Objectives: To describe the knowledge and practice of nutritional care for children under 5 years old among mothers in some communes of Can Tho city in 2025.
Subjects and methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 400 mothers with children under 5 years old in some communes of Can Tho city from April to October 2025. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a pre-structured questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS 22.0.
Results: Mothers aged 18-29 accounted for the highest proportion (58.8%), and most were of the Kinh ethnic group (90.8%). The proportion of mothers who clearly understood the benefits of colostrum was 86.5%, and those who correctly knew about nutritional care during pregnancy was 79.8%. Most children were breastfed (96.5%), of which 50.5% were breastfed within the first hour after birth. The proportion of mothers who introduced complementary feeding from 6 months of age or later was 79.5%; 68.5% of mothers weaned their children at 18 months of age or later. When children were ill, 56.3% of mothers breastfed and provided more food. The proportion of mothers who dewormed their children regularly every 6 months was 40.5%.
Conclusion: Mothers had relatively good knowledge and practices regarding nutritional care for children under 5 years old. However, practices related to early breastfeeding after birth and regular deworming still remain limited, and health education and communication in the community should be strengthened.