Nutritional Patterns of Lactating Mothers in Rural Area

Background: Lactation is one of the periods of considerable physiological stress, which
calls additional nutrient requirements. In developing countries the intake of all the nutrients have
been found inadequate to meet the needs of mother as well as her growing infant and Special
attention should be given to the diet of mothers during lactation. The aim: This study aimed to
assess nutritional patterns of lactating mothers. Research design: Descriptive analytical design
was utilized. Setting: This study was conducted at the 3 health care centers within Kom Hamada.
Sample: Multi stage sampling technique was used to get study participants. Tools: Tool I
Structured interviewing questionnaires will be used to collect data about: (1) Socio
demographic characteristic about mothers and their infants (2)mother's knowledge regarding the
nutritional patterns during lactation period (3)Assess lactating mother's practices regarding their
nutritional patterns during lactation period (4) assess infant's health problems associated with
nutritional patterns of their lactating mothers. Tool II: Assessment mother and infant health status
through observational chick list Results: The study result found that the knowledge of the less
than two third of lactating mothers regarding nutritional patterns during lactation period was
satisfactory approximately two thirds and health problems of more than half of lactating mothers
was low health problems more than half. Conclusion: More than two fifth of the lactating
mothers take food groups as recommended but take food nutrients less than recommended. There
were statistically significant relation between knowledge and age, mother education, mother's
occupation, husband's occupation, crowding index and type of family with p-vale
(<0.05).Recommendation: Well-designed nutrition intervention programs focusing on nutrient
intake from culturally acceptable and affordable foods to increase dietary diversity and food
variety of lactating women in this low socio-economic area.