Examining Factors Associated with Stunting in Lower Egypt in Comparison to Upper Egypt

Publish Date: April 2014
Author: MCHIP
Language: English

The aim of this operations research study was to understand how mothers’ behaviors, perceptions, and cultural beliefs impact dietary intake and feeding practices in stunted and non-stunted Egyptian children from 0–23 months of age. Four research objectives were addressed in this report, as part of this operations research study:

1. Identify gaps and positive aspects of IYCF practices through the application of the TIPs methodology with Egyptian mothers;
2. Understand cultural beliefs, perceptions, behaviors, and motivating factors that may facilitate or act as a barrier to optimal IYCF practices and how these factors may explain the rise in stunting in Lower Egypt, including perceptions related to maternal diet, weight gain and birth spacing;
3. Ascertain the role of grandmothers, fathers, and health care providers in IYCF; and
4. Examine changes in growth perceived by mothers, other caretakers, and health care providers resulting from the avian influenza outbreak within the context of the rise in stunting in Lower Egypt during the previous 5–6 years.