Abstract:

The food supplement feeding practice and the overall perception of mothers/caregivers about the nutrition therapy programmes in the associated humanitarian interventions, for the under-five children play important role in achieving the maximum success in such laudable programmes.

A cross sectional survey study was carried out on the mothers/caregivers in three counties-Cueibet, Yirol West and Rumbek North. Data was collected through structured questionnaire containing questions on the mothers’/caregivers’ feeding practice of the supplementary foods, and their perception on the nutrition therapy programme. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Statistical level of significance was set at P-value <0.05.

The results showed that more than 90% of mothers/caregivers in Cueibet and Yirol West counties have varying degrees of poor feeding practices and perceptions about the nutrition therapy programme, while in Rumbek North county, over 50% of the mothers/caregivers have good feeding practices but more than 50% of them also have varying degrees of poor perception about the nutrition therapy programme. Chi-square test revealed significant association between the marital status and feeding practice of the mothers/caregivers in the three counties, and a significant association between their level of education and perception on the nutrition therapy programme. Suggestions for improvement among others include; intensive nutritional health education of mothers/caregivers on good feeding practice of the food supplements, increased community awareness programme on nutrition therapy, and periodical conduct of field monitoring visits to the programme sites.

Keywords: Feeding practice, perception, nutrition therapy, Mothers/caregivers.

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