فهرست نشریات علمی دسترسی آزاد ایران

Background: Stunting in toddlers is closely associated with maternal nutrition during pregnancy and at birth, with early-age pregnancy (under 20 years) serving as a major risk factor. The prevalence of stunting increased by 1.2% from 2007 to 2013. Many young mothers experience undernutrition due to body image concerns and lack of education, leading to inadequate weight gain during pregnancy and an increased risk of preterm birth, an important determinant of stunting. Moreover, early marriage exposes women to biological and social risks that impact child health. Accordingly, this study aimed to explore the lived experiences of adolescent mothers caring for stunted children, using a qualitative approach to deepen understanding of their caregiving practices.Methods: This qualitative study utilized a case study design, applying Colaizzi’s seven-step method for data analysis on two respondents. Data collection was conducted in June 2023 among adolescent mothers aged less than 20 years, each caring for children aged 0-60 months with anthropometric measurements indicating stunting (Height/Age < -3 SD). Data were collected through 15 semi-structured interview questions, audio recordings, and observation sheets covering assessments, medical history, and physical examinations.Results: Data analysis yielded ten subcategories and four categories. The first category, incorrect implementation of complementary feeding, encompassed providing instant or fortified food and engaging in negative habits during mealtime. The second category, inability to provide exclusive breastfeeding, included difficulty with milk production and incomplete adherence to exclusive breastfeeding. The third category, health risk behaviors, and the fourth, inadequate weight gain, were also identified as key themes.Conclusion: To improve the quality of care for adolescent mothers of children with stunting, healthcare professionals must increase their educational efforts. Equipping inexperienced adolescent mothers and their families with knowledge and support will foster better caregiving practices, ultimately reducing adverse prognosis and improving child health outcomes.