Social and Behaviour Change

Rapid assessment on knowledge/attitude of essential family practices in Zamfara State

•Introduction ------------------------------------------------------- pg. 3
•Socio-demographic characteristics of the survey --------- pg. 4
•Breastfeeding ----------------------------------------------------- pg. 5-8
•Complementary feeding ---------------------------------------- pg. 9-12
•Micronutrients ---------------------------------------------------- pg. 13-16
•Growth monitoring ----------------------------------------------- pg. 17-19
•Birth registration -------------------------------------------------- pg. 20-22
•Immunization ------------------------------------------------------ pg. 23-25
•Health seeking ----------------------------------------------------- pg. 26-28
•Antenatal care ----------------------------------------------------- pg. 29-33
•Water, sanitation and hygiene --------------------------------- pg. 34-40
•Conclusion --------------------------------------------------------- pg. 41-44
Outline
As social and behaviour change (SBC) aims to empower individuals and communities, and lower
structural barriers that hinder people from adopting positive practices and societies from
becoming more equitable, inclusive, cohesive and peaceful, it is important to have rapid enquiry
to know some underlying issues as it helps to understand the factors why people do things the
way they do – individually and collectively.
WHO and UNICEF, based on available evidence, have identified 12 key family and community
practices on childcare. If properly promoted and adopted by the targeted communities, these
practices would potentially contribute to improving child survival, growth and development.
Effective interventions to promote these practices have an impact on child health. They require
systematic planning, well-coordinated use of a combination of channels of communication, close
follow-up, monitoring and supervision. The interventions need to go beyond knowledge
acquisition to facilitate changes in behaviour.

This report focused mainly on the analysis of the data collected during the survey on rapid
assessment on knowledgeable/attitude of essential family practices so as to have baseline data
on this and generate KAP for SBC intervention in Zamfara State.

Introduction
This study was conducted in VCM and non-VCM settlements.
No VCM settlements were canvassed in three LGAs, namely: Bakura, Gummi, and Shinkafi as all the
respondents came from VCM settlements.
Majority of the respondents are from VCM settlements; 1,463 respondents accounting for 87% against the
non-VCM settlements with 217 respondents (13%).
The total respondents who participated in this study are 1,680 across the fourteen LGAs of Zamfara State. On
average, 120 respondents participated in the study in each of the fourteen LGAs.
1047 (62%) male respondents participated in the study while the remaining respondents are female; 633
(38%).
The respondents were categorized into four age groups: 35-44 accounting for about 43%, 25-34 (30%), >45
(23%) and age group 15-24 with the lowest accounting for only 4%.
Majority of the respondents are married with about 92%. 57% of the total respondent are fathers, 36% are
mothers and the remaining 7% are grandparents/caregivers/guardians.
About 40% of the respondents have qur’anic education, secondary school education (31%), polytechnic
diploma (12%), primary (9%), university (6%). Only 1% of the respondents doesn’t have any form of
qualification.
The occupation with the highest percentage among the respondents is farming (33%), housewife (25%),
government worker (16%), trader and self-employed; 14% and 10% respectively. Other occupation are in total
4% - craftsman, nomad, retired.
Religious affiliation of the respondents are: Muslims, which accounts for about 99% while the remaining 1%
are Christians.
Social-demographic characteristics of the survey
Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways to ensure child health and survival. However, nearly 2
out of 3 infants are not exclusively breastfed for the recommended 6 months. Breastmilk is the ideal
food for infants. It is safe, clean and contains antibodies which help protect against many common
childhood illnesses. Breastmilk provides all the energy and nutrients that the infant needs for the first
months of life, and it continues to provide up to half or more of a child’s nutritional needs during the
second half of the first year, and up to one third during the second year of life.
4%

