Predictors of Multiple Micronutrient Powder Intake Adherence among Children Aged 6-23 Months in Rasuwa District, Nepal: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Breastfeeding would not be sufficient to meet the micronutrient requirement of children after six months and more prone to iron deficiency anemia. Micronutrient powder (MNP) can be mixed with semi-solid food to feed the children aged 6-23 months, contains 12 different micronutrients, one of the appropriate strategies. The study’s objective was to assess adherence to MNP and its predictors among children aged 6-23 months in Rasuwa district of Nepal.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Uttargaya rural and the Kalika rural municipality of Rasuwa district among 200 mothers of children aged 6-23 months who were fed MNP. Proportionate random sampling was used to select eligible mothers for interviews, and a semi-structured questionnaire was employed for data collection. Multivariate logistic regression was used to obtain adjusted odds ratio with 95% C.I.

Results: Sample mean was calculated among 155 mothers who received 60 sachets of MNPs;41.3% had adhered to 60 sachets intake of MNP. The mean age of the mother was 25. 29±5.3 years and the mean age of children was 14. 66±5.2 months. In bivariate analysis, the mother having one child less than five years (COR=0.5, 95% CI: 0.24-1.0) and MNP received from the health facility (COR=1.96, 95% CI: 1.02-3.76) were statically significant. Further, multivariate analysis, a mother who accepted the properties of MNP (AOR=2.52, 95% CI: 1.27-5.00), was associated with high adherence.

Conclusion: Acceptability of MNP by the mother is the key to increase adherence to MNP. The distribution of MNP from a health facility, tailored with nutrition education is essential to improve adherence to MNP.