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Possible effect of maternal safe food preparation behavior on child malnutrition in Benin, Africa
Author(s) -
Nagahori Chikako,
Kinjo Yoshihide,
Vodou Assogba Joseph,
Alao Maroufou Jules,
Padonou Batossi Geneviève,
Hounkpatin Benjamin,
Amoule Houenassi Eve,
Yamauchi Taro
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
pediatrics international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.49
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1442-200X
pISSN - 1328-8067
DOI - 10.1111/ped.13656
Subject(s) - underweight , medicine , malnutrition , environmental health , logistic regression , socioeconomic status , malnutrition in children , pediatrics , overweight , obesity , population , pathology
Abstract Background In many developing countries, faulty complementary feeding practises and frequently contaminated foods are contributing factors to child malnutrition. The aims of this study were to evaluate the nutrition status of, and clarify the maternal safe food preparation behaviors associated with malnutrition in, children aged <5 years in Cotonou, Benin. Methods This study targeted 300 mother–child pairs visiting the University Hospital of Mother and Child Cotonou Lagoon. Mothers were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Child height/length and weight measurements were determined and Z ‐scores were calculated using the 2006 World Health Organization Child Growth Standards. Children with Z ‐score < −2 were considered to have stunting or be underweight. On logistic regression analysis, significant variables on bivariate analysis, the associations of which were clarified in previous studies, were established as independent variables. Approximately 80% of the children who participated in this study were aged < 1 year. Being underweight was analyzed as a dependent variable. Results Regarding nutrition status, 11.0% of the children had stunting and 14.7% were underweight. On logistic regression analysis, underweight was correlated significantly with birthweight. As a remarkable point, food refrigeration was statistically significant. Food refrigeration can possibly be regarded as a maternal safe food preparation behavior. Conclusions Maternal safe food preparation behaviors can prevent child malnutrition, even after considering biological and socioeconomic factors.