Based on the findings from the study that 1,680

respondents participated, 1612 (96%)
respondents claimed to have heard of exclusive
breastfeeding while 68 (4%) said they haven’t
heard about it.
96%

no yes
Breastfeeding (Cont’d)
How respondents heard about exclusive breastfeeding
The respondents heard about
spouse exclusive breastfeeding from
grand mother
multiple sources, especially
mother-in-law
other mothers
vcm networks (26%), health
cnm network
workers (18%), media (radio
tv and tv): 21%, cnm network
radio (3%). Other sources which
health worker
could be likened to be family
vcm network
multiple sources
accounted for just 1%.
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35%
Breastfeeding (Cont’d)
What is exclusive breastfeeding
1530 (91%) respondents claimed
water and infant milk formula from
birth that breast milk only for 6 months
breast milk and infant mild formula
means exclusive breastfeeding, 3%
of the respondents claimed it’s
do not know breast milk for 2 years, 3% claimed
it’s breast milk with water for 4-6
months and 1% claimed it’s breast
breast milk with water for 4-6 months

breast milk for 2 years milk, water and mild infant

formula while the remaining 2%
breast milk only for 6 months
claimed not to know what
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 00%
1 exclusive breastfeeding is all
about.
Breastfeeding (Cont’d)
No. of times a child should No. of
be breastfed respondents % of
respondents

breast feed on demand 1163 69% 69% of the respondents claimed

ten times 116 7% that a child/baby should be
four times 109 6%
breastfed on demand other than
number of times while 5% of the
eight times 100 6%
respondents claimed they don’t
six times 88 5% know the number of times a child
three times 15 1% should be breastfed. Respondents
do not know 89 5%
attitude towards exclusive
Total 1680 100%
breastfeeding is positive.
Complementary feeding
According to World Health Organization
(WHO), complementary feeding is defined
“a process starting when breast milk alone 7%
is no longer sufficient to meet the
nutritional requirements of infants, and
therefore other foods and liquids are
93%
needed, along with breast milk”. In order to
provide infants with additional nutrients,
complementary foods (foods other than
breast milk or infant formula) should
consequently be introduced to the infants.
As the child grows, breast milk wouldn’t be 1568 (93%) of the respondents claimed they
sufficient and there will be need for a have heard of complementary feeding while
complementary feeding. 112 (7%) haven’t heard of it.
Complementary feeding (Cont’d)
How respondents heard about complementary feeding

Further analysis of the data revealed that

spouse
the respondents heard about
mother-in-law complementary feeding from multiple
grand mother sources (32%). Specific percentage by
other mothers which the respondents heard about
cnm network
complementary feeding are: radio (16%),
tv (4%), vcm networks (27%), cnm
tv
network (3%), health worker (17%),
radio family (other mothers, grandmother,
health worker spouse and mother-in-law) accounts for
vcm network
just 1%. By this one can conclude that
major source that the respondents heard
multiple sources
about complementary feeding is through
the vcm network.
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35%
Complementary feeding (Cont’d)
When to feed
complementary food No. of % of
to the baby respondents respondents
About 69% of the respondents believe
At birth - 1 month 293 19% that complementary feeding should be
made available to a child at 6 months and
beyond, and the child fed with cup, plate
2 - 3 months 49 3% and spoon instead other than feeding
bottle or forced feeding by cupping
4 - 5 months 21 1% hands. At birth - 1 month (19%) may have
been claimed by 16% who are
≥ 6 months
government worker or even male/father
1078 69% who are 62% of the total respondents. 60
(4%) of the respondents claimed between
Do not know 127 8% 2 to 5 months while the remaining 8%
said they don’t know when to feed
Total 1568 100% complementary food to their baby.
 Complementary feeding (Cont’d)
What is complementary feeding?

