Nutritional knowledge and child feeding practices of mothers in Ile‐Ife

Abstract

One hundred and fifty six women belonging to four different professions and socio‐economic groups, resident in Ile‐Ife, Osun State of Nigeria, were interviewed, on their nutritional knowledge and its relationship to the feeding practices of their infants. Nutritional knowledge and infant feeding practices varied among the four groups but not within the groups. The level of education and income of the women was reflected in some of their nutritional practices, such as the time of the introduction of the supplementary feeding and type of food. Respondents indicated that the major sources of information on child care were the child welfare clinics and relevant literature for the literates. Recommendations are made for more emphasis on nutritional education and improved child care practices for all the women.