Background: Sales of the first domestic liquid infant milk formula in Japan started in March 2019, and some local governments have started to stockpile the formula in case of disasters. This study aimed to assess caregivers' knowledge of liquid formula to promote better utilization during disaster situations.
Methods: A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted between August 26 and October 4, 2019, in Aiiku Hospital and Aiiku Clinic (Minato Ward, Tokyo, Japan). Caregivers of infants at their 1-, 3-4-, and 6-7-month medical check-ups participated. Caregivers' knowledge about the cup feeding method and handling of residual (left over) formula was evaluated. Caregivers were divided into high or low knowledge groups. Logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze the relation between caregivers' information sources on liquid formula and each caregiver's level of knowledge (high or low).
Results: Only 10.5% of caregivers were included in the high knowledge group regarding the cup feeding method, whereas 83.1% of caregivers were included in the high knowledge group regarding handling of residual liquid formula. Only 8.1% of caregivers were included in the high knowledge group regarding both cup feeding and handling of residual liquid formula. Logistic regression analysis showed that none of the information sources (hospital/clinic, TV/newspaper/magazine/website, milk company's website/advertisements, retail store, study meeting/event/social networking service, friend/infant's grandmother, workplace) affected the caregivers' knowledge.
Conclusions: Caregivers' knowledge on the cup feeding method and handling of left over liquid formula was insufficient. Proactive and correct provision of information is required to improve caregivers' knowledge as this is an urgent infant safety issue in disaster situations.
Keywords: cup feeding; disaster; liquid formula; powder formula; residual liquid formula; stockpiling.
© 2021 Japan Pediatric Society.