About 87% of the respondents

believe that to feed children with
Do not know

freshly prepared energy food is

complementary feeding while 12%
Feed child with adult’s food while stopping breast
milk feeding from 6 months of age

of the respondents believe that to

Feed child with infant formula, pap, custard, and
cereals from 6 months of age feed children with infant
formula/custard/pap and feed
Feed children freshly prepared energy and nutri-
ent rich foods while continuing to breastfeed up to children with adult food is
two years or longer
complementary feeding.
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Micronutrients
Micronutrients are vitamins and minerals needed by the body in very small amounts. However,
their impact on a body’s health are critical, and deficiency in any of them can cause severe and
even life-threatening conditions. They perform a range of functions, including enabling the
body to produce enzymes, hormones and other substances needed for normal growth and
development. Deficiencies in iron, vitamin A and iodine are the most common around the
world, particularly in children and pregnant women. Many of these deficiencies are
preventable through nutrition education and consumption of a healthy diet containing diverse
foods, as well as food fortification and supplementation, where needed.

9% In this study, 1528 (91%) out of 1680

respondents claimed to have heard of
micronutrients while 152 (9%) haven’t heard
91% about it.
Micronutrients (Cont’d)
How respondents heard about micronutrients

spouse Vcm network has been a major means

of enlightening the community about a
mother-in-law
lot of health issues even before the
grandmothers media and health workers get across
other mothers considering the structure of UNICEF
cnm network
interventions in Zamfara State. In this
study, respondents claimed that they
tv
heard about micronutrients from the
radio vcm network and health worker while
health worker
seeing that media (tv & radio) also
played a pivotal role in communication.
vcm network
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45%
Micronutrients (Cont’d)
What is micronutrients?
80%

70% 71% of the respondents understand

60%
what micronutrients are and how it
affects the baby, claiming that it’s all
50%
about vitamins and minerals, 13%
40% claimed it’s all about proteins, 6%
claimed it’s all about carbohydrates
and 1% claimed it’s all about fat
30%

20%
while 9% said they don’t know.
10%

0%
vitamins and protein n/a carbohydrate fat
minerals
 Micronutrients (Cont’d)
Importance of micronutrients to the baby

1122 (38%) of the respondents claimed

To prevent goiter
that micronutrients are important to the
baby to prevent mental retardation, 640
To prevent diarrhea (21%) respondents claimed it’s to prevent
stunting and underweight, 421 (14%)
To prevent night blindness respondents claimed it’s to prevent
anemia, 392 (13%) respondents claimed
To prevent anemia it’s to prevent night blindness, 261 (9%)
respondents claimed it’s to prevent
To prevent stunting and underweight diarrhea while the remaining 156 (5%)
respondents claimed it is to prevent
To prevent mental retardation goiter.
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40%
Growth monitoring
To monitor the growth of children, weight is major deterministic factor. Weighing children
helps to identify those who are at risk of health problems associated with their fatness. This
is generally based on BMI (body mass index), which measures weight in relation to height.

where should children’s % of

11% weight be measured? No. of respondents respondents
Hospital/health facility 1113 66%
CMAM centre 377 22%
89% NPC council 8 0%
At home 5 0%
don't know 177 11%
Total 1680 100%
1503 (89%) respondents claimed to Based on the result of the analysis, 66% of the
understand what growth monitoring in respondents answered that children should be weighed at
children is and the remaining 177 (11%) the hospital/health facility, cmam centre (22%) while 11%
claimed not to know. claimed not to know where their child should be weighed.
Growth monitoring (Cont’d)
How often should children be weighed

n/a
53% of the respondents believed that
children should be weighed be it at
Do not know least 6 times or 1-5 times annually to
determine their growth, while 30%
1-5 times claimed a child should never be
weighed. 17% of the respondents
Never
claimed not to know where children
should be weighed.
At least 6 times

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35%

Growth monitoring (Cont’d)
Respondents attitude towards growth monitoring
100%

The result of analysis of respondent’s

80%

60%

40%
attitude towards growth monitoring
indicates that on average, 95% of the
20%

0%

respondents agreed that regularly

weighing children is important and
beneficial, child health card should be
used regularly by caregivers, knowing
whether a child is growing well or not
through frequent and regular weight
Agree Disagree Don’t know
measurement is necessary and that
growth monitoring helps in early
detection of problems and referral
while 1% disagreed and 4% claimed
they don’t know.
Birth registration
Birth registration is the official recording of a child’s birth by the government – establishes the
existence of a child under law and provides the foundation for safeguarding many of a child’s civil,
political, economic, social and cultural rights. Article 7 of the Convention of the Rights of the Child
specifies that every child has the right to be registered at birth, without any discrimination. Birth
registration is part of UNICEF’s four pillars of child rights programming i.e. survival, development,
protection and participation.

