Abstract
Background and Objectives:Inappropriate complementary feeding is a major cause of child malnutrition and death. This study determined the complementary feeding knowledge, practices, minimum dietary diversity, and acceptable diet among mothers of under-five children in an urban Local Government Area of Lagos State, Southwest Nigeria.Methods:This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Eti-Osa area of Lagos State, Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling technique was employed to select 355 mothers and infants. Data was collected using a pre-tested interviewer administered questionnaire and 24-hour diet recall was used to assess dietary diversity. Data was analyzed using Epi-Info.Results:Knowledge of complementary feeding was low (14.9%) and was associated with older mothers’ age, being married, and higher level of education. The prevalence of timely initiation of complementary feeding (47.9%), dietary diversity (16.0%) and minimum acceptable diet for children between 6 and 9 months (16%) were low. Overall, appropriate complementary feeding practice was low (47.0%) and associated with higher level of mothers’ education and occupation.Conclusions and Global Health Implications:Complementary feeding knowledge and practices were poor among mothers of under-5 especially the non-literate. Reduction of child malnutrition through appropriate complementary feeding remains an important global health goal. Complementary feeding education targeting behavioral change especially among young, single and uneducated mothers in developing countries is important to reduce child morbidity and mortality.
Highlights
Background and ObjectivesInappropriate complementary feeding is a major cause of child malnutrition and death.This study determined the complementary feeding knowledge, practices, minimum dietary diversity, and acceptable diet among mothers of under-five children in an urban Local Government Area of Lagos State, Southwest Nigeria
257 (72.4%) of the respondents knew the correct definition of complementary feeding, 217 (61.1%) knew complementary feeding should be introduced at 6 months with only a quarter, 90 (25.4%) having correct knowledge of when breastfeeding is to stop
256 (72.1%) knew the child was to be breastfed on demand after starting on other feeds, but knowledge of the daily minimum frequency of complementary food was low
Summary
Background and ObjectivesInappropriate complementary feeding is a major cause of child malnutrition and death.This study determined the complementary feeding knowledge, practices, minimum dietary diversity, and acceptable diet among mothers of under-five children in an urban Local Government Area of Lagos State, Southwest Nigeria. If the feeds are given inappropriately, the growth of the infant may falter.[1] In many developing countries, the incidence of under-nutrition usually increases during the period of complementary feeding from the age of 6 to 18 months.[2] The occurrence of early nutritional deficits is linked to long-term impairments in child growth and health.[3]. In Nigeria, according to the 2013 Demographic and Health Survey (DHS), the national prevalence of appropriate complementary feeding practices among children aged 6-23 months was 10%, while in States such as Lagos, Akwa-Ibom, Imo, Zamfara and Benue, the prevalence rates of appropriate complementary feeding practices were only 3.2%, 8.1%, 9.3%, 1% and 12.4% respectively.[4] More than 50% of infants are given complementary food too early which is usually of poor nutritional value.[4] In many countries including Nigeria, less than a fourth of infants within the age 6–23 months meet the criteria of dietary diversity and feeding frequency that are appropriate for their age. Only few children receive nutritionally adequate and safe complementary food.[1]
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