Sitoe

The problem of chronic malnutrition continues to be a huge challenge for health authorities, given that around 43% of children under the age of 5 suffer from this disease (PAMRDC, 2010). Aware of the negative impact that this problem has on children’s health, and the importance that parents have in combating it, this research aims to assess the knowledge and practices that pregnant and breastfeeding women aged 18 to 35 have in relation to the prevention of chronic malnutrition at the Xipamanine Health Center. This was a cross-sectional descriptive study with a qualitative approach, involving 17 pregnant and breastfeeding women. The results show that the majority of the women were 26-35 years old, with secondary education, unemployed, with an average family income, and the breastfeeding women had children aged 0-11 months. It can be concluded that the women have a good level of nutritional knowledge and adopt good practices, although they do not believe that the illnesses of the pregnant woman influence the fact that the children suffer from chronic malnutrition.