The peer-reviewed journal Archives of Public Health has published the research article, “An interpersonal nutrition campaign and maternal knowledge and childhood feeding practices: a case study from mothers in rural Indonesia,” authored by Mary Linehan, Kirk Dearden, Scott Torres and Cudjoe Bennett of IMA World Health, among others. The article underscores the value of increasing maternal knowledge of infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices through interpersonal communication (IPC) interventions as a way to improve behavioral practices and address stunting in rural Indonesia. With funding from the Millennium Challenge Account-Indonesia, IMA World Health and a consortium of partners implemented the National Nutrition Communication Campaign (NNCC) from 2014-2018 to contribute to a national program to reduce stunting in Indonesia, where more than one-third of children under age 5 are stunted. Childhood stunting has significant long-term negative impact on overall health, physical and cognitive development, and longevity.
To reach local mothers, community leaders and other local stakeholders, the campaign employed both mass media and IPC techniques to promote better nutrition for pregnant women, exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months, healthy hygiene and a nutritious, diversified diet for children after 6 months of age. The purpose of the study published in Archives of Public Health was to examine the extent to which the campaign improved the knowledge and behaviors of mothers and other caregivers regarding appropriate feeding practices for children under two years of age.
The study found that 30% of mothers reported exposure to IPC interventions, and participation in IPC was associated with increased knowledge of feeding practices. Separately, knowledge of feeding practices was related to achieving recommended minimum meal frequency, dietary diversity and adequate diet.
Read the full article: An interpersonal nutrition campaign and maternal knowledge and childhood feeding practices: a case study from mothers in rural Indonesia