ABSTRACT
The study assessed appropriate complementary
feeding practices and anthropometric status of children aged 6-23 months in
Umuahia North LGA of Abia state. A community based cross-sectional study
involving 160 children was conducted using a multi-stage sampling technique.
Information on sociodemographic characteristics of parents, appropriate
complementary feeding practices, 24-hour dietary intake and anthropometric
characteristics of the infants were obtained using a semi-structured
questionnaire. Appropriate complementary feeding indicators and anthropometric
indices were estimated using the 2018 World Health Organization recommendations;
Introduction of Solid, Semisolid or Soft foods (ISSS), Minimum Dietary
Diversity (MDD), Minimum Meal Frequency (MMF), Minimum Milk Feeding Frequency
(MMFF) and Minimum Acceptable Diet (MAD), WHO Anthro software was used to
analyze anthropometric data for height and weight, respectively. Data obtained
were analyzed using descriptive statistics -frequencies and percentages, and
Chi -square analysis at p<0.05. More than half(51.9%) ofthe infants were
females, about 41.9% ofthe participants were aged between 6-8 months, and 31.9%
were firstborn. Of all the respondents, 62.9% had timely introduction of
complementary foods, 90.3% of children 12-18 months had minimum dietaiy
diversity, 100% across all age groups had minimum meal frequency, 98.5%
ofchildren 6-8 months had minimum milk feeding frequency and only 40.3% of
children 6-8 months had minimum acceptable diet. The prevalence of wasting,
underweight, stunting, overweight/obesity, malnutrition (MUAC) in this study
was 0.6%, 13.8%, 11.2%, 33.1% and 37.5%, respectively, with majority (88.8%)
ofthe children fully immunized. Additionally, 60.6% ofthe children were
exclusively breastfed and majority (88.1%) currently breastfeeding. A
significant association was found between adequate complementary feeding practices
and children currently breastfeeding, children exclusively breastfed, age
breastfeeding was discontinued, reason for discontinuing breastfeeding, age of
introduction of complementary foods, and estimated household income (p <
0.05). Caregivers should be encouraged by the dieticians/nutritionists to give
adequate complementary foods that will promote child growth and development
CHRISTIAN, C (2024). Appropriate Complementary Feeding Practices And Anthropometric Status Of Children Aged 6-23 Months In Umuahia North Local Government Area, Abia State:- Ohameje, Christian C. Repository.mouau.edu.ng: Retrieved Nov 10, 2024, from https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/appropriate-complementary-feeding-practices-and-anthropometric-status-of-children-aged-6-23-months-in-umuahia-north-local-government-area-abia-state-ohameje-christian-c-7-2
CHUKWUDI, CHRISTIAN. "Appropriate Complementary Feeding Practices And Anthropometric Status Of Children Aged 6-23 Months In Umuahia North Local Government Area, Abia State:- Ohameje, Christian C" Repository.mouau.edu.ng. Repository.mouau.edu.ng, 09 Oct. 2024, https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/appropriate-complementary-feeding-practices-and-anthropometric-status-of-children-aged-6-23-months-in-umuahia-north-local-government-area-abia-state-ohameje-christian-c-7-2. Accessed 10 Nov. 2024.
CHUKWUDI, CHRISTIAN. "Appropriate Complementary Feeding Practices And Anthropometric Status Of Children Aged 6-23 Months In Umuahia North Local Government Area, Abia State:- Ohameje, Christian C". Repository.mouau.edu.ng, Repository.mouau.edu.ng, 09 Oct. 2024. Web. 10 Nov. 2024. < https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/appropriate-complementary-feeding-practices-and-anthropometric-status-of-children-aged-6-23-months-in-umuahia-north-local-government-area-abia-state-ohameje-christian-c-7-2 >.
CHUKWUDI, CHRISTIAN. "Appropriate Complementary Feeding Practices And Anthropometric Status Of Children Aged 6-23 Months In Umuahia North Local Government Area, Abia State:- Ohameje, Christian C" Repository.mouau.edu.ng (2024). Accessed 10 Nov. 2024. https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/appropriate-complementary-feeding-practices-and-anthropometric-status-of-children-aged-6-23-months-in-umuahia-north-local-government-area-abia-state-ohameje-christian-c-7-2