Impact of structured training course on knowledge of healthcare providers regarding Infant and young Child Feeding Practices.

Uruj Altaf Qureshi; Syed Tariq Bukhari; Amber Bashir Mir; Kaiser Ahmad; Mariya Amin Qureishi

Volume : IX, Issue : V, May - 2019

Impact of structured training course on knowledge of healthcare providers regarding Infant and young Child Feeding Practices.

Uruj Altaf Qureshi, Syed Tariq Bukhari, Amber Bashir Mir, Kaiser Ahmad, Mariya Amin Qureishi

Abstract :

Appropriate knowledge and feeding practices are of fundamental importance for survival, growth, development, health and nutrition of infants and children. Health professionals need adequate training in practical aspects to promote appropriate infant feeding practices. Methodology: The study design was a before and after workshop based intervention study. Study participants were health care providers from health centres where facilities for antenatal, delivery and postnatal services were available. Knowledge of IYCF was assessed with a total of 27 questions on the fundamental understanding and core indicators of IYCF before starting the training sessions. The same set of questions was repeated after the training was over. Change in knowledge was assessed by applying appropriate statistical tests. Results: A total of 48 participants were tested for knowledge on different variables of IYCF indicators. Significant improvement in the overall knowledge of healthcare providers was seen. Highly significant improvement was observed in knowledge regarding eastfeeding assessment, east conditions, expressed east milk, infant milk substitute act , feeding low birth weight newborns and growth monitoring (p value<0.0001). Conclusion: Regular IYCF structured training courses are a necessity to improve the knowledge of health care providers