Mushaphi, L. F.Makhado, L.Makwela, Maishataba Solomon2025-10-152025-10-152025-09-05Makwela, M.S. 2025. Complementary feeding education programme for caregivers of infants aged 3-12 months in Polokwane Municipality, Limpopo Province. . .https://univendspace.univen.ac.za/handle/11602/2997PhD (Public Health Nutrition)Department of NutritionBackground The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, with the introduction of Complementary feeding (CF) and continued breastfeeding for two years or beyond. The importance of exclusive breastfeeding and a smooth transition to balanced and informed complementary feeding has been reported. However, there remains a gap in knowledge regarding whether this information is practiced at the caregiver level. An appropriate complementary feeding has the potential to improve growth and development in infants from six months to two years of age. Purpose: This study aimed to develop and implement a complementary feeding education programme for caregivers with infants aged 312 months in Polokwane Municipality, Limpopo Province. Methods A non-randomized, quasi-experimental intervention study was conducted with 187 caregivers at baseline, with 150 completing the study. Initially, the intervention group comprised 95 caregiver-infant pairs, whereas the control group included 94. Post-intervention, 77 caregiver–infant pairs in the intervention group received complementary feeding education and six months of follow-up support from a dietitian researcher, whereas 71 pairs in the control group did not receive any intervention. Data were gathered from caregivers’ households at baseline and postintervention using a pretested, structured questionnaire to ensure consistency across both time points. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 29 for descriptive and inferential statistics. Spearman’s correlation was utilized to measure the strength and direction of monotonic association between variables, whereas chi-square tests were conducted to analyse relationships between variables. The effectiveness of the intervention was evaluated using difference‒in‒differences analysis, which compared changes in anthropometric measurements between the intervention and control groups. A significance level of p < 0.05 was applied. The study adhered to fundamental ethical research principles, including confidentiality, beneficence, privacy, and minimizing bias. Ethical clearance was obtained from the University of Venda, and necessary permissions were secured from relevant gatekeepers. Results There were no significant differences between the groups regarding sex, marital status, education level, occupation, housing type, or water source. Most caregivers were female and unmarried, with similar employment and housing conditions. Water scarcity was a concern in both groups, particularly the experimental group. A significant difference was observed in food availability, with nearly 70% of the control group reporting food insecurity (p=0.002). Waste disposal also varied, as more caregivers in the experimental group discarded rubbish in their yards (p=0.048). While most births were through normal delivery, the experimental group had a significantly higher rate of caesarean section (35%) than the control group (p=0.007). The mean(±SD.) age of the infants was 4.4 (±1.1) months in the intervention group and 5.5 (±0.2) months in the control group. At baseline, the mean (±S.D.) of infant weight was 7.37 (±0.83) Kg in the intervention group and 6.69 (±0.13) kg in the control group. The average (±S.D.) length was 61.00 (±0.53) cm for the intervention group and 62.30 (±0.79) cm for the control group. Of 198 participants, 77 in the intervention group and 71 in the control group completed the study. A significant weight increase was observed in the intervention group (DID mean = 1.82 kg, p<0.001), along with a notable length gain (DID mean = 7.78 cm, p<0.01) from baseline. Additionally, the intervention group presented a significant increase in Mid-Upper-Arm Circumference (MUAC) by 1.68 cm (p=0.0465). However, the intervention had a minimal effect on head circumference, with a negligible difference (DID=0.16 cm; p=0.95). At baseline, the mean knowledge score was 29.70±0.83 in the control group and 25.10±0.97 in the intervention group. By the end of the study, the control group's mean score remained at 25.0±0.99, whereas the intervention group’s score significantly improved to 38.10±0.31. Caregivers also demonstrated improvements in key complementary feeding practices. Conclusion A community-based nutrition intervention programme implemented through demonstrations can significantly enhance caregivers' knowledge and practices related to complementary feeding while improving the anthropometric nutritional status of children aged three months to one year.1 online resource (x, 120 leaves): color illustrations, color mapsenUniversity of VendaAnthropometryUCTDComplementary feedingKnowledgeNutritional statueFeeding practiceThesisMakwela MS. Complementary feeding education programme for caregivers of infants aged 3-12 months in Polokwane Municipality, Limpopo Province. []. , 2025 [cited yyyy month dd]. Available from:Makwela, M. S. (2025). <i>Complementary feeding education programme for caregivers of infants aged 3-12 months in Polokwane Municipality, Limpopo Province</i>. (). . Retrieved fromMakwela, Maishataba Solomon. <i>"Complementary feeding education programme for caregivers of infants aged 3-12 months in Polokwane Municipality, Limpopo Province."