High Prevalence of Suboptimal Child-Feeding Practices and Child Morbidity among Families from Low Socio-Economic Urban Areas in Harare

Introduction: Optimal breastfeeding and complementary feeding have been proven to reduce malnutrition. Declining socio-economic environment is associated with poor feeding practices, high morbidity, and risk of malnutrition among children from urban poor families. Objective: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to assess child-feeding practices and morbidity prevalence among Harare urban-families living in low socio-economic areas. Methods: A health-facility based cross-sectional study was conducted in five clinics of Harare serving low socio-economic communities between July and August 2014. A structured interviewer-administered questionnaire assessing child-feeding practices was used to interview primary caregivers. Prevalence of diarrhea, influenza, malaria, measles, fever, and cough was assessed. Data were analysed using SPSS v21. Results: A total of 218 mother-child pairs attending growth monitoring were enrolled in the study: Seventy-five percent of the children were below two years; early introduction of solid foods (before six months) was observed in 81.4% of the children. Forty-nine percent of young children were fed at least four meals per day and 74% had been weaned onto family meals; Twenty-four percent of the children had diarrhea, 59% influenza, 1% malaria, 1% measles, 23% fever and 53% cough in the month preceding the survey. Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of suboptimal feeding practices and morbidity in low socio-economic urban communities of Harare. There is need to design child-feeding interventions for the urban community targeting all family members involved in decision-making.