Impact of Educational Intervention to Mothers or Caregivers on the Stunting Status of their Under-Five Children in the Adopted Villages of a Teaching Hospital in the District of Bareilly

Abstract

Introduction: Infant and young child feeding (IYCF) guidelines
ensure healthy growth, development, and long-term well-being
during the most critical period of a child’s life. The prevalence
of stunting in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, is 45.9%.
Material and methods: A community-based intervention
study was conducted with mothers or caregivers of under-five
children in five villages of Bareilly District, and the villages were
randomly assigned to intervention (290 mothers/caregivers)
and control (280 mothers/caregivers) groups. Data were
collected using a pre-tested interview schedule on IYCF
practices based on WHO guidelines. Statistical analysis was
performed using SPSS version 25.
Results: Breastfeeding was done by 260 (89.66%) of
children under 5 years in the intervention group, and 250
(89.66%) under 5 children in the control group (p = 0.890), but
exclusive breastfeeding was carried out by 126 (43.45%) of
the intervention group and 116 (41.43%) of the control group
mothers (p = 0.630). The prevalence of stunting was 570
(100%), and after the intervention, this rate improved to 245
(42.98%) for stunting (p = 0.000).
Conclusion: The current study concludes that the prevalence
of malnutrition in the selected population was very high. The
awareness and educational interventions brought about
success in reducing malnutrition in children under 5.