4%
Out of 1680 respondents that
participated in this study, 1614
respondents accounting for about 96%
96% claimed they are aware of birth
registration while just 66 (4%) claimed
they aren’t aware.
Birth registration (Cont’d)
What is the meaning of birth
No. of respondents % of
registration? respondents

Birth certificate acquisition 758 45% The analysis of the study shows that
Registration of birth for 96% of the respondents know what
identification of the child 572 34% birth registration means as their
To record age of child 186 11% response align to say birth
n/a 66 4% registration means birth certificate
Record of birth of child in acquisition, registration of birth for
hospital 57 3% identification of the child, recording
Giving information about the age of child, record of birth of child
newborn 38 2%
in hospital, giving information about
Paper given to baby after birth 2 0% the newborn. Just 66 (4%) of the
A card that shows that we gave respondents claimed not to know
birth 1 0%
what birth registration means.
Total
1680 100%
 Birth registration (Cont’d)
Respondent’s knowledge of time and place for registering
births
Don't know Don't know

On entry into school Clinic

n/a n/a

Some months after birth National population commission

Two weeks after birth Health center

Immediately after birth Hospital

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

From the graphical illustration above, it could be seen that the respondents claimed that birth
should be registered immediately after birth and that births should be registered in the hospital
other than the health center or at national population commission. Respondents agreed that it is
important to register births of children so that the child would be included in resource planning, and
this would ensure government knows the child as a citizen.
Immunization
Immunization is a global health and development success story, saving millions of lives every
year. Vaccines reduce risks of getting a disease by working with the body’s natural defences
to build protection. Immunization currently prevents 3.5-5 million deaths every year from
diseases like diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, influenza and measles. Immunization is a key
component of primary health care. It’s also one of the best health investments money can
buy. The respondents were asked if they know about childhood killer diseases before
delving into immunization.
Out of 1,680 respondents that
7% participated in the study, 1566 (93%)
respondents claimed that they know
what vaccines/doses a child requires
to complete their vaccination calendar,
93%
while the remaining 7% say they don’t
know.
Immunization
18%

16%

14%
Based on the analysis of data
12%
collected, the graph shows that the
10% respondents are very much aware
8% of childhood killer disease
6%
preventable by immunization from
measles to yellow fever, hepatitis,
4%
etc.
2%

0%
es
l ea s
as h si s
e rr s si er s
M ia tu o
ev u is
D er ul an t s
rc F ti ti ia
P et i is
be ow T pa el
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om ht in
i ip en
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Immunization
routine immunization vaccination calendar

correct don’t know incorrect

On average, out of 1680 respondents
BCG (at birth) 1588 75 17 that participated in the study, 1561
opv0 (at birth) 1588 75 17 respondents attested that the
vaccination calendar is correct based
Hep B (at birth) 1571 85 24
Pneumococcal Conjugate (at 6,
on the routine immunization outlined
10, and 14 weeks) 1442 98 140 in the table, while 83 respondents say
they don’t know, and the remaining
OPV1,2,3 (at 6, 10 and 14 weeks) 1573 82 25
36 respondents said the vaccination
Penta (at 6, 10 and 14 weeks) 1567 86 27 calendar is not correct. Majority of
IPV (at 6 and 14 weeks) 1559 91 30 the respondents believe that when a
Measles (at 9 months and 15 child is not playing normally is the real
months) 1594 64 22 sign that indicates a child is ill,
Yellow fever (at 9 months) 1589 65 26
followed by vomiting, fever more than
24 hours and unable to eat or drink.
Meningitis (at 9 months) 1542 108 30
Indicative signs that a child is ill
drinks poorly

