Psychosocial Predictors of Infant and Young Child Feeding Practices Among Mother‐Child Dyads in Malawi and South Africa

Bibliographic Data

ID15536774
AuthorsTaryn J Smith (0000-0001-9543-6461, University of Liverpool, corresponding author), Chikondi Mchazime (Kamuzu University of Health Sciences), Pious Makaka (0009-0007-3862-7369, Kamuzu Central Hospital), Giulia Ghillia (0009-0006-6379-7063, University of Liverpool), Donna Herr (0000-0002-7721-9129, University of Cape Town), Marlie Miles (0009-0004-7526-8885, University of Cape Town), Christopher R Jacobs (0000-0001-7089-2428, University of Cape Town), Chloë Jacobs (Department of Paediatrics and Child Health University of Cape Town Cape Town South Africa), Sadeeka Williams (0009-0001-3453-5105, University of Cape Town), Thandeka Mazubane (University of Cape Town), Zayaan Goolam Nabi (University of Cape Town), Michal R Zieff (0000-0001-9352-9947, University of Cape Town), Emmie Mbale (0000-0001-7134-2858, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences), Melissa Gladstone (0000-0002-2579-9301, University of Liverpool), Melissa J Gladstone (Department of Women's and Children's Health, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences University of Liverpool Liverpool UK), Kirsten A Donald (0000-0002-0276-9660, University of Cape Town)
Year2025
Volume21
Issue4
Pagese70045-e70045
Publication date2025-05-14
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueMaternal and Child Nutrition (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1740-8695 • E-ISSN: 1740-8709
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/mcn.70045
PMID40365913
OpenAlexW4410372622
LanguageEN
References cited46

Maternal capacity to adhere to recommended infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices may be influenced by psychosocial factors. However, research examining associations between psychosocial factors and IYCF practices, and in particular complementary feeding indicators, is limited. As part of the Khula birth cohort study, we aimed to investigate associations between maternal depression, exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV), social support and stimulating home environments with IYCF practices among mother-child dyads in Malawi (n = 153) and South Africa (n = 255). When children were 10-16 months of age, mothers completed a series of psychosocial and child diet questionnaires. Regression modelling assessed associations between maternal psychosocial measures and IYCF indicators, adjusting for maternal age, education, marital status and household socioeconomic status. IYCF practices were suboptimal in both settings, with 50%-54% meeting the minimum dietary diversity (MDD), 67%-73% the minimum meal frequency (MMF) and 39%-45% the minimum acceptable diet (MAD) indicators. In South Africa, mothers exposed to IPV in the previous 12 months were less likely to meet the MDD and MAD recommendations (MDD: OR 0.38, 95% CI: 0.19, 0.75; p = 0.006; MAD: OR 0.41, 95% CI: 0.20, 0.85; p = 0.02). There was a significant positive association between stimulation (i.e., more books/toys/play activities) and dietary diversity scores in South Africa. In adjusted analyses, maternal depression and social support were not significantly associated with IYCF indicators in either setting. IYCF programmes may benefit from supporting maternal psychosocial wellbeing and integrating nurturing care to improve children's dietary intakes, growth and development

Cohort · Depression (economics · Dietary diversity · Environmental health · Food security · Marital status · Population · Psychiatry · Psychosocial · Social support · Socioeconomic status · Breastfeeding Practices and Influences · Child Nutrition and Water Access · Demography · Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum · Medicine · Psychology · Ecology

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