(P16-024-25) Sharing of Information by Mothers and Household Heads With Their Social Network to Improve Complementary Feeding Behavior: A Qualitative Study in Nepal

Objectives: The sources used by caregivers to obtain child feeding information in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are largely unknown. Caregivers often seek input and support from members of their social networks, but few studies have explored information sharing among members of a caregiver’s social network on appropriate child feeding practices in LMICs. This study aimed to identify how mothers and household heads shared this information in their social networks.

Methods: Qualitative data were collected using purposive sampling in 6 communities among diverse study participants (mothers receiving and not receiving SMS and household heads receiving and not receiving SMS). Focus group discussions (n=22; range 3–12 participants) included 85 mothers and 65 male or female household heads of 12-23 months old children.

Results: Both mothers and household heads reported health workers, female community health volunteers, health mothers’ groups, Suaahara II frontline workers, television, and radio as frequently used sources of information. In general, both mothers and household heads shared information more with women compared to men, and more with their family members than with other community members. Male household heads shared information with different members of their social networks less compared to mothers and female household heads. Also, study participants mostly shared information with their own generation including spouses and sisters-in-laws. Study participants also reported that almost all the information related to child nutrition and feeding practices they received from various sources was comprehensible, applicable, and trustworthy. Participants preferred to receive information through SMS (i.e., text) messages compared to other sources even though they suggested all the information shared through both SMS messages and other sources was useful.

Conclusions: The gendered and generational patterns of information sharing emphasize the need for culturally tailored approaches that engage both men and women within households and utilize family networks to amplify the reach of health messages. Leveraging trust in diverse sources, multi-channel strategies can enhance health communication, improving maternal and child health outcomes effectively.

Funding Sources: U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)