Tình trạng dinh dưỡng ở trẻ em dưới 5 tuổi và kiến thức thực hành của bà mẹ về chăm sóc trẻ tại một số xã khó khăn huyện Bắc Mê, tỉnh Hà Giang

To assess the nutritional status in children under 5 years old and mothers’ knowledge and practice in Yen Cuong and Lac Nong communes of Bac Me district, Ha Giang province. Methods: Cross sectional study on 200 under-5-year-old children at two communes in Ha Giang province and 100 mothers of children under-5-year-old. Results: The rate of underweight malnourished children is 17.5%. The stunting malnutrition rate is 26.5% and the wasting malnutrition rate is 9%. The proportion of mothers with good knowledge of breastfeeding is 65% and good practice in breastfeeding is 35%. The proportion of mothers with good knowledge in supplementary feeding/complementary feeding processes is 31%, and good practice in these processes is also 31%. The proportion of mothers' knowledge regarding supplementing fat and milk for children during supplementary feeding is only 29% and 17%, respectively. Conclusion: The malnutrition rate of children under 5 years old in the two communes is still high. The rate of malnutrition tends to increase with age. However, the proportion of mothers with knowledge and practice in childcare remains low, especially in adding fats and oils to children's meals.