A qualitative study of beliefs about food relating to child nutrition in the Lower Jimi Valley.
- Author:
Jessica Keeble
;
Richard Keeble
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH:
Food;
Valley;
Lower;
Childhood;
Malnutrition
- From:
Papua and New Guinea medical journal
2006;49(3-4):162-5
- CountryPapua New Guinea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
A previous study that we carried out confirmed that malnutrition is a problem amongst the young child population in the Lower Jimi Valley. This study begins to explore the cultural and traditional food beliefs in order to target the interventions of health services in reducing childhood malnutrition. The study was undertaken during maternal and child health clinics conducted on a foot patrol from Koinambe Health Centre in the villages of Kompiai, Komengwai, Kupeng, Injim and Kwiama. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with small groups of women to uncover beliefs regarding nutrition and feeding during pregnancy, infancy and childhood. This study has highlighted practices that nutritionally disadvantage young children. The four most significant are late weaning, restriction of foods, infrequency of feeding and the low priority given to children during meal times. It is suggested that it is the use, control and distribution of food, rather than its shortage, that contribute most significantly to the problem of childhood malnutrition in this area.
