Assessment of Maternal Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices on Stunting Prevention among Children Aged 0–24 Months in Burera District, Rwanda

Abstract: This study assessed maternal knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) on stunting prevention among mothers of children aged 0–24 months in Burera District, Rwanda, where stunting remains a serious public health concern. The research aimed to understand how mothers’ awareness, beliefs, and caregiving behaviors influence child growth and nutrition. A cross-sectional design was employed, using structured questionnaires administered to mothers attending health centers for antenatal care and vaccination. Stratified random sampling ensured both urban and rural populations were proportionally represented, enhancing the accuracy and generalizability of the results. The study explored mothers’ understanding of the causes and prevention of stunting, their attitudes toward proper nutrition and healthcare, and their actual feeding and childcare practices. Descriptive and inferential analyses, including chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression, were conducted to examine associations between maternal characteristics and good nutrition practices. Findings revealed that 46.5% of respondents had moderate knowledge about stunting prevention, while 28.3% demonstrated good feeding practices. Positive attitudes toward child nutrition were found in 20.3% of participants. Significant relationships were observed between maternal occupation (χ² = 13.499, p = 0.009), number of children under five (χ² = 38.195, p < 0.001), and knowledge levels (χ² = 24.371, p < 0.001) with good child feeding practices. Regression analysis further showed that mothers with higher knowledge were 81% more likely to adopt proper feeding behaviors (AOR = 0.19; 95% CI: 0.07–0.53, p = 0.002), and households with more young children were nearly twice as likely to exhibit good practices (AOR = 1.906; 95% CI: 1.43–2.54, p < 0.001). However, age, education level, and income were not significantly linked to feeding practices. The study concludes that maternal knowledge and household composition are key determinants of child nutrition behavior. It recommends enhancing maternal education, strengthening community-based nutrition counseling, and providing targeted support to families with multiple young children to reduce stunting and promote healthy growth in Rwanda. Keywords: Maternal, KAP, Stunting Prevention, Children Aged 0–24, Burera District, Rwanda. Title: Assessment of Maternal Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices on Stunting Prevention among Children Aged 0–24 Months in Burera District, Rwanda Author: Ahishakiye Samuel, Dr. Amos HABIMANA International Journal of Healthcare Sciences ISSN 2348-5728 (Online) Vol. 13, Issue 2, October 2025 - March 2026 Page No: 293-307 Research Publish Journals Website: www.researchpublish.com Published Date: 15-November-2025 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17616372 Paper Download Link (Source) https://www.researchpublish.com/papers/assessment-of-maternal-knowledge-attitudes-and-practices-on-stunting-prevention-among-children-aged-024-months-in-burera-district-rwanda