blood in stool
24% of the respondents believe that
if a child not playing normally, the
fast breathing child is ill. Vomiting (20%), fever for
more than 24 hrs (18%), inability to
convulsion eat or drink (9%), convulsion (9%),
unable to eat or drink
fast breathing (9%), blood in stool
(5%) and drinks poorly (5%).
fever for more than 24 hrs

vomiting

not playing normally

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25%

Health seeking
It is remarkable that many of the children who die or develop severe illness have
not been taken to a health facility—often without seeking any advice from an
appropriate provider—or have been taken with much delay. There needs to be
health personnel available in health facility for the mother or father or guardian to
take the child to when the child is ill.

1661 (99%) of the 1680 respondents that

1%
participated in the study claimed to be
aware of the importance of consulting
health personnel, while the remaining 19
respondents accounting for just 1% aren’t
99%
aware.

no yes
Health Seeking
50%

45%
Analysis of the study shows that the
respondents consult with the community
health workers more than other health
40%

35%
personnel. Further analysis revealed that
30%
despite the availability of community
25%
health workers across the LGAs, there is
20%
just one in Anka LGA but with many
15% Doctors. There are no Doctors at all in
10% three LGAs of Birnin Magaji, Maru and
5% Shinkafi. There are no nurses in Anka and
0%
s
Bukkuyum with few nurses in Birnin
s rs or s

w
or
k er
D
octo
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N
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Magaji, Bungudu, Maradun, Shinkafi,
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it y tm alb
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Antenatal care
Antenatal care is essential for protecting the health of women and their unborn children.

2% From the result of the analysis, 1651

(98%) of the respondents claimed to
have heard about antenatal care while
29 (2%) respondents claimed they aren’t
98%
aware.
Antenatal care (Cont’d)
friends
Further analysis revealed that 1406 (46%)
newspapers of the respondents claimed that they
heard of antenatal care from hospital
mother-in-law health workers, and this medium showed
to have convinced them most. 987 (32%)
relatives
of the respondents claimed they don’t
know or have an idea of how they came to
television
know about antenatal care. The remaining
radio
673 (22%) of the respondents claimed to
have heard of antenatal care from media
don't know (tv, radio & newspapers) and family
(friends, mother-in-law & relatives).
hospital health workers

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50%

 Antenatal care (Cont’d)
what is antenatal care? How often should a pregnant woman go for antenatal
care

Don't know
n/a

n/a Don't know

A husband and other family members taking care of Many times

a pregnant woman
Every month
Use of concoctions and herbs during Pregnancy
Depends on stage of pregnancy

Health care given to pregnant women at health care

center in preparation of birth At least 4 times

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50%

Regarding the frequency of visits of pregnant woman for

1559 (93%) of the respondents claimed that antenatal care is
antenatal care, 791 (47%) respondents claimed that it
the health care given to pregnant women at health care centre
should be at least 4 times, 435 (26%) respondents claimed
in preparation of birth while 30 (2%) respondents claimed they
that it depends on the stage of the pregnancy, 378 (23%)
don’t know what antenatal care is. 91 (5%) respondents
respondents claimed it should be every month, 29 (2%)
claimed that it is the use of concotions and herbs during
respondents claimed that it should be many times and the
pregnancy and a family taking care of a pregnant woman.
remaining 43 (3%) respondents claimed not to know.
 Antenatal care (Cont’d)
where should a pregnant woman No. of % of
deliver her child respondents respondents

At health facility assisted by skilled 1573 94%

health worker
1573 (94%) of the respondents claimed
At home assisted by a traditional 94 6% that a pregnant woman should birth her
birth attendant child at the health facility assisted by a
8 0% skilled health worker while the
At home by mother remaining 94 (6%) said the pregnant
4 0%
woman should birth the child at home
At home by grandmother assisted by a traditional birth attendant.
1 0%
At home by mother in-law

