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Williams And Pinnington (2003) Examined An Area Of Nutritional Knowledge ...


Williams and Pinnington (2003) examined an area of nutritional knowledge rarely considered by researchers in this area - the feeding and weaning of infants and children. Accurate nutritional knowledge amongst care staff is vital, especially with respect to Department of Health guidelines concerning infant feeding (DOH. 1994). A panel of experts including two senior paediatric dieticians evaluated the instrument. Changes were made where necessary. Items addressed issues such as use of vitamin supplements, appropriate age for beginning particular forms of feeding (e.g. cup feeding), and drinks considered appropriate for infants of a particular age. The questionnaire was administered verbally, in the form of a structured interview (but with opportunities to clarify questions). The sample comprised over a hundred nursing staff of all grades, as well as health care assistants. Data analysis revealed that substantial proportions of the sample did not know the correct answer to each question. For example, only 67% knew the correct weaning age. Less than 40% knew the correct age when cows milk products should be introduced instead of formula, how to instruct a parent to make infant formulas, and when to introduce vitamin A + D drops for healthy children (aged > 1year). Most disturbingly, only 9% knew what drinks (e.g. tea, juice, milk, water) are suitable for children under five years old. Knowledge was high in certain areas though with at least 80% of nurses correctly identifying the age at which cup feeds may be introduced, when one can start cleaning a baby's teeth (93% answered this correctly) and when it is appropriate to introduce cows' milk. Senior nursing staff and staff nurses answered the greatest number of questions correctly, while health care assistants, nursing auxiliaries, and nursery nurses where less knowledgeable.
Overall, on average only about half of the questions posed were answered correctly. Furthermore, just a third of participants answered all questions correctly. Williams and Pennington's (2003) study highlights serious deficiencies amongst nurses with regards to paediatric nutrition requirements. Again, how, as in previous research, there seems to be a lack of proper statistical analysis, which is necessary to demonstrate that patterns or trends observed did not occur by chance, and are likely to recur if the study was repeated (Coolican, 1994). Additionally, questions have to be asked about the psychometric properties of the questionnaire used i.e. in terms of it being reliable, valid and consistent. .

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