Comparative Analysis of Maternal Knowledge and Practices on Child Malnutrition in Rural and Urban Communities in the Western Region of Ghana

Child malnutrition remains a critical public health concern in Ghana, with varying maternal responses across different settings. This study compares maternal knowledge, practices, and misconceptions about malnutrition between rural and urban mothers in the Western Region of Ghana. A total of 400 mothers, 200 from each setting, were surveyed using structured questionnaires. Results showed that urban mothers had significantly higher knowledge about malnutrition signs and causes and were more likely to practice exclusive breastfeeding, maintain hygiene, and offer diverse diets. Rural mothers, on the other hand, exhibited more misconceptions, with a higher prevalence of beliefs in spiritual causes, teething, and witchcraft as drivers of malnutrition. Logistic regression revealed that urban residence, maternal education, and access to nutrition information were strong predictors of good nutritional practices. The study highlights the importance of targeted, context-specific health education to bridge the rural–urban gap in child nutrition outcomes.