Total 1680 100%

Antenatal care (Cont’d)
signs that mean the pregnancy is in danger

35% Based on the result of the analysis,

30%
1581 (33%) of the respondents
claimed that bleeding is the major
25%
sign that means pregnancy is in
20% danger, headache and vomiting
509 (11%), severe abdominal pain
15%
492 (10%), fits and convulsion 409
10% (9%), smelly vagina discharge 382
(8%), baby not kicking 380 (8%),
mucus with blood 369 (8%), water
5%

0%
ng ng n on e g d na r
from vagina 369 (8%), fever 320
ai rg ve
(8%).
di iti lsi in oo gi
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m al u
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Water, Sanitation and Hygiene [WASH]
Growing up in a clean and safe environment is every child’s right. Access to clean water, basic toilets, and
good hygiene practices not only keeps children thriving, but also gives them a healthier start in life. The
consequences of unsafe water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) on children can be deadly. Over 700 children
under age 5 die every day of diarrhea diseases due to lack of appropriate WASH services. As part of the
efforts to have baseline data on key household practices of the respondents, each component of WASH was
treated exclusively to find out how the respondents fair in it.
sources of drinking water

packaged water
From the analysis, it was observed that 38%
delivered water of the respondents selected dugged well as
rain water their main source of drinking water while
32% selected piped water. Other sources
spring water
selected could be available when the
surface water, river stream dugged well is dried.
piped water

dug well

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40%

Water
what is done to make your water safer to drink

56% of the respondents claimed that to

60%

50% make the water safer to drink, they boil

it and could also use bleach and
40%
chlorine (17%), strain it through a cloth
30%
(7%), water filter or ceramic scan (9%),
solar disinfection (4%). 2% of the
20% respondents said they will allow the
water to settle before they drink instead
10%
of purifying it while 2% said they don’t
0% know what to do to make it safer to
drink, they just drink the water like that.
i l e h n n e w
bo in ot ca tio ttl no
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a i f to
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 Toilet
what kind of toilet facility do members of your household usually where is the toilet facility located
use

bush field Elsewhere

bucket
In own yard / plot

composting toilets

In own dwelling
flush
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%

dry pit latrine Based on the analysis, 82% of the respondents claimed
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% that the kind of toilet facility their household use is in
their own dwelling (i.e. the house they live in), 18% of
Based on the analysis, 57% of the the respondents claimed that their toilet facility is in
respondents claimed that they use dry pit their own yard/plot (i.e. in the compound) and the
latrine, flush (33%), composting toilet (7%),
remaining 1% claimed that the toilet facility they have
bucket (2%) and no facility - bush field (1%).
is elsewhere not in their own yard/plot nor their own
Hygiene practices
Respondents were asked about the last
time their child passed stools, what was
done to dispose of the stool. Analysis
from the study showed that 1083 (64%)
0%
3%0%
Buried
claimed their child used toilet/latrine
31%
Child used toilet/latrine directly while 515 (31%) of the
Don’t know
Left in the open
respondents claimed that they
64%
Put/rinsed into drain or ditch put/rinsed the excreta into toilet or
latrine, 47 (3%) claimed they threw the
1%
0% Put/rinsed into toilet or latrine
Thrown into garbage (solid
waste)
Used as manure
stool into garbage – solid waste, 16 (1%)
of the respondents claimed they
put/rinsed into drain or ditch, 16 (less
than 1%) claimed they either left it in the
open or buried ir used as manure while 3
respondents said they don’t know.
How does your household
usually dispose of garbage
No. of % of
respondents respondents
Hygiene practices:
disposal of garbage
Collected by formal service 862 51% It could be seen that about 51% of the
provider
respondents dispose their household
Disposed of in designated waste 600 36% garbage by dropping it with the refuse
disposal area waste dump authority who in turn
dump it in a designated place. 36% of
Collected by informal service 140 8% the respondents dispose garbage in
provider designated waste disposal, which
Disposed of within household 38 2% could be similar to where the formal
yard or plot service provider (refuse waste dump
Buried or burned 17 1% authority) dispose the ones collected
while the remaining 13% respondents
Don’t know 15 1% dispose the garbage within their
Disposed of elsewhere 8 0% household yard or plot, informal
Total 1680 100% service provider, buried or burnt. Just
1% dispose it elsewhere or don’t
know where to dispose their garbage.
 Handwashing
Handwashing is one of the best ways to protect oneself and family from getting sick. Washing hands
can keep one healthy and prevent the spread of respiratory and diarrhea infections. In order to
know the handwashing practices imbibed by the respondents, it was included in this study to know
where, when and how they and their households wash hands.

