Infant Feeding Practices And Nutritional Status Of Children 0-24 Months Attending Infant Welfare Clinic At Umuahia North Local Governments Area, Abia State

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted in infant welfare clinic and primary health care departments in Umuahia Local Government Area Abia State Lo determine the infant feeding practices and nutritional status of their children 0-24 months of age. A total of 77 (51.3%) were males and 73 (48.7%) were females. A structured questionnaire was administered and information collection on personal data, infant feeding practices and anthropometrics indices of the children. A total of 14.6% were wasted, 41.4% were stunted and 49.3% were underweight. There was a relationship between weight-for-height and awareness of exclusive breastfeeding among mothers. Mothers who had knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding had well nourished children (79. 1%). There was significant relationship between height- for- age and duration of exclusive breastfeeding. About 62.1% of children exclusively breastfed for 2 months were stunted. The study provided a framework for intensive programmes to reduce the existing levels of malnutrition in children attending infant welfare clinic and primary health care department Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State.