Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Mothers with Acutely Malnourished Children Regarding Child Feeding and Malnutrition Prevention in Sudan

Abstract Background: Malnutrition remains a global health issue, endangering the lives of millions of children, especially in developing nations. It profoundly affects a child’s physical and mental development, leading to severe and often irreversible consequences. Objectives: This study aims to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of mothers with acutely malnourished children concerning child feeding and the prevention of malnutrition. Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional hospital-based study was conducted involving 139 mothers with acutely malnourished children admitted to the malnutrition ward at Mohammed Al-Ameen Hamid Pediatric Hospital between May 2022 and December 2022. Data were collected through direct interviews with the surveyed mothers utilizing a validated, structured questionnaire. Analysis of data was performed using SPSS software version 20. Results: The study revealed that 78.4% of mothers possessed adequate knowledge, 80.6% exhibited favorable attitudes, and 55.4% demonstrated good child-feeding practices and malnutrition prevention practices. A significant correlation between mothers’ education and practice was identified ( P = 0.025). Furthermore, data analysis highlighted the significant association between mothers’ knowledge and attitude ( P = 0.007), mothers’ knowledge and practice ( P = 0.006), and mothers’ attitudes and practice ( P = 0.033). Conclusion: Most mothers exhibited sufficient knowledge and positive attitudes regarding child feeding and malnutrition prevention; however, there is a need to translate this awareness into improved practices.