where do you and other members of your No. of % of

household most often wash your hands respondents respondents
Findings revealed that the respondents
have one means or the other (facility) for
703 42%
Fixed facility reported (sink/tap) washing their hands, keeping hygiene
In dwelling
763 45% practice. Of all the facility available for the
respondents, about 45% of them have a
88 5%
In yard/plot place in their dwelling where they wash
Mobile object reported (bucket/jug/kettle)
83 5% their hands, and a fixed facility (sink which
is common in most households), others are
43 3%
No handwashing place in dwelling/yard/plot within the compound and mobile object
Total 1680 100% comprising of 10%. Though despite the
awareness, only 3% don’t have a
 Handwashing (Cont’d)
% of
When and how respondents wash No. of
respondent
hands respondents
s
In terms of when and how respondents
67%
Hand washing with soap after defecation 1125 wash their hands, 1125 (67%) of the
respondents claimed they wash their hands
Hand washing with soap after disposing 10% with soap after defecation, 266 (16%) of the
babies’ feaces 173 respondents claimed they wash their hands
with soap before and after eating or feeding
Hand washing with soap before and after 7%
food preparation 116
a child, 173 (10%) claimed they wash their
hands with soap after disposing of babies’
Hand washing with soap before and after 16% faeces and 116 (7%) claimed they wash their
eating or feeding a child 266 hands with soap before and after food
Total 1680 100% preparation.
This report focused mainly on the analysis of the data collected during the survey on rapid
assessment on knowledgeable/attitude of essential family practices so as to have baseline data on
this and generate KAP for SBC intervention in Zamfara State. 1,680 respondents across the
fourteen LGAs of Zamfara State (120 respondents from each LGA) participated in the study. 1,463
(87%) were VCM settlements and the remaining 217 (13%) are non-VCM settlements. On average,
about 94% of the respondents that participants claimed to have heard about all the key household
practices in this study, and the major means of knowing is from multiple sources, majorly the vcm
works, health workers, and media (tv & radio).
1530 (91%) respondents claimed that breast milk only for 6 months means exclusive breastfeeding
and 69% claimed that a child/baby should be breastfed on demand other than number of times.
About 69% of the respondents believe that complementary feeding should be made available to a
child at 6 months and beyond, and the child fed with cup, plate and spoon instead other than
feeding bottle or forced feeding by cupping hands. About 87% of the respondents believe that to
feed children with freshly prepared energy food is complementary feeding.
71% of the respondents claimed that micronutrients is all about vitamins and minerals. 1122
(38%) of the respondents claimed that micronutrients are important to the baby to prevent mental
retardation, 640 (21%) respondents claimed it’s to prevent stunting and underweight, 421 (14%)
respondents claimed it’s to prevent anemia, 392 (13%) respondents claimed it’s to prevent night
blindness, 261 (9%) respondents claimed it’s to prevent diarrhea while the remaining 156 (5%)
respondents claimed it is to prevent goiter.
Conclusion
In terms of growth monitoring, 66% of the respondents answered that children should be
weighed at the hospital/health facility, cmam centre (22%). 53% of the respondents believed that
children should be weighed be it at least 6 times or 1-5 times annually to determine their growth,
while 30% claimed a child should never be weighed while 17% of the respondents claimed not to
know where children should be weighed.
In terms of birth registration, 96% of the respondents know what birth registration means as
their response align to say birth registration means birth certificate acquisition, registration of
birth for identification of the child, recording age of child, record of birth of child in hospital,
giving information about the newborn. They also claimed that birth should be registered
immediately after birth at the hospital other than the health center or at national population
commission.
In terms of immunization, shows that the respondents are very much aware of childhood killer
diseases like mealses, yellow fever, hepatitis, diarrhea, pertussis, tuberculosis, tetanus, etc, which
are preventable by immunization. 1561 (93%) of the respondents attested that the vaccination
calendar is correct based on the routine immunization asked the respondents during the study.
Respondents claimed to know of the importance of consulting health personnel other than
resolve to self medications. 24% of the respondents believe that if a child not playing normally,
the child is ill. Vomiting (20%), fever for more than 24 hrs (18%), inability to eat or drink (9%),
convulsion (9%), fast breathing (9%), blood in stool (5%) and drinks poorly (5%).