</i> ., , 2025.TY - Thesis AU - Makwela, Maishataba Solomon AB - Background The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, with the introduction of Complementary feeding (CF) and continued breastfeeding for two years or beyond. The importance of exclusive breastfeeding and a smooth transition to balanced and informed complementary feeding has been reported. However, there remains a gap in knowledge regarding whether this information is practiced at the caregiver level. An appropriate complementary feeding has the potential to improve growth and development in infants from six months to two years of age. Purpose: This study aimed to develop and implement a complementary feeding education programme for caregivers with infants aged 312 months in Polokwane Municipality, Limpopo Province. Methods A non-randomized, quasi-experimental intervention study was conducted with 187 caregivers at baseline, with 150 completing the study. Initially, the intervention group comprised 95 caregiver-infant pairs, whereas the control group included 94. Post-intervention, 77 caregiver–infant pairs in the intervention group received complementary feeding education and six months of follow-up support from a dietitian researcher, whereas 71 pairs in the control group did not receive any intervention. Data were gathered from caregivers’ households at baseline and postintervention using a pretested, structured questionnaire to ensure consistency across both time points. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 29 for descriptive and inferential statistics. Spearman’s correlation was utilized to measure the strength and direction of monotonic association between variables, whereas chi-square tests were conducted to analyse relationships between variables. The effectiveness of the intervention was evaluated using difference‒in‒differences analysis, which compared changes in anthropometric measurements between the intervention and control groups. A significance level of p < 0.05 was applied. The study adhered to fundamental ethical research principles, including confidentiality, beneficence, privacy, and minimizing bias. Ethical clearance was obtained from the University of Venda, and necessary permissions were secured from relevant gatekeepers. Results There were no significant differences between the groups regarding sex, marital status, education level, occupation, housing type, or water source. Most caregivers were female and unmarried, with similar employment and housing conditions. Water scarcity was a concern in both groups, particularly the experimental group. A significant difference was observed in food availability, with nearly 70% of the control group reporting food insecurity (p=0.002). Waste disposal also varied, as more caregivers in the experimental group discarded rubbish in their yards (p=0.048). While most births were through normal delivery, the experimental group had a significantly higher rate of caesarean section (35%) than the control group (p=0.007). The mean(±SD.) age of the infants was 4.4 (±1.1) months in the intervention group and 5.5 (±0.2) months in the control group. At baseline, the mean (±S.D.) of infant weight was 7.37 (±0.83) Kg in the intervention group and 6.69 (±0.13) kg in the control group. The average (±S.D.) length was 61.00 (±0.53) cm for the intervention group and 62.30 (±0.79) cm for the control group. Of 198 participants, 77 in the intervention group and 71 in the control group completed the study. A significant weight increase was observed in the intervention group (DID mean = 1.82 kg, p<0.001), along with a notable length gain (DID mean = 7.78 cm, p<0.01) from baseline. Additionally, the intervention group presented a significant increase in Mid-Upper-Arm Circumference (MUAC) by 1.68 cm (p=0.0465). However, the intervention had a minimal effect on head circumference, with a negligible difference (DID=0.16 cm; p=0.95). At baseline, the mean knowledge score was 29.70±0.83 in the control group and 25.10±0.97 in the intervention group. By the end of the study, the control group's mean score remained at 25.0±0.99, whereas the intervention group’s score significantly improved to 38.10±0.31. Caregivers also demonstrated improvements in key complementary feeding practices. Conclusion A community-based nutrition intervention programme implemented through demonstrations can significantly enhance caregivers' knowledge and practices related to complementary feeding while improving the anthropometric nutritional status of children aged three months to one year. DA - 2025-09-05 DB - ResearchSpace DP - Univen KW - Anthropometry KW - Complementary feeding KW - Knowledge KW - Nutritional statue KW - Feeding practice LK - https://univendspace.univen.ac.za PY - 2025 T1 - Complementary feeding education programme for caregivers of infants aged 3-12 months in Polokwane Municipality, Limpopo Province TI - Complementary feeding education programme for caregivers of infants aged 3-12 months in Polokwane Municipality, Limpopo Province UR - ER -