| ABSTRACT
Objectves: Optmal infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practces are essental for child
growth and survival, yet remain suboptmal in Afghanistan, where malnutriton persists as a
major public health concern. Understanding maternal knowledge, attudes, and practces
(KAP) is vital to improve feeding behaviors and child health outcomes.
Methods: : A descriptve cross-sectonal study was conducted among 300 mothers atending
outpatent departments of three public hospitals in Herat, Afghanistan, from March to
December 2024. Data were collected using a validated, structured questonnaire assessing
socio-demographic characteristcs and KAP related to IYCF. Descriptve statstcs and Chi
square tests were used to examine associatons between demographic factors and KAP
outcomes, with a signifcance level set at p < 0.05.
Results: Most respondents demonstrated high knowledge of exclusive breasteeding and
colostrum feeding; however, gaps remained regarding complementary feeding, dietary
diversity, and feeding during illness. Although attudes were generally positve, consistent
translaton into practce was limited. About half of mothers practced tmely breasteeding
initaton and safe food preparaton, but fewer achieved optmal complementary feeding
frequency or variety. A signifcant associaton was found between obstetric history (previous
child death) and maternal attude (p = 0.023), while other variables showed no statstcal
signifcance.
Conclusion: Despite adequate knowledge and favorable attudes, practcal adherence to
optmal IYCF remains inconsistent among mothers in Herat hospitals. Strengthening culturally
sensitve educaton programs, integratng family engagement, and improving support for
working mothers are critcal to bridge the knowledge–practce gap and promote sustainable
child feeding behaviors.
Keywords: Knowledge, attude, and practce; Breasteeding; Complementary feeding; Maternal
health; Child nutriton; Herat; Afghanistan |
