Knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to the intergenerational cycle of malnutrition among adolescent girls: A school-based cross-sectional study.

The intergenerational cycle of malnutrition contributes to adverse health outcomes across generations, with adolescence representing a key period for prevention. This study aimed to assess adolescent girls' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding the intergenerational cycle of malnutrition and to identify associated socio-demographic factors. A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted among adolescent girls in Visakhapatnam Urban, India, using a multistage probability sampling technique with probability proportional to size. Nine of 18 government secondary schools were randomly selected, followed by proportional selection of students from grades 8-10. Data were collected using a predesigned, pretested, semi-structured questionnaire. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to examine factors associated with knowledge, attitude, and practice scores. A total of 316 adolescent girls were included; 50.3%, 62.7%, and 52.5% of participants had knowledge, attitude, and practice scores above the median, respectively. Multivariate analyses found that parental education and employment status were associated with knowledge and attitude scores. A total of 316 adolescent girls were included; 50.3%, 62.7%, and 52.5% had knowledge, attitude, and practice scores above the median, respectively. Maternal education was strongly associated with good knowledge (aOR 8.84; 95%CI: 4.65-16.78;