ABSTRACT
Inappropriate
complementary feeding is a major cause of child malnutrition and death. This
study assessed the knowledge, attitude and practice of complementary feeding
among mothers and anthropometric status of children 6-24 months in semi-urban
area of Ikwuano Local Government Area in Abia State. A multi-stage sampling technique
was used to select a total of 150 lactating mothers. Data on socio demographic/economic
characteristics of mother/caregiver, complementary feeding practices, knowledge
and attitude towards complementary feeding and the anthropometric measurements of the children were collected using structured and
validated questionnaire. The IBM SPSS version 22.0 computer programme was used
to analyze the data. WHO anthro was used to determine the anthropometric status
of the children. Data obtained were described using frequencies and percentages.
Chi square was used to determine the relationship between complementary feeding
practices and anthropometric status of children. A p-value of < 0.05
was considered significant. Result revealed that some (42.7%) of them were
between 26-35 years and majority (87.3%) were married. Some (45.3%) of the
mothers completed their secondary and tertiary education, some (34.7%) of them
were traders and some (26.0%) earned above N 160,000 in a month. The prevalence of exclusive
breastfeeding in this study was 40.0%. Majority (81.3%) of the children were
fed with breast milk within one hour of birth. Although most (63.3%) of them
were still breast feeding, 42.7% of them stopped at 9-12 months and most
(65.3%) of the respondents initiated complementary feeding at 5-6 months. Majority
(80.7%) of the children were given snacks outside the main meal or for treat
and majority (92.7%) ate from their own plate. Some (36.0%) of the children
were fed with mashed foods while 26.0% were fed with family foods chopped or
mashed. A little above half (50.7%) of them were fed more than 4 meals a day
and majority (87.3%) fed their children both homemade and commercial
complementary foods The homemade baby foods mostly fed to the children were
mashed yam (56.7%), pap from maize (65.3%), soup and eba/fufu/semo (86.0%),
mashed rice (39.3%) and mashed beans (34.7%).Most (74.7%) of them had good nutrition
knowledge and more than half (58.0%) of them had positive attitude towards complementary
feeding. The prevalence of underweight, stunting, wasting and overweight
were 30.0%, 21.3%, 24.6% and 14.0% respectively. There was a significant
relationship between other foods given to child (p=0.011), how child is fed at
home (p=0.010), consistency of CF (p=0.035), number of meals fed to the child
(p=0.001) and the weight for height of the children. Appropriate complementary feeding education emphasizing
timely initiation and meal diversity is necessary to improve knowledge and
feeding practices of mothers especially the young, single and uneducated ones.
CHIDINMA, C (2024). Knowledge, Attitude And Practice Of Complementary Feeding Among Mothers’ And Anthropometric Status Of Their Children Aged 6-24 Months In Semi- Urban Area Of Ikwuano L.G.A, Abia State:- Ikechukwu, Chidinma. Repository.mouau.edu.ng: Retrieved Oct 10, 2024, from https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/knowledge-attitude-and-practice-of-complementary-feeding-among-mothers-and-anthropometric-status-of-their-children-aged-6-24-months-in-semi-urban-area-of-ikwuano-lga-abia-state-ikechukwu-chidinma-7-2
CHIDINMA, CHIDINMA. "Knowledge, Attitude And Practice Of Complementary Feeding Among Mothers’ And Anthropometric Status Of Their Children Aged 6-24 Months In Semi- Urban Area Of Ikwuano L.G.A, Abia State:- Ikechukwu, Chidinma" Repository.mouau.edu.ng. Repository.mouau.edu.ng, 11 Sep. 2024, https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/knowledge-attitude-and-practice-of-complementary-feeding-among-mothers-and-anthropometric-status-of-their-children-aged-6-24-months-in-semi-urban-area-of-ikwuano-lga-abia-state-ikechukwu-chidinma-7-2. Accessed 10 Oct. 2024.
CHIDINMA, CHIDINMA. "Knowledge, Attitude And Practice Of Complementary Feeding Among Mothers’ And Anthropometric Status Of Their Children Aged 6-24 Months In Semi- Urban Area Of Ikwuano L.G.A, Abia State:- Ikechukwu, Chidinma". Repository.mouau.edu.ng, Repository.mouau.edu.ng, 11 Sep. 2024. Web. 10 Oct. 2024. < https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/knowledge-attitude-and-practice-of-complementary-feeding-among-mothers-and-anthropometric-status-of-their-children-aged-6-24-months-in-semi-urban-area-of-ikwuano-lga-abia-state-ikechukwu-chidinma-7-2 >.
CHIDINMA, CHIDINMA. "Knowledge, Attitude And Practice Of Complementary Feeding Among Mothers’ And Anthropometric Status Of Their Children Aged 6-24 Months In Semi- Urban Area Of Ikwuano L.G.A, Abia State:- Ikechukwu, Chidinma" Repository.mouau.edu.ng (2024). Accessed 10 Oct. 2024. https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/knowledge-attitude-and-practice-of-complementary-feeding-among-mothers-and-anthropometric-status-of-their-children-aged-6-24-months-in-semi-urban-area-of-ikwuano-lga-abia-state-ikechukwu-chidinma-7-2