Feeding practices and micronutrient status of children aged 0–36 months in Thulamela Municipality, Limpopo province

BACKGROUND: Micronutrient deficiency continues to be a major public health problem affecting infants and young children under 5 years of age worldwide. AIM: The study aims to investigate feeding practices and micronutrient status of children aged 0–36 months. SETTING: The study was conducted at government clinics located in Thulamela Municipality, which is one of the local municipalities in Vhembe District, Limpopo province. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted. A total of 250 mothers with children aged 0–36 months were enrolled. A structured questionnaire was used to interview the mothers. Biochemical measurements of children were assessed using standard procedures. RESULTS: Only 7.6% of children were exclusively breastfed for 6 months. Majority (87.5%) of the children were introduced to complementary foods before 6 months and 98.8% of the children had a low dietary diversity score of less than four, while 9.2% had a dietary diversity score of more than four. The prevalence of vitamin A deficiency, anaemia and iron deficiency was 21.7%, 53.6% and 13.1%, respectively. For mothers who initiated breastfeeding immediately after delivery, the odds of children having low ferritin were 0.11 times, as compared to children who were initiated breastfeeding a day after delivery (odds ratio = 0.11; 95% confidence interval = 0.015–0.812). CONCLUSION: Most of the children were introduced to complementary foods earlier than 6 months of age. Infant feeding practices were associated with micronutrients status. CONTRIBUTION: The study contributes to the body of literature on feeding practices and the micronutrient status of children.