Identification of Positive Deviant Behaviours Regarding Infant and Young Child Feeding (Iycf) among Rural Mothers for Improving Child Health and Nutrition-A Cross Sectional Study

The present study aimed to identify positive deviant behaviour (PDB) regarding IYCF practices among mothers and correlate with the nutritional status of children (<5y).

Cross sectional study conducted in 2 rural clusters of Vadodara district, Western India, covering all mothers with children (<5y), enrolled in the ongoing ICDS program. Data regarding IYCF practices based on UNICEF guidelines, were elicited by interviewing mothers using semi structured questionnaires, scored using a10-point scale, categorized as Positively Deviant (PD) (scored ≥6) and Negatively Deviant (ND) (scored<6) and correlated with the current nutritional status of children determined by anthropometric assessment.

Overall poor IYCF practices were observed in the study area as incidence of timely initiation of breastfeeding was 48%, colostrum feeding 72%, exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) 32%, pre-lacteal, water and top milk feeding for 1^st 6m 50%, 61% and 20% respectively, timely initiation of complementary feeding 64%, continued breast feeding upto 2 years 36%, breastfeeding during illness 88% and active feeding 37% only. Among 96 mothers, 47 (48.9%) were identified as positively deviant (PD) who practiced ≥6 PDBs. Incidence of child undernutrition was significantly (p<0.05) higher among ND mothers (44% wasted, 61% stunted, 61% underweight) as compared to PD mothers (40% wasted, 53% stunted 61% underweight). EBF had the highest impact on PD score according to OR value at 95% CI.

Improving child nutrition using Positive deviance approach by mobilizing community mothers can be an effective, replicable and sustainable strategy if properly planned and implicated.