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Social and cultural influences of maternal capacities that influence child feeding in Uganda (378.5)
Author(s) -
Ickes Scott,
Wright Timothy,
Pugh Laura
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.28.1_supplement.378.5
Subject(s) - psychological intervention , scholarship , psychology , fertility , developmental psychology , medicine , economic growth , environmental health , population , economics , psychiatry
We conducted in‐depth interview (n=96) and focus groups (n=10) among mothers and fathers of diverse ages in eastern and western Uganda to define the relevant domains of maternal capacities and their relationship to infant and young child feeding practices. This study was directed by a developing theory of maternal capacities that posits that the impact of health‐directed interventions may be limited by unmeasured and poorly understood maternal characteristics. Ugandan caregivers defined three major life events that constrain women's capacity for childcare: early pregnancy, close child spacing, and polygamous marriage. Women describe major constraints in their decision‐making capabilities generally and specifically to procuring food for young children. Men and women agree that fathers are the final decision‐makers in major decisions, but are amendable to greater maternal participation. Future nutrition programs may improve their impact in these settings through activities that engage household decision‐making scenarios, and that strengthen women's social support networks. Findings suggest that efforts to protect adolescent girls from becoming young mothers may be one additional way to improve nutrition outcomes in poor communities with a generally low status of women relative to men. Grant Funding Source : Supported by William and Mary Charles Center Monroe Scholarship, Schroeder Center for Health Policy