Maternal Nutrition Knowledge, Infant Feeding Practices and The Young Child Nutrition: A Case of Bosaso District, Somalia

Abstract

The study set out to determine maternal nutrition knowledge, infant feeding practices and nutritional status of the children aged 0-24 months in Bosaso District, Somalia. The cross sectional study used a semi structured questionnaire to interview 348 mothers with children 0-24 months of age living in Bosaso District, Somalia. Bosaso district was selected in convenience while mothers with children who met the inclusion criteria were selected randomly. The study used descriptive statistics. Chi-square and correlation used for analysis. Results obtained showed that mother’s nutrition knowledge on child feeding practices was moderate at 48.6%, poor knowledge at about 40.5% and highly knowledgeable at 11%. The percent of mothers knowledgeable in certain areas were 42.5%on exclusive breastfeeding, 31.6% on initiation of breastfeeding, 31% on frequency of breastfeeding and 42.5% of the mothers were exclusively breastfed infants 0-6months.There was a strong significant association between maternal nutrition knowledge and maternal education level (P< 0.01). There was no significant different between knowledge and mother/care giver’s marital status. There was significant correlation between maternal nutrition knowledge and breastfeeding practices (P <0.01). For all the three nutritional indicators, there was a positive correlation quite weak between Maternal nutrition knowledge and stunting (r=0.084), wasting (r=0.140), the strongest being underweight (r=0.167). There was a significant difference between maternal nutrition knowledge and underweight (P < 0.01) and wasting (P < 0.01). There was no significant different between maternal nutritional knowledge and stunting and MUAC. The mothers/care givers had moderate maternal nutrition knowledge on child Feeding practices. Most mothers and care givers were aware of the recommended breastfeeding practices but the actual practice of the recommended infant and young child feeding practices was poor. There is need for counseling among mothers and care givers on the recommended child feeding practices in order to reduce the level of malnourished children in the community. Keywords: Maternal Nutrition Knowledge, Infant Feeding