Socioeconomic Characteristics And Feeding Practices Of Mothers And Growth Pattern Of Their Infants (0-6 Months) In Bende Local Government Area Of Abia State, Nigeria:- Okorie, Ijioma

ABSTRACT xii The present study determined the socioeconomic characteristics and feeding practices of the mothers and growth pattern of infants between 0-6 months of age. A longitudinal study was carried out in five health centres (Igbere Primary Health Centre, Umuosi Health Centre, Okafia Health Centre, Amaukwu Health Centre, Amankalu Health Centre and Amaiyi Health Centre) in the study area. The period of the study was from May 2014 to October 2014. A total of one hundred and seventy-five (175) mothers and infants were recruited for the study and infants growth were monitored for a period of 6 months. Information obtained with the questionnaire were individual and socioeconomic characteristics and infant feeding practices of the mothers. Anthropometric measurement (weight, length and head circumference) was carried out on the infants and monitored at each visit for the study period. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test and regression analysis. The study revealed that 44.0% of mothers were aged 16-20 years at first pregnancy while 46.3% were 19- 25 years of age currently at the time the study. Majority (92.0%) ofthe mothers were married, 81.7% were currently living with their husbands. Less than half (40.6%) of the mothers had secondary school uncompleted compared to 29.1% of their husbands while 49.1% oftheir husbands completed secondary school compared to 33.7% ofthe mothers. Majority (78.3%) ofthe mothers initiated breastfeeding within 30 minutes of child birth for the index child while more than half (54.9%) ofthe mothers gave water from birth. Very few (2.3% and 1.7%) of the mothers exclusively breastfed for 5-6 months and 6 months and above respectively. Majority of the mothers (98.9%) breastfed their infants whenever they cried as a sign of hunger. At 4th month, majority (86.3% and 85.7%) of the male and female infants respectively were wasted, while almost all (100%) the infants had normal length-for-age throughout the study period. There were slight variations in growth velocity of the infants compared to WHO child growth standards, and the infants almost followed the same progression. Being a housewife significantly influenced (P<0.05) the weight-for-length (WHZ), and BMIfor-age (BAZ) of the infants. It contributed to 14.3% to the variability in the mean (WHZ) and 1j.j% (BAZ) of the infants. Low income of mothers significantly influenced (P<0.05) the WHZ, weight-for-age (WAZ), and BAZ of the infants, with 20.4/o (WHZ), 11.6% (WAZ), and 20.6% (BAZ) of the infants. Breastfeeding within 30 minutes of child birth significantly influenced (P<0.05) length-for-age (HAZ) ofthe infants. Theie were adolescent and young adult mothers in the study which may have led to the low practice of exclusive breastfeeding, however, most of the mothers initiated breastfeeding within 30 minutes of child birth and this had a positive influence on the length-for-age ofthe infants.