Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of caregivers of malnourished children at the Al Sabbah Children’s Hospital, Juba, South Sudan

Abstract

Introduction: Malnutrition results from insufficient, excessive, or imbalanced intake of nutrients. The contributory factors include poverty, lack of access to food and family knowledge, inadequate healthcare, and recurring illnesses. This study aimed to gather data on the nutrition-related knowledge, attitudes, and practices of the caregivers of young, malnourished children at the Al- Sabbah Children’s Hospital, Juba, South Sudan

Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted in April 2024. A pretested questionnaire was used to collect information from the calculated sample size of 50 caregivers. The data were analysed using Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS).

Results: Data taken from the hospital registers showed that, at the time of the survey, the mid-upper-arm circumference of the children indicated that 35 were not malnourished and 15 were still moderately malnourished. Most caregivers had heard about malnutrition and said they had got this information from their husbands; most had previously used malnutrition services at health facilities having been encouraged by their families although transport was expensive, and many paid for the service. More than half felt family and traditional perceptions of malnutrition had a negative impact on the condition.

Conclusion: The information provided by caregivers of children attending hospital malnutrition services indicate that, although they have some knowledge of malnutrition and malnutrition services, there is need for improvement.