Factors Associated with Unfavorable Nutritional Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices among Mothers of Children Aged 6-59 Months Regarding the Fight Against Chronic Malnutrition in Kayanza Health District in Burundi

Nutrition is an essential pillar for the social and economic development of communities and a country, as well as for the growth and cognitive development of children. However, malnutrition is a major global public health issue, particularly concerning for children under 5 years of age. The objective of our research was to identify factors related to mothers' unfavorable nutritional knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) with the aim of combating chronic malnutrition in Kayanza Health District (KHD) in Burundi.

A cross-sectional research study was conducted, with data collection in KHD households, on a sample of 227 mothers with children aged 6 to 59 months. Study was carried out using a systematic stratified sampling technique with proportional allocation. Descriptive analysis of sample by calculating Chi2 and its p-value, bivariate and multivariate analysis by calculating the Odds Ratio and their 95% confidence interval were carried out in Stata 15.1 Variables, whose p-value was < 0.05, were retained as significantly associated with the unfavorable nutritional (KAP) of mothers of children aged 6 to 59 months in terms of the fight against chronic malnutrition in KHD.

Results show that maternal age >= 35 years (p = 0.001), low maternal education (p = 0.000), lack of food accessibility (p = 0.007), lack of food availability (p = 0.000), non-participation in nutrition education sessions (p = 0.001) and knowledge of key moments of hand washing (p=0.000) were identified as factors significantly associated with adverse nutritional KAP of mothers of children aged 6 to 59 months in KHD.