Evaluación de las prácticas de alimentación complementaria en los niños lactantes, usuarios de la unidad anidada del Hospital Moreno Vásquez, Gualaceo 2017 – 2018

Abstract

BACKGROUND: In order to improve the nutritional status of children among 6 and 23 months old it is crucial to guarantee a good breastfeeding and improving of complementary feeding practices. GENERAL AIM: to evaluate the compliance of complementary feeding practices in children below 2 years old, users of Nested Unit of Moreno Vazquez Hospital, Gualaceo in the year of 2017-2018. METODOLOGY: a descriptive and transversal study was carried out with 291 children among 6 and 23 months, who were controlled in the Nested Unit of Moreno Vazquez Hospital. A validate questionnaire about complementary feeding practices was applied. RESULTS: 55% of children keep breastfeeding until first year of life and 8% until 2 years old. 100% of infants among 6 and 8 months old have started complementary feeding. About dietary diversity, 77% of children fulfill this indicator, 87% satisfaces the minimium meal frequency and 70% the minimiun acceptable diet. The consumption of iron-rich food is higher (54%) in front of the suplementation (42%). Bottle-feeding represents 38.2%, it is higher in the city than in countryfield area. CONCLUTIONS: Complementary feeding practices are still deficient, although some percentages are higher in diverse indicators, they should keep getting higher because child´s health is a priority in programs around the world