Perceptions on Mothers Who Drink Beer in Relation to Nutrition of their Under- Five Children: A Case of Selected Villages in Chongwe District of Lusaka Province, Zambia

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to respond to many questions that are asked about how effective a mother is in relation to nutrition of the under-five children if she drinks beer. Further, perceptions on mothers who drink beer and the health of their under- five children appears to be closely linked, not only in Chongwe District but in many districts that have women taking beer. The study suggests that mothers who drink beer have little time to cook for their children, particularly, those in under- five category. This phenomenon creates a scenario whereby many under- five children are virtually malnourished. The study had three objectives; (1) To detect the perceptions about mothers who drink beer. (2) To identify difficulties that mothers who drink beer face in relation with the nutrition of their under-five children. (3) To evaluate measures that can mitigate challenges which mothers of the under-five children have in relation to nutrition of these under- fives. A descriptive survey research was used, incorporating a mixed methods approach. To answer questions, subjects were selected by two types of sampling techniques; random and purposive sampling. The study used questionnaires, interviews and focus group discussions to gather data in the study. Findings of the study indicated that mother’s attentiveness to the child was missing because of beer drinking.