledge and practice levels of caregivers in both groups were not statistically significantly different. After participating in the nutrition education program, the percentage of correct answers on nutrition knowledge and practice in the INE group was significantly higher than that in the NNE group. Significant improvement in knowledge and practice scores was observed in the INE group after the intervention (p < 0.001), whereas only a significant improvement in knowledge was found in the NNE group (p <.05). Conclusions: In comparison with NNE, the INE approach was significantly better in bringing about a positive change in knowledge and practice of caregivers of mildly wasted children in the study area.
AB - Background: Inappropriate nutrition knowledge and feeding practices of caregivers are among several important causes of persistent malnutrition problems in young children. Thus, it is essential to provide caregivers with the necessary knowledge to help them modify their feeding practices. Objective: To examine the effectiveness of two different nutrition education methods, weekly intensive nutrition education (INE) and monthly nonintensive nutrition education (NNE), designed for caregivers of mildly wasted children (weight-for-height z-score ≥ -1.5 to < -1) aged ≥ 6 to < 60 months on Nias Island, Indonesia. Methods: To assess the impact of the two different nutrition education approaches on nutrition knowledge and practice of caregivers with their children, respondents were assigned to receive either weekly INE (n = 114) or monthly NNE (n = 96). The knowledge and practice levels of the mothers in each group were assessed and compared using a pretested validated questionnaire at admission and after the intervention period. Results: At admission, the knowledge and practice levels of caregivers in both groups were not statistically significantly different. After participating in the nutrition education program, the percentage of correct answers on nutrition knowledge and practice in the INE group was significantly higher than that in the NNE group. Significant improvement in knowledge and practice scores was observed in the INE group after the intervention (p < 0.001), whereas only a significant improvement in knowledge was found in the NNE group (p <.05). Conclusions: In comparison with NNE, the INE approach was significantly better in bringing about a positive change in knowledge and practice of caregivers of mildly wasted children in the study area.
KW - Church World Service
KW - Impact evaluation
KW - Intensive nutrition education
KW - Knowledge and practice of caregivers of under-five children
KW - Nonintensive nutrition education
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84862988275&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84862988275&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/156482651203300205
DO - 10.1177/156482651203300205
M3 - Article
C2 - 22908693
AN - SCOPUS:84862988275
SN - 0379-5721
VL - 33
SP - 117
EP - 127
JO - Food and Nutrition Bulletin
JF - Food and Nutrition Bulletin
IS - 2
ER -