Maternal Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Complementary Feeding Among Children Under 2 Years of Age: An Urban-Rural Comparison in Jharkhand, India

Background Appropriate complementary feeding during the period of 6-24 months is essential for meeting the growing nutritional requirements of infants that cannot be met by breast milk alone after six months of age. Maternal knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) are critical determinants of infant feeding behavior. Urban-rural disparities in education, socioeconomic status, and healthcare access may contribute to differences in these practices. This study aimed to assess and compare maternal KAP regarding complementary feeding in urban and rural areas of Ranchi district, Jharkhand, using a validated scoring framework. Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 305 mothers of children aged 6-24 months in urban Doranda (n=107) and rural Ormanjhi (n=198), the field practice areas of the Department of Community Medicine, RIMS, Ranchi. Data were collected using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire. KAP was assessed using a Bloom's cut-off-based scoring system: knowledge scores were classified as good (≥80%), moderate (60-79%), or poor (