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Table 2 Frequency of MCH nurses undertaking the following as part of a typical consultation (n = 54) and perceived confidence (n = 53)
| Activity | Never/rarely (0-25 % consults) | Sometimes/often (26-75 % of consuls) | Most of the time (>75 % consults) | Very/Extremely confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Measure height and weight of children UNDER 2 years | 2 (3.7) | 6 (11.1) | 46 (85.2) | 53 (100.0) |
| Plot height and weight on a growth chart (for children under 2 years) | 5 (9.3) | 7 (12.9) | 42 (77.8) | 53 (100.0) |
| Measure height and weight for children OVER 2 years | 6 (11.1) | 6 (11.1) | 42 (77.8) | 53 (100.0) |
| Calculate body mass index (BMI) for children OVER 2 years and plot on a BMI percentile chart | 12 (22.2) | 6 (11.1) | 36 (66.7) | 41 (77.4) |
| Use growth or BMI charts to identify infants/children who are at risk of overweight or obesity | 12 (22.2) | 10 (18.5) | 32 (59.3) | 40 (75.5) |
| Provide advice or support to encourage continuation of breastfeeding in breastfeeding mothers | 0 (0.0) | 22 (40.7) | 32 (59.3) | 53 (100.0) |
| Provide advice on correct formula preparation to parents who are formula feeding their infants | 12 (22.2) | 22 (40.7) | 20 (37.0) | 53 (100.0) |
| Provide advice on sleep and settling techniques for infants | 0 (0.0) | 29 (53.7) | 25 (46.3) | 52 (98.1) |
| Provide advice on WHEN to introduce solid foods to infants | 0 (0.0) | 18 (33.3) | 36 (66.7) | 53 (100.0) |
| Provide advice on HOW to introduce solid foods to infants | 0 (0) | 20 (37.0) | 34 (63.0) | 53 (100.0) |
| Talk to parents about eating their meals with their infants/children | 3 (5.6) | 21 (38.9) | 30 (55.6) | 53 (100.0) |
| Talk to parents about limiting infants and young children’s intake of sweetened drinks (e.g. juice and soft drinks) | 0 (0) | 19 (35.2) | 35 (64.8) | 53 (100.0) |
| Talk to parents about offering water as the child’s main drink (after 12 months of age) | 1 (1.9) | 17 (31.5) | 36 (66.7) | 53 (100.0) |
| Talk to parents about limiting infants and young children’s TV viewing and other electronic media use (DVDs, computers etc.) | 7 (13.0) | 30 (55.6) | 17 (30.4) | 48 (90.6) |
| Talk to parents about increasing active play for infants and young children | 8 (14.9) | 22 (40.7) | 24 (44.4) | 51 (96.2) |
| Talk to parents about increasing their infants/children’s fruit and vegetable intake | 4 (7.4) | 20 (37.0.) | 30 (55.6) | 53 (100.0) |
| Talk to parents about limiting infants/children intake of foods high in fat/salt/sugar (e.g. cakes, biscuits, lollies, chips, take away foods etc.) | 6 (11.1) | 16 (29.6) | 32 (59.3) | 52 (98.1) |
