Exploring the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practise of Healthy Eating Among Lactating Mothers in a Poor Rural Setting in North‐Western Ghana

ABSTRACT Introduction Recognised as one of the most effective ways to guarantee positive maternal and child health outcomes, optimal nutrition for lactating mothers has received significant attention and investment both globally and locally. Despite this recognition, studies on maternal and child nu...

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Main Authors: Mildred Naamwintome Molle, Maximillian Kolbe Domapielle, Joshua Sumankuuro
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2024-12-01
Series:Reproductive, Female and Child Health
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/rfc2.70010
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author Mildred Naamwintome Molle
Maximillian Kolbe Domapielle
Joshua Sumankuuro
author_facet Mildred Naamwintome Molle
Maximillian Kolbe Domapielle
Joshua Sumankuuro
author_sort Mildred Naamwintome Molle
collection DOAJ
description ABSTRACT Introduction Recognised as one of the most effective ways to guarantee positive maternal and child health outcomes, optimal nutrition for lactating mothers has received significant attention and investment both globally and locally. Despite this recognition, studies on maternal and child nutrition in Ghana have revealed that adherence to prescribed healthy eating regimens among lactating mothers in deprived settings has not received adequate scholarly attention. Thus, this study explores lactating mothers knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding healthy eating to better understand the barriers to optimal nutritional outcomes for mothers and children, especially when chronic poverty is widespread. Methods This was a case study to explore the knowledge, attitudes, and practise of healthy eating among lactating mothers in the Wa West District. Convenience and purposive sampling procedures were followed to select lactating mothers and healthcare providers, respectively. Semi‐structured interviews were used to collect the data. The data were analysed using Anderson's behavioural model. The model offers a comprehensive analysis of factors—predisposition, enabling factors, and need for care—potentially influencing lactating mothers' knowledge, attitudes, and practise of healthy eating. Results The findings show that while lactating mothers in the district were aware of the importance of optimal nutrition for their health and wellbeing; food insecurity and pervasive poverty limit their opportunities to adhere to a balanced eating regimen. Conclusion An integrated development approach is needed to expand and sustain awareness of the importance of optimal nutrition for maternal and child health, improve local food production, and promote household economic empowerment.
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spelling doaj-art-1c609ff56a1444e5b4d564c971ccab052024-12-27T05:00:27ZengWileyReproductive, Female and Child Health2768-72282024-12-0134n/an/a10.1002/rfc2.70010Exploring the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practise of Healthy Eating Among Lactating Mothers in a Poor Rural Setting in North‐Western GhanaMildred Naamwintome Molle0Maximillian Kolbe Domapielle1Joshua Sumankuuro2Department of Governance and Development Management Faculty of Public Policy, and Governance, Simon Diedong Dombo University of Business Integrated Development Studies Bamahu GhanaDepartment of Governance and Development Management Faculty of Public Policy, and Governance, Simon Diedong Dombo University of Business Integrated Development Studies Bamahu GhanaDepartment of Public Policy and Management Faculty of Public Policy, and Management, Simon Diedong Dombo University of Business Integrated Development Studies Bamahu GhanaABSTRACT Introduction Recognised as one of the most effective ways to guarantee positive maternal and child health outcomes, optimal nutrition for lactating mothers has received significant attention and investment both globally and locally. Despite this recognition, studies on maternal and child nutrition in Ghana have revealed that adherence to prescribed healthy eating regimens among lactating mothers in deprived settings has not received adequate scholarly attention. Thus, this study explores lactating mothers knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding healthy eating to better understand the barriers to optimal nutritional outcomes for mothers and children, especially when chronic poverty is widespread. Methods This was a case study to explore the knowledge, attitudes, and practise of healthy eating among lactating mothers in the Wa West District. Convenience and purposive sampling procedures were followed to select lactating mothers and healthcare providers, respectively. Semi‐structured interviews were used to collect the data. The data were analysed using Anderson's behavioural model. The model offers a comprehensive analysis of factors—predisposition, enabling factors, and need for care—potentially influencing lactating mothers' knowledge, attitudes, and practise of healthy eating. Results The findings show that while lactating mothers in the district were aware of the importance of optimal nutrition for their health and wellbeing; food insecurity and pervasive poverty limit their opportunities to adhere to a balanced eating regimen. Conclusion An integrated development approach is needed to expand and sustain awareness of the importance of optimal nutrition for maternal and child health, improve local food production, and promote household economic empowerment.https://doi.org/10.1002/rfc2.70010Ghanahealthy eatinglactating mothersnutrition
spellingShingle Mildred Naamwintome Molle
Maximillian Kolbe Domapielle
Joshua Sumankuuro
Exploring the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practise of Healthy Eating Among Lactating Mothers in a Poor Rural Setting in North‐Western Ghana
Reproductive, Female and Child Health
Ghana
healthy eating
lactating mothers
nutrition
title Exploring the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practise of Healthy Eating Among Lactating Mothers in a Poor Rural Setting in North‐Western Ghana
title_full Exploring the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practise of Healthy Eating Among Lactating Mothers in a Poor Rural Setting in North‐Western Ghana
title_fullStr Exploring the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practise of Healthy Eating Among Lactating Mothers in a Poor Rural Setting in North‐Western Ghana
title_full_unstemmed Exploring the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practise of Healthy Eating Among Lactating Mothers in a Poor Rural Setting in North‐Western Ghana
title_short Exploring the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practise of Healthy Eating Among Lactating Mothers in a Poor Rural Setting in North‐Western Ghana
title_sort exploring the knowledge attitudes and practise of healthy eating among lactating mothers in a poor rural setting in north western ghana
topic Ghana
healthy eating
lactating mothers
nutrition
url https://doi.org/10.1002/rfc2.70010
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