Conclusion
In terms of antenatal care, 93% of the respondents claimed that antenatal care is the health care
given to pregnant women at health care centre in preparation of birth, 91 (5%) respondents
claimed that it is the use of concotions and herbs during pregnancy and a family taking care of a
pregnant woman while 30 (2%) respondents claimed they don’t know what antenatal care is. 791
(47%) respondents claimed that pregnant women should visit the health care centre for antenatal
care at least 4 times, 435 (26%) respondents claimed that it depends on the stage of the
pregnancy, 378 (23%) respondents claimed it should be every month, 29 (2%) respondents claimed
that it should be many times and the remaining 43 (3%) respondents claimed not to know. 1573
(94%) of the respondents claimed that a pregnant woman should birth her child at the health
facility assisted by a skilled health worker while the remaining 94 (6%) said the pregnant woman
should birth the child at home assisted by a traditional birth attendant. 1581 (33%) of the
respondents claimed that bleeding is the major sign that means pregnancy is in danger, headache
and vomiting 509 (11%), severe abdominal pain 492 (10%), fits and convulsion 409 (9%), smelly
vagina discharge 382 (8%), baby not kicking 380 (8%), mucus with blood 369 (8%), water from
vagina 369 (8%), fever 320 (8%).

Conclusion
In terms of WASH, 38% of the respondents’ source of drinking water is dugged well and 32% use
piped water. The remaining 30% uses rain, spring, river stream. 56% of the respondents claimed
that to make the water safer to drink, they boil it and could also use bleach and chlorine (17%),
strain it through a cloth (7%), water filter or ceramic scan (9%), solar disinfection (4%). 2% of the
respondents said they will allow the water to settle before they drink instead of purifying it while
2% said they don’t know what to do to make it safer to drink, they just drink the water like that.
57% of the respondents claimed that they use dry pit latrine, flush (33%), composting toilet (7%),
bucket (2%) and no facility - bush field (1%). 82% of the respondents claimed that the kind of
toilet facility their household use is in their own dwelling (within their house), 18% of the
respondents claimed that their toilet facility is in their own yard/plot (i.e. in the compound) and
the remaining 1% claimed that the toilet facility they have is elsewhere not in their own
yard/plot nor their own dwelling. about 45% of the respondents have a place in their dwelling
where they wash their hands, and a fixed facility (sink which is common in most households),
others (10%) are within the compound and mobile object. 1125 (67%) of the respondents
claimed they wash their hands with soap after defecation, 266 (16%) of the respondents claimed
they wash their hands with soap before and after eating or feeding a child, 173 (10%) claimed
they wash their hands with soap after disposing of babies’ faeces and 116 (7%) claimed they
wash their hands with soap before and after food preparation.

Conclusion