Morrison, JL; Dulal, S; Harris-Fry, H; Basnet, M; Sharma, N; Shrestha, B; Manandhar, D; ... Saville, N; + view all Morrison, JL; Dulal, S; Harris-Fry, H; Basnet, M; Sharma, N; Shrestha, B; Manandhar, D; Costello, A; Osrin, D; Saville, N; - view fewer (2018) Formative qualitative research to develop community-based interventions addressing low birth weight in the plains of Nepal. Public Health Nutrition , 21 (2) pp. 377-384. 10.1017/S1368980017002646.

Preview

Text Morrison_manuscript IHHFA PHNfinal.pdf - Published Version Download (627kB) | Preview

Abstract

Objective: To explore the factors affecting intra-household food allocation practices in order to inform the development of interventions to prevent low birth weight in rural plains Nepal. Design: We used qualitative methodology using purposive sampling to explore the barriers and facilitating factors to improved maternal nutrition. Setting: Rural Dhanusha District, Nepal Subjects: We purposively sampled 25 young daughters-in-law from marginalised groups living in extended families and conducted semi-structured interviews with them. We also conducted one focus group discussion with men and one with Female Community Health Volunteers who were mothers-in-law. Results: Gender and age hierarchies were important in household decision-making. The mother-in-law was responsible for ensuring that a meal was provided to productive household members. The youngest daughter-in-law usually cooked last and ate less than other family members, and showed respect for other family members by only cooking when permitted and deferring to others’ choice of food. There were limited opportunities for these women to snack between main meals. Daughter-in-laws’ movement outside the household was restricted and therefore family members perceived that her nutritional need was less. Poverty affected food choice and families considered cost before nutritional value. Conclusions It is important to work with the whole household, particularly mothers-in-law, to improve maternal nutrition. We present five barriers to behaviour change: Poverty, lack of knowledge about cheap nutritional food, the value of snacking, and cheap nutritional food that does not require cooking, sharing food, lack of self-confidence, and deference to household guardians. We discuss how we have targeted our interventions to develop knowledge, discuss strategies to overcome barriers, engage mothers-in-law and build the confidence and social support networks of pregnant women.

Download activity - last month

Export as XMLCSVJSON

Download activity - last 12 months

Export as JSONCSVXML

Downloads by country - last 12 months

Export as CSVXMLJSON

Archive Staff Only

View Item