Understanding Mothers' Perception About Malnutrition

Child malnutrition persists in Ebenat woreda since 1980s and currently reached to the level of 16% of Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM). Little has been done in identifying maternal perception on child malnutrition and its impact. The central objective of this study was to examine the mothers' perception about malnutrition and its impact on nutritional intervention programs in Ebenat woreda of South Gondar Zone of the Amhara region. The study employed both qualitative and quantitative approach to analyze the data gathered through five focus groups and, four key informant questionnaires. The data were collected from 324 mothers whose ages were between 15 to 80 from 5 kebeles of the woreda, in two months time from January to February 2011. SPSS plus 16 windows were used for analysis purpose. The findings of the study revealed that in the majority of the mothers were found in high illiteracy level with poor understanding of proper child feeding and caring habits/practices. Children were found to be susceptible to diseases like diarrhoea, malaria, coughing and TB as interrelated childhood health hazards.mothers used traditional healing techniques to prevent malnutrition.