Positive deviance approach in improving child health outcomes: assessment of child feeding practices in Marsabit County, Kenya

Background: Child feeding practice is considered one of the determinants of malnutrition in under-fives. In Kenya, inadequate infant and young child feeding practices contribute to high rates of malnutrition. In Marsabit County, undernutrition prevalence varies in different sub-counties. There are areas where malnutrition is very high whereas other areas are relatively low. This study aimed to assess maternal knowledge of child-feeding practices and to determine the deviant child-feeding practices among mothers of children aged 6-24 months. Methods: This study adopted a cross-sectional study design. Three-stage sampling technique was used to randomly select 278 eligible households with children aged 6-24 months for participatory assessment of child feeding practices. A questionnaire was used for quantitative data and Focus Group Discussion and guides for qualitative data. Univariate analysis was used to obtain the frequency distribution of maternal knowledge and deviant practices. Results: The study found that maternal knowledge has a significant effect on child-feeding practices in Marsabit County, Kenya. Mothers have a good understanding of the changing food systems. Due to the scarcity of cow’s milk, brought about by drought, unavailability in the market, and increasing food prices, other affordable substitutes are being given like, porridge, fruits, soup (meat), and eggs. Conclusions: The study concludes that maternal knowledge has a significant effect on child-feeding practices in Marsabit County, Kenya. The study concludes that deviant child-feeding practices have a significant effect on child-feeding practices in Marsabit County, Kenya.